CHAPTER 309: THE QUEEN’S SURPRISE (I)

When she opened her eyes again, she saw that sunlight had already slipped through the curtains.

She blinked a few times, slowly realizing she was no longer lying on top of her husband but on the bed instead. The heavy blanket wrapped around her felt so warm and comfortable that she wanted nothing more than to stay there forever.

However, when she reached out and found the space beside her empty, her heart sank a little. Reluctantly, she pushed herself up, half-sitting on the bed to look for her husband.

Her sleepy eyes narrowed when she spotted someone sitting at the edge of the bed, pulling on the shirt and trousers that had been scattered carelessly across the floor the night before. "Edmund ...," she called softly.

The dark-haired man turned his head toward her. "Oh, did I wake you up?"

Primrose slowly dragged herself toward him and slipped her arms lazily around his waist, hugging him from behind, as if she wanted to stop him from leaving. Her voice was groggy and sweet. "Where are you going? It’s still too early ...."

Edmund’s hand immediately rose to stroke her hair with his fingers. "It’s ... actually already nine in the morning, my wife."

Primrose groaned and buried her face against his back before lifting her head to glance at the clock. Her lips curled in frustration when she saw he was right. It really was nine o’clock in the morning.

"I’m sorry." Edmund’s voice dropped lower as his hand slipped beneath her thin nightgown, his warm palm brushing directly against her skin. He caressed her back slowly, lovingly. "But I need to go now."

Primrose let out a heavy sigh, torn between annoyance and resignation. She didn’t want to let him go, but she also couldn’t be selfish. He usually began his day much earlier, sometimes even at sunrise. Maybe he had overslept this morning, which was why he was only getting ready now.

Still, as she clung to him, she couldn’t help wishing time would stop just a little longer.

"Are you going on patrol duty again today?" she asked, sliding closer until her head rested on Edmund’s thigh. She didn’t say anything about stopping him from leaving, but the way she curled against him spoke louder than words. In other words, it was her way of begging him to stay.

Edmund swallowed hard, trying his best not to give in to his wife’s temptation. "No. Yesterday ... I already drove away so many rogue werewolves and our enemies, so I doubt they’ll come back so soon."

In other words, he had killed countless enemies yesterday, including members of the clan belonging to the mysterious man who had snuck into the palace.

Just from that information, Primrose knew that their sleeping powder hadn’t been very effective against Edmund, which honestly surprised her a little.

"Then, where are you going?" Primrose asked softly, her voice so tender it could melt anyone’s heart. She batted her lashes at him, silently begging him not to leave too early.

Edmund’s hand moved up to gently caress her temple. "I need to go to the training ground. The forecaster said winter might come earlier this year, so I want to make sure my soldiers are ready to face the harsh weather."

"You can go back to sleep." He leaned down, pressing a kiss against her temple. "I just got word from Sir Dorne that he’s taking the day off, so you can spend today however you like."

But what was the point of having a day off if her husband wasn’t beside her? Primrose might just end up lazing around in bed all day, but ... if Edmund was going to leave her, then wouldn’t it be better to simply follow him?

"Will you be at the training ground all day?"

Edmund hesitated before nodding. "Most likely. I also want to see the new soldiers’ monthly progress."

Primrose suddenly smiled and pushed herself up. "Alright then." She kissed him once ... twice ... three times before saying cheerfully, "See you later."

[Why does my wife suddenly look so happy?] Edmund wondered, puzzled. [Is she actually glad I’ll be away for the whole d—]

"Husband, I can read your mind," Primrose cut in quickly before he embarrassed himself. She grinned. "Don’t overthink it. I’m in such a good mood because of last night sex. You were so amazing and so sweet. I know I said it more than once last night, but husband, I really love you!"

Edmund froze, caught completely off guard as she kissed him several more times, openly admitting how much she enjoyed their intimacy the night before.

Usually, she would turn shy and flustered whenever he brought up their nights together.

The truth was, Primrose had already decided she would sneak over to the training ground later that afternoon. She didn’t want him to know because she wanted to surprise him.

She wasn’t sure if her husband would be annoyed or happy if she followed him around, but she wouldn’t know unless she tried.

"I ... I love you too," Edmund finally said, standing from the bed before leaning down to return her kiss. His voice was soft, tender. "See you later, my wife."

Edmund left the bedroom soon after, his tall figure disappearing behind the door. Primrose sat on the bed for a moment, hugging the blanket to her chest as her lips curved into a sly smile.

"He really thought I’d stay here?" she whispered to herself, her eyes glinting with mischief.

She quickly called Solene and Marielle into her chamber, asking them to help her freshen up and change. Since Edmund had already taken such good care of her the night before, all she needed now was to wash her face.

"Do you plan to go somewhere, Your Majesty?" Marielle asked curiously, surprised because she thought Primrose would prefer to stay in bed and rest after everything that happened yesterday.

Yes, since Marielle was always by her side, Primrose thought she would find out about that incident sooner or later, so it was better to just tell her directly.

Primrose nodded enthusiastically. "I want to visit the training ground." She turned to Solene, her lips curving into a bright smile. "Do you think the soldiers would be happy if I brought them some snacks?"

Solene’s eyes widened, blinking rapidly as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Of all the places she imagined the queen would want to go, the rough, noisy training ground had never once crossed her mind.

"But, Your Majesty ...," Solene began slowly, choosing her words with care. "The training ground may not be the most suitable place for you to visit. There isn’t much pleasant to see there, aside from ... well, sweaty soldiers."