CHAPTER 321: THE QUEEN WANTS EXTRA MONEY

Primrose sketched the design of the sword charm she wanted to give Edmund. Her drawing skills weren’t the best, but at least the shape was clear enough to understand.

"Here it is." She handed the paper to Solene with a smile. "Can you give this design to your trusted jeweler? Just tell me the price later, and I’ll send the payment."

Solene accepted the sketch with a cheerful nod. "Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure the jeweler uses only the finest materials for this."

However, Primrose was hesitant about the cost of the jewelry. She wasn’t afraid to spend Edmund’s money; she knew he had plenty, even more than her father ever did. Besides, jewelry wasn’t that expensive for someone like him.

What worried her was that if she withdrew too much at once, Edmund might notice right away.

Besides that, wasn’t it a little odd, buying her husband’s gift with his own money? Still, it wasn’t as if she had much of a choice because she had no money of her own.

Now that she thought about it, she wondered why she didn’t have her own money anyway? She should have asked her father for some before coming to this kingdom.

Why hadn’t she done that? Well, the answer was a little complicated.

She had left Illvaris with a heart full of anger, too upset to even speak to her father. When Lazarus had tried to give her money and gifts, she had stubbornly refused, insisting she didn’t need any of it.

Looking back on it now, Primrose wanted nothing more than to slap her past self. ’What on earth had you been thinking, telling your father you didn’t need money or jewelry? Foolish girl! This is what happens when you let emotions lead instead of logic!’

Damn it, you were too young and stupid, Primrose!

Shaking her head, she decided she needed to start finding ways to earn her own money. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to rely on her husband because honestly, who wouldn’t want to enjoy the luxury of living off Edmund’s wealth?

But still, she wanted to spoil him too. She wanted to buy him gifts using her own money, even if it wasn’t much. It didn’t have to be as grand as Edmund’s wealth, just enough to afford a meaningful present would be enough.

Because right now, it feels so unfair.

But what kind of business could she even manage without devoting too much time? Not that she was lazy—well, maybe a little—but she knew once she fully took on her duties as queen, she wouldn’t have much free time to run a complicated business.

Oh! Maybe she could buy land and rent it out!

Her smile faltered. Unfortunately, she didn’t have enough money for that, or ... maybe she did? She could always borrow from her father and promise to pay him back later.

Yes, she could definitely do that. And her father would never refuse her.

"Lady Solene, could you help me send a letter to my father?" Primrose asked as she pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from her vanity drawer. "Tell the courier that I want him to deliver it as quickly as possible."

She needed to act fast. Not only for the sword charm, but also for the other gifts she wanted to buy. More importantly, Edmund’s birthday was coming soon, right at the end of the year. If she could secure some money before then, she could surprise him properly.

"Oh, of course, Your Majesty!" Solene replied at once.

Primrose bent over her desk and quickly began writing. She made sure to ask after Lazarus’s health and tell him how much she loved him before boldly requesting a large sum of money.

When she finished, she folded the parchment neatly, she slipped it into an envelope and sealed it with wax. Then she handed it to Solene with both hands.

"Please make sure my father receives this without delay," she said firmly.

Solene bowed her head. "You can count on me, Your Majesty."

As Solene left with the letter in hand, Primrose leaned back in her chair, hugging the scarf around her shoulders. She imagined Edmund’s face when she finally gave him the sword charm.

For the first time in a long while, Primrose felt genuinely excited, eager to see her husband’s face light up with one of those rare, wide smiles when he received another gift from her.

The thought alone filled her with such joy that, as she made her way to the royal living room to meet Leofric, she found herself humming softly under her breath.

Unfortunately, all the happiness in her heart evaporated the moment she opened the door and saw the face of the man who had forced her to deal with a killer yesterday.

"Sir Leofric," Primrose greeted him, her voice flat. The sparkle that had danced in her eyes moments ago dimmed until they were lifeless. "You look well."

Leofric met her gaze directly. "Your Majesty," he said coldly. "Thank you for not keeping your promise," he scoffed at her.

Primrose gave him a long look from head to toe before lifting her shoulders in a dismissive shrug. "Oh, don’t be dramatic," she said, moving gracefully to the couch before him. "My husband didn’t even kick you that hard."

Or maybe he had, but Edmund simply hadn’t told her.

Either way, Leofric had no right to glare at her like that. He was the one foolish enough to poke at a starving beast.

"You’ve been dealing with nobles for a long time," Primrose said as she sank onto the couch. "You should know better than to rely on empty words. A promise only counts when it’s written down, otherwise, you have no guarantee the other party won’t break the deal."

Leofric chuckled, then sneered at her. "Oh ... this humble commoner doesn’t have any idea about that."

The room fell into a long silence, the two of them locked in a battle of glares. At last, Leofric let out a heavy sigh and groaned. "Fine, I admit it, I was the one at fault. Stop glaring at me before Edmund starts thinking I’ve done something terrible to you again."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice edged with impatience. "Forget that promise. What about our other deal? You swore you’d keep Edmund from exploding at me when I used your mind-reading ability, didn’t you?"

Primrose’s lips pressed into a thin, firm line. "We’ll see about that ... later."

"L-Later?" Leofric blinked, the realization dawning on him. "Wait—don’t tell me you haven’t even mentioned it to Edmund yet! What do you mean later?!"