Chapter 351: A Father’s Fierce Love (I)
Primrose didn’t know much about her mother, but people in her old home often spoke of Iriana with awe. They said that when she was alive, she could make flowers bloom with a mere touch of her magic.
Because of her, even in winter, the greenhouse remained filled with beautiful flowers, something impossible to achieve unless one possessed strong magic.
Perhaps that was why so many had expected Primrose to inherit her mother’s gift. But in the end, she had none, and even if there was any magic within her, it was so faint that it was nearly impossible to detect.
Thankfully, her father never made an issue of it, because he himself didn’t possess strong magic either. That was why, after her mother’s death, their household was never filled with magic again.
"Maybe we should ask my father," Primrose said quietly, turning to Edmund with hesitation in her voice. "But I think ... he would have told me something this important if I truly had that kind of power inside my body."
Before Edmund could reply, Dr. Celdric spoke up. "There is also the possibility that no one has ever noticed the seal because it is ... special."
His expression grew thoughtful as he went on. "This kind of seal can hide itself perfectly, and from what I sense, it has only just begun to surface." He adjusted his glasses slightly. "I believe that back then, no one—not even myself—could have detected it."
Primrose fell silent for a while, realizing that the seal had probably surfaced around the same time she gained her mind-reading ability.
"Then ... what exactly lies within this seal?" she asked hesitantly.
Dr. Celdric shook his head. "I don’t know yet, Your Majesty. But there is a strong possibility that it has locked away your magic. That’s why, you haven’t been able to awaken your power all this time."
Primrose’s eyes widened at his words. It was still only speculation, but it did make sense. Perhaps the seal truly had hidden her power all along.
That would explain why Salem had told her she was stronger than she believed, and maybe that was also why she had been able to awaken her mind-control ability after gaining mind-reading.
What if she hadn’t gained these powers from some outside force, as Leofric believed? What if she had been born with them all along?
"I think we really need to see my father as soon as possible," Primrose said firmly, turning back to Edmund.
Somehow, though, Primrose felt that her father knew nothing about this either. But if this had indeed been her mother Iriana’s doing, then perhaps she had left something behind for Lazarus, something that could be used to unlock the seal within her body.
"We could send him a letter with your phoenix," suggested Primrose. "It should reach him in less than a day, right?"
She had, in fact, already asked Solene to send a letter to Lazarus two days ago, asking for money to buy land.
But she still hadn’t received a reply from her father. She had even instructed Solene to make sure the phoenix stayed in Illvaris until her father wrote back.
"Actually, I received a letter from Father last night," Edmund said suddenly. "But I didn’t get the chance to read it yet because I was too eager to see you. Would you like to read it together?"
Primrose blinked, tilting her head in surprise. So Lazarus had written to Edmund but ignored his daughter’s letter? Could it be that he had refused to reply on purpose, just to avoid giving her money? Had her father suddenly turned stingy?!
Her lips pouted slightly as she sulked inwardly. This was the first time her father had ever refused her request for money, and it stung.
"Yes," she said quickly. "I want to see his letter."
After that, Dr. Celdric left the room with Edmund. At first, Primrose thought her father might have written about some business matter to discuss with her husband. But when Edmund finally opened the letter, it was nothing like what she expected.
Instead, the words inside nearly made her laugh and cry at the same time.
[Dear, my bastard son-in-law,
Why is my Rosie suddenly asking me for money?! Are you not giving my daughter every coin in your pocket?! Are you starving her?! Are you forbidding her from buying new dresses and jewels?!
Didn’t you promise to take care of her? If she so much as sheds a single tear because of you, or if she can’t buy the pretty things she likes because you’re too stingy with your money, I’ll march to the palace myself and drag her back home! Do you hear me?!
Sincerely,
Your I-want-to-beat-you-up Father-in-law.]
Primrose pressed her lips into a thin line, sneaking nervous glances at Edmund who sat quietly beside her. She stayed stiff and upright, waiting for him to say something after being scolded so fiercely by her father through a letter.
"Wife, why—"
"I can explain!" Primrose blurted out, quickly slapping her hands over his mouth. Her cheeks burned as she bit the inside of her lip.
Great. Just great.
Not only had she failed to get the money she needed to buy land—so she could surprise Edmund with a gift bought with her own earnings—but now she had also dragged him into being scolded by her overprotective father!
[My wife ... is my money not enough for you?] Edmund’s voice brushed through her mind. His gaze softened into something almost like puppy eyes, and it made Primrose’s guilt grow heavier. [If you think it isn’t, then I’ll work harder.]
"Your money is more than enough!" she blurted out, shaking her head quickly. "But ... I just ... want to earn something on my own." Her voice dropped as she lowered her head. "I thought if I bought you a gift with money I earned myself, it would feel more meaningful."
Edmund’s eyes widened at her confession, his chest swelling with warmth so deep it almost ached.