Chapter 336: A Desperate Gamble (II)
"Why are you two suddenly so emotional?" Primrose finally spoke from the side, her voice cautious. She made no move to step between them, too afraid that if she tried, one of their hits might land on her by mistake.
"Even if you two keep fighting, nothing will change," Primrose said quietly. "Lady Lorelle will still be sick."
Leofric’s teeth clenched before he shoved Edmund back with a force that came from more than anger. He turned to Primrose. "Yes, and that’s exactly why I brought you here. To make her believe she’s healthy, so she can at least enjoy what time she has left, instead of ... drowning in bitterness every day."
He paused, his chest rising and falling before he added, "I’m not asking for a cure, because this is the end. There’s nothing more we can do."
Edmund straightened his collar and replied, "You always say that. But tell me, have you really tried hard enough to find a solution?"
"I did!" Leofric snapped, his voice breaking with frustration. "Do you think I was leaving this kingdom just to help you? I’ve been searching everywhere for a way to heal Lorelle."
"So have I!" Edmund shot back. "Do you think I haven’t tried? I’ve worked day and night to repair our ties with the humans, hoping one of them might hold the answer we’ve been searching for."
Both of them then fell silent, realizing that neither of them had ever truly neglected Lorelle.
"I don’t agree with what you’re trying to do," Edmund admitted, his voice softer. "I don’t agree with what you’re trying to do. Not only because it feels like you’re trying to use my wife, but because I can’t bring myself to abandon hope so soon."
Leofric’s stance softened, his shoulders easing as the fire in his eyes dimmed. "I understand that," he admitted. "But can’t you see her as she is now? She’s in so much pain that she’s tried to take her own life more than once. That’s why I placed protection magic on her ... to keep her from succeeding."
Primrose looked back and forth between Edmund and Leofric before finally speaking. "What if I gave her a different command instead?" she suggested softly. "Rather than making her believe she’s already healed, maybe ... I could trick her mind into thinking she doesn’t feel any pain at all."
That way, Lorelle wouldn’t fight against them when they tried to help her. Instead, she might finally accept their efforts to make her well again.
But of course, there would be consequences to giving such a command. Pain was the body’s warning, and without it, Lorelle might never realize which part of her was truly injured.
Then again ... did it even matter anymore? Her illness had already filled her with pain from head to toe, to the point where she could no longer tell what part of her body truly hurt.
Edmund’s expression softened as he listened to her. "If it eases her suffering, even just a little, then it’s worth the risk," he said quietly, then turned to Leofric. "What do you think?"
Leofric still looked doubtful, clearly unconvinced by the idea. But after a long moment of silence, his expression shifted, and he gave a reluctant nod. "Maybe ... it could work," he admitted quietly.
At the very least, it would spare Lorelle from being burdened with false hope.
"But Sir Leofric, even if the command changes, our deal won’t change, right?" Primrose asked to make sure.
Leofric let out a short chuckle. "Of course not, Your Majesty."
Primrose let out a small breath of relief at his answer. "Then maybe ... we should talk about this with Lady Lorelle as well. But please, don’t say anything that might upset her."
Until now, they hadn’t planned on telling Lorelle about what they intended to do, since there had been no point in it. But now that their plan had changed, it would be better to let her know.
Still, the constant pain wracking Lorelle’s body had left her unable to tolerate even speaking to her brothers. Just seeing their faces seemed to wear her patience thin.
She hadn’t even noticed Primrose’s presence before because she was too distracted by the sight of her brothers’ annoying faces.
"How about you be the one to speak with her?" Leofric suddenly suggested.
Primrose blinked in surprise. "Me? Why me?"
Leofric’s expression softened slightly. "Because it seems she’s more patient when speaking with women," he said after a pause. "Ms. Susan even mentioned that Lorelle often loses her temper, but she’s never once thrown things at the maids or the doctor. It seems her anger only flares when the subject is me or ... Edmund."
"Maybe because men are just better at annoying women," Primrose muttered before she could stop herself.
Leofric blinked, his brows knitting together. "What?"
"Nothing." She quickly shook her head, brushing it off with a faint smile. "What I meant is that she might act that way because you and Edmund share a stronger bond with her."
Leofric let out a heavy sigh. "Then you talk to her. If Edmund or I walk into that room again, I’m certain she’ll throw a chair at us."
Edmund’s eyes narrowed. "And what if she throws something at my wife instead?"
"Oh, for heaven’s sake! Stop being a wife-slave for a second!" Leofric shot back.
Edmund clicked his tongue. "You’re just jealous."
Before they could start arguing again, Primrose quickly said, "Please, stop shouting at each other. You’ll only make Lady Lorelle even more upset." She then turned to Edmund. "Don’t worry, I don’t think Lady Lorelle will do that to me."
After all, from what she had glimpsed of Lorelle’s thoughts, there was still a softness in her heart. If Primrose approached her carefully, there was a chance she could keep that fragile kindness from turning into rage.
"Alright," Edmund relented, his expression softening. He reached for her hand, brushing his thumb over the wedding ring on her finger. "I’ll wait outside and keep watch."
Leofric snorted at their tender interaction before muttering, "How touching. Do you want to bring her some dessert too? Maybe that will sweeten her mood."
Primrose lifted the corner of her lips as she shook her head. "I have a better idea."