Chapter 362: The Queen’s Terms
Because of that, she had become careful with her words, choosing them with thought and restraint, determined never to accidentally push someone toward death.
"I apologize for my rudeness, Your Majesty," Naveer said at last. She lowered her head, though part of her still struggled to believe that a human sat above her.
Even, a measure of respect began to take root in her. "I promise I will watch my words, and I will not speak ill of His Majesty or you, Your Majesty."
[As for the knight who killed my lovely specimens, I will never stop speaking ill of him.]
Primrose hissed inwardly, realizing that Leofric really had too many enemies for his own good. Sometimes she wondered if he needed a cleansing ritual to drive away all the evil spirits that clung to him.
"Thank you for your understanding, Lady Naveer." Primrose smoothed her tone and offered a calm smile. "Please, take a seat."
Naveer cast Leofric one last sharp glance before lowering herself gracefully into the couch across from Primrose. For all her eccentricity, she still sat with poise, her posture elegant and deliberate, like a woman very aware of the eyes upon her.
"I know you’re a busy woman, so I won’t waste your time with pleasantries, Lady Naveer," Primrose began. "The reason I invited you here is because there is someone who might pique your curiosity."
She didn’t immediately reveal Lorelle’s identity or give away too many details to Naveer because Primrose wasn’t foolish enough to hand over such a secret without first knowing whether this eccentric lady was a danger or not.
"As we’ve discussed before," Primrose continued, "this concerns the ritual of immortality."
Naveer, who had been lazily reaching for her teacup, froze. Instead of drinking, she set it back down untouched and straightened her back. Her green eyes locked onto Primrose’s with a hunger she couldn’t quite disguise.
"Please, indulge me, Your Majesty," she said couriously. "Tell me more about this case. What is it exactly? Was there someone who succeeded or did they fail?"
Now that Primrose had already struck the match, fanning the flames would be as easy as turning her hand.
"It depends," Primrose said with a knowing smile. "This matter is highly classified, and only a few are permitted to know the details. If you hesitate now, Lady Naveer, I won’t be able to share anything further."
Naveer gritted her teeth quietly, thinking, [This queen is far better at playing her cards than I expected. My father was truly a fool for ever saying I could ignore her, and that she wouldn’t hold much influence in this kingdom.]
[I didn’t even bother attending her tea party back then,] she thought bitterly. [Tch. No wonder Lady Mirelle kept spreading gossip that Her Majesty is incredible, and loved too much by His Majesty.]
Her gaze flicked toward Leofric, seated at ease beside the queen. [Well, judging by how casually she sits beside His Majesty’s most trusted royal knight, I can already guess she isn’t treated as someone insignificant in this palace.]
Ah, no wonder she hadn’t come to the tea party. It seemed the Count of Noirhaven hadn’t considered Primrose important enough and even allowed his eccentric daughter to dismiss her invitation.
The Count even had only forced Naveer to come to the palace after Edmund sent a king’s decree.
But well ... It was understandable.
Primrose’s position had been a bit questionable back then. Even she had questioned her own role in the kingdom.
"If that’s the case, then I agree to join your ship, Your Majesty," said Naveer at last.
But her thoughts betrayed her. [I’ll listen for now. If the case turns out dull, I’ll pretend to have urgent business outside the kingdom and reply to her letters once in a while, nothing more.]
Primrose’s eyes twitched slightly after hearing her thoughts. So, this eccentric lady was also rather cunning.
"Words alone aren’t enough to prove your sincerity, Lady Naveer," Primrose said calmly. "I want something more binding."
Naveer frowned slightly before regaining her composure. "What kind of assurance do you seek, Your Majesty?"
Primrose had considered many ways to bind this woman, but with a spirit as wild as hers, there was only one vow strong enough to hold her. "I want you to swear upon your soul to Sir Leofric."
The silence immediately filled the room.
The soul oath was far stronger than the blood oath. Breaking it wouldn’t only cause physical pain, but it would shatter the soul as well.
It sounded extreme, yes, but Primrose believed it was the only vow that could not be broken.
The blood oath was the oldest form of vow, and many had already discovered loopholes to undo it. But the soul oath was different. It was far too complex to escape, and few dared to play with it because if they made even the slightest mistake, they wouldn’t just die. They would lose the chance to reincarnate forever.
That was also why she wanted Naveer to bind a soul oath to Leofric instead of herself. Primrose wasn’t reckless enough to taste something as dangerous as that, and Edmund would never allow it either.
Besides, Lorelle was Leofric’s responsibility, so it was only right that he should be the one to carry this burden.
However, Naveer clearly didn’t like the idea.
"This is outrageous, Your Majesty!" Naveer stood up from the couch, her skirts swishing sharply around her legs. Her eyes burned with anger as she glared at Primrose. "I came here because you said you needed me, and now you ask me to do something this vile?!"
"Vile?" Leofric finally spoke. His expression was calm, but his tone was sharp enough to draw blood. "It isn’t vile if you never intend to break your vow, Lady Naveer. Unless... you already planned to."
Primrose said, "The ritual of immortality ... isn’t it one of the rarest cases you’ll ever see?
There was no chance Naveer would ever learn of Raven’s dark magic, so the only real way to gather more information about someone attempting the ritual of immortality was through Lorelle.
"But if you don’t want it," Primrose added softly, almost dismissively, "then I’ll find someone else." She leaned back in her chair, lifting her head to meet Naveer’s eyes. "I’m not begging for your help, Lady Naveer. This is actually a business."