Chapter 604: Not by Blood, Not by Heart

At that moment, the Emperor of Vellmoria—the Cardinal—finally realized that Primrose was no longer exactly the Rose he once knew.

Neither of them had ever been weak, but this Primrose was different. She had far more people standing behind her now, and most of them would probably do anything to protect her.

It was annoying. Still, at least it made things more interesting.

“I came here because I thought I could settle this matter without spilling any blood,” the Emperor said with a faint smile. “But it seems I was wrong.”

He suddenly stood up from his chair. The wooden legs scraped against the floor, and the sharp sound echoed through the room.

He held his chin high as his gaze moved between Edmund and Primrose.

“Your Majesties, please forgive me for making such a mess in this beautiful home of yours.” A smile slowly appeared on his face. “I have to admit, I’m quite impressed. Somehow, the two of you managed to escape the fate that was supposed to be waiting for you.”

The Emperor locked his gaze on Primrose. “It was rather entertaining to watch you die from heartbreak over a man you loved so dearly in your first life. I thought you would be smart enough to leave him this time, but…” He let out a soft sigh. “You’re still blinded by love.”

At that moment, Primrose finally realized that the Emperor was no longer even trying to hide his true identity from them.

“You were the one who caused so many misunderstandings between us in my previous life,” Primrose said firmly. “My husband was a fool, but so was I. Those misunderstandings were cleared up a long time ago, so I don’t see any reason why I should leave a man who changed for me.”

“He wanted to learn how to love me properly. He wanted to stop hiding what he felt. So why should I walk away from him now?” she added.

Not long after, Primrose rose from her seat as well.

“And I’m not your daughter anymore,” she said, looking straight at him. “Not by blood. Not on paper. And certainly not in my heart.”

For a few seconds, the room fell completely silent. The Emperor stared at Primrose as if he had not expected those words to come out of her mouth.

But then he laughed. It was not a warm laugh. It was soft, almost amused, but there was something cold behind it.

“Those eyes…” he said. “They look similar to the last thing I saw before you let your minions kill me.”

His smile faded a little. “How do you sleep at night knowing that you’re nothing more than a murderer?”

Before Primrose could say anything, Edmund spoke. “And how did you and your people sleep at night after abusing my wife in the past?” His voice was calm, but the anger behind it was impossible to miss. “You judge other people’s sins and act like some kind of god, when in reality, you’re no better than the devil himself.”

Instead of feeling offended, the Emperor seemed to think that Edmund had said something funny.

“I always sleep well,” he said lightly. “Unfortunately, my sleep was ruined the moment you kidnapped my precious daughter.”

Primrose felt disgust rise in her throat when she heard him say that.

“I already told you. You are not my father,” she said coldly. “And you never will be.”

The Emperor took a long, slow breath before speaking again. “Before I died, I told you that one day, you would regret what you had done.” His eyes stayed on her. “So tell me, my daughter. Was it worth it?”

Was it worth it?

It felt like Primrose and Edmund had heard that question so many times that they had already lost count.

But even so, their answer had never changed.

“Everything was worth it,” Primrose said without hesitation. “I chose that path. I chose to become a murderer.”

“But I have never regretted anything I did for my husband, for myself, or for the child I’m carrying right now.”

“I see.” The Emperor gave a small nod before speaking in a cold voice. “I hope your answer stays the same after this.”

Primrose was about to respond when a deafening sound suddenly came from outside.

BOOM!

The entire palace shook violently.

The windows cracked almost at once, and several panes shattered under the force of the blast.

Edmund reacted without hesitation. He immediately pulled Primrose into his arms and lowered both of them to the floor, bending their knees to keep their balance as the palace continued to shake around them.

“W-What happened?” Primrose asked, her voice filled with hesitation.

Edmund gritted his teeth. “The fragment of the Dead God.”

Even though Edmund did not continue, Primrose already knew that the Emperor had something to do with it.

“Did you really think a simple chest could hold something that powerful?” the Emperor asked with a mocking look.

Even though the entire ground was still shaking beneath their feet, he remained standing as if nothing was happening.

At that moment, Primrose couldn’t help but think about Lorelle and Nina, who might be somewhere near the evil chest.

However, before she could think about it any further, the Emperor spoke again.

“My daughter,” he continued calmly, “if you are willing to come back to me, I can help wash away your sins.”

Primrose stared at him with pure disgust before spitting in his direction. “Like hell I’d ever go back to you.”

“I expected that answer.” The Emperor walked toward the window, then slowly turned to face her again. “Just remember this. I gave you a chance to accept my mercy, and you chose to refuse it.”

Primrose’s expression did not change. “Your mercy is hell,” she said coldly. “I don’t need it.”

“You always were stubborn,” he said quietly. “Even when the world was falling apart around you.”

Primrose narrowed her eyes. “What are you planning?”

The Emperor did not answer right away.

He turned his head toward the broken window, where cold wind rushed into the room and carried distant screams from outside.

Then he looked back at her one last time. “Since you refused my mercy, then survive with your own strength.”

Edmund immediately stepped forward. “Don’t move.”

The Emperor only laughed. “You should worry less about me and more about what is coming for this palace.”