"Look what you’ve done!" Solene exclaimed as she rushed toward Primrose to make sure the queen was alright. "Your Majesty, are you alright? Should we go?"
Primrose turned her head and winked at Solene, silently telling her that she was only pretending and there was no need to worry.
Solene blinked a few times, completely speechless. She couldn’t believe the queen was putting on an act just to make everyone behave again.
If she had known Primrose could pull something like this from the start, she would never have compared her to a harmless bunny. Then again, she had seen how Primrose outsmarted Dr. Silas before... so why was she still surprised?
How could she keep thinking the queen was innocent and pure? She really was too optimistic for her own good.
Meanwhile, Callen looked completely panicked after hearing Primrose’s complaint. "Y-Your Majesty! We didn’t mean to shout like that!" he stammered.
"You’re shouting again!" another soldier yelled, smacking the back of Callen’s head, only to get smacked himself by someone else for shouting as well.
Primrose sighed softly, lowering her gaze. "Please, don’t fight anymore," she said in a weak, pitiful tone, her eyes glistening as if she might cry. "I gathered you all here to teach you how to get along with humans... but if this keeps happening..."
Her words trailed off as she looked away, her expression so sorrowful that even the rowdiest soldiers fell silent, guilt spreading across their faces.
Callen lowered his head. "We’re sorry, Your Majesty," he muttered softly.
One by one, the others followed. "We’re sorry," they echoed, their voices filled with shame.
Primrose stayed silent for a few seconds, letting the guilt sink in before finally sighing again. Then, she slowly looked up, her lips curling into a sweet smile that made everyone in front of her freeze in surprise.
"Alright," she said gently. "I forgive you."
A collective breath of relief filled the room. Some of the soldiers even straightened their backs, looking like scolded puppies who had just been told they were good boys after all.
Primrose clasped her hands together and said in a brighter tone, "Now, let’s start over. No more shouting, no more arguing. Just smiles, alright?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" they shouted in unison, only to realize that they had just shouted again at the queen. "Ah—sorry!" they quickly said again, this time in hushed voices.
Primrose couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore. She giggled softly before saying, "Alright, let’s try again. This time, don’t think too much. Just imagine something that makes you happy, maybe food, your friends, or the sound of morning bells. Then... smile."
She realized that the reason Edmund’s smile had become so natural day by day was because he always thought of her.
He didn’t even need to force it, just the thought of her was enough to make his lips curve softly, the kind of smile that could melt away every bit of exhaustion from his face.
That was why she thought that maybe if the beasts also focused on something that made them happy, they could learn to smile more naturally.
Unfortunately, theory was always easier than practice. Even though Primrose knew the right way to guide them, it still took a lot of effort and patience.
See? They truly sounded and acted like puppies, just like their mighty Lycan King.
"We’ll be leaving before sunrise tomorrow, so try to get a good night’s sleep!" Primrose said with a bright smile. "And last but not least, I want you all to know how happy I am to bring you with me to my homeland."
There would be around twenty soldiers joining her on the trip to Illvaris, including Callen and Solene. They would also bring about six maids, including Marielle, as well as three doctors who would ensure Primrose remained healthy during the journey and while staying in Illvaris.
That number was actually much smaller compared to the escorts and attendants usually brought by kings and queens from other kingdoms.
However, Edmund had told her that it was unnecessary to bring too many soldiers since one beast soldier was equal to ten—or maybe even more—humans at once.
Primrose had teased him for sounding overly confident, but deep down, she knew he was right. Between the loyal beasts and the elite guards, their small group was more than capable of keeping everyone safe.
That night, after finishing her final preparations, Primrose stepped out onto the balcony of her chamber, watching the moonlight peek through the clouds. There was no snowfall that night, but the air was still cold enough that she had to wrap herself snugly in a blanket.
She couldn’t help but smile; she truly couldn’t wait for the moment she would step foot in her homeland again.
Three years.
It had been so long since she last set foot in Illvaris, yet she could still remember every familiar face, every corner of the place she once called home.

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