CHAPTER 264: AN EYE FOR AN EYE

At the time, the Vellmoria Empire had just suffered a devastating earthquake, which caused severe damage across much of the kingdom.

If they went to war with the beastkin in such a fragile state, the Empire could collapse entirely.

That’s why, in the end, the Emperor reluctantly agreed to Edmund’s terms.

"I honestly think your son’s execution was far too merciful," Primrose said quietly, her tone cold.

"Yes, he and his friends were tied under the blazing sun while the beastkin stoned them to death with small rocks, but ... don’t you think they deserved worse?"

She looked straight at Silas. "They should’ve suffered. They should’ve been broken so badly they lost everything, even their minds."

"Your son tortured and took Cecilia’s life," Primrose said, her voice calm but firm. "So of course, the universe returned that pain to him. An eye for an eye, a life for a life. That’s how the world keeps things in balance. You have no right to hate the beastkin when justice has already been served."

For the first time in her life, Primrose felt deeply ashamed and disgusted by her own kind. Humans had a tendency to destroy everything they saw as a threat, often choosing to eliminate it rather than trying to understand their differences.

Even the Emperor only agreed to Edmund’s request because his empire was on the brink of collapse, not because he felt guilty or had any sense of responsibility for what his people had done.

[Nonsense,] Silas sneered in his mind. [Beasts are just animals. Why should I feel sorry for them?]

Ah, like father, like son.

No wonder Elias had turned out so rotten.

But in a way, it was a blessing Silas was just as awful because it made things easier for Primrose. She wouldn’t feel the slightest bit of guilt when she finally ended his life.

[This bitch ... this traitor ...] Silas’s thoughts grew darker. [She’ll probably be discarded or treated like garbage too if she didn’t have that pretty face.]

"Your Majesty, you should leave this place now," one of the soldiers said carefully. "I’m afraid this pest might try something dangerous."

The sand in the hourglass had run out long ago, yet the soldiers hadn’t removed Silas from the greenhouse because they were still confused by the situation playing out before their eyes.

Silas looked harmless enough, so they decided to give Primrose more time to speak with him.

It made her wonder, had Edmund really told them to act strict and cold around her? Or had he just been bluffing?

But no. Knowing Edmund, he meant every word. Maybe the soldiers simply couldn’t bring themselves to treat her harshly.

Every time they saw her in that wheelchair, looking pale and tired, something inside them softened.

Her condition was so pitiful that they were willing to accept punishment for disobeying their king if it meant not upsetting their poor queen.

That ... that was kind of sweet.

Maybe the way she had boldly stood up for the beastkin had earned even more of their respect and admiration.

Still, it looked like they sensed something off about Silas because they didn’t want Primrose to be near him any longer.

When she didn’t immediately respond to their warning, they stepped into the greenhouse and stood right beside her, and that decision proved to be the right one.

Because just then, Silas suddenly threw a vial of something at her.

Luckily, his limbs were weak, so he only managed to hurl it toward her feet instead of her face.

The soldiers quickly deflected the vial with their swords. As soon as it shattered on the ground, the liquid inside began to hiss and released smoke.

It was clear the substance was meant to burn her face, meant to ruin her beauty and make the Lycan King feel disgusted by her.

But what a cheap trick.

Her husband would never abandon her just because her face was ruined.

Still, she knew she would’ve been devastated if something like that had actually happened.

"Do you really think my husband is that shallow?" Primrose asked, looking Silas dead in the eye.

"He doesn’t love me just because of how I look. He loves me because I’m his wife. So no matter what happens to my face, he will never leave me."

Her words struck a chord in Callen and the soldiers’ hearts.

They couldn’t help but feel that the love between the Lycan King and his queen was something beyond what they could even begin to understand.

Maybe ... their love wasn’t loud or dramatic. But it was real. And that was enough.

"Your Majesty." Primrose lifted her head as she heard Solene’s voice. "I’ve done what you asked."

Solene stood at the greenhouse doorway, and behind her were Raven and Hazelle, quietly following.

Neither of them spoke, but the tears in Hazelle’s eyes and the soft smile on her face said everything:

Raven had broken the slave seal that had bound her for so long.

"I think I’m done here," Primrose said, turning to look at Silas, who was now on the verge of death. Her gaze was filled with nothing but disgust.

One of the soldiers leaned in and whispered to her, "Should we bury the body later, Your Majesty?"

"No," Primrose replied coldly. "I want you to burn his body. Make sure there’s not a single particle left."

The soldier was momentarily stunned. It was still hard to believe that their sweet and gentle queen could give such a merciless order.

But then again, he was more than happy to carry it out. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

Silas wheezed on the floor, his body trembling, his face drenched in sweat. The color was draining from his skin, and each breath he took sounded more ragged than the last.

Even then, even as death hovered just above his head, there was no remorse in his eyes. Only hatred. Only the bitter sting of someone who’d lost everything and still refused to admit he’d done anything wrong.

Primrose decided not to look at him again. Even when Callen pushed her wheelchair, she refused to spare him even a single glance.

She had finally let go of something from her past, something that had chained her soul with a wound too deep to ever truly heal.