CHAPTER 407: THE QUEEN’S SMILING LESSON (I)

"You won’t die!" Primrose said firmly, almost angry. "Don’t say things like that!"

"Then stop looking at me that way," Lorelle said with a soft laugh. "I want to live, Rosie. I’ll do my best so that when you come back from Illvaris, we can meet again. So let’s stay positive, alright? Let’s believe we’ll see each other again. Can you do that for me?"

Primrose took a deep breath, then nodded slowly. "Alright," she whispered with a small smile. "I’ll bring you lots of gifts from Illvaris, so please wait for me until I come home."

"Of course." Lorelle spread her arms wide and smiled. "Come here, give me a hug."

Primrose didn’t hesitate for even a second and immediately stepped into her friend’s embrace.

"I’ll miss you," Primrose whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

"I’ll miss you too," Lorelle replied with a small laugh that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "But we’ll see each other again soon, won’t we?"

Primrose nodded, though her heart still felt heavy.

After talking with Lorelle for more than two hours, Primrose finally left her room. She still had a few things to take care of, and besides, Lorelle needed to rest.

They were leaving Noctvaris tomorrow, so Primrose wanted to make sure there was nothing left unfinished in her office.

"There are still a few reports waiting for you, but it’s nothing serious," said Sevrin. "I’ll take care of them, Your Majesty. You can leave Noctvaris without worry."

Primrose smiled and said cheerfully, "Sir Dorne, you’re truly the best!"

Everyone in the palace had been treating her with extra care ever since her pregnancy became more noticeable. Even the soldiers had placed chairs along the hallway so she could sit whenever she got tired.

The beasts were the most adorable of all. The way they tried to help her in their own awkward ways always made her smile, especially since no one in her homeland would ever believe that those fierce-looking creatures could act so gently.

Actually, the most important task she had today was to give a briefing to the beasts who would be accompanying her to the Vellmoria Empire.

"Listen, everyone!" Primrose clapped her hands a few times to get the attention of the maids and soldiers gathered in the hall.

"I know there’s been tension between humans and beasts for many years, but that doesn’t mean we can’t change how people see us," Primrose continued with a bright smile. "That’s why today, I’ll teach you something very simple but very important."

The beasts tilted their heads curiously, waiting to see what their queen had in mind.

Primrose placed her hands on her hips and announced proudly, "Today, we’re going to practice smiling!"

The hall went completely silent. Even the maids froze in surprise. One of the soldiers hesitantly raised his hand. "But, Your Majesty... haven’t we already been smiling more whenever we see you?"

He wasn’t wrong.

Ever since the dramatic hairpin incident, all the beasts had been trying their best to smile whenever they met Primrose. However, to be honest, their smiles were still far from decent.

Most of them still looked like predators about to pounce on their prey!

Primrose had gotten used to it after living with them for months, but if they went to human territory and showed those kinds of smiles in public, people—especially children—would probably run away screaming.

She didn’t want that to happen. Not because she was worried about the humans, but because she cared about the beasts. They had always been so kind to her, and she didn’t want anyone to misunderstand them.

She wanted people to see that not all beasts were cruel or dangerous. Some were gentle, loyal, and just a little misunderstood.

"I know!" Primrose said with a warm laugh. "And I truly am impressed by how hard you’ve all been trying to be friendly and positive. But right now, I want to teach you how to smile naturally. Sometimes, a smile doesn’t need to be forced, but it can come whenever you feel it."

Primrose then pointed toward Solene and Marielle, who were standing not far from her. "Just like Lady Solene and Marielle! Their smiles always look natural, something that’s already a part of them."

Marielle blushed slightly while Solene chuckled softly, bowing her head in embarrassment.

"You see," Primrose continued gently, "a real smile isn’t about showing your teeth or lifting your lips high. It’s about how your eyes and heart feel at that moment. When you feel happy or calm inside, your smile will look beautiful on its own."

The beasts exchanged looks with one another, their ears twitching in confusion, trying to understand what she meant.

Primrose smiled wider and said, "Alright, let’s try this again. Don’t think too much, just relax and show me your smiles!"

One by one, they stretched their lips into what they thought were friendly smiles.

But... they still looked terrifying.

Some of them grinned, showing a full row of sharp teeth. Others tried to smile but ended up looking like they were snarling, and a few had lips trembling awkwardly, as if they were about to roar instead.

Their awkward attempts immediately made Callen burst out laughing. "Is it really that hard to smile?" he said. "You just smile every day, like me!"

[My mother always told me that a smile is important. She used to scold me every time I met someone without smiling,] Callen thought with a smile. [I used to hate it, but now I’m thankful I didn’t grow up like these awkward beasts.]

One of the soldiers shouted back, "That’s because your mama would’ve whooped your ass if you ever frowned!"

"Such a mama’s boy!" another one added, grinning.

Callen barked back, "At least I have a mom!"

"You bastard!"

Primrose smacked her forehead and lowered her head as the soldiers started throwing insults at each other, as if they were in the middle of a playground brawl.

"Oh, my heart," Primrose said dramatically, clutching her chest as if she were having a mild heart attack. "All this noise is making my chest tighten."