A Delusional Woman

Primrose resisted the urge to laugh. Leah's confidence was truly something else.

Sure, she was a beast too, but she was a fox! Not a scary animal, but a fox!

How could a mere fox ever compare to a lycan? No matter how cunning or beautiful she thought she was, in the end, she'd still be considered too weak to stand by Edmund's side.

Besides, why was Leah always the one attending to her?! Where were her other ladies-in-waiting?

The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. 

Two years before Leah's death, she had also been the only one constantly by Primrose's side, to the point where Primrose barely remembered interacting with her other attendants at all.

Something wasn't right.

"Lady Leah," Primrose asked, "do you happen to know where my other ladies-in-waiting are?"

Leah's expression didn't change, but her eyes sharpened slightly. "Is Your Majesty dissatisfied with my service?"

Primrose quickly plastered on an apologetic look, letting her gaze drop just enough to make it seem like she felt bad for asking. "No! No, of course not! It's just … I was thinking it must be exhausting for you to serve me all by yourself."

She offered Leah a small smile. "I'd hate to be such a burden."

[She actually thinks I'm serving her out of duty? Please.]

[This is my chance. My only chance to stay close to His Majesty.]

[Every second I spend by the Queen's side is a second closer to him. He sees me. He acknowledges me. He knows my name.]

What the hell was wrong with her?

Primrose had always assumed Leah's obsession with Edmund stemmed from ambition that she only wanted to bring honor to her family.

But … was it more than that?

Was she actually in love with him?

The thought sent an uncomfortable chill down Primrose's spine. Because in her first life, she had barely interacted with Edmund, almost never, in fact.

And yet, Leah had still followed her. Perhaps, she was hoping that by staying close, she'd get even the smallest chance to interact with Edmund. 

If she stopped being Primrose's lady-in-waiting, her opportunity to see him would be reduced to zero.

Alright, that was it.

This bitch needed to go as soon as possible.

Actually, after realizing that Edmund was nothing more than a pathetic lovesick fool, Primrose was certain he wouldn't question her if she asked to replace her lady-in-waiting.

But … where was the fun in that?

Leah had humiliated her countless times in her first life, so there was no way Primrose was going to let her go that easily.

"Lady Leah, may I ask you a question?" Primrose asked, her voice soft, laced with a timid hesitation.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Primrose fidgeted slightly, twirling her fingers as if embarrassed. "D-do you have a secret … for your beauty?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she nearly gagged.

Beauty? What beauty?

If the two of them were joined in a beauty contest, Primrose would win without even trying.

"Pardon?" Leah blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Why would you ask that, Your Majesty?"

Primrose lowered her head, fingers nervously twisting together as she murmured, "A-Actually … last night, His Majesty said something to me." She hesitated, as if embarrassed. "He told me that I wasn't … satisfying enough. That my body isn't his type."

The truth? If Primrose ever stood naked in front of Edmund, the poor man would probably forget how to breathe and get a nosebleed.

"H-he said your body … is more to his liking." Primrose slowly lifted her gaze, letting her lips quiver just enough to sell the act. "He kept repeating it."

Leah stiffened. For a brief second, her mask of politeness cracked, and her lips parted in surprise.

[Did His Majesty really say that?]

[No … no, it must be true. Of course, he would prefer me over her.]

[I knew it. I knew I was the perfect match for him!]

Primrose bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. Leah was eating this up.

"You must be mistaken, Your Majesty," Leah finally said, though there was a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "His Majesty would never say such things …"

Primrose let out a soft, pitiful sigh. "I wish I was mistaken," she whispered, her fingers tightening as if holding back tears. "But he kept saying it … over and over."

She looked down, her lashes trembling. "I know I shouldn't be jealous, but …" she hesitated, "I can't help but feel insecure. You're so beautiful, Lady Leah." She lifted her gaze, letting admiration shine in her eyes. "No wonder His Majesty prefers you."

Leah's chest swelled with pride, but she quickly tried to compose herself.

[She envies me.]

[Finally, she realizes the difference between us.]

[Maybe … maybe His Majesty really does prefer me over her.]

Yes, keep dreaming. 'Swallow every lie I have fed you.'

Primrose pretended to fidget nervously. "Lady Leah," she said hesitantly, "can you tell me your beauty secret?"

Leah offered her a polite smile. "Oh, Your Majesty, every woman is beautiful, including you. The only thing you need to do is be confident."

[Just give up! You're not even close to my level!]

"I-I will try to be more confident, then," said Primrose. 

Leah barely heard her. Her mind was spinning too fast, replaying Primrose's words over and over.

[He said my body is his type!]

[I should make myself even more alluring! If I catch his eye, maybe he'll finally take me as his concubine!]

This bitch was completely delusional.

Primrose hadn't expected it to be this easy to mess with her.

Now that the seed had been planted, all she had to do was sit back and wait for her little lie to bloom.

Of course, there was still one unpredictable factor—Edmund.

What if he actually got tempted? What if he was the type to be swayed by a woman throwing herself at him?

Because, really, who could guarantee that he wouldn't?

Well, if he really strayed, then Primrose would put on a show by crying her heart out until her tears ran dry, right in front of him.

"Let's head back to my room," Primrose said with a soft smile. "I'm feeling a bit tired."

Leah simply nodded in response, her mind too preoccupied with plotting ways to seduce the Lycan King.

For the rest of the day, Primrose remained in her chamber. She still didn't have any official duties because after all, this was only her second day in the Beast Kingdom.

But truthfully, even in her first life, she had never had anything to do. She was never invited to noble banquets, as if she wasn't even acknowledged as a queen.

Edmund never gave her any responsibilities, nor did he assign anyone to instruct her on a queen's duties.

In the end, people called her "The Sleeping Queen" because she spent most of her time inside her bedroom.

Honestly, she had enjoyed those days—lounging around, doing absolutely nothing. But repeating the same life sounded unbearably dull.

This time, she would make sure people acknowledged her as their queen. That way, she could live in luxury without worry.

But … she'd think about that tomorrow.

Right now, she needed her beauty sleep.

Just as Primrose was about to drift into sleep, a faint rustling sound reached her ears.

Her eyes fluttered open.

Faintly, she heard the window creak open.

At first, she dismissed it as nothing more than the wind, until—

[This woman has no right to be the Queen of Noctvaris. I must eliminate her before she taints the throne.]

Primrose lay frozen in her bed.

So, it was finally happening.

The first assassination attempt in this life.