A royal attendant stepped forward, bowing deeply before the throne.
"Your Majesty, I bring news—Princess Ellyna has arrived."
King Lioness III, seated upon his grand throne, remained composed. His golden eyes glead with quiet authority, his unwavering posture radiating the presence of a ruler whose wisdom and strength commanded respect.
"Very well," he said, his voice steady yet carrying the weight of his station.
"Ensure that she is received properly. Let no formalities be overlooked."
The attendant bowed once more, hand over chest.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The King’s expression softened slightly, though his regal deanor remained intact.
"She has been away for so ti. Let us see how much she has grown."
King Lioness III shifted his gaze toward his royal advisor, his golden eyes calm yet firm.
"If she has arrived, inform her that I shall await her in my chambers." His tone carried no urgency, only the quiet weight of expectation.
"And summon all my sons as well. They are to be present."
The advisor bowed deeply, one hand pressed over his chest in respect.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Without another word, the advisor turned swiftly and exited the grand hall, his footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors.
The King sat back, fingertips resting against the armrest of his throne. His expression remained unreadable, yet a distinct glimr of anticipation shone in his eyes.
As King Lioness III stood near the grand window of his chamber, gazing at the sprawling kingdom beyond, the soft sound of footsteps signaled the arrival of his wife.
Queen ira entered gracefully. Her presence carried an air of quiet wisdom, yet there was unmistakable warmth in her golden eyes as she approached her husband.
"My love," she spoke gently, "our daughter has finally returned, hasn’t she?"
The King turned, his expression unreadable but softened slightly in her presence.
"Yes, ira. She has co ho," he confird, his deep voice steady.
"Though I wonder... what has brought her back so soon?"
The Queen humd thoughtfully, taking a seat near the window.
"I still rember when she left a year ago. She spoke of an ’important mission’—one she insisted on carrying out herself. Even now, I truly wonder... what was so important that she would leave behind her status, her comfort, even her safety?"
The King nodded, crossing his arms.
"She was always certain of her choices. And with her Absolute Eye, she has never been wrong."
Queen ira smiled faintly, though her fingers tightened against the fabric of her dress.
"That may be true... but I cannot shake the feeling that sothing has changed. Sothing unexpected."
The King remained silent for a mont before stepping toward her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"We shall soon find out, ira."
King Lioness III stood before his assembled sons—each a proud prince of the Beastkin Kingdom. Unlike their common kin, their royal lineage granted them human-like skin, with only their beastkin ears and tails marking their heritage.
One of the eldest princes stepped forward, bowing slightly.
"Esteed Father, we have gathered as you requested."
The King nodded, his piercing gaze sweeping across the room.
"Good. All my sons are here." His voice carried the weight of authority, yet there was a rare softness in his tone.
"You are all aware that your little sister has returned, yes?"
The second prince chuckled, arms crossed.
"If I’m not mistaken, the mont she arrived, every maid in the palace sward her—asking about her health, her journey, and whether she had eaten properly."
The other brothers smirked, nodding in agreent.
"Ha! That sounds just like her," the King said with a deep laugh. "She has always been the center of attention—though I doubt she enjoys it much."
Another prince, the youngest among them, leaned forward curiously.
"Father, do we know why she has returned?"
The King’s smile faded slightly, his golden eyes sharpening.
"That is what we are about to find out."
The royal chamber grew silent as Mrs. Faria entered first, stepping forward with practiced grace. Without hesitation, she knelt before King Lioness III and Queen ira, her head lowered in deep respect.
"Your Majesty."
The King’s golden eyes sharpened as he looked down at her.
"Faria?" His deep voice carried curiosity and a hint of impatience. "Where is my daughter?"
Mrs. Faria hesitated for a brief mont before responding.
"Princess Ellyna will arrive shortly, Your Majesty."
The King raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Why the delay? Is she shy after all this ti?" He chuckled, glancing at his sons, who smirked in agreent.
But Mrs. Faria’s expression remained composed, a slight nervousness flickering in her eyes.
"Ah... no, Your Majesty. It’s just that..." She paused.
"She what?" The King’s tone turned firm.
Then—they saw. A child walked into the chamber.
Silence.
The princes exchanged glances, their eyes filled with confusion.
"Who—?" one of them muttered under his breath.
King Lioness III, a ruler known for his unwavering composure, staggered back slightly on his throne, his golden eyes narrowing at the small child standing before him.
"F-Faria!" he barked, pointing at the little girl. "Who is this kid? Your child?!"
Mrs. Faria sighed deeply, rubbing her temples.
"Haa... No, Your Majesty." She straightened herself before stating, "She is Princess Ellyna."
Silence.
Then—
"EEEEEEHHHHH!?!?"
The princes exploded in disbelief.
"No, no, no! That can’t be right!"
"She was supposed to be nearly an adult!"
"Is this a curse?!"
"What happened to her?!"
Queen ira gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest.
"My poor daughter! Has so foul magic befallen you?"
Prince Leont, the second eldest, stepped forward, his face serious.
"Ellyna, did you offend a witch? If so, we shall track her down imdiately and force her to lift this spell!"
The youngest prince, barely older than Ellyna, hesitantly poked her cheek.
"Is this real...?"
"Haaa... really, Princess?" Mrs. Faria let out a long sigh, rubbing her forehead.
"Your idea of a surprise is truly... sothing."
anwhile, Ellyna simply grinned mischievously, enjoying the chaos she had unleashed. Then—her right eye glead, intricate mystical patterns swirling within it.
With a gentle pulse of mana, her small form glowed—and in the blink of an eye, she transford into her true self. A stunningly beautiful young catfolk woman now stood before them. Golden-furred ears twitched, a long, elegant tail swayed behind her, and her deep sapphire eyes sparkled with amusent.
The youngest among all her siblings—and yet, in that mont, she commanded their attention.
The room fell dead silent.
Her brothers’ eyes widened. The King and Queen’s jaws dropped. Even Mrs. Faria, who had known all along, couldn’t help but smirk.
Ellyna tilted her head playfully, her now-mature voice carrying a hint of teasing.
"I’m ho." She smiled.
For a mont, there was silence.
Then—Queen ira rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Ellyna in a warm embrace.
"Welco ho, Ellyna." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the relief she felt. "You’ve been away for so long... we were worried sothing might have happened to you."
Ellyna returned the hug, resting her forehead against her mother’s shoulder.
"You always worry too much, Mother. That’s why I used my child form, and Mrs. Faria was with the whole ti."
King Lioness III, who had been observing in silence, finally let out a deep chuckle. His stern, kingly deanor softened as he looked at Faria.
"Good job, Faria."
Mrs. Faria placed a hand over her heart and bowed.
"It was my duty, Your Majesty."
"Alright, now that you’ve had your grand entrance, mind explaining what this ’important mission’ was?"
Ellyna simply smiled.
Then, she turned toward the King, her expression calm yet resolute.
"Yes, I will explain everything later."
Her voice carried no hesitation. Whatever she had done, whatever mission had led her away from the palace, she was ready to reveal it on her own terms.
( End of Chapter )
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