5 #2
I listened to some other updates and then steeled myself for what I needed to do next. Thanking them and standing.
I faced everyone else in the dining hall, the conversation going quiet as if knowing something big was going on.
“All candidates who are working on projects for me or are going to be of use going forward meet at the training grounds and wear appropriate attire.
Meetings will now be during my daily runs or training.
“I understand too many of you think you’re worthy of really being in charge, me being ruler in name only, but only one of you is better educated than me.
It’s time to show how far behind you are in the rest so the ridiculous fantasies are put to rest and I stop having to waste my time with them.
Mating the leader of Thovudin is serious and for mature adults, not children. ”
Someone dropped a piece of silverware that clanged loudly before I thanked everyone and left.
Oh, they hadn’t seen anything yet because I walked right out the front doors and to where the press were always gathered. The guards looked a bit panicked since no one had warned them that I was going to be making statements.
“Quiet,” I said loudly when people started shouting an array of everything at me.
I waited until they all stopped, several shooting the last one annoyed looks because he was just wasting all of our time and it was obvious that I wasn’t going to cave.
“Going forward, you will behave with manners and respect.
This is my home and you will remember that.
“Even if you hate me, even if you speak ill of me, your broadcasts go out to the world, and you present this picture of dragons being rabid beasts who cannot behave. It’s crossed into embarrassing and I’m no longer the only one who feels that way.
You represent our nation as our media and I will not tolerate it anymore. ”
I stared down a few specifically and dared them to be the first to say something when everyone would hear it.
“Thank you,” I said evenly when they stayed quiet.
“As I announced before, we are adding a press briefing room and I want you to hear it from my lips that it’s being made a priority.
” I gestured to the growing storm clouds.
“It’s ridiculous for you to endure the weather when you are not reporting on it.
The goal is to get accurate information to the citizens of our nation and you can be comfortable doing it. ”
I let out a slow breath.
“It was brought to my attention that several of the prospective mating candidates were under the false impression that whichever five lasted until the end would become my mates.
“I never agreed to that, but I also learned many Alphas made it clear that picking one candidate could lead to war. I never agreed to that either. I said I would start with someone from each of their families to be fair. I never, not ever said in the end I would mate any of them.”
I held up my hand to hold them off when just about everyone opened up their mouths.
“As I just reminded everyone inside, mating the leader of Thovudin is serious. It’s not a game. It’s not a contest. My mother had immense influence over my father and that was why many objected to her. It’s why generations ago the royal family stopped allowing Alpha families to mate into ours.”
I gave them several moments with that.
“This isn’t a contest for a car where whoever holds their hand on it longest wins it.
Putting in the bare minimum and holding out isn’t what any of us should want for the second most powerful position in Thovudin.
Even if you hate me and think who I mate should really be in charge, please have higher standards than that. ”
I felt much, much better when a few flinched.
I glanced between several of them again, the ones who talked the most trash about me.
“I am not remotely as na?ve as you all paint me. I’m not looking for a prince to sweep me off my feet and have fantasies about my perfect true love.
I am looking for who fits best to be a partner and help me handle all of this. ”
I gestured behind me to the castle.
“I am looking for a leader who will benefit our amazing nation and someone worthy of standing on the world’s stage with me.
Someone who is worthy of representing all of you and has your best interests at heart, because that is what we all need.
It’s not who has the best smile or looks best in a suit.
Yes, I notice that too and yes, there needs to be chemistry.
“But what I find most attractive is someone smart. Someone I can rely on and who can handle things, not who has the prettiest eyes. So enough. Just… Enough.” I took in a slow breath and let it out.
“This idea with the temples will never happen.
We all agree. The Alphas and candidates all agreed at this last meeting.
“However, I understand people’s interest in what is going on given this person will become the second most powerful person in Thovudin.
So I will discuss it with the candidates and figure out something.
Maybe extending June’s weekly interview and she can speak with them on the projects they are working on for Thovudin. ”
I had wanted to suggest that for a while and make it clear to many who was a dud, but the people around me thought it was too much. The Alphas had shot it down because they didn’t want to be embarrassed or apparently have their candidates do more than get into my bed really.
It made me happy when the media all seemed happy with the idea.
“But it needs to be more respectful going forward,” I said firmly. “They’re not stud horses. We’re all people, and mating is serious. This is our lives, not this season’s hottest drama with twenty episodes. Please start remembering that. That’s really not too much to ask. Thank you.”
“Why do you keep saying one of them when everyone is expecting you to take several of them, Your Majesty?” one of the reporters called out.
I met his gaze and raised an eyebrow. “I don’t care what people expect of me.
I’m queen. It makes me the boss. And it was someone from your network who called me a ‘whore queen’ with all of her mates as the future of Thovudin.
It will never happen if that’s how people behave.
I don’t care if I fall in love with all of them or—bring on war with the Alphas then. I won’t do it.”
I ignored the rest of the questions and went back inside.
Fraser was so right. Fuck my parents and fuck everything.