Chapter 10 #2
“Given what was learned, there will obviously be deeper investigations and everyone who works in any capacity with the planes or landing strip at the castle has been taken into custody. Along with those three elders and their families. Currently, it is being categorized as neglect and the goal was embezzlement, but I am not ruling out this was possibly intentional.”
I ignored when people gasped or looked like they were going to explode with questions.
“We will learn more in time. Right now, we cannot know either way, and we will investigate as our laws allow.” I gestured behind me.
“I stand here today because when I gave the order for the elders and their families to be arrested, I was informed the chief of police would handle it sometime after he picked up his dry cleaning.
“Basically, that was the message I received and that he didn’t answer to me.
He does actually, and it was then that I learned the distressing news that officers weren’t wearing body cams anymore in Nerthus.
Which again, is against the law. Apparently, the now former chief thought he would be the boss of all of Nerthus, not simply the police.
“He was mistaken.” I let out a slow breath and took in another one.
“My father worked hard and took on many foes to clear out corruption in Thovudin. I never met my grandfather and I wasn’t alive then, so I cannot comment on how things were then, but we even teach in our history classes it was a darker time.
Father dedicated himself to making changes.
“And he found an ally in this cause. A young Alpha who believed the same and held out his hand to a new king who wanted the best for our nation. Over the years, they had issues and disagreed on a lot. I’m not sure they even liked each other most days, but I know my father respected that Alpha after they fought the good fight on this issue and won. ”
It filled me with hope when I saw a few smile and nod, clearly knowing what I was talking about or at least glad that there had been positive changes under my father.
“And while people are constantly saying I will not listen to the wisdom of my elders while having an elder of my own family be my first advisor and my father’s siblings have been helping me daily—I immediately reached out to the Alpha of Jade Creek.
He and my father had issues—I have had issues with him, and we got off on the wrong foot.
“But this wasn’t about if I’m ready to be queen or if someone else might be better suited.
This was about Thovudin and making sure the soul of our nation doesn’t erode again.
His response was immediate and exactly what it should be as a leader—what can Jade Creek do to help?
” I paused and glanced around. “And I was honest that I knew he could handle this better.
“He was there when this law was enacted—one of the driving forces behind it and understood our police procedures better than I do. This has always been his biggest cause he fights for Thovudin. So I asked him to step up when people are unwisely shedding their masks now that my father is gone thinking I won’t be able to keep control as he did.
“That I won’t be as powerful or people won’t listen to me.
” I gave a half shrug. “Some won’t listen to me.
That’s true, but the right ones will and will fight for our country.
They will fight to protect what they helped build with my father and I will bleed to keep his legacy intact.
People need to understand that and it’s not pretty words from me.
“And I’m not as alone as people are assuming.
Yes, the elders are corrupt and evil was in the castle.
We’ve uncovered more, but the Alpha is landing soon with an interim police chief while he coordinates with me to hire a permanent one.
We will be looking at the qualified deputy chiefs in all of the areas who are dedicated to the people and laws of Thovudin.
“Who understand that I am not a regent queen, but the ruler given I’m a De la Rosa by birth, not mating.
It’s not a complicated concept, so I’m hopeful we can find the right person and clean out the problems from Nerthus.
In the meantime, there is a number anyone can call if you see any police officer in Thovudin not wearing their body camera and report it.
“It will be anonymous and put directly through the Queen’s Guard to be investigated with the help of Jade Creek’s leadership.
Time and location, any other information is helpful, but if any officer is found to not be using their body cameras, they will not only be docked pay but face a list of punishments.
Unpaid suspensions, terminations, and criminal charges. ”
It was hard to hide my annoyance when it was clear the people gathered thought that was too harsh. Most of them at least.
“It is the law that officers are required to wear their body cams while on duty. It’s a law, not just standard or department regulation,” I reminded them.
“The law that they cannot be paid as an officer of Thovudin unless they are recording every moment of their shift unless allowed breaks.
I follow the laws no matter what is reported.
“I broke none when I flew. Was I a bit of a brat and blew off some steam after all I have been dealing with? Yes, my dragon was miffed at me that she hadn’t flown in a month because of all I’ve suffered.
But I broke no laws or rules. I expect others to do the same.
” It was hard to act so righteous when I broke several laws each time I fought, but… Fuck it.
I could pay for those crimes later?
I felt the surprise from those around me that I brought it up since I’d said I wasn’t going to address something so petty. It slipped out because… Because. I wasn’t perfect, but where it led my mind was the reason I went off script again.
“The law will be followed under my rule and I’m much better informed than most assume, which is why I know there is a new push for sex trafficking women thinking I’m too busy to notice.
” I stared down each camera. “I’m never too busy to protect the women—or any citizen of Thovudin.
Never. Do not branch out in your crimes.
“Drugs won’t suddenly go unpunished. Sex crimes will still be punished—I plan on changing the laws on several of them, and crimes against children will become harsher so we catch up to other nations we look down on.
The rules of Thovudin will not become lax under a woman because too many assume I’m a weak female.
“On the contrary, as our history has taught us.” I snorted when people couldn’t hide their confusion, even those with me.
“And too many of you think me an outsider.
Every De la Rosa queen has pushed the mark forward on many of the laws of Thovudin.
It was a queen ruler who made the law for the age of consent for marriage.
“A queen ruler who put into place the child labor laws.
The laws against adopting a child of low income that could then be the one who fulfilled the military requirement for a family—and we all know they were bought.
A queen ruler of the De la Rosa bloodline has put into place some of our most protective laws—fundamental ones to Thovudin, and I will be the same.
“And while I agree that a mated ruler shows stability to the world—male or female—I will not even consider having a child until certain protections are better in place.
Especially after what happened to me the moment my parents died.
Too many thought I was being petty or childish by protecting myself.
No one sane would risk that for their child.
“So no, I’m not allowing a corrupt police chief or law enforcement.
I’m not allowing crime to spiral out of control or crimes against women to increase in my rule.
I’m smart enough to know who to reach out to and will accept the right help for Thovudin, not the help others demand I take while not knowing the situation.
That is why I’m queen. I have the knowledge. ”
To say people were stunned was an understatement.
Good.
Benson took over and named the officer who was the person in charge for the next couple of hours, and all of the deputy chiefs were not allowed on duty until told otherwise.
But they were to report to the main precinct and a list of other instructions we’d outlined and he’d cleared with me were shared.
And then it was done.
Well, not all done, but… This wasn’t going to get worse in… Fine, it was probably going to get worse before it got better, but at least there was a seal on the leak in the dam.
For the moment.