Chapter 2 #2
I studied him a moment. “What do you think will happen then?” I chuckled when they glanced among themselves.
“You have to give valid and viable reasons why you won’t confirm me, ones I can challenge.
I won’t mate and let you watch me fornicate with four men doesn’t play well in a sound bite, does it? ”
“The instability of the realm is—” he bit out, obviously not liking the idea of being painted as a pervert.
Well, I hadn’t started all of this, had I?
“Given what reasons?” I pushed. “Anything I’ve done? Some huge mistake I’ve made since getting off the plane after learning of my parents’ death?”
“We will have a list of arguments by the time the hearing to contest happens,” one elder snapped.
And there it was. The extra smoking gun I needed.
I bobbed my head as if I was considering it but then snorted.
“So extortion. Your grand coup idea is extortion within a day of my parents dying.” I curled my lip at them.
“You are all revolting and unfit for your positions.” I glanced up at the camera I knew we were being watched from.
“Benson, bring up the remote video call if possible.”
“What are—this doesn’t involve—you cannot—” Larsen started to sputter, understanding I’d had an ace up my sleeve this whole time they’d not considered.
I raised an eyebrow and moved over to the table where I saw some papers, snatching them before they could disappear. Sure enough, it was the list of four names from the Alpha families that I was to mate.
“Do not think to touch the princess,” one of the guards warned as a few of the elders approached me.
Well, at least there was a line they would respect or they’d pulled their heads out of their asses. Lovely.
Benson came into the ballroom carrying a security tablet that would have an excellent camera for this. He nodded it was ready and to do what I needed to.
I focused on the elders. “I hereby invoke Article III, Section V of our Constitution.” I wanted to roll my eyes when a few exchanged glances. “I’m ordering a full review of the elders present with the witnesses of leading Alphas who watched the illegal activities you were just party to live.”
Larsen glanced between Benson and me. “This is a misunderstanding.”
I wiggled the pages in front of me. “Among which are trying to mate off a member of the royal family, making arrangements for me, and speaking on my behalf, which I warned you not to do again. The extortion was a lovely touch.” I nodded at the guards.
“Each of you will be taken to a secure location and sequestered until a time you can be questioned by a review panel of Alphas.
“Your competency, loyalty to the nation, involvement in these crimes, and other corruption will be investigated thoroughly by the panel. After such time, they will recommend a decision if you are to be reprimanded, removed from your position, or imprisoned to be approved by the leader of the nation—queen or not. Until such time, you are stripped of all titles and privileges.”
Benson had called other guards, and before most of the elders could even think to get over their shock, they had a metal cuff on their wrist to keep them from shifting or using any powers. They couldn’t hide how crazy the outcome seemed to be and Larsen pulled away from his guard.
“You’re not fit to be queen without guidance and—”
“You don’t even know me,” I snarled. “You know nothing and didn’t even give me a chance.
This was about power and not even for you.
You saw the chance to control me in a way you never could my father.
And if you were fit for your position instead of power hungry, you would at least have assessed me before trying to lie so badly. ”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” a different elder snapped.
I snorted and turned towards the tablet Benson was holding.
“I was not on vacation all of these years. I was working hard for the realm, learning and making needed alliances, studying in other countries. I might not have always liked being apart from my parents and home, but I knew the wisdom in their decision.”
“How is that relevant to this moment, Your Highness?” a deep voice said from the tablet.
“Thank you for asking, Alpha.” I raised my phone and read off three names.
“Three ruling families of countries that have never attended any event in our realm have confirmed that they are attending my parents’ funeral.
” I nodded when everyone around us froze.
I glanced at Larsen. “Yes, I’m completely useless.
“One king is attending. Another’s younger brother and second, and one is his eldest daughter and heir sending his apologies that he could not attend himself.
Those are the responses I managed with three countries we have had tense relationships with.
Because I risked myself by attending educational institutions in their countries or making sure I made connections at my schooling that benefited the nation. ”
“Well done, Your Highness,” another voice said but cleared his throat. “For the record, our name is on that list, but we were told of a possible mating match and not others. Certainly none of this madness of forcing you.”
Two others said the same and were less than thrilled, others beyond pissed that they were slighted by not being considered for this maybe?
“Obviously, forcing the princess to mate is—it cannot even be suggested again,” one of the Alphas said firmly. “And I second the motion to invoke Article III, Section V.”
I had almost forgotten that part, glad when several confirmed it so it was done.
“But there needs to be a conversation after the funeral about the future because the elders won’t be the only ones who think you should mate quickly for the stability of the realm given your age,” that same Alpha said firmly.
And the elders had dangled the carrot in front of certain families and now none of them would let it go. It was why Hardin wasn’t there.
Rage flowed through me faster than I wanted to admit.
That was the real plan. He wasn’t rounded up with the lambs he let be caught in this trap or some sort of punishment.
No, he could now be the “reasonable” one to guide me when he would assume I would buck all of this. The Alphas wouldn’t let go of the idea of being mated into the royal family.
Which meant I was royally fucked.
Pun intended.
“Agreed,” I said easily even as my stomach rolled. “I see the point, but I am actually dating the son of an Alpha as all of you know. But we will set a meeting—the fact any of this is being discussed so close to their deaths is…”
“Yes, it is unforgivable,” someone agreed, their voice broken. “Everyone here knows you are a woman of your word, Your Highness. That’s all that matters, and now we can all turn our attention to where it should be.”
Right, right.
Yeah, just bury my parents and then try to manage the fallout of whatever Hardin unleashed upon me.
I was going to burn that man to dust for this.