Chapter 218

By now, the king’s lawyer had a hand on his shoulder, whispering furiously in his ear. The king gripped the arms of his chair so hard his knuckles were white. And if he could have turned people to stone with a look like a gorgon, the judge and I would already be statues.

Still, the judge spoke as if unafraid. “The former king will serve out his sentence off the shifter continent, in the vampire countries,” she announced.

A murmur went up from everyone in the gallery at that, but the judge held up her hands. “I chose that location specifically. It has been a standing tradition for generations upon generations that vampires and werewolves do not get involved in one another's politics.”

“I would imagine he will find it very difficult to sway anyone into doing his dirty work for him in a country that holds itself neutral. Thereby providing anyone in Orlune that the king feels has wronged him in the safest position that I am able to leave them in.”

Further murmurs rose up from the crowd, and the back doors to the courtroom opened. In swept Queen Yarrow.

“Your Highness!” Even the judge stood and gave the queen a bow.

She waved away the gesture. “I’m not royal by birth,” she declared. “So, a judge doesn't need to bow to me any more than any woman born into an alpha family. Now that I'm sure I am safe, I've come to say my piece.”

The judge frowned. “The verdict was already given,” she pointed out.

“I am aware of this,” the Queen replied, “but I am satisfied with the sentence you've given. I'm not here to alter that. I am just here to set things straight before retiring. You did a good thing in convicting this man.”

She shot the king a hate-filled glare. “He was horrible and abusive during the entirety of our relationship. And I believe he is directly responsible for the death of the previous queen and would have been responsible for my death had I not gone into hiding.”

“I know he spread slanderous tales about me. But let me assure everyone in Orlune that I never acted against the common good. I only retreated to preserve my own life and keep him in a marriage with me so that he couldn't marry some other poor woman, abuse and use her, and put a child on the throne whom he could groom to be exactly like him.”

“Locking him away from producing such an heir was probably the biggest gift that the goddess gave me when she made me sterile.” Queen Yarrow pointed at me. “My sterility ensured that Orlune's heir has been raised away from the king's evil influence.”

“I've met Miss Laurentia, and I have no regrets in stepping down so that she can take her place in line as queen.”

“B-but…” I stammered. “You're the Queen. I meant it. I’m not trying to seat myself on the throne.”

She shook her head. “I have no blood ties to the royal family, and I have no children to tie me to Orlune’s throne. So, therefore, it is my job as a good queen to turn the kingdom over to you. You are an adult and an intelligent one. You will do well for the people of Orlune. I have full confidence in you.”

Well, that was fantastic because I didn't have full confidence in myself.

The judge cleared her throat, and we all turned our attention back to her. “As I was saying,” she continued, “it is most important for Orlune to have a competent ruler. And since you, Miss Laurentia, are the legitimate heir, I am ordering the coronation for this afternoon.”

New murmuring broke out amongst those watching, accompanied by a rush of beeps, indicating people texting everyone they knew to tell them about this huge development.

“May I speak to you in your chambers?” I asked in a rush.

“Of course, your majesty.” The judge inclined her head in my direction.

Out of politeness, I waited until she stood and then hurried after her into that small room off the courtroom again. The minute the door was shut, I turned to her.

“I don't want to be Queen,” I stated.

She looked at me, her eyebrows raised. “Who doesn't want to be royalty?”

“As a fantasy? Yes. In reality? No way. I'm not qualified in any way,” I argued. “I was never raised or trained in government. I wouldn't know the first thing about ruling a country.”

“While I don't doubt that to be true, it doesn't change the fact that you are the heir. And if you're not going to rule, then who will? It will end in civil war amongst the alpha.”

I stalled while looking for a solution. “What if…” I started slowly.

“What if Queen Yarrow just stayed queen?” I threw out the suggestion desperately.

“You just heard her. She's not the Queen. Not anymore. Now that's you.”

Panic started rising in my throat. “I am not. This wasn't the plan at all,” I said. “I just want to be a reporter. I want to bring the truth to Orlune.”

She nodded. “That is definitely an admirable calling. But why can't you do that from the throne?”

“I don't know,” I said, tossing my hands up in the air. “I just know that II was raised as an orphan. I'm not queen material. I am not ready for this.”

The judge paused and then spoke carefully as if considering each word. “What if we compromised?” She asked.

“I guess,” I answered slowly like her.

“The queen, or rather, the former queen, is correct. In the long term, the people of Orlune aren't going to accept her as the monarch. She has no claim to the throne. And they will find her taking over to be an aggressive act.”

“But I also hear and understand that you were raised in circumstances leading to a more difficult transition into this position. And it would be cruel of me not to be sympathetic. So, how about this?”

The judge focused on me in a piercing stare. “I see your objection. You are not ready to rule because you are unfamiliar with the political education required for such a responsibility. What I will not accept is that you would rather bring truth to Orlune as a reporter rather than through the responsibilities you were born to.”

“Especially not when you can do that job from the throne.” She hardened her look. “From the throne, you are perfectly poised to tell the truth to the nation. And who better to restore faith in the throne than an honest person on the throne?”

“So, my compromise is this. I will ask Queen Yarrow if she's willing to step in and run things as a regent for you until you've had time to take classes, bringing you up to speed on the necessary aspects of governance. Then, I expect you to take your position as Orlune’s heir. Is that acceptable to you?”

“I-I guess,” I agreed hesitantly. “Assuming that Queen Yarrow is okay with it.”

The judge crossed back to the door and poked her head out. “I would like to see the former Queen Yarrow in my chambers, please.”

Whoever was outside must have hurried off to do as the judge asked because the judge came back inside and sat down to wait. Just a few minutes Queen Yarrow joined us, and the judge posed her solution to the former queen.

“I think that's a fantastic idea,” Queen Yarrow said. “It will also help make the transition more comfortable for those watching to have someone familiar step in step in for the in-between times.”

“Exactly, the judge confirmed. “Then it's all set. Miss Laurentia… I'm sorry,” the judge backpedaled quickly. “Princess Elena, you're all set up, and I'm sure Queen Yarrow can help you find the people necessary for finishing those studies.”