“No, not when a large portion of them tried to throw a coup the day after my parents died and force me to mate people of their choosing so I was controlled,” I told her, spilling the beans. “The Alphas have all confirmed me after reviewing the evidence that all the elders knew of the plot and didn’t warn me. It’s why I’ll be doing away with the elder system.”
One of the cameramen couldn’t cover his reaction and started choking.
I shot him an amused look. “You should have been there when I learned they were extorting me with four mates theywould puppet and then planned to raise my child as their puppet to control the future king.”
“You have to be joking,” June whispered.
“I’m not, and I will showyouthe proof so you can report on what you saw, but I will not be releasing it all because investigations are still ongoing,” I told her and everyone watching. “Also, the four people weren’t aware of what they were being dragged into. Well, not that I have any proof of, and I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt they thought they were just matches.”
“Who are the elders to declare someone a match for you when it’s not allowed to force a royal to mate? And they’re not your parents even?” June demanded.
I gave her a sad smile. “Thank you for caring. Truly. You’re more upset than some of the people in my life and castle. They didn’t want me to out this and embarrass the elders. The Alphas didn’t want me to either, and I was going to let it go, but clearly the elders won’t ever stop trying to control me.
“They won’t ever let go thinking they actually lead Thovudin. I can’t let their corruption continue—I won’t. They hid it well when my father—amanruled, but now that I’m a young woman, they are all grabbing for power, and that could hurt our people, not just me. They don’t care and I do. So it’s time to be honest and let the chips land where they do.”
She swallowed loudly. “Tell me this isn’t why we’re all hearing whispers about you having some sort of mating contest.”
“Yes, it is. After the elders promised four Alpha families that their sons or family would mate me and be princes, basically rule me. Every Alpha pressured me to have a chance at the same,” I snitched. “So after the coronation, a contestant—sorry, prospective mating candidate from each of their bloodlines will be staying at the castle to try and win the prize of becoming a prince.”
Pity filled her eyes and I was a bit shocked at the change of heart in her so fast.
Then again… She had a soul. Clearly, she did.
“You aren’t really going to let them do this to you though, right?”
I took in a long, steady breath. “What was the alternative? Realistically?” I smiled sadly when she didn’t seem to know what to say. “The carrot was dangled after generations of no Alpha family mating into the royal family. And multiple? Alphas are at the top for a reason. They’re driven and competitive. It’s a double-edged sword.”
She slowly nodded. “It keeps their areas thriving but can also be their downfall in aggression and the worst attributes.”
“Like getting tunnel vision and having arguments about me like I’m a whore to breed for the prize of their grandchild being the king one day instead of their queen,” I told her honestly, nodding when she couldn’t hide her horror. “So even if I survived the coup, the trap was laid, and I did the best I could to not get caught in it.”
“You could have told people and outed this, Your Highness,” she argued.
“I wasn’t willing to risk the damage this will do to Thovudin for what I saw as a needed outcome. I do need to mate sooner than planned. Male or female, a leader of a nation is seen as more stable when mated. And in exchange, I received the protections and more that I wanted so there is a better future for Thovudin and I’m supported. Plus…”
Her eyes went wide. “You were worried that no one would care.”
I swallowed loudly. “Yes. Yes, that was a concern. I’m not blind nor deaf. I know how too many of our people feel about me. The outcast even her parents didn’t want. The broken royalthat has no chance of being useful. Thefreakthat was hidden in foreign countries so I didn’t embarrass the royal family.”
I gave a half shrug when she winced.
“I know who I am. I know the truth. I know what I was really doing.”
“The question is if anyone will really give you a chance to learn it,” she hedged.
“Or cares about the truth,” I agreed. “So this is the truth so far. This is what I have endured since the death of my parents—what Iamenduring. I’m fighting to stay free to lead Thovudin as I think is best for the nation and her people. I’m entertaining this audacious idea of seventeen men in my castle to keeppeaceamong the leaders so we can have stability.”
“Will you really take four mates?”
“I don’t know and I was clear on that. I have no idea. I won’t be forced to mate and I won’t mate anyone who is forced. I’d rather throw myself into an ice chasm and I said that clearly. It won’t benefit Thovudin. Could that be the outcome?” Once again, I gave a half shrug. “Maybe it is needed since I’m taking over so young and without the normal handover.
“Who knows? I do know I won’t do it as fast as some want. That won’t bring stability and can lead to way more problems in the future.” I nodded when she snorted. “But I will be fair and give everyone a chance as long as they’re honorable in this. If they want to see if we could be mates,partnersas my mother was to my father, then I’ll entertain the idea.
“Everyone needs to understand I will be queen ruler, not regent. It’s ridiculous. We’ve had other queen rulers. My mother mated into the royal family. I was born of the royal family. It’s not a difficult concept. So any who come here to take over to be the authority of my throne will learn first that the rumors aren’t true.”
She raised an eyebrow at that. “And your plans to show everyone else?”
I gestured between us. “This. I was hoping after this interview and I won you over that we could have a weekly time to discuss how things are. You have your finger on the pulse of everything better than I will given I’m at the eye of the storm. And I think there’s a lot to discuss.”
