SWNOVELS Chapter IT'S GOOD TO BE THE QUEEN (BY AMNERIS TOPANGA)
It’s all work. Everything is work. I swear all I do is work. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to have a vacation, even a small one, something always happens to stop me from doing so. A megaversal catastrophe. Someone trying to murder me. My Court getting captured. Rescue missions. Rebels. Is a break so much to ask for? Apparently the answer is “yes”. So, I’ve long since given up on trying to have one and have decided to dive properly into my work. It’s only taken five thousand years!
My half-sister Xix was more than happy when she found out. Mainly because she was still trying to get her feet as the new Queen of Terpola and Naka’Idis*. As the expert on all things Royal (yeah, right) and Core related, I took it upon myself to set an example for my little sister. Obviously something was wrong with me.
First item on the day’s menu: Pick an outfit.
This was the most important for an obvious reason. Like my Second Nikki likes to say, “Girl, if it don’t scare them, you ain’t trying hard enough.” It’s important I maintain not only favour among my people, but the fear I strike into enemies. Normally this would lead me back to my usual leather jacket, crop top, jeans and high-heeled boots, but today was more meetings less action. So, the dress it was.
While I hate wearing dresses on a regular basis, I must admit how much I love this one. It was a gift from my adoptive father on my one-thousandth birthday. It was an sleeveless high-low dress. The fabric was dark blue, turning to black as the skirts went on. The bodice was lined with silver star-like patterns. Together with my black stilettos, my long curly hair hanging below my waist, and usual diadem (silver with the Lyriumian sigil carved into a blue crystal, and several smaller diamonds), I was a force to be reckoned with.
Second item on the day’s menu: The meeting agenda.
One word: Gross.
I swear its the worst part of my job. Going in an out of meetings with mainly grumpy old people, people who are jealous of my power, people who think they know better than me, people who don’t understand the concept of Black Women’s Rights. Basically, there are fuckers wherever you go. There’s no way to escape them. Even mass murder doesn’t work. There will always be another fucker to take the place of a fallen fucker.
Today I had a meeting with a man named Olysseus - one of the leaders of the U.F.W. after Tes-Pyroc joined. He is the definition of fucker. The guy doesn’t understand the whole “I’m in charge” concept nor the “women are also people” thing. What’s the word, again? He’s misogynistic. If you looked up the definition of “misogynistic”, his image would be underneath it. Gods, I hate the guy. It’s a mutual hatred.
As I sat in my throne made of silver stone which was strangely comfortable, I contemplated ways to humiliate him - I mean ways to put him in his place. Yep. That’s what I meant. My personal Guards must’ve been able to sense my sour mood. All of them were more on guard than usual. Even Jay and Carmin--my two main Advisors standing on each side of my throne--appeared ready for a fight.
“Try to keep your cool,” Jay murmured.
“I always keep my cool,” I said. He didn’t look convinced.
My P.A. Ryan opened the large doors to the throne room. He led Olysseus and his small party of Fae into the room. Once Olysseus had passed, Ryan gave me an encouraging smile and thumbs up before scurrying out of the room as fast as he could. I didn’t know whether to hug him or curse him.
Olysseus made to enter some grand opening speech. I cut him off.
“If this is about asking for my daughter’s hand in marriage again, I’ve been telling you for almost three-hundred years now that the answer is no. Nothing you say will change my mind.”
His mouth snapped shut. Clearly that was exactly what the meeting was about. Again. Seriously, what is it with some men and not accepting “no” as an answer and just dropping things? It’s very frustrating.
“Of course not,” Olysseus said, having--unfortunately--recovered. “This meeting is about your treaty with the United Fae Worlds.”
Bullshit. “Oh, is it now?” I asked sweetly. “That is strange considering you have nothing to do with the treaty. As the newest member of the U.F.W.--Car, correct me if I’m wrong--you have to wait at least one cycle before having a say in the treaty.”
“You are correct,” Carmin said, visibly struggling to hold back a smile.
I gestured to my Advisor before turning back to Olysseus who was turning red with anger. I’m honestly shocked there was no steam coming from his ears at this point. “In short, you can’t be here about something you have no say in as of yet. Try again.”
Olyesseus stuttered a few times, no doubt trying to come up with some other bullshit excuse to remain in my presence. As he struggled, I sat back, crossing one leg over the other and resting my hands on the arms of my throne. I was the portrait of calm. Ironic, right?
Meanwhile, Olyessus had completely lost his temper. “You are making me look bad on purpose!” he screamed. “You are trying to discredit me!”
I snorted. “You’re doing that all by yourself.”
That did it.
Olyessus stepped forward, raising his hands in anger. Flames burst to life in his palms. My Guards, Carmin and Jay all stepped toward, summoning their own various powers. Don’t get me wrong, it’s sweet to know they take their jobs seriously, but I am the Queen for a reason.
I waved a hand. They all stood down. “Do you really want to fight me?” I asked Olyessus.
“I think it is well past time you were put in your place, woman,” he growled.
I merely shrugged. “Can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Olyessus stood is ground as I made my way down from the dais. I stopped when we were face to face--me looking up at him ’cause the guy is a giant. I smiled and flicked his chest. Olyessus went flying across the room with the wimpiest scream I’ve ever heard. He slammed into the doors and slid to the ground.
As he--slowly--recovered, I turned to my Guards. “Would someone please be so kind as to escort Olyessus to the outskirts of my city and make sure he leaves?”
Two Guards grabbed the man and roughly pulled him to his feet, dragging him quite literally kicking and screaming from the throne room.
I returned to my throne, sitting with a satisfied sigh.
“You might want to speak with the leaders of U.F.W,” Jay said. “Make sure he doesn’t come back.”
“Good idea,” I said.
Olyesseus was gone, I was happy, pretty much everyone in the Palace was relieved and things were good. I really did love to be the Queen sometimes.
TRANSLATION
*Naka’Idis = Silent Guardian