Chapter 426 – Put the Nobles in Place

It didn't take too long to put Yzzorres to sleep. It wasn't my best work, but I have things to do. If she wants the best my hands can offer, she'll have to ask later. And give me an actual apology.

We kind of need to talk through what we both did. This wasn't the best way to start a relationship.

Then came the difficult part: waking up Eterna and flying back with a baby. Geta can handle the baby, I'm too pregnant and just got a new body, so flying with a baby isn't a good idea, and Shimmer's too nervous to do it. Eterna will probably continue to act like she can't fly right in this form, despite keeping up with Yzzorres on the way here.

...

Of course, the flight back took more time. While my new body could fly more easily, having to figure it out with two bodies at the same time took a bit more time than I would've liked, but we got back to the cliff. The crowd below is a lot smaller now, and my wives are all gone. Another thing to be annoyed about."I'm guessing they're already at the castle," I say.

"Most likely," Geta says. "Eterna, why don't you go back to the temple with Alzi's third body while the rest of us go to the castle?"

"You want me to leave my wife," Eterna says.

"You wouldn't be," I say. "That is me, kind of. You would have fewer people to fight over having time with me. Just Zarzi and her wives, since that body is for pampering my wives."

"I guess I can do that then," Eterna says.

"Thank you," I say. The court is about to start, and I'm in just a silly robe. Shyla should be back home already, but Kou should have something for me. I can't look like a slob for my first time holding court.

I jump off and start my journey to the castle again. I still have the crown on my head, so hopefully they know that the woman in the boring robe is their Queen. The small group does seem to be cheering, so they apparently recognize me.

I wonder if it's common for the Queen to get kidnapped on their first flight.

The flight to the castle isn't very far, making it all the more embarrassing that I have to do it for a second time. Mommy and Elo are waiting for me at the front door, though Elo is sitting down. I hope she isn't pushing herself too much. I need someone to handle the court most of the time. I doubt I'm going to like this.

"Sorry, Your Royal Highness," Elo says. "She has done that a few times before. I should've known she would want to deal with your relationship with the phoenixes immediately."

"I thought she would be done with me after the war," I say. "This is a bit annoying, but court?"

"Just enough time to change," Mommy says. "Kou predicted that you would lose your clothing on the way. Come on, you need to get dressed. I can't believe my little girl is going to be sitting on a throne. It doesn't feel real. I.. I guess this entire thing hardly feels real. I've just been going along with it. It's so strange to think about my baby doing all of this. I was just a single woman in a small village, and now, thanks to you, I'm married to a Queen and Princesses and and-"

"Yes," I say. "I'm probably a little too used to just going with things to be overwhelmed by all the changes. Or maybe I just deal with it in strange ways. I'm just happy to have you and my kids after all these years. The rest is just nice or things I need to live in peace. Or at least, hopefully live in peace. It seems there is always going to be something standing in my way."

"There shouldn't be many things left to push aside," Elo says. "But court awaits you. Shall we?"

"Yes," I say.

Kou is in a waiting room or something just inside the castle. She has another golden dress on a stand that she's messing with. It doesn't have any sleeves, so it should fit fine.

"There you are, my Queen," Kou says, turning to face me. "Of course, your body has changed. I know it's stupid to be surprised. There could only be one reason for that dragon to take Shimmer and you and then let Eterna come along. But I didn't think it would change your body this much. Well, it is what it is. Come on, I may need you to shrink your tits for this to fit. I don't think Shyla knew you would have a chance to change your body even more when she tailored this."

"Are my tits bigger?" I ask.

"I'm guessing your ribcage is bigger, my Queen. But we'll find out. The breast change would just be to help; it wouldn't be a true fix. We'll just need to live with the dress for about an hour. I'm sorry about this. I can make small changes, but we'll have to get Shyla for anything more."

"I've dealt with tight dresses before," I say. "I can make it an hour in a tight dress, but I don't think I've grown like that. I only felt scales, my horns, and my tail change. But then my wings changed as well, so maybe."

"Well, that's good to know," Kou says. "Maybe my limited tailoring will be enough then. Let's get started, my Queen."

...

The dress is a bit tight, but nothing I can't live with. The heels Kou gave me do indeed keep my tail from dragging on the ground. I wonder if the tail works like kitsune tails, just getting longer instead of growing more of them. I always think of these things too late to ask anyone about them.

"You look beautiful, my Queen," Kou says. "I'm glad the crown grew to accommodate your horns. It would be problematic if we had to fix it or make a new one. We have just a few minutes, so we need to go. Shimmer will join you, along with your Mother, Elora, and Elo, just to make it easier. They should be able to support you well for this. Just remember, you are the Queen. One backed by the Goddess and the true dragon."

"Thank you," I say. So, royals for support with what I'm actually supposed to be doing, and Mommy for comfort.

Mommy takes my hand, and Kou starts leading us through the halls.

"Here it is," Kou says. "Just a few seconds, my Queen, and I'll introduce you. You don't have a last name, do you?"

"No," I say. "I had Elora's for a bit, but right now I don't have one."

"Do you want Elora's?" Kou asks.

"Not really."

"Something to think about later then," Kou says. "That won't be a problem, will it, Elo?"

"It shouldn't be. The Queen is the Queen, but nobles can be stupid about these things."

"Then just put them in their place, my Queen," Kou says. "Alright, I'll introduce you, then you walk on stage. Armirynth will be a few steps behind you, and then Elo, Shimmer, and Elora will follow. I will have Shimmer's kid. Sit on the throne and say, 'all may sit.' Give a short speech, just say something about building a future, just a few words will do, and then ask for any problems they would like to bring forward. For now, just say you will consider them for the future of the realm. I'm sorry for not letting you practice; a certain dragon kind of took that time from us."

"I understand," I say. "Thanks for telling me that. I hope my time performing at the brothel will keep me from freezing up."

"You'll do great, my Queen," Kou says. "Now get ready. YOUR QUEEN, ALZI!"

Elo gives me a small push, and I walk through the door. About twenty dragons are standing below the throne, mostly Silver dragons. Just how powerful were the ancestors of the village elders?

The throne room really is an overly scary place. Black rocks jut out all over the place, and lava is lighting up the room in strange patterns. I easily walk to the throne, the eyes of the dragons watching my every move. I let them stand for a bit, then remember I have to tell them to sit. "All rest," I say. That wasn't the right wording. But it's close enough, and they all get it and sit down.

"The future is going to be very different from the past. I will work to create a future that helps us all," I say. "To that end, please let me hear any problems you currently have."

I should've had Space help me. She did a great job before, with the deal. Whatever, they know I haven't really been a royal for long.

Mommy puts her hand on my shoulder to let me know they all made it to the throne. The Silver dragons all look around for someone to speak up. Do they really not have any problems? They must at least have something petty that they want to turn into some big deal for me to solve for them.

"Your Royal Highness," one says. "We've all lost many women in the war that the royal family started. What will you be doing to pay us back for that loss?"

"Um, well, I was the one getting..."

"You're the royal family now," the dragon says. Many of the dragons start getting up. "You are the one who represents the royal family now. I don't care who started the war. I've lost many women. How am I going to be paid back? We fought the phoenixes at your behest! Do you think that you don't have to pay us for that?"

"We..."

"I need answers," another dragon says.

"QUIET!" Elo says. "Sit. Down. Now. Who are you all to stand when your Queen told you to rest? You all have ears. You all heard her say to rest. It was not optional. Now, onto your issue. The royal family doesn't care. That is the short answer. If you want a longer answer, then fine. You all followed my power-hungry daughters, knowing the Goddess did not care for the war. Our Queen handled our Goddess's wish that my stupid daughters couldn't fulfill. You all heard that you could simply not fight, and the Queens could not punish you for it. It was your choice to follow the idiots. You could've been smart and walked away, but you wanted to fight the phoenixes. You wanted the power, and now that you've failed to gain the power and wealth you expected, you want the one you wished to imprison and rape to pay you for winning. A joke that I will not stand for. Our Queen isn't yet well-practiced and prepared to wrangle you all into submission, but you can pray to your ancestors and understand that I'm very capable of doing that. You see our Queen's horns, tail, scales, and wings. You feel the pressure and ignore it. You know your place is to be on the ground, begging her for mercy, not asking her to pay for your failures. You're nothing. Your position here is one that our Queen is granting you, not one you deserve. The war did cause this realm issues, ones you helped push us towards. The royal family will be working on easing these issues. There's no need to worry about them. And you will not bully the royal family. You all thought that my daughters could crush you all, so what do you think our Queen can do? You can see all the Goddesses that support her. You serve us and our people. Don't forget that fact. My Queen, I advise you to adjourn court for the day and let them think about whether they wish to work for you, or join the Goddess of Death."

"Yes," I say. Fuck, this woman is scary. She's hardly able to stand, and she got me to straighten up! "Leave, and think about your future."