110 Overpampering

Selma Payne’s POV:

“I think Elder Lucius is right, Elder Eric.” My father stared at the bald old man expressionlessly. “With the enemy in front of us, we should focus on our priority, right?”

I thought most people would understand by now to go along with the flow, right?

But that old man Eric didn’t!

Eric was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He protested loudly with a red face, “There’s no such thing as a trifle in a state’s affairs, Your Majesty! Even though it’s just a simple seat, it represents the dignity of the royal family and the nobles!

“Of course, I know that interrogating the witch is more important, but she can’t escape now, can she? We can give this pitiful invader some time to think about how she can repay us for sparing her life.

“However, the matter regarding Miss Selma cannot be delayed.” He suddenly turned to my mother, and everyone present could hear the disdain in his tone. “Forgive me for being rude, Your Majesty. Although Miss Selma is your relative, she doesn’t even have a noble title. She can only be considered a noble’s daughter, right?

“You are a benevolent and moral Queen. I respect you deeply, but your excessive pampering of Miss Selma is clearly not in line with the status of a Queen! I solemnly request that you do not bring such a bad atmosphere into the palace so as not to interfere with the fairness of the great Lycan King!”

“You’re really impudent!” I jumped up from the stool and glared at the boastful old man. “How dare you? Who do you think you are? How dare you criticize the great Queen!”

How dare he insult my mother? This damned politician was too arrogant!

My mother was obviously quite angry at my offensive accusation, but she still tried her best to calm down. She pulled me back and said, “Alright, Selma, don’t be angry. Don’t lose your ladylike demeanor. We all know that Elder Eric’s words are a little inappropriate, but I believe he will immediately calm down and give us a reasonable explanation.”

My father stared coldly at the old man who stood in the middle of the town hall like a victorious rooster. I had never seen him so angry before. He couldn’t even maintain his kind and upright expression. His dark eyes seemed to be about to spew fire, burning the bald old man who dared to offend his wife and daughter.

“I think you’re a little too agitated today, Eric.” He didn’t even address him properly with his title of an elder anymore. “You’re so agitated that you’ve lost your mind and committed such a great crime of disrespecting the Queen.”

“Am I wrong?” Eric clamored. “Your Majesty, you shouldn’t lose the justice of a king just because you favor a junior! Your Majesty, good advice is harsh to the ears!”

“Enough!” My father shouted and waved for the guards. “Please take Eric away, guards. He’s seriously ill and should go home to rest.”

“I don’t think it’s suitable for you to participate in the activities of the Council of Elders for the time being. Please rest at home until you’ve recovered. The pack will not mistreat those who work hard for it, nor will it force its sick subjects to serve him!”

Eric struggled in disbelief. He ignored the guards’ dragging and shouted at the top of his lungs, “This is not fair! Lycan King! You don’t have the right to dismiss an elder. Only the brothers and sisters of the Council of Elders can decide whether I stay or leave. You are overstepping your authority!”

My father waved at the guards to take Eric away as if he were a fly, not caring about Eric’s disrespectful words.

Just like that, the high-spirited Eric a few minutes ago was removed, and the one who made the decision was my father, the king.

Those who opposed him were hidden among the elders, their faces covered with hoods and hair, not daring to plead for their dismissed colleague.

These people who thought they controlled the rules were nothing in the face of absolute power.

My father seemed to have just remembered a group of elders was standing beside him, quieter than chickens. He returned to his usual relaxed expression and asked in a clear voice, “I think all the elders have no objection, right?”

Who would dare to say no? Everyone feared they would be the next ones to be removed from the hall.

“Alright then. I hope Eric can recover as soon as possible and continue serving the country,” my father said regretfully, but he didn’t even bother to put on a regretful expression.

Big beard Lucius stood up on behalf of his colleagues and continued as if nothing had happened, “In fact, we have suggested that Eric go home to recuperate, but he is a workaholic, and he can’t let go of his sense of responsibility for the country.

“Please forgive his rudeness, Your Majesties,” he said after a pause. “People can’t control themselves when they’re too tired.”

“Of course, I hope Eric can recover soon.” My mother nodded.