The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 232: I don’t want to be queen

I turned my head away for a few seconds, pondering lightly.

"I don’t want to be queen though," I said and glanced at Noah again. "You should know how much of a hassle it is, right? Why do you want to burden me with it?"

"I didn’t want to make you queen just to burden you. The only reason you automatically become queen now is because you’re my mate." He said, which was reasonable.

I felt the anger in me soften, just a little.

I can’t divorce him or break our bond just because I don’t want to be queen. So, the only way would be for him to abdicate the throne. Would he give it up if I asked him to?

I wondered, but then realized it might not be as easy as I was thinking it would be. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

He was the one who had carried the crown for so long, he knew the weight and was tired of holding it up, so he could’ve abdicated if he wanted to... Yet he was still the king.

There must be a reason.

While I thought of this, he slid his hand into mine and I looked down to see our interlocked fingers before looking up at his face.

He had that smug grin on his face again. He must think his punishment later will be light. He’s got one coming at him, this one.

"Little tiger," he called and kissed my hand. "Being my mate aside, I think being queen would suit you." He said.

"What?"

"He’s right, Arinya. Being queen would definitely suit you." Fenric agreed and my mouth nearly fell in disbelief.

Excuse me? Do people become queens just because they think it would suit them? What was circling in the brains of my husbands this day?

"How?" I asked. "Tell me one reason why being queen would suit me and don’t you dare say because I’m beautiful."

I’d love a great compliment but being beautiful is no license to being queen.

"It’s simple. It just fits your great mind." Noah said. "You are very efficient in what you do and make great intentions. If you were the queen, you would contribute a lot to the development of your region."

Hm, that made sense.

"And also, Arinya," Fenric added, grinning. "You know how to boss beasts around."

Hm, another one that makes sense.

I’m starting to think I was born to be a queen, ahem.

"But it’s still a no," I said and their ears dropped.

As tempting as it was, I still don’t have a very good reason to become queen.

"Anyway, little tiger, we can leave the queen talk for later," Noah said, his fingers brushing against my hand. "I hope you’re no longer mad that I kept my identity a secret."

Well, he had given up his peace and broke just to save me. He was having a great time playing husband, but ended up walking back into the cage of his own title just to bring a midwife to my side in the last minute.

It’s enough reason to forgive him, but I’m still quite curious.

"And what about the ’Silver’ part?" I asked, and he laughed. I still wasn’t over the whole ’special’ talk when my eyes were wide open to see he was black and grey even in his wolf form. "You aren’t exactly shimmering, Noah."

"It’s just a title of lineage." He said. "Because I’m special."

"Hmm," I stroked my non-existent beard. "Define special,"

"Well, Legend says the first of our line was born under a lunar eclipse, his fur as bright as the moon itself. Now, it’s just a name for the bloodline that carries the ’special’ gift of command. I’m a Grey Wolf by coat, but ’Silver’ by blood."

Now that makes more sense.

His hand tentatively covered mine.

"I’m sorry." He whispered. It’s like I’m hearing three months’ worth of apology from this wolf’s mouth. He’s someone who almost never apologizes as he doesn’t see himself at fault, and he definitely doesn’t put himself in a situation where he has to apologize either.

So, the words are like music to my ears. How many sorries has it been now?

"I wanted our world to stay small. Just us, Fenric, the snake, and the babies. I didn’t want the West-Way involved in your life." He looked down with a bit of regret in his eyes.

He treasured our quiet life.

"Well, they are involved now," I said, my voice quiet. "What happens when the snow melts, Noah?"

I was uncertain and a bit worried. I glanced at my cubs and sighed softly.

Noah’s expression hardened, a cold expression slipping back, into place for a brief second.

"We’ll cross that water when we get to it." He said and I nodded.

Well, no need to worry about it now since I can’t exactly do anything in my state.

I looked at Fenric, and then at the shimmering silver coils of Damar’s tail. My mind was all over the place, but I just had to be, focused on the most useless ones.

"Hm, just out of curiosity, not that I’m accepting the title but... What are the things a queen does?"

I doubt the rule is like that of anything I know of from my world.

Noah leaned forward, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead. "You’ve already mastered the most important part."

"What’s that?"

"Making the King kneel," he whispered with a wink.

I couldn’t help it; I laughed, though it made my stitches twinge.

"Yeah, no, you gotta get off your high horses or I’m increasing the difficulty of your punishment later," I said and he chuckled.

"Well, it was worth a try." He claimed and I turned my head to the side.

Things are definitely not going how I expected, but just because the course of things changes, does not mean I can’t make new plans.

Suddenly, my stomach grumbled, and Fenric stood to his feet.

"I’ll get you something to eat right away." He said and just before he rushed away, I said,

"Before you do anything, could you get the rabbit here? I need something from her."

I had my eyes on the spices she fed me just now. It’s just what I need to flavor the bland meat soup a bit more.

It’ll be the best thing I’ve eaten in a while.

Fenric nodded and rushed out.