Page 35 of Retrograde

Monday morning started with me sitting in the capital’s central police station talking with the lead prosecutor of Lori’s case and the interim police chief. They had offered to come to the castle—several times even—but I thought it important to make it clear I was simply a citizen in this moment.

The victim, and I made several comments that I was glad they were so willing to be accommodating and I hoped they treatedevery citizenof Nerthus with such care and respect. I was glad when they heard my message loud and clear.

I wouldn’t put up with any more bullshit from the police and I’d be watching the prosecutor’s office going forward how they handled such crimes. Because I didn’t think the “fun” at parties playing with these sorts of drugs was accepted by all.

I was really sure it was a way to abuse unsuspecting women and get away with rape. Most didn’t see it that way and heat was just a natural condition, but forcing it was just the same as giving a woman any other drug and using that to get sex.

Men too.

They were a bittoofocused on how I was able to recognize the drug so easily, but the attorney Darren hired for me handled it masterfully. He submitted the right paperwork to basically forgive my buying illegal drugs in the name of investigating whathappened and my security. All completely under the jurisdiction of the Queen’s Guard who knew.

Then they wanted to know who had saved me that night… Basically asking who I’d had sex with instead.

“No,” I answered easily and raised an eyebrow at the prosecutor who was a bittoointerested. “I understand you can ask me in court if this goes to trial and the judge will compel me, but until that time—no. Someone saved me and doesn’t want the attention, and who I turned to once I was in heat doesn’t change what the man did to me, the victim.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he begrudgingly accepted.

“And in the future, I think you should adopt that as the answer because we all know how fast the story will shift from his crime to my being a slut—the same for any woman who suffers this. It’s why more don’t come forward. Most cannot tell you no. I will make it clear they should and I will support that.”

Maple, who had come with me for support, and my attorney both looked like they were having a difficult time not laughing.

Fine, but none of this was funny.

At. All.

The news was reporting how great it was for the Alpha and his mate to hold their son accountable and be responsible parents. It was all about the strength of Sunborough that he would understand that and even temporarily step down while this was going on.

Not one word about the fucking victim or praising me for following the law and being strong to endure this.

Seriously, Thovudin needed a kick upside the head and I was tired of it.

“You need to see something,” Toni told me when I arrived back at the castle. “There’s been a website launched and we’re being called for comments asking if it was you or your people.”

I glanced at Myriam. “Did we launch a website for something?”

She frowned. “No, we added the portal thing for the castle staff to add to their resumes and now put in what education they’d like to be considered for. The first few started night classes last week with the new adult education semester.”

“We didn’t do it, but check with others,” I told Toni. “What’s the website?”

“ItStartsWithSagan,” she answered, nodding when I frowned. “So far it’s some of your schooling history—did you know Serlir has every college test, term paper, and thesis as public record?”

“Yes,” Myriam and I said together, but I went on. “It’s how they curb cheating. There’s no chance of passing papers around, but it’s also a massive reference library for other research and how they are academically advanced beyond Thovudin.” I gave a half shrug when Toni frowned. “They are. I’ve seen Thovudin’s same program I graduated from. It’s sad really.”

“Someone’s boasting how well she did in school?” Myriam asked, looking impressed when Toni nodded. “She was a rockstar and many hated her for it. It’s not us, but focus on confirming the accuracy.”

That was smart. “All of my guest lectures were recorded as well. Father insisted on it in case—to be smart. I can find them.”

“I can work with that, thank you. I think it smart to piggyback on this saying that clearly Thovudin’s people are interested in their leader and learning the truth about her more than the media’s biased reports.”

“Make sure June is in the loop and offer her access,” I said, not wanting that bridge burnt.

I was already doing that with Applerest. My phoneexplodedwhen Kole and Vex must have been served with the lawsuit papers filed with Nerthus’s personal court. It was public recordnow that Kole had lied and more. We didn’t submit all of our evidence, just enough to make it clear I had a real case.

Again, I didn’t want to just rely on being queen. No matter how much I was criticized, I did follow the rules.

Fine, besides the illegal underground cage fighting I did, but desperate times and all of that.

It was hard to see the messages, and I sighed because I’d thought this wouldn’t make things better. I knew it would make him act out.