The 5-time Rejected Gamma & the Lycan King
Chapter 143

Chapter 143

The King commanded the attention of the room as he spoke, “To be honest, I was going to push for apermanent appointment of ministers today. Seeing that it is unwise to do so when the verdicts of thearrested ministers have not been reached yet, I must withdraw my prior intention. It is also anindisputable fact that a more democratic nomination and appointment would require a notable period oftime. As many of you have pointed out, time is something we don’t have. We need creatures to stand innow.”

“But clearly, not all of us agree with who we shall appoint for the vacant positions, so, as always, thismatter shall be put to a vote. Yes, Alivia?” Xandar noticed Alivia’s raised hand so he granted herpermission to speak.

Alivia smiled pretentiously and said, “Your Highness, don’t you think it is unjust to put such matters to avote when a significant number of our colleagues are absent as they fight off corruption charges?”

The King responded without needing to think, “It is their absence that made today’s meeting necessary,and a vote necessary as well. These are temporary measures. If they can be proven innocent, theirpositions will be restored.”

Xandar could say this so calmly because he knew it was unlikely that those four ministers would get aget out-of-jail gift card from the court. The evidence piled against them would undoubtedly destroy them.

Harold then said, “With much respect, my King. Perhaps we should keep the right to vote amongmembers who have been serving for the past five years.” That meant Lucianne and Annie would not beallowed to vote.

Xandar tried to focus on his mate’s small thumb as she stroked his hand when he asked, “What reasondo you have for preventing the Queen and Duchess from voting, Harold?”

The atmosphere in the room became tense. Harold didn’t seem bothered by that fact when heexplained,” Well, for one, the Duchess has not been with us in almost two decades. Forgive me forsuggesting this but her sudden presence seems to be for tactical purposes. It is as if she is merely herebecause her vote is needed. As for…”

Christian cut him off, “If that is so, minister, why do you think my Duchess didn’t tum up to vote everyother time before today?” He glared down at Harold before he said in a low voice, “If I wanted to use herto win a vote on any issue, I would’ve done it from the very beginning. Most of you in this room know whym y wife has refused to join us for a long time. I’d suggest you rethink the past before you accuse me ofharbouring tactical intentions.”

Before Harold could come up with a response, Xandar said, “You may also want to rethink what youwere going to say about our Queen while you’re at it.”

Harold snorted before he said, “That’s the thing, your Highness. She is not our Queen. Well, not as ofyet, that is. I don’t recall attending a coronation ceremony. And this is clearly her first time in,”

Xandar’s low growl, followed by those of Christian’s, Annie’s, Weaver’s and Yarrington’s, halted Harold inhis speech. Xandar challenged, “Under which particular provision of law can the King’s mate not exerciseher right as Queen?” 1

Harold answered without hesitation, “It’s not a written law, your Highness. More like a convention. Atradition, an unspoken rule, if you will.”

“Where is this unspoken rule found?” Xandar continued to press.

“It’s there as common knowledge.”

“Perhaps it’s because I’m the most senior member here. It’s a very old rule that’s not normally mentionedsince no Queen has ever entered through those doors before being crowned.”

It was Lucianne’s tum to speak, “I’m sorry, minister, but I’m confused. If it’s not normally mentioned, howcould it be common knowledge? If it’s a tradition, why is it that the generation after yours is unaware of it? And if it’s not discussed, don’t you think it has already become obsolete?”

Harold tried to look at Lucianne with as little spite as possible when he said, “Lycans started the tradition,your Highness. I believe it is best for Lycans to say whether it is obsolete.”

Weaver didn’t have to think twice before he said, “Fine. Lycans, let’s put it to a vote and settle this hereand now. Those in favour of rejecting the convention that no one has ever heard about?”

Harold exclaimed, “No! You can’t just vote as such!” The hands that shot up clearly showed that Haroldhad lost. Even Riven voted against him.

Xandar spoke again, “Since that’s been settled, both the Queen and the Duchess can exercise their rightto vote. Let’s nominate the candidates we have in mind and decide who’s the best we have for the job,starting with the Defence Ministry.”

Christian snorted and playfully suggested, “Can the Queen be our Queen and our Defence Minister?”This garnered much laughter from those in favour but only got forced smiles from those who didn’t likethe proposition. They didn’t even like her being their Queen, let alone both a minister and a Queen!

After everyone has thrown in names, which were, surprisingly to Lucianne, many members of thealliance, save for a few Lycans. They voted and their choice of temporary replacement was GammaTobias Tristan as Defence Minister, and the Lycan warrior Phelton as his deputy. 4

Next up was the Finance Ministry. This one took a little more time because Lucianne got more questionsfrom everyone around the table about the wolves she nominated. She spoke in a neutral manner, givingthem scenarios about how her nominees handled financial crises within their own packs and even thoseo f their allies

Lucianne talked about their respective strengths and weaknesses as objectively as possible. For somereason, Marie Martin’s other son, Henry Martin, was nominated as well. His credentials? He has adegree i n Finance and has shadowed his mother with his brother for years.

It wasn’t much of a surprise when the vote ultimately made Luna Lovelace the temporary FinanceMinister, with Alpha Tate as her deputy. 1

As for Health and Welfare, Luna Hale was deemed to be the most suitable candidate for the position,and Pamela nominated her fifteen-year personal assistant, Kenneth, who spends any leisure time inhospitals and blood drives as a volunteer,

Gamma Benedict was made Deputy Minister of Education,

After the decisions had been made, Xandar dismissed everyone and thanked them again for making thetime to attend the meeting. Of course, Alivia, Harold and Cora were not happy with how things played outbut everyone else didn’t stop them from storming out of the room as soon as Xandar gave the greenlightfor everyone to leave.

When Alivia was out of sight, Weaver couldn’t help but start laughing as he replayed the King andQueen’s sarcasm from earlier. Yarrington smiled as he rolled his eyes at his mate’s uncontrollablechuckles and dragged Weaver by his arm as he said, “Come now, dear. You can continue laughing in thecar.”