Awfully close.

Bree shivered as she turned her head and looked towards the window of her study room, right now, she felt sick. Truly sick, just like when she was stalked by those colleagues of hers, no this sensation was a lot worse than the one she used to have, but why was she feeling like this? There was no way that she was getting stalked here right? Though that was what Bree thought her eyes couldn't help but narrow as she glared at the window, was it that those killer mates of her were trying to monitor her activities? But how was that possible, she has snatched their powers as her consorts, it was impossible for them to keep an eagle eye on her at the moment.

And shouldn't they be trying to coax their beloved at the moment instead of monitoring her?

"Your majesty, are you alright?"Dion swept his gaze at the window along with Bree though he didn't know why she was looking at the window with that displeased expression, he couldn't help but shiver. What happened why was the Queen had such an expression on her face, a moment ago she was completely fine. But knowing her finicky temper, he couldn't help but tremble, was there something that perturbed her?

" It's nothing," though her attempt at flippancy fell flat, Bree didn't show it on her face. Instead, she looked away from the window and turned her focus on the documents that she was signing, though she wasn't used to working as the Dragon Queen, Saphira helped her. Every time she picked up a document and read it, her body temperature would rise and drop, if the document was in the right order then her body temperature would rise but if it was wrong then her body would turn cold.

Like it was at the moment, as she finished reading the document sent by Duke Cilantro. The latter has sent a letter requesting that the Dragon Queen agree with his request of increasing the revenue rates to 15% of the present rate, the duke owned the territory in the south, his territory was said to be the most flourishing given that his territory alone had many rivers flowing out of it, the Dragoniere empire was dependent on his territory for its export and imports, which gave Duke Cilantro a vast control when compared to the other officials.

Bree's eyes twitched as she turned to Dion and asked, " Didn't we agree to his request of raising the revenue rates to five percent already next month? So, why is it that he is requesting another raise in just one month?"

" I suppose so yes," checking a booklet that managed the records of the documents that were signed by the Queen, Dion nodded. " But it's fairly complicated, the duke hasn't asked for the permission directly instead he has asked it under the premise that he wanted to improve the living condition of the orphans in his territory, of course, it could be a lie but we can't refuse his request without a proper investigation."

" I see." An investigation was of course important, the Duke was slippery as an eel. If she didn't make a wise decision and dealt with this matter lightly, then surely, that annoying man would submit a complaint in the court, from the Dragon Queen's memories she could tell just how abrasive that man can be when he didn't get what he wanted. " Write a letter, telling that the duke we are considering this matter, after all, if the revenue taxes of his territory then not only us but also the other Duke's of the territory have to pay an astronomical price for using the river route. As for the investigation——"

" Are you going to lead the investigation, your majesty?" asked Dion.

Bree shook her head, she couldn't step out of the castle temporarily. The mates of the Dragon queen were still on a lookout, if she stepped out of the castle where the protection was the weakest, then she might as well hand her head over in a silver platter to them —— oh boy, how terrifying. Just why couldn't the Dragon Queen be destined with cute little omegas? Why a bunch of psychotic alphas?

" No, I am afraid that if I left the castle then he will surely get suspicious, it's better for someone else to investigate what's going on in his territory. I can subdue Duke Cilantro but I need firm evidence of his plan, if I can't prove that he is trying to subsidise the river route then I am afraid that I have to agree with his request and if I do that, the other official will definitely submit several demurrals, I don't want to deal with them at the moment."

" Then I——" as Dion started speaking, there was a knock on the door. Bree looked up from the documents that were giving her a headache and heaved a sigh of relief… finally a break. " Come in," afraid that Dion will refuse entry to the person who knocked on the door, she hurriedly ordered the person to enter.

As the door pushed open, the head maid of the palace walked in, the elderly woman bowed in greeting. " I greet the Sun of this Empire."

" You may rise." She was still not used to being called ' The Sun' of the Empire but she still acted as The Dragon Queen would have in this situation. " What is it? I believe that if the head maid is looking for me then the matter would be of great importance."

" That's true, I just received from the head of brownies from the main consort's palace… apparently that maid called Harley came looking for the main consort." said the head maid. " Timmy, wasn't particularly happy with the main consort since the latter asked him to cook for the maid. Your majesty why don't you deal with that maid, she seems awfully close to the consorts, though the consorts can't betray you … it will still cause an impact on your image if this continues."

Bree wasn't surprised that the head maid came looking for her because of this reason, and what she said wasn't wrong either. If the Queen's mates were to get close to a maid, it will really bring bad publicity to her but—— she narrowed her eyes, a dark glint flashing in those golden reptilian orbs. " Leave them, I am afraid that we are long past the twinkle where I can interfere with their actions. Let them do what makes them happy, I really can't bring myself to care for them after what they have done."

And that was the truth. She really couldn't bring herself to deal with mates who were planning to kill their wife and soul mate, it was better for them to stay clear of each other paths.