Favo Novel
Chapter 124
Chapter 124
Xandar fixed his death glare at the reporter who labeled his mate’s bravery and nobility as “undignified’. The King then asked in a low voice, “What is your name and who do you work for?”
The reporter swallowed a lump in his throat and opened his mouth but nothing came out. Xandar growled in impatience, and demanded in a roar, “Answer me!”
The reporter shook as he stuttered in response, “A-Apologies, m-my K-King. M-My name i-is Ian P Pollock, and I w-work for T&C News Corporation, your Hi-Highness.”
“Truthful & Credible News Corporation?” Xandar muttered his way.
The reporter nodded and tried his best to fidget less but the fear spurring in his being made it impossible for him to stand still.
Xandar huffed condescendingly and said, “SO, T&C’s stance is that a Queen fighting alongside her people i s undignified? That’s the truth your company is advocating for? And you and your colleagues claim to have the credibility to judge what is or is not dignified when it comes to what the Queen chooses to do?”
When there was nothing but the sound of Pollock’s fidgeting teeth in the parking lot, Xandar said, “Tell your boss I expect a front-page apology for what you just said about my mate. As for your career in reporting, it’s safe to say that it is time for an early retir”
‘Darling, a two-week suspension would do.’ Lucianne linked him, as her tired black orbs peered into his angered onyx eyes.
His gaze softened as he linked in despair, ‘Babe, the more mercy we show, the more they’ll try to push our boundaries. Take Cummings, for instance. We showed her mercy and she ended up hurting you!’
‘Which is why I didn’t object to imprisoning her. But this reporter was just doing his job. All of them here were just competing to report and write-up the next big scoop for their employers. They have professional targets to meet and families to feed. It was not right for him to ask what he did but a permanent banishment isn’t necessary, Xandar. They were insensitive but insensitivity is not a criminal offence that requires career destruction. A simple suspension would do, as a warning.’
The small crowd was silent as the King and Queen mind-linked each other. When their eyes cleared, Xandar sighed before planting a deep kiss on Lucianne’s forehead. He then turned back to the reporter who was already drenched in cold sweat as Xandar said, “If it were me, you’d be jobless and dead by now, Pollock. Fortunately for you, our Queen insists that a two-week suspension would be a good- enough punishment.”
A glimmer of hope appeared in Pollock’s features but then Xandar added, “As much as I love and respect m y mate, I speak from observation when I say that our species don’t leam very well from light punishments so I will be insisting on a six-month suspension and a personally-written apology submitted across all news sites. If I find a single word that displeases me, you’d better hope I don’t track you down and end you. Do I make myself clear?”
“Y-Yes, your Highness.” He then looked at Lucianne and bowed as he uttered, “I convey my most sincere apologies, my Queen. Thank you for offering mercy.”
Lucianne’s face was unperturbed when she spoke with as much strength as she could muster, “You’ve received information about my condition, about the likelihood of a certain poison hindering particular aspects of my bodily function. Who gave you this information?”
The reporters and journalists gasped in shock and glanced at each other nervously. How did the Queen know? Who told her? Lucianne thought only Pollock had been tipped off at first but the scared and guilty faces of every other journalist and reporter before them showed that they were all given the same tip. If she could find the source, she may find out who ordered the poison for her.
Pollock’s teeth rattled a little before he said, “W-We don’t know, my Queen. It w-was an anonymous tip, a p h-phone call.”
“What was the number?” Christian asked, his phone already out as he waited for Pollock to respond.
Pollock was getting paler as he said, “I-I don’t know, your Grace. B-But I can request my superiors to ask for the call record.”
Christian’s dissatisfied expression met Pollock’s fearful one as the Duke warned in a threatening tone,” You’d better make sure I get the number within the next hour.” Pollock gave quick, vigorous nods without needing to think
“That includes all of you.” Annie directed fiercely to the rest of the journalists, surprising everyone present, including her own mate. Christian couldn’t remember the last time he saw Annie showing this much ferocity. Was there even such a time? 4
After Pollock’s incident with the King and Queen, no one dared challenge anyone in the royal family, thus they merely offered a slight bow and uttered obediently in Annie’s way, “Yes, your Grace.”
Lucianne threw Annie a grateful smile, and Annie winked in response. Her confidence ignited a fire in Christian but only sparked confusion in Xandar, who felt left out when his beautiful mate smiled at the Duchess like something went on between them which he didn’t know about.
Being the attention-seeking mate that he was, Xandar pecked a kiss on Lucianne’s temple to get her attention before uttering affectionately, “Let’s head back, my love. You should rest.” Lucianne offered a small smile and nodded dotingly in response.
Xandar pecked a kiss on her nose before leading her to the car and holding the door open for her to get in. They didn’t speak all the way back but Xandar held Lucianne’s hand and stroked it lovingly while he drove them back to the hotel.
In the hotel room, Xandar washed Lucianne’s body and his own in the shower before helping her into her clothes. After he tucked her in and pecked a kiss on her forehead, he was about to leave her bedside when Lucianne called out in a soft voice, “Xandar,” Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
Xandar’s eyes widened, and he stroked her hair with a warm smile as he asked, “Yes, sweetheart, what is i t?”
“Um…” Lucianne thought for a moment before she asked, “What happens if..if I can’t give us children?” Her eyes began glistening at the thought of having to reject him, or have him reject her.