The request

As she sat on her throne, watching the men stream into to the room, looking about them at the paintings and tapestries which decorated every inch of the walls surrounding them, Queen Adelaide sighed. They made a poor showing, the lot of them. Though some of them seemed almost handsome and all of them were plenty rich enough to wear expensive clothing, none of them really impressed her. Doing her best not to yawn, Adelaide let one of them approach her.

“Good queen Adelaide,” he begun, a big mistake, “we have gathered here today to make a request, nay a demand.”

Adelaide raised an eyebrow, very few dared to demand anything from her. “And what would that be, Roger.” She had recognized his up-turned nose and reddish sideburns that adorned his soft cheeks. He was the leader of them, by far the richest and lorded over the largest territory.

“It’s simple, your majesty, we need you to marry.” His words were met with humble applause and a nodding of heads.

“Lord Roger, noble sir’s…” Adelaide began, readjusting the front of her dress where it had begun to sag, revealing her deep cleavage. “Respectfully, go fuck yourselves.” Astonished looks and angry murmurs began filling the royal hall of her castle. Their voices ringed against the marble floors, the warm light shining in through the tall windows at either side of them revealed every little blemish the men possessed. Queen Adelaide remained unimpressed. Some of the men looked somewhat agreeable, some of them had even been a rather good lay. But none of them had the makings of a King, though all of them expected to be chosen as the successor to her late husband.

“Your grace, we can not believe these words you’ve chosen. You as well as us know that it is high time to marry, to take a husband who can rule this kingdom properly.”

“Do not presume to know what goes on in my mind, you puny little bastard. I have been ruling this kingdom for well over a decade, my husband, though handsome and certainly brave, was a lousy king. Ruling bored him. He much rather whored and warred, and as all of you know, he did so abundantly. So no, Roger, my Lords, I do not need to marry, I do not have to grant any one of you more power than you deserve. I will remain queen until my son is old and wise enough to take over my throne. Until then, go fuck yourselves.”