I couldn't get Grounder Clarke out of my head. Just, go with it.
"Now, as you can see, if we were to spread, into Trishanakru territory, it would more than serve our need for more territory, while slowing the problem of over population, since no honorable Delphi would ever-"
Clarke sighed in her head so hard, it rattled her body slightly. She seriously had to resist the urge to rub her temples. The headache she could feel creeping up on her was dull and heavy, but she still had three more clans to receive reports on.
She hated days like this.
Where it seemed like everything fell upon her. Meeting after meeting, boring recitations, one after the other. She had barely done anything, yet she felt like she needed a nap. Times like this almost made her wish for a war, so she could push her responsibilities off on her counter part.
Not like she does anything useful.
Clarke stopped herself from going into an angry spiral and turned a sweet smile to the Delphi clan ambassador.
"-which in my opinion is just in poor taste, but I would honestly expect nothing less from a clan who won't even share their land with poor children and mothers-"
"Garu, I appreciate your advice, really, but Trishanakru's land was just re bordered because of the flooding issues. They really have no other room, for your people or theirs."
"But-"
"If I may," Clarke arose from her throne, stretching her legs a little and approaching the ambassador "I would like to personally offer any of your mothers who have no place to go to come stay with me in MonTaurus."
"Oh, ai Kwen, I could never inconvenience you like that-"
"I insist Garu. There is plenty of space in the city. Plus, this palace is big and it gets lonely." The short man still looked slightly hesitant, so Clarke continued. "If you would feel better, you may accompany your people all the way here and you and your new blushing bride may keep me company."
Garu bowed his head and blushed. "I am so sorry that you weren't there. Our union was truly missing your presence."
Clarke quickly waved him off. "It is my own fault. I allowed myself to get tangled up in other things. I sent my blessing, but it would be wonderful to meet her."
The man practically beamed at her. "We accept your gracious offer, your Majesty."
Clarke nodded. "Then I expect you and those accompanying you in 3 days time."
Garu took Clarke's nod as a dismissal and bowed until he was out of the throne room and Clarke let out a deep sigh.
"You know, you can't just take in every "poor" citizen you hear about right?"
Clarke chuckled as she turned to face her guard. "Raven, I would've agreed to give up my bedroom and sleep in the streets if it meant he would stop talking."
Raven smirked. "Well, keep that option in mind. The Shallow Valley ambassador is here to discuss this year's harvest with you, in detail."
"You know, the streets aren't that bad this time of year right?"
"I think you'll find it easy to agree, Heda, Trishanakru has more than exceeded its duty to help. Delphi clan is simply greedy. If they have such a problem with over population, there's an easy fix for that!"
Lexa had to clench every muscle in her face to keep from rolling her eyes. The Trishanakru amabassador had been talking her ear off for what seemed like an eternity.
Lexa truly hated days like this. No real wars to be fought, just regular unrest in her people, turning into small, fruitless battles that cost more than they gave.
Honestly, Lexa just wished her people would enjoy the peace, allow themselves a reprieve after the years of war amongst each other. That way, she could relax and allow the duties to fall to her fellow leader.
She could finally be useful.
Lexa shook away the thought quickly and turned steely eyes to the man in front of her. "Get to the point, Egard. I'm losing my patience."
"My apologies, Heda. It's just, most of our men are out beyond our borders, helping reconstruct after all the flooding. I just wondered if we could get some warriors to help defend our land, lest Delphi try anything."
Lexa tapped her dagger sharply against the arm rest of her throne before she spoke. "I will send an order to Delphi's ambassador, preventing him from moving into your lands. Also, some of my craftsman will accompany you back to your village to help with the reconstruction. But I will not deploy warriors for nothing. This little indiscretion is childish and Garu is many things, but he is no fool. He will not start a war, especially while starting a family."
Egard bowed his head shakily. "Yes, Heda. Of course. Thank you, Heda-"
"You may leave." Lexa waited until the man finished groveling and left before blowing out a deep breath. "Anya."
Her gaurd and advisor made her way to the throne as Lexa rubbed at her temples. "Egard talk you into a daze?"
"Almost." Lexa closed her eyes. "Please appoint some craftsman to accompany him back home. But none that are helping prepare the city for the harvest celebration. I need e everything to stay according to plan.
Anya nodded.
"Also, have you received all of the responses back from the clans? We need to prepare by the numbers."
"Not all yet, Heda. But three more responses today." She waited until she had Lexa's attention. "Broadleaf will be in attendance, as well as Trikru.." Anya could barely conceal her smirk. "and a decline from Delphi."
Lexa's eyes shot open. "What?"
"Garu has apparently already accepted an invitation to join Kwen Clarke in MonTaurus." Anya's smirk broke through as she spoke, thankful that her friend's back was turned.
"Does that mean Clarke will not be in attendance also?" Anya quirked an eyebrow. "Not that it matters to me, but she is the people's Kwen. That is no way to set an example."
Anya rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure. Would you like me to write the kwen, requesting her presence?"
"No!" Lexa yelled. "I mean uh, you may if it would please you to do so. It does me no concern one way or the other." Anya watched Lexa try to play indifferent before deciding to go about her duties.
"Yes, Heda. As you wish." She waited until she was out of the room, the doors closed before she voiced her thoughts. "She definitely cares." The guards outside the doors simply gave her a confused shrug as she walked away.
Trust me, it gets better.