"There's more than one Herald. And as the Heralds are incorruptible it makes more sense that the Queen is one as well. Otherwise, we'd never know what kind of ruler we'd get. At least this way we'll know that they always have the best intentions for the people in mind." Evidently, Heralds are more difficult to describe than she thought.

"It's been the law in Valdemar since the Founding and the Monarch isn't above the law. Valdemar himself set it down to make damn sure the people he'd fight and bled for were always on the best hands." And it has worked out pretty well so far.