Cockatrice--? [O-Oh... well... she could consider it a... learning experience! Yes...] S-Sure. I'll try one of those. [Oh please please please be good...]

[With that decided she appreciated the opportunity to change the subject.]

Well, perhaps it is more common for you, but where I am from it is not. There were many hereditary monarchies that believed in the transfer of leadership to the oldest living male that was a direct descendant of the current monarch. There were some rare exceptions, but that only happened when the last surviving member of the royal line was female.

So, sadly, yes. Queendoms really isn't the norm for me.