The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

I should return the hairpin, or at least leave it in the room. Yet, I pack it together with a change of clothes.

I won't wear it. However, I don't know what kind of dire situation I might be in, in the near future. Having something to exchange for a carriage and a couple of horses is better than entrusting my whole existence to Ignis and his ideas.

I don't tell him about it, by the way. He doesn't need to know what use I have of other people's presents.

Oh, this feels like a real marriage. I'm already hiding things from my husband.

He said tonight we'll go. There have been some events in the Palace, and everyone will pay more attention to the inner circle than the outskirts. As such, we can escape.

The enforced security around my room makes me wonder how Ignis will distract the guards enough for me to sneak out. However, let's wait and see.

When the door opens, the candle on the bedside table is almost over. I was preparing to take out another one for the wait.

«Let's go,» Ignis exclaims. «We have a few minutes.»

«Ah?» Where are the guards?

«They'll come back soon. If we go now and leave the door closed, no one will notice your absence till morning.»

I won't ask him how he managed to send away two guards. Two.

Maybe, it's better not to know.

He surely enjoys some great reputation among the other knights if they follow his suggestions without suspecting. These poor people will feel so betrayed when they realise the one responsible for my flee is none other than Ignis.

He catches my hand before stepping out, and we walk in the hallways without much anxiety. Well, at least for Ignis. I am more than tense.

Every single sound makes me startle. Also, the sounds of a battle not far from us don't promise anything good.

«What is going on?» I ask in a whisper.

Ignis ignores the turmoil happening a few steps from us and just drags me in the garden.

«Just a coup,» he explains. «It will be over soon. Some people trying to overthrow the King have been discovered. They're now trying their last desperate attempt.»

«But... What if they succeed?»

«They won't kill the King, don't worry... Or, would you prefer it if he died?»

«Died? I don't want anyone to die.» Even if it means he'll stop hunting me.

Yet, the last crisis was enough. Alba doesn't need yet another change in the power structure.

Common folk just want to live. They don't care too much about how cruel their ruler is as long as they have to eat.

Those complaining are always the nobles. They are those that want more power and riches!

«It's impossible, Veronica. People are harsh. They bite if they think there's some meat for them. Someone is going to die after this attempt. Either the King or those attacking him.»

«You said the King won't die,» I point out. «Are you implying that tomorrow there will be another blood bath when the traitors are executed?»

«I don't know if they will survive till morning.»

«Oh.»

So that's why they say he's a merciless tyrant. But it's either the nobles' lives or his. I don't think King Aurelius had a chance from the moment he sat on the throne.

«The King killed his own family for the crown,» I say. «Isn't it just payback if he now dies because of betrayal? After what he did, it's no surprise the nobles hate him.»

«Oh, if only it was that simple. Do you think that a person committing regicide would be able to inherit the crown?»

«I don't know; the capital is a complicated place.»

«You're lucky to have lived in Narith, Veronica. It saved you from loads of complications.»

«Well, it also brought me here to flee during a riot. What if we're suspected of being accomplices of the traitors, Ignis? We'll be beheaded. Maybe we should wait before escaping...»

«No, we shouldn't. It's the perfect moment to flee unnoticed. By the time the King remembers about you, we'll be far and safe.»

«I don't want my family to be involved. What if father is accused of something? I'd rather stay and marry that person than risk my whole family or, even worse, a civil war.»

«It won't happen.»

«How can you be so sure?»

«The King has never hurt anyone before being certain they committed a crime. He won't hurt your family just because you escaped.»

«But...»

«Veronica, decide. Do you want to run away or not? Also, the marriage already exists.»

«You're right,» I sigh. «If the marriage has been registered, there's no reason for the King to look after me. There haven't been cases of previously married women becoming Queens. I don't even need to run away at this point.»

«It's just for safety,» Ignis says.

He opens the door in the garden, and we walk the path of non-return. Neither of us will be welcomed here after today.

«My comrade is waiting for us outside,» Ignis explains. «I'm telling you so that you don't fret. He also is leaving this place with us.»

«Why?»

«Because he was on duty when the riot happened. Now he can't reappear just like that.»

«But... Wait, why wasn't he on his post?»

«He is guarding the exit for us. He will tell us whether someone is coming this way.»

«Oh, so he lost his job because of me?»

«No, but because of me. Also, Royal Guards aren't paid enough for the job they do. He won't mind some adventuring.»

I don't know how to reply now. What in the world? Probably, Ignis and his friend both lost their minds when they decided to help me like this. But still...

«Have you delivered a copy of the marriage to the King's office?» I ask. That's the most important detail of our plan.

The King will read, understand, and get over me.

He didn't reply to my missive when I informed him of my marriage, but now he won't have any doubt. There is the name of an officer, plus two witnesses.

The certificate has been written in the archives, making it permanent.

Freedom reaches my lungs together with the fresh air when the last door is opened. I walk out in the alleys surrounding the Palace, and I open my eyes to watch the buildings in the capital.

I didn't have the chance to sightsee when I came here. The carriage didn't stop; they said for security.

«Let's go.» Ignis speaks before I can even ask about looking around. «We can't waste time now. One day, I'll bring you back here, and we'll visit every inch of Malave. But not now.»

«Do you read minds?» I chuckle.

«No, but your face was transparent.»

As we head towards the closest gates, I notice how Ignis's friend follows us.

«Is he going to travel with us?» I inquire.

Not that I mind, but doesn't he feel the least awkward? I mean... Legally, Ignis and I are newly-weds.

«He will tag along for a while,» Ignis confirms. «But don't worry, he's too shy to make trouble.»

«That's not what I was worried about.»