The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

«Don't glare at your brother like this,» Ignis whispers to my ear. «He's just shy.»

«Marius is everything but shy.»

«Doesn't matter. He will congratulate you when you two are alone. And, even if he doesn't, he's sincerely wishing for you to be happy and safe. It's more than any of the people loudly praising do.»

«I know that, Ignis. It's just... I'm surprised by all of these people. Everyone does pretty much what they want!»

«I don't have time to be strict about the protocol,» he chuckles. We're walking towards the carriage. We'll parade through the city before going back to the Palace.

A banquet will last from the moment we arrive, late into the night. Then, we'll retire to sleep and supposedly get up early to take on our duties.

It's a deadly schedule. They're trying to kill my husband by overexerting him. We're even supposed to sleep together! Ah, but I won't be an accomplice in their plan!

«Please, stop killing people with your look,» Ignis chuckles. «You'll scare them all.»

«I'm just considering a few things,» I say. The door of the carriage was opened for us, and my husband helps me up.

This one is roofless, for the people to see their new Queen. I'm feeling hot under the mantle, so the air will feel good.

I've thought about using magic to cool down my body, just a little, not to get hurt by it. But it was too much of a risk next to that priest.

«Smile to the people,» Ignis reminds me.

«I will!» I say. Just, not yet.

I'm still sweating profusely. About this... How does Ignis bear it? He has a mantle not lighter than mine!

«Husband, don't you feel hot?» I inquire.

I blink a couple of times in a vain attempt to look frail and suffering.

«Are you tempting me?»

«No!» I exclaim.

«I always feel hot when you're nearby,» he says.

Oh, how sweet... Can I kiss him now? We're alone on the carriage, even though in the open. Just a peck on the cheek would do.

«Your unpredictability makes me sweat and wonder what'll you do next,» he adds.

Uh, I've just finished my thoughts about his sweetness.

I pout, and he bends down to peck my lips.

«You'll be able to take the fur off once in the Palace,» he whispers before sitting back straight.

We've finally reached the entrance gate of the Temple, and the carriage proceeds slowly through the main road. The Royal Guards surround us on horses. Sir Tobin is on my side of the carriage, surprisingly.

Wasn't he supposed to guard his King? I hope he's not unhappy with this change in position. In some sense, he was demoted from protecting the King to babysitting the Queen.

The drummers start a lively rhythm somewhere behind us. They're there to help the atmosphere, to make it look more like a festivity. Still, their sounds are soon covered by the shouting.

The crowd has no end. Literally.

I've never seen so many people in the same place! They shout and cheer, throwing petals on the carriage. Some kids are on the front, observing with their eyes wide in curiosity.

The Marchioness warned me. They all wanted to see the maiden who stole the tyrant's heart.

How come the people think he's cruel and merciless while the nobles don't fear him as much? Especially those closest to the Royal Family.

I wave my hand to the kids, and they smile in return, jumping in place and raising their arms to wave back to me.

They're cute, so I can't help but smile.

Ignis sits straight, greeting the crowd occasionally. He's so tense that it's funny.

«They are your people, Ignis. You should show them some attention,» I say.

«They don't like me,» he points out. «They're cheering you, not me.»

«Who cares? Now, greet them back, and they'll love you as well!»

«Do you know what the peasants say about me?»

«Oh, Ignis, you... You should show them they're wrong. You should fight the bad gossip with your actions.»

I take his hand for a moment, forgetting we're in the middle of a crowded street. Even if the people are as noisy as possible, my mind gets swayed away when Ignis is involved.

The power he has over me is too much. I shall find a way to fight it back! But later, now I'm busy.

«Smile at them,» I say. «Just as I am doing. Wave your hand and feel their love. They don't hate you even if you're supposed to be a tyrant.»

«How can you be so sure?»

«I don't hate you,» I point out. «And I just had a reason to. But you're too cute to be hated. Come on, how can anyone resist such a handsome face?»

Luckily, no one is going to hear this. The crowd will cover my words, and only Ignis's red ears will witness my shamelessness.

I lick my lips at his blushing, and he catches my movement. He raises a brow, wondering what is going on with my mind.

«You don't need to know everything,» I murmur, but the cheers cover my words.

I reach out for his hand and entwine our fingers under the mantle. I raise the other hand and continue greeting the people.

I smile as wide as I can to make up for Ignis's lack of expression.

As we proceed, I start discerning a few words from the shouting. Most of them address the Queen. No one is calling the King.

I turn to Ignis and smile reassuringly. He doesn't know how to organise a parade, for goodness.

Where are his own men in there? He didn't send any, did he?

I'll make sure to do it next time.

«I love you,» I say, talking slowly, so he can read my lips if he can't hear.

He smiles back, happy like a child.

I love him, even if he has no idea how to manage his public image. I just have to be witty and lovely for both.

«I love you too, Veronica,» he says, making me startled.

I lose control over my image for a moment. This isn't supposed to happen in public. I was planning to build a perfect image. Why do I have to look clumsy, even if for a second?

His hand squeezes mine harder, enforcing his words.

There's still a long way to go. We've passed half of the main road.

We went to the coronation using a private path. The Temple and the Palace have a wall in common. I can even go to the Temple as often as I want if I use it that way.

The return only is made like this because bathing in a crowd takes a lot of energy. And it's better to be seen by the people only when my position is clear and defined. From this moment, I am majestic enough to be a Queen.

I have my own guards assigned who I can order around. The maids serving me don't need to work anywhere else in the Palace.

I can give access tokens for the Palace.

I can call the King by name without getting punished.

It's a different situation, and the first step to getting used to it is this long parade. Only after seeing so many people, hearing so loud cheers, I can be ready to live in the court.

It's important for the people to see their King and Queen. Moments like this one are essential for bonding with the symbols of Alba and the people guiding it. But they're also for the King to realise his role.

He works for the people. Seeing such a mass should make Ignis understand how many lives depend on his decisions.

As we reach the gate of the Palace, open and guarded by the knights stationed in formation, the crowd is even denser. How can they bear to stand so close to each other? Do they want to see us this badly?

I'm moved.

Alba's people just want peace and stability; they don't care who's ruling at the moment.

The knights are in two rows, one on each side. They salute as we pass the gate, and I smile at them as well.

Ignis doesn't move a muscle for a change. I guess it'll be my role from now on.

However, the knights don't seem to mind. Some of them were together with him on the battlefield. They respect him as a leader and a soldier.

Others heard the story from the former groups, so they also admire him.

He should show some appreciation to them. He doesn't need to smile: just greeting them or acknowledging their hard work from time to time. Building relationships with people requires a lot of energy, but it's worth it.

It can save one's life.

«We're inside, Veronica. You can relax now.»

«Oh, husband...» I sigh. I was way more relaxed out there.. It's inside the Palace that I need to watch my back the most.