The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

When Ignis crosses the door, the herald takes a deep breath before announcing him.

That man looks so proud now. Someone is paying attention to his words: how can he not be? I thought he would be upset with my critics, but he's not.

On the contrary, he's so loud while announcing the King.

Ignis stops at the door, noticing something is off. The room grows silent, and the members of the Royal Family look at each other, lost and uncertain.

I clear my throat in silence, and they get up.

The Queen Dowager doesn't, as expected. And I also stay seated.

All the rest follow the etiquette, including Princess Gratia. She's frowning as if she's being tortured right now, but she doesn't dare complain.

Ignis walks to us, pretending not to notice the weird mood. As if this was all normal. But it's not. These harpies and morons here aren't used to show respect.

Ignis sits down and observes the others.

«Sit,» he says. And they obey.

He grins, amused by how things can be so peaceful and easy.

The atmosphere is slightly different from when I walked in. This time, no one dares to continue the meal before Ignis starts.

I don't, either, of course. I want to make sure it's clear how things shall work from now on.

As if knowing their difficulties, Ignis seems not intentioned to start eating.

«Good morning, mother,» he says with a smile.

The Queen Dowager replies with a nod, too displeased to actually talk back. Also, the King's smile is so tender and his mood so good that no one has the nerves to ruin it. It would take a lot of effort to make him angry or sad right now.

«How are you feeling, wife?» he asks, bringing my hand to his lips.

«Very well, my King.»

«I'm glad. After such a long and tiring day, I hope you managed to rest at night...»

«I've never slept better.»

It's funny that we waste time flirting in front of a starving clan. They're waiting for Ignis to eat, but he seems to have no intention of beginning.

I also haven't started yet, for I knew he would come soon.

«Would you prefer sweet or salty for breakfast?» he inquires, observing the food on the table.

«It's the same,» I murmur. I can't say both. I'm a lady, right?

«You need more energy to carry on with your duties,» he sighs. «I better not hear you skip meals and don't rest enough!»

«Oh, my King, I better not hear the same about you!»

He chuckles, all happy and content. After sleeping, he's reborn. I shall find a way to visit him more often from now on. The door between our rooms shall help me with that.

He fills my plate with different kinds of food, making sure all my favourites are there. Only later he serves himself.

The other people at the table aren't sure whether they can continue eating now. Because Ignis hasn't started yet. He served me, not himself.

It's such a riddle, and I'm not even sure he's doing it on purpose.

Even the Queen Dowager doesn't challenge the rules. If she did, everyone else would start eating as nothing happened. Yet, for some reason, she waits.

Only after taking the first bite, Ignis turns to me with a curious look.

«Are you not eating?» he inquires.

«Of course I am!»

I take the fork and taste the mouthwatering food. Everything is just so perfect, with enough spices and salt but not too much to be heavy. After all, it's just breakfast.

The wine on the table is sweet, but most of the diners prefer fruit juices or hot tea.

It's as calm as to be frightening, and I can't find out who's unhappy the coronation went smoothly. I guess everyone is, to be honest.

No one wanted a Queen, nor Ignis as their King, but now it is late to cry over it.

After breakfast, I walk out with Ignis. As a Queen, I can stay right next to him. There's no need to follow from behind.

We part ways in the hallways.

«We'll see each other soon, right?» I wonder. «Will you have lunch in the dining room?»

«No, I'll eat in my office.»

«All right.» I won't eat there either, then. I can have lunch served in the Queen's wing.

The maids follow suit, leaving me alone only when Ignis is nearby.

«Your Majesty, the ladies in waiting are here.»

«Already?»

«Yes, your Majesty. They wanted to greet you before unpacking.»

«Oh, sure. Let them in one of the day rooms.»

«Which one do you prefer, your Majesty?»

«It's the same,» I sigh. I still have to familiarise myself with the spaces. I wasn't admitted here before.

Dorotea and Melissa wince when they see me. They open their mouths in surprise but remember to bow before anything else.

«Greetings to your Majesty,» they say at the same time.

«It's a pleasure to see you again,» I reply. I sit on a comfortable sofa and show them the one in the front. «Do you have news from Narith?»

«Nothing much, your Majesty. The leaves have started turning yellow, and all the unwed ladies are worried about the end of the season. There haven't been many proposals this year,» Melissa says. She's keeping her back straight and skimming through her memories in search of juicy news. It's as if she was reporting something relevant.

«Oh, except for the King's proposal,» Dorotea adds to her sister's words. «I guess that one caused a lame season.»

«Is that so?» I wonder. What does it have to do with the rest of the ladies and young lords?

«After his Majesty proposed to your Majesty, no one could think of something more romantic. This year, only one wedding can occupy gossip, after all.»

«What kind of gossip?»

What wedding? We got married in secret and in a hurry.

«Everyone knows his Majesty, the King, and your Majesty, lady Veronica, met as children. The most moving love story of this year is about how his Majesty married the girl he loved and went on a honeymoon in great secret!»

Oh, well... I should have figured. But these two came here a few days after me. How can they have heard so much gossip? Nothing reached my ears, so I stupidly assumed I wasn't such a hot topic anymore.

«You can tell me more later,» I decide. The honeymoon, the romantic wedding, and all the rest can wait.

It might not be good for my spirit to know what people say about it. I was expecting at least a rumour or two about me being a tempting vixen. Oh, that will start circulating soon.

«You will work for me from now on,» I continue. «It means you'll receive payment and have benefits. But you'll also have duties.»

«Yes, your Majesty!» they exclaim, nodding their heads. Their brown curls dance in the movement.

They're also quite young. Melissa is nineteen, while Dorotea is of my age. In the capital, they would most probably have found a husband already, but in Narith, these things take more time.

Their father sent them here with the transparent purpose to make them find a promising nobleman in Mavale. As long as they serve me well, I don't mind them getting married and finding happiness.

«You won't be allowed to reveal any information about me,» I explain. «Even trivial stuff can be misused, so be careful. Avoid any mention unless it's necessary to a task I've entrusted you with.»

«Yes, your Majesty!»

«Also, call me my Lady when we're alone. You can greet me politely, but then don't drag it further. It's annoying after some point.»

They nod again. Their curls are really funny, and the sisters invest a lot of effort to keep them perfect.

«Most of the people living in the Palace are not my friends. Refer to my uncle if you need help. Do not ask someone from another faction.»

They're nice and honest girls, so there won't be big trouble with them. I just have to make them realise the threats, and they'll behave.

«Your duties will be entertaining me and running small errands when I don't want to entrust a maid to it. You might be of help with my official duties, but only after signing a pact of non-disclosure and swearing in front of an officer.»

Today it's the first day as a Queen, yet no one thought to keep it light to let me adjust. There's no time for adapting in the Royal Family.

The morning will be open for meetings without an appointment. Anyone will be able to come and meet me in the Queen's garden.

I expect noble ladies and a few curious noblemen.

In the afternoon, I'll have tea with my uncle and discuss his position and our political choices. Marius will visit for sure, but I don't know when.

In the end, I'll reserve the evening to read the documents I'm supposed to know.

It will be a long day.