The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

Fernard Falco is quite interesting. He can talk with me as if we were friends even now that I know I'm the Queen.

It's refreshing!

At first, he was all formal and shy, but he soon gets over it and talks rather freely. The ride on the carriage becomes pleasant and feels shorter with him next to me.

Just like when we first met, the first minutes were a little slow. But then, at some point, he loosens and allows his cheery character to take over. Exactly like he used to tease Ignis back then, he now openly talks with me and throws a joke or two in between.

He's happy to have an ally in me just as much as I'm pleased with him. It's easier together, and Ignis's image needs all the help I can get.

«I'm sorry if I was rude, your Majesty,» he says when we've almost arrived at the orphanage. «I have the bad habit of considering people I know as themselves and not as the position they occupy. At least, in private. I will refrain myself if your Majesty prefers, though. I never asked for permission, in the end.»

«It's fine,» I say, waving off his worries. After all, he called me sister once today. It was by mistake, and I believe he didn't notice.

As much as it might be a trick, Fernard doesn't seem the type to use such manipulations.

«Do you reside in the capital, by the way? You weren't present at the coronation,» I realise.

«I wasn't, that's right.»

«What made you come here now, though?»

«I wanted to check on my brother. We haven't seen each other in months. And, also, I received a lucky signal.»

«A lucky signal?» What could it be?

«There's a dead tree in the garden of our residence. I don't think you noticed it because it's in a secluded corner. It didn't have a single leave for years, but my father refused to get rid of it. It was planted by mother with her own two hands, and he wanted to keep it as a memento. Well, a few days ago, that dead tree had a blooming flower.»

«A flower?»

How odd. Flowers need a lot of energy. I would have expected a couple of leaves at most before the winter and then more signs of life in the spring. But not blooming flowers; not so early.

After being on the border with death for years, that poor tree should need months to recover.

«Yes, your Majesty. A yellow bud, surrounded by a couple of new leaves. People usually say it's a bad omen when trees bloom in autumn, but this one... I believe it's a good sign.»

«Is that so?» I sigh.

Maybe, I overdid it. Oh, but I'm happy the tree is recuperating.

«My father believes it's because of your visit,» he continues. «You brought luck and new life in our home, and for that, we'll always be thankful.»

«Oh, it's just a tree,» I chuckle, tense like a bow. How could they link it to me, for goodness? Does it make sense to them?

«I'm sure our country will flourish just like that tree.»

I nod, forcing a smile.

«Alba will flourish thanks to the King's hard work,» I point out.

Before I can continue praising Ignis, unfortunately, the carriage stops.

«Your Majesty, we're here,» Tobin's voice says from outside.

I hear him get off his horse and approach the door. His steps are silent, but the horse reacts to him, so I can tell.

«Will you visit the orphanage with me?» I inquire. This delegation is getting crowded... Not that I mind, but it would have been better to avoid making a spectacle out of it. I wanted to do charity, not show off to the people in the slums.

«I will stay with the guards,» he says, in fact. «It's better if the focus is on your Majesty, right?»

I nod, getting off thanks to Tobin's help.

«Hello, Sir Tobin,» Fernard greets him while jumping down.

Oh, that's right. He called him like this back then as well. I was the only one believing Tobin was just a random guard. It makes sense these two know each other since one is my husband's sworn brother, and the second is his shadow.

Thinking about that again, why is Tobin here and not next to my husband? Are there some issues that caused him to be demoted? Oh, I hope it's not because of the journey: he protected his King in those conditions as well, never leaving him alone!

Being the Queen's guard is a high position, but it doesn't have the prestige of being the King's personal knight.

«Your Majesty,» my ladies in waiting say when they see me. They greet me with a bow, and we proceed towards the orphanage. Commoners are staring curious, but the guards keep them far enough with their sole presence.

No one dares to run here, for they don't know enough about me yet.

I spot a group of girls my age in a corner, sticking together and observing me with wide eyes as if I was some mythological being.

I wave at them, and they squeal. They cover their mouths and attempt a clumsy curtsey. I have no choice but to smile.

I can't really understand this reverence towards the Royal Family, especially from people who most likely have never seen them. Still, it's my duty to accept it and return as much love as I receive.

«Your Majesty, welcome to our humble place,» the director of the orphanage exclaims, bowing deeply and then straightening his back like a soldier when he gets permission to rise.

He's not very tall, but skinny like a kid himself. His rare hair, where some traces are left, is white like snow, and his eyes are greyish and tired.

«We're honoured to receive your Majesty's first official visit,» he continues, talking as if he was being examined.

Am I this scary? I'm just a girl, after all. And I'm too young to instil any fear or respect. People should relax a little.

«This place hosts thirty children, right?» I inquire.

We chose a small orphanage for my first visit, but large enough to have any meaning. Churches also tend to host orphans and stray kids, but they can't afford to take in more than five or six at each Temple. Also, I'm sure the Church has money to afford their hospitality.

Public orphanages live off of people's charity. There's nothing like a fund system, and it's tough to retrieve enough money to feed the kids.

Those in the capital are lucky enough to have the nobles nearby: someone would always find a way to transform a good deed into a boost of reputation, so orphanages always find some resources. Especially those bigger, with more children and groups of donors.

This one is a small building, and the kids are stacked into three rooms in total. There's a central hall for them to play or warm up next to the chimney and a garden to spend time in summer.

All in all, it's clean. Still, the furniture and infrastructure are old and ruined. It would need maintenance work, but the money required is too much.

«I'd like to talk with the children,» I say.

After all, I'm here for them and not the building.

«They prepared a song for your Majesty,» he says. «We're not good enough for your ears, but the children put all their efforts into this.»

«I'm looking forward to listening,» I say.

I was expecting something like a show. I'll watch and listen to them; then, I'll tell them a fairy tale and talk for a few minutes. The whole visit is supposed to last less than an hour. Finally, I'll deliver the funds prepared from my Royal Budget to the director and remind him that someone will come to check if the children receive the money through food, clothes and a warm place in winter.

It shouldn't be too difficult, all in all.

Marius walks a step behind me, observing the surroundings with a bored expression. Sir Tobin is on the other side, apparently resting but always on guard.

I can see the maidens from before throwing glances at the two of them, and I can't help but agree. They both are handsome, even though one is too young and the other is too old for them.

Fernard, as promised, is together with the guards, and my ladies in waiting are at their designated place. They're adapting well to the Palace rules, and they're doing their job properly.

I can relax, surrounded by my people and safe.

«So, where are these children?» I inquire with a smile. «I'm curious to see what they worked so hard on!»

We walk in, and the director of the orphanage signals to the caretaker to let the kids enter.

The woman runs to open the door.. She also helps the children stand in a line so that they're arranged according to height. It's so cute, I swear!