The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

«I'm sorry for whatever happened. I will find out and solve it. As for you, you can always visit my lodgings,» I say.

I hope it wasn't Ignis's idea to keep the Queen Dowager far from me.

«I never knew about your visits, Mother. I hope you will forgive me.»

How could he cause such a diplomatic incident? Is he asleep while giving orders regarding me?

«We'll talk then,» she murmurs before turning to leave. She signals to Gratia to greet me, and she curtseys with a frown. She follows her mother without adding anything, which is strange. I was expecting more attacks, not just a single word.

«You are so brave, your Majesty,» Juliet comments while the Queen Dowager leaves. She whispers as not to be heard.

«I am not brave,» I correct her. «There's no bravery in talking with our mother-in-law, is there? She's always so stern with us, but I'm sure there are reasons for that.»

I better not worsen my standing. I first want to listen to what the Queen Dowager has to tell me... I suspect it's related to Gratia's marriage offers, but it's better to hear it with my own ears before making guesses.

«Your Majesty!» I hear from behind.

Princess Juliet is suddenly silent, her head bowed in a sign of respect, and her hands joined on the front. She even curtseys when the High Priest approaches us.

«Hello, your Excellency,» I reply. «I wasn't expecting you to come to the ball. I thought Priests were other-worldly people, ascetics... And here it turns out you are as human as everyone else.»

«Who can say no to the best pastries in the capital? Only the Palace's chefs know how to produce such delicacies.»

He even chuckles while replying, showing me he doesn't mind joking with me. If I want to convince him to trust me, to make him think I can be his ally, I better stop wincing and frowning every time he's around. I shall be more friendly with him.

«When is the anthem going to be played?» I ask Juliet.

She shrugs, moving her eyes on the orchestra.

«It seems imminent, your Majesty.»

«That's good,» I sigh. «Let's talk later, your Excellency. I've missed your wise words these days. But first, we shall listen to the anthem, right? The protocol is the protocol...»

Since I've secured my meeting with Adelphium, I don't mind when Ignis marches to me and offers me his arms way more fiercely than usual. Might it be an effect of the man next to us?

«High Priest,» he murmurs between his teeth, nodding at Adelphium.

I'm honestly relieved Ignis does feel like this with people from the Church. It increases my chances of surviving in the Palace by quite a bit.

The orchestra finally plays the anthem, a short and slow song. I stand next to Ignis, trying to look dignified. Since no one throws weird glances at me, I'm probably succeeding.

We stay in silence, looking at the musicians and waiting for it to be done. After the national anthem, they play Ignis's favourite composition. People start dancing in the ballroom, and some noblemen gather in groups to talk.

No one meets us yet because we're supposed to enjoy the music for this song.

«Why were you talking with him?» my husband asks. As if I could imagine what he wants to know.

Him, whom?

«The High Priest,» he specifies. «That man!»

«Oh,» I moan. Was I talking with the High Priest? Oh, not yet! I just asked to meet later... How can I tell this to my jealous husband?

Rather than jealous, though, he looks worried. As if Adelphium was a threat to me. And he is, I know it. Just, avoiding him at all times won't bring any benefit or safety.

«It's my duty as Queen to get along with the Church,» I point out. «Talking with the High Priest turns out simpler than dealing with other people.»

«Does it?» he rebukes, frowning. «Do you really like talking with him so much? Even if he's of the Church? Is it because he's also a Mage?»

«No, it's not because of that,» I explain. «He's easygoing.»

«Don't relax too much, though.»

«I will be careful. My dear husband worries for me: how could I disappoint him?»

«I'm your dear husband, now?»

«You're always.»

«Then, be a good wife and dance with your husband.»

«What?»

«You heard.»

His ears redden under his hair while he shows me his open palm. I haven't even considered his question yet, but my hand has gripped his. We're walking in the middle of the dance floor, and the other couples move away to let us have more space.

It's something new, isn't it? The King dancing. It will cause gossip, reinforcing what the commoners think of our love. Not that I mind: it's time these people understand they shouldn't stick their noses in my relationship.

This man is mine; they better get used to the thought.

As we get ready and catch the pace, I see the eyes in our direction. Ignis makes me swing with the music, and his eyes never leave me. For him, right now, I'm the only thing that exists.

«You're beautiful today, Veronica,» he says.

I stop myself from telling him I know. It would ruin the moment. Rather, I'm quite surprised by how swift he is. I didn't know he knew how to dance...

«You're a good dancer, my King,» I reply with a smile. My tone makes it sound like teasing, but he knows I'm always so serious when I call him King. «It makes the music even more melodious.»

«Thank you,» is his reply.

Together with red ears, of course. How can he be shy while doing simple things like dancing? He's just so cute, sometimes.

As we dance, eyes locked and bodies so close, the rest of the court observes. It takes me a while to wake up and throw a glance around.

I can see the Dowager Queen with a bored expression, the Crown Princess with hatred in her gaze.

Princess Juliet is on the other end of the ballroom, so I see her only after half a swing. Her expression is blank, plain. She's looking here, but it's as if she's not seeing us. Who knows what she's thinking about? Maybe her daughter, maybe other worries...

Not far from her, Adelphium is the only one smiling. No one is happy to see the King and the Queen getting along, except for him. It's only because he has a hidden agenda, but it's comforting that at least one person doesn't want our love to fail.

Even my brother has a cold glance while my uncle is just relieved. He knows the situation and is here to make things work. There's no place for romantic feelings in his head.

Maybe it's just the perspective, but it doesn't look like a lovely situation.

«I will be there for you, and you will be there for me,» I say to Ignis. «We'll be together for the rest of time.»

He raises a brow, half surprised and half worried by my words.

«Yes, we will,» he says.

Just that, but it's enough to make me forget the crowd waiting to tear us to pieces and keep the best parts for themselves.

I didn't notice how I was keeping my breath. Air returns flowing in my lungs after Ignis's smile.

«Whoever is after us won't win,» I continue.

I want to tell him not to worry, even though I have no reason to say so. I have no guarantee we will survive.

It's just a wish, but it's all I have.

«Of course,» Ignis approves. «I won't let them hurt you.»

«And I won't let them damage your power through me.»

I'm so childish. And how can I assume I'm so relevant to him? What kind of proper girl would do that?

«I won't be a liability,» I add. «I want to be your strength.»

«You already are, Veronica.»

«To be your strength, I need my own power. I'd like to build my own organisation and recruit my people. Will you help me?»

Asking for permission would be the best way, but something tells me this will make Ignis happier. Being part of what I'm building just like I'm part of his life since the day we got married.

«I want to leave a peaceful place for my child,» I explain. «For our child.»

«I want that as well. But it takes time, Veronica. It's not something we can achieve in a couple of days. During the next few years, we'll need to work hard if we want a peaceful Alba for our descendants.»

«For all our kids,» I chuckle.

«Yes, for all of them.»

How many does he want to have? More than one, for sure. After all, it's a King's duty to provide a few spares. But not too much, I hope. I'd like to do some plotting and reigning in my free time, and it wouldn't be easy with half a dozen little redheads.

«I hope they all resemble you,» I chuckle, forgetting we're in public and under the scrutiny of so many people.

«I hope they don't,» he pouts. «I want a daughter exactly like you, with dark hair and light-coloured eyes.»

«Oh, you,» I chuckle.

We'll see who will have their wishes fulfilled. We might be as lucky as to have both.

«The song is over,» I sigh when the last note is played. We stop our motion and turn to where we came from. «Have fun today.»

«You too,» he whispers while letting go. It's as if we're separating for days, but we're just going to talk with a few people and pretend to enjoy their company!