The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

I return to where I was, and I smile at Adelphium when he approaches me.

«What a nice sight, your Majesty,» he comments. «It's a good omen when the King cherishes the Queen.»

«Is it?» I chuckle. «I have never heard of it.»

«Oh, you will see how our country will flourish, your Majesty.»

«Come walk with me,» I say. «We can talk in the garden... Here the music is loud.»

I might as well do some work while I'm here.

«Of course, it would be a pleasure.»

We reach the closest French window, and we step out in the chilly night. Just as promised, a maid appears from the shadows and covers my shoulders with a heavier mantle.

It's not too cold, but they worry about every single thing. I'll just wear the mantle and get it over with, for protesting would bring more damage than not.

Just like with the poison checks, this is something the maids wouldn't come to terms with. I have to let people try my food before eating, and I have to cover myself when it's cold. Especially now that I'm responsible for another life, I have to accept everyone's care.

«Come this way,» I say while showing the peaceful yet lit part of the garden. There's a fountain nearby, and the running water will cover the sound of our words. The breeze might carry our voices in the guards' direction, but they are all trusted people. Ignis chose only the best knights to serve me, as well as the most outstanding maids.

«Such a secluded place...» he realises. «I'd prefer not to have to bear the King's wrath.»

«Why?» I mumble. Ignis won't come here just because I'm alone with a man. He wouldn't dare to disturb my mission just because of his possessiveness.

«Oh, the trust between your Majesties is worthy of envy. If only I had someone I could believe in like that...»

«You might find someone one day,» I reply. «It's not like I was born with my husband by my side. We found each other... Well, pretty much by chance.»

«It was a fortunate event.»

«It was!» Oh, it brought a lot of good memories for the years to come; from the moment a shy twelve-year-old boy entered our household to the wicked plan to trick me into a marriage. Our grandchildren will hear legends and tales about it.

«I noticed that things are already going for the better since your Majesty became Queen.»

«Already? What have I done?»

«The slums are full of stories about the King's wise decisions and deep love.»

«Oh, that,» I sigh.

Maybe, it was too much all at once. I should have changed the King's image little by little so that people aren't warned. But it's late now if even the High Priest heard about it.

«It was just a little incident, and our King reacted in his usual, wise way,» I point out.

«I suspect, like many, that his wisdom has increased since he's not alone.»

«It happens to most men with marriage.»

«I would take this chance to discuss the links between the Crown and the Church,» he states, turning serious all of a sudden. His instinct is good, for he starts talking only when we're far enough not to be heard.

«Let's discuss,» I sigh. «Is there any issue?»

«No issues but, how to say... His Majesty doesn't like to be associated with us, for some reason. The people might think we're driven apart when nothing has actually happened to explain such distance.»

«Is that so?»

«Yes, it is. As far as I know, the Church and his Majesty have no issue in their relationship history.»

«And what would you suggest, your Excellency?»

«Please, call me by name.»

«By name?» The High Priest?

«I feel distant when you use the titles, your Majesty. You are the Queen, yet you call me with a courteous form.»

«It's what the etiquette says about our standings.»

«We're alone now. There's no use of any etiquette. I'd prefer to hear your honest opinion and get to know your genuine heart.»

This feels a little awkward. Why is this person so clingy? I know I wanted him to be charmed and cooperate, but with the Queen me. Not with Veronica, the girl from Narith.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding his words, but they do sound ambiguous...

«Only with sincerity can we work towards a better Alba,» he adds, maybe reading my thoughts.

I hide a sigh of relief and nod my head.

«What is it that's most urgent?» I inquire.

Maybe, if it's something small, I can conquer his trust by convincing Ignis. Then, once I'm close with the High Priest, I can gain information beforehand and work in the shadows on sabotaging my own work.

«The King needs to attend the ritual next week. It will be the anniversary of the foundation of the Church, the day when Aurelius the First allowed the Priests to deal with the matters of the soul. It would be good if we could renew that pact, maybe adding something more relevant for our modern times.»

«Ah, I see...»

Nothing I can accept that easily. Giving more privileges to the Church? No way!

«But... I don't understand how not paying taxes relates to the soul,» I sigh. Then, I bite my tongue. I should have kept this for myself.

«The money we don't give to his Majesty is used to heal the poor and the orphans. By not paying taxes, we have more liquidity.»

«That's right, but what about the right to intrude into people's houses just like the Police?»

«Oh, my Lady, that is only to pursue our purpose. We exist to protect those who can't protect themselves. The purpose of the Church is to guide the King and help him remember he serves the people and the Gods.»

But what about the people you kill for your purpose? Are they the enemy? Aren't they part of Alba just like the others?

«Together, we can improve the education system,» he continues. «We can reduce the number of poor people by giving them a job or teaching them how to find one. We can heal the ill, thanks to our medicine and healers.»

«Healers?»

«Some of us know how to heal the soul as well as the body.»

«Are you one of them, Adelphium?»

I'm acting like a fool, but I'd like to know how they explain it. What they say to wash their hands and conscience.

«I am not, but some of my brothers and sisters are. There are powerful saints in our Church, and some of them have powers we can't imagine. They can command the elements, and they can talk to the Gods...»

Some of them? So, his powers are a secret. He's not telling me anything, even though Ignis warned me about it. It means that it's classified information but not properly a secret.

«May I meet some of them?» I inquire. «Not too soon, but I'm curious now that you've told me. I thought that those with powers were haunted by evil spirits and needed to be freed.»

«They are not,» he says, bowing forward so he can whisper. «Saints are good people, and they use their abilities for good deeds only.»

«I hope it's not dangerous to meet with them.»

«It cannot be!»

«Oh, I'm relieved,» I sigh. «Knowing that they might be between us made me worry for a moment. But if you say they're not dangerous, I will believe you!»

Oh, will I ever stop acting like an idiot? But it's simpler to convince people I'm harmless this way. I'll believe everything he says, and he will think I'm the perfect pawn for his purposes.

«What about the anniversary?» he asks again. «Will the King be present?»

«Oh, I don't know. I will try talking with my husband, but I'm not sure I can convince him. After all, I'm not yet fully aware of Alba's situation. I'm still learning my job... I don't think anyone would listen to advice coming from a person without any experience.»

«I understand that renewing the decrees during the first anniversary will be difficult,» he continues. «It will be enough if his Majesty is present.»

Oh, what a negotiator. He started asking for something over the top, and then he renounced by making me believe he's losing. Yet, he got what he really wanted, and I'm supposed to feel guilty for not giving him more.

He's more dangerous than I thought and in a different way. It's not his power I need to fear, for he's hiding it just like I am.

«I feel like we're more similar than I initially thought,» I say.

«Is that so?»

«We both want the best for this country,» I explain. «We have the same goal. Therefore, it's better if we cooperate, isn't it?»

He smiles, showing sincere happiness at my admission. How odd: he looks genuine. But I also used to believe Ignis when he told me a lot of lies.. I'm not the right person to judge sincerity and honesty.