The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

After my enlightening chat with the Queen Dowager, I need to talk with Ignis. What we found out about the plan to marry the Princess needs to be known by him.

«Do you remember the message you caught?» I ask him as soon as he crosses the door. He'll stay in my room tonight. Oh, maybe I should have greeted him first.

We haven't seen each other yet, and the first thing I say is related to court intrigues.

«I mean... Welcome back, my dear,» I correct my words.

I even smile, pulling him towards the bed.

«How was your day?» I inquire while making him sit. I jump behind him on the bed, and I start massaging his shoulders.

«What do I owe this treatment to?» he asks, peeking at my expression.

His eyes are curious, but he waits for my explanation before doing anything.

«I'm just in the mood,» I say.

«Is that so? Tell me what caused your mood, and I'll make sure it happens again.»

«I talked with the Queen Dowager.»

Instead of scheduling a tea party with his stepmother, Ignis stops my hands and turns to me.

«You, what?» he says, pretending to be unaffected.

Oh, I've already told him the most stressful part. There's no problem repeating it now.

«I've talked with the Queen Dowager. And we came to a new conclusion...»

«You did what?» he repeats, grabbing my shoulders and blocking me on the mattress. Not that I mind, but we're talking about his stepmother! It would be a little worrying if it was the cause of...

Oh, he won't do anything lewd. His face is too solemn, and his eyes are glaring with clear intentions.

«You won't get close to that woman ever again!» he exclaims. «She's dangerous, Veronica!»

«But she doesn't play games. She's direct, and I like direct people... As for the person trying to kill me, they are not very direct at all.»

«Veronica, that woman is dangerous!»

«Is that why you prevented her from visiting me? That was a little harsh. And it was impolite to a member of the Royal Family. What were you afraid of? That she would kill me during a visit?»

I chuckle, moving my hands on his chest. I haven't had the chance to touch him like this because we have always had serious conversations, lately.

«I'm not as easy to kill, Ignis. And I am no fool. Every attempt failed till now. I can resist a little longer... You know very well about my hidden weapons and the ace in my sleeves. Do not worry more than necessary, my dear.»

I've almost reached his belt when his hands prevent me. He blocks my wrists on the mattress, seemingly intending to stop any of my moves.

«Hey,» I complain, crawling on the bed to be closer to him. «Don't be so stern with me... Listen first, okay?»

«But I am listening,» he points out.

Oh, but it's not the kind of listening I like.

«Could you listen closer?» I try.

«No. This far is just enough.»

I snort, trying to lift my torso without success. Oh, why is he so strong? Or maybe I am too weak against him...

I kick off the nightgown from my legs, freeing my knees from the fabric. Like this, I can move my bottom closer to Ignis.

He's settled on talking, on making me listen to his scolding, but I'm currently a little distracted.

«Why are you doing this to me?» I say, my voice low and tears in my eyes. «Why are you torturing me? I didn't betray your trust, I swear! Your secrets are all safe with me...»

He widens his eyes and lets me go, suddenly.

«Sorry! I didn't want to hurt you.»

He didn't hurt me, but his worried expression is adorable. Is he so concerned after just keeping my wrist on the mattress?

«Then kiss me, and I'll forgive you,» I say.

His lips press on mine too shortly to call it a kiss, and he lies next to me. This won't transform into a night of cuddling yet once again, damn it!

«Returning to our discussion,» he murmurs after settling by my side. He even moves the nightgown down, returning it properly on my legs.

«You shouldn't meet with dangerous people.»

«Ignis, she won't kill me just like that. Also, you shouldn't have stopped her from meeting me. That's an indecency!»

«Oh, come on,» he snorts. «I'm just protecting you, Veronica.»

«How many people have you prevented from meeting me?»

«Just the Queen Dowager.»

«Oh, you got the wrong enemy, you know? She's not the one after my life. She just wants to prevent her daughter's marriage.»

«I see... But that doesn't mean she is not dangerous to you.»

«Also, someone is playing dirty tricks on us. The marriage offer is not just for the Movusha Empire. The Queen Dowager intercepted a message from Ventis. Someone is playing a game way more dangerous than we thought. Someone who doesn't care about Alba one bit, at that.»

«I know, Veronica. I caught another message. There are plenty, and I can't imagine how many have crossed the walls and gone out in the world.»

«Ah, so we're already late.»

How can we solve the hundreds of international problems coming on our way?

«The farther lands will ignore the provocation. They don't care about marriage as much, and they won't insist on being compensated. We just need to find a solution for the closest lands. And we need to make an announcement about the Princess's marriage. If everyone knows about it before any foreign delegation sends a reply, it won't be our fault anymore...»

«It won't be that easy,» Ignis points out. «We need someone willing to play along.»

«Don't you have someone suitable? Really?» I say. «Then choose someone close in age with the Princess. At least, if things get out of control, she'll have a chance for a happy marriage.»

With age, she might become bearable. And with a young husband, she won't have anything to complain about.

«Unless you know about someone you want to get rid of. In that case, declare the engagement and, in a couple of years, imprison the fiancée and free your sister from any obligation.»

«This is what you have agreed on with the Queen Dowager,» he says.

«Were your spies listening?» I murmur, snuggling in his embrace and feeling his chest under my palms. I don't caress him, this time, for he would understand my thoughts are flying astray.

«No. I can read your mind, Ronnie. You become transparent sometimes,» he replies.

It takes me a while to realise he's talking about the plan and not my hands waiting for the perfect moment.

«You talked with the Queen Dowager today, and you're here with a new plan in the evening. What else could have happened, ah? You two thought about something wicked together.»

«Also, I might have threatened her.»

«I see.»

«That's all? Won't you scold me badly for threatening a dangerous person? I was disrespectful to a member of the Royal Family!»

«You're also a member of the Family, Ronnie.»

«You should insist a little more on protocols and hierarchies. Don't you soldiers love hierarchies?»

«Well, in battle, we do. But I don't want to live a life as if I was at war.»

«Still, the idea isn't bad. The only way to stop a marriage sometimes is another marriage. I mean, I married Ignis, the guard, to escape from King Aurelius.»

«It worked just fine,» he chuckles.

«You can produce a decree with the engagement. It will be enough to stop any talk of marriage. And it won't be as solid as a real marriage. It's just a matter of choosing the right candidate.»

He nods, thinking about the matter together with me. It makes me so happy that he shares his plans and worries. And I also feel so light after telling him my secret.

It's as if nothing in the world could hurt us anymore.

«Ignis, can I have a kiss now?» I murmur, turning to the side.

His arms, still gentle, tighten their clench. He presses his lips on mine and slips his tongue in my mouth. Just like before knowing about the pregnancy, his kiss is burning.

His hand is first pressed on my back and then moves down. When it reaches my butt, he squeezes. He doesn't attempt anything more than this, but I'm relieved.

He's not losing interest in me. His reaction is so genuine, and the way he restrains himself is so cute. He's doing it out of worry, but he'd like to embrace me just as much as I want to make love with him.

«I love you, Veronica.»

His green eyes shine at the candles, and I wonder if our child will have the same gems as eyes. Oh, it would be just perfect: a little bun with red hair and green eyes!

«I love you too, Ignis. And I'll love our child when they come.»

«I love them already,» he chuckles, pecking my forehead.