The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

The plan proceeds. Soon, the news about my pregnancy spread across the city. Everyone talks about it, and they even link it to how the King has ridden from the Palace to save his wife and child during the attack at the orphanage.

So funny, but also so useful.

I can't do anything for the time being, so I just listen to the reports and nod at the King's secretary. I sometimes send a message through him for my dear husband, mostly love words.

Three days pass by just like that, and it's almost time to let the rumours turn into reality.

The Church foundation anniversary is in two days. Most likely, Ignis will confirm the gossip tomorrow and declare three days of celebrations. Like that, he won't be able to leave the Palace.

We won't need to attend the rituals, and we won't have offended the Church because of our absence.

As for the rest, everything is calm. Too calm for my tastes.

I haven't been attacked in so long! Is it because there are too many guards? Or is it because they are planning something different for the next attempt?

«I wouldn't be this worried if not for the child,» I sigh.

Drinking tea with my handmaid is the best part of my days. I sit at the desk and do boring work for a couple hours every day. Then, I take a break and relax with Aida.

There isn't a fixed schedule for the afternoon, but I'm not in the mood to socialise too much lately. I'll have enough interactions soon.

«We will all protect you, your Highness,» she points out. «Both of you.»

She's never tired, always checking on me and my health.

«Will this kid be a Mage?» I wonder.

«It's too soon to tell.»

«And when will it be time?»

«When their heart starts beating... In a month or so.»

«Oh, I can't wait, Aida. I want to ask you so many questions!»

«Sure,» she sighs, sipping from her cup.

«Also, I've noticed that my magic is more stable even if I don't use it often.»

«It might be an effect of pregnancy. Her Majesty was the opposite, by the way. She would lose control of her magic while pregnant with your Highness.»

«And with the others?»

«Not so much.»

«Oh, there's a chance this baby isn't a Mage,» I say. It would be a relief... They wouldn't need to shoulder both Alba and the Mages.

Two heads would be better, but it's not something I decide. If the first of my kids becomes King of Alba and of Mages, it will make no sense to have a separate hierarchy for Mages. It would be awesome, in some sense. We would finally come out from the shadows and be part of Alba just like anyone else.

But, also, it would be a huge worry for me. Can a single person shoulder all of that?

I sip again, inhaling the sweet scent of the tea. Aida has been preparing herbal teas with fruity scents lately. She says it's better, in my state.

It also prevents me from feeling anxious, so I happily drink whatever she prepares.

Our chat is interrupted by the maids. They storm in, running to me and bowing before talking.

«There's big news, your Majesty!» they said in between their heavy breaths. They ran here just to tell me.

«Yes?»

Lola is the first to talk.

«Your Majesty, the King is in the audience hall! His Majesty is talking with the nobles, and some of them were discussing in the hallway about your Majesty's pregnancy! They said they wanted to ask his Majesty...»

«Oh, really?» I say, sipping my tea. «How unexpected.»

«They said they won't believe until his Majesty confirms. There's still time, your Majesty! They were walking in when we ran here.»

«Sure,» I say. «Shall we go take a look?»

I also want to see my husband at work. The few times I had that privilege, it was a sight worth sweating for.

When I cross the side door and walk to the throne, I notice things have progressed fast.

«My dear, come here,» Ignis says. «We were waiting for you.»

I smile while offering my hand. He brings it to his lips and then shows me the throne next to his.

It's the first time I see Ignis on the throne with a golden cape and a crown on his head. He's regal, elegant as if he came from another world for us mortals to worship.

It's also the first time I sit on the throne.

I haven't had the chance yet, for a reason or another.

«I have been asked, my dear. And I can't lie to my subjects.»

I nod, turning my head to them. They're staring openly, but they do not dare complain about me. Even though their expressions are weird yet transparent: they don't know whether they approve of me or not, but it's not their place to weigh me. They can just accept what they got now.

«It's true that my wife and I are p... Are going to become parents. The Queen is carrying the heir to this throne. We were waiting for the lawful times before making the announcement, but things have gotten noisy here...»

His voice is solemn yet sweet, and his gaze is piercing but neutral.

«The first Royal Prince or Princess will be born in a few months. The Gods have blessed us!»

He gets up and takes a couple of steps.

«Hereby, I declare three days of celebrations for this happy event! The Royal Guards will deliver food to the peasants, and every city will host a festival. People will sing and dance in honour of our successor as a prayer of good luck! The Palace will be open to all the nobles and foreign delegations in Alba. Everyone who desires it can bring their best wishes.»

Oh, and the child isn't even born yet. It'll be so tiring, won't it? Never mind, it's for a greater cause.

As soon as Ignis has finished talking, the guards on the sides, holding a spear and looking into nothingness, come to life. They hit the ground with the wooden end of their weapons, making a loud noise.

«Long live the King!» they shout, frighteningly synchronised. «Long live the Queen!»

Oh, how sweet. I wonder if they rehearsed to be able to do this. Also, I wonder if it's Ignis' idea.

It most likely isn't. He's not very skilled at this kind of thing. It means that the guards respect and love him in earnest. It's the reason we are all alive and well: my husband's good standing with the army.

I smile when one of the guards meets my gaze. He averts his eyes immediately but not soon enough to hide his reaction. Indeed, they are loyal to us.

Since the guards have started, the other nobles have no choice but follow. Some are neutral to the cheering. Others are unhappy but can't fight it.

Very few are actually happy.

It's the tough life of a King: surviving surrounded by enemies and those who don't care a bit. They didn't care before the coronation, and they won't start caring now.

«Love live the King,» I say, and Ignis turns to me.

He beams, sitting back and listening to the cheers together with me.

This was supposed to be just part of a plan, but announcing it to the world feels like a big step. It makes it real, more imminent.

«May our successor be just like you,» I continue. «Wise, merciful, and strong.»

I'm not even praising him. It's a wish for our child.

«May our child be as beautiful and adventurous as their mother,» he replies.

Adventurous? Those days are long gone, my dear husband.

Now that the announcement is done, we can return to focusing on the matter with Princess Gratia. In between a celebration and the other.

Oh, I'm already tired.

«May the Gods bless us with a healthy Prince,» the Queen Dowager says.

She knew what was going to happen, didn't she? Hence, she's here, ready to be the first to congratulate us.

Her words make Ignis freeze for a moment. He's still suffering because of what he had to go through during his childhood.

And the Queen Dowager hates Ignis because he's the living proof of her late husband's infidelity.

These two can't get along, no matter what. But they should learn how to cohabit in the same Palace, for goodness.

«Congratulations, your Majesties,» Princess Gratia says, stepping ahead after her mother's nod. «May the child be strong and powerful.»

She even curtseys, but it's as if we're torturing her. The unhappy expression and stiff moves make me almost chuckle. Oh, good gracious...

«Gratia, please,» the Queen Dowager moans in between her teeth. «Be proper.»

Instead of waking the kid up from her delusions, her words seem to cause even more pain.

Is showing respect to Ignis such a great humiliation? He's her older brother, after all. Even if he was the worst in the world, she shouldn't be this cold.

I'm not even clear if her mother encouraged her behaviour or if it's just an effect of too much care in her early childhood.

«Thank you, Princess,» I reply.

She forces a grin, but it looks like a grimace of pain.

Too spoiled. Isn't there anything we can do to send her away? Even just for a couple of years. A long vacation in one of the Royal Family's summer residences.. Something like this; nothing serious.