The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

After the first moments of enthusiasm, I realise the drawbacks of my state. Oh, I've realised them long ago. But they weren't as obvious as now.

I'm still here, haven't moved from Ignis's side. The musicians have appeared out of nowhere and started playing; the servants are distributing wine. Everyone is in the mood for an improvised party.

Till now, nothing new. Except for the ladies in the back of the hall adjusting their hairstyles and checking their dresses before approaching the throne to congratulate the King.

They're not that new either, but the light in their eyes has changed. It's as if they won something, suddenly. As if something they were expecting happened, and they can now move with their strategy. It's the same light I saw in Ignis's eyes when his plan proceeded as he predicted.

«What do they want?» I mutter, realising too late that I talked out loud.

«Relax, Veronica. It's just as we predicted. Now, we won't be able to get out of the Palace for three days... The Church won't take it to heart if we miss their anniversary.»

«All right. But what about this sudden joy? Is everyone happy about our child? For real?»

«They're happy because there's a reason to celebrate. Parties are all they can think about, sometimes...»

I'm not talking about those already drinking like camels. I'm talking about the ladies!

They smile alluringly to Ignis while greeting us, and they even dare be nice to me! They're not glaring because I'm Queen. They're not disappointed because we're happily married and forming a family.

They are genuinely happy about it. How is that possible? Why?

Why?

«Relax,» Ignis replies. «For now, you have no reason to worry. I'm keeping this place safe. And whatever is occupying your pretty head can wait, Veronica. Be happy right now. We're going to become parents.»

We've already known this all along. But what is going on completely out of my control?

«Your Majesties...» the first group of ladies says while curtseying. They're putting more effort than ever into looking pretty and elegant.

Their hair is darker in colour, every day a little more. There will be many dark heads in the Palace real soon.

Still, that won't be enough to fool Ignis. Not while I'm pregnant, for goodness. He won't cheat on me, will he?

Oh... Maybe... I see. Maybe that's what's happening.

«We would like to congratulate your Majesty for the hard work!» one says, moving her eyes from me to Ignis. Which one of us is she congratulating?

I'm not sure who worked harder... Probably Ignis; I've been a little lazy at the beginning. But, either way, is this how ladies talk nowadays?

«We're looking forward to meeting the little Prince,» she adds.

«Or Princess,» I point out.

She just nods, genuinely smiling at me. All this courtesy and good intentions towards me are confusing. I'd prefer if they were like before, glaring and a little jealous.

«We're here to provide whatever your Majesties might need,» she adds before turning back and leaving.

«What can I need?» I murmur, leaning back on the throne. My maids and Aida will provide me with anything in the world.

The one who might need something is Ignis, and I'm not sure I can allow him to get it. Not now, for goodness.

He had enough time before getting married to fool around. Now, he's stuck with me.

I glare at him, and he smiles back, happy like a fool.

«My dear, don't think about anything troubling. It won't happen,» he says.

But men do lie to pregnant women. It's a good practice to keep them happy and avoid complications.

I remember clearly when my mother was pregnant with Lucia. Father would buy her anything she asked for, and then he would lie about the price not to make her feel guilty. Once, he got out to buy her strawberries after mother casually expressed her wish for it.

When he came back, he invented sudden business crises and told her he coincidentally saw strawberries on the market.

That's how men are. They lie, and they don't feel guilty for that if the reason is good enough.

«Have some trust in me,» Ignis adds.

I nod and resume replying to the greetings and the congratulations. I shouldn't be this stern. Ignis won't be as desperate as to fill his chamber with mistresses just because I'm pregnant.

Still, six months is a long period.

As the celebration continues, it gets late. I can finally retire and rest, and Ignis will reach me later.

«Don't fall asleep just yet, all right?» he says before letting me go.

On the way, I meet the pretty lady from before. She has been waiting for me, and today must be her lucky day.

«Yes?» I say, clearly unhappy.

«Your Majesty, I'm here to offer my services!» she says, smiling brightly at me.

What kind of services? But, most importantly, to whom?

I don't need any comfort; I have my husband already.

«What?» I say, confused.

«Your Majesty is with a child, and his Majesty is a man. It's for our country! I can help his Majesty during this period, and...»

I scoff, rolling my eyes and passing next to her. My entourage follows, silent like usual. I don't turn to check, but I'm sure a couple of maids even glare at the lady.

«It will be a long period, your Majesty. Men can't stay too long without passion, and we all know that anyone wishing to get to the King's bed has to receive the Queen's permission.»

What is this about?

«What permission?» I mutter. «I won't give any permission for something like that.»

«Isn't it better if you know who his Majesty is bedding and when? Her Majesty, the Queen Dowager, knew it very well. Her life was simple and stable, thanks to that. All the King's mistresses received her permission.»

«I won't give permission,» I say. But... «But you say... All the late King's mistresses?»

«Yes, including his Majesty's poor mother! Every single one.»

So, this is why all these ladies are so happy about my pregnancy. But I can't accept it. Just the thought is making my stomach burn, and the world starts spinning.

I can't imagine him with another woman. And I don't want to allow it.

If he wanted to play around, he shouldn't have married me. That's how I see it.

«It makes life at court easier,» she continues. «And choosing a lady or another could make a difference, your Majesty. I'm the daughter of a Baron. I won't marry anyone relevant, and I won't have a name for myself. I can be your Majesty's servant if that pleases you. Or I can disappear when everything is over... I'm just the perfect candidate, aren't I?»

So, should I select Ignis's mistresses like this? As if I was doing job interviews?

Oh, well... I don't like this idea, but it's quite funny. No one warned me before, so all I can do now is to listen to this woman with a dumbfounded face and then, when she's done, start laughing hysterically.

What have I done to deserve this?

Maybe, the Queen Dowager could accept it because she didn't love her husband. It was a marriage alliance, in her case. But for me... Oh, I can't think about it any further.

«I will select my husband's mistresses by my own standards,» I say. «And no one should dare tell me how. I warn you, though. I have high expectations from the candidates. It won't be easy to pass my selection.»

I turn around and leave without turning back. The maids follow me, and I can hear their whispers. Lola's whispers, to be precise.

She's cursing that blatant lady, and she's repeating so many times that I am awesome. It's like having a fan always following me.

Sometimes, she's intruding and too loud. But she's just a kid, and she looks at me with admiration and honesty.

«That little wench dared to approach our Queen just like that!» she says to her colleague.

I don't turn because it's fun to listen. If she knows I can hear, Lola will stop her blabbering. Still, I'm sure the other maid is rolling her eyes. The sighs I hear should be from her.

«Who does she think she is? Telling a pregnant woman to select mistresses... His Majesty cherishes our Queen; he won't take mistresses! I am sure of it!»

As she continues with her march, my mood improves a little. It was just an incident. Maybe, not the only one. Many women will crowd around the King from this day, but this has happened before already.

Unexpectedly, most of the comfort comes from the Queen Dowager's words. Ignis isn't easy to approach. And he will send away every woman coming to his chambers.

Maybe, with a platter full of sweet food. But still, without a single hair out of place.

I don't need to worry about mistresses only because a random woman offered herself.. I won't doubt Ignis just like this.