The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

In the end, I used my ultimate move to reach my goals: ask nicely, and ask the right person.

Ignis went to visit his niece just like always, and he asked the Princess whether they could bring Aestas along for the day. Since he's a King, and since Juliet actually does want us to grow attached to the kid, she happily gave her permission. As such, Ignis brought the baby back.

«What do you need her for?» he inquires.

I reach out to take her, but he doesn't let me.

«She's heavy for you,» he says.

«Ant,» the baby murmurs.

«Hello, dear,» I say, holding her hand and observing how she holds it back and giggles. «Someone is in a good mood today, ah? Is it because you're playing with your uncle?»

«Anko!»

She turns to him and smiles widely, pulling the shining buttons of his shirt.

«I feel a little guilty for using a child, Veronica,» he says.

«You're not using her. I am,» I point out.

Aida is nearby, and she analyses auras, similarities in the body and other things to determine whether Ignis and Aestas are related. When she's done, she shakes her head and steps away.

«Now, I'll bring her back in half an hour at most. I need just a few minutes, actually.»

I would send her back earlier if only I wasn't concerned about her security.

«I don't know... What is it that you wanted to do?»

«Just playing with her a little. I'm not one to hurt a child, ever. I thought you knew that about me.»

«She's my niece, Veronica. Remember it.»

«I do remember,» I sigh.

But, regarding their shared blood, I have more doubts each day.

«Do you want to play with aunty?» I ask, trying to take away Aestas from Ignis.

«She's heavy for you,» he repeats, but he doesn't really stop me. In the end, I carry her in the room and see whether she agrees to come with me. She turns to Ignis and frowns, utterly unhappy to be separated from her dear uncle. She doesn't start crying, fortunately, so I continue holding her until she feels safe in my arms.

«Ta-ta wok,» she says. She seems intent on informing us about something, with that solemn face and slightly pouty lips.

«What?»

«Ta-ta wok,» she repeats. «Wo-o-ok.»

«What is that?»

«Ankooo,» she screams, turning to Ignis with a not less than furious expression. Oh, goodness, what have I done wrong?

«She wants to walk,» Ignis says.

«Wok means walk? Oh, I see... But what is...»

«Tata is how she calls herself.»

«Oh my! How cute!»

But is she old enough to walk alone?

«Let me,» Ignis sighs. «I will help her walk. She can't do it alone; she's too young. And you shouldn't carry her, let alone spend time with your back bent. You have to take care of yourself, Veronica.»

«Keke h-vi.»

«What did she say, now?» I wonder.

«I don't know,» Ignis sighs.

Oh, but she's so content now that she's with her uncle. She offers her hand, and they take careful steps through the room. Ignis is happy as well, and my heart hurts a little at the thought of the pain he'll feel when he hears she's not really his niece.

«You're special, Ignis,» I say. «You're so kind and attentive, even if you're a tyrant King. That's why I love you.»

He picks Aestas up, and he walks to me again. He pecks my cheek and smiles.

«I'll teach how to walk to our children as well,» he says.

Maybe there's a way to solve everything without telling Ignis about it? Maybe, if I use the information to blackmail Juliet into behaving... Or if I promise to keep it secret to Ignis. Her daughter will be safe, and she will agree.

«Ta-ta wok.»

«Sure, Aestas. Just give me a minute here,» Ignis chuckles.

«Ant?»

«Yes, I'm talking with your aunt. She's my wife; I can't ignore her just because you're here?»

«No-no Ta-ta.»

He seems to understand her, and they continue talking like this. Oh, maybe it's better to let them think they're blood-related. Safer for me.

When they're both fulfilled with their chat, I can finally walk out with the child in my arms.

«We're not going far, Aestas. Aunt will bring you to meet your grandma. Oh, grandmother... Her Majesty, grandmother? Well, you'll see.»

She listens to me or plays with the decorations of my dress without making a fuss about being moved left and right. What a calm child, really!

«We should hurry up,» I add. «It's better not make her wait!»

When I reach the waiting room where I asked the Queen Dowager to meet, Aida opens the door for me and closes it behind our backs. This time, there are just the four of us in the room: the Queen Dowager, Aida, Aestas, and I. It's better if no one hears what we're going to say, and Aida will keep the chamber sound-isolated.

«Sorry for being late, but I was entertained on the way,» I say while sitting in front of the Queen. There are some snacks on the table, and I give a biscuit to Aestas to chew.

She grabs it with both hands and nibbles on the edge. She'll take forever to eat it like this, but she won't be bored, at least.

«I brought your granddaughter here,» I say with a smile. «I'm sure you'll appreciate it.»

The Queen Dowager observes her with wide eyes. I can see uncertainty in her eyes. She would like to acknowledge Aestas, on one side, but she also has many doubts about her.

«I see,» I murmur. «You don't like Juliet, so you don't want to play with Aestas in return. How cruel of you, Mother.»

«It's not because of that. I don't care about who this girl's mother is. My concern is the father.»

«I'd like to find out as well,» I sigh. «But I don't know where to start. I don't know the court well enough, and asking random ladies might attract attention.»

«You should have thought about it before talking with Servilia.»

«Servilia Verres, the Marchioness? Are you two so close that you call her by name, Mother?»

She winces every time I call her Mother, but I don't have time to correct myself. There's too much to talk about.

«We shared a man in the past. It's enough to become good friends.»

«I don't know whether to envy your character or pity you. Sharing your husband must have been hard.»

«I never loved him. I was a little naive when I was young, and I might have dreamt about being loved by the King. But I grew up fast in this place. Once I realised who I could love and who I couldn't, my life became easier. Life was cruel and took away half of my life.»

«Your son,» I say. «That's why you're ready to do everything to save your daughter. She's all you have.»

«It's pitiful, I know. But it's true.»

«But how can you be so sure that Aestas is not your son's daughter?»

«Because my son couldn't have children. It's... The doctor said it would be difficult, but I didn't tell the King. Only the doctor and I know about it, and the doctor is far away, living his life in luxury. You won't find him, dear daughter-in-law.»

«So, it's true. This girl isn't an heir to the throne,» I realise.

I turn to Aida, and she nods. There's no relationship between these two. Aestas isn't related to Ignis nor the Queen Dowager. Too big of a coincidence, right?

«Who is the father, then?»

«I do not know. I wasn't expecting an heir to the throne from them, so I didn't pay any attention to that woman. It turns out it was a mistake... But I can't ruin the memory of my son. I won't help you prove it.»

I roll my eyes and lean back. It's really a pity because Aestas is so cute with her big brown eyes and blonde locks. She'll become a beauty, and many will turn to take a look when she walks in the Royal Gardens.

«Grandma isn't such a nice person, Aestas. You prefer your aunt, don't you?» I say.

«Ant.»

I'll make sure she grows up well. Next to her mother if, by any chance, Juliet turns out to be innocent in this whole matter. But, even if she was the one plotting to have my head, the child would still be innocent.

«There's still the option that this is not the Princess. Maybe Juliet exchanged her baby with another for safety.»

«Don't be so naive. She had an extra-marital affair. It's not as rare as you think. Not in this place,» the Queen Dowager says. «Your husband is the living proof of that.»

«I have a question. There's something I'm not clear about yet.»

She's annoying and acts like a bitch with my husband, but I would really like to know why. She's a friend of the Marchioness, but her hate caused the death of Ignis's mother, even though indirectly.

She's full of contradictions, and I'd like to solve at least the most relevant ones. She hates Ignis from the depth of her heart.

Why? Is it simply because of that one time the King didn't listen to her opinion? Was it so important to her, enough to ruin a kid's childhood?

The Marchioness did say something about noble blood and safe ways of sharing a husband, but that couldn't be all.. Or maybe it is, but the only way to know it, at this point, is to ask the wife directly.