The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

«What can cause over twenty trained fighters to close their eyes in the middle of a battle?» Juliet asked.

If this was enough to destabilise me, I would have winced. I might have shown fear or given away that I have more secrets than she knows. Yet, even though she's suspicious, she can't prove that something is fishy with me. Or with the people around me, for that matter.

«The people guarding me are proficient with poison,» I say. Not that I owe her any answer. «They know how to make people faint without being affected. Do you have other queries?»

She lowers her head, finally defeated. She shakes her head and doesn't fight against the guards bringing her away to lock her in her room.

«I think it's better to search her quarters,» I murmur. «We might find something... Also, send Aida with the guards when it happens.»

Ignis nods, even though he wants to complain. I catch the glance he throws at Aida as if he's worried about her.

She looks tired, but she can rest after finding all the proof Juliet will hide if we give her enough time.

We can't let useful stuff disappear, especially since we don't have anything clearly proving their guilt except for their confession.

«Let it be,» Ignis sighs while turning for good. «Go search the Princess's room. Bring anything suspicious to the Council's office. And, also, let the handmaid witness and cooperate in the search.»

He then turns to me and waits for some praise.

«Thank you,» I say.

However, his reaction is a little bland. Oh, it's time to talk alone.

«Come with me, I'm a little worried about staying alone, but I'd like to rest without the crowd...» I murmur, turning the situation in his favour. Ignis needs to be taken away from people for a while, and I will do that. I will offer him my ear to talk and my shoulder if he ever feels like leaning on it. Just like he would do for me if I needed it.

«The King's room,» I decide when we get closer to the bedrooms.

His bed is still better. I might convince him to give me permission to sleep here even when he's not around.

«How are you feeling?» are the first words I hear once alone.

I drag Ignis to the bed and make him sit. I bring some fresh water to him and wait for him to sip before sitting next to him and holding his hand.

«I'd like to hear about your feelings this time,» I say. «How are you doing?»

Betrayal is bad. It's his friend we're talking about, the one who witnessed our marriage. And also, his sister-in-law, but that is less heavy. It's not as painful when someone with the same blood betrays, but friends... They chose to be on our side, and now they've turned their backs.

«You know, I told dumb things when I said you should make a spectacle out of the execution,» I try. «It's better if it's fast and private, just like those before.»

«No,» he sighs. «No special treatments. Your reasoning made sense, Veronica. We should publicly execute those attacking us so that no one else tries something like this again. Especially if they're close to me. It will show the court that no one is safe if they aim at you.»

«I don't want to see you suffer,» I murmur, hugging him delicately. «I want you to be as carefree as possible. If the execution is going to cause you more stress than bring advantage, then simply don't do it.»

«It's all right. That's not what I'm thinking about right now. Also, there will be a trial before. It's been a long time.»

«Then, what is making you look so terrible?»

«Samuel's family.»

«His family?»

«Yes. I executed his father and brother. I executed two innocent people... Maybe if I had waited longer before signing the sentence... Maybe I would have found clues about it. Afterwards, not only that I couldn't notice anything, but I didn't see... Because I was more worried about protecting my conscience than finding out the truth!»

«It's not like that,» I point out. «You know it well. You didn't notice because they were good at hiding it. And what happened with his family was a grave mistake, indeed. But you're not the only one who should feel guilty. First of all, you were brought to believe that they were involved in the coup. There was proof, and you didn't take the decision alone.»

Ignis was never meant to become a King. That's why he grew up with his untouched nature. His place as the second Prince, as a bastard son of the King, allowed him to keep his kindness and fairness. Anyone else would have been blinded by power, but he wasn't. He's always the same, considering everything in such depth and worrying about the others even when he's so busy.

But who is worrying about him? I'm doing my best to be a good wife, but I always end up on the receiving end. I don't know how to help him, and Ignis never asks. He doesn't want to inconvenience me, even for small things like a hug and a couple words.

«Come here,» I say, hugging him tighter. «Tell me your worries, Ignis. I will listen in silence.»

«It's nothing, really.»

«But I'll be here. Wouldn't it be a pity not to take advantage of the situation? Tell me all that is on your mind, and we will understand together. We will find a solution and overcome this crisis. Together.»

«Oh, Veronica,» he sighs.

He pecks the top of my head, finally engulfing me in his arms. His warmth is having more effect on me than my hug on him, but whatever. This is what I can do; maybe I'll learn better in the future.

«Thank you for being my wife,» he adds.

I'd like to say that it wasn't much of a choice but maybe it's not the right moment.

«I love you, Ignis. There's nothing else I would want more than being your wife.»

«Even if I'm so incompetent as a King? I couldn't protect you, after all. If it wasn't for Flavius, you might have been hurt... And even Flavius isn't as safe to have around. Things would have been different if only...»

«Oh, don't think like this! The most important thing is that no one was seriously hurt. My maid was treated, and I haven't been wounded. Flavius, Marius, Aida... Even Tobin and Bea! They are all right. That is relevant. There's no time to consider the what-ifs.»

«I'm just so glad that you wanted to meet him. I'm so glad he was there and decided to help you! Flavius is so unpredictable, and I was scared. I couldn't know if he would have liked you, and I still can't be sure. Flavius looks like a normal teen, but he has trouble understanding some obvious human feelings or concepts. Be careful even around him, will you?»

«He can't hurt me,» I say. «I can defend myself. And I might be able to defend other people if he attacks them. It's all right, Ignis.»

«Do... Do you think Fernard is also involved?» he continues, bowing his head and closing his eyes to hide his pain.

«Fernard? Oh, he's totally innocent!»

It's not good if Ignis starts mistrusting everyone just because of one burn. His friends are loyal. Even Samuel Grif was, to a degree.

I can't check on the others, but of Fernard Falco, I am sure. They are brothers, after all.

Even Flavius won't ever betray Ignis. He might misunderstand or misuse his orders, but he won't cause him harm.

Life is not as black as he sees it now. It might require time, but he will eventually come to remember how nice it is to have some friends whom one can trust.

«Are you sure about me?» I ask, all of a sudden.

What if this makes Ignis wonder about my fidelity and loyalty to him? My devotions should be transparent enough, but I better ask and make sure no suspicions divide us.

«I won't betray you!» I exclaim. «Don't doubt me, please!»

«Veronica... How could I doubt you, ah? You've always been on my side. And you're my wife. If you want me to die, just ask. There's no need to plot treason.»

«I want you to live, Ignis. We need to spend many years together and have many children! What do you think, ah?»

Oh, jeez. It's such a dark moment for him. And how can I even help? Are pretty words really all he needs?

«I love you,» I add. «I love you, and I will stay by your side for the rest of my life. Even if it means becoming just decoration around your arm.»

«You can't be that even if you wanted to. You're too strong.»

«But being strong doesn't mean I can't be pretty,» I pout.

Even if childish and most likely said in the wrong moment, my words make him smile.. It's a short and tired smile, but still an improvement.