The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

It doesn't take long to find new proof. Aida comes back in a moment with a few objects in her hands. The guards are helping with other boxes, and they open them in front of us. Inside: papers, and papers, and papers... White.

«Yes?» I murmur. What's so suspicious about these?

Ignis notices my gaze and explains everything.

«These papers are used to write Royal and Official missives and documents. Forging anything is impossible without them. But, also, it's not very hard to convince someone the document is original if you have one. All you need after these is good-quality ink and a forged sigil,» he says.

So, it is like that.

«The foreign nations believed the offer of marriage was genuine because of this.»

«There's enough paper to forge a whole communication here. They could have agreed on deals without us knowing.»

«How bad.»

«And about the sigil... I believe it was not forged but original. I have asked Akasite to send one of the missives back, for us to check. It should arrive soon enough... But I think the sigil Juliet used was my brother's original one. With that, no one has any reason not to believe the letter is real. Also, his ring hasn't been found after his death, so he was buried without it. It's not public knowledge, though. We didn't need panic and suspicion back then. And what can a dead Prince's ring do, after all?»

«It did a lot of damage,» I say.

«Together with the papers and the overall situation.»

«Yes,» I sigh.

«In fact, we found the ring, your Majesty,» Aida explains, delivering a smaller box to the King.

Ignis opens it, analyses the piece of gold and nods, and then delivers it to one of his servants.

«Bury it next to my brother. They shall rest together.»

As for the rest of the proof, now that we know where to look, something will surely come out. There's no need to overthink it. We could celebrate a victory if only it wasn't this painful.

«The King shall rest now,» I say out loud. «You know how to do your job without him directing every single move, don't you? Come back tonight with a report instead of delivering every single piece of information as soon as you get it. No one shall come here if not strictly necessary.»

Ignis doesn't want to celebrate for sure. On one hand, he lost one of his best friends today. On the other, guilt for executing the late Count is consuming him from the inside.

He doesn't need to work right now. He can do that later.

«Bring us tea and food. Also, make sure that whoever was present during the attack doesn't go telling the details around. It's a secret, for now. We will issue an official note when things are cleared.»

Ignis just nods when his people turn to him, and they salute before leaving the room.

Finally alone, dismissed Aida just like the others, I sit next to Ignis and sip my tea in silence.

«We have to solve it now, Veronica,» Ignis murmurs, getting up and reaching the door. Just after I've dismissed everyone.

«You could just tell them to stay if you wanted to be surrounded by people,» I point out when he's back next to me.

«No, you were right. I'd like to be alone for a while. Still, there is something I don't want to postpone.»

«All right... Does alone mean without me?»

I wonder.

«I can leave,» I add. «Or I can stay.»

«Yes!»

«Yes?» Yes, to which one?

«Oh, Veronica... Sorry, I'd just sleep and forget everything. I'd get up in a world where nothing happened, and you're safe all the time, and Aestas has a mother...»

«It would be nice, indeed.»

A shy maid knocks on the door, and she walks in after Ignis opens.

«Leave the water on the table,» he says.

«Yes, your Majesty,» she replies with a nod. She glances at me for a moment only before bowing her head.

«Is there something you want to say?» I ask her, raising my chin.

«I was told to inform your Majesty that the maid will live. She's doing good and will heal with time.»

«I'm relieved,» I sigh. Lola is doing good, and Bea must have sent the message to hearten me. «Send this to her... She shall focus on recovering now, without any hurry to come back to work. Her health is more important.»

I deliver my earrings to the maid, and she nods while wrapping them in a cloth.

«Also, deliver my thanks to her. She saved me.» Even though it really was not necessary. But she's so young yet so brave.

Dying for a Queen isn't worth it, really.

Alone again, Ignis gets rid of the outer layer of his clothes, stained in blood because of me.

«Come here,» he says, and I am a little too fast at obeying.

He undoes the buttons of my sleeves and makes them fall on the floor. Then, he works his way with the corset. It's difficult to undress without staining my hair with blood as well, but at least most of it is dried and doesn't stain any more than necessary.

«Let me help,» he murmurs while wiping my neck first. «How are you feeling?»

«I'm doing well. I wasn't hurt, and my maid is recovering.»

«And... What about the fright? Are you scared now?»

«No, Ignis. Not more than usual.»

«It's over now. We will find out about the others and wipe every trace of those organising the coup. This time, for good.»

«I'm relieved.»

«Also, you can sleep with me if you're scared.»

«Oh, yes. I'm so scared.» I nod fiercely. «The King's bed is the safest place in the world for me.»

«I'm being serious here.»

«Me too. Are you going to send me away if I wasn't, though?»

He wipes the back of my neck and then cleanses the cloth before starting to rub my arms and hands. He's so tender yet focused, his eyes analysing my skin with so much attention that it almost starts burning.

«Is everything all right with you, my King?»

«I am,» he murmurs.

«Why are you so attentive to me?»

«Does it bother you?»

«No.»

«I just feel like it. I haven't noticed signs of discomfort when I was careful before. Just tell me to stop if you don't want me to.»

«It's all right, Ignis. I'm just worried about your mood.»

«I'm fine.»

«Come here,» I say, spreading my arms to hug him.

He reacts in a moment, dragging me to him. I'm now freshened and got rid of the blood, so I can close my eyes and feel Ignis's presence. I can sniff him when he's distracted and touch his shoulders with my fingers.

I close my eyes and enjoy the embrace for barely a few seconds when I feel weird. Oddly enough, my energy assembles in my hands. A jolt starts from the tips of my fingers, travelling from one to the other but... but through Ignis?

Have I just struck him with lightning? Oh, goodness! It was not that powerful, thankfully, but I have never ever lost control like this. Not in this situation, and not without any forewarning.

Oh, it's not me. It's someone else...

Ignis jumps back, looking at me as if scolded for something he didn't do. His shoulders bend downwards, and his lips form a desperate line.

«What have I done to deserve this?» he asks.

I press a hand on my heart, failing at speaking because he is just too cute for me. Oh, goodness. What a sight!

But I wasn't the one hurting him. I had no reason, and I wouldn't use my magic to cause pain to him of all people.

«I didn't do it,» I say.

«Yes, sure... Are you enjoying this kind of game now? Making me fry like chicken?»

«No, Ignis. I swear!»

«Then what happened?»

«I think... I think our son is finally alive,» I say with a sigh.

We'll have to ask Aida to be sure, but, deep in my heart, I already know. It's him. And he's a Mage. Strong enough to send jolts to his father soon after his heart has started beating. How powerful will be become as he grows up? Oh, I can't wait to witness!

«Does our child hate me already?» Ignis continues, taking a reluctant step.

«I don't think he does. It was something he did out of instinct.»

«You are so sure it will be a son.»

«Two people told me already!»

«Flavius and Aida?»

Actually, not Aida but the High Priest. But there's no need to say it out loud. Not right now. We can discuss this later if it turns out relevant.

«Ah, I can't wait to meet him! He's barely alive, and he already protects his mommy from the world!»

«And from me,» Ignis reminds me. «I won't be able to touch you.»

«Oh, you will. This little thing can't overpower me just yet.»

Just to be sure, I attempt touching Ignis again. This time, without the surprise effect, our son's energy can't reach him because I block it.

«I can,» I sigh.

Like this, safe and far from unwanted lightning energy, I can hug my husband like I used to. This little thing still tries to hurt him, but I can't allow him. It's not good to fry a King, is it?

«I love you, Ignis,» I say. «And I love our son so much.»

«Hmm, yes,» he moans.. He doesn't seem so happy about the news, though.