The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

Adelphium was never gifted with good timing. Or maybe he was, but I'm looking from the wrong perspective. I was going to call someone to pretend to be a Priest for the Princess. But now, with their boss here in my garden, I can't.

«Your visit after so long is a surprise,» I point out with a kind smile.

We're sitting under the pavilion and watching the small fountain. It's my favourite place, lately, and I've spent my free hours here since the beginning of autumn.

«I was needed here,» he says.

«Yes?»

«Yes, your Majesty.»

«Oh, how coincidental! You came here for business and decided to visit me. I'm glad you remember your old friend,» I chuckle, pretending to be offended. Whatever, not that I mind his absence.

Rather, not seeing him makes me anxious because he might be planning something. I prefer seeing him often and checking his mood. Maybe, I should learn how to plant spies. That way, I would know if he ever does something suspicious.

«My friend told me that you need my help,» he repeats. «The one who warned me about your son.»

«Oh, the Prophet?»

We've been discovered. But it's unfair to play like that! Who can surprise a seer?

«Well, there's no need to hide it, then,» I say. «I do need the help of a Priest. And, since you're here...»

«What do you need me for?»

A smile on his lips shows me his kindness, but his eyes are a little confused. He wasn't expecting a request from me. Then, what in the world is he here for?

«It's a confidential matter, and I hope you won't tell anyone. Not even your colleagues. It's for Alba's safety... And also for my and the King's peace of heart.»

«Yes, sure. I will keep it a secret if it doesn't endanger anyone.»

«It doesn't. On the contrary.»

«Then, tell me what I need to do.»

«See... Do you remember Princess Juliet?»

Just like this, I tell him what he needs to know. Just the least possible to understand why I'm doing it and what is expected from him.

«I understand,» he says. «Your Majesty is a merciful person.»

«I am not. They will still die... Just, they will die in peace.»

«I won't register the event anywhere. It will be just a matter of the soul.»

«That's what the Princess needs, in fact. She doesn't care about papers.»

«If it's like this, I don't see a reason to decline.»

«Would you mind doing it now?»

«Now?»

«Yes. We're ready with the preparations already.»

«Oh, but what would you have done if I didn't come here? Do you also have a Prophet telling you the future?»

«No, I don't. I was going to call a Priest right now.»

«A Priest you don't know well?»

«Are you suspecting me of something, Adelphium?»

«Oh, no. I'm just surprised that our coincidental meeting brought you such an advantage. Life is truly unpredictable, after all.»

I don't know whether he's playing with me or not, but he doesn't have any advantage of telling everyone about this.

It's not politically relevant, and it doesn't change facts. It'll just cause havoc without need.

«Do you need any equipment?» I inquire while getting up.

Today, my back hurts. Will I spend the next month like this? Ouching every time I move a step?

I still love my baby, but I'll take a break from everything once he's born. It's so hard to be a woman in this world.

«I don't need anything I don't have with me,» he replies.

«Oh, that Prophet of yours told you what to bring but not what you were going to do?»

«They have an odd temper, your Majesty,» he laughs.

«Don't majesty me while we're alone,» I say. I haven't been polite today, and it would be embarrassing to return to formalities now.

«Sure, Veronica.»

The way he pronounces my name isn't scary nor cringy, oddly enough. It's as if we were real friends and not just pretending. I need to up my game if I want to survive in the place.

«The room where we will perform the ritual is not far, but there's a way to get there through the servant's passages. It's an unused wing of the Palace, so we won't attract any attention. I hope you understand why I'm making you walk in a dusty hallway.»

«Yes, I do. It's fine for me, and it's for the greater good. Helping a lost soul to find peace is my duty, after all.»

«The Princess is still a human being even if she's been sentenced to death. She deserves one last wish. Her first one I couldn't fulfil, but this is feasible.»

«She asked to meet lady Aestas, didn't she?»

I shrug, sighing deeply. «I can't let that happen. But I do understand why she wants to see her daughter one last time.»

We cross a couple of doors and walk in the hallways. Tobin walks in front of us, showing the way. Adelphium offers his arms to me, but I shake my head. It's better to avoid touching a Mage right now.

This little thing in my belly is unresting today.

We end up in an abandoned room. I have sent Bea and two other maids to clean it in secret so that we don't raise suspicions. Also, the furniture has been moved, and the centre is empty except for a small yet high table to help with the ceremony.

Ignis is here already, as well as two guards to keep things under control. Tobin and I come out from the passage, and everyone turns to stare.

Oh, not at us. At the man behind me.

While they widen their eyes, open their mouths, frown or sigh, I walk inside and take a look at the main characters of this play.

The Princess is standing next to her designated guard, silent and with her back straight. She's wearing a new gown, white and blue. She can't wear red or purple, and she doesn't want to. She's not part of the Royal Family, so she refused the first gown I described.

As for Samuel Grif, he's on the other side of the room, visibly unresting. He moves his weight from one side to the other, staring at his lover without a break even for blinking. They've been separated for months, and now that they can look at each other, they realise how skinnier they've become.

«You're a beautiful bride,» he murmurs when the silence in the room allows Juliet to hear him.

At his words, she blushes and bows her head to hide it. She's acting like just any lady. Nothing to do with the Princess. Nothing similar to a psychopath organising coup after coup.

«I'm a lucky man.»

I see. This is how things went since the beginning. Samuel Grif is a smooth talker even in this situation.

I glance at Ignis and see him roll his eyes. It's a natural reaction, meaning this isn't the first time his friend acts cheesy with a woman. They grew up together, after all. They know each other well.

«I can be the witness,» Ignis says. «Even if you tried killing me.»

«It would be an honour.»

«I'm returning the favour.»

«And the second?» Adelphium asks. «We need two witnesses for a wedding to be valid.»

No one has asked me why I brought this specific Priest. But Juliet seems to appreciate it.

«Fernard refused to,» Ignis says.

«Not that I don't understand why.»

«Tobin can witness. Or, if you have a preference...»

«I'd like her Majesty,» Juliet says. «Your Majesties are godparents to our daughter. Would it be too much to also witness our marriage?»

«No, it wouldn't be too much,» I sigh.

She's just adding reasons for us to protect her daughter. She's smart. If only she used this before and without killing many people on the way...

«Just, don't make it last longer than needed,» I add. «My feet hurt today; I can't stand for too long.»

Adelphium just nods, taking out a bottle with what I suppose is holy water and a red lace to tie the ribbon around their hands. Nothing more is needed, apparently.

«I can read by heart,» he says. «I don't need the holy books.»

«Priests can celebrate weddings without reading? Oh, good.»

«It's one of the first celebrations we learn, together with funerals and coming to light of children. These are the three central moments of most people. We ought to be ready to perform even without forewarning.»

«That's good. Let's proceed then. Thank you for the help, your Excellency. I will consider it as a personal favour and won't forget,» Ignis announces.

He moves his eyes from me to him and returns a little gloomy. It's not weird, lately. His mood is unstable, and I might need to talk to him a lot tonight to make it better.

I hope the execution will help him move on, really.. It's painful to see him suffer like this.