The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

Adelphium has all the equipment, and he performs the ritual perfectly. Well, it's perfect as far as I can tell. I have never been to a temple before the coronation.

He ties the hands together and makes them swear to love each other till the end. He doesn't mention death, for there's no need to free them from the oath after one of them is dead. Neither will survive the other long enough to find a second partner.

The ceremony is brief, fitting for this situation. Once finished, the guards get ready to drag the newlyweds back to prison.

«A moment,» I say. «You might want to look out of the window. The both of you.»

The Princess... Oh, she is no Princess. Juliet widens her eyes, understanding the hidden meaning behind my words. She pulls Samuel Grif's sleeve and makes him watch with her. She points at a corner, where one of my maids is helping Aestas take a stroll.

«She walks,» Samuel Grid comments. «Already?»

«It's been months.»

«But... She's also taller. And look at her face, so red.»

«It's not red,» Juliet replies with a pout. «It's a healthy rose.»

«She will grow up beautiful just like her mother.»

«And hopefully smarter than us.»

«Hopefully.»

They hold each other's hands, their face in peace and their eyes sad for the shortness of the moment. This is the last time they see Aestas, and they know it.

«I'd like to rest, now,» I whisper to Ignis. «I'm feeling tired, and everything hurts.»

«What does it hurt?» he replies, reaching out to my hand.

I block the lightning just in time. Even in these months, he hasn't learned not to touch me without warning... He finds it easier to bear with the pain than to avoid touching me at all.

«Where does it hurt? Shall I call Aida? Or the doctor?»

«No, I'm just tired of carrying the baby around. It's so heavy... I'll rest for the day, and everything will be all right.»

He nods, turning to Tobin to order him.

«Accompany the Queen to her lodgings. Now. And stay with her. Be ready to call a doctor.»

«It's nothing to worry about,» I chuckle while the High Priest reaches us.

He has packed his things away, and he's smiling at me.

«I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Excellency,» Ignis says before I can open my mouth. «The Queen isn't feeling well. You can come another day, though.»

Hmm? I'm not suffering, just a little tired. It's too impolite to just send Adelphium away. Even if we're not close to the Church, we have to keep up appearances.

«Now, go,» he says, helping me reach the passage.

«Ignis?» I moan. «What's the matter?»

«Go rest, Veronica. That man came here for something. Don't make him think he can blackmail us now that he knows about this secret marriage.»

«Nothing would happen even if it was leaked,» I point out. «It's just something for their souls. Also... It's not like we're saving their lives or anything. He can't use it against us... Also, as much as I am pretending to be close with him, he's pretending to be close with me. He won't ruin all of it just because of a secret marriage ceremony. And he has no proof, just his witnessing.»

He snorts, his hand tightly wrapped around my forearm.

«Ignis, are you angry with me?»

«No. Why would I be?»

«Because I brought that man here. But he came to visit, and the fake priest didn't seem like a wise idea at the time. I'm sorry.»

«I'm not angry with you, Veronica. It's fine. Still, if he came here today out of all days, there must be a reason.»

«He said something was going to happen,» I chuckle. «A prophecy foretold this... Isn't it funny?»

«I don't think anyone foresaw the marriage. This is nothing important. Whatever he's waiting for hasn't happened yet. Be careful.»

«I will.»

I stand on tiptoe and leave a light peck on his cheek.

«Have a nice day, my King.»

I turn toward the exit, intending to leave unnoticed. I glance at Juliet and Samuel Grif one last time and notice how they kiss before parting ways. This time, forever. Still, there's peace on the woman's face.

This is what she wanted. Marry a person she loves and have a child with him. Both her wishes are fulfilled, even if in an odd way and order.

«Your Majesty!» Adelphium calls. «Let me accompany you to the exit, at least!»

He offers me his arm, and I just wave it off. Ignis is staring and glaring, and our son's lightning is nothing compared to the intensity of his eyes. Better not stay too close.

«Your Excellency should follow closely,» Tobin murmurs, showing the way. «The hallways are intricate in this part of the Palace.»

Are these two playing together? I'm not a maiden to protect from a wicked man's intentions, for goodness! Moreover, I am pregnant, and Adelphium is a Priest. The highest of them all.

«How is your back, your Majesty?» he asks once we are inside, following closely just as Tobin said... But following me, not the guard.

«Today is worse than usual,» I confess. «Yesterday I ached, but today... It's because of all the emotions and the preparations. I shall sleep early and leave the Queen's duties for tomorrow.»

There's not much left to do either way. I've cured my laziness for the time being. At least until Ignis feels better.

«And your stomach? Doesn't it hurt?»

«Oh, no. Just, I feel like the skin is stretching, but I guess it's normal.»

«Lately?»

«Today.»

«I see... I guess it's time.»

«Time for what?»

«The delivery.»

«Oh, Adelphium! It's early! I have a month more to bear with this.»

«Are you sure?» he asks.

Sure? I haven't been pregnant before, and Aida didn't warn me about anything this morning. She would have told me if it was time.

Also, knowing the day of when this baby was conceived means knowing when he will come to light. Which is: in fifteen days at least. Even more, if the actual date is not the first time Ignis and I made love, which should actually be the case.

«Veronica, listen...» he starts, grabbing my hand candidly as if it was normal to touch a woman, let alone a Queen. «Listen to your body, and you will notice!»

The energy starts flowing towards him, and I get ready to counter it back. Yet, if I do, then Adelphium will notice my power. He's touching me, for goodness!

It's just a second, but it lasts forever. Before burning the Priest's fingers, the lightning comes back and disappears.

This child will cause a lot of trouble as he grows up. But, at least, he decided not to hurt Adelphium. For what reason, I cannot imagine.

«We're out,» I notice, finally bathing in the sun.

It's warm and nice on the skin. It'll be one of the last warm days before winter hits with its strength.

The Royal Gardens, especially the Queen's, are still green and flourishing. The workers do their best to keep things living the longest, planting winter flowers, and I also helped a little during my stay here. Even though, with this Mage in my belly, I didn't need to use my magic to keep it stable. Somehow, it wasn't needed as much as before.

Whether it's because of the changes due to pregnancy, or just because the need to keep the little troublemaker under control used up enough magic, I will never know.

«Will it snow?» I wonder.

«Most years, it does. A little, though,» Adelphium says.

«I'm curious. Snow seems fun, but we didn't have much of it in Narith. It would fall for a few hours in the coldest week and then disappear after a day at most.»

«Do you miss your home?»

«Just a little.»

There's all I need here. I just miss mother and Lucia, not to mention dad and Antonio. But they will come here when the baby is born. I will see them again, and father might even stay longer after sending mother back to safety.

«But it's nothing unusual, is it?» I continue. «It happens to every bride marrying far from home. Oh, but now this is my home. It'll be as long as I live.»

«I'm glad you like Mavale.»

«You mean the Royal Palace. I haven't gone out so often. And every time I did, there was an incident!»

«Oh, but it's in the past.»

«I have this feeling,» I sigh, «as if nothing ended, Adelphium. As if this is just the beginning of something else.»

«Maybe, it is.»

He smiles, but I have no time to reply because my son gives a kick, stronger than usual. Just like his father: interrupting my nice chat with the High Priest seems to be a family skill.

I moan in pain, pressing my palm on the stomach. This little thing! He'll hear me when he gets out. Is this how he treats his mother?

«Veronica...» Adelphium says. «Veronica?»

«I'm fine. It's just a kick,» I chuckle. And it's passing.

It's almost gone a few seconds after it came.

«I'm not referring just to that,» he points out. «Don't you see?»

«See?»

«Oh, see is not the right word.»

I blink, looking around. What should I see? Tobin is standing far from us, frowning as well. It takes him a few moments to realise something and run to call the maids.

A second before another kick.

This time, though, it's as painful as to bend double.