The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

Even after telling me that he would come, Ignis avoids me for two days more. I wish I could be angry, but I'm more hurt than anything.

Also, there is a good reason for this.

The situation is worse than it seemed. Borea doesn't reply to official missives, and Ventis has stupid requirements to avoid war. They want territories, but Alba can't let them have any.

If we did, then other neighbours would use the same tactic to get their share. We would disappear before realising what is happening, and our subjects would be ruled by foreigners.

The Council has had meetings at all hours, and Ignis didn't come back to his room to sleep. He works all day and all night, looking for a solution where there isn't any. He did write to me that he would be late, but he has never come here.

I've started waiting for him in his room, but he's as busy as to avoid sleeping. Moreover, with his nightmares, he must be relieved he has a reason not to rest... But this isn't healthy!

I would like to be of help, but he doesn't want to let me. He closes his heart to me and continues stubbornly on his path.

If a war breaks out, we should be united. Alba depends on our decisions, after all. Better said, on the King's decisions, but I can help the King in the ways I know. I can listen to his worries, distract him a little from time to time, and maybe even give a word of advice when he's stuck with a decision.

I can do the easiest tasks while I learn about the rest.

There's a lot I can do, but Ignis doesn't seem to trust me enough. And he's spending more time with his niece than with me, again.

I'm not even jealous. I'm just hurt.

Aestas can comfort him more than Lars and I.

While the situation worsens every day, both at the borders and in our marriage, it's harder and harder to find a way out.

During these difficult days, I receive no visits and talk with no one except for my brother and Flavius.

Until, finally, someone remembers about me. Adelphium comes to visit just in time, for I would have turned crazy like this. Oddly enough, I need a Priest right now. Someone who can listen to my worries without judging and help my soul survive this torture.

«Your Majesty, I'm glad to see you again,» he says before sitting down. «Even though I don't see you doing too well...»

Is it so obvious? I must be looking horrible if Adelphium says it first thing when we meet.

«How is the little Prince doing?»

«His name is Laurentius.»

«Oh, Prince Laurentius... Nice!»

«Yes, I also like the name.»

«And... Where is he? I would have liked seeing him again.»

Lars is far from here, safe from Adelphium's clutches. He's probably sending jolts at Flavius, currently.

«He's playing with the nanny,» I say out loud. I even smile, remembering the show I witnessed just a few days ago, with Flavius's curly locks straightened because of electricity.

«I see...»

The Priest is disappointed, but I won't allow my child to get too close to them. Not until I have enough power to stop them if they want to take him away, and that power comes from Ignis.

«What a pity. Prince Laurentius must be protected, though. I understand your Majesty's concerns.»

«I'm glad you do,» I sigh. It's transparent, so I can't just pretend not to know what he refers to.

Oh, I could. It's what I did in the past, but these last few days I just can't fake anything. Not even a smile.

«The birth of someone as powerful as him has caused turmoil in the Church, and the Cardinals can't agree on a course of action,» he reveals.

It's the first time Adelphium talks about politics, and he's disclosing details about their inner organisation and disagreements.

«It's a rare event,» I agree.

«However, there is something curious about this situation. No child without a formed brain can use magic like your son. It means, basically, that even geniuses can't form barriers until the age of three.»

«Yes?»

«They might be able to sense magic or help it flow around them, but they can't channel it through their body. Not until they're ready. The earliest that has ever been registered was three years old, and it's not clear whether the measurements were faulty because the enchantment was very weak. Creating a barrier like the one that protected you during the delivery is impossible.»

«Impossible?» I chuckle. «Are you suspecting someone of raising it and pretending it was all made by Laurentius?»

«No. The barrier was indeed caused by your son. And it disappeared the moment he was born. When I cut the... Uhm, the cord... You two weren't in contact anymore. He wasn't able to do anything like that. He did try using my magic, though.»

Oh, damn it, you biased meatball! Here, again, Lars prefers Adelphium over Ignis! As much as to play with him before meeting his very father.

«Your son can't access magic directly. He needs a proxy.»

«Yes?» I sigh. I know where this is going.

«If that's the case, then your Majesty must have the power as well.»

«Yes? How funny. It's ridiculous; I would have noticed.»

«This is what the Cardinals are debating. They'll ask you to do the test... They're wondering whether you knew about it or not, and they'll decide about the course of action after estimating the amount of power in your body.»

«Honestly, Adelphium, I don't want to think about any test. And I don't want my son to be tested as a baby! Let him grow up first. Moreover, we're talking about the Crown Prince of Alba!»

«He shall grow up first, learning the duties of a member of the Royal Family,» Adelphium agrees. «There are many ways of being useful to the whole country, and not all involve joining the Church.»

Ah? He's on my side? Oh, but he must be faking it.

Either way, as long as his interjection means keeping Lars close to me and safe, I will pretend to believe.

«The Church is very fragmented, and there are many different opinions... Especially when it relates to magic and holy energy.»

«Is that so? I thought the opinion of the Church was set in stone and strong in every its acolytes.»

«No, Veronica. There are factions, groups, and solitary fighters with their own ideas. Nothing is only white nor only black. Just like there are mages who use their powers to commit crimes, there are Priests who think anyone with an ounce of holy power should submit to the Church.»

«And you? Are you one of them?»

«I do prefer when mages collaborate with the Church, of course. But I'd welcome everyone, not just the powerful individuals. Weak mages aren't actually given any chance to join the Church, most often. It's a privilege for the strongest few.»

He's telling me all of this, but with which purpose? Does he think I'll believe he's the good one in all this story? Just because I know him a little, since we've talked a lot, and because I'm a desperate mother?

«My son won't join the Church.»

I make it clear: they shall know what to expect. As long as Ignis holds power to avoid it, we'll stay in the Palace.

It's something I can't doubt even for a moment. No matter the dire state of my marriage, my husband promised to protect us and he will do so.

«It's just so lucky,» Adelphium says, scratching his chin while thinking. He's looking up in the air, reliving some memories or observing his thoughts evolve in front of him.

«What is lucky?»

«You, your Majesty, weren't crowned by a Priest but the King in person. You're not linked to us in any way but only to his Majesty. It means that, even if the Church calls for you to issue an order, you have the right to decline. Only the King can order the Queen.»

«Oh, that's right. I didn't know it had such deep meaning.»

«It's more than just meaning. It's also the law. The Church can't retire or trample with power if they didn't give it in the first place. You're not theirs, but the King's.»

«I see. It's reassuring.»

«Your tone doesn't seem convinced.»

It's not that I doubt. Just, I would have liked it more if Ignis was nearby to listen to this piece of good news. Oh, maybe he did it on purpose. It would make sense, knowing everything he's done after our marriage.

«Can the King protect me?» I ask. «For real?»

Would Adelphium be here if that was all? Oh, maybe he's here to cause trouble enough for Ignis's protection to fade away, leaving me exposed for the Church to hit. Maybe, this is just a trap.

I can't trust Adelphium; I know it. But why is his face, his body, his whole aura always so sincere? It's as if he's hitting me with the truth, sometimes.

But I better not trust him.