The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

I walk Ignis to my room, the only place where we can truly be alone. Far from interruptions and unwanted attention.

The residence is filled with guards, even some that were already here when we arrived. My siblings tend to wander around in search of trouble.

The only place where we won't be interrupted that easily is my room. Not to mention that Ignis won't be able to escape my questions.

«I will be your Queen,» I say as soon as the door is closed. «But that doesn't mean I forgive you.»

«No, of course not,» he agrees. Yet, no matter how tragic his tone is, his eyes avoid mine to hide the relief. His fingers are itching to touch me, but he luckily refrains from doing that.

Luckily for him.

Yet, his calm is so bothersome. I'd say something to make him burst out in fury. To break that wall keeping him from grabbing and shaking me until forcing some mercy in my head.

I scoff, wondering why I'm acting like this.

«There are a few things I'd like to ask you,» I say. «From the beginning.»

He nods and sits on a chair without being invited to stay comfortable.

I walk to the bed and sit on the mattress, far enough from his magnetic eyes.

«You didn't want to force me...» I start. «So, why did you propose to sign the certificate and elope?»

«It was so much of a temptation that I couldn't resist. You are the perfect person for Alba right now. And, also, the only one I would accept as a Queen at this moment. The Prime Minister convinced me that it was worth a few over-controlling actions.»

«The Prime Minister? Your father's Prime Minister?»

«Yes. The Chancellor, if you prefer... It's the same thing. You've already met him, actually.»

«Have I?»

«Yes. He's the officer that married us.»

«Oh,» I sigh. The man with thick, round glasses. He was rather eccentric for a random officer.

«We can't get married twice. But I still owe you a celebration. We can celebrate the wedding together with the coronation, in a few months. There will be delegations from all over the world. I will appoint one of my trusted men to follow anything related to the preparations so that you don't need to overexert yourself. You'll just have to choose among the alternatives, Veronica.»

«Wait, don't change the topic,» I stop him. «The Prime Minister married us. The witnesses were the Captain of the Royal Guards and another knight of high position, right?»

«The other one is noble. I'll introduce him to you when you come back to Mavale.»

«Then, there was a coup when we escaped.»

«Oh, that... Some middle-tier nobles organised an attack to kill me. Too bad they were so noisy that they were heard. Instead of quietly getting rid of them, I let them attack and used the chance to escape from the Palace.»

«Are there people running after us or thinking I'm involved?» I murmur. After all, my disappearance was quite suspicious...

«No. We eloped, Veronica. The right people have been informed, though. They know you're with me.»

«When we reached the inn, it seemed we missed father for a few hours. But it wasn't the case?»

«I sent the Duke back early. I just allowed him to leave a servant on one condition.»

«That he didn't reveal your identity.»

«Correct. I wanted to tell you myself.»

«In fact, you did not tell me. I found out before you had the chance.»

Then... What was the next issue? Ah, right!

«The attacks!» I remember.

«The bandits were by chance. They live in the woods and attack pretty much everyone. The assassins are a whole nother matter. I believe they were sent by those organising the coup. But they weren't as efficient for killers. They killed no one in the end.»

«How often does it happen? How often do people try killing you?»

«Very often. Especially because they feel it's time for the Nerva dynasty to end. It's been too long for someone.»

It must be awful. Ignis can't relax, ever. It's no surprise he can't sleep if unguarded.

Probably, I won't be able to either in a few months.

«After we're done talking, you can sleep for a few hours,» I offer.

I don't realise on the spot I'm making a useless mistake. Ignis has his guards with him. He can ask them to watch over him.

Yet, now I've said the words.

«No, thanks. You need your space, Veronica. And you don't need to take care of me if you don't wish for it.»

Of course. I knew that much.

But why do I wish to help him? Why am I still under his spell?

I'm hopeless.

«What about the letters you sent me as King Aurelius?»

«My initial plan was to convince you I wasn't a tyrant. But it all went awry because you didn't like my letters. The guards said you would scoff and complain after reading them. And you were rather loud...»

Ah, that's right. Still, he decided to abandon that plan at the first obstacle!

«I realised I had no chance. Not even by sending the hairpin could I win your heart.»

«You were unhappy I wore it!»

«I was confused. I didn't know what to feel. Then, you said you liked the bracelet more... I selected the hairpin with my own two hands. I called for the best craftsman of the capital... Yet, you like this old bracelet more...»

«Old bracelet?»

«It's from the royal treasure. It's been there from the beginning of history, I think.»

«You gifted me something that precious? Before departing for a long journey? What if I lost it? What if I sold it for profit or because of need?»

«What in that case? I gifted it to you. You can do what you want with it.»

«And here I thought it was just pretty. Turns out it's precious as well...» I moan.

Do I still have questions? It's difficult to keep track of my thoughts with Ignis in the same room.