The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

«You can't just take out treasures from the Palace and gift them around to win girls' hearts!» I burst out.

Then, I take a deep breath.

«I think you can't,» I tune it down. I'm not sure, but maybe the King does have the right to do whatever with the royal treasure.

«I didn't use it with girls,» he points out. «I gifted it to my wife. It's still in the family.»

Is it even a gift, then?

I observe the bracelet, and my heart starts aching at the thought that I might need to give it back.

Oh, my, my... I've grown attached to an object. No matter how cute, it's nothing I should waver for.

I'm the future Queen of Mages. And the future Queen of Alba as well.

Even though the guards and maids called me Queen, I will become one only after the coronation. For now, I'm still Veronica, daughter of Duke Bursio and wife of King Aurelius.

«Will my surname be changed?» I inquire.

Last time, I was told it's not necessary. However, it might have been all a ploy not to tell me Ignis's surname.

«Yes, it will. Oh, it must have already happened, in truth.»

«So, am I Veronica Nerva now?»

«You are.»

«How does it sound?» I murmur.

Ignatius Nerva still sounds a little off. It's not as regal as Aurelius Nerva. But, for sure, better than Ignatius Falco.

«How does it sound?» Ignis repeats, starting to sweat.

«I don't dislike the rhythm. It's not as melodious as Veronica Bursio, though.»

Oh, maybe it's because I'm so used to the latter.

«It's the law. To avoid disturbances in the future, the Queen's name is always deleted from her family register. She's then added as a member of the royal family. It happens with princesses as well. Every member of the restricted royal family can either be part of it only or not be part of it. At least, by law.»

«Familiar relationships aren't as easy to be deleted, though. You can move my name in another registry, but I will remain my father's daughter.»

«Correct.»

«So, princesses marrying are erased from the royal family's register...» I murmur.

Our daughters won't be our daughters after they marry?

I'm starting to understand why father is so against this marriage.

«Yes, that's correct. It's only a formality, though. As you said, blood is thicker than water.»

«Am I already part of the royal family?»

«You are. You still don't have the treatment of Majesty, but it's a matter of a few months. After the coronation, you will be Her Royal Majesty, Queen Veronica of Alba.»

«It will be the first time, right? The first Veronica.»

«Correct.»

He's relieved I'm talking about it without throwing things around nor screaming at him all the time.

«I need to learn proper etiquette,» I say. «I'm not even sure my curtseys are acceptable...»

«You won't need to show courtesy, Veronica.»

«I shall greet you properly while in the Palace, I guess.»

«I won't mind. As for the other two people you need to show respect to, I'll make sure they don't mind either.»

«Oh, Ignis,» I chuckle. «It's not about minding it. The whole court will see. They will make fun of me for being as graceful as an elephant. I can't allow that!»

I can't be a liability for him.

Somehow, I can't say this. It would be like admitting I don't care about his misdeeds.

He will lie to me again if I don't make it clear there's nothing to gain.

«I can execute whoever dares to make fun of you,» he says.

I straighten my back and hide a shiver. Failing, because Ignis sees it.

He sighs, getting up from the chair to reach me.

He kneels in front of me like the day when I told him I wanted to make love. He grabs my hands, and I don't react in time to shove him off.

So, like an idiot, I stare at him in a daze.

«Don't be afraid of me. I know I'm the worst husband in history. I know I tricked you and that you'll hate me for this. But allow me to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. And, please, believe me when I say I won't hurt you. Not you of all people.»

«Yours are just words,» I point out.

Last time, he told me he was afraid about his title being in the way. He made me believe he belittled his own value, this swindler. Who could have imagined he was telling me the total opposite?

That him being the King would make us argue.

Oh, he was so right.

«Sometimes, I say some things that sound cruel to you,» he continues. «But that doesn't mean I really execute people because of a single wrong word. Understand it as soon as possible, it will be better for you. If someone dares to talk bad about the Queen, to laugh at her, and make her feel inadequate, they're not just talking too freely. They are attacking me and, through me, the reign. They're risking destabilising our country to have some fun in their conversation. It's not as innocent as it sounds at first thought.»

«I don't feel as important as to execute people who slander me.»

«That is another thing you need to learn even before etiquette. You are not a noble daughter anymore. You are the Queen. You will represent Alba with our foreign delegations, and you'll take charge when I cannot. You will be my first advisor and partner, Veronica.»

«What if I make mistakes? No one asked me before giving me this responsibility.»

He nods, realising I'm too afraid to just accept and follow him into that dark pit. My life was as simple as to be hilarious. Nothing happened during my days.

And now, all of a sudden, I have to shoulder all of this.

«You won't be alone,» he murmurs.. It's the only thing he can say to hearten me.