The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

«You won't have my heart, King Aurelius.»

Ignis's eyes widen, and I attempt a shy smirk.

«Remember how I feel when I smile with warmth. You broke my heart once, and it can't be repaired just because you want it.»

«Veronica...» he whispers, looking for my hands.

Instead of stepping away, as I'd prefer, I let him grip my fingers.

«Yes?» I say with a polite smile.

«I'd prefer it if you were angry,» he replies. He looks down, feeling as sad as a man in his position can.

«I am angry.»

«Then show it. Don't make me hope for your love if there is no chance. Don't play with my feelings like this.»

«Oh, but do my feelings have any value?»

He seems to understand because he lets go and leans back.

With some distance among us, we can both breathe more freely.

It's time to end this conversation and have my room back to myself.

«I'm tired; I'd like to sleep,» I say.

Oh, and I also want a long bath full of flowers. A massage for my poor shoulders. My dearest clothes that feel the best.

I want to relax now that this awful day is almost over. It's late, isn't it?

Reaching out to his face and caressing his cheek is against my will. Yet, my hand doesn't obey my heart's command.

I pin his chin, making him look at me.

«Don't be sad,» I comment. «You've obtained what you wanted, haven't you?»

He slips out of my hold and bows his head until his lips are pressed against my palm. It makes me even angrier, for some reason.

He's not doing it because of a hidden motive, I am sure. Yet, I feel like hurting him again. But I can't slap a King twice and get away with it. Not even if I'm his wife, for goodness.

I should just retreat. Sit back on the bed and wait for Ignis to leave.

However, my body has other plans.

My fingers grip his collar, and I push him back. Instead of stopping me, he falls down.

Not a single ounce of resistance... He's letting me do as I please, looking me in the eye and not even questioning my sanity.

Why is he so cold? I meant... ehm... calm. Why is he so calm with someone as aggressive as me?

He should defend himself.

I start crying all of a sudden. Just because.

I should have been good with my afternoon of whining alone, yet now I burst out in front of the last person that should see me in this condition.

Ignis spreads his arms on the floor, showing his will not to fight. He's probably doing it to avoid scaring me.

«You fool!» I exclaim, shaking his collar.

I don't have enough strength to move Ignis a millimetre, so his chest stays in the same position while the shirt is tossed around.

«Couldn't you just court me like any normal person?» I continue sobbing and whining on top of him.

Then, my body changes ideas and stops being violent. My hands caress his chest, moving slow yet unstoppable towards his abs.

«You could just use these looks of yours. It wouldn't have been so difficult,» I continue. My voice is still trembling, but I stopped crying. At least that.

Now, I'm assaulting a man's pride by touching him all over.

And again, no reaction from Ignis. He just lets me do it.

How much patience should one have?

«Are you sure you still like me?» I wonder.

I've just had a mental breakdown. And now I'm licking my lips while undoing random buttons on his shirt.

Not that I have any intention of taking it off. I just want him to push me away, disgusted. Or to give in to lust and show me his true face.

«Why should I have changed my mind?» he replies, calm.

«Because I'm not like you idealised me.»

In the end, he doesn't know me that well. We haven't met for years. And now we spent only a few days together. It's too soon to say he's in love with me.

He might like my appearance. It could be because of the good old days. Or maybe he chose at random and decided it should be me.

Regardless, he has no clue about my personality. He didn't have time to learn about it!

How could he like me after this weird scene?

«I haven't idealised you, Veronica. But the more I see, the more I like you. Not even this pretence can make me change my mind.»

«What if it wasn't a pretence?»

«I wouldn't mind it, Veronica. How you act when you're hurt and raging doesn't define you.»

«Oh, but it does. People have to control themselves in those cases. It's easy to be polite when one is happy and tranquil.»

«You're right,» he sighs. «But that doesn't mean you can't act the way you want. At least with me, feel free to follow your instincts.»

«Your words are weird.» And they send shivers through my spine.

I bend lower, getting closer to his lips. I keep a close distance from our mouths so that they don't touch, but not enough to avoid my breath hitting him when I talk.

«Can you swear you won't complain no matter what I do?»

«I can. I won't fight back against you, Veronica. I swear it on my honour and my life.»

«That's so tempting, you know? A King, letting me do whatever I want...» I pull the side of the shirt apart, detaching the two buttons I forgot to undo. «Are you sure I'm a little lamb that won't take advantage of your offer?»

I place a digit on his chest, making sure he feels the nail pressing. Since he doesn't react, I scratch him. Not too deep, just enough to make him realise I'm not joking.

No reaction at all. Not even a frown. Not a single word.

«Oh, I'm ready to test your honour today, your Majesty,» I whisper, dragging my hand on his stomach.