The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

Ignis frowns while reading a paper filled with words. His eyebrows get closer to each other, making the wrinkle on his forehead deeper.

«What is that?» I ask, moving on the chair to feel closer to him. I turn my whole body to face Ignis, and I wait for the reply.

«A baronet is complaining about the local nobles about their... ehm... customs.»

«What kind of customs?»

«It's not relevant,» he sighs. «He just wants more power and uses me to get rid of those people. I have many more relevant things to do. I'll later write a reply...»

«Why? You're the King. You don't need to answer to anyone, Ignis.»

«Because I became King seven months ago. And this kind of letter is a political tool, not just a complaint.»

«All right...» I sigh. «Then let me write about it. You can sign and print your stamp. At least this I can do.»

«What can you do?»

«Write a diplomatic reply. I'm not bad at replying to letters. And I've learnt a lot about diplomacy this last month.»

He rolls his eyes but doesn't refute any of my talents.

I reach out for the letter under his widened eyes.

«No, wait, that...» he starts. But then, he seems to change his mind.

«What in the world is this? What kind of complaints do people write to you? Have they no shame? Exasperating my King like this for such a useless matter? You're too busy to solve this problem: just ignore it.»

«I'm too young and inexperienced to ignore people. I need support. I have no intention of siding with the Baron for such a matter, but at the same time, I can't just let it go. I would be seen as a depraved person.»

«So what?»

«I have a wife now. I need to protect my reputation for her.»

«Ah, right,» I chuckle. «I will write the reply...»

This letter is so... I don't know; I don't have words to describe it.

First of all, there's the usual line: to His Royal Majesty, Aurelius Nerva, the King of Alba. Then, half a page of greetings I can skip.

Who cares about Ignis's wisdom anyway.

The real problem is described in very few lines. Yet, in this bunch of words, there's an amount of information and precision that is scary.

Baron Something wrote to the King to tell him the lords of the county he serves at have unmentionable routines. Too bad he then mentions every single one.

The Count has two sons, both married. It is not hidden that he has a sinful relationship with one of his daughters-in-law. The younger one.

At the same time, the older daughter-in-law has an affair with the Count's son. The younger son.

What a mess. Oh, this baronet here has too much free time at his hands. Shouldn't someone find him a job?

«Listen to this,» I giggle. «The criminous happenings of the Count's family are well known in the whole area, yet no one dares to say anything, for we lack power and the influence to preach. I hereby beg your Majesty to stop this depravity. That family is one full of sins. I wish to keep a Kingdom as powerful as Alba free from such models. What if the people take an example and this place becomes a coven for mindless fornication?»

I burst out laughing until I need to press my stomach with a hand from how much it aches.

«It's really written: fornication,» I repeat, laughing even harder.

«You'll alert someone if you're so loud,» Ignis sighs, so calm in such a situation. «I'd prefer if I didn't have to duel with your father before going back, so please keep your voice down.»

«I can't believe people write to you about this! It's not even the first time; I can tell from your expression.»

«I can't ignore such a letter. I can't support the Count's family because it would cost me my reputation. At the same time, I can't punish a middle-tier noble because of this. Also, if I don't reply, there's the chance the Baron comes to the capital and asks for help during a public audience. It would be worse than this. I'll reply later to that. I already know how to solve it.»

«But, for real,» I murmur. «Isn't the Baron ashamed of stealing your time like this? You could have spent this night another way if you had less work...»

I pout, reaching out for a piece of paper. I already know the perfect way to reply. My skills in diplomatic answers kicked in.

Not to mention that I'll spare some time and reach the bed sooner!

«Ignis, do you plan to work all night?»

«I'm almost done,» he says, not moving his eyes away from the document he's analysing.

Aren't his eyes tired? It's so dark here... Also, he didn't sleep much during the night. I came here to help him sleep as my first motive. I'm failing!

«Ignis, you can't stay up for the whole night! You didn't sleep well yesterday either...»

«Yesterday I wasn't working,» he chuckles. «All these papers were brought by the Prime Minister.»

«I don't care! You need to sleep. You won't be in the capital for two weeks, right? These are already late by that much. What's the point of overexerting yourself?»

«Maybe I just wanted to see my wife worrying,» he tries. His smile is too smug to be sincere.

He's teasing me, this brat... And here I came to worry for real.

«Worrying your wife is not good,» I say. «At least, I helped you a little...»

I wrote two words and left the letter on the table. Can't be considered help.

Ignis reaches out for the response and sighs while reading it.

«You sure have a talent for diplomacy, Veronica. I wouldn't have come up with such poetry.»

«I know, right?» I chuckle. «But think about it. Is there a more proper response?»

I don't do it on purpose. I just wanted the Baron to realise that some issues can wait for more stable times.

«Screw them,» Ignis reads.. And he sighs again.