The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

The Royal Palace is just like I remember it. Even my room is exactly the same. The guards in front of the door, the maids...

Everything is the same it used to be.

A knock on the door makes me startled, and I open it to see who it is.

Ignis.

«Hello,» I say, trying to smile. Yet, I'm too confused to properly command my face muscles.

«I brought you lunch,» he replies. «You need to eat.»

«Oh, sure,» I chuckle. «Do you want to sit down?»

«I can't, my Queen.»

«Queen? I am not yet a Queen.»

«You are. The King declared you so.»

«The King? Why are you talking about it in the third person? Is this another form of etiquette?»

I knew about the Royal We, but nothing about a Royal Him.

«Are you playing a prank, Ignis?»

«No, my Queen. I just delivered your lunch.»

«What King delivers lunches, come on! You don't need an excuse to come here.»

«What King?» he says, utterly confused. «I am not the King. I am Ignis, the guard.»

I blink, wondering if our adventure together was just a dream.

«It was a mistake, Veronica. A mistake,» he then adds. «We should have waited.»

His face turns serious again, and I open my eyes wide to understand where his voice comes from. Because the Ignis in front of me is not talking at all.

«It was a mistake,» Ignis, the guard, repeats. «You're the Queen. I'm just a second son of someone.»

I press my hands on both sides of my head, trying to keep my thoughts clean. What is going on? Who am I talking with? Am I turning crazy?

«You are not crazy,» he replies, even though I didn't say anything. «I am.»

«You, what?»

«I am the crazy tyrant. Aren't you afraid of me? The curse I bring with me will catch you, sooner or later... You're just as unlucky to be mine...»

His face is now smirking, but not a sweet smile. It's a cruel, merciless grin.

«It was a mistake to get married, and divorce is not possible. There is only one way to get free, now...»

«Get free? You want to be free from me?»

«Exactly, Veronica. I'm here to end it. Aren't you happy? Soon, you won't be tied to me anymore. You will be free as well.»

I take a step back, observing his figure once again. It's Ignis, I'm sure of it.

At the same time, he doesn't feel like him.

His right hand is holding a dagger... Where did he even find one? When did he take it out?

He takes a step in my direction, and I stumble on the bed.

He raises his arm, aiming at my heart. I know he'll pierce my heart instead of... I don't know, cutting my throat or wounding my stomach.

«You'll be free,» he repeats rather mechanically. «Aren't you happy?»

I start panting in panic; my lungs hurt because of the absence of air. My body aches whole, and I open my eyes.

I'm covered in a cold sweat, and the dark has never been this frightening.

My nerves are unresting.

I turn to the side and try dispersing the nightmare. But it's impossible.

Every time I close my eyes, I see Ignis's void expression while he's intent on killing me.

When I open and stare in the dark, I can't help but imagine dark figures moving in the black corners.

I will turn crazy. I need to move my body, do some magic and relax my brain. I need to forget whatever this nightmare was.

«You found the perfect time to leave me and go to the capital,» I sob while reaching for the mantle on the chair. I wear it, covering my bare arms with the soft, dark grey material.

I walk out of the residence and leave through the back garden.

I don't fear the forest in the dark.

Differently from my room, this place is comfortable. I don't fear the shadows because the trees and animals would warn me if there was something dangerous.

I wander for a whole hour, finally getting rid of the anxiety of the nightmare.

I finally reach the small private lake and get rid of the mantle.

I would usually swim naked on a night like this one, but tonight I feel vulnerable. I keep the nightgown on while slipping in the water.

The full moon reflects on the water as I move towards the centre of the lake. I take a deep breath before diving in.

As soon as I'm completely surrounded by water, I let my magic out. The calm of before disappears as streams form out of nothing.

It twirls around me as my hair follows the water.

I'm convinced the surface is turbulent now, but I can't see it because I've closed my eyes and focused on feeling the chilliness of the water alone.

When I've used my powers without the need to take care, I feel better. A little free-er.

I direct the water and return back to the shore.

I dry the nightgown with a light, hot breeze. I can do this when I'm in complete control, without worries of burning myself.

While collecting my cloak, I notice a pair of man's footprints next to it. They reach the water, probably walk a few steps in the lake, and then come back and disappear into the forest.

Someone was following me.

All of a sudden, I'm relieved that I kept my clothes on.

«Who's there?» I ask out loud. «Better come out now because I don't have much patience.»

Maybe, it's someone I can buy with a few coins. If I'm lucky, they won't even recognise me. The tale of a witch bathing in this lake won't be enough to bring us harm.

First of all, because it's an old and well-known story. It's a legend the folks like to repeat, and it's nothing other than my mother's youth habit to come here and make magic.

This is where she and father met, according to her stories.

No one will find it suspicious if another witch is seen here because no one would know it's actually another one.

In front of me, Tobin stands as if he did nothing wrong.

«Were you afraid I would escape?» I scoff, annoyed. He tailed me till here.

How did he even notice I came out? Does he keep watch twenty-four hours a day?

«I saw my Lady sneaking out of the residence and followed for her protection.»

«Who told you I needed protection?» I rebuke.

It's a violation of my privacy. And he also found out my first secret.

Now, I am in danger... unless I convince Tobin that he didn't see what just happened.

«His Majesty ordered me to protect you, my Lady. It's my duty to ensure your protection even during secret nocturne strolls.»

«And, now that you've ensured my protection, can you leave?»

He looks at my dry nightgown, not really surprised.

He saw the turmoil on the water. Damn it, he even came forward to save me! But then, he must have realised and come back.

Since he left the prints, he was in some kind of surprise or panic. I don't think the Captain of the Royal Guards would leave traces if not.

Hence, he didn't know anything before this day.

«What is going to happen now?» I inquire. Better know where I stand.

If I have to kill him to protect my family and my life, I will. Even if he's Ignis's trusted man.

«I don't know, my Lady.»

«Haven't you seen any witch burning on the stake? You must have discerned something. How does it go? Do they immediately sentence her, or there's even torture?»

I wrap myself in the cloak and walk forward. To my surprise, Tobin doesn't flinch. He waits for me and follows me back in silence except for his brief replies.

«I do not know.»

Somewhere at half of the path, he talks again.

«No one will burn you on the stake, my Lady.»

«Why are you so sure?»

«First of all, because his Majesty wouldn't let them.»

«And secondly?»

«I don't see any reason to. Does the Church know about your... abilities?»

«They do not.»

«Then, you're safe, my Lady.»

«You won't tell me off?»

«I was sent here to protect you. Not to cause your death.»

«Aren't you scared?»

«Should I be?»

«No, I am not dangerous. I control myself pretty well... usually. I haven't hurt anyone without the intentions.»

Tobin looks at his boots while walking, pondering about whether to tell me his mind or not. In the end, he speaks.

«Have you used your magic to save his Majesty's life?»

«What? How do you know?»

«His Majesty told me you saved his life when you were children, but I didn't know the details.»

«It was so long ago,» I sigh.

«Still, you saved his life. Your magic can't be ominous if it let him live.»

Oh, if it was so easy to convince the Church....