The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

The journey proceeds well, all in all. The pace is good, and the knights make frequent stops and always ask me whether I'd take a walk or eat something.

They are way more kind than the first time around. I suspect they were scolded for the way they acted the first time. I can recognise a few faces from the first journey.

They bow, apologetic, every time our eyes meet.

Marius does his best to keep me entertained, but he's not used to travelling and ends up sleeping most of the time. It's also thanks to Aida, sometimes.

He knows how to become annoying, so she just makes him sleepy when he doesn't stop talking. She's not in our carriage all the time, though.

When she's here, Marius is simply annoying. But when we're alone, he tells me his worries.

I've lost count of how many times he told me not to trust Ignis even if he's the King. Not to believe what someone says in the Palace unless I confirm it first.

He escorts me everywhere, offering his arm for me to hold and glaring at the guards, making clear he didn't agree to it.

We stop at an inn tonight. As expected, Marius accompanies me to my room.

«I will sneak out and do some magic later,» I whisper.

Marius nods, feigning seriousness. But his eyes shine just like when he was little.

But first, I need to eat dinner. One of the knights always brings it to me, and they check it thoroughly before allowing me to eat.

Even when we're camping outside, they do this.

This time, it's Tobin's turn. He brings the tray inside and places it on the table. He uses a silver knife and a needle to try for poison, and he even tries a bite of everything by himself.

I'll be allowed to eat only if Tobin doesn't show any trace of potential poisoning. In the Palace, I won't need to witness this process, luckily.

It's nerve-wracking. The thought of someone getting ill or dying because of me... Oh, I'd prefer not to see it with my eyes. It's nonsense, and I don't need to be protected from poison!

In fact, I glance at Aida.

She shakes her head, signalling that the food is good. I sigh, stopping to worry about Tobin. He'll be all right.

If I can arrange for Aida to be in charge of this, I won't have people on my conscience. She can sense poison and venom without trying it on herself.

And she can heal herself or the person trying the poison.

«The food is safe,» Tobin declares after counting up to a quarter of an hour. I sit at the table and eat.

It doesn't feel tasty after all this procedure. In the capital, this will be hidden from me. And all my meals will be highly controlled.

I eat in silence under Tobin's watch and in front of Aida's sighs. This is troubling, and it reminds me of the first time. But now I know why this is happening, at least. I won't freak out.

«My Lady, you should sleep early. We'll resume the journey at dawn. We're expected to reach the capital in three days. Two if we don't take long breaks.»

«Oh, that's fine,» I say. «I don't need frequent breaks. I'll rest once in the capital.»

«Good. I will organise the rest with the other guards. Have a good night.»

As soon as the door is closed, I count to ten. Marius barges in when I reach nine, and I gesture to keep quiet. We shouldn't attract everyone's attention.

Aida shakes her head as we sneak out, and she crosses her arms while observing our furtive moves and quiet giggles.

I wave at her before leaving, passing through the backdoor and running to the forest.

«What are you going to do today?» Marius says, jumping in place as my fingers start shining. This is some light magic. I don't use it often because it has no effect other than what is obvious.

But Marius likes to see magic, so I'd do this every time he's witnessing. He loves it when I make a ball with the light and send it around to lighten our path.

He claps his hands, following the improvised lantern with his gaze. When it lightens the surroundings for us, including Tobin's silent presence, Marius startles. He reaches out to the short sword he keeps in the belt, but there's no time to take it out.

«Wait, Marius,» I stop him. «There's no need.»

«He's a witness!» my brother exclaims.

«He already knew it before. If he hasn't sold me out already, he won't do it now.»

«But... How can you be sure he won't change his mind in the capital?»

«I know it. That's all.»

«He followed you here!»

«Yes, that's what he does. He's my personal guard, Marius. If anything happens to me, he will be held accountable.»

Marius is unhappy with the situation, but he does calm down. His face is transparent.

«It's a lovely night for a walk, Sir Tobin,» I say out loud.

He just nods.

«I'll do some cheap tricks before going to the capital.»

«You're telling him everything!» Marius complains.

«It's better he knows, right?»

«No, it's not!»

«Marius, I can't hide! Not alone. If the people surrounding me know my secret, they can help me keep it hidden. But alone, I stand no chance.»

«You're not alone. I am with you. And Aida is, too.»

«We're not enough. Also, it's not like we can change our minds now. Sir Tobin knows. We can't erase his memories about the tricks I did in front of him.»

«You what?»

«Oh, it was an accident. But I'm more relaxed since it happened.»

«You're so reckless, sister!»

«I know.»

Sir Tobin stands under his tree, hidden by the shadows. I'm not even sure he's listening.

He doesn't even clear his throat to remind us of his presence.

«Do you want to see the trick or not?» I mutter.

Marius sighs.

I open my palm and light a fire. He claps his hands, forgetting the grudges of a minute ago.

A gentle breeze caresses our face and messes our hair as I move the leaves from the ground. I make them twirl in the wind before letting them repose again.

«It's late summer,» I notice. «Soon, it will be winter. And then, spring again. I love spring...»

I can exchange energy with the flowers in spring. It's the best time because both they and I have enough vibrancy to play with.

Even though working with plants is high-level magic. I'm an elementalist. I can command nature's forces, like wind and fire.

I've also learnt something about lightning, but it's pretty scary, so I avoid showing it to other people.

However, high-level spells are more useful, and they use more energy. It would be better to perform one of those and get it over with. I'll be good for a while if I do something intricate.

I find a tree with enough vital energy, and I use my power to give it even more. Without warning, a flower bud appears in front of us.

I continue with the enchantment until I'm sure it will go in full bloom again. Once we leave because these things need time.

A single flower is as much as the tree can produce right away.

«This is for you!» I say, giving the bud to Tobin. «A bribe to keep this a secret!»

He could chuckle, get annoyed, or be moved by my generosity. But, once again, he just nods and accepts the gift.

Some days, I'm glad he's my guard. Some others, I wonder if he'll use this silence to plot against me.

Yet, if Ignis trusts him, I should too. I failed at confirming that the people around my husband are trustworthy, so I better rely on him about that. Even if I was distracted by Ignis before carrying out my evaluations, I think I wouldn't have reached any conclusion even if he let me continue.

«It's getting late, my Lady.»

«Oh, sure,» I sigh.

Marius strolls behind me, pouting because I didn't give the flower to him. But he has no reason to.

I would repeat any spell if he asked me. I've always done it.

Since they were little, my siblings loved to gather with me and watch as I performed my enchantments. When they were smaller, even my spells were simpler.

As we all grew up, I learnt more complicated things and succeeded to appease their growing tastes.

In the end, I've become their secret entertainer. I would play with fire and water just for them. It didn't cost me much, and it was a chance to train my magic.

«Come on, brother. Don't pout like this!»

He doesn't seem to relax.

«Oh, Marius, don't be angry at me!» I try. «I'll be needing all your help once in the capital. Don't change your mind about protecting me!»

He frowns, his hands clenched in fists. He nods, remembering what he came along for.

I'm glad he's still as easy to manage as when he was a child.