The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

«How was the journey?» Ignis asks. No... Not Ignis. His Majesty, the King.

«It was pleasant, your Majesty.»

«I hope you weren't stopped from doing anything you wanted to.»

«I wasn't.»

«I'm glad.»

He smiles, and I can finally see something of my personal Ignis. It's weird, but I feel like standing next to a different person.

He has my husband's looks, but he's so different at the same time.

As if he was pretending, either with me, right now. Which one is the real Ignatius?

«Have you thought about our situation?» he continues.

«I have, your Majesty.»

«Will you tell me your response this evening?»

«Yes, I will.»

He smiles, showing his contentment for a second only.

«Will I also get my answer?» I murmur, wondering if pressing a King in the capital is allowed. I did interrogate him during our journey. Oh, I did so many criminal things after that. Yet, it didn't feel dangerous in the least.

It's only now that reality hits me in the face.

Ignis is wearing luxurious clothes. On his chest, a couple of military decorations. Overall, he gives another impression.

His boots aren't comfortable, but someone cleaned them until they shined. His hair is also less messy.

His hands are stained with ink, and a short sword hangs on his belt. It seems more like a toy, a decoration...

This is a part of Ignis I've never seen. I couldn't imagine it could exist. He's like a stranger to me right now.

I shouldn't have let him go two months ago. I should have made him stay next to me to protect him from the influence of the capital...

«What are you thinking about, my dear?» he inquires.

His words are polite yet distant. It's as if he doesn't feel anything when saying my dear.

«I'm not thinking about anything in particular.»

«Then, shall we return back?»

«Oh, yes, of course, your Majesty.»

The nerves of his temple twitch, but he doesn't say anything.

This is definitely not what I was expecting as a welcome. Oh, I was convinced he wouldn't be able to come here and greet me, to begin with.

«You should rest. I will return to my work now. We'll see each other at dinner,» the King says. «If you need anything, please don't hesitate to tell anyone in your chambers. They are there to serve you and tend to your needs.»

«Yes, your Majesty. I will remember.»

«Then, have a good day.»

He bows over and pecks my forehead. Without any warning. He just does as he pleases.

Then, too soon, he splits from me and walks away. He doesn't turn even once as he disappears from my sight.

As for me, I stare at his back like a desperate country girl not knowing how to proceed with her life.

«My Lady, please come this way,» a maid says after bowing.

She shows me where my chambers are. In the bedroom, a bath is waiting for me. Oh, awesome! At least, I'll be able to relax for a bit.

Being the King's wife must have some perks, right? Even if the King himself changed his mind, I can enjoy the luxuries for a while more.

As the maids help me get rid of the dirty clothes and leave my hair free on the shoulders, I get into the tub and sigh. The scent of lavender is helping me get rid of the stress.

The maids are delicate while helping me wash, not letting my skin be irritated. They take care of everything, and I don't need to pay too much attention.

They don't need my directives, so I relax even more.

I almost fall asleep in the water.

«My Lady, the water is cold. Shall we prepare the clothes for you to wear?»

«Oh, yes,» I sigh, stepping out.

A maid offers me her hand, but I'm not as delicate as to need support to get out of the bathtub.

I reach out for a towel and rub myself dry, leaving only the hair for the maids. I wear a cotton chemise and sit in front of the dressing table to let them continue with their tasks.

I can look at myself in the mirror like this. The eyebags are less swollen than when I just walked into this room. Yet, my complexion is still pale. I need to rest to return to my usual healthy colour.

«No makeup,» I say when the maid opens a few jars to show me the colours at my disposal. «The dinner will be private, right?»

«Yes, my Lady. His Majesty will come here to have dinner with you.»

«I won't wear any cloak. Just the dress, and please choose something comfortable.»

«Yes, my Lady.»

Around ten maids are trafficking around me. Yet, they're skilled enough not to make me wish there were fewer. They don't bother me because they're so professional.

Each one of them must have been selected after a long process, so they're the best in the Palace, second only to those serving the King and the other members of the Royal Family.

«Where is my brother?» I inquire.

«The young lord is in his lodgings. In Duke Santio's wing of Autumn Palace.»

«Fine,» I sigh. «Can I go visit him later? Can he come here?»

«The young lord can come here tomorrow morning for tea. My Lady, you're higher in status. There's no need for you to walk far.»

«But am I allowed to?»

«I haven't heard any rule forbidding it.»

«Good.»

As they dry and comb my hair, using scented oil to make it softer and shining, I continue gazing in the mirror, lost.

«We are done, my Lady.»

«You can leave, then. Just send someone to show me the way when dinner is ready.»

They curtsey before getting out, bowing their heads and walking in silence.

There is some difference from the first time I came here. And, also, from that dream.

I am not in the room I used before. I guess I was far from the King's Palace. I didn't fulfil the requirements to stay there, and it also was a little too dangerous.

But now, even if not still Queen, I'm the King's wife. It makes sense that I can stay here.

The maids haven't unpacked my things yet. I guess they will either move them to the Queen's room or wait for the coronation before starting the work. I won't be here for long either way.

If Ignis wants me, I'll go to the Queen's room. If he changes his mind, I'll go back home.

These lodgings are spacious, so I can only imagine how big the Queen's chambers can be. A whole family could live here!

The windows all show beautiful gardens, and I bet at least one is for my exclusive use. There are servants on each corner, ready to run if called.

The walls are made of solid brick, and I can't find secret passages anywhere. Other than the servant passages, of course.

Seems that security is a secondary issue with respect to privacy. In the end, here is where the Kingdom's matters are decided.

When a servant knocks on the door, I open it and look at him. He bows his head and talks after my nod.

«I'm here to show the way to my Lady.»

«The way to dinner?» I inquire. They could bring it here, for goodness. Shall I really walk far just to have some food?

Oh, whatever.

«Yes, my Lady. His Majesty is waiting for you.»

«Oh, understood,» I sigh.

If Ignis is waiting, then I should hurry. In the end, the King can't be asked to walk here to eat. I should have figured.

«Where are we going to eat?» I inquire. «In the King's chambers?»

«For tonight, the table was set in the King's chambers. His Majesty thought you would be too tired to dine in the familiar room,» the servant explains. «But the rest of your meals will be held in your chambers or in the familiar dining room.»

«The whole family eats there, right? Am I expected to attend, or should I wait until after the coronation?»

«My Lady is part of the family already. You have every right to dine there.»

«All right, then.» I shall confirm this with someone else, though. I better not trust the words of a single servant, for I might fall into a trap.

As the Marchioness explained, it doesn't really matter if I break some etiquette rule. But I prefer not to, at least until there's a crown on my head making it clear to everyone where my place is.

«It's here, my Lady. His Majesty is waiting.»

The servant opens the door and bows, waiting for me to walk in.

On the other side, there is Ignis, indeed. He's standing in front of a window, looking at the shadows outside. A table with a few candles is set not far from him, and the rest of the room is rather dark.

It feels intimate, for some reason.