The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

After reaching the peak of pleasure under Ignis's kisses and caresses, I let him do what he wants because I have no energy to fight back.

Also, it's not like I have any other ideas. And I can't take the lead now because last time I got hurt.

Just for this time, I'll let him do it. I'll try again later, or another time most likely.

«Ignis,» I sigh when he kisses my neck.

«You know my name now, ah?» he chuckles before nibbling my ear. «Say it, again.»

«Why?»

«Because I'm asking you.»

«Is it that important to you, your Majesty?»

«Veronica,» he moans. «Oh, I should call you Ronnie, shouldn't I?»

«No, not that!» I complain.

Why should he use my childish pet name? No one has called me like that for a few years, at least.

«Why not?»

«Because I told you not to.»

I pull his hair until he looks at me. I kiss him, and then I roll on him.

Without a split second of thought, he overturns me again and presses me down with his weight. Not that I mind.

I lock my legs around his hips, crossing my ankles behind his back. He enters slowly and carefully, just like the first time.

«Are you all right?» he asks.

I nod, and he sighs against my ear.

«Ronnie,» he adds.

I moan in between pleasure and complaint.

«You can move now,» I say before he decides to use the whole night just for this. «I'm fine.»

More than fine. In fact, I moan again when he retreats and trusts back in. It's nice, pleasant... I've missed this emotion. I've missed his breath on my neck or his passionate kisses.

«More,» I whine, grabbing his shoulders. My nails stick in his skin, leaving signs of the shape of crescent moons. «More, Ignis, please...»

He follows my orders. No, rather, he fulfils my plea.

We end up panting in pleasure, fighting for air in between a kiss and the next. We both start moaning when pleasure builds up, and we release it at the same moment or close enough.

«I love you, Veronica,» he says before rolling down and lying to rest.

His breathing returns to normal after a few minutes, and I cuddle at his side and cover ourselves with the blanket. Other than being huge, this bed is also comfortable. The mattress is perfectly soft, and the pillows are fresh and smell nice.

«I will soon become Queen,» I say. «I'm worried.»

«You will be a good Queen, Veronica. Just be yourself and be happy. Don't let it ruin your mood.»

«It's easy to say it for you! You already are a King. Moreover, you scored yourself a wife and have no worries. On the other hand, I thought I would live a reclusive life.»

«Do you want to leave me?» he inquires.

«No, unfortunately for you, I don't want that.»

«I don't want you to leave either. I want you to spend your whole life with me...»

His fingers caress the bracelet I haven't removed ever since. I even bathe with it, as it doesn't seem to react to the water.

«But I'm not sure you'll want to stay after breakfast,» he adds.

I wince.

«What happens at breakfast?»

«The Royal Family eats together in the dining room. You're not forced to come, by the way. You can eat in your room if you don't feel ready. No one will complain, I promise.»

«Oh, I don't mind. Just, I am surprised you eat with them.»

«Traditions.» He shrugs.

I raise my head and peck his cheek before returning on his chest.

«I'm married to you and not to them.»

«If you say so...»

«Don't underestimate my feelings!» I sulk. «I'm convinced in my decisions. And I'm not as dumb as to be tricked twice.»

«No, that's right. But it's not a trick. I'm sincerely concerned about how you'll react. And how they will behave with you. Just remember: you will be Queen soon! Whatever they say or do, it'll be just for a few days. Once you have the power, no one will dare to criticise you. No one.»

«Not even his Majesty, King Aurelius?»

«He's the last person that will have the right to do so. Oh, I guess even now he's in debt with you.»

«In debt?»

«You didn't annul the marriage. Nor did you choose to become a widow at your young age. You decided to give me a chance even if I tricked you.»

«It's not that easy.»

«No, of course. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. But, for now, let me be happy.»

«I'll think about it...»

«Veronica...»

«All right, all right! I'll see what you can do to earn my forgiveness.»

«Also, there's something you need to be careful about.»

«What is it?»

«The faction organising the coup has been taken care of, more or less, but there are other enemies of the crown. There will always be. Some don't even hate me as a Nerva. They just want more power.»

«The Church, for example.»

«Exactly,» he sighs.

«The Marchioness told me some things, but I'm not sure I grasped the extent of their power.»

«The Church wants to guide the Crown.»

«By guide, you mean control, right?»

«Correct.»

«You can't let that happen!»

It would mean death for me. And for my family, and my people...

«I will need your help. But I have no intention of letting the High Priest decide which path Alba needs to take. I am the King, not he.»

«Are there other people wanting your bad? Other than the Church and the group that tried to kill you?»

«Some of those getting rid of the previous King are still alive. Others fled to foreign lands. Also, there's a new faction rising right now. Old, respectable nobles. They don't like a bastard on the throne.»

«They should have protected their Crown Prince better, in that case.»

«I don't think they'll come as far as to plan my death, but in that case, the new ruler would be the current Crown Princess. Since she's just a child, the power would be in someone else's hands.»

«Are you talking about your niece? Your brother's daughter?»

«No, my sister.»

Ah, that's right. Ignis has a half-sister. I guess the regent wouldn't be his sister-in-law.

«These people will have a lot to say against me, I guess.»

«Yes,» he sighs. «With you here, there's a chance we have an heir. It doesn't even matter if it's a boy or a girl, the first of our children will steal away the spot of the heir to the throne.»

«It's early to think about this,» I chuckle. «We should first work a whole lot before having children.»

«I'm telling you what people will think. They won't feel it's too early to worry. On the contrary, those people adore worrying about everything.»

«So, what are we going to do?»

«For the moment, we need to survive. To do so, you have to get used to the capital and the Palace. You need to check if you like the personnel I assigned to you. In case, we can change it at any time. But it's better sooner than later; it will avoid problems.»

«I understand. Also, I can fulfil the duties of your wife starting tomorrow. Even if I am not Queen yet, there's a lot I can do in the meantime.»

«The Marchioness filled your head with good intentions. You don't need to sweat too much, Veronica. You'll have enough work later. Just enjoy your last days as a jobless, spoiled Duke's daughter.»

«Did you do the same before your coronation?»

«It was a different situation. Alba would have crumbled down if I took a day off back then.»

«But you were away for a month when we got married, and nothing happened!»

«Nothing happened is an overstatement. Also, you have no clue about the preparations for a month away. The Chancellor went hunting me in person because he knew it would have become difficult to take back my position if I disappeared for more than a month. Even a single day.»

«So, it was dangerous to come with me.»

«Yes, it was. In fact, it's when the factions formed. But I need my enemies to decide about themselves before being able to locate them. Apparently, Malave was left without a regent. In fact, there has always been someone doing the work. And a lot of eyes and ears, following the happenings for me.»

«So, it was part of a greater plan.»

«I just wanted to marry you. All the rest came on the way.»

«You're kidding me!»

«I'm sincere.»

«You married me to have an excuse to disappear for a few weeks!»

«Wrong. I married you because you're the most beautiful being in the whole world. And because you asked me to.»

«You came up with the idea, you swindler.»

«I wasn't expecting you to accept.»

«As if!»

How could he think I wouldn't fall into his trap? He needed zero sweat to have me fall at his feet!