The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

I wake up in the King's bed. Yesterday, I didn't go back to my room because I'm not sure how to reach it from here.

Also, I was not in the mood to walk in the dark.

Ignis is still sleeping on his side, so I crawl in his direction and observe him. He's sleeping; how cute.

He's sleeping! Didn't he have issues with insomnia? Did he solve it all while I was away?

I pout, wondering if he could relax only when I was far enough not to cause trouble.

I caress his face, wondering if he'll react like the first time. And... he does!

He rolls over me and presses me down.

Oh, it's not quite like the first time. He's not very aggressive this morning. He just pins me down. No hand around my throat and no glaring. Rather, he's observing me with a grin.

«Taking advantage of your husband while he's sleeping?» he inquires. He doesn't let me go. My right hand is pressed next to my head, but the other is free to touch.

I resume caressing his face, and he smiles before bending down to lick my ear.

«It's such a rare occurrence to see you sleep,» I explain. «How could I resist, your Majesty?»

«Don't call me like that,» he moans.

«Make me stop, then.»

«I might not complain about being woken up early,» he whispers.

«Might?»

«I haven't decided yet, wife.»

«How much do we have till breakfast?»

«No one will ask the King why he is late.»

«The reason will be evident if the King's wife is late as well,» I point out. «Even without asking.»

«It's reasonable, my dear. We haven't seen each other for two months.»

«Oh, yes. After eloping, at that.»

We roll in bed during the morning, making love until it's time to get up. A knock signals the servants waiting to help us get ready, and I observe the gown from yesterday.

«Here,» Ignis says, giving me a clean nightgown.

This was here? Does he keep female clothes out of habit? Or was it in preparation for my arrival?

«You don't need to go back; you can get ready here. The maids will help you, and there are some clothes in the wardrobe.»

«You had everything ready,» I say. «Were you so certain I would spend the night here?»

«No, of course not. It was just my most secret wish,» he reveals, bowing down to kiss my hand. «I prepared for every option.»

«Oh, that's it...»

So, it's for me, indeed. Not for any other lady.

I wasn't this worried about the competition while I was married to Ignis, the guard. Yet, King Aurelius is another matter.

His power and riches will attract many flies like honey. I can't risk lowering my guard.

Even if I did say I wouldn't make problems with his mistresses, I have no intention of allowing one.

Indeed, if a lady manages to pass through my cares and still catch Ignis's attention, I won't interfere. But it won't be as easy as picking a flower in the garden.

I smile at Ignis when our eyes meet; the door opens. A wave of maids run in, helping Ignis with his clothes.

«My Lady, shall we help you?» one of them asks.

I nod, and they take out the clothes I will wear. From today, I'm a member of the Royal Family. As such, I can't allow myself comfortable clothes.

I wear the various layers they pass me. The outer gown is filled with embroidery from cleavage to rim. The shirt is richly decorated, mostly with the royal symbol: a lily flower. It's red, the threads golden as well as the buttons. Some jewels are nestled here and there. The cloak is long and silky.

The maid collects the train of the cloak and helps me fold it on my arm, around the elbow. Just like any noble lady, I shall raise the mantle to show the choice of colours. The dress is red and royal, the mantle is white and pure.

My hair is braided and then folded in two buns on top of my ears, tied by silken ribbons. A light tiara, made of silver and gold, is then leaned on my hand and kept in place by invisible hairpins.

No lock of hair is let down, for I am a married woman, but the hair from the front is loosened, giving the impression of longer bangs.

All in all, I still look young and fresh, even if austere and... well, married.

I don't like makeup, so I let my face stay a little pale. In the end, I just came from a long journey.

Meanwhile, a few steps from me, Ignis is getting dressed as well. I turn in his direction from time to time, careful not to be caught.

The maids shall know I'm watching them. Ignis better not.

I don't want him to think I'm observing the servants just because they're female and potentially interested in him.

Oh, it was so nice when it was just the two of us!

I know Ignis won't have a maid as a mistress. It's how he was born, after all, and he's so set on not having bastard children.

Yet, the maids can't know this. They will try all the same, and men's hearts are weak.

«Shall we go, wife?» he says, adjusting the jacket under his mantle.

He smiles at me as if I was his source of joy, and we walk out hand in hand.

Well, maybe he won't fall prey to any other woman just yet. Not the first days of marriage, at least. I can risk lowering my guard and letting everyone breathe.

I'll have other thoughts to work on sooner or later. I shouldn't waste time.

«This is the room where the Royal Family has their meals. You are allowed to eat here or in your chambers. Nowhere else unless notified in advance. You shall also ask permission for going out of the Palace.»

«Am I a prisoner, now?»

«When the Queen walks out of here, there are certain measures to be taken. To organise the guards and your escorts, please warn someone at least a day in advance.»

«All right,» I sigh.

«Also, bear it for today. You don't have to eat with them if you don't want to. Except for a few special days, but only after the coronation... So, please don't run away just yet!»

«Ah?» I moan. What is he preparing me for? Constant verbal sparring with the rest of the family? How many will we be, by the way?

«Entering his Majesty, King Aurelius, and his wife, Royal Consort Veronica.»

The announcement surprises me a little. Will we be announced every time from now on? Even just for a meal?

I'm already tired! I can't imagine poor Ignis after a few months like this.

The rest of the Royal Family is waiting. Not all, I guess.

There are three tables in total. The one in the centre is the King's. Here only the core members of the family will sit. His stepmother, sister, niece, and so on.

On the other two tables, there are the late King's brothers and their families. Everyone here is a direct descendant of a ruling King or a spouse of a descendant.

The seat with the bigger chair is Ignis's. He sits at the head of the table, and a servant moves the chair for me. I'm on his left. In front of me, there's the Queen Dowager.

She stares at me for a second, not losing a single detail with her pitch-black eyes. Her hair is tightly tied on top of her head, and the rich jewels decorate her face and chest with the most regal demeanour I've ever seen.

This is how a Queen shall look like. Will I ever have this image?

«Finally,» she comments. «Good morning, Ignatius.»

«Morning, mother,» he spits out. Not one of them is happy with the other, but they're talking.

Their eyes exude antipathy, but they can't kill one another just yet. What a situation...

«It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Veronica.»

«The honour is mine, your Majesty,» I say, bowing my head.

«I see... Alba will soon have a new Queen. So many Queens in a single Palace, ah?»

I nod, not knowing how to reply. Am I even supposed to say anything?

«Gracy, dear, greet your sister-in-law...» she continues, turning to a beautiful and blond young girl. She's ten, if I remember correctly. The first Princess, and currently the Crown Princess.

«Welcome to the Palace, sister-in-law,» she says. Her eyes analyse me just like the Queen Dowager did a few moments ago.

The Queen Grandmother isn't here, and she won't join us. I wouldn't be able to sit next to Ignis if she did, for I still am not a Queen. My status is lower than theirs, for the moment.

Next to me, the former Crown Princess observes her plate and tries to become invisible.

Crown Princess Gratia is Ignis's younger sister. Half-sister.

Princess Juliet is his late brother's wife, the former Crown Princess.