The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen

It's been three days without seeing Ignis. Without the legitimation of a crown, I can't exactly roam in the King's Palace.

I have to be asked for before going to Ignis's room.

And he hasn't asked. He avoided me for three whole days!

He did send a message of apologies. Oh, he didn't say apologise because there is a G. He said sorry.

Seems like he's very busy with some secret things I might be able to know in the future. Yet, right now, I can't even inquire about ruling matters.

In the hopeless attempt to see him during the meals, I eat in the dining room with the rest of his family. Since Ignis isn't here, they leave me alone.

It's odd they don't take the chance to pick on me. And I would even let them! I don't care so much about what they say, so they could use these meals to say their worst. Since Ignis isn't here to listen, their words have no meaning.

I bet they realised too since the meals are silent. The Queen Dowager talks with her daughter. Princess Juliet avoids anyone's eyes...

Just the usual.

In such an atmosphere, three days pass so slowly.

Tomorrow is the coronation, and I'm expected to meet the Priest that will carry the celebration. I don't like the thought that a member of the Church will put a crown on my head, but I have to bear it for our future's sake.

It's a symbol, just like everything around the Royal Family. The Church performing the celebration and giving the crown to the Kings means that the King has his power only because the Church bestowed it. Or, rather, the divinities the Church adores.

Going against the Church is going against the powers that allowed the King to rule. It's a tricky matter.

I wonder if there's a way to decrease their power without making it too obvious.

«My Lady, we've set the table for tea in the garden,» one of my maids says.

«What's your name?» I inquire. I better start knowing them.

At least my favourites, so that I can ask about them if there's some change in the personnel.

«My name is Bea, my Lady.»

«Bea...» I repeat, trying to remember. «Is it cold outside?»

«A little. I suggest my Lady wears the mantle.»

«Sure,» I sigh. She helps me with the outer layer of the dress, a beautiful blue mantle made of soft fabric. She collects the train of the dress for me, and I fold it on the elbow like usual.

My dresses didn't have trains in Narith. This is a capital thing, it seems.

It's not as bothersome as it looked the first few times. In the end, I need to raise my gowns a little if I have to walk. Train or no train, it's the same thing.

Yet, the overall image seems to be more elegant for some reason. As if having one hand always busy makes a lady more refined.

«You will accompany me, Bea.»

«Yes, my Lady.»

We get out and meet, finally, a familiar face.

«Sir Tobin!» I exclaim. I can't believe I missed him.

He was my shadow for two months, so much that I got used to being trailed. When he disappeared, I felt light and free for something like twenty minutes.

Then, I realised I would be surrounded by people at all times and started missing Tobin.

«His Majesty sent me to protect my Lady,» he explains.

«I was going to have tea in the garden with my brother. Would you like to join?»

«I will follow my Lady, but I shouldn't sit at the same table.»

«It wouldn't be the first time,» I point out.

«I'm aware. But this is the capital, my Lady. Every action has consequences.»

«Oh, I understand,» I sigh. «At least, you'll be close enough to talk...»

«That is correct, my Lady.»

As we walk out, I set foot for the first time in this area of the garden. This will be my exclusive garden from tomorrow on. For now, I've had to ask for permission to use it. Still, I have very little to do. Writing the plea used some of my extra time.

Even just getting ready for the coronation should employ most of my time, but I can't think of trying dresses for the whole time. I learned the procedure in Narith, so I'm ready to follow the protocol.

I don't need to try again and again, for goodness.

Marius is waiting for me, and he bows his head when I appear. I point at the chairs with my hand, and he walks there to help me sit before getting comfortable.

He's received a few teachings about etiquette as well, or he wouldn't be this courteous.

«You don't need to follow the protocol when we're alone,» I point out.

«It's fine. I need to train, regardless.»

The maids serve us tea and step back to let us talk.

«You must be nervous,» Marius comments. «Tomorrow is your big day.»

«Ah, it's not like I'm getting married,» I sigh.

«Whatever,» he murmurs, regretting his worries.

«You'll have to call me majesty,» I giggle. «Isn't it annoying?»

«A little.»

I reach out to the pastries and choose one filled with fruits. Where did they get strawberries from? It's autumn...

«You're lucky, brother. You won't need to deal with the Royal Family daily. It's even more exhausting than talking with the King.»

«I have to talk with officers of the Government daily. You haven't met them yet, right?»

«Hmm... Not yet. Has uncle taken his place?»

«He will in three or four days. After you become the Queen officially. Your ladies in waiting are also on the way. Soon, you'll have all the protection fit for a Queen.»

«I don't feel in danger, though.»

«I don't know what to say. It is rather calm. Suspiciously calm... I guess your husband took care of anyone who would oppose your coronation.»

We eat and chat, quite unbothered by the servants, to be sincere. The tea is hot, perfect for such a gloomy day. The clouds covered the sky, so there's little light.

The mantle protects me from the cold, except for the fingers. The cup of tea warms them, so it's nice having tea outside.

As Ignis explained, I can't eat anything out of my rooms or the dining room. Yet, they made an exception for today.

When I become Queen, this garden will be part of my area in the Palace. I'll be able to have tea parties here, other than in the Queen's tea rooms.

Bea walks to us with small yet fast steps. She stops in front of me and curtseys, waiting for permission to talk.

«What is it?»

«My Lady, the High Priest is here to see you.»

«The High Priest? Is he the one who will officiate tomorrow?» I mumble. «Let him come here, then. He can join us for tea.»

I sip from my cup, curious about how a High Priest looks. I guess he's a middle-aged man, wearing purple clothes and golden rings around his fingers.

As I get ready to face the enemy of my people, all without giving away my real thoughts, I feel a strong magic force approaching. It's not as powerful as I am, but it could be counted as one of the strongest of this era. Maybe at Aida's level of magic. Maybe a little more.

It's true. The Church does love to attract mages and submit them to their rules.

Sometimes, they find a few among the commoners and make them choose between living under their rules or burning to death. More often, though, the Church's mages are nobles born with the talent without any apparent reason

It does happen that a mage is born from humans, just like sometimes mages' children don't have powers.

We're not different species, after all. We're all humans, just some have the aptitude of governing natural energies in a way or the other.

Marius can't use magic. He was born without. Yet, as a Queen's son, he was taught how to discern mages among people.

He widens his eyes and looks at me. If the High Priest senses my powers... Oh, we don't know what could happen.

I'm stronger than him, so the most likely decision will be to get rid of me. Since I'm a threat.

Yet, he might not know how to measure magical powers. The Church does have rituals for that, but their mages aren't taught too well about how to use their senses. Maybe, he won't be able to sense the exact amount of my magic.

Oh, I could try hiding my aura. But that wouldn't solve it.

I can decrease my aura until it looks almost normal. Yet, I can't hide it completely. A mage will always feel my magic, no matter how hard I try to push it down.

I have to make a decision.. Now.