The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen
Ah, who made me a Queen?
I shall find the one who first had the idea and make him go bald!
Why in the world do I have to drink tea with these young brats?
It's an open day this morning. Everyone can come and make requests to the Queen.
Ignis has a similar day every week, but his lasts till evening. And he doesn't drink tea and converse with the people asking him favours.
The Queen, on the contrary, has to be likeable even on such an occasion.
There are over twenty young ladies, some married and some maidens, having tea with me. I was advised not to eat because they couldn't control all the food, even though it would be too much of a risk to poison someone else as a mistake.
I can drink tea because my spoon, teacup and all the rest in the table set are made of silver and other materials which react to different types of poison.
My personal maids will oversee the whole process of making tea, washing the cups in advance just to be safe.
The ladies are from noble families, but not all are of high standing. They came here more out of curiosity than a real need to make a request.
What in the world can I grant them, either way?
«Your Majesty, your hairstyle was so stunning at the coronation!» is one of the comments.
I smile at the girl as a reply, hoping I won't need to converse any further about hair. I've heard enough praise for my clear colour and shiny texture. All these blond ladies don't sound convinced while praising me, though.
Oddly enough, my hair colour was inherited by my noble father, not by my commoner mother. She's blond like an angel!
«Have you ever tried using the blonding powder, your Majesty?» one of them adds.
Blonding powder?
«They're talking about sodium bicarbonate,» Bea whispers. She's standing next to me, translating what the girls talk about when it gets complicated.
«Oh, I don't use it,» I say. It would look awful on me. My hair would become grey, not blonde. I can't even be sure the resulting colour wouldn't be blue.
I'm not willing to try it out. I like my hair! Even if being blonde seems so relevant here in Mavale, everyone is dark-haired or brown-haired in the South. Narith is still somewhere in between. Southern people also have tanned skin!
How would these delicate and white ladies react to that?
«Your Majesty should try it! It can lighten every colour!» a young maiden from the other side of the table says.
Weren't they here to ask favours?
«Is my current colour ugly?» I wonder.
I catch Lola shaking her head. She stops as soon as she notices my eyes on her. She's standing behind the guests, gritting her fists in... rage? Displeasure?
She's more touched than me by the girl's comment.
«His Majesty likes my hair, so I do not dare change anything,» I add. My grin makes the girls silent, as I can see the thoughts in their heads.
They don't add anything as they sip the tea and consider my words.
Saving them from the embarrassment, Ignis walks in. I notice because the guards salute as he's approaching us from behind my seat.
«Ladies,» his voice says. «I'm happy to see you doing well.»
They all get up and greet him, sitting back down only after he signals them to.
«Please, please, stay comfortable. I don't want this unplanned visit to be too bothersome for the ladies...»
I turn my head and smile at him. He bends down to catch my hand, and he brings it to his lips.
«I couldn't resist but come to see how my wife was faring during her first day as Queen.»
What am I, a child? I'm just partying here; there isn't anything difficult about lifting a cup and bringing it to my lips to drink.
I turn my gaze to the table again, and I find the ladies looking too intensely at their King. What is this? Shouldn't they lower their eyes?
«Shall I dye my hair blond, my King?» I inquire.
«No, why would you do that?»
He takes a single lock between his fingers and observes it with all his attention.
«Your colour is so beautiful,» he adds. He lets go of my hair and straightens. «Who told you the opposite?»
I shrug, hoping this will be enough to stop any talk about hair colour for the years to come.
«Official duties call for you, my King. Don't waste your time here!» I warn him. Because if he doesn't come to me during the night, I'll make him lose sleep even more!
He has time to come and check if the temperature of the tea is adequate. He won't pay any attention to his wife during the night because he overworked himself in the afternoon? Not until I lose my reason.
As soon as Ignis is out as if he never walked in, I can return to focusing on the job. How does one end a tea party?
The ladies in front of me are now staring in the direction where Ignis went, and they sigh. Their eyes have a weird shine. Their expressions are too love-struck for my tastes.
I wouldn't mind it, but this is my husband. Mine! Not theirs!
I clear my throat, and, magically, they turn back to me.
Now that Ignis has been here and left, they suddenly lost every interest in the tea party.
One of them even starts to talk, looking for an excuse to leave.
Too bad that a guest is announced. Surprisingly, they want to stay longer. Now, now...
The High Priest came to visit during my open hours. He knows he doesn't need an appointment, but he chose to be seen by enough people.
My servants add a chair to my right, and the priest sits down next to me. Name... Name? Ah, yes, Adelphium. I'm surprised I can remember it already.
Now, the ladies not just are willing to stay, but their eyes are love-struck again. Do they do this with every handsome man around?
Shall I try making Tobin come and leave?
«Your Majesty, I'm relieved to see you're getting used to your role,» he comments after sitting down. He waves off at the maids when they try to pour some tea for him, and he serves himself one of the sweets from the centre of the table.
«His Majesty, King Aurelius, chose me. How could I not be able to survive a few hours as Queen.»
«That's right. Our King has enough wisdom for two reigns.»
The priest talks with the ladies, showing how he has a talent for remembering names. He smiles a lot, and the ladies blush and giggle at his attention. If I didn't know better, I would think he's charming them to squeeze out some money as a donation to the temple.
I have to admit he's pleasing to look at. But that's all there is!
I mean, he's a priest of the Church. He burns people for things they don't have any power on!
Even if his tone is calm and melodious. Even if he pretends to be kind.
It must all be a disguise.
He smiles every time our eyes meet, and I have to grin back not to make him realise I won't act as a spy for him. At least for now.
It continues until it's late to have another cup of tea.
He is the first to get up, followed by the rest of my guests in small groups.
The first day ends without any request to the Queen. How odd, shall I even call it a win?
Oh, except to dye my hair, but that is not going to happen.
Dorotea and Melissa have brown hair, too dark to the capital's aesthetics.
Once the other ladies left, I talk to them.
«If you want to make your hair a lighter colour, do not use sodium bicarbonate. Ask Aida to find you some herbs. It will be better in the long run: you won't ruin your hair.»
«Is that the blonding powder? But... Do we have to, your Majesty?»
«No, you don't.»
Also, I don't think there will be talks about blonde hair for a while. They should be safe from the rumours.
«If anyone dares to say something about your hair colour, just tell me instead of getting angry or offended.»
«Yes, your Majesty.»
They seem happy about my concern. We weren't as close even in Narith, so they keep their distance from me. It's better this way.
Friends can become a liability, and it's very hard to trust someone inside these walls.
At least, I have my family with me. And I have Ignis. If I didn't decide to trust him, my life would be so sad.
I can't wait to meet him tonight and tell him everything he missed by leaving so soon. Especially about the lovestruck sighs.
Those are my favourite part.
Chapter 111: Lovestruck Sighs
I shall find the one who first had the idea and make him go bald!
Why in the world do I have to drink tea with these young brats?
It's an open day this morning. Everyone can come and make requests to the Queen.
Ignis has a similar day every week, but his lasts till evening. And he doesn't drink tea and converse with the people asking him favours.
The Queen, on the contrary, has to be likeable even on such an occasion.
There are over twenty young ladies, some married and some maidens, having tea with me. I was advised not to eat because they couldn't control all the food, even though it would be too much of a risk to poison someone else as a mistake.
I can drink tea because my spoon, teacup and all the rest in the table set are made of silver and other materials which react to different types of poison.
My personal maids will oversee the whole process of making tea, washing the cups in advance just to be safe.
The ladies are from noble families, but not all are of high standing. They came here more out of curiosity than a real need to make a request.
What in the world can I grant them, either way?
«Your Majesty, your hairstyle was so stunning at the coronation!» is one of the comments.
I smile at the girl as a reply, hoping I won't need to converse any further about hair. I've heard enough praise for my clear colour and shiny texture. All these blond ladies don't sound convinced while praising me, though.
Oddly enough, my hair colour was inherited by my noble father, not by my commoner mother. She's blond like an angel!
«Have you ever tried using the blonding powder, your Majesty?» one of them adds.
Blonding powder?
«They're talking about sodium bicarbonate,» Bea whispers. She's standing next to me, translating what the girls talk about when it gets complicated.
«Oh, I don't use it,» I say. It would look awful on me. My hair would become grey, not blonde. I can't even be sure the resulting colour wouldn't be blue.
I'm not willing to try it out. I like my hair! Even if being blonde seems so relevant here in Mavale, everyone is dark-haired or brown-haired in the South. Narith is still somewhere in between. Southern people also have tanned skin!
How would these delicate and white ladies react to that?
Weren't they here to ask favours?
«Is my current colour ugly?» I wonder.
I catch Lola shaking her head. She stops as soon as she notices my eyes on her. She's standing behind the guests, gritting her fists in... rage? Displeasure?
She's more touched than me by the girl's comment.
«His Majesty likes my hair, so I do not dare change anything,» I add. My grin makes the girls silent, as I can see the thoughts in their heads.
They don't add anything as they sip the tea and consider my words.
Saving them from the embarrassment, Ignis walks in. I notice because the guards salute as he's approaching us from behind my seat.
«Ladies,» his voice says. «I'm happy to see you doing well.»
They all get up and greet him, sitting back down only after he signals them to.
«Please, please, stay comfortable. I don't want this unplanned visit to be too bothersome for the ladies...»
I turn my head and smile at him. He bends down to catch my hand, and he brings it to his lips.
«I couldn't resist but come to see how my wife was faring during her first day as Queen.»
What am I, a child? I'm just partying here; there isn't anything difficult about lifting a cup and bringing it to my lips to drink.
I turn my gaze to the table again, and I find the ladies looking too intensely at their King. What is this? Shouldn't they lower their eyes?
«Shall I dye my hair blond, my King?» I inquire.
«No, why would you do that?»
He takes a single lock between his fingers and observes it with all his attention.
«Your colour is so beautiful,» he adds. He lets go of my hair and straightens. «Who told you the opposite?»
I shrug, hoping this will be enough to stop any talk about hair colour for the years to come.
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He has time to come and check if the temperature of the tea is adequate. He won't pay any attention to his wife during the night because he overworked himself in the afternoon? Not until I lose my reason.
As soon as Ignis is out as if he never walked in, I can return to focusing on the job. How does one end a tea party?
The ladies in front of me are now staring in the direction where Ignis went, and they sigh. Their eyes have a weird shine. Their expressions are too love-struck for my tastes.
I wouldn't mind it, but this is my husband. Mine! Not theirs!
I clear my throat, and, magically, they turn back to me.
Now that Ignis has been here and left, they suddenly lost every interest in the tea party.
One of them even starts to talk, looking for an excuse to leave.
Too bad that a guest is announced. Surprisingly, they want to stay longer. Now, now...
The High Priest came to visit during my open hours. He knows he doesn't need an appointment, but he chose to be seen by enough people.
My servants add a chair to my right, and the priest sits down next to me. Name... Name? Ah, yes, Adelphium. I'm surprised I can remember it already.
Now, the ladies not just are willing to stay, but their eyes are love-struck again. Do they do this with every handsome man around?
Shall I try making Tobin come and leave?
«Your Majesty, I'm relieved to see you're getting used to your role,» he comments after sitting down. He waves off at the maids when they try to pour some tea for him, and he serves himself one of the sweets from the centre of the table.
«His Majesty, King Aurelius, chose me. How could I not be able to survive a few hours as Queen.»
«That's right. Our King has enough wisdom for two reigns.»
The priest talks with the ladies, showing how he has a talent for remembering names. He smiles a lot, and the ladies blush and giggle at his attention. If I didn't know better, I would think he's charming them to squeeze out some money as a donation to the temple.
I have to admit he's pleasing to look at. But that's all there is!
I mean, he's a priest of the Church. He burns people for things they don't have any power on!
Even if his tone is calm and melodious. Even if he pretends to be kind.
He smiles every time our eyes meet, and I have to grin back not to make him realise I won't act as a spy for him. At least for now.
It continues until it's late to have another cup of tea.
He is the first to get up, followed by the rest of my guests in small groups.
The first day ends without any request to the Queen. How odd, shall I even call it a win?
Oh, except to dye my hair, but that is not going to happen.
Dorotea and Melissa have brown hair, too dark to the capital's aesthetics.
Once the other ladies left, I talk to them.
«If you want to make your hair a lighter colour, do not use sodium bicarbonate. Ask Aida to find you some herbs. It will be better in the long run: you won't ruin your hair.»
«Is that the blonding powder? But... Do we have to, your Majesty?»
«No, you don't.»
Also, I don't think there will be talks about blonde hair for a while. They should be safe from the rumours.
«If anyone dares to say something about your hair colour, just tell me instead of getting angry or offended.»
«Yes, your Majesty.»
They seem happy about my concern. We weren't as close even in Narith, so they keep their distance from me. It's better this way.
Friends can become a liability, and it's very hard to trust someone inside these walls.
At least, I have my family with me. And I have Ignis. If I didn't decide to trust him, my life would be so sad.
I can't wait to meet him tonight and tell him everything he missed by leaving so soon. Especially about the lovestruck sighs.
Those are my favourite part.
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