The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen
«I don't kill,» the Queen Dowager says.
Something in her gaze makes it believable. She doesn't kill for her own purposes. She has a line she will never cross.
Which would also mean she's not the one attempting with poison, arrows, and poison again. She might be involved with the pranks during the coronation, but she didn't go any further.
«When I was waiting for the coronation, a maid walked in my room,» I say.
She doesn't react, for I haven't said anything weird yet. Maids walk in and out of rooms; that's why we keep them around.
«She reached the mantle, one of the Royal Symbols, and tried to pour blood all over it. Goat blood, I guess.»
«Oh, how unfortunate,» she sighs.
«She didn't succeed, luckily.»
«Of course, she didn't. We wouldn't be talking this leisurely if she did. Someone incapable of keeping the Symbols safe isn't fit to be Queen.»
«I see. So, if the mantle was soaked, then my coronation was at risk.»
«Not really. What was at risk was your reputation. And, sometimes, it's worse to lose that than our head. Especially for us Royals.»
«Can you guess who was my first suspect?» I say with a cheery voice as if it was in the past. An old prank no one deems offensive anymore.
Oh, for me, it is inoffensive. But I would have panicked wasn't it for my magic. I would have screamed for help and rubbed the mantle until ruining the fur.
«I can't imagine it,» the Queen Dowager replies. She's looking me directly in the eye, telling me silently not to dare to point my finger at her. Because she wouldn't do something like that, not because she hates being suspected.
As far as I know, she's proud of her position even now that she's not ruling anymore. For her, ruining a Royal Symbol is a taboo, just like killing, if not even worse.
«I thought it had been Princess Gratia,» I say. «It was so childish that it made me laugh. But then, I changed my mind.»
«My daughter doesn't have the power to organise pranks. The person you're looking for has two characteristics. First of all, it's someone close to the King. In the Royal Family or out of it, it's someone powerful. And, by consequence, it's someone married. A married woman.»
«A married woman? It doesn't make sense,» I chuckle. «They want to marry Ignis!»
Oh, I got distracted.
«Ehm... I mean, to marry Ignatius.»
«There are quite a few possibilities. It could be a woman with a daughter.»
Is she pointing her fingers against herself now? Oh, well. She's out of the list of suspects already. When she told me she wasn't the one, I believed her.
I might be naive and easy to trick, but something in her way of behaving is so convincing... I glance at Aida, conveniently walking in the room together with the maids.
She nods, confirming my suspicions. The Queen Dowager is telling the truth.
«So, I should watch my back from married women with daughters old enough to marry?» I say.
«Oh, not only them. Let's say... From married women in general.»
«Which basically means everyone except your daughter,» I chuckle.
I haven't met any unmarried lady yet, for they're usually not allowed near the Queen. At my parties, only married women attend. Except for the open days, but those are really an exception for a ton of things.
Other than my ladies in waiting, which came with me from Narith, there aren't unmarried women around me.
«I would tell you what I suspect, Queen,» she says, then. «But you wouldn't believe me. It's better if I keep it for myself to think. I wouldn't risk ruining the little agreement we reached so far.»
«As for Gratia...» I say. «My husband doesn't want to send her away. It's not his intention, and we're both looking for a way to stop this wicked plan. Yet, if the messages continue travelling, someone will come and claim an agreement. The King might need to accept because of the reputation of our country, then. We don't want a war, not for futile motives. Even though an Empire so far from us would have very little to gain from a war.»
«Far?» she says, her eyes suddenly raging. But then, she calms down. «Empire?»
«Isn't the Princess supposed to be married on the other side of the continent?» To a man with concubines, at that. Someone with four thrones for Queens, of which only three are occupied, as of today.
«The one I read was for the Movusha Empire.»
We stare at each other in silence for a minute. A whole minute we use to wonder whether trusting each other's words is wise.
But then... What reason do we have to lie? Such a detail like the location... It really has no meaning. The problematic part is marrying off, or even signing an engagement for a kid; for the current Crown Princess.
«Someone is firmly set on marrying the Princess off,» I say. «So set to the goal that they sent a message all over the world. We might be late, Queen. And we might have never had a chance to get out of it without a war.»
Using a child for this... What cruelty!
«Even if the King accepted the first proposal coming to him, the others would have felt tricked. The faraway empires might leave us alone... After all, they have a lot more to think about. But the neighbouring countries would take it as an offence. If more of them were to agree and start a war... It wouldn't be a nice situation.»
«We don't lack military power,» I point out. If there's something Ignis has proved already, it's that he can win wars. But indeed, Alba should have some peace right now. We're not ready to fight.
«Ah, youngsters are always so full of energy! Military power is not all, child,» she says, lecturing me with her tone and glare. «We would need new weapons, a lot of food, and money... Some of the fields near the borders would stop producing for a few years, and people would feel hunger. That's when the real problems start: then, having a cursed being as their King will impact their ordinary lives. Rebellions will rise, and no matter how your King's strategies and skills could bring many victories... It's not all about fighting. And it's not all about the enemy.»
I wasn't expecting this outburst.
«Moreover, that stubborn bastard doesn't want to listen,» she adds.
Maybe, if she didn't call him like that, there would be a chance he let her talk! And I might even listen to the sober parts of her discourses if she wasn't this ready to offend my husband!
Weren't we here to sign a truce? Weren't we ready for peace? I don't want to be the only one to concede, and she has to learn how to show respect. To a human being; not just to her King.
She continues her talk, but I can't understand a word. I'm still raging about calling Ignis a bastard.
«He sends me away, stopping any attempt to talk with him in the office. Just like with you... As I suspected, he was the one making the decision I wasn't to cross your door.»
«My husband isn't a bastard,» I point out, my tone suddenly cold.
No matter how much I can agree with her on other things, the way she treats Ignis is simply too cruel. She has always done and always will. Unless someone forces her to stop.
She raises a brow, not moving any other muscle. Her gown is spread on the sofa, her back is straight. The rings on her fingers testify to her regality.
She's a Queen in all aspects. No matter how hard I try, I won't ever reach her level of elegance and posture.
But that doesn't mean she can talk as she wants. It doesn't mean I have to fear her.
«My husband is the King of Alba,» I remind her. «He's the man allowing me to be here, pleasantly conversing with you.»
She relaxes a little, knowing very well I'm not stopping here. Yet, she seems to understand the point on her own.
«Not only you,» I add. Just to be a little more savage. «But also your daughter. And your helpers, for what I know. No one has been fired from your entourage, and your head is firmly attached to the neck. Isn't it awesome?»
«Are you threatening me, by any chance?»
«I'm just reminding you, Mother, that my husband has the power to get rid of us both. We are Queens, indeed, but we should never forget to whom we owe our titles. I wouldn't be here if I didn't marry my husband, after all.»
And she wouldn't be here if he didn't decide to let her live. To tolerate all her cruel words.
«I won't let you treat him like that for long. You know... My priorities are all messed up. Taking care of the people attempting on my life won't look so urgent after witnessing someone being rude to my husband.»
«Take care of your words,» she says. «I am still the Queen Mother of this Kingdom.»
«Oh, but are you? Really? Mother?»
I chuckle, crossing my arms.
The ladies behind the Queen Dowager widen their eyes in surprise, disapproving this un-ladylike gesture. Now, after everything I've said. Now, they react.
«You shouldn't be so sure of the King's patience. He won't tolerate it forever. Even if his nature wouldn't bring him to hurt his family... I wouldn't say the same about me.. It would be a bet between us, Mother. Which Queen would the King decide to save?»
Chapter 132: Two Queens (2)
Something in her gaze makes it believable. She doesn't kill for her own purposes. She has a line she will never cross.
Which would also mean she's not the one attempting with poison, arrows, and poison again. She might be involved with the pranks during the coronation, but she didn't go any further.
«When I was waiting for the coronation, a maid walked in my room,» I say.
She doesn't react, for I haven't said anything weird yet. Maids walk in and out of rooms; that's why we keep them around.
«She reached the mantle, one of the Royal Symbols, and tried to pour blood all over it. Goat blood, I guess.»
«Oh, how unfortunate,» she sighs.
«She didn't succeed, luckily.»
«Of course, she didn't. We wouldn't be talking this leisurely if she did. Someone incapable of keeping the Symbols safe isn't fit to be Queen.»
«I see. So, if the mantle was soaked, then my coronation was at risk.»
«Not really. What was at risk was your reputation. And, sometimes, it's worse to lose that than our head. Especially for us Royals.»
«Can you guess who was my first suspect?» I say with a cheery voice as if it was in the past. An old prank no one deems offensive anymore.
Oh, for me, it is inoffensive. But I would have panicked wasn't it for my magic. I would have screamed for help and rubbed the mantle until ruining the fur.
«I can't imagine it,» the Queen Dowager replies. She's looking me directly in the eye, telling me silently not to dare to point my finger at her. Because she wouldn't do something like that, not because she hates being suspected.
As far as I know, she's proud of her position even now that she's not ruling anymore. For her, ruining a Royal Symbol is a taboo, just like killing, if not even worse.
«I thought it had been Princess Gratia,» I say. «It was so childish that it made me laugh. But then, I changed my mind.»
«My daughter doesn't have the power to organise pranks. The person you're looking for has two characteristics. First of all, it's someone close to the King. In the Royal Family or out of it, it's someone powerful. And, by consequence, it's someone married. A married woman.»
«A married woman? It doesn't make sense,» I chuckle. «They want to marry Ignis!»
Oh, I got distracted.
«Ehm... I mean, to marry Ignatius.»
Is she pointing her fingers against herself now? Oh, well. She's out of the list of suspects already. When she told me she wasn't the one, I believed her.
I might be naive and easy to trick, but something in her way of behaving is so convincing... I glance at Aida, conveniently walking in the room together with the maids.
She nods, confirming my suspicions. The Queen Dowager is telling the truth.
«So, I should watch my back from married women with daughters old enough to marry?» I say.
«Oh, not only them. Let's say... From married women in general.»
«Which basically means everyone except your daughter,» I chuckle.
I haven't met any unmarried lady yet, for they're usually not allowed near the Queen. At my parties, only married women attend. Except for the open days, but those are really an exception for a ton of things.
Other than my ladies in waiting, which came with me from Narith, there aren't unmarried women around me.
«I would tell you what I suspect, Queen,» she says, then. «But you wouldn't believe me. It's better if I keep it for myself to think. I wouldn't risk ruining the little agreement we reached so far.»
«As for Gratia...» I say. «My husband doesn't want to send her away. It's not his intention, and we're both looking for a way to stop this wicked plan. Yet, if the messages continue travelling, someone will come and claim an agreement. The King might need to accept because of the reputation of our country, then. We don't want a war, not for futile motives. Even though an Empire so far from us would have very little to gain from a war.»
«Far?» she says, her eyes suddenly raging. But then, she calms down. «Empire?»
«Isn't the Princess supposed to be married on the other side of the continent?» To a man with concubines, at that. Someone with four thrones for Queens, of which only three are occupied, as of today.
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«The message I received was from Ventis, one of the neighbouring Kingdoms.»«The one I read was for the Movusha Empire.»
We stare at each other in silence for a minute. A whole minute we use to wonder whether trusting each other's words is wise.
But then... What reason do we have to lie? Such a detail like the location... It really has no meaning. The problematic part is marrying off, or even signing an engagement for a kid; for the current Crown Princess.
«Someone is firmly set on marrying the Princess off,» I say. «So set to the goal that they sent a message all over the world. We might be late, Queen. And we might have never had a chance to get out of it without a war.»
Using a child for this... What cruelty!
«Even if the King accepted the first proposal coming to him, the others would have felt tricked. The faraway empires might leave us alone... After all, they have a lot more to think about. But the neighbouring countries would take it as an offence. If more of them were to agree and start a war... It wouldn't be a nice situation.»
«Ah, youngsters are always so full of energy! Military power is not all, child,» she says, lecturing me with her tone and glare. «We would need new weapons, a lot of food, and money... Some of the fields near the borders would stop producing for a few years, and people would feel hunger. That's when the real problems start: then, having a cursed being as their King will impact their ordinary lives. Rebellions will rise, and no matter how your King's strategies and skills could bring many victories... It's not all about fighting. And it's not all about the enemy.»
I wasn't expecting this outburst.
«Moreover, that stubborn bastard doesn't want to listen,» she adds.
Maybe, if she didn't call him like that, there would be a chance he let her talk! And I might even listen to the sober parts of her discourses if she wasn't this ready to offend my husband!
Weren't we here to sign a truce? Weren't we ready for peace? I don't want to be the only one to concede, and she has to learn how to show respect. To a human being; not just to her King.
She continues her talk, but I can't understand a word. I'm still raging about calling Ignis a bastard.
«He sends me away, stopping any attempt to talk with him in the office. Just like with you... As I suspected, he was the one making the decision I wasn't to cross your door.»
«My husband isn't a bastard,» I point out, my tone suddenly cold.
No matter how much I can agree with her on other things, the way she treats Ignis is simply too cruel. She has always done and always will. Unless someone forces her to stop.
She raises a brow, not moving any other muscle. Her gown is spread on the sofa, her back is straight. The rings on her fingers testify to her regality.
She's a Queen in all aspects. No matter how hard I try, I won't ever reach her level of elegance and posture.
But that doesn't mean she can talk as she wants. It doesn't mean I have to fear her.
«My husband is the King of Alba,» I remind her. «He's the man allowing me to be here, pleasantly conversing with you.»
She relaxes a little, knowing very well I'm not stopping here. Yet, she seems to understand the point on her own.
«Not only you,» I add. Just to be a little more savage. «But also your daughter. And your helpers, for what I know. No one has been fired from your entourage, and your head is firmly attached to the neck. Isn't it awesome?»
«Are you threatening me, by any chance?»
«I'm just reminding you, Mother, that my husband has the power to get rid of us both. We are Queens, indeed, but we should never forget to whom we owe our titles. I wouldn't be here if I didn't marry my husband, after all.»
And she wouldn't be here if he didn't decide to let her live. To tolerate all her cruel words.
«I won't let you treat him like that for long. You know... My priorities are all messed up. Taking care of the people attempting on my life won't look so urgent after witnessing someone being rude to my husband.»
«Oh, but are you? Really? Mother?»
I chuckle, crossing my arms.
The ladies behind the Queen Dowager widen their eyes in surprise, disapproving this un-ladylike gesture. Now, after everything I've said. Now, they react.
«You shouldn't be so sure of the King's patience. He won't tolerate it forever. Even if his nature wouldn't bring him to hurt his family... I wouldn't say the same about me.. It would be a bet between us, Mother. Which Queen would the King decide to save?»
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