The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen
The Priest is waiting.
«Let him in, Bea. Also, alert Sir Tobin and Aida, but don't let Aida come in yet. She has to stay in the next room, close enough to intervene but out of sight.»
While things are arranged, I sit at my favourite place and observe how Flavius continues playing undisturbed. He exchanges words and screams with Lars, offering his finger to be clenched and smiling content every time it happens.
I didn't know these two could get along this much.
The maids bring me something to snack on while talking with the Priest, and I also have a glass of freshly-squeezed juice.
When everything is ready, I give the glass back and get ready for the meeting.
«Let him in,» I say. This Priest has no magic, so he's no threat. It's just a matter of politics and reminding them they can't take Ignis's people away.
«Greetings, your Majesty,» he says after walking in.
He's a middle-aged man in between his late forties and early fifties. His hair is already grey, but his face doesn't have wrinkles. Even the silver locks are fluent like those of a youngster.
He's not as athletic as Adelphium, but I guess not every Priest can be. Still, the man in front of me can be considered fit. Only a little fat around his waist, not too much, makes him even more likeable. I wonder if my husband will become like this too, with age.
Oh, a forty-year-old Ignis. I can't wait to witness his more mature versions! I just need to survive long enough to enjoy the show.
«My name is Arabeus Malva. I am a Cardinal of the Church, and my role entails dealing with gifted people.»
«Gifted people?» I say, confused.
«What folks usually call witches or... mages.»
The last word is said almost with pain.
«I work in the department dealing with them. I came here to confirm some voices that reached us not long ago. I would have come earlier, but... well, I was busy.»
«I see. What voices?»
«I heard the newly-born Prince is one of them,» he says.
«And?»
«I'm here to confirm what kind of mage he is. Whether a Saint, someone Alba will be happy to have, or an evil witch who will destroy all of us.»
Your mother is a witch, you piece of...
«And I'd like to test your Majesty as well,» he adds.
«Me?»
«There's a chance you have potential. Wouldn't it be awesome? Alba, protected by not one but two Saints.»
Don't make me laugh. I am no saint... On the contrary, my mind is usually so wicked.
«Oh, but I would have known if that was true,» I point out, pressing a hand on my heart. «Even if your accusation was correct, I would be useless. If I lived this long without any trace of magic, I can't be powerful, right?»
«Magic? That's how folks call it,» he scoffs. «It's not magic but holy energy. If the little Prince, and maybe your Majesty, is capable of casting spells, the Church will take on itself to educate him properly. We will teach him how to control it and how to use it for everyone's benefit.»
«Yes?» I hum, tilting my head. «Does the King know about it?»
«He surely does,» the Priest says with a smile that wants to be friendly but fails.
His eyes fall on Flavius, and the Priest is distracted by the Mage walking in the room with the Prince in his arms and his hair up straight because of the lightning energy.
«Your Majesty, you should be careful who you leave your son with,» he comments, leaning back on the armchair and suddenly following every single move of the two boys entertaining each other.
«Oh, I'll remember your advice!» I exclaim. «I won't leave my son to anyone if I'm not around. Anyone at all, except the King.»
«Your Majesty, what I meant is... The Prince might be influenced by the unholy energy. It's better to keep him far from... From the Crown's weapon.»
«Flavius is no weapon,» I point out. «In fact, he's my son's guardian.»
Arabeus's face turns pale, and he starts sweating while looking for a way to make me change my mind. If only he wasn't this predictable, he would be funny.
What does he think? I'll do everything they want just because I talked a couple of times with Adelphium?
Well, it turns out that Adelphium isn't here now, and a Cardinal is lower in rank than the High Priest. As such, I don't need to convince this person that I am on their side. I can play dumb and wait for Adelphium to be sent back to me.
«Is everything all right?» I inquire, covering my mouth with a hand and feigning concern. I couldn't care less whether he feels well or not.
«Your Majesty... That man is dangerous,» he says, bending forward and looking me directly in the eye.
«I know. That's why I entrusted my son to him. No one can hurt little Laurentius if Flavius protects him!»
«Your Majesty is too trustful. That kind of person is unpredictable...»
Oh, not that much. It is true that Flavius doesn't respond to normal reasons, but of one thing I can be sure: he won't hurt Ignis for anything in the world. As a result, he's falling in love with Ignis's son.
«I was expecting his Excellency, the High Priest, to come to visit,» I add. «I haven't seen him since the birth. Is everything all right?»
«Oh, sure, it is! The High Priest is busy lately, but he shall visit your Majesty soon!»
«Yes?»
«Of course! The Church is a complex organisation, and we have a lot of issues to solve every day. It's a difficult period, but we will always make time for you, your Majesty.»
Ah, as if I was interested. The one I need is the one who helped me bring my child to this world. The others aren't useful to me. Oh, no, rather... They're dangerous. Adelphium isn't a threat because we already know something about each other.
He knows about me, most likely, while I know he didn't tell the whole truth to the Church. If they want to test me, they don't know about my powers. If they did, they wouldn't bother testing because I can hide myself well enough with my level of magic.
If Adelphium had described the amount of energy and the events he witnessed, they would know for sure that I am a Mage, powerful and hiding since the beginning.
«Your Majesty, would you like to visit the Temple one of the next days?» Arabeus says.
«I'm still weak from childbirth. In the future, I'll make sure to visit. For now, however, I prefer not leaving my room.»
Even if I'm all healthy and look so good, I'm a woman a few days after a shock like the delivery. I shouldn't be seen around too often, or people might wonder if my recovery was too quick or suspicious.
«Your Majesty ought to know that not everyone is to be trusted. There are many people with evil powers, ready to use them for their own gain. The Church keeps them under supervision, intervening when the situation escapes control. No one better than me knows about the awful things witches can do.»
«Oh,» I sigh.
What kind of control is he talking about? The Church burns everyone with an ounce of power. Unless for some exceptions when they manage to bring the Mage on their side, this is how things end in all the other cases.
No matter how kind and optimistic his words can be, I know their real nature. It makes me stay rational and not fall into any trap.
«Will the High Priest come anytime soon?» I insist, hinting at the close relationship between us. It's easier if they think they can use him to manipulate me: I won't need to watch my back from every side, but just from where he will stand.
«I promised him to visit the Temple, and I hope he won't mind if I'm late in fulfilling my words.»
«No one will blame your Majesty.»
«I'm relieved... What about Laurentius, though? What was that about his education? Will someone from the Church come to teach him regularly?»
As if I haven't understood it already. They want to take my child away.
«No, your Majesty. But every Temple will be open for him. The little Prince can be brought to us once or twice a week, and we'll tend to all of his needs while teaching him. Your Majesty will have no reason to worry.»
«I'm not worrying, in fact. Just, the Crown Prince won't leave the Palace so often.. It's about his security; we can't just do as we please.»
Chapter 177: Arabeus
«Let him in, Bea. Also, alert Sir Tobin and Aida, but don't let Aida come in yet. She has to stay in the next room, close enough to intervene but out of sight.»
While things are arranged, I sit at my favourite place and observe how Flavius continues playing undisturbed. He exchanges words and screams with Lars, offering his finger to be clenched and smiling content every time it happens.
I didn't know these two could get along this much.
The maids bring me something to snack on while talking with the Priest, and I also have a glass of freshly-squeezed juice.
When everything is ready, I give the glass back and get ready for the meeting.
«Let him in,» I say. This Priest has no magic, so he's no threat. It's just a matter of politics and reminding them they can't take Ignis's people away.
«Greetings, your Majesty,» he says after walking in.
He's a middle-aged man in between his late forties and early fifties. His hair is already grey, but his face doesn't have wrinkles. Even the silver locks are fluent like those of a youngster.
He's not as athletic as Adelphium, but I guess not every Priest can be. Still, the man in front of me can be considered fit. Only a little fat around his waist, not too much, makes him even more likeable. I wonder if my husband will become like this too, with age.
Oh, a forty-year-old Ignis. I can't wait to witness his more mature versions! I just need to survive long enough to enjoy the show.
«My name is Arabeus Malva. I am a Cardinal of the Church, and my role entails dealing with gifted people.»
«Gifted people?» I say, confused.
«What folks usually call witches or... mages.»
The last word is said almost with pain.
«I work in the department dealing with them. I came here to confirm some voices that reached us not long ago. I would have come earlier, but... well, I was busy.»
«I see. What voices?»
«I heard the newly-born Prince is one of them,» he says.
«And?»
«I'm here to confirm what kind of mage he is. Whether a Saint, someone Alba will be happy to have, or an evil witch who will destroy all of us.»
«And I'd like to test your Majesty as well,» he adds.
«Me?»
«There's a chance you have potential. Wouldn't it be awesome? Alba, protected by not one but two Saints.»
Don't make me laugh. I am no saint... On the contrary, my mind is usually so wicked.
«Oh, but I would have known if that was true,» I point out, pressing a hand on my heart. «Even if your accusation was correct, I would be useless. If I lived this long without any trace of magic, I can't be powerful, right?»
«Magic? That's how folks call it,» he scoffs. «It's not magic but holy energy. If the little Prince, and maybe your Majesty, is capable of casting spells, the Church will take on itself to educate him properly. We will teach him how to control it and how to use it for everyone's benefit.»
«Yes?» I hum, tilting my head. «Does the King know about it?»
«He surely does,» the Priest says with a smile that wants to be friendly but fails.
His eyes fall on Flavius, and the Priest is distracted by the Mage walking in the room with the Prince in his arms and his hair up straight because of the lightning energy.
«Your Majesty, you should be careful who you leave your son with,» he comments, leaning back on the armchair and suddenly following every single move of the two boys entertaining each other.
«Oh, I'll remember your advice!» I exclaim. «I won't leave my son to anyone if I'm not around. Anyone at all, except the King.»
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I even smile, thankful for the helpful advice. Since he told me to be careful, he won't get mad if I don't give my child to the Church.«Your Majesty, what I meant is... The Prince might be influenced by the unholy energy. It's better to keep him far from... From the Crown's weapon.»
«Flavius is no weapon,» I point out. «In fact, he's my son's guardian.»
Arabeus's face turns pale, and he starts sweating while looking for a way to make me change my mind. If only he wasn't this predictable, he would be funny.
What does he think? I'll do everything they want just because I talked a couple of times with Adelphium?
Well, it turns out that Adelphium isn't here now, and a Cardinal is lower in rank than the High Priest. As such, I don't need to convince this person that I am on their side. I can play dumb and wait for Adelphium to be sent back to me.
«Is everything all right?» I inquire, covering my mouth with a hand and feigning concern. I couldn't care less whether he feels well or not.
«Your Majesty... That man is dangerous,» he says, bending forward and looking me directly in the eye.
«Your Majesty is too trustful. That kind of person is unpredictable...»
Oh, not that much. It is true that Flavius doesn't respond to normal reasons, but of one thing I can be sure: he won't hurt Ignis for anything in the world. As a result, he's falling in love with Ignis's son.
«I was expecting his Excellency, the High Priest, to come to visit,» I add. «I haven't seen him since the birth. Is everything all right?»
«Oh, sure, it is! The High Priest is busy lately, but he shall visit your Majesty soon!»
«Yes?»
«Of course! The Church is a complex organisation, and we have a lot of issues to solve every day. It's a difficult period, but we will always make time for you, your Majesty.»
Ah, as if I was interested. The one I need is the one who helped me bring my child to this world. The others aren't useful to me. Oh, no, rather... They're dangerous. Adelphium isn't a threat because we already know something about each other.
He knows about me, most likely, while I know he didn't tell the whole truth to the Church. If they want to test me, they don't know about my powers. If they did, they wouldn't bother testing because I can hide myself well enough with my level of magic.
If Adelphium had described the amount of energy and the events he witnessed, they would know for sure that I am a Mage, powerful and hiding since the beginning.
«Your Majesty, would you like to visit the Temple one of the next days?» Arabeus says.
«I'm still weak from childbirth. In the future, I'll make sure to visit. For now, however, I prefer not leaving my room.»
Even if I'm all healthy and look so good, I'm a woman a few days after a shock like the delivery. I shouldn't be seen around too often, or people might wonder if my recovery was too quick or suspicious.
«Your Majesty ought to know that not everyone is to be trusted. There are many people with evil powers, ready to use them for their own gain. The Church keeps them under supervision, intervening when the situation escapes control. No one better than me knows about the awful things witches can do.»
«Oh,» I sigh.
What kind of control is he talking about? The Church burns everyone with an ounce of power. Unless for some exceptions when they manage to bring the Mage on their side, this is how things end in all the other cases.
No matter how kind and optimistic his words can be, I know their real nature. It makes me stay rational and not fall into any trap.
«Will the High Priest come anytime soon?» I insist, hinting at the close relationship between us. It's easier if they think they can use him to manipulate me: I won't need to watch my back from every side, but just from where he will stand.
«I promised him to visit the Temple, and I hope he won't mind if I'm late in fulfilling my words.»
«No one will blame your Majesty.»
As if I haven't understood it already. They want to take my child away.
«No, your Majesty. But every Temple will be open for him. The little Prince can be brought to us once or twice a week, and we'll tend to all of his needs while teaching him. Your Majesty will have no reason to worry.»
«I'm not worrying, in fact. Just, the Crown Prince won't leave the Palace so often.. It's about his security; we can't just do as we please.»
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