The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen
Finally, after long periods of preparations, I can meet Ignis's fan club!
I mean, I can meet the people who admire him as much as I do. Other than me and Flavius, others in Alba know his worth, but they don't have the chance to be heard.
It's been difficult to locate them, but it's been worth it. The net Adelphium wanted to offer me isn't as alluring because I already am building one. And these people can't betray me because they are not loyal to me!
All they want is recognition for the right people. They don't want to stay silent when people badmouth our King by calling him cursed.
I've collected all of the soldiers who would stand up and defend their King when listening to people saying crap about him. That's how I test whether they can do their job or not.
If they don't stay silent to listen when there's nothing they gain by defending Ignis, they will be on his side while being paid for it.
I can't meet everyone, and there's no need for them to know that I'm the one organising the operation «Defend King Aurelius's Name».
I just meet with the leaders of the groups from time to time. And today we will have the first meeting face to face.
«Are you nervous, sister?» Fernard asks while moving the chair for me.
«Not much,» I say. «These people are friends, after all. And we're not doing anything too dangerous. At most, it will turn out useless.»
«It won't. I'm sure that one day we will see the effects. And we will be happy that day.»
«And Ignis? Will he be happy about it?» I wonder.
«He will. Now, he's working hard to keep Alba alive. He doesn't avoid you on purpose, I'm sure of it!»
«Yes?»
«Yes.»
He even smiles to encourage me.
«Am I that transparent? Or is gossip already circulating?»
«I haven't heard anything, actually. Gossip is quiet about this matter. But I know how our King becomes when he's deep into work. And I know that he loves his family too much to let something hurt you.»
«Is that so? He loves us? He's so bad at showing it, though. Before, he was so open about his feelings. I had no doubt about anything. But now... It's not like that anymore.»
«It's been three days since the execution. Samuel was like a brother to him. Ignatius is grieving. I mean, the person, Ignatius. Not the King, Aurelius. The King is just busy, seemingly.»
«He spends so much time with Aestas. Not that I'm jealous, I know how he feels and the child does need love. But I envy her. She found a path to his heart that I can't see.»
«It will pass. It's just a difficult period. Give him time.»
«I will,» I say. «I won't press him anymore because it didn't work before. But I also am worried that, if I do nothing, we will be driven even further apart.»
«There's nowhere he can run away to,» Fernard points out. «The King can't just leave everything and disappear. Unless he's on honeymoon with the Queen, of course.»
«What if he's regretting marrying me?»
«He's not. You two have a son, for goodness' sake.»
«Yes? Is that enough? I've heard of marriages turning wrong after having a son.»
«My father and my mother loved each other more than ever after I was born,» he tries.
«Oh, right.» Not everyone is wicked like the late King.
And even if it comes to that, I can save it. I can avoid turning bitter like the Queen. Ignis won't treat me like his father did with his spouse, ever. Even if he gets tired of me. He's just that kind of person.
«He did take care of me in any way possible,» I realise. «I should do the same.» Possibly, without making it weigh on his shoulders.
A light knock interrupts our conversation, and Fernard straightens his back and stands next to me. He's here to give the soldiers a reason to trust me. He's vouching for me.
Tobin is standing in the corner of the room, silent and on guard. Aida is with a couple of maids.
Everyone is ready, and the first three people walk in.
«Your Majesty,» they greet me. Then bend the knee and bow their head deeply. «We're honoured to finally meet you.»
«Rise.»
«We are Settimio, Pellio, and Aquila. We were summoned by your Majesty to discuss our tasks and duties...»
«Settimio? Oh, you were the first I found!» I realise. «It's a pleasure to meet you. All three of you. I heard a lot about your prowess, and I chose you to lead the operation. Our King doesn't enjoy a good reputation with the people. We need to change that. But to do so, we need to act at a capillary level.»
«Yes, your Majesty!»
I turn to the maids and order some snacks.
«If I made a move from here, someone might try to undo it by any means. I can't just organise big events and say it's the King's will. His enemies, those who are working hard on ruining his image, wouldn't be happy. But why work at a low level, no one will notice something is going on. Or, better said, it will be too late when they notice.»
«What do we need to do?»
«I will employ poets to write songs about the King. You will tell them about the most epic events, and they will write the songs. Then, these songs will be played everywhere. Still, to work, people need to like it. Just poets won't do.»
«Yes, your Majesty? Not just poets?»
«I don't need just poems and stories. I also need folk songs. I don't know enough about the matter, and it seems that folk stories haven't been studied yet. Unfortunately, we need time before finding a more schematic way of producing folk entertainment.»
They nod, and I see a light in Aquila's eyes.
«Yes?» I ask him.
He startles, not expecting to be asked so soon.
«Soldiers can sing,» he says. «It's how we survive the war, after all. There's always someone who plays an instrument after dinner. We build our own songs, and more than once people liked them. I think it's because they sound authentic. It moves something in people's heart when a story has truth in it.»
«And do you know how to compose?»
«I'm not very good, your Majesty. But among the soldiers we recruited, many are doing that as a living.»
«Yes?»
«I recruited more than twenty by myself these last five months. It was easier than with the others because they don't have a job to lose. Most of them have been wounded and can't work.»
«Wounded? Don't they have any income from the throne? They were hurt defending their home, after all!»
«That... I don't understand.»
«Never mind...» I murmur. But this has to be taken care of. Especially if Alba faces a war. People will fight with less fear if they know their families will be safe in case something happens to them.
I need to find out a way to do this without emptying the Royal Treasure: a war by itself is costly, the wounded people will be more than we can count.
«Let's continue. I have enough resources to pay you for your work. You won't need to suffer hunger while defending our King's name. My secretaries are still computing the different options, but I will make sure it's enough for your hard work. Still, I can't promise you will be recognised officially for what has been taken away from you. The battle happened long ago, and it would be off if the King awarded himself.»
«We don't need that,» they say. «It's enough if people know. We prefer our families and friends, our villages to know the King is a hero and that we were there. It's enough for us.»
«That will depend on you. If we succeed, no one will be able to use bad gossip against the King. People will love him, won't they?»
«Some already do,» Aquila says. «Even with the voices about his depravity... We know he's not as they depict him, and we told everyone around us.»
«But to explain the gossip of depravity, we need a back story,» I add.
«I might have one... But only if your Majesty agrees. There is something that could explain the gossip.»
«Try me.»
«A jealous admirer.»
«Of whom? The King?»
«The King or the Queen, doesn't matter. Someone who wants to split your Majesties.»
«The gossip started before I came here,» I point out. «And it's done by the nobles because they are evil. There's no jealousy and no real plan behind it.»
«It doesn't really matter. People can't know it, and everyone will assume it's the case.»
«Don't use the people who were just executed,» I warn them.
For Ignis's sanity, should the gossip ever reach his ears.
«And make it the King's admirer. It's easier to believe and manage.» Lest Ignis believes there's really someone who wants me.
«I understand, your Majesty. It's also easier to arrange. The woman admiring the King doesn't need to exist, by the way. It's a story for the people, not for the court.»
«Good. I like this plan.»
I mean, it must be nice to hear a story about a woman who wants my husband but can't have him because of me.
«Just make it with sense,» I repeat. «It should sound believable.»
«We will, your Majesty.»
Chapter 181: Songs From The Front
I mean, I can meet the people who admire him as much as I do. Other than me and Flavius, others in Alba know his worth, but they don't have the chance to be heard.
It's been difficult to locate them, but it's been worth it. The net Adelphium wanted to offer me isn't as alluring because I already am building one. And these people can't betray me because they are not loyal to me!
All they want is recognition for the right people. They don't want to stay silent when people badmouth our King by calling him cursed.
I've collected all of the soldiers who would stand up and defend their King when listening to people saying crap about him. That's how I test whether they can do their job or not.
If they don't stay silent to listen when there's nothing they gain by defending Ignis, they will be on his side while being paid for it.
I can't meet everyone, and there's no need for them to know that I'm the one organising the operation «Defend King Aurelius's Name».
I just meet with the leaders of the groups from time to time. And today we will have the first meeting face to face.
«Are you nervous, sister?» Fernard asks while moving the chair for me.
«Not much,» I say. «These people are friends, after all. And we're not doing anything too dangerous. At most, it will turn out useless.»
«It won't. I'm sure that one day we will see the effects. And we will be happy that day.»
«And Ignis? Will he be happy about it?» I wonder.
«He will. Now, he's working hard to keep Alba alive. He doesn't avoid you on purpose, I'm sure of it!»
«Yes?»
«Yes.»
He even smiles to encourage me.
«Am I that transparent? Or is gossip already circulating?»
«I haven't heard anything, actually. Gossip is quiet about this matter. But I know how our King becomes when he's deep into work. And I know that he loves his family too much to let something hurt you.»
«Is that so? He loves us? He's so bad at showing it, though. Before, he was so open about his feelings. I had no doubt about anything. But now... It's not like that anymore.»
«It's been three days since the execution. Samuel was like a brother to him. Ignatius is grieving. I mean, the person, Ignatius. Not the King, Aurelius. The King is just busy, seemingly.»
«It will pass. It's just a difficult period. Give him time.»
«I will,» I say. «I won't press him anymore because it didn't work before. But I also am worried that, if I do nothing, we will be driven even further apart.»
«There's nowhere he can run away to,» Fernard points out. «The King can't just leave everything and disappear. Unless he's on honeymoon with the Queen, of course.»
«What if he's regretting marrying me?»
«He's not. You two have a son, for goodness' sake.»
«Yes? Is that enough? I've heard of marriages turning wrong after having a son.»
«My father and my mother loved each other more than ever after I was born,» he tries.
«Oh, right.» Not everyone is wicked like the late King.
And even if it comes to that, I can save it. I can avoid turning bitter like the Queen. Ignis won't treat me like his father did with his spouse, ever. Even if he gets tired of me. He's just that kind of person.
«He did take care of me in any way possible,» I realise. «I should do the same.» Possibly, without making it weigh on his shoulders.
A light knock interrupts our conversation, and Fernard straightens his back and stands next to me. He's here to give the soldiers a reason to trust me. He's vouching for me.
Tobin is standing in the corner of the room, silent and on guard. Aida is with a couple of maids.
Everyone is ready, and the first three people walk in.
«Your Majesty,» they greet me. Then bend the knee and bow their head deeply. «We're honoured to finally meet you.»
«Rise.»
«We are Settimio, Pellio, and Aquila. We were summoned by your Majesty to discuss our tasks and duties...»
«Settimio? Oh, you were the first I found!» I realise. «It's a pleasure to meet you. All three of you. I heard a lot about your prowess, and I chose you to lead the operation. Our King doesn't enjoy a good reputation with the people. We need to change that. But to do so, we need to act at a capillary level.»
«Yes, your Majesty!»
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«First of all, you may rise. Please, have a seat and have some tea.»«If I made a move from here, someone might try to undo it by any means. I can't just organise big events and say it's the King's will. His enemies, those who are working hard on ruining his image, wouldn't be happy. But why work at a low level, no one will notice something is going on. Or, better said, it will be too late when they notice.»
«What do we need to do?»
«I will employ poets to write songs about the King. You will tell them about the most epic events, and they will write the songs. Then, these songs will be played everywhere. Still, to work, people need to like it. Just poets won't do.»
«Yes, your Majesty? Not just poets?»
«I don't need just poems and stories. I also need folk songs. I don't know enough about the matter, and it seems that folk stories haven't been studied yet. Unfortunately, we need time before finding a more schematic way of producing folk entertainment.»
They nod, and I see a light in Aquila's eyes.
«Yes?» I ask him.
He startles, not expecting to be asked so soon.
«Soldiers can sing,» he says. «It's how we survive the war, after all. There's always someone who plays an instrument after dinner. We build our own songs, and more than once people liked them. I think it's because they sound authentic. It moves something in people's heart when a story has truth in it.»
«And do you know how to compose?»
«I'm not very good, your Majesty. But among the soldiers we recruited, many are doing that as a living.»
«Yes?»
«I recruited more than twenty by myself these last five months. It was easier than with the others because they don't have a job to lose. Most of them have been wounded and can't work.»
«Wounded? Don't they have any income from the throne? They were hurt defending their home, after all!»
«That... I don't understand.»
«Never mind...» I murmur. But this has to be taken care of. Especially if Alba faces a war. People will fight with less fear if they know their families will be safe in case something happens to them.
I need to find out a way to do this without emptying the Royal Treasure: a war by itself is costly, the wounded people will be more than we can count.
«Let's continue. I have enough resources to pay you for your work. You won't need to suffer hunger while defending our King's name. My secretaries are still computing the different options, but I will make sure it's enough for your hard work. Still, I can't promise you will be recognised officially for what has been taken away from you. The battle happened long ago, and it would be off if the King awarded himself.»
«We don't need that,» they say. «It's enough if people know. We prefer our families and friends, our villages to know the King is a hero and that we were there. It's enough for us.»
«Some already do,» Aquila says. «Even with the voices about his depravity... We know he's not as they depict him, and we told everyone around us.»
«But to explain the gossip of depravity, we need a back story,» I add.
«I might have one... But only if your Majesty agrees. There is something that could explain the gossip.»
«Try me.»
«A jealous admirer.»
«Of whom? The King?»
«The King or the Queen, doesn't matter. Someone who wants to split your Majesties.»
«The gossip started before I came here,» I point out. «And it's done by the nobles because they are evil. There's no jealousy and no real plan behind it.»
«It doesn't really matter. People can't know it, and everyone will assume it's the case.»
«Don't use the people who were just executed,» I warn them.
For Ignis's sanity, should the gossip ever reach his ears.
«And make it the King's admirer. It's easier to believe and manage.» Lest Ignis believes there's really someone who wants me.
«I understand, your Majesty. It's also easier to arrange. The woman admiring the King doesn't need to exist, by the way. It's a story for the people, not for the court.»
«Good. I like this plan.»
I mean, it must be nice to hear a story about a woman who wants my husband but can't have him because of me.
«Just make it with sense,» I repeat. «It should sound believable.»
«We will, your Majesty.»
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