Chapter 194: Greetings

Ignis spends half of the night giving instructions. To me.

This is what he meant when he said I would need energy. And here I was already imagining lewd activities.

But it's not the right time. We need to get ready to face a war in every aspect, starting from the power struggles that may arise.

The Queen Dowager is in check, so she won't cause trouble for me. But the rest? The old faction opposing Ignis will surely attempt to take advantage of his absence, and the Queen Grandmother doesn't seem like someone who would miss the chance to join the party.

Other nobles will try to get their hands on every tiny trace of influence, and I'll be almost alone while dealing with them.

I'll have to check out and sign boring administrative decrees every day, making sure that money goes where it's supposed to. I'll have to attend the King's audience day, other than the Queen's. I'll be him for a few weeks: that's what being the regent means.

«Don't you dare make the war longer?» I whine.

How am I supposed to survive all this? Oh, but Ignis does so every day. He's worked so hard, right?

«Veronica...» he sighs.

«I know, I know. You don't get to decide. But please, be careful. I will be waiting for you.»

I hug him tightly, slipping on the couch until I'm closer to him. His scent fills my nose, and his arms warm me when he returns the embrace. His lips peck my forehead before disappearing in my hair.

«I already miss you,» I sigh.

«Me too. I don't know how I'll survive without seeing you for so long. I'll wonder what you're doing and if everything is all right on your end. I'll imagine you playing with Lars and feel awful because I won't be here.»

«Oh, Ignis...»

He splits from me to look me in the eye before kissing me on the lips. His fingers trail down my back, pushing me forward. As if triggered, a fire burns in my lower back, and I move even closer and stick my tongue in his mouth. He started it, so it's not my fault if we can't finish talking serious business.

And we won't be able to meet for so long! I still can hear about politics from the Ministers or from my uncle. I won't be alone in the desert.

I move back and lean my back on the sofa, pulling Ignis's shirt with me. I lie down, locking my legs around his hips and hugging his neck so that he can't escape.

«Veronica, I love you,» he says before kissing my neck.

«I love you too.»

His shoulders tremble when I press my hands, but he hides his worries and continues kissing. Tonight will be the last in a while; we shouldn't waste any more time on worries and fears.

«I love you so much...»

He hasn't said this in a long while, but it seems he's making up for it all at once.

His fingers slowly get rid of my dress while I unfasten the buttons of his shirt. Undressing each other slowly, carefully as if it was the first time, we continue touching each other, exploring our bodies and hearts.

It's been so long that I've almost forgotten how it feels. Ignis is as gentle as he was the first time, and we make love on this same couch without thinking of a break to move on the bed.

Only after we're done, sweaty from the effort and utterly pleased, do we lie down to sleep in each other's arms.

Morning comes too fast, and a servant comes to wake us. The King shall depart soon after breakfast, and he has so much to finish before that moment.

I rub my eyes while observing him getting dressed and then leaving towards the offices. Lars is brought to me, and I feed him. I play with my son for a while until it's time for me to prepare as well.

I wear a red gown, propitious for victories. Ignis's sigil is hanging on my necklace and hidden under the clothes so that no one sees it.

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I get ready, erasing any trace of emotions from my face. This is how I shall be from now on until my husband comes back. I'm becoming a regent this very day.

«If the Prince cries, I'll come and soothe him, but do not interrupt the greeting. I don't want anything to disturb it. It shall flow like water,» I say. As if a smooth departure will help a quick victory.

«Yes, your Majesty,» Bea says.

We walk in the hallways, reaching the garden in front of the Royal inner palace. This is where Ignis and I met when I came here. This is where I met the King for the first time... It has been such a difficult day, now that I think about it. I've found him awkward and distant. Yet, it was all just insecurity... For both of us!

Now we've grown up: we're parents, not kids anymore. We learnt to understand each other better, even if not fully yet. We have other priorities. And we have new challenges to win.

The delegation departing is waiting for the King, so I take the chance to greet my father. Even though at least one of his sons is expected to go with him, he didn't want to hear the reasons.

Marius will stay in the capital with me while Antonio will follow mother and protect her, Lucia, and our territories in Narith. He'll be my father's deputy while he's at the front.

Our family's army has been split into two halves, not wanting to send too many to war and leaving Narith unguarded.

Mother is standing not far from me, her shoulders straight and her face unreadable. Yet, I can tell she's nervous, worried to the bone. She'd ask my father to stay, and maybe she did ask. But neither of my parents want their sons to go fight. This is the best decision for the whole family.

But it's not easy. And I can understand her so well... I'm also sending my husband to a bloody fight. And my father, at that. What makes it even harder is that mother and I could help with the fighting. We could also find healers to treat the wounded... But we're stopped by stupid politics.

Has it always been so hard to be a Queen? Not the Queen of the human part of Alba, nor the Queen of Mages can change the situation. We have to cope with it and do our best without giving away too much about our powers.

And all is because of something inside this same place we so much wish to protect.

«Come back to me,» mother says, her eyes filled with tears. «If you don't, I'll come to look for you. Do you understand?»

Father nods, pressing her hand on his lips before hopping on the horse. He walks away before the greetings are done. He's like that: he can't stand hours of byes and best wishes. He'll gallop out of the Palace and wait for the rest of the delegation out of there. Then, he will guide them forward.

As for Ignis, he also appears. He kisses Lars's head. Our son is sleeping in a maid's arms, and he doesn't even get up to greet his daddy. How heartless of him.

As for me, I also receive a peck on the forehead and a few words of love whispered so that no one else hears.

«I have something for you, my King,» I say.

I show him my ribbon. It's the same green one I tied on his wrist so many months ago. He kept it on his wrist until I came back, and he'll likely do the same now.

I wrap it around his wrist a few times so that it's not long. It's better to avoid strings flying around, in a fight. I tie a ribbon and make sure it won't be undone by chance.

Then, I step on tiptoe and kiss his lips in a chaste peck. It's my way of wishing him good luck.

«If you need my help, just send a written request, my King,» I say, smiling wily.

I can't add anything naughtier because I'm dragged into a hot embrace, and I don't need to say anything at all when I'm in Ignis's arms.

«I will come back to you,» he says. «Just like you did. You came back to me after staying at your home for a couple months. I owe you as much.»

I chuckle, amused by his way of thinking. It's a war we're talking about... Back in the day, I wasn't fighting. I just spent some time with my family and got used to the idea of being married.

I'm not even sure it was my choice, to come back, or just the only option that made some sense.

Still, Ignis is offering a promise. Who am I to reject him?

«I'll count on your words,» I murmur.

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