Chapter 74: A Tired King

When the delegation is settled, I grab Ignis's hand and drag him with me.

He turns to Tobin, always nearby, and waves him off. Ignis doesn't need protection when he's with me either way.

Finally alone, we stroll in the garden and get lost in the green maze father built for us when we were children. As we grew up, with a little magical help and tons of love, it grew up with us.

Now the bushes are high enough to hide adults.

«Come with me,» I say, walking in the familiar path.

Ignis doesn't struggle, nor does he say anything. He just follows.

Oh, if I was his enemy, this would be the perfect moment to strike. What if he follows other people like this? I'll talk to him later if I notice he is too easy to convince.

Also, in this condition, he shouldn't trust me either. He's so tired and gloomy that he wouldn't even notice if I had some ill intention.

Does he trust me this much, or he's so exhausted that he follows the first person dragging him away?

«Here,» I exclaim when we finally reach the centre.

There is a fountain circled by large benches. Not as comfortable as sofas, but better than those smaller in the garden. Here, we used to play with the water and sit on the bench to rest when we were children.

I sit down in front of Ignis and pat on my lap until he realises my intentions. He sits next to me and lies down, placing his head on my lap.

Even though the marble stone of the bench must be uncomfortable, he looks at me with a timid smile and sighs in peace.

My left hand immediately sinks in his hair while the other caresses his face with slow, relaxing movements.

This is relaxing for me as well, to be honest.

«You can sleep, Ignis. I won't throw you in the fountain or cut your hair while you're distracted,» I point out.

«I want to look at you. I can sleep when I get back to the capital.»

Oh, that will be when he'll have even more problems.

«I don't believe you,» I say.

«It's no surprise.»

«Yet, I want you to sleep now. How's that? Can a wife order her husband like this?»

Well, not if the husband is a King. But things became so complicated that it's difficult to keep track of the protocol. And I did way worse to this man till now.

If I haven't been executed yet, I should be safe to say a word or two, even if improper.

«I can't sleep at command, Veronica,» he chuckles. «But I can stay like this some more, can't I? It's so comfortable...»

«Don't lie,» I giggle. How can this marble be comfortable?

At least the sun is warming us without being too insistent. It's a nice day to have a nap outside.

«When are you expected to leave?» I ask him, trying to break this silence. Even though I should stay quiet and let him rest.

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«Tomorrow,» he murmurs, his voice slightly drowsy. Oh, this is good: he's getting sleepy.

Even if it's just an hour or less, it will help him.

«That's so soon,» I say, without realising I'm talking out loud.

We won't see each other for months after this. Have I already grown used to Ignis's proximity? So soon?

Oh, is this some kind of addiction? I don't feel like the day can really start unless I see him.

But then, when I see him, I want to remind him I'm unhappy. Ah, I'm going crazy.

That's perfect: a crazy Queen next to the cruel tyrant.

But how am I going to spend months far from Ignis? Will I finally snap out of this weird daze and go back to being rational?

If we don't meet for so long, my infatuation will tune down. I'm looking forward to it. I don't like being prey to my emotions, especially because I miss important details.

But first, no ill will there be if I have my fill.

«Can you come to my room tonight as well?» I say.

«You will kill me like this,» he murmurs.

He closed his eyes a minute ago. I thought he would stare forever, yet here we are, a step from falling asleep. Also, this time, there's no spell helping him. It's his exhaustion only.

«I won't play the same trick twice in a row, I promise.»

And I'm not looking for fast, weak gratification. I want to talk with him before he leaves. We can agree on the terms for our future life as a married couple.

Boring details like how to call each other in public and how in private. How often to sleep in each other's bed, more to soothe any gossip. How to answer the most trivial questions, like: why in the world did his Majesty disappear after marrying me?

Without realising, Ignis starts snoring lightly.

I bite my lower lip to stop a chuckle. This is so cute, really! He said he wouldn't sleep, and here he is: completely defenceless in my arms.

I can't even stop caressing his hair because he frowns in his dreams every time. I'm stuck at consoling him even when he doesn't know it.

Do I even care about his lies at this point?

Only time will tell whether my feelings are genuine or just a consequence of my husband's handsome looks. For now, I don't want to fight against myself.

It's a difficult battle, and I'll end up losing either way.

Also, I'm hiding my identity from him as well. It's true I don't have a second purpose but to defend my life. Yet, I am lying, in a sense.

I can't find the courage to tell the truth to Ignis yet, even if he already knows about my powers. Even if he showed me that he's not afraid.

Is this how he felt?

I guard Ignis's sleep without noticing the figure approaching until he reaches us.

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