Chapter 75: The King's Shadow

I caress my husband's forehead and remove the locks that might annoy him. His face is so calm while sleeping. At least, it's not difficult to sit still if I observe him from this close.

«Oh, my,» I sigh. «Why have things to be so complicated?»

Can I really make it a fault for not telling me the truth? I also am hiding my identity. I should be more understanding...

I should stop staring now. It makes me wish to forget everything that happened and focus on the future! How can someone be this handsome, for goodness?

A couple of steps, intentionally louder than usual, make me realise we're not alone. Tobin appears from the entrance to the central part, and he walks to us a step at a time.

His duty is to protect his King, so he came looking for us when we didn't come back for a while. Oh, what if he thinks I'm trying to make Ignis catch a cold, sleeping on the marble?

But it's so hot outside! The bench was already warm when we sat, and the sun is so pleasant today.

Tobin stops a few strides from us, and he bows before talking.

«I'm glad to see you're well, my Lady.»

It's most probably the longest sentence I've heard him say.

«Why shouldn't I be?»

He moves his eyes on Ignis, and his eyes show a little bit of emotion. He's clearly older than my husband, but I can't tell how much exactly. Ten years? Fifteen?

He looks like a man in his middle thirties, but knights don't age like other people.

Their lives are full of adventures, so most end up ageing faster. Those who don't, by some miracle, keep their youthful appearance for long. There's no midway for them.

«His Majesty isn't used to his new position yet. After the war, he couldn't return to normal life even if months had passed. And being the King is more stressful than can be shown. Every emotion can be interpreted as a weakness. Even being tired.»

Ignis isn't being weak! What in the world...

«There are some people in the capital waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His Majesty hasn't stabilised his power yet. His position is in danger every minute. Even just this journey to come here and meet with my Lady's parents cost him a lot. And it will cost even more when he comes back to the Palace.»

Ah, that's what he was trying to say.

«How can I help?» I ask.

«My humble thought is that my Lady, the Queen, can best be of help by staying close to his Majesty. There's no better help than silent support, sometimes.»

Am I being told to stay put and follow orders without talking too much nor seizing power for myself? I don't know whether to be annoyed by this insolence.

«His Majesty is used to being alone, my Lady,» Tobin continues. «He doesn't know how it feels to have someone by his side. Please, have patience with him. You won't regret it.»

That said, he turns away and guards the entrance for the rest of this hour.

It's been a weird conversation. Most of all, because Tobin was the one speaking.

But... Do his words mean he's accepting me as a Queen? He wouldn't have come here to say that if not.

Or maybe his loyalty to Ignis is so strong that it makes him overlook who his King marries.

Whatever the case, he is the man protecting my husband every day. It's better to get along with him than not.

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I can't say anything about the others, but Tobin must be loyal to his King till death. I saw with my own eyes how he protected both Ignis and me. He fought at the best of his possibilities to save our lives.

But now, I still have no clue about the rest of the delegation.

Yet... What can I even do if I doubt or don't like someone? I can't just tell Ignis to get rid of them, right?

«Please, take care of him on the way back,» I sigh. «Protect your King, Sir Tobin.»

«I won't be able to, my Lady.»

«No?» How so?

«I will be staying here.»

Isn't he supposed to tail Ignis for the whole time? How can he say he'll stay here, for goodness?

«His Majesty ordered me to protect the future Queen.»

Oh.

«Is that possible? Aren't you like... his shadow?»

«I follow my King's orders, my Lady. However odd they might sound.»

I can't disagree with this. In the end, Tobin did follow us in this weird adventure without revealing his identity. He played along, pretending to be a penniless guard.

I should have noticed right then that something was going on. Oh, I should stop thinking about it. I can't always focus only on the way I was tricked into marriage. It was a mistake, and Ignis knows it. I should move on.

But I can't seem to forget that I was so stupid. Easy to trick.

«I need to learn how to read through people,» I sigh.

Tobin doesn't say anything. But he nods in agreement.

If even the most loyal and silent Royal Guard thinks I'm a fool, then I should work on my character.

When the sun becomes annoying, a sign that lunch must be ready, I shake Ignis's shoulder lightly. I get ready to be grabbed and pushed on the bench, for his instincts react when he's woken up.

Yet, he just opens his eyes and looks at me. He even smiles.

His angelic expression makes me forget about lunch for a while.

«How are you feeling?» I ask him.

His complexion improved, and the circles around his eyes are less evident. Another hour of sleep would have solved every issue.

Unfortunately, we don't have time right now.

«Oh, can't you sleep at night like everyone else?» I mutter. «It's so difficult to take care of you.»

«I'm sorry.»

«No, you're not! You and your damned smug grin are happy to tire me!»

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