The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen
When the delegation leaves, after a few more minutes when Ignis shows a new move to Antonio, it's morning.
Father and mother come down as well, so the whole family stands in the garden while the first carriages start moving. Ignis will be in the middle carriage, well protected by his guards.
I'm relieved he won't be in danger, at least on the way back.
«I thought a lot about what to say to you, but I can't find words proper enough,» he murmurs while holding both of my hands. «Anything would sound fake or exaggerated, but I miss you already.»
«I will come to the capital when the time is right,» I reply, trying to comfort him the way I can. «Then, we will talk about everything. Is that all right?»
«Everything?»
«We are married now: that's settled. We can't divorce or annul the ceremony, so the only thing that would make Alba have another Queen is my death. Since I still am a rational being, I'll accept things as they are. However, if we want a real marriage, we'll need to communicate.»
My parents have shown how much trusting each other is worth. They worked hard to maintain this family peaceful as it is, taking upon themselves all the problems that came after us.
As adults, Ignis and I will need to do the same.
«We'll talk, Ignis. Staying apart for a while will help us understand our own feelings. We'll have time to realise if our emotions are genuine and to cope with them. By that time, we'll be able to make a real decision. In any case, all I ask is to agree about it. Whatever our decision is, we should discuss and approve it together.»
«You make it sound like a Council meeting, Veronica.»
«It's a serious matter. It will prejudice our whole lives. We can't pretend it's not a problem. And you won't flee from the consequences of your actions, will you?»
«No, of course not. I understand what you're talking about. Indeed, we will talk about ourselves. I hope you won't hate me too much by the time you come to the capital.»
«Ignis, it's not only about me.»
I squeeze his hands, looking into his clear emeralds. One day, his eyes won't have such a powerful effect on me. I'm sure I'll grow resistant to his charms.
«You said you fell in love at first sight, right?» I continue. «It's such a sudden event. You might change your idea and realise it was a mistake. Love is not always needed for a marriage. And love is definitely not everything. All I ask you is to be sincere. When you grow tired of me, tell me. Just so I stop bothering you too much.»
I accompany my words with a smile.
«If it means having you by my side, I accept any conditions.»
«Ignis, please... Use this time apart to think about it better. Then, if you feel the same, and I feel the same, we'll continue loving each other. But, for now, don't make things more complicated. All I'm asking is time, isn't that easy to grant me?»
He nods, bringing my hands to his lips. He kisses one and then the other.
«Be careful, and listen to your teachers. Especially the Marchioness. She'll explain everything related to the capital, about your future duties, and about the dangers. I should feel sorry for dragging you into this mess, but I am too selfish for that.»
«It's too late,» I sigh. «You'll have to spend the rest of your life atoning.»
«I will!» he exclaims, almost happy for the long years of torture I'm preparing for him. «I will do anything to have you close, safe, and happy.»
«Get ready, then. I won't be easy to deal with; you can already guess that.»
He chuckles, nervous.
I can feel my siblings' gazes on the back of my head. They're wondering how a King can behave like this.
Now, after he was so amicable before. Now, they wonder.
«I will miss you, too,» I confess in the end. «Please, be careful.»
«I can write you letters. If you're willing to read.»
«Please, do. It would be nice to know what's going to happen to me before actually experiencing it. Warn me when it's time to go back, and so on...»
«Of course.»
I let him go since the carriage before his is already moving.
«You have to go now.»
Ignis bends down and leaves one last kiss, a simple and chaste peck on my forehead.
«I hate being a King,» he murmurs before turning.
Left alone, I start feeling a little lonely. But it will be over soon.
My infatuation will fade, and it'll be easier. Maybe less magical and powerful, but that will be better. I can't continue living like this, with all these sweet yearnings or the hot burning sensations under his touch.
Love isn't supposed to sway you away like this, is it?
Mother and father love each other, but they both are rational and make wise decisions. They talk, and they protect each other. But they don't spend their time kissing in dark corners and looking for a room!
Or, at least, they're discreet enough for no one to notice.
I walk back to my family and stand with them. Mother's hand caresses my shoulder, and she smiles when our eyes meet.
She's content. After all, she just witnessed the ruler of this Kingdom parting from me with difficulty. She thinks that it won't be hard to convince him to stop the witch-hunting.
Oh, it's not even his fault. It's the Church that looks for mages and forces them to pledge loyalty. And they burn everyone who opposes them.
Since I won't be one of their toys, I will end up burning if I'm discovered. This thought makes me a little worried. Even Ignis won't be able to save me, in that case.
Even these next few weeks won't be of complete freedom. Tobin is still here, and he won't take his eyes off me.
Part of the delegation will stay, but most of them won't see me too often. Other than Marchioness Crasso and the Royal Guard.
«Do not lower your guard yet; it's not over,» mother reminds me in a whisper. She must have said the same to Lucia, even though most eyes will be turned in my direction.
Performing magic like before won't be possible anymore. We'll need to start hiding even in our home.
«I guess no more flowers blooming in the winter,» I moan.
«No more anything that is too visible or can't be explained, Veronica. Be careful, and take it as training for the years to come.»
That's true. For my family, it will be a few weeks only. For me, it will be forever.
«I'm worried I'll turn crazy,» I complain. «What if I can't do magic, mother? I'll risk causing disasters like this.»
«Oh, no. You already know what to do. You just need some training to learn how to use all that knowledge. You studied all your life, Veronica. You're more adept than you might think.»
«I still think we shouldn't accept things as they are,» Marius says. «I'm not convinced. A few nice words and you're head over heels with that person.»
«Don't talk like that,» I remind him. «Ears are listening.»
«I don't think he has evil intentions,» Antonio says.
He then realises something and nods.
«I mean, not more than he already achieved.»
«He does care about our sister,» Lucia agrees. «He won't mistreat her. After all, she will be Queen. It's the position so many girls wish: there must be a lot of perks coming from it!»
Other than a handsome King by my side, I can't really think of the perks. Maybe, it'll be easy to help mages seek shelter.
«Also, it's not like Veronica can't defend herself,» Antonio adds.
He's still wearing parts of the armour. He had time to take the heavy parts off, together with the helm. I hug him, chuckling lightly.
«What am I afraid of with my brothers protecting me?» I wonder. «Who would dare to even consider hurting me with you two by my side?»
Antonio blushes while the other one's chuckle fills our ears.
«That's how I like you,» mother comments. «Lovely and protecting each other. Even failing, sometimes. It's the thought that matters.»
She seems not to care that the thought almost started a diplomatic incident.
Father's expression can't be read, but he's conflicted. On one side, he must have liked the conversations with the Chancellor. On the other hand, he dislikes Ignis.
I understand that a tyrant is difficult to accept as a son-in-law. Yet, none of us has seen his dark side. Ignis has been so sweet to me that I can't believe he actually killed so many people.
Oh, but I have time to get used to that idea. During the journey, it was easy to ignore that part.. In the capital, it won't be anymore.
Chapter 86: Enough Time To Think
Father and mother come down as well, so the whole family stands in the garden while the first carriages start moving. Ignis will be in the middle carriage, well protected by his guards.
I'm relieved he won't be in danger, at least on the way back.
«I thought a lot about what to say to you, but I can't find words proper enough,» he murmurs while holding both of my hands. «Anything would sound fake or exaggerated, but I miss you already.»
«I will come to the capital when the time is right,» I reply, trying to comfort him the way I can. «Then, we will talk about everything. Is that all right?»
«Everything?»
«We are married now: that's settled. We can't divorce or annul the ceremony, so the only thing that would make Alba have another Queen is my death. Since I still am a rational being, I'll accept things as they are. However, if we want a real marriage, we'll need to communicate.»
My parents have shown how much trusting each other is worth. They worked hard to maintain this family peaceful as it is, taking upon themselves all the problems that came after us.
As adults, Ignis and I will need to do the same.
«We'll talk, Ignis. Staying apart for a while will help us understand our own feelings. We'll have time to realise if our emotions are genuine and to cope with them. By that time, we'll be able to make a real decision. In any case, all I ask is to agree about it. Whatever our decision is, we should discuss and approve it together.»
«You make it sound like a Council meeting, Veronica.»
«It's a serious matter. It will prejudice our whole lives. We can't pretend it's not a problem. And you won't flee from the consequences of your actions, will you?»
«No, of course not. I understand what you're talking about. Indeed, we will talk about ourselves. I hope you won't hate me too much by the time you come to the capital.»
«Ignis, it's not only about me.»
I squeeze his hands, looking into his clear emeralds. One day, his eyes won't have such a powerful effect on me. I'm sure I'll grow resistant to his charms.
«You said you fell in love at first sight, right?» I continue. «It's such a sudden event. You might change your idea and realise it was a mistake. Love is not always needed for a marriage. And love is definitely not everything. All I ask you is to be sincere. When you grow tired of me, tell me. Just so I stop bothering you too much.»
I accompany my words with a smile.
«If it means having you by my side, I accept any conditions.»
«Ignis, please... Use this time apart to think about it better. Then, if you feel the same, and I feel the same, we'll continue loving each other. But, for now, don't make things more complicated. All I'm asking is time, isn't that easy to grant me?»
He nods, bringing my hands to his lips. He kisses one and then the other.
«It's too late,» I sigh. «You'll have to spend the rest of your life atoning.»
«I will!» he exclaims, almost happy for the long years of torture I'm preparing for him. «I will do anything to have you close, safe, and happy.»
«Get ready, then. I won't be easy to deal with; you can already guess that.»
He chuckles, nervous.
I can feel my siblings' gazes on the back of my head. They're wondering how a King can behave like this.
Now, after he was so amicable before. Now, they wonder.
«I will miss you, too,» I confess in the end. «Please, be careful.»
«I can write you letters. If you're willing to read.»
«Please, do. It would be nice to know what's going to happen to me before actually experiencing it. Warn me when it's time to go back, and so on...»
«Of course.»
I let him go since the carriage before his is already moving.
«You have to go now.»
Ignis bends down and leaves one last kiss, a simple and chaste peck on my forehead.
«I hate being a King,» he murmurs before turning.
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He walks to the carriage and sits inside. He doesn't look out while the carriage moves away.Left alone, I start feeling a little lonely. But it will be over soon.
My infatuation will fade, and it'll be easier. Maybe less magical and powerful, but that will be better. I can't continue living like this, with all these sweet yearnings or the hot burning sensations under his touch.
Love isn't supposed to sway you away like this, is it?
Mother and father love each other, but they both are rational and make wise decisions. They talk, and they protect each other. But they don't spend their time kissing in dark corners and looking for a room!
I walk back to my family and stand with them. Mother's hand caresses my shoulder, and she smiles when our eyes meet.
She's content. After all, she just witnessed the ruler of this Kingdom parting from me with difficulty. She thinks that it won't be hard to convince him to stop the witch-hunting.
Oh, it's not even his fault. It's the Church that looks for mages and forces them to pledge loyalty. And they burn everyone who opposes them.
Since I won't be one of their toys, I will end up burning if I'm discovered. This thought makes me a little worried. Even Ignis won't be able to save me, in that case.
Even these next few weeks won't be of complete freedom. Tobin is still here, and he won't take his eyes off me.
Part of the delegation will stay, but most of them won't see me too often. Other than Marchioness Crasso and the Royal Guard.
«Do not lower your guard yet; it's not over,» mother reminds me in a whisper. She must have said the same to Lucia, even though most eyes will be turned in my direction.
Performing magic like before won't be possible anymore. We'll need to start hiding even in our home.
«I guess no more flowers blooming in the winter,» I moan.
«No more anything that is too visible or can't be explained, Veronica. Be careful, and take it as training for the years to come.»
That's true. For my family, it will be a few weeks only. For me, it will be forever.
«I'm worried I'll turn crazy,» I complain. «What if I can't do magic, mother? I'll risk causing disasters like this.»
«Oh, no. You already know what to do. You just need some training to learn how to use all that knowledge. You studied all your life, Veronica. You're more adept than you might think.»
«I still think we shouldn't accept things as they are,» Marius says. «I'm not convinced. A few nice words and you're head over heels with that person.»
«Don't talk like that,» I remind him. «Ears are listening.»
«I don't think he has evil intentions,» Antonio says.
He then realises something and nods.
«I mean, not more than he already achieved.»
«He does care about our sister,» Lucia agrees. «He won't mistreat her. After all, she will be Queen. It's the position so many girls wish: there must be a lot of perks coming from it!»
«Also, it's not like Veronica can't defend herself,» Antonio adds.
He's still wearing parts of the armour. He had time to take the heavy parts off, together with the helm. I hug him, chuckling lightly.
«What am I afraid of with my brothers protecting me?» I wonder. «Who would dare to even consider hurting me with you two by my side?»
Antonio blushes while the other one's chuckle fills our ears.
«That's how I like you,» mother comments. «Lovely and protecting each other. Even failing, sometimes. It's the thought that matters.»
She seems not to care that the thought almost started a diplomatic incident.
Father's expression can't be read, but he's conflicted. On one side, he must have liked the conversations with the Chancellor. On the other hand, he dislikes Ignis.
I understand that a tyrant is difficult to accept as a son-in-law. Yet, none of us has seen his dark side. Ignis has been so sweet to me that I can't believe he actually killed so many people.
Oh, but I have time to get used to that idea. During the journey, it was easy to ignore that part.. In the capital, it won't be anymore.
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