The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen - Chapter 159

Flavius has been spending a lot of time with me lately. So much that he meets my brother, and they become sort of friends. It seems Ignis doesn’t disagree with his presence, so I don’t chase him away.

I’ve started contacting the soldiers and exchanging information with them one at a time. They will sooner or later come to the Palace. I’ll organise a meeting and tell them what I expect from them. Those who have decorations can’t just leave their job, but most of them were forgotten. They’re in a hurry to accept and transform the most forgotten battle in Alba’s history into an epic story.

Still, I first need to find out who’s behind the attempts at my life. Even if getting rid of my baby and of Gratia means that Eastas becomes the next in line, I still can’t believe the Princess would accept such a risk. There’s more to the story, isn’t there?

And there are other people involved, of course. She, alone, wouldn’t be able to organise such a hunt.

It’s been calm for a while now. I’m expecting another attack. Everyone is, honestly. Why stop now? The child will be born soon, and it’ll be more difficult to get rid of us both then.

Is it possible that they found out about our suspicions? Is that what’s making them waste time? Or are the defences around me strong enough to keep them far?

Also, I haven’t met the Princess in so long… I wanted to investigate more about the child’s father, but she’s been elusive. It’s difficult to ask Aida who’s the father if Aestas isn’t nearby.

«What are we doing today?» Flavius asks, sitting next to me and analysing the pastries on the table.

«I don’t know what you will do, but I’m joining his Majesty, the King, for tea. He will have a moment of rest, and I want to be there and look at him.»

«You’re just worried about the other women.»

«What other women?» I chuckle. «I’m the only one in his heart and bed.»

«Oh, but do the others know it?»

«Why should I care?»

«I’d like to ask you, but I smell sour from my lodgings. You’re a possessive wife even if you spend time with that bastard High Priest.»

«It’s all part of the plan to help Ignis. And the other Mages as well, one day.»

I just want to look at Ignis because he’s so handsome when he takes a break. It has nothing to do with my jealousy. I have only pure intentions this time! Especially because my belly is growing and, every day, Ignis checks the progress and tells me a thousand times how beautiful I am. He must be lying, but his voice is so melodious that I listen.

No matter what, I know he won’t betray me. I can keep my jealousy well-hidden. There’s no need to make him realise how bad I am.

«I’m going because Ignis will spend some time with his friends,» I say. «He asked me to attend, and I’m curious. I know some of them rather well, but I haven’t seen Ignis interact with them normally yet.»

It’s always been either very formal or decoy.

«He’s just like he’s with you. Ignatius doesn’t have two faces, even if he’s improving at showing the King’s power,» Flavius says a moment before biting on his favourite pastry.

Marius reaches us sooner than planned, and he lets his weight fall on the chair with a sigh.

«Are you two exchanging praises like your usual?» he inquires. «Someone here is working their butt off while you two spend your time competing to see who can say better things about his Majesty.»

«Working? You sit on a chair and pretend to be following serious conversations.»

«I do follow conversations! Who’s going to be your eyes and ears in the Council, if not me, ah?»

«I can be my own eyes. By the way, how are things going?»

«Bad. Ventis is going to declare war, and Borea isn’t replying to missives.»

«Borea? They allow the use of magic,» I murmur, caressing my chin while thinking. Is there something I could do, at least as a matter of politics?

«Their Mages don’t accept that a single person, unknown and hidden from humans, can be the Queen,» Marius points out. «To them, we all are nothing.»

«Ah, but it’s worth a try,» I say. What can I lose? At most, they’ll send me to hell and turn their backs. But it’s not like they’re reserving more attention to the missives.

«It’s time,» Bea warns me, and I get up. Indeed, I shall get ready and meet Ignis’s friends with a smile and not a concerned frown.

«We can talk later,» I say, waving at the two lads already lost in their own conversation. I’m glad they get along, even though it’s odd for someone with Flavius’s character and Marius’s diffidence.

«Bring me the golden mantle,» I tell Bea while reaching the end of the garden. «I want to look regal today.»

Lola runs a second later as if she could hear me order from the hallway.

«Here, your Majesty!» she says while helping me wear the mantle and folding the train on my arm. My hair is just as perfect as it was this morning, and I’ve eaten enough not to be tempted later.

I’ve fulfilled my duties this morning, the unavoidable ones, and I’m ready for an afternoon of relaxing with people close to my age.

«If anything, you can talk with my brother,» I say. «Come to me only if it’s very, very urgent.»

I take two steps only out from the garden when Tobin tugs me in his direction and shields my body. An arrow passes next to us, and Lola and Bea react by covering me with their bodies.

«No,» I say, «it’s dangerous!»

They should hide, not shield me.

«Someone is trying to hurt you, your Majesty,» Tobin points out. «I will be right back.»

He disappears behind the corner to catch the killer, and I wonder how long will it take this time for him to come back. Last time it was fast, but he also lost the assassins.

«Your Majesty should go inside, now,» Bea says, turning to me. Lola follows, nodding fiercely with her head.

Turned to me, they don’t see the two figures approaching. Both wear black capes, and we can’t see their faces. Not that I expect to recognise them. Most likely, they’ve hired assassins.

«Marius!» I shout. «Marius, the sword!»

He’s bringing his along because I officially allowed him to walk armed in the Queen’s garden. As for me, I don’t have any. I have a knife in the pouch, but it won’t be effective against two swords at once.

Also, I shouldn’t use magic in this situation, in front of so many witnesses.

«Marius!»

He’s fast, and he stands in front of me to protect us. He barely can parry the attacks, but he somehow manages. We resist a little longer, but two people are too many for someone not trained enough.

Marius won’t last long.

«Bea, let’s go,» I say.

If I walk away, at least one of them will follow me. With a single aggressor, I might be able to win without making them realise I’m using magic.

Also, that’s what Ignis taught me during our honeymoon: if there are many aggressors, run away.

Oh, but this has been so easy. I’ve turned the corner, and no one is coming after me.

«It’s a trap,» I say.

Bea stops in her steps and turns to me, her face blank and confused.

«Trap?» she wonders.

«It’s been too easy. I’ve already escaped assassins before, and it took us so much effort and a crazy speed to succeed. It’s impossible we could escape with a couple of steps.»

Moreover, the way the second couple appeared after Tobin left to look for the first attacker…

«This has been planned! Everything,» I say. «It’s an organised attack, and we don’t know how many of them there are.»

I shouldn’t act in the most rational way. That’s exactly what they want! I should surprise them, doing what they don’t expect… Like throwing myself into danger, straight and convinced.

«Let’s go back!» I say. «The garden will be safer than the hallways.»

Also, Tobin will come back sooner than later. He won’t risk leaving me alone for more than a single minute.

«Your Majesty!» Lola shouts, attracting my attention to the two… Oh, the other two? Couldn’t they make it simpler? Two assassins run to me. They don’t bother hiding their faces, and, indeed, I have no clue about their identity.

How did they get in? And, were they waiting for me right in this place? Where are the guards positioned to defend me? All gone? All dead?

«This won’t be without consequences,» I comment, raising my hands, ready to defend myself and my people.

Lola steps in front of me and takes the first blow before I can summon any kind of energy. Her frail body can’t fight back, so she observes how the blade cuts her stomach. She falls on her knees in front of me, bleeding a waterfall of crimson liquid.

«Your Majesty, run!» she says while a red river stains her chin. «Run!»

How can I run after she’s been hurt to defend me? First of all, I can’t let her here to die.

«No,» I say. «I’m tired of running.»

«Your Majesty!» Bea reacts, waking up from her panic and tugging me back.. «Hurry.»