The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen - Chapter 191

Everything is finally ready for the naming ceremony. Lars is wearing purple baby clothes, made of soft material and comfortable enough for a Prince. I’m also in purple while Ignis will wear a black suit with all his decorations and embellished with gold and jewels.

I should be happy about this event, but it’s the last Ignis has to attend before leaving. It doesn’t feel cheerful.

My hair has been tied in an austere bun and covered by a hat. Since I’ll be visiting the Temple, I have to follow their dress code. My ladies in waiting have matching white clothes, and the few maids who will come wear dark blue gowns.

Bea and Aida have prepared everything for Lars, foreseeing any necessity that might arise. The whole Royal Family will be present.

The naming ceremony and the coronation of the Crown Prince are held together, and the Dowager Queens will attend and congratulate us like last time. Each with a different frown. I can’t wait, seriously.

My family will also be present, and they’ve already left for the Temple. Mother will attend, too, no matter how many times I have tried telling her not to. Adelphium might notice something, not to mention his prophet friend.

Still, since mother and Lucia will return home soon after, I might be worrying for nothing. Father will join in the war too and send Antonio to defend Narith and, especially, our family. Marius will stay with me, and we’ll meet all five again at the end of the war.

«Ready?» Ignis inquires, still buttoning his sleeves.

He’s done getting dressed and decorated; his hair is combed back and frees his face and eyes for everyone to admire.

«My Queen is beautiful today,» he adds, smiling charmingly. And, here it is: Ignis, the guard who made me fall in love.

I’ve missed this side of him. Since the day we returned here as King and Queen, he’s always been uncertain of something. I was right: he prefers war to peace.

«Your Queen is moderately happy today,» I explain. «It makes me this beautiful.»

He just chuckles, offering his arm.

«And Lars?» I say.

«Oh,» he moans, turning to Bea carrying our son. «Give him to me for the ride. It’ll be the first ride in a carriage for him. It’s better he’s close to his mother… But not too close.»

He’s just looking for an excuse not to look like a doting father while being one.

«Yes, your Majesty,» Bea says, delivering the sleeping baby to Ignis.

Lars opens his eyes while being passed around like a box, and he stares at Ignis in awe. He stays still, not even blinking for a long, long while. Then, he beams. He shouts his joy.

«I told you he loves you,» I say, staying a little apart so as not to cause any incident. It’ll be hard to play with our son as he grows up and learns how to cast spells without using others’ magic.

«You’re right,» Ignis says. «And I knew it. I was just being a jerk… And a little jealous.»

«Jealous of me?»

«Of this son of ours. He can touch you all he wants, while I had to pay attention not to be shocked.»

«Oh,» I sigh, following them out.

The train of the dress is now folded on my elbow, but I’ll have to let it down in the Church and look even more regal than just this.

The carriage will move slowly so that our little Prince isn’t afraid of it, even though I doubt he’ll even notice while blabbering with Ignis like this.

«Me!» Flavius appears, suddenly. «I was late, sorry! I should carry him, right?»

He then sees Ignis and frowns.

«Oh, no,» he murmurs, stepping aside and following in a dark mood.

He glares at Ignis, and this must be the first or second time in his life he does so. Goodness me, Lars, what are you doing to people?

«I’ll have to go away for a while, but you can’t forget me,» Ignis says.

I open my mouth to ask him what he’s talking about, but I realise he’s not talking with me. His face is tender, his finger playing with Lars’s hand.

Oh, that I can’t guarantee… It depends on how long it takes. I won’t forget Ignis, ever, but our son is just a baby. He has only a few weeks of memories, all foggy and not easy to understand at that! He will experience so many new things in the days to come, and he might really forget his father if he’s not around. And Ignis wasn’t there so often till now.

I know it’s not completely his fault, but it’s how things are.

«You have to grow up and protect your mother,» he continues.

This is something dangerous to say to a kid with magical powers, but let’s just have patience. I’ll remind Lars to be gentle and forgiving as he grows up, not a tyrant like his father.

«And also make sure Flavius doesn’t cause trouble while I’m away… He’s a little difficult, but he’s not evil.»

Lars shouts all happy in response, making Ignis chuckle as well.

It warms my heart even though, I know, it’s just a moment. But, once everything is over, we will look for a solution to Ignis’s problem. Or we’ll have another emergency so it won’t matter to solve it as much.

We sit on the carriage, still far from each other. I continue observing the two men of my life with a smile, and I’m the first to get off in front of the Temple.

«I won’t let them take you away,» Ignis says before following me. «I promise.»

I can hear his words by some miracle because we’re far apart, but I do. Then, once out of the carriage, I return to my regal self. I’ve created an image for myself as a Queen, and I’m doing my best to keep it untouched.

We step inside the Temple where the nobles are already waiting. We walk the aisle and stop in front of the altar.

It’s been so long since the last time I talked to Adelphium, so I smile at him. Ignis stands in silence, but he’s not as unhappy as usual. Something is different today. Maybe, it’s because it’s Lars’s day.

Adelphium reaches out to Lars, and Ignis has to let him pick him up. I see Ignis jolting because of the shock when Adelphium’s skin hits Lars’s.

Was this on purpose?

I reach out to my husband’s hand while glaring at Adelphium. The Priest’s smart grin is enough of an answer: he did it on purpose. He didn’t block the magic because he didn’t care about the King being hurt!

«Today is a special day for Alba,» he says out loud. «Today we meet our Crown Prince and introduce him to the life of the Church and the Gods. He will guide our country, one day, and today he’ll receive a blessed name…»

He starts with the ritual, walking in circles with Lars in his arms and saying the prayers. My son seems to be having fun, moving his legs and smiling at Adelphium just like with Ignis a moment ago.

Oh, I knew it. Biased little thing. I’ll have to work hard and convince my son that Adelphium is a bad person. It’s the only way to have him prefer Lars, I guess.

Ignis and I stand straight and wait, patiently, for the end. It lasts forever, just like the coronation. Only my marriage was fast and concise, I guess. I’d prefer the Chancellor to perform this ceremony as well: we’d be home earlier!

When the ritual part is done, finally, we can have our son back. Adelphium delivers Lars to me, and I wonder if this is done on purpose too. He’s so wicked today. Is he playing with us?

Is it because Ignis will leave soon and won’t be able to return the favour? Oh, if he thinks it’ll be easier to deal with me without my husband around, he’s very, very wrong.

«Alba’s new Crown Prince,» Adelphium declares, finally ready to declare the blessed name. «Hadrianus.»

I can’t believe it. To my son, they gave my husband’s brother’s blessed name! If he becomes King, he’ll have the name intended for a person no one in this world likes! Not even his birth mother!

«Just like the first Hadrianus, he’ll bring peace and prosperity. He’ll enlighten the darkest places and protect us from evil forces. Alba will be safe, rich, and bright like a star.»

Oh, come on, they always look for a way to remind how much the Church and Crown collaborated in the past. They’ll do it till the end!

But, just like with Aurelius, it won’t work. My husband was given that name, and he had never been close to the Church since the beginning. My son won’t be one of them, either. Not until I have enough life to breathe.

«How nice,» I murmur, though.. I shall keep up appearances.