Professional deformation

Two people riding the same horse is very exhausting. For the horse, at least.

We proceed in the night since the moon is bright enough to let us see in front of us. We alternate riding and walking, so we cover quite a distance by the time dawn comes.

We arrive in a small village where we'll sleep for a couple of hours before departing again. We kind of are in a hurry to reach the point of rendezvous.

I hope Aida and Tobin are all right. The Count's guards, too, by the way.

I hope everyone is safe and sound.

«I can't believe that tyrant sent assassins after us just because I rejected him!» I murmur while settling under the cover. We've asked for a single room, forgetting about separate beds.

Not that it makes any difference since only one of us is going to sleep regardless.

«He's just crazy. What in the world does he want from me? Many girls would kill to be Queens. Can't he choose one of them? There are also so many neutral nobles out there... My father is just the most powerful, but it doesn't mean a thing since he won't choose a side even if I did marry that madman.»

«You're more angry than tired, I see,» Ignis chuckles.

«Aren't you?» I reply. He's so calm right now. «There won't be a safe place to go if the King decides to hunt us down. And, for what? Just because I didn't want to marry him?»

«We deceived him,» Ignis explains. «And got married before he could do anything.»

«When you said that most gossip is made of exaggerations, I believed you. I thought that maybe he was not a psycho.»

Even his letters didn't look too cruel to me. A bit bossy, but that's normal for a King.

«But now, I know it's not made up.»

«What?»

«All the voices about his cruelty and tyranny. I don't want to hear anything about Aurelius Nerva ever again!»

«You're the one that started talking about him,» Ignis says while sitting on the bed to take off his boots. «I never mention his Majesty.»

«Yes, sure,» I sigh. «I know you're still a loyal knight. I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess.»

«I wanted to, Veronica. You didn't force me to marry you.»

«Still, I'm happy it's you. I prefer being your wife to anyone else.»

And not only because of what happens when we are alone.

«Sleep, my dear. We'll move to the next city in a few hours.»

He lies next to me and covers both of us with the same blanket. His arm drags me on his chest, and he hugs me to sleep.

How... How am I supposed to fall asleep like this?

Oh, never mind. It's Ignis, after all. He'll protect and take care of me, no matter the situation.

I feel so safe next to him that relaxing isn't out of the question; even if my belly tingles all of a sudden.

«I should have stayed in the capital a little more,» I murmur while positioning my ear over Ignis's heart. I can hear the beat, and it's so comforting.

«Why so?»

«So I could meet that jerk.»

He startles, surprised. His heart beats faster for a moment, but he soon calms down.

«Don't say such things about his Majesty, Veronica. It's dangerous.»

«No one can hear us.»

«That's right. Now, we're alone. But pay attention to your words...»

He seems to think for a while before adding another sentence.

«You know, the only person allowed to talk in such terms about the King is the Queen. So, you should refrain from being too harsh.»

«It's not my fault if he's a jerk.»

He startles again. It's a professional deformation, I guess. Yet, it's so funny.

«Aren't you going to defend your King?» I inquire, looking up to meet his eyes.

Instead of nervousness, his gaze exudes only warmth. As if he was expecting me to be this childish.

«I don't know what to say in his defence,» he explains. «You were forced to go to the capital because of him. You couldn't meet anyone for days, and no one asked for your opinion. Indeed, all of this is a sign of tyranny.»

«I should have met him, looked him in the eye, and told him he wouldn't have me as his Queen. Saying it through letters isn't worth it. I didn't feel much better after because my words weren't listened to. He probably just burned the letter and continued with his day.»

«His Majesty did reply, though.»

«Yes. But it's not the same if I don't see him face to face. Also, if I knew he would send assassins, I would have risked throwing some spell on him! I could turn him bald for a while or make his feet swell for days!»

«Make him bald?» Ignis murmurs. «That's so dangerous, Veronica. We wouldn't have been able to escape...»

«It would have been worth it, though. That man... I really don't know what else to say.»

«You hate him, don't you?»

«Sure!»

«I don't hate him, though. He's the one that indirectly made us marry. Whoever brought you to me can't be blamed too much, you know...»

«You're joking too much, Ignis. I'm sure we would have met even without the need for all this charade.»

«You think so?»

«I feel like that, yes. I don't think I would let you go even if we were to meet under different circumstances.»

«Do you know how your words sound, Veronica?»

«I do. But it's the truth. What I feel now, this turmoil in my heart... It's all so real and so compelling. I would have accepted your proposal even if I was not in danger like this.»

«You can't imagine how much your words make me happy.»

Oh, they make me happy too. It's as if something difficult to understand is now as clear as day.