Back home (2)
The gates are opened, and we travel through the path in silence. I'm almost jumping in place while Ignis is calm and so silent.
When we approach the residence, he closes the curtains and drags me closer. His lips leave light pecks on my face, and his arms surround me in a moment.
«I love you,» he whispers. «Let me kiss you another time...»
«Don't be overdramatic,» I chuckle. «We're not parting here!»
«No, but it won't be the same under your family's watch.»
He closes his mouth and bites his tongue. His sadness is so sudden that I give up and kiss him on my own.
We really need to work on his self-esteem.
«You can kiss me when you want,» I say when we split. «You don't need to ask every single time.»
His thumb caresses my cheek, and I beam in a vain attempt to cheer him up.
«Just remember that I'm your Ignis,» he says. «Is that all right?»
«I will never forget it, my dear husband!»
«That's good, dear wife.»
Finally, he lets me go. The coachman opens the door, and I climb down. After a month and a half, I'm finally back home.
The first to welcome me is my little sister. She sensed I was coming when we crossed the gates. She waited for the carriage to stop before running out, though.
She's becoming more patient, my little angel.
«Lucia,» I say when she jumps in my arms. «I'm all dusty from the journey. You'll dirty your own clothes if you clench me like this!»
She surrounds my waist with her arms and leans her cheek on my chest. She's quite tall for her eleven years of age and slender like a fairy. Her black hair is so similar to mine, a legacy from our father. Differently from mine, her eyes are the same as the Duke's: dark brown.
We both are the spitting image of father except for a few details, like the elegant nose of my sister or my grey eyes. Our brothers are a better mix, but they still have father's hair and eyes. Only their skin is white like mother's.
«You're back!» she yells, tightening her hug even more. «Don't go anymore!»
«I don't have any reason to leave now,» I say, stroking her head and combing her silken hair with my fingers. «You do not need to worry, Lucia.»
Ignis clears his throat, and the little girl turns to him. She was just a baby when he visited, so she can't remember him.
«Who is this?» she inquires. She analyses him from feet to head, not missing a single detail.
«My husband,» I say.
«But you said you would never marry the King!» she exclaims. «Why do you have a husband now?»
«I found one on the way, so I couldn't resist and signed the marriage.»
«Does father know?»
«Of course, he does.»
«But he... I don't like him... There's something suspicious, Veronica...»
Oh, what if Ignis thinks she's referring to the supposed curse his red hair brings?
«You can call him brother now,» I say before this conversation takes the wrong turn.
«It's a pleasure to meet you, lady Lucia,» he says. «My name is Ignatius.»
She pouts but still shakes hands. Her face is so cute, at this moment, and Ignis doesn't seem too offended by her diffidence.
«Where are the others?» I ask, looking for the two troublemakers.
«Brother Antonio is preparing his armour. Marius is making fun of him...»
«Armour for what?»
«He said he's ready to duel. For your sake.»
«There's no need to duel. I'm here now.»
«Yes, but he doesn't like that you have a husband, so he's going to kill him and free you from the position of Queen.»
«That... ehm... I won't be Queen anymore. I've already married once, so I am not eligible to become the King's wife. Even if I divorced.»
«Oh... That's why we're preparing. Now that you're married, you don't need him anymore.»
«That's not how you deal with people, Lucia!»
«I mean, if you become a widow, you won't be Queen anymore!»
«I never was Queen, to begin with.»
«Even fewer worries in dealing with him.»
She's almost whispering, but I'm sure Ignis can hear her. She's always a little loud when causing trouble.
«Don't take it to heart,» I say to him. «I'm sure they're just playing around. They'll love you once they know you better!»
«I highly doubt it,» Lucia comments. «He brought you away from us.»
«No, Lucia. He brought me back!»
«Oh,» she murmurs. Her confidence falters for a few seconds.
But then, she returns certain in her beliefs.
«If you hurt my husband, you will indirectly hurt me as well,» I say before this joke gets out of control. «And if you don't treat him with enough respect, you will offend me first.»
«But sister, I don't want you to leave again!»
«We'll talk about this later. I can't live with you forever: you've always known that.»
«But this is definitely too soon.»
«It's just sudden. But I hoped you would be happy for me, Lucia.»
«Are you happy?»
«I am. Really happy.»
«Then, he's not too bad... Right?»
«It would be worse if Ignis wasn't here now.»
She seems to understand my concern, and she steps back to let us pass towards the entrance.
As if struck by lightning, Ignis stops midway and turns back to the carriage.
«You go first,» he says.
His forehead is crossed by a wrinkle of worry, and his fists are clenched. His knuckles are white, as pale as his face.
Is he suddenly worried about meeting my family?
I also was nervous while meeting his family. It's understandable.
«I will go first,» I agree. «Come when you're ready.»
I clench his arm for a moment, trying to comfort him a little bit. Then, I turn my back to him and leave some time for his nerves to calm down.
I can't wait. I want to see father and mother again. And get Antonio out of the armour.