5 A heartfelt missive
Being married isn't enough to escape from the King's clutches. I still need to prove it to him. And also, I have to disappear soon after, lest he takes his anger out on me.
He can't do anything to Duke Bursio and his family unless we commit some grave crime, like hiding mages or treason. However, getting married isn't anywhere near that.
It's enough that I reach my home, and I'll be safe. Then, I'll talk with Ignis about how to proceed.
He'll be abandoning such a good job just to help me. The least I can do is provide him with a position with not less power and safety than that of a Royal Guard.
But now, I need to use my writing table for gainful business: a letter to the King.
That man indeed didn't want to see me even once; he didn't ask me anything and just locked me up in this room. All my requests to meet were harshly rejected.
But I've never actually tried writing to him before. Should I try this last attempt to have some communication?
I'd still prefer if he lets me go without fighting. It would simplify Ignis's position, if nothing else.
«To... Ahm... What was his name?»
Ah, father said his name, right? Aurelius? Aurelius Nerva.
But am I allowed to use it? What if it's interpreted as an act of closeness? Oh, no no no.
«To his majesty, the King of Alba.» Better. Simple and without unwanted complications.
«My name is Veronica Bursio. I am the daughter of the Duke of Narith.»
He already knows it, but I ought to start somewhere.
«A few days ago, your majesty ordered...» No, it makes him sound like a tyrant. «I was asked to travel to the capital in order to marry your majesty.»
I would have done miracles in diplomacy.
«I didn't dare to defy a royal order, so here I am, alone in an isolated room. I don't have permission to wander around; I can't talk to people because they don't reply; my meals are horrible tortures since someone stares at me for the whole time.»
To hell with diplomacy.
«The awe and honour I felt when hearing I was chosen to become the Queen of this great nation disappeared bit by bit, leaving space for desolated apathy.»
My fingers clench the feather pen, and the ink spoils the paper when I write the period sign. I won't rewrite it; he'll read it like this.
«I don't know how it works in Mavale. But in Narith, brides are taken care of by their future husbands. Not left alone to rot in a dark room, locked like prisoners and treated as potential spies. If your majesty doesn't dare to trust this subject of his, it might be better to choose another woman to stand at his side.»
All right... Now... Should I really send it? Will this make the King realise how I feel?
What is most likely, that he realises I'm not the right one or that he beheads me?
Would he kill me personally, by the way? All I've heard about him are stories about how he sentenced people to death during the first days of his rule and how he killed nobles without regret using his own hands.
I sigh, wondering what to do. Here, Ignis is my only ally. I can't ask him for help about this matter: I can't rely too much on a single person.
So, I'll send this paper as is. The King will realise I'm a spoiled little brat and send me back. Have I written anything of capital offence? I don't think so...
Hmm... No, it all seems fine.
I will be out of here in a few days. There's nothing to be afraid of.
«This is by no means how the future Queen should be treated.» I add one last line to my letter and offer it to the guards outside.
«I've written a missive for his majesty, the King,» I say in a sweet tone. They might have heard my frustration while I was writing.
«It will be delivered, my Queen.»
«Why are you all calling me Queen? I haven't even been betrothed yet.»
The knight waits a couple of seconds before answering.
«The royal decree is akin to a betrothal.»
«But my father didn't sign anything. How can that work?»
«I don't know, my Queen. I am just a guard.»
«I understand,» I sigh. «But then, do you call your King just King?»
«His majesty?» he murmurs.
«I knew it! Why don't you address me as majesty too?»
«Because my Queen hasn't wed his majesty yet. There has been no coronation.»
«What if the King changes his mind, then? Won't the next Queen be unhappy to hear you used her title for someone else?»
The guards exchange a long, profound look. They think it's impossible, don't they? Well, let's see if I don't manage to convince the King to marry someone else.
But to do that, I need to flee.
And, to flee, I need some lax security.
«And why are you replying all of a sudden?» I continue. They ignored me till now.
«We would never dare to ignore our Queen.»
«Oh, come on...»
While one of the two walks away with the excuse to deliver the letter, the other searches for a reply with the same desperation I had two days ago to get out of here.
«We are very sorry for acting like that, my Queen!» he then exclaims, probably talking in the name of all the guards that watched over me. «Our manners were horrible, and we don't have any right to ask for forgiveness...»
Yet, he bows and finishes his declaration with heartfelt apologies.
«Ah?» I moan. What in the world?
Maybe I shouldn't have come out to talk. I'll just go back and rest in my room.
Have they heard I complained to the King in my letter? Oh, what if the letter is never delivered, now? They wouldn't dare, right?
It's pretty obvious; I will meet the King face to face, sooner or later. No person in their sound mind would think of throwing my letter away.
Also, their changed attitude is surprising. So promptly, at that.
Just when I complained, they started replying to me. If the King comes here to check, he'll find a relaxed environment and think I was making up things.
Ah, I can't wait for Ignis to come back. I'm sure he'll laugh when I tell him about today's events.
