A Love To Last~~~Kuzco x Reader

Chapter Nine

"Welcome back as a human, Emperor Kuzco," I said as Kuzco walked into the room.

"Glad to be back, General," he said, smiling at me. Yeah, he promoted me to General. He said I had shown exuberant bravery and loyalty towards the empire. I now have control over the Empire's army, patrol rotations, recruitment training, weekly training, and I advise the Emperor himself on military matters.

If you want to know anything else: Yzma was put into prison and is still kept as a cat. She is secluded from everything else and will be having a long time away from humans. Kuzco has been making amends with some of the people he has treated poorly, and he has started to get to know more of his villagers and other citizens. This, I find, spectacular. Kuzco also comes over every Saturday for dinner at my family's place on the hill.

"Do you want me to help with that, sir?" I asked as he struggled with putting on a gold bangle.

"Please," he complied. I took the bangle from him and cradled his right arm. I put the gold bangle on, and my hand lingered awkwardly by his hand as I finished. My cheeks were probably tomato red, I knew that they were at least very warm.

"Mint leaf," Kuzco asked, pulling one out. Thank goodness, I did not like the awkward silence.

"Yes, please," I answered, taking it from him and chuckling a bit. "I got all the people you wanted to see in the next room over, sir."

"I shall see them right now," he said. Apparently, he wanted to apologize. Kuzco was giving the last apology to the old man he had thrown out of the window the day before his birthday, when he noticed Pacha on the other side of the room, looking down at the small model of his home.

"You know, you lied to me," Kuzco said to Pacha.

"Huh?" Pacha asked, confused. I leaned on the doorframe, listening in.

"Yeah. You said when the sun hits this ridge just right, these hills sing. Well, pal, I was dragged all over those hills, and I did not hear any singing," Kuzco explained. I smiled, I had the feeling Kuzco was going to say what I wanted him to say.

"So I'll be building my summer resort on a more magical hill," Kuzco concluded.

"Really?" I asked from the doorway. Kuzco turned to me and smiled.

"Really."

"You know, I'm pretty sure I heard singing on the hill next to us."

~~~~~Time Skip~~~~

I fell asleep that night soundly, but I woke up in the middle of the night feeling uneasy. I have no idea what it was. Everything was going so well, then WHY was I dreading for something to occur?

Let's see, it isn't my next cousin, that has happened before. It isn't the summer resort that Kuzco is building, that's moved to the hill next to my family's. It isn't Yzma. It isn't my job. Nothing wrong with the market or the army. Then what is it?

It dawned on me in the blink of an eye. I didn't know it would bother me before. The Emperor is out of his old groove which would mean that if he wasn't lying when I talked to him before, he would now be more serious about finding a wife. But why would that bother me? Honestly, there are women out there who are prettier, kinder and who are raised to be ready to be an Empress and wife for the Emperor.

"It bothers me because I love Kuzco," I whispered to myself. I sat up in my bed and raked my hands through my hair. "I have fallen in love with him."

This can't be happening. A villager, an employee, a regular citizen, (all me) has fallen in love with their leader. It shouldn't be happening. It can't be happening.

The next week was tough, but I knew that I would have to meet my crush at some point. That didn't mean I was able to suppress everytime my heart skipped a beat when the Emperor was around. Why couldn't I like a different guy? Why did I have to like Kuzco?

"Ahh, General."

Well, here goes nothing.

"Yes, Emperor?" I asked, politely.

"I was wondering about the recruitment training and schooling. Do you have any updates?" Kuzco asked.

"Yes... I do," I was able to get out. "There are two groups that we have split up. They are groups Epsilon One and Epsilon Two. So far, they have only gone through the first week of training which regards rules of recruits and survival," I answered.

"Great. Now I wanted to tell you something."

"Okay?"

"(y/n)...I'm going to be going away for three months. I'll be taking Army Group Alpha Two with me for guards as I leave. General Hoffenheim and you will be in charge while I am gone." Okay he used my first name, this is pretty serious, not business, but personal.

"Might I inquire where you will be headed?"

"To a tribe to the East. It's a two weeks journey there and two weeks back," Kuzco answered, though he looked a little nervous.

"So you'll be spending two months there...why?" I ask, now worried.

"Going there to negotiate with the chief," he answered, bluntly.

"Okay, Kuzco, be honest with me, why are you going to negotiate with the chief," I said sternly, looking at him in his eyes.

"I don't really want to go, but if I make this deal it will open up trading routes. That's why I'm negotiating."

"Then why are you nervous?"

"I'm not nervous."

"Yes you are. And you are evading my questioning. Kuzco, what are you worried about?"

"Because I think the chief has a daughter, I'm not entirely sure, and if so, there will probably be marriage thrown onto the table," he answered hurriedly and with a clear tone that stated that he was afraid of my next reaction.

"So possibly, the chief could offer a marriage to you?" I ask, hoping that I won't be downhearted when he returns.

"Yes."

"What are the exact reasons for you to be nervous?"

"I don't know entirely it's just...when I got married I didn't think there would be this much weight on my shoulders when it came to it. And I don't want to have an arranged marriage. I want to get married to someone who I enjoy being around and who can relieve my stress, make me laugh, is smart and unafraid to contradict me, you know?"

"But you are also afraid that if the chief offers marriage and you decline the deal will be off and you will have to spend way more money every year when it comes to the trading routes," I said, understanding now.

"I also don't want to make a lasting decision that will practically ruin my life since I don't know the girl." I nodded in understanding. I noticed that we had been walking around the room in circles. I sat down on the couch at the end of the wall and gestured my hand towards the other side for Kuzco to sit.

"You aren't sure if he has a daughter, so that's good. If you are afraid he'll throw off the deal because you aren't entirely sure about marriage then that's not what negotiation is about, really," I said, trying my best not to wail out. All I could think was, 'he could get married.' "And if you are that worried about not liking the potential "girl" then you could always ask to meet her and get to know her before you think about marriage to her. It's not the end of the world if the chief ends up not liking you because of it. You can figure out other ways to negotiate. You are smarter than you let on or think, Kuzco."

"Thanks Boss," Kuzco said, getting up and saluting, obviously joking around. He definitely couldn't see the pain in my head. All the 'what-ifs' swirling around the pool inside my brain.

"No problem, Hotshot," I answered, smirking back at him. Two days later, Kuzco left for his trip. For me, it was inevitable to let him go. Why should I ever tell him that I love him when he easily can find someone fitter to rule beside him? That didn't make me any less devastated.