Imperial Affairs (Levi X Reader) AU

3. The Empress

Levi's POV

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the man said, still facing down.

"Lift your heads," at that, we both looked up. The Empress was wearing a purple and white dress which had jewels and fur on its borders, it looked expensive and heavy. I was surprised that nobles were able to wear such stuff. She had quite a number of guards at her side. I guess, the more corrupt you are, the more protection you need because apparently, the Emperor wanted to kill her too. One of her guards, the one that was standing closest to her, looked a lot like the man who had brought me here. He had slicked blonde hair with an undercut, grey eyes and an upturned nose. If I had to guess, they were probably related, "Marcel, I hope you have a very good reason to give the assassin an audience with me."

So the name of the man was Marcel.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Within a day, this man was able to find out that it was Your Majesty who had sent me. This man has exceptional talent. I thought that Your Majesty would like to meet him in person."

"Hmm, interesting. So you found out that I sent him before anyone told you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good, I have a feeling that you will succeed. I don't say this to everyone but good luck."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Give him the details, Marcel."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Marcel said to the Empress before turning behind and whispering, "Follow me," yet again.

We exited the same gates we entered through, and then sat in a much more lavish carriage which had the Empress's seal on it. The carriage had just as heavy and intricate designs on it as her palace. I couldn't believe that we were travelling in such a carriage and even more shocked that the carriage could move after all the heavy gold and jewellery, of course this one had four horses pulling it. Marcel handed me a double-edged sword in a scabbard. I pulled it out and it was quite polished and was good quality. I raised an eyebrow and looked at Marcel, confused.

"Your excuse for going to the second prince's palace is that you're a guard that the Empress has gifted him, so the prince can't refuse. Almost everyone gets the same excuse to go so don't be surprised if the prince is already aware of your intentions. Your weapon of choice to kill the prince does not matter, the sword is given to you because all guards are supposed to either have them or a spear. Blend in and find the right time to kill him, also know that many have failed so be careful. If you fail, you will not get the reward and if you get caught trying to assassinate the prince, you don't know us and you surely won't meet a good end."

"So, if I do kill him, what do I do then?"

"Get to the Empress's palace, as soon as it is confirmed, you will get your reward."

"Hah!" I exclaimed, "How am I supposed to get back by myself? The palace would be swarming with guards."

"That is for you to figure out."

"What the fuck?"

"You figured out the Empress's identity, I'm sure you can do this."

"You must say that to everyone."

"I don't."

After a while, the carriage came to a halt, this time, I got out of the carriage first and looked out while Marcel descended the carriage stairs. The Prince's palace was beautiful and modest. It didn't have unnecessary decorations and that's what I liked about it. The walls were painted in purple, blue, black and white, not any gold whatsoever and the gardens had topiaries, not too many and not too less, just the right amount. Marcel didn't give the palace a second look and I assumed that he must come here a lot. 

And then, two guards approached us as if they had been expecting us and they probably had been.

"We part ways here," said Marcel, he offered his hand for me to shake it and I did but only because his hands looked clean, "Go with the guards," he then whispered, "We don't have any eyes within the palace, you are on your own. Good luck."

I walked towards the guards to go with them, they stood on either side of me escorting me inside. The gates which I presumed was the main entrance, opened into a large hallway. Inside, the wall colours were the same as the outside and the corners and some small spaces had small gems engraved in them, the gems were the same colours as the walls were painted in, the walls had paintings and photographs hung on them. The maids, servants and guards walked past to work without even batting an eye, it was quite surprising even if this happened a lot. 

Were such assassins taken this lightly here? 

After coming to a stop, we waited a good two minutes. I shifted positions, getting bored of waiting but the guards didn't even budge.

What is up with this place?

After the wait, a boy who was quite taller than me, dressed in a white shirt, black pants, polished shoes and a coat embroidered in the same colours as the walls approached me. 

Does he like camouflage or something? 

The boy had (s/c) skin, short (h/c) hair, and a black haired brat walking behind him. When he dismissed the guards on either side of me with a simple wave of his hand, I was sure that this was the Prince and the brat behind him must be his personal guard.

There was something about the prince that made me go on high guard. There was something familiar about him. Something that I had seen before, something that I had felt before and something about his presence made me feel extremely restless.

He stood in front of me looking directly in my eyes. He crossed his arms and rudely stated while glaring, "Introduce yourself."

I glared back while saying,

"Names Levi."

A/N = I hope you enjoyed this and the previous chapter about Levi's backstory. If I can do anything to improve this story, please tell me. I'd love to hear some feedback.

4/1/2022

- Heliaxa