Emhyr Var Emreis x Reader

Eight

"How funny life can be, no?", you asked, your eyes raised up to the colourful glass windows while holding a goblet of wine. "A few years ago I stood here as well, asking for an audience. It was my darkest time. Who would have thought I'd return and see you at your darkest, emperor."

Your eyes fell onto the grimly looking man who had taken a seat on the throne.

He held a goblet as well. But his was used.

You didn't dare to take a sip. Even though he had said that it was one of the finest wines of Toussaint, you feared that he had put something in it to silence you.

You couldn't take that risk.

Taking a sip from his cup, he made a sound that was something between a growl and a sigh.

Glowing brown eyes met yours.

He sat casually, one arm rested on the throne while his legs were spread.

But the way his shoulder moved gave away that there was tension in him.

"Careful.", he warned, almost hissing. "Just because you know something doesn't mean you can insult me to my face."

Tips of your fingers started to draw circles on the brim of your cup.

You had to huff and lower your face as to not test his patience further.

"I'd say that only the fewest of people would dare to meet you face to face anyways.", you said and watched your own reflection on the red surface of the wine.

"I don't know if you're intelligent or just a plain fool."

"Take me for a fool with a brain, your highness. But no matter what I truly am, I have something that you need."

A movement chased through his face.

Emhyr tilted his head to examine you.

Strands of black and grey hair fell over his shoulder.

It seemed soft.

Would it be like silk?

Or more like the touch of water?

"I don't need anything.", he replied.

All of a sudden, you picked up a hint of restrain in his words.

He wasn't as cold anymore. He failed to be distant and unmoved.

So there truly was something that bothered him.

Out of respect, you bowed your head before approaching him with two steps.

Right in front of his feet you came to a stand and looked up to see him on the throne.

How he looked down on you. So judgemental yet unable to remove himself from this situation.

"You're aging, your highness.", you said in the most polite way possible. "Like we all do."

"What does my age have to do with your offer?"

"A bit but in the end it's nothing of higher meaning."

"You speak well. Did your mother inherit you her poisonous tongue?"

A soft chuckle escaped your lips.

"She did.", you said and met his gaze with pride. "Quite a gift, don't you think?"

Closing his eyes, he did a gesture with one of his hands to make you stop waiting his time.

He adjusted himself on the throne.

"Speak clearly and speak quickly.", he finally said, audibly at the end of his will to have small talk. "You came here to make an offer and all I got till now is meaningless talks. You're a noble through and through."

And again, you had to chuckle at his words.

This time, however, you weren't amused by what he said but rather his judgement.

"Is that what you truly think?", you asked and tilted your head to meet him with a sweet smile.

"It is what I see.", he replied, growling.

"Well, my act is better than I anticipated it to be then. Forgive me for wasting your time."

"Don't waste more of it."

You bowed your head.

"As you wish. So rumours have it that your daughter declined the throne."

His eyes narrowed. Mistrust lit up inside the brown.

"And where does a noble like you gets to hear those rumours?"

You shrugged.

"A little swallow told me. But that isn't the point. The pint is that this empire is build on your leadership. You need someone who knows how you rule.", again, you dared to glance at him. "And someone loyal as well."

Slowly, you walked circles around the stairs of his throne, always dancing with your fingers around the brim of the goblet.

A few drops of wine touched them. It felt cold yet smooth.

Meanwhile, Emhyr remained as motionless as expected from him.

His eyes followed your every step while his fingers rubbed against her other as if he tried to grind dirt.

"There are plenty of loyal people in these halls.", he said.

You knew that this wasn't his true opinion.

Emhyr Var Emreis was known to be a picky man. Especially when it came to the ones he trusted.

All of the nobles and rich merchants tried to befriend him.

And all he had left for them was mockery and a hint of disgust.

"Loyal to your power, maybe.", you agreed and stopped, your back turned towards him. "But neither to your ideals nor you as the emperor. Isn't it?"

A flinch chased through his face.

"You wouldn't be loyal to me either."

"No. No, I'm not. But that is what makes me such a good ally. I'm not loyal to you nor Nilfgaard. But I also don't care. I have no desire to stab you in the back nor do I wish to see this empire crumble. And I also don't care to take your place."

His eyes wandered your body up and down.

With one of his fingers he rubbed over the surface of his bottom lip.

He thought for a moment.

"Then what did you come here for?", he asked. "People don't work for nothing."

Adrenaline rushed through your body.

Smiling satisfied, you turned around to lock eyes with him.

Excited (E/C) met harsh brown.

"I want to rebuild my parents legacy.", you said with as much honesty as you had never been before. "You return my mothers land, my fathers belongings and my title to me and I'll find a suitable heir for your throne."

Taking a deep breath, Emhyr tilted his head in a doubting manner.

"And why would you be such a good ally?"

"Because I am nothing. The nobles like me because I'm nobody to fear. I'm not influential enough to hurt them. Yet they can't turn me away because of my higher birth. I'll be your perfect spy in disguise."

"Until I returned everything you desire."

"And then I'll be on my way."