Emhyr Var Emreis x Reader

Fourteen

Anger.

There was so much anger that burned inside of your eyes. It must have been so powerful that even he, the one so ignorant towards human emotions, must have caught a hint of it.

For a moment you couldn't help but stare at him.

Your fingers wrapped around the goblet of wine that you still held. They twisted and turned with such force that your knuckles started to turn pale under the pressure.

How much this man deserved your hate.

How much more you wanted to tell him.

But no matter what would have left your mouth, it would have sounded like a reproach. An attack to the man that he was.

He used every little imperfection against his enemies. It was foolish of you to be surprised that he brought up the fact that you were of impure blood.

But it didn't phase you.

This was something that you had to listen to ever since understanding as a child that this world didn't like half blooded creatures.

If it wasn't fully human, not fully elf, not fully dwarf then it was worse than the two pieces that they came from.

You had expected him to go down this path.

In the end, he wasn't all that different from others.

But it would have been a waste of time to argue with him about it. This was a matter that you couldn't win about since it showed clearly in your ears, other features and your magical abilities.

So instead, you decided to use it to your advantage.

A smirk made its way back to your lips. It was a challenging one, almost mocking.

Without hesitation you pushed it right into his face by leaning forward.

Your fingers grabbed him by the collar and dragged him down so that he was forced to look you in the eyes like an equal.

Now it was his turn to act surprised.

"The blood of my father gave me magic.", you breathed and almost chuckled. "And those ears of mine, born from impure blood, can hear everything. I'll know all the secrets that these walls have to tell and nobody will even know. You see, Emhyr..."

You made sure to whisper his name so softly, so tenderly, that he wasn't able to remain unfazed.

"Do not dare put my name into that filthy mouth of yours.", he hissed. "I'm your emperor. Not your friend."

But at this point you had already passed the point of return. There was no going back anymore.

Either you would go down this path in hopes of another day waiting at the end for you.

Or you would die while walking it.

"I expected you to know of my rudeness.", you returned and let go of his collar so that he would pull away.

He didn't.

Instead, the two of you just stared at each other, both faces written with anger and irritation.

You knew that he didn't know what to do.

You knew that nobody had ever dared to speak to him this way before yet alone touch him this way.

And still.

There was something in those eyes of his.

Those disgustingly brown eyes, so proud and wise.

"You're truly a fool.", he finally said and took a step towards you.

You didn't give him the satisfaction of shying away.

"A fool, maybe. But I know my flaws. Can you say that of yourself as well?"

His eyes narrowed.

A shadow crossed this pale face.

Golden light of candles stroked his features.

Surprisingly, he had an even nicer jawline in this lightning.

The silver strands of hair at the sides of his head seemed to shimmer. And the remaining black was deeper than it had appeared in the bright sunlight.

"I don't have flaws.", he finally said, his voice so calm, so annoyingly calm, that it made your blood boil again.

"Truly?", you tilted your head to eye him. "A man with no heir, who is hated among the most rich and powerful of his own empire. And yet be sees no flaws in himself?"

"My lack of popularity has nothing to do with flaws."

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. But let me tell you, my father being an elf is no reason for you to let my mother's good name fall from grace."

"Your father fell from grace as well."

"Because of unfair treatment. Also from the royal court. Say, wasn't I always a good friend to your daughter? Didn't my mother teach her so that you could rule?"

His eyes left you for a moment before returning.

"I did not make the decision to dismiss her from the palace.", the emperor admitted, almost sounding annoyed by how you attacked him.

You crossed your arms in front of your chest.

"Then who did?", you asked, eyebrows knitted together. "My parents would have been your first supporters after the death of Pavetta."

"Do not dare take my wife's name into your mouth."

As soon as her name crossed his lips, you couldn't help but feel a shiver chase through your entire body.

It was like a spell, almost magical.

Pavetta was said to have been an empress of patience and kindness. Not a single bad report could be found about her and even after years of her passing, people still talked well about her when asked of her legacy.

Apparently, Ciri was said to be a lot like her, not just in looks.

If that woman had only been half the woman that Ciri was now, you did not wish to stain her name with any comments in a fit of rage.

It seemed odd to you that a man like the emperor would have been wedded to a woman like Pavetta.

Yet stranger things have happened in this world.

A sigh could be heard.

Slowly, the emperor leaned back to close his eyes.

"Your mother was a good woman.", his voice finally cut through the silence. "And I did not care for your fathers blood too much either."

"He was elven noble as well. My blood might be impure in terms of humanity but my noble status is undoubtedly legit."

He exhaled again and in such a manner that his chest broadened.

"At the time, the other nobles were unsettled about the abilities that your father possessed."

You frowned.

"Abilities?"

"The ones he passed on to you."

Your fingers flinched.

"Magic."