Emhyr Var Emreis x Reader

Fifteen

"Well then.", in his usual, stiff manner, he crossed his arms behind his back and pushed out his chest to appear more royal. "Your work. I would like to hear results."

Torn from your thoughts, you let your eyes wander over his face.

He had a broad jaw and a jawline that was sharp even though he was a man of higher age.

The grey of his hair told only more stories of long nights and even longer days.

You wondered if he would ever find rest.

It was hard to tell how late it was, but the liquid wax of the small candles and the rising rising stars outside the windows told that at least an hour had passed since his arrival.

Maybe even more.

Somehow it made you feel two kinds of ways.

On one had it made you feel secure in your position to know that the emperor was concerned about his situation. Concerned enough to pay you a nightly visit.

On the other hand you wished to get rid of him. Especially to this time of the day.

Whenever nobles caught the smallest of hints that could be spun into wild rumours, they would pick up on them.

And the emperor being in somebody's chambers well after bedtime most certainly was a good hint to make even better rumours out of.

Taking a deep breath in, you pushed around the papers on your desk and handed him one that could have made a good impression on what you had worked on so far.

"I gathered a few names of nobles, along with their titles and as what you keep them in court.", you explained while searching for another piece of paper that went along with it.

Sceptical, he let his gaze wander over your handwriting.

"I know very well who works for me.", he said.

You had to bite your lip to suppress an annoyed groan.

This is important for me to develop a plan.

"See, most of these nobles have too low ranks anyways."

"Then why do you consider them in the first place?", he threw the paper to the ground.

Immediately, you handed him another with new information.

"They could be useful for intrigues though and perhaps maybe a few rumours to distract the people from what actually is going on."

One of his eyebrows rose.

"And what is going on?"

"Nothing.", you huffed. "But that's too boring for the nobles. They think I came here to make Cirilla reconnect with her father so that she'll take the throne."

"She already declined it."

"But they don't know that. And as of now, they don't need to know. They hope she'll take the throne after taking preparations."

For a moment, he eyed you.

"So we can use their hope to win time.", he assumed. "And once we found a solution, Cirilla won't be a topic anymore."

You gifted him a smug smirk.

"I must say, I appreciate the way you think so quickly.", you chuckled and pulled out another sheet of paper that you didn't hand him. "Those are some opinions that I've heard about the candidates that I would take into closer consideration."

You showed him a few names.

"Voorhis isn't on the list.", he noted.

Your shoulders tensed.

Surprised by that statement, you had to take a moment to decide wether it pleased or displeased him.

"He is said to be a good general.", you tried to test the waters.

"He is. But his politics are lacking."

Relief washed over you.

"That is what I head as well...", you agreed. "The empire needs someone with his warfare skills. Yet if he lacks in politics, the merchants and nobles will take over."

"And the empire will crumble, he finished the sentence. Very well, I agree. He shouldn't be in closer consideration."

"You could keep him in mind for other positions.", you interrupted.

He frowned.

"What for? He's already a general."

Your eyes wandered over the rows of names.

"Cirilla will need a husband one day.", you noted. "If she decides to return to the empire, that is. Title wise, he'd make a good... son in law."

From the corner of your eyes, you managed to catch a glimpse of the emperor pulling a face.

So he wasn't all too thrilled about that recommendation.

"Let the general be a general.", he said and tilted his head to be able to read through the lines. "Most of these are women. And I assume quite young. I remember some of them as daughters of nobles and merchants that grew up alongside Cirilla."

Agreeing, you hummed.

There was a name that you were looking for, but it didn't want to show.

Maybe the page had swallowed it.

Or you had forgotten to write it down.

"It would be best to find you a bride...", you handed him the list and bend over your desk again to dig for more things you had written down. "Luckily, Nilfgaard is an empire. Blood isn't all that important to the throne. If we find a good fit, you could just adopt them. Yet again, a child of flesh and blood would be better. To strengthen your power. In that case the bride should be young."

He didn't respond.

You threw a glance over your shoulder.

As you did so, he glanced up and met your gaze.

Maybe it was just by chance, maybe on purpose, but he did manage to strike you by surprise and made your words stutter.

How did that happen?

Without a single word leaving his lips, he moved towards you and placed the paper on your desk. His eyes wandered over the countless other documents that you had created while waiting for the chamberlain to return with old herbs.

"I see, you take your job seriously.", he noted and turned away. "For your own good, I hope you make a good pick."

He was already at the door as you finally realised he wanted to leave.

Quickly, you stood up straight and walked over to bid him farewell.

"In the end, my choices can always be denied by you.", you reminded him. "After all, it will be your future partner."

His eyes caught one last glimpse of you from the side.

"Indeed. It will be."