Emhyr Var Emreis x Reader

Forty-Nine

"Are you sure you wish to follow the plan?", you asked, your arms crossed in front of your chest, as you sat in a carriage, dressed in all black and gold.

His brown eyes moved up from the rings on his finger to catch a glimpse of your face.

"I don't back down on my decisions.", Emhyr said and fixed his pearly white collar. "Especially not this one."

A low sound of understanding could be heard from you.

The many layers of clothing kept you so warm in those icy winter days, you were almost sweating. Black, embroidered with black and a hint of white while golden details stretched across your chest and the hem of your coat.

It had been long ago since you've worn garments this fancy.

Back in the day they had been like a second skin to you. Now it was more like a costume, something a little familiar yet not every day attire anymore.

Out of a habit, you pushed two fingers into your collar to get it to stretch and make way for more of the cold air.

Emhyr's eyes followed your every movement.

His fingers tapped on his leg, one by one, while he watched.

This was the first sign of imagined he showed, you noticed. Perhaps this day was just as nerve wrecking to him as it was to you.

The beating of your own heart hammered against the bones of your rib cage.

But it was too late to regret your decision now.

Your eyes moved out the window.

Despite the icy winter of Nilfgaard, with little food and more work to do, people stood at the sides of the road to catch a glimpse of the imperial carriage pass by on its way to the cathedral.

The empire didn't believe in things such as religions or traditions and yet Emhyr had insisted to take a carriage and present you to the people before the formalities of your future marriage were finalised.

It was a good way to lighten the mood in those trying times, especially now that the war was over.

"What if you try to call Ciri back?", you asked without thinking.

He glanced at you from the corner of his eyes.

"She declined the throne already.", he said. "That's the only reason why you came to me in the first place."

You sighed.

"I know. But if we were betrothed to one another... Maybe she would come back if I take over the throne. And she just keeps her freedoms."

For a moment, silence filled the small room of the carriage.

"Do you wish to marry her instead of me?", he suddenly asked.

As the question reached your ears, a cold shiver crawled down your spine. Your eyes widened and for a moment you did not dare to move a single finger.

"No.", your voice was firm as you answered, short and simple.

A deep breath made his chest tighten.

"Then why do you keep asking about her?"

Confused, your eyed him for a moment.

Maybe it was just your imagination, but you dared to believe that there was a hint of displeasure hidden in that question of his.

Why did he act so hurt?

After all, both of you had agreed to this marriage because it served each of you a purpose.

For you it brought security and an insurance not be killed within the next few winters for all the crimes you had committed against the emperor and his pride.

And for him it served in a way to change the peasants bad mood and make clear that the nobles had to watch out for his new ally.

When it came to convenience, the two of you were a perfect match.

But that didn't change the fact that neither of you wanted to involve feelings.

Even though you knew that this wasn't entirely possible anymore. The night with him had made you at least like the emperor as a man.

And his recent behaviour had softened towards you as well.

He now was like a man you could see yourself respect. Perhaps maybe even like.

The devil may forbid you dared to actually fall in love with him. But after the last few days that didn't seem entirely unlikely either.

You hated how your mind got softer for this man by the hour.

Yet, he also did make an effort and it seemed rude to just dismiss it without offering something in return.

With a gentle expression, you grabbed his hand.

"I don't want to be disrespectful.", you smiled softly. "But Ciri is a lot younger than you. She'll be able to continue your blood."

His eyes fell shot for a moment. He thought about something.

"True.", he agreed. "But I know that it won't be your children she'll continue the line with."

"Does that matter?"

"You won't have more children than this daughter of yours either."

"Also correct. But she doesn't want this throne nor the empire. I'd be better off to leave it to my younger spouse.", his fingers locked with yours. "You are somebody with a brilliant mind. A born leader. Why would I hand my empire to a child that doesn't want it?"

"Blood.", you argued.

"The empire couldn't care less for blood. Besides...", his eyes wandered out of the window to catch a glimpse of the castle that slowly, but steadily grew closer. "I won't live forever. And one day, when I die, you'll still be young enough to continue your own bloodline."

As soon as these words left his lips, something inside your chest pulled together.

You hated to hear him say things like these.

Immediately, you wrapped his hand with your other as well.

It would have been foolish to deny those expectations of his, because after all, it did carry a grain of truth.

But he wasn't supposed to believe you saw him as disposable. Not that easily. Not after he had grown on you.

Of course, you would have never admitted that.

"Emhyr.", your hand slid under his chin to make him lock eyes. "Don't worry about the far future. As of now, I'll be your loyal supporter."

The corner of his mouth twitched as he huffed.

"As your emperor?", he asked, almost teasing.

"As my husband.", you kissed him gently.