Emhyr Var Emreis x Reader

Fifty

It surprised you over and over again how powerful money could be.

Even though it was the coldest of winters, with frozen fields and dry breezes, some poor fool still had managed to decorate the throne room with flowers as white as the clouds.

Golden suns of Nilfgaard hung from the railings of the balconies while a deep black carpet led all the way up to the throne.

Hundreds of nobles had gathered in the halls to be witnesses of the first imperial marriage in ages.

As you saw all of these people through a small window the nervousness started to crawl up your throat.

Taking a deep breath, you closed your eyes and took a step back to clear your head.

As you did so, two hands wrapped around your waist.

"Why the fear?", Emhyr asked in a low voice and breathed a kiss to the side of your neck. "You are always such a loud mouthed one. And a wedding makes you crack?"

You could tell that he just wanted to tease you.

Smiling, you placed your hands on his and leaned back to press your back against his chest.

The cold gold of his sun necklace pushed through the layers of fabric and chased goosebumps down your spine.

"We could have just signed the papers by ourselves.", you chuckled.

A hum of agreement made his chest vibrate.

"Unfortunately, we need this occasion to calm the nobles.", he said and let go of you to stand by your side.

You grabbed his arm.

"Will we have those disloyal assassinated on our wedding day?", you asked with a smirk. "Or will they just... disappear?"

From the corner of his eyes, Emhyr gifted you a smirk.

"This is not the place nor time for your shenanigans.", he just said and gave the guards a sign.

They got into position.

On the other side of the door, everyone fell silent.

Music started to play.

The guards pushed the doors open.

Bright, golden sunlight danced over the black carpet and made the golden details shine like liquid pieces of the sun itself.

Air that smelled of lavender and dried herbs, filled your lungs with every breath. It was just the way you remembered it from your childhood days.

"How did you do that?", you asked, whispering, as you walked down the aisle with him while people watched with fake smiles. "I didn't even know this scent could be recreated."

"Another wedding gift to you."

With his usual stern expression, he kept his eyes turned towards the altar. Every time he passed somebody who looked mighty, he turned his head to receive their good will and congratulations.

With every step you took closer to the altar, your heart started to beat faster.

The air inside your lungs urned as your fingers locked closer around his arm to keep yourself sane.

But it wasn't regret that tried to make you turn around and run.

It was excitement.

Why?

Why did you feel this excited to soon call the emperor your husband?

Mere weeks ago you would have spot him right in the face. His cold facial expressions had irritated you to an extend you didn't even wanted to admit.

And now his hand on yours was enough to make your knees go weak.

Emhyr's touch was warm and despite his age you couldn't imagine to marry somebody else.

That one night with him truly had changed your mind.

It frightened you to know how easily he had been able to make you fall for him.

And yet.

At the same time he was like sand between your fingers. He acted like a completely different man whenever he was around you.

Perhaps that was his way of making compromises, but deep down you hoped that it was a sign that he started to fall for you just the way you fell for him.

At the foot of the altar, right in front of the throne of the emperor, you two came to a stand.

A man waited, dressed in a robe of all black. Next to him stood a row of men in armour.

One of the was Morvran.

At the sight of him, the pressure on you eased.

It was good to see a friendly face.

With a slight bow of your head, you greeted him.

The man in the black robe, he looked a lot like some sort of royal official, stepped forward to raise his hands above you and Emhyr's head.

The audience fell as silent as death.

"We have gathered hear today, to be witnesses of the emperor's marriage.", his voice flooded the throne room like the golden rays of the sun.

Despite the harsh winter, the sun had decided to bless the day of your wedding with its golden light and warmth.

You didn't shiver of cold as the man opened a book with documents inside and handed you a quill to sign the marriage certificate.

Carefully, you placed your name where it belonged, the name of your mother and father, the very name that was about to be said right after the one of the emperor.

With a smile, you passed the quill on.

A scratchy sound filled the silence as the ink on the tip ran out.

You held your breath as his hands lay it down and moved to offer you to plate your hand in his palm.

You did as he said so.

"This empire will soon see an age of wealth and stability.", Emhyr said and turned your hand to slide a ring onto one of the fingers. "Take this as my promise that I won't betray you."

Your eyes lingered on the piece of jewellery for a moment before your mind realised that it wasn't just a simple wedding band but one with a seal that carried both his family crest and yours, while the sun of Nilfgaard shone above.

This wasn't just a simple sign of trust. It was a promise of power.

Not in your wildest dreams would you have dared to be betrothed with something this mighty.

"Emhyr." , you placed both hands on his face to pull him close. "Let this be an empire like no other."

"With two imperial people on the throne."

You pulled him into a kiss.