LONG LIVE THE VILLAIN (MHA AU)

VIII.

The day was comprised with you mainly going through the accounts you'd asked Shinso to come up with and going through the other history books you'd pulled. So far it was mainly the stories of the leaders, what their rule was like and the way the people had built up the great empire. You found the story of a woman revolutionizing and eventually founding her own kingdom to be so awe-inspiring and honestly, it made you crack a small smile.

"You should do that more often."

You looked up to see Shinso entering the library holding several papers and a quill.

"What?" You asked, the look on your face quickly morphing into distaste.

"Smile."

You raised a brow at him.

"The thing where your mouth stretches up and your teeth are visible."

"There is more than one facial expression that fits that description." You quipped as you set down your book and looked at him.

"What did you find?" You inquired and he gave a smirk.

"Thanks for asking whether or not I'm okay."

"You mistake me for someone who cares. As long as you're here in front of me, you must be fine. So what did you find?"

Shinso rolled his eyes. You just never changed, did you?

"Many people will be here tomorrow to help 'clean the castle'. They really are loyal to you and your family. I doubt anyone will betray you once they discover you're here."

For once you were silent. Your mind was far away, thinking about the time when you didnt doubt anyone or their loyalty, even to the last minutes of your first 'life'. That was before you were thrown off a balcony and brutally murdered, of course.

"You're optimistic." Was all you said.

"Well, I don't want to be the only servant here suffering under your iron fist. I figure it will be a hell of a lot more tolerable with other people around." He shrugged and picked up Sabrina who'd been rubbing up against his leg since he'd returned.

Traitor! You could not even trust the cat to maintain a sense of loyalty, let alone individuals who had not seen you for years. Surely they'd question why you'd let them suffer for so long and why you hadn't helped them escape the terrorizing reign of the King of Endormia sooner.

"Alright. All you have to do is instruct them on helping you clean as usual and pick the best candidates to serve here."

Shinso gave a look of surprise.

"Is that not...your job. Don't you want to meet everyone personally?"

"I will meet everyone whom you choose personally, and then they will pass through my judgement." you affirmed.

"I see. I'd say I'm honored that you trust my judgement if I didn't think you were just delegating tasks to me in order to free yourself of labor."

"Oh please. Your job is to be my right hand man at the moment. I have so many tasks as it is, so of course I am going to give you some of them so we can be more efficient. Did you not agree to share in my burden?" You looked at him.

He set the cat down and met your gaze head on.

"All of it."

"Good, then you will do what I ask, I cant pay you for nothing." You pointed out.

He nodded with a smirk.

"Right, because you're paying me right now."

"That's what we're going to fix tonight. We're going to find and open the treasury after dinner. You know where it is, don't you?"

"No, that's royal family and advisor business."

You eyed him with an annoyed look.

"You're from the advisor line."

"And you, your majesty, are the Queen." he pointed out.

"Oh right, you were absent from your own kingdom for over 10 years. so you truly wouldn't know where your own treasury is, would you?" He pointed out.

"In other words, you really do need me. So treat me a little better from now on, hm?" He smirked.

"I didn't deny my need for your assistance, but if you're going to act like a douchebag, I don't mind doing this on my own. I'm sure I can accomplish much that way, and you can go live on the streets with the rats. They seem like good friends for you."

"If you couldn't tell, I'm actually more of a cat guy." He countered, petting Sabrina who was purring against his legs.

Why did he have an argument for everything?

"Let me re-iterate. We will be cracking open the treasury after dinner even if it takes all night. Then we will see what we can do about other funds and the budget I've composed."

"As you wish, your Majesty." He said, making his tone airy on the last part just to annoy you, but he bowed, nonetheless.

You just nodded.

"Thank you."

He looked up at you with a pleased expression.

"Ah, so you do have manners?"

"Yes, but most of the time, I choose not to waste them on you."

"That's not an excuse." He shrugged.

"Shinso, in the last few days that we have had the unfortunate opportunity to spend some moments with one another, how many times have you thanked me for anything?"

He froze.

"Exactly." You replied.

"I'm going to make dinner, please get these ingredients from the garden." You handed him a list.

He slowly nodded.

"Yes your Majesty. But are you sure you want to cook? I mean... when's the last time you went into the kitchen your highness?" He asked, genuinely confused,

"Just get me what I ask for, please." You said and set off to the Kitchen area in the palace, unbothered by his blatant insinuation that you probably couldn't cook. The joke was on him, after all. You were the palace maid and servant for the royal Prince of Endormia, you cooked his food and sometimes, Kind Enji's as well. You knew how to make all sorts of dishes, in fact, the only ones you didn't know how to make were dishes specializing from your own Kingdom. Which, now that you thought on it, was incredibly stupid. Why had Enji never asked you to learn them? He never even gave you a chance to with all the other tasks you had to take care of. You only learned to make dishes from the other Kingdoms.

That man would do anything to strip you of your identity. No matter, you were here now, and you promised yourself you'd master Kaeylian culinary, even if it took some time. You'd be a trash monarch if you didn't immerse yourself in the culture.

For now, however, you'd start with a simple course you remembered, fit for royalty.