Kaz Brekker X Reader - The Bastard and the Blood Princess

Chapter 8

As the evening grew darker, the pub's interiors grew in volumes. Everyone else around you was laughing and clinking their glasses together - a group of people at the other side of the pub was apparently celebrating someone's birthday and they made the most noise, but the situation wasn't much less noisy in other tables either.

You and Kaz ate in silence, with you trying to not look at Kaz as his discomfort very clearly came through. The waitress had asked Kaz while looking at you if he'd like to buy today's special for his girlfriend, and he had immediately barked at her, correcting her that you were his acquaintance, actually less than an acquaintance. The waitress had given him a weird look as he was paying for you both, and you were trying to suppress a smile at her confused expression.

And now he was stiff, occasionally squeezing his cane with his other hand while eating, chewing slowly - you recognised the signs, and you knew it was because he didn't particularly enjoy sitting with the daughter of his arch enemy, eating as if you were on a date. You knew he despised the feeling. So you sighed and leaned forward.

"Kaz, should I–"

Kaz interrupted you. "Who were you writing a letter to? Your father?"

You froze - how did he know? You opened your mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. "I–"

He scoffed, the fork clattering on the plate as he raised his head a bit. "I'm not stupid. An ink bottle in the bathroom? I'd think someone like you would know how to lie better."

You blinked at him as he slowly raised his eyes to meet yours, and then you groaned. "Well, I hoped this wouldn't come up. The truth is... I have a boyfriend in Dime Lions. Or well, had. And I think he was the one who ratted me out. He swears he isn't the one, but I know it's just a trick... I was intending to send a letter to him to threaten him that once I come back, I'll gut him too once my father is out. But I was interrupted and the ink bottle spilled on me, I was in so much rage that I forgot everything around me. I lied because... well, it's still a delicate subject for me and–" you ended your sentence abruptly, pretending to choke back a sob. "I don't want to seem weak. I'm not. Love is a weakness, and those who seek it are to be victims of their own heart. I think that I knew, deep in my heart, what my father truly is and I sought comfort from Tiernan, which was stupid."

Kaz thought for a moment and then huffed. "So, the rumour was true. The Blood Princess and Tiernan Dwyer being involved."

You suppressed back a snort. Idiots, seeing chemistry between you and Tiernan.

"Was it that obvious?" you mumbled, lowering your spoon slightly. "I thought I was good at masking my feelings."

Kaz picked up his fork again. "There was a bet going around. Jesper betted on you two not being together, and now he'd lose a fair share of money for it if I were one to tell them this."

You sighed. "What a shame. Seems like I bring nothing but bad luck for that man."

Kaz shifted before picking up another piece of carrot. "He needs a kick of bad luck sometimes."

—

On the road again, the sun had set an hour ago and darkness had descended over the valley like a shroud. You could barely see, and you both knew it was dangerous to ride without seeing anything, but the job wouldn't wait - you'd need to be at Rotrov before sunrise, you'd need to snatch the uniforms in the middle of the night. There'd be a lot more guards during daytime, but at night only one or two. Or that's what Kaz told you. You guessed a warehouse for uniforms and weapons branded by Little Palace symbols weren't a popular thing to snatch.

You passed a bridge, the sound of water flowing below it, making you think of that old farm your father sometimes brought you to on business trips only a few years ago. You weren't able to adventure though, you were mostly babysitting toddler Alby and watching as he mashed toy carriages together while babbling something unintelligible. But when you were sitting outside with him, you heard birds, water flowing in the creek, wind blowing through the trees, rustling leaves.