there is no law that emperors must be fair || jing yuan

Deals with Devils

"Follow me."

That same day, Blade had left to clear out the halls because apparently you and him were going to go meet Dan Heng personally instead of him coming to you. Which was fine, Dan Heng was an important government official that worked even more closely to the Emperor than Blade. So, Dan Heng walking freely among the halls will get anyone's attention right off the bat which is exactly why you and Blade were going to meet him instead of the other way around.

"I thought we were going to wait a few days before knocking this deal out."

"It's best just to get it out of the way now then later."

You winced when you both turned a corner. The bruises and aches you sustained from the stairs were still fresh and very much hurt-, "h- hey!"

"Keep quiet."

Blade had picked you up not a moment later and proceeded to carry you down the hall, his arms wrapped tightly around you as you had no choice but to do as he said. And honestly? You weren't complaining. As lang as you weren't on your feet and moving around, your injuries weren't hurting.

Before too long, he stopped at a door. Looking around to make sure no one was watching him carry you in some random room, he opened the door. Then once he closed it behind himself, he carried you to an empty chair and settled you into it.

"Oh? She's already awake? And since you brought her here, I'm guessing the whole amnesia thing didn't work out."

"How-"

"Anyone with half a brain would be able to tell you did that on purpose in hopes of getting home."

"Then why did it fool the Emperor?"

"Who knows?"

He did know, you could tell, but he wasn't spilling. But whatever. It didn't matter. As long as you got out of here, then you didn't care why it worked on the Emperor.

"Alright, fine. Can we talk about this deal already then? I imagine we don't have much time."

Dan Heng looked to Blade and they both nodded.

"We need you to steal something from the Emperor, and then once we take you home, we need you to steal something from your father."

You deadpanned, "are you kidding me?! If I do that, then I won't be a princess anymore! I'll be labeled a thief and get my hands cut off!"

"Only if you get caught."

"And remember," Dan Heng chimed in, "we can always go tell the Emperor what you were planning. Hell, we can even tell him how you planned to get amnesia, steal this important item, and then leave as if you did nothing wrong."

"You-"

"So, it's best to work with us, then against us."

You bit the inside of your cheek, "fine, whatever, what am I stealing from the Emperor and my father anyway?"

"Two keys."

You deadpanned again, "what."

"You'll know them once you see them."

"Ok, and where are these keys anyway?"

"One of them is in the Emperor's personal chambers. A place where only his fiancé is let in."

"His...personal maids are let in there too, but they are too loyal to the Emperor, which is why you will come in handy."

His personal maids... you knew what that meant. Your father warned you that some royalty takes maids to bed. You suppose that Jing Yuan was no different.

"And my father's supposed key?"

"We will worry about that once you get the Emperor's and back home."

You sighed, "and what do I get out of this?"

Dan Heng stepped forward again, "you won't have to marry the Emperor, and once you're free from our deal you can go back home and never have to worry about us or the Emperor ever again."

"Ever? So, the fact that I'm stealing these keys won't ever trace back to me?"

"Correct."

"...You said that the key is in the Emperor's room, how am I supposed to get in there anyway?"

"Get close to him and let him take you to bed."

"What?"

"You'll be fine. Besides, if it gets too scary in there you can always play the scared virgin card and get him to back down."

You huffed, "you two are brutes."

"We could be worse."

Dan Heng checked the time then, "enough idle chatter, take her back to the infirmary. We can discuss more later."

"So what am I supposed to do now," you asked while Blade picked you back up.

"Act like you have amnesia, play the innocent victim, and look at the Emperor as if he created the sun, the moon, and hung the very stars in the night sky."

"You're serious."

"Very, and try to act genuine, and don't overact either."

"Ok, mom."

Dan Heng glared at you right before Blade carried you out of the room, "you just like to push everyone's buttons, don't you."

"Oh can it, Blade. Besides, why do you both need those keys anyway?"

"It's best if you don't know. For now, worry about yourself. Because I can't promise your safety if the Emperor finds out about your charade."

"If he does, then can you promise me something?"

"What?"

"Kill me."

Blade glanced down at you, his hold on you tightening ever so slightly, "why?"

"We both know how ruthless the Emperor can be. If he finds out, then I will basically be sentenced to a life of torture and misfortune even if I do manage to escape. Death would be far kinder in that regard."

"I...understand."

Once Blade took you back to the infirmary and set you in your bed, he took up guarding right by your side once more, "I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but as Dan Heng mentioned, the maids are loyal to the Emperor. Don't trust them. Also,...a few of them are the Emperor's favorites, so they tend to get away with more stuff than a princess ever could. So be wary of them. I won't always be by your side."

"Alright..."

"Get some rest. You have a lot to do tomorrow."

"Like what?"

"Dealing with the Emperor, of course. I heard he canceled all of his meetings for tomorrow to be with you."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I told him you woke up but needed more rest, so tomorrow he could speak with you."

"...I hate you."

"Thank you."