Wrapped in a silence that was common for the Nilfgaard high society, you walked next to the emperor, head bowed while your hands crossed in front of your stomach.

This was a way to carry yourself politely and without causing suspicion about what you had to hide behind your back.

Emhyr walked a few steps in front of you, his head high and his hands crossed behind his back.

Once again, you noticed that he was quite tall. And the width of his shoulders wasn't too shabby either.

He had just the build for an emperor.

Yet, he walked smoothly, every step wisely placed.

Not a single sound could be heard from him.

But from the angle you glanced at him, you could tell how his eyes moved restlessly.

With every step he took he expected something to happen. No matter if it was an assassination or a simple noble woman crossing his path in hopes to arouse his interest.

However it didn't seem like he was interested in anything but the stony path before him and the sound of your steps by his side.

Around the two of you walked nobles and servants, all dressed in black and white.

It bored you to see the same kinds of colours, which weren't even colours and the same cuts with the same kinds of fabrics and structures.

All of these people looked the same. Barely different in the ways they grew into the sky or how they kept their hair prim and proper.

And even with different haircuts they still were so similar.

Back in the day, you had been surrounded by colourful garments with tight shirts and golden and silver embroidery.

Trees had adored your fathers arms and flowers had crawled up your mothers legs while the skirts of her dresses danced with the wind.

Her favourite flower had been a golden lili. The seal of your fathers family.

To this day you carried a lili on all of your clothes.

But not in that moment since the colours of Nilfgaard held you hostage.

Somehow it made you feel like loosing a piece of your identity.

The emperor stopped.

You and the entire followers held in as well.

There was a door to his right.

It seemed strange to build a room right in the middle of the caste gardens. Not far away could the splashing water of a fountain be heard.

Despite the cold temperatures of the uprising winder and the little sunlight, flowers stretched their colourful heads into the dark blue sky.

They were the first thing you got to see that wasn't black nor white or golden.

The green of the stems warmed your heart.

Your eyes wandered to the door.

It must have been some peasant quarters. Or maybe chambers for low ranked guests.

Of course you had not expected to be treated like the emperor's new replacement of the daughter that had run from him.

But as someone with an offer like yours he could have shown a bit more effort to welcome you.

Both of you knew that this was a relationship out of convenience but you didn't want to be treated like some sort of disposable pawn.

"How typical...", you mumbled to yourself with an annoyed expression.

Someone behind you cleared their throat.

"No talking unless the emperor allows it.", one of the servants whispered into your ear.

Irritated by the warm breath tickling the back of your neck, you flinched and shook him off.

"I speak as I desire.", you replied with a grim look on your face. "I'm sure the emperor already expects me to have lacking manners."

Brown eyes fell onto you.

"That I did.", the emperor said and did a gesture.

Like leaves in the wind, all of the people around spread into all directions, their heads bowed and eyes glancing upwards to see what you were about to do.

You didn't move.

Instead, you did the exact opposite and approached the man that seemed to unapproachable to everyone.

With a cold expression on his face, he glanced at you from the corners of his eyes.

For a moment, you tried to return the gesture to show him how little appealing it was to be met with this kind of attitude.

He took a breath, not deep nor flat. Just a breath to gather himself.

"You will resident here.", his eyes moved away. "As long as you prove yourself useful."

Your gaze fell onto the door.

"I don't expect much.", you said, looking past him. "But I think I'm with more than this."

A movement rushed over his face.

It amused you to see how little it took to get him down from his high horse. He was so easy to irritate.

That was sign that he wasn't used to being questioned.

Usually, people just took his words for everything and obeyed.

You will receive whatever you offer, he said and turned to face you.

His chest blocked your view.

The golden sun of Nilfgaard adored him. The chain around his neck must have been worth castles.

You wondered how many lives it was worth.

How many empires could be thrown over with its worth?

"I offer the safety of your empire.", you noted and glanced up at him. "I would assume that it is of better worth."

"You demand a lot for someone who hasn't given me anything in return."

Understanding, you raised your chin.

"I understand.", you gifted him a polite smile. "Then allow me to prove myself useful. To show you that investments won't be made wrongfully."

His eyes moved to the side, as if he was loosing interest in this conversation. Then it returned with a glimmer inside.

It was hard for you to read him, but surely this would change over time. As of now, you needed to remain cautious.

Maybe it wasn't all too wise to test his limits just yet.

"You will prove yourself worthy.", he said without a single hint of emotion in his voice. "If I have to tell you what to do, you're less useful than you promised yourself to be."

Amused, you couldn't help but smirk.

"What a smart man you are."