ChinaXReader Little Thief Part 7

“I’m a good emperor, right, aru?”

You and Wang Yao trotted through the woods on the back of an imperial steed, fleeing a rebellion. The entire time, Yao hung his head dejectedly and tried to imagine what could have prompted his guards to do such a thing.

“Really, emperor? I can’t deal with this until we get to a place where people don’t want to kill you.”

“Then wouldn’t it be faster to take the main road?”

You gave him a flat look. “Oh, because that wouldn’t draw attention. We’d be either killed or robbed before you could say ‘aru’.”

“I’m just trying to be helpful, little zei.” The emperor said, looking quite miffed. “Where are we going anyway, aru?”

You sighed and pulled the stubborn horse around a fallen tree. “I have a friend nearby who will help us. He’s not too fond of the royal family, though, so let me do the talking. At the very least, he’ll give you some clothes that don’t make you look like a peacock in a ball gown.”

“But these are my hunting robes, aru! I’ll blend right in.” He argued.

“Yao, just… No. You won’t.” You looked over your shoulder at the fine silks and elegant cut of his robe. “Trust me.”

- - - - - - - - -

It was reaching nightfall, and you knew that Yao needed rest and a meal.

You found a small, secluded area, mostly surrounded by draping bushes. You dismounted and helped a very sleepy emperor down. After tethering the horse to a low tree branch, you started to empty out the supply sacks. Most of the food was pretty smushed, but it would have to do.

You and Yao ate most of the fare, leaving some for the morning.

Yao looked at you through heavily lidded eyes. “Why are you still here, zei?”

You leaned back against the tree and looked at the Chinese man lying on the ground.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I mean, why are you helping me?”

Turning your face to the steadily rising moon, you smiled slightly and answered him. “You save my life, I save yours. That’s how it works, emperor.”

“You already did that. You could leave now, if you wanted.” His voice sounded small among the lulling sound of all the night time creatures.

“Honestly, you’re a really good emperor. This country doesn’t deserve the kind of rule that the usurpers want. You’re more worthy of the throne more than anyone else.” You shifted trying to get comfortable on the tree roots. “And you didn’t cut off my hands, which was pretty great of you.”

Yao nodded lazily. “But what about the war with the north?” He murmured. “I have to keep the kingdom safe.”

“Go to sleep, emperor.” You said, watching him try to stay awake. “I’ll keep watch.”

“Alright, aru… Wake me up when it’s my turn… to keep watch…” He finally drifted off, eyes shutting as he fell asleep.

You shook your head and gave a small smile. “Sure thing, emporer.” You whispered.

You took your coat off and draped it over Wang Yao’s shoulders. It would be a cold night, a preface to an even colder winter.

One that had only just begun.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Wang Yao woke with a start. He was terribly uncomfortable and didn’t know how he had come to be sleeping underneath a canopy of trees.

It was only when he looked to his right and saw you picking through the remains of the supplies did he remember.

He groaned and rubbed his eyes. “I thought it was a bad dream, aru.”

You looked over and saw the emperor whine and sit up. You handed him an apple. “It could be worse. We could be dead.”

“Yes, thank you. I feel better already.” He said sarcastically.

“My pleasure. Now pull yourself together. We’ve got a ways to go before we reach my friend.”

After nearly half a day’s ride, you and Yao ended up, very tired and very hungry, at the door to a large cabin. It took quite a bit of sneaking around through the underbrush as the house was only a few miles from a village.

On the entrance, a brass lion held a door knocker in its mouth, and its eyes glittered down at you and your traveling companion. You took the heavy knocker in your hand and pounded a twice on the wooden door. Yao was very out of his element in the rural area with his dirty robes, but he seemed to put on a regal air as he prepared to meet this stranger.

After a tense moment, the door creaked open to reveal…

“Kesesese~! Has little ________ come all zis way to see ze awesome me?”

Gilbert Beilshmidt. Why couldn’t Ludwig or Alaric have answered instead?

You sighed. “Gil, please let us in, we’re tired and hungry and-“

“Ja, ja, but first, the password.”

“No! That’s stupid.”

“I won’t let you in unless you say the password~” Gilbert sang.

You huffed. “Gilbert Beilshmidt is the most awesome person in the whole world.” You droned, glaring at the albino. “Happy?”

“Ja, now get in here. Ludwig has been dying to see you.” He said and wiggled his eyebrows.

You pinched the bridge of your nose. You’d been here not even five minutes and Gil was already giving you a headache.

“Look, we really need to speak with Alaric.”

“Who is we?” Gilbert said, cutting you off. “Why is he dressed all…” He gestured spastically to Yao’s fancy clothes and looked to you for an answer.

“Right, introductions.” You muttered and turned to Yao. “Yao, meet Gilbert Beilshmidt. Gil, meet Wang Yao, the emperor.”

Gil stared at the two of you blankly, but being the way he was, he neither bowed nor freaked out. He just started laughing.

“KESESESE! Seriously ______? The emperor?! Vhat did you do zis time?” He wiped his eyes and looked up at you. Seeing your flat, unamused expression only made him dissolve into another fit of laughter. “No vonder you didn’t visit for so long!” He cackled.

“It’s not funny, Gil.”

“It really is!” He snorted.

“Vhat isn’t funny?”

The three of you all looked to the door way where a newcomer stood.

“Ludwig!” You smiled.

Laughing, the blond man walked over to you and wrapped his arms around you in a bear hug, almost lifting you off the ground.

“Gah! You’re crushing me.” You complained halfheartedly.

Ludwig put you down and looked curiously to where Gilbert was relentlessly annoying Yao. “Um…”

“West! ______ brought ze emperor!” Gilbert shouted

Ludwig’s eyes widened and he looked to you for an explanation.

You groaned. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain everything to Alaric.”