Her Highness's Second Life

Chapter 8 - The Perfect Companion

[Disclaimer: This chapter contains some bxb action]

Emer took a sip of the sweet wine that swirled in his glass, turning the page of his book. These past few weeks had left little time for leisure—traveling long distances, gathering information, and surveilling targets filled his waking hours with tasks, but little enjoyment.

However, his time was drawing near its end. If the rumors were accurate, Kassian Etrobia was set to depart for the Gaemo harbor in three days. He would be absent for approximately two weeks—less if he hurried back after realizing His Eminence and his associates were not aboard the vessel. This gave Emer just over two weeks to ingratiate himself with Kassian’s wife and glean the necessary intelligence about her and her allies.

Although he had met her briefly, he didn’t want to appear too forward. With everything that had happened with that man, Zender, even if it was five years ago, she would have grown more suspicious and wary of strangers, and showing interest in her from the get-go would put her on the defensive.

Nevertheless, people were often easily manipulated if one knew how. His plan was to make his presence known, but let her become intrigued by him first. He understood he stood out in the city with his appearance, and he knew her interests lay in business. And since she was happily married, approaching her as a potential suitor would be a mistake. So making himself into someone with the same interests and the right connections would likely prompt her to seek him out.

A creak interrupted his thoughts, and he lifted his eyes from the page just as Nykka perched on the windowsill like a predatory bird returning to its roost. Nykka lowered the cloth concealing his face, his dark eyes fixed on Emer’s.

“Would it kill you to come through the door like a normal person?” Emer asked with a sigh, gesturing for Nykka to enter. His subordinate leaped into the room, landing soundlessly on the ground. Kneeling before Emer, he bowed his head.

“Master instructed me to remain unseen, so I followed orders. The inn below is teeming with people. My arrival would have been noticed,” Nykka replied in a leveled tone.

Emer set his glass on the small table by the window, resting his chin on his hand as he studied his right-hand man. They had been in the capital for several days now, and despite Emer’s efforts to keep Nykka occupied and prevent him from becoming anxious in crowds, his subordinate seemed perpetually on edge, regardless of his attempts to hide it.

Perhaps it was time for a different kind of distraction.

“Raise your head and report,” Emer commanded.

It was almost too satisfying to see how a man with Nykka’s skills and overwhelming bloodthirstiness could show such obedience. Nykka was the perfect companion in many ways.

“I have completed my survey of the third prince’s residence. The security is tight, but the soldiers seem lax and overconfident, given the absence of any danger or incidents in the last five years,” he began. Emer smiled, nodding for him to continue. “I saw the Craidal girl. She is involved with the Captain of the Guards and she was able to sense my presence, even though I didn’t approach her closely.”

“Did she see you?” Emer tensed, his smile dropping.

“Of course not, Master,” Nykka replied calmly. “If she did, I’d be begging you to kill me right now.” Nykka’s tone exuded complete confidence, so Emer forced his expression to relax, signaling for him to proceed. “The third prince typically has only two security guards when he leaves the residence, but sometimes he goes unaccompanied or with his aide. Security around his wife and two daughters is very tight, even within the residence. There are at least six guards constantly around the children, as well as two nannies. The children rarely venture outside, and when they do, additional guards monitor the area where they play.” Nykka paused to catch his breath, licking his lips. “The only time security around the wife is less stringent is when she visits the restaurant. She is usually accompanied only by the Craidal girl, but six others discreetly follow them at a distance. I suspect some restaurant staff also monitor her, but we haven’t identified them yet, as she hasn’t spent much time there.”

“That’s fine, Tyrak is keeping an eye on the restaurant for now,” Emer said, thinking of the burly man assigned to city observation, though his stealth was akin to a bear in a glass shop. For all his raw power and fighting skills, he couldn’t even walk without making a noise. Unlike Nykka, who seemed like he had a sound-off option, which he could turn on and off like a light switch.

“I met with K’lani after doing my round,” Nykka continued. “She reported minimal security at the former Head Maid’s residence—only half a dozen soldiers, but they do more manual labor than guard work.” Emer nodded, taking another sip out of his wine. “. The brothel owner spends most nights at the brothel; his house has minimal security, manned by an aging butler and two old maids. K’lani has familiarized herself with both locations and can infiltrate upon your order. She promised to provide us with a map by the next check-in. I will complete my report on the third prince’s residence by tomorrow.”

“Excellent work,” Emer praised, offering a smile, to which Nykka bowed his head. “And the Royal Palace? Has Sacha found a way in?”

“No, Master. Following the attack by the Craidal insurgents, they restructured the palace’s defenses, making infiltration even more challenging. He cannot enter without alerting the guards or resorting to violence.”

“Fine. We’ll find a way from the inside once we're invited in, anyway,” Emer sighed, chasing away his frustration. He hadn’t expected it to be easy, which made the setback all the more aggravating. If their targets were all as exposed and easy to observe as they seemed, how could Zender’s plan have failed? Morlag claimed it was because the boy had fallen in love with the princess and altered the plan midway, opting to abduct her instead of eliminating her. But why? She was undoubtedly beautiful, but other than that, she seemed wholly unremarkable.

A noble girl from a noble family, destined for marriage and children. If she truly hailed from another world, why was she leading such an ordinary existence? She likely possessed knowledge that could make even the Emperor bow at her feet. In a realm where technology and mentality lagged so far behind, even the most rudimentary innovations would be groundbreaking for them. Why settle for so little?

“Master? Are you upset?” Nykka’s tense voice jolted Emer back to reality. He glanced down at Nykka, who stood with clenched fists over his thighs, his eyes flashing with a fire that seemed hot enough to burn the world. His special blend of violence and devotion was so intoxicating that Emer couldn’t help but smile.

“And what if I am?” Emer asked. “What will you do?”

“I will destroy anyone who upsets you, Master,” Nykka declared in a solemn tone, his eyes gleaming dangerously.

“And what that person is you?”

Nykka’s face tensed, almost panicked, before he forced himself to relax. He lowered his hands to the floor and bowed his head until his forehead touched the ground.

“If that's the case, I will accept any punishment you deem appropriate, Master,” he said in a voice tinged with anger. Emer smirked, reaching out to grasp Nykka’s chin. He lifted it until his subordinate met his gaze.

“Relax, I'm not angry with you. I assigned you to monitor that woman’s residence because I trust you the most. But I’m delighted to see you’re willing to go to such lengths for me.” Emer uncrossed his legs and leaned in, pressing his lips against Nykka’s thin, dry ones. “Open your mouth,” he commanded, and Nykka complied immediately, accepting Emer's tongue and returning the kiss. When Emer pulled back, Nykka’s eyes fluttered open, and he gazed up expectantly.

“Do you know what will make me happy, Nykka?” Emer asked, running his thumb over the other man’s lower lip before slipping it into his mouth, pressing it against Nykka’s hot, wet tongue. Nykka's lips tightened around Emer’s finger, eliciting a smirk from Emer. “I suppose you do know me best.”

“Yes, Master,” Nykka replied, his tongue flicking over Emer’s finger, sending a spark through his body. Emer leaned back in his chair as Nykka crawled closer, running his gloved hands over Emer’s legs and pushing aside his robe. His fingers wrapped around Emer’s hardening c**k, the leather rubbing awkwardly against the sensitive skin, but Emer didn't bother telling him to remove them.

Nykka’s tongue glided over Emer’s shaft, its pointed tip sending a pleasant shiver through Emer’s body. Nykka’s lips parted as he took Emer’s c**k into his mouth, briefly struggling to accommodate its girth before sliding it deeper and deeper. Emer smiled, running his fingers through Nykka’s hair as he continued to suck him off.

Emer leaned his head back, closing his eyes and sighing in contentment. This would keep Nykka happy for a while, at least until they were ready to proceed with the second part of their plan. He couldn’t afford mistakes, and dead bodies turning left and right wasn’t acceptable. Only those on his list were supposed to die so they could send a clear message.

Raena Magrath, or whoever inhabited that body, might have caused the original story to deviate from its course and created all kinds of troubles by saving those who should have long been dead, but he was here to rectify that. Once the Empire was in shambles, the Craidal girl was on the throne, and everything was as it should have been, he would finally get what he wanted. And once he had Raena under his control, he would make her…

“f**k!” Emer groaned as he felt his c**k slide deeper into Nykka’s throat, making it impossible to concentrate on his thoughts. He opened his eyes only to find Nykka staring up at him with tears in his eyes, annoyance swimming in them. The smirk returned to Emer’s lips, and he reached out, grabbing a fistful of Nykka’s hair. His c**k slipped out of his mouth with a flop! when Emer yanked the other man’s head back. Spit dripped from Nykka’s chin, his pale face flushed as she panted. “It seems someone wants my full attention, hm? Fine, I’m in a good mood today.”

He leaned down, bringing his face closer to Nykka’s without breaking eye contact.

“Take your clothes off. Master will give you what you want.”