A Man Of No Consequence (Ardyn x Reader)

A Gentleman's Agreement

"If this happens, the Empire will most likely visit Insomnia with a very important delegation for the treaty signing. The Emperor and Chancellor are likely to be in attendance..." he pauses, clearing his throat, "By the way, this is all top-secret that I'm telling you."

"Of course!" you respond, feeling your palms starting to sweat.

"That means what ever I tell you, can not go outside these walls," he makes a nod towards the door, where Nyx is waiting outside. "Understood?"

You take in a sharp, determined breath. "Yes, sir!"

"Splendid. I'm glad we understand each other. Your job is to appear at an event that will be arranged on the night before. As the royal photographer, you'll be able to come and go as you please without being noticed. And most importantly, get close to the important people."

The amount of information flooding from the Captain's mouth is starting to overwhelm you, yet you try to stay focused, determined this is your best chance to make a case for yourself.

"Now don't worry, you won't have to deal with the Emperor. But..." he pauses to look at you sternly, narrowing his eyes, as if still trying to decide if you're capable of doing the job. "You should be able to get close enough to the Chancellor. Wire him up."

You feel your heart sink to the bottom of your stomach. The Chancellor? A man you've only ever seen on the magazines, rumoured to be the strong influence on the Empire's recent political moves.

"Are you up for it?"

"Yes sir!" the words escape your mouth before you even have a chance to think it over.

"Good. Then we're in business. I'll instruct Ulrich to keep you updated on the situation. We'll take care of the arrangements, now you just concentrate on keeping this under the lid."

You nod aggressively to everything he says, nervously massaging your hands together.

"Alright," he gets up, walking to the door and hinting that you should follow. You hurry after him, pausing as he stops at the door, turning to look at you with a perplexed expression. You hold his gaze, waiting on his every word.

"Don't be nervous. It can only be you," he gives you a gentle little smile, tilting his head. "This is a very special mission."

You take his odd choice of words as an attempt to encourage you, and respond with a brave smile, trying your best not to disappoint.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Don't thank me just yet..." he lets out under his breath, pulling the doors open and gesturing for Nyx.

"Ulrich, please escort the lady outside. We're done here."

He responds with a prompt "Sir," and you follow him down the long corridor, past numerous doors with different combinations of letters and numbers written on top of them.

"So, how did it go? Not so good judging from his tone of voice?" Nyx pries as soon as you've turned the corner into another endless corridor.

"I got the job!" you whisper loudly, trying your best to contain your excitement.

"No way... really?"

"Yes!" you giggle.

He stops to give you a big hug, lifting you off the floor. "Well done. Proud of you!"

"Thank you," you laugh, exhaling deeply as he lands your feet on the ground again.

"I still can't believe it..."

"You had any breakfast today, you hungry?" he asks, taking you down a flight of stairs and into the lobby of the building.

"I'm starving!" you exclaim as the nerves start to melt away and you slowly become more grounded.

"Perfect, I know a great place nearby where the glaives go all the time," he grins. "Come on, my treat."

As you step outside into the fresh air and the daylight, you take a look at the city buildings around you, feeling out what it would be like to come here regularly, for work, as of now.

Your eyes pause to gaze on a large display on the side of a tall glass building. The broadcast plays out news footage, a repeat of a recent speech by the Niflheim Emperor, with the Chancellor standing by his side. The camera zooms in on the Chancellor, and for a brief moment, he looks straight at you. Your heart skips a beat, causing you to miss your step, and you stop, grabbing Nyx by the arm to keep your balance.

"Alright?"

The camera cuts to a wide shot, and Nyx looks up at the screen, curious to see what you're staring at so intensely.

"I know, it's all a bit suspicious, isn't it?"

"Yeah..."

"Don't worry, we got this. I'll have your back."

You can't help but smile at him, his cocky expression and the way he always makes you feel like everything's easy, everything's attainable.

"Yeah, I know. You and your hero-complex... That's exactly what worries me," you respond, your bluntness making him chuckle.

As you turn off the big road to a narrow side street, heading towards a busy looking corner with several small eateries back to back, you take in the sweet and spicy smells mixing in the air, teasing your hungry stomach. You start to feel excited for the future; after a long while, it seems like things might be turning out okay for you.

Following your friend into a busy cafe, you take a seat at a corner table, moving aside old newspapers covered in speculative articles and pictures of the Imperial Chancellor.

"What do you want?" Nyx asks as he waves at a waitress picking up her notepad at the counter.

"You choose," you reply cheerfully. "I'm feeling adventurous."