Work Text:
Heinrey watched her beside the emperor, gazing at him with puppy-dog eyes as if she truly loved him. He had trained her well, watching her eat with impeccable manners. Those 11 months of hard training had been worth it. The emperor was in Rashta's pocket, and Rashta was in his. Therefore, Heinrey had control over the emperor. One more push, and he would achieve his goal. Everything should just continue this way, even though the empress looked very sad with everything that was happening. There were no alternatives. He had worked hard to get to this part of the plan, and he didn't want a few tears to stop him, or so he thought.
"I can't... I don't want to. They seem like good people," Rashta murmured between sobs. "Should I really continue, Your Majesty?"
"Remember what you suffered. Even though they weren't the ones who directly harmed you, they are still guilty," Heinrey explained, gently stroking her silver curls, trying to comfort her. He knew that deceiving her wasn't right, but one lie would be enough to ease Rashta's guilt. She pondered Heinrey's words.
Heinrey wished she were smarter, that she could see through his lies, that she would tell him she knew he was a lying bastard. But she looked at him so innocently, like he was the sun. The look in those deep black eyes squeezed Heinrey's heart, making his chest ache and suffer, like a wire replacing his veins, cutting slowly. But even so, the feeling was good. He liked it, because he knew he deserved it.
"We've come quite far in the plan already. You don't need to be so concerned about the emperor anymore. I'll give you what I promised."
"But will I see him again, Your Majesty?" Rashta asked with concern. She was afraid. Heinrey was aware of the attachment she felt towards him, the "love" she felt for having "saved" her. If he could, he would wrap his arms around her and keep her there forever, whispering that he would never leave her, that they would be together until the end of time. But he couldn't do that.
"Of course," Heinrey murmured, stroking Rastha's head. He gave her a gentle smile, running his fingers through her now well-cared-for platinum curls, not like the first time he found her. Her curls were dirty, lacked luster, and were neglected, but she had always been beautiful, even with the dirt obscuring her. There was a sparkle in her, and he hoped to keep that spark.
"Do you promise?" Rashta whispered, raising her pinky to Heinrey, who accepted it with a smile.
"I promise," Heinrey would keep Rashta safe, no matter what it took. A nice country cottage, hidden away, would be a good place for Rashta to live—a beautiful place to watch the flowers grow. She would be happy there, and he would provide her with all the resources for a fulfilling life. Even if it meant not seeing her again.
A white lie never hurt anyone.