#i haven't appreciably interacted with any emmas yet so

[cheshireliam]

Azel Radwan Main Story: Chapter 5

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Read this before interacting

“The Living God has taken a fancy to a foreign maiden” — The rumour spread faster than a flame on a lit fuse. 

…

Emma: Your Holiness… I can’t do this anymore. 

Azel: …

Wiping away my dripping perspiration, I stepped into the shade to avoid being burnt alive by the blazing sun. 

Still, my body remained hot and my fatigued limbs were begging for mercy. 

I collapsed on the spot, only to be met with Azel staring down at me with a cold expression. 

Azel: And what do you expect me to do about it?

In those mysterious eyes, there was not a trace of the benevolence he showed when we first met. 

I might have incurred the god’s displeasure, but I no longer had the energy to fear any divine punishment. 

Emma: It's as you guessed…

Azel: … Ah, so you’re saying… 

Azel knelt down before me and grabbed my chin with zero gentleness, forcing me to look up at him.

Azel: You want me to be kind to you.

Emma: Please… I’m begging you. 

(At this rate, I’ll…)

— The story rewinds to a little while earlier. 

…

Nadia: My name is Nadia. By royal decree, I will be in-charge of attending to your personal needs, Lady Emma. 

Aisha: My name is Aisha. As the Head Maid of the rear palace, I will do my best to serve you. It is my pleasure to meet you. 

Emma: Oh… I appreciate it. But I’m only a humble book merchant, so there's no need— 

Nadia: Now let’s get you in the bath. There’s a chance His Holiness will visit you in your dreams tonight. 

Aisha: We’ll groom your hair to perfection, polish your skin meticulously, and as for the perfumed oil… I wonder what His Holiness prefers. 

Nadia: I’m not sure either, but let’s go with a rose scented one for now. After all, Lady Emma’s from Rhodolite. 

Aisha: I like that idea! Let’s do that. 

Emma: There’s really no need to go to such lengths for me! 

Emma: At least let me bathe alone— please, have mercy on me…! 

…

Izzet: I will be your designated bodyguard starting from today, Lady Emma. Please call me Izzet. 

Izzet: I usually serve as a messenger, but this time I received an official royal decree to eliminate anyone and anything that poses a threat to your safety.

Emma: Uh… thank you. But I’m only a humble book merchant, so I don't need a bodygua— 

Izzet: Please consider this, Lady Emma. Earning the Living God’s favour is the highest honour for women all over the country. 

Izzet: Even with God's blessing, you can’t rule out the envy, resentment, jealousy, and anger from others… 

Emma: … I leave myself in your care. 

…

Enis: Apologies for summoning you on such short notice. 

Enis: Are you facing any troubles in the royal court? Just say the word and I can make almost anything happen. 

Emma: I appreciate your generosity.

Emma: If I may be so bold to take you up on your offer, I have a single request… 

Emma: Can I ask to be treated as merely a humble book merchant like before? 

Enis: That won’t be possible. You’re the one and only woman who has earned the Living God’s favour. 

Enis: Tanzanite has been struggling for years because no woman ever captured the heart of the Living God. 

Enis: But our long-standing wish has been fulfilled at last and the court is overflowing with joy. 

Enis: It’s the king’s duty to raise the national power and treat you with the highest level of hospitality… I hope you’ll accept it. 

The weight of the misunderstanding that I was receiving the Living God’s favour grew heavier day by day.

…

Emma: That's enough, Clavis. 

Clavis: I haven't said anything yet. 

Emma: Your smirk… you find this funny, don't you?

Clavis: Haha, saying I enjoy this would be an understatement right now! Come on, we have lots of catching up to do. 

Clavis: As a gentleman, I’ll listen to all your troubles. 

We were once again having a secret gathering in one of the guest rooms at Tanzanite’s palace with Clavis and Luke. 

I knew from the very moment I was summoned, what the “main dish” of the gathering would be. 

Clavis: Luke, get Emma some alcohol.

Luke: She won’t be having any. She’ll have Tanzanite’s specialty tea today. 

Unlike Clavis who couldn't stop grinning, Luke seemed genuinely concerned. 

He prepared the tea with practiced hands and gave it to me. 

Emma: Thanks. This tea… I don't think I’ve seen it before. 

Luke: It’s called “Zel Tea”, produced by crushing various fruits together. Super popular right now. 

Emma: “Zell Tea”? 

Luke: I heard it was named after the Living God’s first name.

(He even has a TEA named after him!?) 

Luke: The people say it has the ability to cure illnesses, ease your worries, and even bring success in love. It’s apparently got all sorts of benefits.

Emma: … The townspeople’s faith is truly amazing. 

Clavis: And you managed to gain the favour of that amazing god, right?

Avoiding Clavis who didn't look like he intended to stop smirking any time soon, I turned my gaze away and took a sip of the tea to calm my mind. 

(Mm, it’s sweet and delicious.)

(Far from the image I have of the Living God… but I like this taste.)

While savouring the sweetness of the tea, I let out a sigh to clear my mind.  

Emma: I don’t recall ever doing such a thing, but apparently so. 

Clavis: Oh? You don't remember…!? It must be an unrequited love at first sight for Azel, then? 

Luke: He’s got good taste. 

Clavis: As expected of a god. Although, I must say, it's a little surprising. 

Clavis took a sip of the tea Luke prepared for him and his eyes softened in satisfaction. 

Clavis: I thought he’d have no interest in love because it has no monetary value…

Emma: … Maybe he just finds foreign women unusual and intriguing. 

Luke: Nah, that's definitely not it. Take a quick look around Tanzanite. You’ll see tourists from all over the world come here, men and women alike. 

Clavis: Exactly. A “foreign woman” wouldn't be particularly rare or valuable to a god. 

Clavis: In conclusion, disregarding your birth and lineage, he must've found some form of value in you. 

Clavis: And so the question is — what is it that he sees in you? … What do you think, Luke? 

Luke: Me? Hmm… 

Luke: I think it could be his way of keeping us in check.

Emma: What do you mean?

(... The conversation just took an unsettling turn.)

Luke pulled a jar of honey out of who knows where, added some to his cup, and stirred it with a spoon. 

Luke: You’ve noticed it, haven't you? The reason why we’re in Tanzanite. 

Emma: I kind of have a rough idea… it’s related to the tri-nation alliance, right? 

Luke: Yeah. We’re here to investigate why Tanzanite formed this alliance. 

Luke: I’ve been doing some digging around over the past couple of days. It seems that the god holds all the political power in this country. 

Luke: In other words, if there were to be a specific reason for forming the alliance, the god would be the centre of it all. 

Luke: And now, that god has taken an interest in a woman close to us. 

Luke: Tanzanite appears to be welcoming towards us on the surface. But if they're secretly wary of us,—

Luke: It’s entirely possible they’ll use you as a hostage the very moment things aren't in their favour. 

(Taking me hostage… I never thought of it, but it's not entirely impossible.)

(Even if the whole “infatuation” thing is only part of the process…)

(It’s undeniable that the living god has a purpose for deliberately tying me down with debt.) 

(But something tells me that “isn’t all”.)

Emma: Even if that’s the case, Rhodolite isn’t on hostile terms with Tanzanite. 

Emma: Would there be any reason they’d go as far as to take a hostage as a form of precaution against you and Clavis?  

(If there’s something about the tri-nation alliance they’re trying to hide, then it’s natural they’d act cautious.) 

(But they could've directly denied our entry into the country if that's the case.) 

Luke, who had been looking serious until now, suddenly chuckled and took a sip of his tea. 

Luke: Well, you’ve got a point there. Maybe I’m just overthinking things. 

Clavis: Luke, you… 

In contrast, it was Clavis who turned serious this time. 

Luke: W-what’s the matter with you…  

Clavis set down his cup, moved closer to Luke, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Clavis: Your big brother Clavis is sooo emotional right now. To think Luke is being serious about work…!

(I was kind of thinking the same thing…!)

Luke: Tch, let go of me. You’re annoying.

Clavis: Haha! Don’t be shy. Let me express how proud of you I am… you understand me, right?

Luke: I don’t want to understand! 

Luke smacked Clavis’ hand away and retreated to a corner of the room at a surprisingly fast speed for someone who’s notorious for slacking off. 

Clavis: The matter involving the living god is one thing, but I’m even more surprised by your growth! 

Luke: … I should've continued slacking off if I knew you’d go on and on about this. 

Emma: Why? You look cool when you’re serious, Luke. 

Luke: It’s not that I’m being particularly serious. It’s just…

Emma: …? 

Luke: Nothing… anyway, as long as that god doesn't do anything to harm you, there's nothing else I’m concerned about. 

(What was he going to say?) 

I sensed something off about Luke’s attitude, but I missed the chance to probe further. 

Clavis: The hostage theory has some truth to it, but I still prefer the idea that the Living God has fallen for Emma. 

Clavis: That's far more amusing. Haha! 

(Definitely not.) 

Clavis: However, Emma, what matters most is your own will

Clavis: Is receiving Azel’s favour troubling you, or are you not entirely opposed to it? Care to share your thoughts for reference’s sake? 

(Ah… so this is the main topic.) 

I took another sip of tea, as though to cover up that my hands were trembling. 

Emma: If his affection is genuine, then I think it’d be best to face it properly. 

(There actually isn’t even a shred of affection, and the mere thought of it makes my blood boil.) 

To avoid causing Clavis and Luke unnecessary worry, I carefully chose words that were neither complete lies nor the actual truth. 

Clavis: So you’re saying there's a chance? 

Luke: I mean, that god is handsome. 

(... I really don't appreciate this at all!) 

Emma: Whatever it is… there’s nothing you guys need to worry about. 

Emma: It’s thanks to His Holiness that my treatment in this country has improved tremendously, instead of worsen— 

Luke: It did worsen. 

My shoulders unconsciously jumped. 

Luke: You’re tired, aren’t you?

(... Guess I can’t cover it up anymore.) 

Clavis: While some people would be more than glad to receive special treatment, others aren’t used to it. You’re clearly the latter. 

Luke: Just refuse if you hate it. 

Emma: … I am trying to refuse. 

Emma: But apparently, receiving the Living God’s favour is a cause for national celebration. 

Luke: Like hell I care about that. 

Clavis: Haha! If push comes to shove, why don't the three of us run away together? 

[its-all-papaya]

I always imagine Lando’s mind just short circuiting in the early months of their relationship whenever Oscar interacts with Emma. Like you mentioned him not really dating anyone after having Emma so I can only imagine what it must do to a man’s heart to see this soft, pretty guy being so sweet with his daughter and that guy also happens to be his partner and the first person he’s really opened his heart up to in years. Like I’d be SWOONING.

What is Oscar’s relationship with Emma like? Ik you mentioned how he’s not really her dad but is sort of another parental figure to her. Does Oscar personally see her as his daughter? How does it evolve as she grows up?

(Hope that’s not too many questions, I don’t want you to have to spoil anything too much either lol)

hey sorry work kicking my ass BUT i'm back to talk about dad lando

lando is probably absolutely unprepared to witness oscar with emma. I haven't written any of their interactions yet, but like... yeah. you know the way oscar talks to children like they're adults? i think emma will be INSTANTLY fascinated by him and attached to him... honestly poor lando, he cannot be held responsible for anything that happens before during or after the time oscar spends with emma...

but yeah, in terms of relationships/how ppl view each other, emma is so used to lando being her entire day-to-day life outside of daycare/preschool/eventually regular school. even when lando and oscar get really serious, oscar still is gone like every other wednesday-to-sunday for like ten months of every year for most of her childhood. which is why i don't see her ever considering him in exactly the same way she sees lando, who puts her to bed every night and wakes her up every morning and feeds her and is there every time she has a nightmare and every time she's sick, etc. she absolutely loves and trusts oscar by the time she's like five, but i don't think the circumstances are right for her to ever truly see him as "dad" the way lando is. that being said, i think oscar for sure feels responsible for her after a certain point. and yeah, i think he probably does see her as his daughter eventually too. i talked in a previous ask about my little bby headcanon of her looooving the nitty gritty of racing and race strategy and what goes into every race weekend, and i think they'd have little things like that that make their bond really special and different from hers with lando in a way emma for sure appreciates and treasures. it's definitely a really deep love and a really important relationship to both of them, even if it's not a traditional father/daughter thing strictly speaking.

[cyaino]

Omg I pulled an all nighter reading your fic, it’s SO good!? I remember reading through the first chapter thinking how amazingly floored I was, then I was completely sucked in entirely. Oh the comforts of my bed, a day off from work/school, enjoying an amazing Star Wars fic is the best way to re-energize.

I love love this fic so so much: How you fleshed out different characters that I could tell apart their traits for who they are—you giving each character their own spot light to shine and balancing out their interactions with other characters—it makes the world feel more lived in and lively: Obiwan being a sweetheart, Ahsoka being her silly self, even making more OCs up with Emma!!!, etc., how there’s actual support for/from other women characters (makes me so sad whenever anakin fics paint Padmé as just an obstacle), the writing style is such a wonderful mix of gorgeous, serious tone settings and also humor (I can’t count how many times I giggled and kicked my feet with what transpired), and I just LOVE the first few chapters so much with the plot of language barrier. I think it’s such a compelling story arc where the characterization is only through physical movements and tone; forced to be in the same helpless state as the Reader being confused about the newness of it all—the misunderstandings, the desperation finding different methods to communicate, body language/facial expressions. SO SO GOOD!!! AND YOU STILL PORTRAYED THEM SO WELL!!!

The plot is so interesting too with how much mystery shrouds—I came up already with so many theories of why things are happening/how they’ll end (really hyping myself up for Anakin/Padmé/Reader endgame); I won’t add it though cause this ask is already so long/don’t wanna accidentally spoil newcomers T_T but I love when fics work out storylines in a multidimensional way with it’s varying complexities of “what is going on…”

Chpt 12 was so beautiful too with how you described the setting of the foliage and lighting, ooooh I am living within your fic!!

I can’t wait to see more of your future chapters and where you’ll lead the story—I’m so so excited (for more horrors Reader will face LMAO) 💗

Btw! Do you have any fav Star Wars x Reader fic recs (LOL recs autocorrected to Rex’s)

AAAAAA omg i had to read this like four times cos i kept getting flustered, thank you for such lovely long messages <3 I always come back to these when I'm feeling lost while writing

It's hard to talk about without spoiling because I have so much planned out already, but it's so cool to see reactions as things develop. i need to write faster so I can babble about things that haven't been revealed yet

I'm particularly excited to develop the love triangle (more of a web tbh) and see people's reactions.

I'm so happy that the mystery is coming across too! It's so hard to balance the right amount of clues without being too vague or too forward ;; This is my first multi chapter fic, so I'm learning as I go, but it's been a lot of fun :D

Unfortunately I haven't been in the fandom very long, so I don't have any recs but i'll try to post about them when I do !

Again thank youu, sorry I take forever to respond, I'm a busy-adhd-bee but i appreciate it so much <3