So I read the new entry of oblivious maid reader x emperor shanks... I'm thinking plot twist... reader isn't oblivious, more like, she acts that way with on purpose! Because, she got out of a long relationship with a man that was charming, wonderful, sweet on the outside... turns out he was a abusive, manipulative gaslighting man, who always puts her down on her looks, how she talks, thinks, etc. even making her jealous on purpose...
Continuation..Y/N believes Shanks is just playing around, nothing serious so she plays oblivious, like a defense mechanism, keep your guard up! As time passes Y/N starts to see, Shanks is only being that way with her and thinks "maybe he's being genuine" Decides to take a chance to tell him, she likes him. Only for him to do his stupid plan to try to make her jealous on purpose and she sees him with Makino, only for her to think "nope, not gonna do it, I was right, he was just playing around"
ooo interesting, now this adds in a new dimension
it makes sense as to why you dont want to believe in shanks being interested in you, like genuinely interested, because of what you went through. shanks is a kind and sweet man of course, but you dont know if you can trust him to the point you'll let him into your heart. you dont want to think about or compare shanks to your abusive ex because you know it's not fair to do that, it's not fair to claim that everyone would be like your ex, but you're just so afraid. to have so much hope for something, only to come crashing down to the ground. you hate that your ex made you like this, so distrusting, so scared to take that step, to take that leap of faith. because what if shanks doesnt catch you? what if you just fall, fall, and fall and find yourself shattered all over again, left to pick up the pieces all by yourself.
you already went through that once, you dont think you can go through that again. you have to keep yourself safe.
but you would be lying if you said shanks' words and actions have no affect on you. calling you 'sweetheart', looking at you with such tender eyes, making excuses to see you. it makes you want to open the door so you can let shanks in. you find yourself smiling at him brighter, leaning into his touches, your beating faster in his presence.
it has to be real, right? the way shanks treats you. it feels as though you're his star, his universe.
you decided that you wanted to take that chance, to take that jump and see where you end up. shanks was worth it in your eyes. as much as you want to keep yourself safe, you want to feel loved. you want to feel warm and safe with shanks.
but it was as if life was just building you up only to break you down once more, just like you feared. when you saw shanks with makino, you felt your own heart crack, a crack so deep that you dont think you could repair it. you turn away, tears in your eyes. you hide in a storage room to nurse your wound, but you know it wont heal.
stupid. stupid stupid stupid. what was I thinking? i knew it. i shouldve known better
it hurts. this is what you get for trusting. this what you get for believing. this what you get for wanting love. it was foolish of you to hope.
you're sad and angry and oh so tired. you have no right to be angry, it's not like shanks was yours or anything, but all the same you feel betrayed. felt like everything he did was a lie. did he mean any of those words he said to you? he was a great actor then.
you avoid him, asking other maids to tend to him. you cant bear to face shanks, not with your wounded heart. you even pulled away from makino, your best friend. it was wrong of you because she didnt do anything wrong, but you couldnt face her either. but you shouldve known that shanks wont sit idly by,
you were washing bed sheets out in the courtyard when a shadow falls over you. turning around, you gasp a little. it was the emperor himself. you were pinned down by his stare, his lips pressed into a thin line when normally he would have a jolly smile on his face.
'your majesty, is there something you need?' you try to keep your voice calm.
'sweetheart, you're avoiding me.' shanks cuts to the chase, frowning. his eyes turn sad and he looks like a sad puppy and it tugs on your heart.
'am I? it wasn't my attention, your majesty. i just...wanted to do things on my own, you see?' you force a smile on your lips.
shanks sighs. 'please don't lie to me y/n. makino tells me that you're pulling from her and the other maids too. why? what's wrong?'
at the sound of makino's name you turn around so your back was toward him. you were being irrational, but you couldnt help it. 'i'm fine, your majesty. wouldn't you want to be spending time with makino?'
'i want to spend time with you, sweetheart,' shanks admits.
you take in a shuddering breath. he cant say that. why is he saying that? you want to scream but you keep it in, barely. but you cant stop the tears that prick your eyes, your fists clenching by your side. 'don't say that,' you choke out. 'don't tell me things you don't mean.'
'y/n,' shanks whispers, turning you around to face him but you dont look at him. 'i mean what i said, i meant every single word.'
you shake your head, unable to believe him. 'just go to makino. please don't hurt me anymore.' you feel hots tears sliding down your cheeks.
shanks takes in a sharp breath before cursing under his breath. you feel his arm wrap around your waist and tug you close to him and at first you protested, but then you heard what he said.
'makino was right, this was a stupid plan.'
'what?' you look at him, finally, eyes glassy.
his eyes are filled with guilt. 'i thought my message wasn't coming across to you, so i had makino help me make you jealous. i never meant to hurt you, y/n, believe me.' shanks whispers, hand cupping your cheek and thumb wiping away your tears.
'but you did. you hurt me.'
shame is written all over his face. 'i know sweetheart. it hurts to see your tears, and the fact that im the cause for it. but please know that i adore you, that my heart is in your hands. please believe my words.'
you swallow thickly, searching his eyes. they look honest, but was this another trick, the voice inside your head whisper. should you trust again? put your heart on the line once more?
'so there's nothing between you and makino?'
'nothing,' shanks confirms, nodding his head. 'it's always been you.'
you take in shaky breaths, your hands coming up to rest against his broad chest before sliding up to cradle his face. he sighs softly at your touch, briefly closing his eyes. despite your inner turmoil, decisions playing tug o war inside your head, you decided.
'i want to try,' you confess. 'i want to be with you.'
shanks rests his forehead against yours. 'thank you sweetheart,' he murmurs. 'i promise i'll love you the way you deserve.'
his words hold so much conviction, his eyes so serious, you have no choice but to believe him. you even find yourself smiling a little.
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