"Fuck off," I grumbled, meeting the icy gaze of Levi Ackerman.

asshole

"I thought you were supposed to be neutral," he rolled his eyes, moving to stand next to me.

Levi Ackerman- member of the Ackerman Duchy

Related to the crown prince Erwin Smith through his father's side, short, dark, and handsome (debatable).

Insufferable (FACT).

"You've said worse," I sighed. "What do you want?"

The Ackerman Duchy and the lands of Marquess L/N bordered each other, so naturally, the two of us were forced to attend many of the same parties when we came of age.

"How is the Marquess doing?"

seriously?

"I think you already know the answer to that question."

There's an awful rumor about the two of us- that the Ackerman's were planning on proposing a marriage between our families.

Always proposed as some conquest- that I as the only heir of the L/N family was something to be captured

and with me all of our territories- a victory for the Imperial Faction.

For the sake of neutrality, I have to pretend to not have any opinion on any potential engagement, especially one from a prominent house in the Imperial Faction.

Levi's a diligent son. What achievement would look more impressive for the heir of the Ackerman Duchy than the future Marchioness of the L/N family?

"Send him my well wishes." Levi paused. "Unlike you, I respect your father."

Right, the real reason that I hate him.

Levi Ackerman is an asshole.

Marriage into a Ducal house? Sure- Levi Ackerman would have to live with me.

I'm not someone that would give up and become docile just because of a marriage.

Levi Ackerman has hated me since before all of this started- I'd rather my future spouse be uninterested in me than live with someone who hates my guts.

"I'll make sure to pass on the message to my sick father that Levi Ackerman has disrespected his only child."

LEAVE ME ALONE

"I'll make sure that the crown prince hears about you."

"You wouldn't-"

"Goodbye Y/N-" he turned on his heel, walking back towards the party.

"Hey-"

"Yes?" Levi turned around, a disinterested expression on his face.

"I heard that Erwin had feelings for a certain noble lady- I would hate it if she began to think worse of him."

"Using the prince for our arguments? Brave."

"As if you're any better," I rolled my eyes. "Make sure no one saw you come here-"

"As if I would want to be seen with you."

"Likewise, I wouldn't want my reputation to be destroyed by someone like you." I turned my back to him, leaning on the balcony railing.

"What reputation?" Levi muttered under his breath.

"Of a carefree single young lady."

"Young?"

"Get out of here."

"You're the one who kept on talking idiot."

"Clearly a mistake on my part."

"Are you sure that people have ever thought that about you?"

i mean

"Without you around they would," I glanced over at Levi who scoffed slightly at my words. "Don't say anything."

"Wasn't going to."

"You know," I paused, "you could be likable if you weren't trying so hard to get into my business."

FORGET I EVER SAID THAT

"You must be drunk."

"Maybe." I leaned further over the balcony staring at the lake below, fireflies lighting up the surface in a web of constellations. "Aren't you supposed to be leaving?"

"Yeah," his gaze lingered on mine for a second before he sighed loudly, clearly exasperated. "You should go inside, you'll catch a cold."

"Who's drunk now?"

"You're the one who started this."

"Don't get the wrong idea, I still hate you, leave me alone so someone actually interesting can approach me." I nodded back to the heavy curtains that separated us from the ballroom.

our feud is petty and childish-

i know that

but the minute i think of something smart to say he does something that makes me want to kick and scream like a five-year-old

"Consider my proposal."

"Whatever, send a letter to my father."

"Funny, I've sent several and never received a response."

"Oh my! I wonder what could've happened to your letters! I hate to even suggest this as a possibility but perhaps my father found their contents disgusting and incinerated them!" I placed a hand over my mouth, gasping loudly.

"Goodbye."

"Or maybe- maybe he couldn't even read them because your handwriting was shit and discarded them, my apologies Lord Ackerman." I gave an over-exaggerated curtsy, peeking up to get a look at his frustrated expression. "Might I suggest having a servant write it next time? Perhaps it would be more legible."

"Asshole."

"Likewise."

"There's no getting through to you."

"So you've finally realized."

"Forget that I was ever concerned about you, stay out here for as long as you wish, you'll ruin the party if you go inside."

oh please-

"As if you liked it to begin with," I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

now for the 50th time- get out of my hair

I glanced over my shoulder, watching as Levi turned to leave.

that's one thing to like about him- he's never liked these kinds of things

doesn't stop him from being a pain

it really is his only redeemable quality

I shook my head, returning my gaze to the fireflies, the lake, and the garden below. Off to the side in the tall hedges that lined the garden paths a couple was strolling, no doubt looking for a secluded location away from prying eyes. Below me, the water glistened under the moonlight, water bugs causing ripples to cut through the otherwise calm water.

it's a lovely place when there's no one around

"Y/N-"

seriously?

"You haven't left yet?" I groaned, reaching out over the balcony to catch a wandering firefly.

"You-" the rest of his sentence was cut off as I felt myself fall, the air ripped from my lungs as my body hit the water, a horrible choking noise that could've only been my own voice filling the air around me, water flooding my lungs.

i can't breathe

Panic overtook me as I gasped for air, water filling my lungs, my entire body throbbed with the pain of having been shoved into the pond water, icy from the cold evening.

i was pushed?

I forced my eyes open, vision flooded with the sight of Levi Ackerman, standing over the broken lip of the balcony, looking down on me unmoving.

he-

The last thing I heard before everything went dark were my own pained gasps, but quickly even the sound of my own voice faded, along with the feeling of the cold water clinging to my skin, or the sight of Levi Ackerman peering over the balcony.

i can't breathe

Asshole.

everything went dark

________________

(:

- AMIIII