"What do you think of this one?" I leaned towards Levi, holding a book out to him.

making the best of being dragged to a bookstore by this guy

"That looks like shit," he stifled a laugh, pushing the bodice ripper away.

i tried

"Aren't you curious?" I looked back at the cover of the book, a detailed illustration of a shirtless man and busty woman making out, "I mean you clearly haven't experienced this."

"I-"

"Levi- let's not lie to ourselves," I shook my head at him.

"I don't need to read a shitty book to experience anything."

"Shame," I paused, "are you almost done? I want to explore the town for a little bit longer."

"One minute," he continued to browse the shelves. "We harassed the locals for you, be patient."

ok mom

"Excuse me, have you seen a young man and woman wearing suspicious cloaks?" A voice called out to the store clerk, causing me to freeze in my tracks.

no way-

"Duck," Levi whispered, shoving me down between two bookshelves.

THAT'S

"How the fuck did Farlan find us that fast-" I whispered at him.

WHAT DO WE DO

I'M NOT READY TO GO

WE CAN ESCAPE RIGHT ?

"It's two against one, don't worry," Levi whispered back, reaching for a large book on the shelf.

"I could've sworn I just saw two people who fit the description," the shopkeeper responded.

NO

"Is there a back door? We should sneak out," I muttered, peaking around the shelf to figure out where Farlan was standing.

or better yet-

we can just run

i'm really not confident in our ability to FIGHT our way out of this

"If we stay quiet he'll leave," Levi responded, reassuring me.

ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN?

"Big bro, what are you doing on the floor?"

no...

"Isabel-" I whisper shouted, motioning for her to shut up and get down.

"-shut up," Levi finished the sentence for me, grabbing the hem of her shirt to yank her down between the bookshelves.

I HOPE TO GOD FARLAN DIDN'T HEAR HER

"Isabel, did you find anything?" Farlan called out.

OH GOD OH FUCK

"Uh-" she hesitated looking back at Levi and I, "n-no-"

THAT'S SO SUSPICIOUS

"Are you lying to me?" Farlan again.

"Of course not-" she shouted back, "I just uh- tripped- that's all."

if this horrible lie saves us i will never look at farlan the same again

"Keep looking then."

oh...

farlan is kinda dumb

how did he fall for that

"You need a new aide," I whispered to Levi, breathing a sigh of relief.

"What does he need?" A low voice whispered into my ear.

"HOLY SHIT."

"Levi, Y/N, make this easier for all of us and return home without fighting," Farlan, who had somehow snuck up on us muttered, completely exasperated.

HES SO SCARY

"Levi- let's run- I don't want to give up like this."

"Y/N-" he looked back at Farlan, weighing his options, "are you ok with the boat again? Let's turn ourselves in."

oh

"Farlan, drag us away," I nodded at Levi, holding out both my hands, "a carriage is better than a boat."

and realistically at this point, since they know that we've snuck out we're going to get yelled at anyway

"Thank you both for cooperating."

Three hours passed before the two of us were released from a joint scolding conducted by Farlan and Kuchel.

isabel tried to help but-

she gives in a little too easy

but seriously-

"I can't believe telling her that it was a date didn't work," I grumbled, sinking into one of Levi's office couches. "I totally thought we would be released the moment I said that."

"It's all Farlan's fault," Levi sighed, taking a seat next to me. "That was fucking awful."

"Agreed, we need to leave sooner rather than later- I'm not prepared to get yelled at again."

I THOUGHT SHE WOULD GO EASY BC I LOOK LIKE HER SON

I WAS WRONG

SO VERY WRONG

"Then- by the end of this week?"

oh- really?

"Can we really? I thought you had a lot to do?"

"The majority will be finished by the end of this week," he paused, "and besides- we've been here long enough."

i have so much i want to show him

"You're just saying that because you want to mess around in my father's office aren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Years of hating you have given me the exceptional skill of being able to read your mind," I held my fingers up to my temple, feigning deep thought. "Like right now you're thinking about-" I leaned forward, peaking at him, "how much you want me to stop doing this."

"Brilliant-"

"Regardless, I'm excited to show you the marquisate," I glanced around the room, "it's not as fancy as this place but- it's pretty."

"I'll look forward to it," he beamed.

pretty

"You have a nice smile Levi Ackerman."

"Isn't it your face?" He frowned.

"Oh right, I have a pretty smile."

"I'd love to see it," he chuckled dryly.

"Didn't I tell you? I'll smile a bunch for you once our bodies go back-"

"And I told you that I'd look forward to it, we should get to the marquisate as soon as possible."

"Someone's impatient."

"Oh whatever."

"Oh right," I reached into Levi's coat, "I bought something for you!"

"Why?"

"Just accept it," I rolled my eyes, placing the book into his hands. "'The Marquess's Daughter is Forcibly Paired with the Duke's Son she Fights with Like Cat and Dog,' it was popular last season."

"Are you trying to tell me something?"

"Yeah- dumbass- I'm trying to tell you to have fun."

he really has no concept of romance...

"The title is a bit long-"

"Oh shut up- you're interested aren't you?" I leaned towards him, "listen I won't spoil but there's this one part towards the end- you could learn a thing or two, your fans would be happy."

my life is better when you don't cater to them but-

i'll help you out just this once

why do i feel like you're going to be saying that a lot going forward

"I'll read it on the carriage ride."

"Really?"

"Why not."

______________

hope y'all r doing well!!! mwah
- ami