"Young Lord Ackerman," the caretaker of the house greeted Farlan and I as we made our way up the steps.

i came here with historia and ymir so most of my people are back home-

that must be difficult for levi

not that anyone from back home would be particularly helpful-

jean would throw a fit if i brought up meeting levi ackerman

mikasa wouldn't say anything but i don't think she would be happy about it

"Is Lady Y/N in?" Farlan stepped forward, probably too nervous to let me take the lead given everything that had happened earlier.

"I apologize for coming by so early in the morning," I bowed slightly. "I'm worried about her condition after last night."

"Certainly," Farlan and I were led to a side room and left alone while a maid went to go find my body.

"Don't be disappointed if she just turns you away," Farlan muttered, glancing around the room awkwardly.

oh come on be more comfortable

you've been here hundreds of times with levi

and i don't bite

"She won't."

ACTUALLY, THERE'S A HORRIFYING POSSIBILITY WHERE LEVI ISN'T IN MY BODY

WHAT DO I DO THEN ??

WHAT IF IT'S JUST A FAKE Y/N ??

"If you say so," Farlan frowned slightly, moving to stand by a wall so that we could have privacy.

should i ask him to wait outside before levi gets here?

"This way," I heard a maid outside ushering Levi my way.

you know i don't know how other people see me-

Levi/Y/N stepped through the door, dolled up in a lavender dress with white details, white flowers were braided into- my- his hair.

"Stunning," I muttered under my breath, taking in the way my eyes stared back at me. "You're gorgeous."

"Wh-" I could hear Farlan choking on air at my comment.

WHAT ???

I'M NOT LYING

I'M GORGEOUS

IT TOOK ME SWAPPING BODIES WITH MY ENEMY TO FULLY REALIZE THAT BUT

IT'S THE TRUTH

"What did you say?" Levi(?) Asked me, taking a seat across from me.

"I said that you're stunning," I leaned towards my body, taking in the details of the outfit, "shame I didn't get a chance to wear this one myself but you look gorgeous in it."

maybe it's better that i get to appreciate this outfit in this way

"Farlan," Levi-Y/N pulled away from me addressing Farlan who was trying his hardest to blend into the wall. "Take me home."

well that confirms it

"You're just going to say it?" I leaned back, in my seat.

and you can't just 'go home' you look like me

"Farlan I'm Levi," Levi ignored me, walking over to Farlan, a bit unsteady in the heels he was wearing.

i had a bet with historia that levi wore heel inserts-

"I apologize Lady L/N I-" Farlan stopped mid-sentence making eye contact with Levi. "Levi?"

WHAT

"Farlan, you're going to believe her that easily?"

I THOUGHT WE WERE BEST FRIENDS

"Right," Farlan looked awkwardly between the two of us, "best friend test."

WOW HE LEARNED !

"What the fuck is that?" Levi in my body cursed loudly.

oh my god i look so hot doing that-

"When you were 10 you brok-"

"A teacup," Levi didn't even give time for Farlan to finish his question.

i guess the game done

"It is you," Farlan's confusion grew.

"You're really just going to let everyone know?" I grumbled quietly to myself.

farlan sure but i don't think it's a good idea to walk around telling people that we got body swapped

"Wait but that means that-" Farlan pointed at me in Levi's body. "Are you?"

"The one and only," I shot him a small smile. "You were quick to jump ship, shouldn't you have asked Levi a few more questions before you decided to trust him?"

"I'm the only one who knows of the teacup," Farlan explained, "besides you've been acting strange all morning, I already had my doubts."

there are more important things to be discussing

for one-

levi pushed me off- does he think i don't know that?

if he isn't bringing it up it might be better for me to stay quiet about it

now that farlan knows that i'm not the real levi he'll start listening to levi again, if i do anything too crazy he's still the more powerful one

not to mention

aside from historia and ymir none of my people are here

levi has all of his

im at a disadvantage even if i have his face

"What did you tell her?" Levi immediately launched into conversation with Farlan.

hmm

"I learned all of your deepest darkest secrets," I cut in, "I'm sorry but I feel like there's something more important to address."

WE'VE SWAPPED BODIES AND I HATE YOUR GUTS SO MUCH SO YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF MY BEAUTIFUL GORGEOUS BODY AND BACK INTO YOURS

"Right," Farlan frowned. "How did you even get like this to begin with?"

"No idea."

"You did something didn't you-"

HUH ?

"What did you do?" Farlan's tone became accusatory in a heartbeat.

I'M SORRY ??

"What do you mean I did something? I drowned. I didn't have time to do anything," I paused, deepening my frown. "Don't make blind accusations, you hardly know me."

just because i live next to an enchanted forest doesn't mean that i know magic-

"We aren't going to get anywhere, Farlan let's return home," Levi frowned, making his way towards the door.

"You can't do that."

"I have to agree with her," Farlan took my side, blocking off the entrance. "You look like Lady Y/N, until that changes you'll have to act like her."

"Exactly."

"The same goes for you," he addressed me, "I won't let you ruin his reputation."

THAT'S HALF THE FUN

"Naturally I won't do anything intentionally, but if something were to happen due to my inexperience you shouldn't be surprised," I peeked over my teacup at Levi and Farlan.

if you're going to be an asshole to me i have no reason to treat you kindly

"Surely you can be understanding of that," I waited for their response, brushing the creases off of my jacket.

levi must be incredibly uncomfortable in that dress if he's used to wearing something like this

"Absolutely not," Levi shut me down immediately.

oh well

"Then when you inevitably hurt my reputation I'm supposed to sit by and take it?"

im confident in the fact that ill have an easier time adjusting to levi's lifestyle than he will adjusting to mine

"I won't hurt your reputation Y/N."

that's impossible to guarantee

"You don't even know the first thing about me-"

"You clearly don't know a thing about me as-"

"Both of you need to calm down," Farlan came between the two of us.

because i respect you i'll be quiet

"Only if he agrees to quit being an ass."

"Only if she stops being an asshole."

"We aren't going to get anywhere like this," Farlan's irritation escalated. "Both of you are worried about the possibility that the other will attempt to slander your image, we should create a contract to avoid that situation."

fine but-

"There's no guarantee that the other person won't slip up and do something that would destroy the reputation of the other. How do you propose that we deal with that?" I muttered.

i don't want levi to just get off with something- after all when i eventually get my body back i will be the one to suffer the consequences

"She's right, don't want to be cleaning up the mess created by some brat in my body."

you won't have to

"I'm sure the two of you can help each other with that," Farlan pulled out a small book, it's pages covered with writing, before turning to address Levi. "You're scheduled to attend a few more events before we return to the Ackerman Duchy, it's nothing important I can easily reschedule."

"Go ahead."

right they won't trust me to attend an event in his stead- i can't blame him- i don't really want him attending anything for me

"My family is committed to neutrality-" I began to speak, "although I've never particularly enjoyed it there's nothing I can do about that."

"So I've noticed," Levi grumbled. "You're saying you can't reschedule the events you have planned."

not exactly

"I'd say that falling into a lake is a good excuse, pretend to come down with a cold, say you're terribly sorry for the inconvenience, send out handwritten apologies, and quietly retreat back to the L/N territory." I frowned slightly looking down at Levi's calloused hands, "I doubt my parents will mind that."

there's one problem-

"Won't someone ask questions? You've never canceled like that before," Farlan spoke up.

sounds like you just want to see levi pretend to be me

levi was keeping track of my attendance at events?

don't be flattered it was probably only to figure out when best to ambush me

"Only Historia Reiss and her guard," I trailed off, "that isn't an issue I'll send them a letter myself, Historia is probably worried about me anyway."

likewise, if farlan knows what's happening it's in my best interest to let someone know that we've swapped bodies

i need at least one person on my side

not that i think levi would be able to fool historia

"You plan on telling her?" Levi asked concern, lacing his voice.

"You let Farlan know without talking to me about it," I shrugged, "believe me I don't want what's happening to get out but I feel comfortable enough letting those closest to me know what's happening."

i should also send a letter back home-

"You mentioned returning to the L/N territory after you withdraw from all of your events and you'll probably have to return to the Ackerman Duchy as Levi assuming that the two of you don't switch back, it'll be an issue if we aren't able to communicate." Farlan brought up.

you're right

well, there's a solution to that-

one i'm not fond of

i don't think levi will be a fan either

but it would solve that problem-

"We just need a reason to be together," I glanced between the two of them.

like- m*rriage

"I refuse to marry you."

"I don't want to marry you either for your information."

but-

"I can pretend to be infatuated with you to the point that I can't stand to be kept away from you for another moment," I teased. "I'll go back to your home, make a huge fuss about leaving and then join you at my family's territory where we can figure it out."

I REFUSE TO LET THIS HAPPEN THE OTHER WAY AROUND

"Or I can pretend to-"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

THAT CAN'T HAPPEN

"I'm not going to ruin my reputation," Levi scoffed.

no you're right I'M going to ruin your reputation

"You'll recover," I rolled my eyes, "in case you've forgotten you're the heir to a Duchy with close ties to the royal family, you'll survive."

if i have to play the part of the lovesick fool my family's reputation will be dragged through the mud- in the worst-case scenario i might lose my right to succession

THAT'S MY LIFE PLAN SO-

ALL I WANT TO DO IS TAKE OVER THE HOUSEHOLD AND LIVE PEACEFULLY

Levi looked over at me, clearly in deep thought.

he's going to give my body wrinkles if he keeps that up

"We can discuss this another da-"

"No," Levi held up a hand, cutting Farlan off. "Fine, I'll agree to your plan on one condition."

Oh?

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TY GUYS SM for the positive reception to this story- it makes me happy that you're enjoying this! this chapter will probably be the end of my multiple chapter updates (i prewrote but i still want to leave a buffer) <3

hope you're doing well <33

- ami