"I think we have to go back," I grumbled, glancing warily back at the curtains hiding us from the ballroom.

eurgh

"Let's just leave, we accomplished what we came here for right?" Levi muttered, peering over the edge of the balcony, "it won't be a deadly jump."

uh yeah...

"No thank you- I've done it once- I don't want to repeat it."

ugh but i really don't want to walk back into the ballroom

"Go on then," Levi nodded at the door, "I don't want to go back into that shithole."

...

"That shithole is the royal palace."

"You know what I meant."

"Yeah, I don't want to go back either."

i mean we kinda made a scene leaving in the middle of the dance like that

"-on the other hand if we stay out here for too long people are going to start talking," I glanced back at Levi, "how much do we care?"

"I couldn't give less of a shit."

awesome

"How long do you think it will take for one of your fans to come barging in here demanding attention?" I laughed, moving closer to him. "We should give them something fun to gossip about."

it's going to happen anyway so-

"My fans? Marquess Forster seemed awfully eager to have a conversation with you," he scoffed.

"Don't be jealous-"

"I'm not jealous."

"Sure thing."

you know it's a little weird

"Doesn't that asshole have a fiance?"

wow a lot of animosity for someone who 'isn't jealous'

"Right? He totally does- Petra Ral- I don't know much about her but she's super pretty," I nodded, "way too cute for him and definitely too cute to be ignored."

but what do i know

"You really don't know what he wanted from you?"

"Not at all-" Levi frowned a bit at that. "If it's important I'm sure he'll try to arrange a meeting between us at some point- for now we can only speculate."

it was weird and seemingly out of character

"It's weird as shit."

you're right about that one-

"I know," I muttered, thinking it over. "Everyone else acted basically as I had expected-"

given we left the ballroom a little early-

but im sure if i had stayed everything would have continued to go as expected

getting mobbed by fans.... lukewarm condolences from the rest of the nobility

"Maybe his fiance knows something," Levi suggested.

"That's a good idea- I'd much rather speak to her."

i would love to never speak to him again- that was extremely uncomfortable

"Come to think of it-" I was struck by a sudden memory, "I think Marquess Forster had been sending my father letters- there should be a couple here in the capital."

everything was getting redirected to me-

and i didn't really have time to gather my things before everything happened

it should still be here-

"Why?"

"I assume it had something to do with wanting access to the forest," I shrugged, "to be honest I ignored most of the letters I received on his behalf."

"I know."

"Yeah- sorry about that."

not really!

"-but he knows that my father was ill- so I don't think he holds any ill will towards my family for not responding." I shrugged, "if anything he was probably trying to strike up some kind of deal with me today."

which is an awful thing to do to someone who's father just died

furthermore-

weird that he would even attempt to do it in the way that he did knowing my relationship with levi

"He must hate you or something- I can't think of a world in which approaching me in the way that he did would do anything other than get on your nerves."

like i'm obviously not going to be receptive to that kind of thing-

im in a relationship

maybe it was a test?

weird

extremely

"It worked."

obviously

"I can tell."

"He could be-" Levi paused, lowering his voice. "Do you think he's the one we're looking for?"

oh-

"Maybe," I nodded. "It would make sense."

i mean he doesn't like levi-

"I hate to say it but-"

"I should probably try to get closer to him and figure out what he wants."

"Unfortunately."

right- well-

"We should think a bit about his motives first- I really don't want to dance with him."

maybe i can just dance with his fiance

"Right-" Levi was cut off by the sound of voices approaching the curtain.

are we getting forced out?

"I think I saw them go into this one," someone called out from just beyond the curtain.

EURGH

"Are you sure you want to go back out there?" He whispered, peering over the edge of the balcony.

im having my doubts

"How far away from the ground are we?"

"Not that far-" Levi pointed at a tree that stood on one side of the balcony, "you can climb can't you?"

of course i can

"You of all people should know that- one of my greatest attacks against you was dumping mud and leaves out of a tree onto your head."

"Extremely childish."

you're the one who loves me!

"Extremely effective."

"I'll go first- quickly-" Levi hopped over the balcony railing, grabbing onto the tree.

this is so stupid

but incredibly fun

focus y/n

Levi finished climbing down, gesturing for me to follow, the voices from outside were stronger now as I hopped the railing to join him.

this time if i fall i hope you catch me

i prefer being caught to being fished out of a pond

much more romantic

"In here!" A voice shouted just as I made it to the ground- racing to hide next to Levi under the lip of the balcony.

"This is ridiculous," I whispered- barely suppressing my laughter.

"Shh."

"They must have gone somewhere," someone from above us called out.

"It's annoying," the first voice grumbled, growing quieter as their footsteps receded, "I can't believe he likes that dull girl."

well that isn't very nice-

"Are they gone?" I breathed out, peering over at Levi.

"I think so."

"We should run to a carriage before they find us-"

"Hey Y/N-"

"Mhmm?"

"Don't mind what they said-"

of course

"I know I'm not dull Levi Ackerman," I grinned. "Would a 'dull' girl jump off a balcony with you?"

"No."

"Great- let's go- they're definitely going to start looking in the gardens next."

sorry girls im monopolizing him

"There they are!" As if on cue a noble lady shouted after us.

"Run!"

___________________

hit 420 pages in my google doc for this lol

- ami