"The carriage is right there," I whispered, peering through the shrub that Levi and I were hiding in at our ticket out of this mess. "Let's just make a run for it."

is there a world in which we make it out of this alive....

"We won't make it," Levi sighed, taking in the small crowd that had gathered around our ride.

i would rather die in battle than starve to death hiding in a bush

"At the end of the day they're after you- I think that I could make it if I abandoned you to the wolves."

"I will drag you down with me."

wow...

im so loved

really

"They don't look like they're going to get bored and give up anytime soon," I muttered, "and the longer we stay here the more likely we are to run into someone else."

this fantasy world lacks cell phones so it isn't like i can text someone to help us

what?

nothing

"Create a distraction I can run in," Levi suggested.

OH WOW

NOW I'M THE BAIT??

I SEE HOW IT IS

"You've got it all wrong- I'm supposed to throw you to the wolves not the other way around."

besides, i already did that for you earlier ....

it's my turn

pretty please

"Well shit."

ok it's also unattractive for you to give up this easily

"Why don't we look for a guard? Surely someone like that would be able to get rid of the crowd."

only-

i can't totally remember where the last guard we saw was-

it would suck if we got caught even further away from the carriage than we already are

"This isn't working," Levi sighed, peering through the bushes one last time, "the stables are this way, come on."

whoa

"I see why you have so many enemies," I grinned, "you've broken how many rules of etiquette this evening? And now? Stealing from the royal family? You're a scoundrel."

"Erwin is a close friend."

ok yeah ... sure

"It's still stealing to borrow without asking for permission."

"Do you have any better ideas?"

"Not at all! Lead the way- this is super exciting."

i've never been to the palace stables

"This way then," Levi gestured back into the garden, guiding me by the hand as the two of us ducked behind the bushes and slowly left.

the real question is-

"How many times have you done this before?" I asked, as soon as I felt comfortably out of earshot from the group hanging around the carriage.

"Too many," he grumbled, glancing around for our pursuers.

i dont envy you

"Maybe Hanji could make you something," I trailed after him, "to hide your appearance or-"

OH

THE NECKLACE

WE HAVE A WHOLE ASS NECKLACE THAT TURNS THE WEARER INVISIBLE

"I thought you were against magical experimentation."

well i don't know if i would go that far-

"There are pros and cons to everything-"

ok but back to the necklace-

do you think levi has thought of it?

surely he has- he's smart

and yet he didn't bring it up when we were looking for a solution initially

maybe- is he enjoying this?

"-I mean think- I'm sure you would be able to use the forest responsibly but someone like Marquess Forster? I wouldn't trust him with it."

maintaining neutrality is exhausting but i understand why to some extent

"Sometimes the risk is worth it," Levi responded, glancing back at me.

ok-

"Let's not get into it here- we have bigger problems."

what's worse than getting caught?

getting caught arguing

let's just set this conversation aside

"It would've been easier to just go back to that shitty party," Levi grumbled, a faint smile clear on his face."

you say that but-

"You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Not at all."

"You totally are!"

cute

"Are you?"

"It beats being held socially hostage until everyone gets bored and lets me go home," I nodded "-and I also just enjoy spending time with you."

doing stupid things that i would have never imagined in a million years that you would do

let alone doing them with you

levi ackerman is a man of many surprises

im just going to take credit for it tho

the more out of character he gets the more im working

"We're here," Levi nodded towards a large well lit building on the outskirts of the gardens, "can you ride?"

CAN I?

"I grew up around knights- I can ride horses."

"Then- take your pick," he gestured to the rows and rows of horses laid out before us.

well-

"I'm a little disappointed."

i thought you would ask me to join you

"Yeah it's weird as shit that there aren't more guards here isn't it?" Levi muttered, wandering down the stable- searching.

uhm not that but-

"-you're so right- these are expensive- why is there no one here?"

"I have no fucking clue-" he stopped in front of one of the stalls. "They've never contacted me about any of the missing horses either."

bro the security of the royal family is dogshit

"Why has no one killed them yet-"

serious answers only

"Calm down, someone could still be listening."

"Ok whatever- you're friends with the prince I think I get a pass."

"Are you ready?"

"I'm riding with you."

"Oh-" he paused, "alright."

"Be a little more enthusiastic-"

"You're going to piss a lot of people off."

"Are you upset about it?"

"No."

"Then I don't see the problem, let's go."

_________________

hope u r all well! i always forget how exhausting my summer job is until i start it again lol

also wattpad got rid of the messaging system- i think i was the only person who actually used it judging by the number of surprised messages i used to get

- ami