"You stand out way too much," I grumbled, watching Levi in the mirror as he fussed with his cravat, "I'm losing faith in our ability to go unseen."

"I wish I didn't."

do you tho...

bc you could put on a hat or something

and yet... here we are

"If we get mobbed I'm running away."

"I thought you and Farlan prepared for that?" Levi glanced at me through the mirror, "or did you steal my aide just to slack off."

wow ok...

"We have a plan-" I sighed, "I just don't want to underestimate your fans."

i mean i don't like them at all

but-

i'm not about to discredit what a girl can do when she puts her mind to something

they're definitely stronger than i am

never underestimate your enemy

"Alright," he turned to face me, "lead the way."

gladly

"Farlan?" I called out- "we're ready- initiate phase one."

"Ok," the aforementioned aide stepped into the room- "Isabel and I will take the Ducal carriage into town, you two leave from the back."

"The show starts soon- you can stall for that long can't you?"

once we're in the theater we can use one of the private booths and be undisturbed

"We'll try," Farlan nodded grimly.

i believe in you

"Let's go," I gestured for Levi to follow me to the back entrance.

farlan and isabel... your sacrifice will never be forgotten

"Is this your plan?"

"To sacrifice your two closest friends to the mob so that we can sneak out and enjoy some time together?" I glanced back at him, "yeah, it is."

"We'd better hurry," Levi muttered, "they're going to be found out quick as shit."'

right!

Levi and I piled into a small carriage- typically reserved for servants making deliveries to the house and left- taking a long way around the building and into the city.

im really excited

"It's kinda similar to that time we snuck out of your home isn't it?" I moved closer to Levi, resting my head on his shoulder.

although i think i'm a bit more terrified of your mother than your fans

"A lot has changed since then."

you're right

"Good changes."

we know more, we're closer-

although i think that a couple months ago i would have told you it was a bad change for levi and i to be closer

now i can't imagine where i would be without him

certainly not back in my own body

probably dead

"Isn't that-" a flash of strawberry blonde hair caught my eye as the carriage pulled up to the theater.

"Petra Ral," Levi finished my sentence, pulling me back from the window so that no one would notice our arrival.

THIS IS PERFECT

"She isn't with anyone, is she?" I attempted to find her in the crowd, "this is a perfect opportunity to figure out what her deal is."

no use approaching her while floch is nearby

"Let's get in first," Levi gestured to the door of the carriage, which had pulled up to an alleyway to allow us to sneak into a side entrance.

right

The interior of the theater was dimly lit, in stark contrast to the bright light of the day outside. Levi and I were quickly ushered into a private booth- overlooking the stage and the rest of the room.

now where is she-

"You were excited for this weren't you?" Levi asked, scanning the crowd.

"Yeah."

"Then- should we pretend we never saw her? I'm sure her pathetic fiance will contact you- we don't need to waste our time chasing her down."

that's true

"Do you know how much I appreciate that?"

"What?"

"I'm thankful that you're concerned about today- that you want to make me happy," I grinned.

but-

"I still think we should use this opportunity- who knows when we'll see her again- the sooner all of this is resolved the sooner you and I can live in peace."

that's what i really want

a future where i don't have to worry about my murderer being on the loose

where you don't have to worry about someone killing me to get at you

"Alright-" Levi sighed, "she's sitting on the left, by the stage."

thank you

"Let's invite her up here to watch the show-" I looked around for someone to help us.

it looks like she's alone

"You think she'll accept?"

"I hope so."

it would certainly simplify things

"Let's not discuss anything important here- just gauge her reaction- and invite her to tea or something at a later day," I whispered as Levi called an attendant over.

i don't want to interrupt the play with a big confrontation or anything

"What is the play even about?" Levi asked, turning to me as the attendant left to go get Petra.

"It's a love story," I grinned, "between some unfortunate Princess and a stereotypical emotionally constipated Duke."

sounds like someone i know

"Are stories like that popular?"

wow.....

"I know that you're singly focused on magic- but as the future Duke you really should keep up with trends more-"

i mean you're extremely active in the social sphere- i don't know how you've survived for this long

"I would be fucking miserable if I kept up with it."

ok

"And I love that for you."

<3 really and truly <3

"You know-" I paused, "I'm really happy that we're doing this-"

"Excuse me?" A soft voice cut me off.

she's here-

"Come in," Levi called out.

let's do this

In stepped Petra Ral, curtains falling closed behind her.

________________________

some good news and some bad news!

good news: i got accepted into a study abroad program in japan! 

bad news: i don't think that i will be able to continue regularly updating this story once my program starts (early september). im going to continue to write this but certain plot elements that i was planning on will have to be altered in order to meet that deadline of finishing this story before my program starts

hopefully u guys understand! ilusm

- ami