This is the most awkward family road trip I've ever been on.

Levi looks so tense-

WHICH IS NOT IMPROVING THE VIBE IN HERE AT ALL !!

"Are you," I paused, biting my lip. "Are you ok?"

GREAT WORD CHOICE Y/N

"Who was that?" Levi asked, avoiding my eyes.

What ???

Hanji???

Is he talking about Hanji???

"That was my guard, why?"

I can't imagine that he knows her name.

"Eld, Gunther, Oulo?" Levi pressed.

HANJI ??????

YOU LEFT OUT A QUEEN

ALSO ANSWER MY QUESTION

"It was Hanji," I paused. "You know their names?"

Why would he know the names of servants?

I mean aside from those who serve him closely there's no need for someone of his status to know the names of his servants.

Unless-

"I would be an idiot to not even know the names of my own personal guard," Levi scoffed.

HIS OWN PERSONAL GUARD??? THAT MEANS THAT HANJI IS IMPORTANT RIGHT???

"Did I take away one of your guards? Do you want her back?" I blurted out.

KEEP YOU COOL Y/N

I CAN'T

IM STRESSING

"Hanji?" Levi scoffed.

WHATS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN???

IS SHE REALLY IMPORTANT???

WAIT DOES HE L*VE HER???

Calm down Y/N- he wouldn't have signed the contract if he was just going to break it in order to be with a guard.

IDK HAVE YOU SEEN HANJI SHES KINDA SEXY

Even if he does do that you'd still be protected so you don't need to worry about your future.

YES BUT WHAT IF I'M GETTING IN BETWEEN HIS RELATIONSHIP??? WHAT IF I'M THE VILLAIN ???????

"LEVI IF YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH HER I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THE TWO OF YOU BEING A COUPLE!" I paused, catching my breath. "I REALLY DON'T WANT TO GET IN BETWEEN ANY RELATIONSHIPS YOU WANT TO HAVE SO-"

"Are you suggesting that I would cheat on you? With four-eyes of all people?" Levi rolled his eyes.

WELL IS IT REALLY CHEATING IF OUR RELATIONSHIP IS CONTRACTUAL???

"I wasn't suggesting you would ever cheat! You just seemed upset that I was talking to Hanji so I assumed that-"

"Why the fuck would I ever want to be involved with that annoying woman," Levi paused. "Why would you be so worried, unless- you have feelings for someone?"

YOU??? YEAH RIGHT

"You don't have to worry Levi, I didn't seek you out because of love."

It was because you're rich xoxo

That and because YOU OFFERED

!!!

"Are you sure about that?" Levi narrowed his eyes.

WELL YOU CANT DOUBT ME AND LOOK HOT AT THE SAME TIME ITS INCREDIBLY CONFUSING

"IM SURE!"

"In that case don't worry." He leaned back in his seat shutting his eyes.

He looks so peaceful like that.

"Ok then," I hummed to myself.

Is he just going to sleep for the rest of the trip ???

OF COURSE NOT ? IT TAKES MULTIPLE DAYS TO GET UP NORTH ???

WELL !!! IM !!! AN !!! IDIOT !!!

"You shouldn't let your guards use your name," Levi said idly.

Was he mad about that?

"And? If I do?"

WHAT'S HE GOING TO SAY?

"Hanji may be friendly but other servants will see it as a weakness and walk all over you," he sighed.

Kuchel said the same thing.

"Should I tell her to stop?"

"That idiot would have done it anyway- but be careful who you're friendly with."

"Then those other knights? Eld, Gunther, Oulo- I shouldn't trust them?" I asked, worried.

If that's the case it's good that I didn't choose them.

"Eld, Gunther, Oulo and Hanji are all my personal guards, so you don't need to worry." He paused, thinking, "you should just be wary around people that I haven't chosen for you brat."

People he hasn't chosen for me.

I guess I knew that Kuchel and Petra were assigned to me but that means that they're a lot more important to him than it seems.

You have to wonder what happened for him to get like this...

"Do I need a guard?"

Am I in that much danger?

"That's a stupid question." Levi scoffed.

That's a yes then.

"I see."

"You understand now, that's good an idiot won't survive in high society."

I mean I've survived so far so-

That's because you're selectively stupid.

I'll take that as a compliment.

I glanced outside the window spacing out as I looked out over the vast expanses of farmland outside.

At least- you know he cares.

Even if this is contractual he's showing the same care he would the real duchess-

In making sure I'm protected and picking out people who are trustworthy to surround me.

Although maybe there's another side to this?

Did he pick people out so he could monitor my activities?

Overthinking never does any good.

You're right but I can't help it.

WHATEVER!

YOU'RE RIGHT THE ONLY THING HE'S GOING TO LEARN IS HOW AMAZING I AM XOXO

What we should really be worried about is whether or not Levi is dead.

You're right he hasn't moved...

I DONT WANT THIS FAMILY ROAD TRIP TO START WITH A DEATH

TRAGIC!

I can already see the headlines )):

'DUKE ACKERMAN DIES IN HIS SLEEP! DUCHESS Y/N & OTHER HOT SINGLES ARE IN YOUR AREA!'

Should I check then???

YEs but what if he wakes up and gets mad. Or what if you lean in to check and the carriage hits a bump in the road and you go flying into his lap and end up in some scandalous situation that ends in the rest of the ride up north being SUPER awkward ))):

That would be very bad.

I'm going to check anyway.

_________________________________

SO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE! it totally slipped my mind this week bc of ap tests. good luck to everyone who has them over the next few weeks! you're going to do great.

- ai!ai!ai!