The hall fell into a hushed silence as she made her entrance, the train of her long white dress trailing behind her.

it looks like-

"A fucking wedding dress," Levi muttered under his breath.

well-

"I hate to say it but I think she's taken the spotlight," I chuckled, the attention that was previously on the two of us had completely evaporated.

i wish that historia or annie was here

understandably they aren't but-

now would be a great time for someone in a position of power to criticize her

"Don't worry about it, she's clearly doing this to get attention, if anything it makes her look worse," Levi pulled me closer to his side. "She'll look like shit in a few minutes."

i hope so

The music began to pick back up, and Levi and I still on the dancefloor got swept up in the crowd again, sticking to the outskirts of the dance while keeping an eye on the first princess as she spoke to the hosts.

"She'll come here next," I frowned, "I'm not looking forward to it."

there's no stopping it now

"I'd rather deal with it now than wait for another chance."

you're right

"If we get the opportunity to humiliate her in front of a crowd of her most loyal supporters our job is practically over."

don't let your anxiety get to you y/n

"Shit," Levi muttered, pulling me into a spin. "She's coming over."

ALL IN FAVOR OF RUNNING AWAY RN SAY AYE

AYE

OK LET'S GO-

"Do you have a knife?"

let's just become criminals levi-

"I am not murdering her."

"Oh wow- betrayal- I thought you loved me," I gasped, shaking my head at him.

"Who gave you that idea?" he rolled his eyes, the two of us moving closer to the center of the room in an attempt to postpone the inevitable.

well for starters-

"I've been conned-"

"Could I have this dance?" An all too familiar figure inserted herself right in our path, forcing the two of us to stop in our tracks.

no you can't...

"I've promised my wife a few more, you'll have to wait," Levi skillfully declined.

we'll be making our escape after we're done dancing so im sorry but you'll never get an opportunity to

"Is that so," Hitch didn't do a great job hiding her emotions, her scowl deepened a stark contrast to the saintly image the white dress gave off. "Levi you don't have to lie-" her voice raised so everyone in the surrounding area could hear.

"I don't recall giving you permission to call me that," Levi shifted putting himself between the two of us. "Please refrain from causing a scene at someone else's engagement party."

it is inevitable

"Levi-" I tugged on his sleeve, biting back a smile, "if you want to you don't have to hold yourself back from spending time with her because of me."

this character keeps on getting easier and easier to play the more we're in these sorts of situations

but really i don't like it

i'd much rather go out kicking and screaming

i'd rather be upfront and fight loudly

cowering and pretending to cry is much less enjoyable

"Y/N-" Levi looked down at me, well-rehearsed worry flooding his features.

the levi i know would swear and tell me to open my eyes

we both have to be a little disingenuous

it's for a greater good

"You're making me the villain," Hitch hissed, her harsh gaze landing on me, "you're the one everyone should be worried about."

hold on-

"What are you accusing my wife of?" Levi snapped back, glancing at me a hint of genuine concern in his eyes.

she was supposed to take the bait and jump at the opportunity to spend a moment with levi making her look like the villain

maybe our conversation disillusioned her more than we thought

that would be a serious problem- what could she be planning

"Don't act like you don't know what's happening- I know this is all a charade," she frowned at him, clearly hurt. "The two of you aren't actually in love you can't be-"

how could you possibly prove that

"That isn't something you can decide for us," I murmured, pulling Levi closer, the two of us taking a step away from her.

everyone is watching

A crowd had formed almost immediately, their scrutinizing gazes felt heavy on my back.

i forgot it earlier because of those conversations

but all of these people are naturally more inclined to support the first princess

it's still an uphill battle even if we have a solid start

"She has something over you- I know it," Hitch doubled down.

seriously what gave her and eren that impression

"She doesn't, I love her, I don't reciprocate your feelings," Levi firmly denied her.

of course, i don't think she'll ever fully agree with that statement

"The two of you were fighting after you left the palace on the day that we met, I know that isn't true," she shook her head.

so what historia said was correct

"Couples fight, we clearly aren't now are we?" I over at Levi who nodded, "Sister I have no issue with you and my husband maintaining the friendly relationship you used to have but it is an issue if you continue to insist that you have a right to him."

that's his choice to make

no one has to continue relationships if they don't want to

and you're in no position to protest if he wants to cut off dead ends

"Don't call me that," she glared, glancing around at the crowd that was clearly split between siding with the better argument or with the person who they had a closer relationship with. "The two of you were total strangers between your sudden engagement, something happened and I will not let a Duke of the kingdom remain trapped by you."

that isn't good

"She's right I didn't know anything about the Duchess before the announcement of an engagement."

"Did they even have a wedding ceremony?"

"It always felt very rushed to me."

"The Ducal Estate hasn't declined, has it? If he truly cared he would've taken it upon himself to prepare something grand."

"The way they announced the engagement was strange too- they didn't even stick around during that party- the two of them just disappeared."

"The Duchess hasn't hosted any parties or invited anyone to the Duchy, maybe their relationship is all an act."

Levi squeezed my hand in reassurance.

"Still- they really don't seem like they're faking it."

"True, but even so- the beginning of their relationship is strange."

even the people who don't totally believe what the princess is saying are slowly beginning to shift their tone

if we don't succeed here what happens?

worst case scenario will we be forced to-

"I don't believe I gave anyone permission to comment on my relationship," Levi cut off my train of thought, leaning down to murmur into my ear, "if I had known that it was going to be this big of an issue I would've looked uncomfortable at some grand ceremony."

you-

I almost laughed, slightly reassured.

"They're right you know," Hitch interrupted the moment, "everyone has a right to question your relationship, it's clear that something is wrong."

it doesn't add up because it started with a lie

but that doesn't make the present false

i love him- that much i know is real

"They can believe in whatever they want, the truth is different," Levi was adamant about his position.

"Let her speak for herself, I know she's capable of that much," she growled, turning her full wrath onto me. "Y/N tell them yourself, show them your ring."

we all know that the crowd's opinion is going to determine the outcome of this fight

"The ring?" I murmured, glancing down at the small unadorned band I wore on my finger.

she's smart

the crowd is already in her favor

something like this could settle everything once and for all

no matter how stupid

fuck

"The ring." She smirked, clearly aware of my panic, "do you have something to hide? Show them your ring."

"That won't be nec-" Levi attempted to rescue me.

"Don't," I murmured softly, "don't- it looks suspicious if you do."

"We're all waiting," she chuckled slightly, taunting.

alright

you're all waiting

i might as well make it worth it

____________________

publishing early bc im working this evening! (it's also a little bit longer of a chapter than i normally post)

the next time i publish will be the day that i move in to college!

- ami