I'm so lost.

WHY IS THIS HOUSE SO BIG ???

HHHH

"Is anyone around?" I asked hesitantly, my eyes darting around.

why am I kinda embarrassed saying that ?

No response.

I'm going to be dead by the time anyone finds me.

A door at the end of the hall stood slightly ajar- a faint glow spilling out into the hallway from within.

PEOPLE??? LIFE ???

"That girl isn't good enough for Levi," a voice from inside spat out.

OH

i mean you're talking about me so im legally obligated to listen

!!!

"Shhh! Keep your voice down- someone is going to hear and you'll get fired," another voice chided.

I wouldn't fire anyone for not liking me ://

I would have 2 fire Levi

thts just how it is

"Why should I? It's the truth there are better people for him!"

I MEAN YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT WRONG

"Like who? You know how sensitive the Duke has always been about marriage- it's a good thing that he's finally done it."

WOW I LOVE U PERSON <3

but he didn't marry me 4 the reasons you're thinking

YUP IM A PAWN WITH MONEY <333

"Hey, did you hear about what happened to the previous Duke and Duchess?" Someone within the room tried to change the subject.

Yeah what happened to them??

Levi's awfully young-

EVEN IF MORTALITY RATE IS HIGH IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR NOBILITY LIKE THE PREVIOUS DUKE AND DUCHESS TO BE DEAD

"There you are Y/N!" Farlan appeared out of nowhere startling me.

AAA

DON'T JUST SHOW UP WITHOUT WARNING

TERRIFYING

"Hi Farlan," I sighed turning away from the door.

He was loud they definitely know I was listening now-

"Why were you down here?" He questioned, glancing around.

I CAN'T TELL HIM I WAS LOST THAT WOULD BE EMBARRASSING.

"I was just familiarizing myself with the layout," I lied, averting my eyes.

NICE SAVE

"Sorry to pull you away from that," he bowed politely, "the Duke asked to meet you in his office."

NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOME DADDY DOM CEO STUFF-

"Should I be scared?" I glanced back at the door, it was pulled shut.

Well- they noticed

"The Duke seemed happy," Farlan completely dodged my question.

I SHOULD BE SCARED

levi is the type of person to only be happy for terrifying reasons.

HHH

"That sounds great," I muttered sarcastically.

"Do you hate the Duke?" Farlan stopped in his tracks.

Where's that coming from?

"Do you think I do?"

I DON'T

even if he has unreasonable demands !

I'm incredibly tolerant

"He's hard to get along with, I wouldn't be surprised if you married him without knowing anything about his personality," his voice lowered. "That's my job anyway."

ILL PRETEND I DIDN'T HEAR THE LAST PART

You're right though I don't know anything about Levi even now

Ignorance is bliss <3

"I don't think he'd ever do anything to hurt me," I paused, "I actually want to know more about him. Do you think he'd be annoyed if I tried to get close?"

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Farlan didn't sound convincing at all.

"I'm not sure I believe you- but thanks for checking in."

Levi is 100% going to murder me

I should ask him to do it painlessly then-

I should also tell him to cry at my funeral so that people don't find him out.

"The Duke told me to just send you in- he's not busy," Farlan gestured towards the tall office doors.

We're already here???

HHH

INTO HELL I GO

"Levi? I'm coming in-" I hummed.

make this quick and painless.

"You're finally here."

WOW IMPATIENT

"Did you miss me that much?" I shut the door behind me, glancing around the room.

It's obvious that he has a lot of work but still- this place is spotless.

HIS STAFF RLLY IS ON TOP OF THEIR GAME

AND HE'S FIRING THEM ????

WHERE IS HE FINDING AN UNLIMITED SUPPLY OF COMPETENT HELP???

INSANE

"Fuck no."

"LEVI FRIENDS ARE SUPPOSED TO MISS EACH OTHER ):"

"I said I'd work towards becoming 'friends' with you- not that I was," he sighed, pushing a letter towards me.

MAIL ???? FOR ME ????

"Work towards being friends by pretending to miss me," I frowned grabbing it from him.

who's sending me anything ???

"You want me to fake affection?"

I mean that's what we're supposed to do right???

"Fake it til you make it," my eyes scanned over the envelope.

The person who send this didn't write a return address-

THAT'S SKETCHY KASJDHJH

I DON'T LIKE THIS AT ALL

"I hope you're good at that," Levi tapped the wax seal on the letter.

Oh it's pretty <3

The envelope is pretty 2 it looks expensive.

whoever sent this is rich.

"I'm great at pretending to be friendly," I broke the seal, opening the letter.

IT'S PRETTY BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S INSIDE <3

"I wasn't expecting her to send something this fast, but you seem confident enough." Levi murmured, a look of concern flashing over his features.

WHO ???

WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT THAT SEAL WAS ???

UHHHHHHHHHH

QUICK Y/N FAKE CONFIDENCE

OKOK WHAT DOES THE SEAL LOOK LIKE ??

A UNICORN ???

THAT'S KINDA CHEESY ://

YEAH A LION OR SOMETHING WOULD BE WAY COOLER

I HAVE NO IDEA WHO'S SEAL THAT IS-

QUICK READ THE LETTER

HHH OKOK

"Duchess Y/N," I started to skim over the letter.

Duchess Y/N ? a bit rude 2 use my first name but-

"It must be difficult getting used to your new position- from what I've heard the Ackerman estate is a rather unwelcoming place." I continued, my frown deepening.

They're attacking my background- they're also acting like they know everything that's happened so far.

That's insane I've only been here for a few days.

Stop stressing Y/N.

"Levi and I have known each other for a long time- I'd be happy to help you adjust into the new environment. That being said, send me a letter next time you come to the capital. I'll arrange a gathering so you can get used to high society." I finished the letter, my eyes drifting down to the signature line.

The sender isn't trying very hard to mask their intentions.

They don't like me.

They're trying to scare me.

"Yours truly, First Princess Hitch Smith."

Right- what was I expecting?

______________________________

letter writing is the worst thing in the world <33333 AND I WASN'T EVEN TRYING THAT HARD BC Y/N WAS SKIMMING

ANYWAY !!! ITS HITCH!!! big reveal ???? idk I just couldn't bring myself to make any of my favs villains ):

- amimiiii