"Can you read?" The Duke grumbled watching as I looked over the papers he had given me.

Rude :/

I can read I'm just going extra slow because the font on this is tiny.

This girl does not have 20/20 vision <3

"Of course I can," I smiled innocently.

I'm underprivileged but I was still a member of the royal family.

The Duke frowned, passing me ink.

Right I have to sign my life away xoxo

I reached for it, leaning down to sign my name.

I feel bad for Petra and Kuchel. They spent so long trying to doll me up just so I could sit in a dusty room and sign papers.

"What are you doing?" The Duke frowned.

Are you an idiot?

"Signing?"

"You're not going to add your own terms?" He asked, rolling his eyes slightly.

I GET TO ADD MY OWN TERMS??

Who's the idiot again?

That's a secret.

"Terms?" I murmured.

I know I deserve rights but suddenly I can't think of anything.

Like making a Christmas list.

Problematic.

"It can't only be favorable to one party," he paused. "Unless you want it to be that way?"

"Sorry I'm just having trouble thinking of anything."

I didn't really come into this with any goal other than surviving.

"You're free to waste your time. However, if we don't sign this by today consider the whole arrangement off." He stood up wandering to the window.

He's really strict sometimes.

He really does have everything. I could probably ask him to do anything for me using this contract.

Nothing that I couldn't get by being his wife.

I watched as he ran his hands over the windowsill, frowning at the dust.

He didn't ask for much- he really is considerate in some ways.

I glanced back down at the piece of paper.

Don't become clingy? Is that really one of his concerns?

"I think I know what I want now," I broke the silence.

"Then?"

"Only three things," I paused. "First, no abuse, physical, verbal, sexual, etc."

"My fiancé thinks I would do such a thing?"

"It's just for safety." I brushed him off.

"... The second?"

"Second, once we get married don't ignore or neglect me. If I'm going to pretend to be your wife I'll need to at least know you a little better."

He doesn't seem upset by any of this.

"I will try."

His expression rarely changes it's unnerving.

"Third, at any point if this arrangement becomes uncomfortable for either party the contract will become null and we will go our respective ways. However, I hope you will continue to look after me and at the very least provide a place for me to stay."

Divorce in this country never benefits the woman.

"I agree," the Duke signed the paper passing it back to me.

There- all done.

Just in case one of us develops feelings the third request can come into play.

I'm not opposed to a relationship with the Duke but still.

Thinking about it makes me a little uncomfortable.

I still don't know much about him.

"I'll be going then," I excused myself.

"Where do you think you're going? Sit down," the Duke demanded.

Scary.

"I was going to-"

"It'll have to wait. Contract aside we have more to discuss."

What else would there be to talk about?

"Then?"

"Marriage, moving households, introducing you at balls, helping me. Your work has only just started."

"Helping you?" I wondered aloud.

If it's anything gross I'm not doing it.

Life is too short to do things I don't like

xo

"It says so on the contract. Do you need a tutor?" The Duke grumbled, "I need you to help me socially."

Can't he just do that himself??

"I don't understand- wouldn't it be better if you did all that yourself? Even if we're married-"

"It's your job to attend social gatherings for women and figure out what their husbands are planning. Besides- I'm not interested in pretending to enjoy shitty garden parties." He frowned.

He just doesn't like talking to people.

"Ok I'll try," I let out a weak smile.

I DONT REALLY LIKE TALKING TO PEOPLE EITHER.

"You'll be moving to my estate," he paused. "I'll see that you get a new wardrobe."

"You don't need to do anything like that! As long as my living expenses are covered I don't need you to pay for me."

"You forget that you're going to become the Duchess. You can't run around in the same things you have been. Even if this is purely contractual it has to look real."

"Alright then."

"This is your idea, I hope you don't regret it."

"I won't. Thank you Duke Ackerman." I bowed my head.

"What did I tell you?"

"Sorry?"

"Are you an idiot? Levi- I told you to call me Levi."

Right.

"Sorry Levi, I'll be going now." I turned on my heel exiting the room.

THAT WAS SO STRESSFUL

"Princess?" Kuchel appeared next to me.

SCARY

"That's me!"

YOU'RE SO WEIRD.

"Yes it is. Should we start packing up your things? The Duke wants you to leave tomorrow."

She's completely unphased.

"Yeah, it's ok. I don't have much so I don't think you'll have a hard time. If you do I can help," I offered.

"You don't need to do that!" Petra skipped up to us, "you're so talkative suddenly. Did the Duke say something?"

Uh yeah I sold away my life so I'm very happy now <33333

"Petra!" Kuchel scolded.

"What? I'm curious," the younger girl grumbled.

"Th- Levi was just talking about our ceremony," I beamed.

I'm pretty sure they don't know about our arrangement.

"In that case- should we skip the packing and go straight to shopping! The Duke has a lot of money- you could get something made," Petra gushed.

She's so hyper.

"That's not a horrible idea," Kuchel murmured.

"Then we should, shouldn't we?" I offered up.

The last time I left the palace was several months ago.

_______________________

THE ENDING IS SO LAME IM CACKLING

- AIAIIA