"Is everyone ready?" I glanced at both Kuchel and Farlan in my mirror as Petra remained focused on the ornaments she was fixing to my hair.

we probably only have a few more minutes-

"Everything is in order," Kuchel nodded.

"Are you ready?" Farlan asked, frowning slightly.

farlan im insulted-

do you not believe in me ???

i mean- im attractive AND funny- absolutely nothing could go wrong

"It's not like I have much time to prepare anything else- even if I wasn't," I muttered.

WHY DID HE HAVE TO SHOW UP SO SOON

A few hours ago we received news that the prince was due to arrive before the afternoon.

SERIOUSLY-

IF HE EXPECTS AN EXTRAVAGANT WELCOME .

HE SHOULD SERIOUSLY GIVE SOME WARNING

"Done!" Petra cheered, grinning at me in the mirror.

"Thank you," I murmured, taking in my reflection. The dress I was wearing was deep blue and silver, the colors of the Ackerman Duchy, the skirt was long and fanned out at the end. Long sheer navy gloves with silver floral embroidery matched embroidery on the skirt of the dress. Petra had been busy fixing my hair with a lotus hairpin made out of brilliant blue gemstones.

it's a bit of a shame that i look this good to greet h*m

"I'll go get the staff in order in the main hall," Kuchel turned to leave the room. "Petra, make sure to tidy up before you go out."

"Ok," Petra glanced at me, "I'll be back in a minute!"

"I feel like I should have something to do," Farlan grumbled quietly to himself.

wow farlan i thought we were besties for the resties

"You can go wait in the front hall?"

"No thank you," he made a face at the thought of it.

actually i have a question-

"I know why I hate the prince but why do you hate him?" I wondered aloud, turning in my seat.

petra explained why she doesn't like him but im sure everyone else has their own reasons

"Don't get me started," Farlan looked exhausted thinking about it, "he comes uninvited and treats all of us like we've personally pledged allegiance to him."

that's insulting-

"There's not much that can be done about it, the maids get the worst of it but the knights get the most upset."

ill ask hanji about it later

"I'll turn a blind eye if you decide to poison him <3"

"Are you sure you don't want to do the honors?"

"I would be delighted." I paused, glancing at the time, "we should probably get going."

"Right, I'll tell Hanji to come escort you," Farlan quickly got up and left the room.

levi said he was coming home soon right?

ill try my best to deal with this until he does

that's the only thing i can do right now

I glanced at myself in the mirror, feeling an odd sense of frustration.

i mean really-

I've done so much to establish myself as my own individual since becoming Duchess.

i think that it's apparent based on how people treat me within the duchy that at the very least those in this household recognize me for who i am

That must be why this whole situation is so exhausting.

I don't want to have to continually prove that I'm someone who's worth respect.

With or without the Ackerman name or royal titles I shouldn't have to constantly fight to be taken seriously.

Let alone the amount of work it's going to take to get my relationship with Levi taken seriously by the First Prince and Princess.

I know my own self worth

I wish more people would recognize it

"Are you ready?" Hanji called out from the hall- interrupting my train of thought.

I guess I'll have to get this over with sooner or later

"Coming!" I responded, shooting myself one last look in the mirror.

petra really did do an amazing job

"I heard from Oulo that they're nearly here," Hanji struck up conversation as we walked to the main hall.

pls no

"Farlan told me that the knights really don't like the prince?" I asked, gauging her reaction.

"Well- I wouldn't say that everyone hates him but-" she paused, choosing her next words, "we've all sworn oaths to the Ackerman household, not the prince. So it's an insult when someone assumes that we've sworn loyalty to them by extension."

that makes sense

"OF COURSE I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH YOU-" Hanji rushed to explain, "I knew right from the start that you were a good person."

i'm happy that i choose you hanji

"I hope that I don't cause any issues for you guys," I murmured, my eyes trained on the floor.

the more i hear about it

im worried that the prince will take advantage of the staff because he doesn't take me as seriously as levi

i would hate that

"I don't know what you're thinking about but it's my job to help you, you aren't causing any problems," Hanji laughed, dismissing my comments.

still-

"Either wa-"

"We're here-" Hanji stopped at the top of the grand staircase.

"Just in time," I could hear the sound of some sort of commotion outside.

"Everything is in order," Kuchel called out, joining the two of us on the stairs as the rest of the staff hurried to either side of the entrance.

"I'm not late right?" Petra hurried to my side, glancing around.

YOU'RE RIGHT ON TIME

"Here he comes," Farlan muttered quietly under his breath, standing a bit behind me.

everyone is here

"Introducing Prince Eren!" My breath hitched as I watched the door swing open.

Piercing green eyes met mine as his gaze shifted up to where I was standing, he stepped forward two attendants following close behind.

I can't believe this is happening.

____________________

hoping tht the notif for this one goes out bc it didn't last time </3 (also sorry abt all the filler recently it ends next chapter lol)

anyway! how is everyone? i start my first day of classes tmrw )):

- ami