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"Dreams? You mean nightmares," Hanji pushed her thick black frames up the centre of her nose. "You should speak to Levi about this. He is your husband after all." It was as I expected. Hanji could provide little to no help on the issue of my increasingly disturbing dreams. "Perhaps you should announce your pregnancy to the Kingdom? That might calm your nerves." Hanji had remained a palace scientist for the duration of her six-month stay. She was due to leave at the end of the month. If I didn't tell her about my 'situation'－ all hope would be lost.

"I'm a little hesitant to reveal the news, as is Levi. It puts the two of us at risk, not to mention he's in poor health from completing lots of paperwork all the time." I replied halfheartedly. Hanji sighed inwardly, racking the depths of her intellect to present me with another form of aid. "Tell Levi. You'll feel better, trust me, (Y/N)." I deeply appreciated her advice, but how on earth could I word such a ridiculous topic? 'Hey, Levi. I've been dreaming of your cruel, hateful father possessing your body and manipulating our unborn child to your advantage?'

He'd hate me for life.

I sluggishly gathered my few belongings and shifted my presence towards a magnificent office door. "I trust you'll make the right decision, (Y/N). You always do." Hanji announced with a cheery smile. She never failed to boost my dwindling spirits at least. "Thank you, I feel a lot better. Come visit me anytime."

"Hah! Levi would kill me, but I accept your offer. I love seeing your tummy grow ever so slightly bigger with each passing day." A deep, crimson blush spread across my face. No one－ not even Levi had mentioned the small, fragile bump beginning to form. The Kingdom would learn of the news soon enough just by looking at me. "T-That's nice of you to say. We'll speak again soon." Hanji winked softly, shooing me out the door and into the glistening hallways. She was constantly busy. It was nice of her to take some time from her jam-packed schedule to speak with me. "Good afternoon, your Highness. The King is requesting after you. He says it's urgent."

A guard dressed in light leather armour approached Hanji's office from a short distance away. He wore unfamiliar clothing, but Levi was constantly changing patterns around the palace, so his attire did not faze me in the slightest. "Ah, thank you for telling me..." the thought of addressing the man as a 'guard' felt uptight, hence why I attempted to conjure up another name for him. The tall, rather lanky palace man seemed to find my actions amusing, and bowed his head for an odd moment of reflection. "'Guard' is fine. What a strange woman the King has taken a liking to."

We're married, you great oaf!

I furrowed my brows in response to his words. Few dared to criticise the love between Levi and I. It was considered immensely rude inside the palace, and the King didn't take very kindly to such unwelcome statements. "Forgive me, my Queen. That was not my place." He muttered a weak apology, but hearing him address me as 'Queen' sent a sharp, searing shot of new-found authority directly to my head. I forgave him a little too quickly. The tense walk through the golden hallways were quiet－ although that was to be expected from the rank of status. Guards were only permitted to talk to royalty if there was a genuine reason to do so.

All of a sudden, the palace guard broke the heavy silence. "You... you won't tell the King about my comment, right? It was rude of me." To think the brave guards that were assigned to protect Levi's life feared his wrath more than receiving an injury from a potential assassin. Heck, I was an assassin once. "Not at all. Your comment was probably correct anyways..." the guard set his lips into a firm line, seemingly distressed by my reply. "I happen to prefer you. I've been assigned to many, many women over the years. I understand why the King dotes over you now."

Despite the embarrassment of his words, I had somehow managed to gain the attention of a single palace guard. Perhaps he would protect me with newfound vigour instead of only bending to the will of the King. I wanted nothing more than the palace guards to respect me; to see me as an equal to Levi. If it meant talking to one guard at a time in order to change their minds, then so be it. "Here we are. Nice to formally meet you, my Queen." The man bowed respectfully, and swiftly turned on his heel to leave. I hope all the other guards are as friendly as him. The familiar scent of Levi's personal quarters alleviated a lot of pent-up stress.

"Levi?" I called quietly in case he happened to be resting－ no matter how unlikely. "In here," he replied hoarsely. Fatigue seeped from his pores, leaking out from his lips; eyes and soul. I gently pushed open the cedar-wood door preventing me from laying eyes on my devilishly handsome husband. Once inside his organised quarters, Levi stood up from his desk and invited me into his warm embrace. He was rather affectionate today. "Tsk, where have you been?" His lips delicately traced my neck, almost as if he were reviewing his previous hickeys.

"I was with Hanji. She wanted to see how I was doing." I simply couldn't tell him the truth. Not until things had settled down. "I see," he mused. His muscular hands traced my abdomen, gently pressing his right palm against a small, hopeful bump. Our baby. "We should announce soon. People will start to catch on." Levi's skin flushed a soft pink. Never before had I seen any other colour taint his features. "Are you feeling okay? You look a little... sick." He refused to acknowledge my attempts to check on his wellbeing. In fact, he refused to acknowledge my presence at all. His eyelids fell heavy, as did his body. "Levi? Levi! Oh--!"

His body fell forward, abruptly landing into the safety of my arms. I frantically lowered him to the pristine carpet below to the best of my ability. Summoning guards would only embarrass Levi. I knew he disliked displaying even a slither of weakness. Not to mention the palace guards would speculate about his effectiveness as King. I decided to help him over to our luxury-size bed, rolling him onto the covers with a loud, agitated sigh. He was heavy. Beyond heavy. It was a miracle I managed to manoeuvre him onto the beige sheets in the first place. Levi let out a soft groan of discomfort. Thin strands of raven hair stuck to his sweaty forehead.

He was evidently unwell.

My hands found the neat tassels of his fresh cravat. He adored this piece of material, and removing something so dear to his heart felt like an act of god. His chapped lips parted slightly from the new-found sensation of relief. Next in line was his jacket－ that would have to go in order to make him feel more comfortable. I traced my delicate fingertips across two gold buttons, carefully undoing the material and revealing a navy dress-shirt underneath. He dressed to the nines on every occasion. This familiar memory revealed a flashback from a long time ago. The days when Levi was nothing more than a Prince, and I his loyal guard. I distinctly recall undressing Levi regarding a similar situation.

Although now we were happily married. In all honesty, the paperwork situation was starting to affect his health. Whether I liked it or not, Petra was going to have to assist Levi sooner rather than later. A faint groan shattered the rose coloured looking-glass into the past. Now was not the time to reflect on precious memories. "(Y/N)..." Levi muttered incoherent sentences here and there－ most of them revolving around me. It was honestly quite sweet. I draped a cool, pink cloth across his forehead and attempted to coax him back into the world of reality. His stunning silver eyes glimmered open for a moment.

His steely irises mimicked the colour of the storm clouds hovering outside the palace. "I feel... hot," although disoriented, Levi managed to mutter out how he was feeling effectively. His actions hinted a good chance of recovery. "You're... hotter... ugh," his lips curved upwards into a faint smirk. He was undoubtedly awake. "How are you feeling, Levi? Any better?" He entwined my fingers with his own. "Tsk, shut the hell up." Definitely feeling better. He was lovingly close; the crisp, defined curve of his chin; every soft, delicate pant from his lips. For the first time, he appeared vulnerable in my eyes. The sight was oddly rewarding.

"Don't go anywhere... brat," his grip noticeably tightened, revealing our matching wedding bands under the light. He stared affectionately towards my glimmering (F/C) gemstone. I was sure he picked the very shade himself. "I could never leave you, Levi." As if summoning the last of his strength, his right hand found the nape of my neck, promptly pulling me down towards his position on the bed. Our lips touched. The gesture warmed my heart to the very core of my body. Neither one of us kissed back. A chasté kiss. Pure and simple. "It's just a fever," he muttered. "Don't worry about it." Regardless of the excuses my ravenette husband came up with, I would undoubtedly worry about his health.

"You don't look so convinced, (Y/N)." He announced. I carefully brushed a few stray hairs from his soft metallic eyes. "Would you be convinced?" Levi lay his head back with a loud, clearly troubled exhale. "No," he concluded. I decided a hot cup of tea may ease his concerns. If I remember correctly, Reiner used to steal a variety of teabags from market-stalls only to be punished by General Pixis hours after his heist. No one could stop him of course, as he'd already drunk the luxury teas all to himself. I suppose those memories are just that: memories. "Where the hell are you going?"

I smiled brightly, deviously placing a finger to my lips. "Don't you worry. Rest for now, Levi." Although extremely hesitant, he fluttered his eyes shut with a shaky sigh of discomfort. If I happened to come across Petra on my travels, I would politely ask for her assistance on the newly named 'paperwork issue.' Once close to the door of my husband's chambers, I glanced in his general direction for a final check on his health. His sparkling silver eyes met mine, staring deeply into my own. It was if he could see straight through me. Reading my body like a book. He was clearly out of it, as he said nothing once I refocused my attention on providing him with some much-needed liquids.

Once out into the sanctuary of the halls, I hurried towards what resembled a kitchen area. (Or commonly known as the dining room inside the palace) as fate would have it, a woman with soft, strawberry blond curls sat nursing a slice of cheesecake. Petra loved her confectionary. Upon meeting my anxious gaze, she appeared nothing short of startled. "Ah, (Y/N)! I didn't see you there. It's so nice to see you after the wedding..." her words sounded genuine. "It's perfectly fine! I'm glad I bumped into you. I was actually hoping to ask you something..." Petra hardly gave me a second to begin articulating the favour.

"I-If it's about Levi, then I assure you, I'm completely okay about the pregnancy. There's no one more ecstatic than me." I frantically extended out my hands, hastily dismissing her words with a warm smile. "It's not about that, but... thank you for understanding. Levi and I were going to tell you... well, you know how Hanji is." I sounded nothing like myself. Am I pressuring myself to sound formal? Do I feel intimidated or... jealous by Petra's presence? "It's understandable. Levi and I talked about it last week. I'm overjoyed by the news, as is Levi himself." They already discussed my pregnancy? Why didn't Levi mention it to me?

"Aha... that's great..." I struggled to remember what exactly I wanted from Petra in the first place. It was crystal clear she had become a better person. She was strikingly beautiful, and captivated the eyes of many. Yet a microscopic part of me felt threatened by her position within the palace. She was easily accessible, and Levi had taken full advantage of that in order to talk my pregnancy over with her. "So... what was that favour?" I lowered my head, suddenly disheartened by the thought of Levi going behind my back－ no matter how minor the gesture. My time spent on the streets and training in Chi never did boost my self-confidence. I always considered myself unworthy of Levi's attention until just recently.

"I was wondering..." do I really want Petra spending time alone with Levi? The two were engaged, and no matter how adamantly Levi claimed he did not love her, she could potentially worm her way in. She was a vindictive, spoiled noble in her past... perhaps she would do it again to earn Levi's affection?

Just what am I saying? How spiteful of me to think such a thing. I really do love Levi more than life itself. If he were to leave me for her... "Don't go anywhere... brat," no, Levi would never. Not after our previous discussions on this topic. We love each other dearly. "I was wondering... if you could help Levi with some paperwork? I'm no use to him on the issues regarding the Kingdom. He's damaging his health, and I was wondering whether you knew anything about it?"

Petra prodded lightly at her cheesecake, carefully lifting a piece of crumbly base to her lips and pondering over the question for a moment. "Well, you've just got married... I'd hate to intrude on your life. I helped him a little in the past, but he was never happy about it." That was good enough for me. "Just for half an hour, maybe? You don't have to answer straight away, but I'd really appreciate it." Petra promised she'd give my request a lot of thought. I bowed politely and began gathering a small porcelain cup. I hope this beverage helps to calm Levi's fever. I fear what will happen if he fails to submit important files on time.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The incredibly tense conversation with Petra had damaged my mood a little. To think Levi smoothed things over with his ex-fiancé without my knowledge. Regardless of my concerns, I arrived outside his chambers with a cup of hot black tea. He always ensured I was well cared for in poor times of health. I would do the same for him. "Tsk, you took your damn time, brat. Did you get caught up in something?" Despite his extraordinary high temperature, Levi was always on the ball. Perhaps his father taught him that. "Of course not. Here, drink this. You should stay hydrated when feeling sick."

Levi's weak silver eyes appeared to widen upon realising my time spent away from him was an attempt to help him. "That was... unnecessary, but... merci." He gratefully accepted my carefully crafted small, floral cup with a soft sigh. I noticed he intently studied the feminine pattern before taking a sip. I anxiously awaited his much sought-after approval. However, his next actions shook my heart to the very core. He attempted to stand up. In his condition. "L-Levi! You can't stand up right now... you just passed out." Sadly, the stoic King ignored my well-informed advice. He appeared unfazed by my attempts to keep him resting safely in bed.

"I've rested long enough. It'll pass." Out of pure instinct, my hands reached for his broad shoulders. Due to his sickness, Levi was not able to overpower my grip in the slightest. He was weak. Physically weak to any touch on his muscular body. "Oi, let go." His eyes narrowed in suspicion once my petit hands remained planted firmly atop of his shoulders. I could have my way with him. He would not be able to fend off my touching once aroused. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. "Don't you dare get any ideas--" my soft lips located a delicate-looking patch of pale skin.

"I mean it, (Y/N). No more than this." Levi appeared nothing short of agitated, but his body noticeably stiffened in response to the sensation of my warm tongue lapping softly against his exposed collarbone. My heavy, prominent blush exposed all my lewd intentions. "Tsk, at least look composed, shy brat." His slender fingers found the curve of my chin, raising my flustered gaze to meet his own. Things were not usually this slow. "To think you of all people would act this bold." I mirrored his actions, returning his taunt with equal passion. I knew his plan was to embarrass me to a point of stopping my actions completely.

The heavy sexual tension distracted the two of us. We had no idea what was happening outside the palace. Distant screams and cries from panicked villagers finally broke the steamy trance dancing within my eyes. Heavy knocking from outside the hallway sent violent rushes of panic throughout the marble pillars. "Your Majesty, the palace is on fire!"

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