I'm trying my absolute hardest to get back into writing hence why chapters will be a little shorter. I hope you understand :')

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King Levi Ackerman POV
A Palace Memory Before Abduction

"Tsk, nightmares?" A faint droplet of sweat trickled down her chin - her eyes, although distraught, proved little clarity on what destruction had managed to trouble her mind for three nights in a row. She sat up with a deep sigh, pushing a few damp strands of hair from her flushed face. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "Did I wake you?"

(Y/N)'s recent sleep schedule had been a little too regular, but she was pregnant - not to mention resting for two. "No," I replied, carefully tracing my hand across her now noticeable bump. "I was hoping you'd like to discuss it. You've refused twice now." Her lips threatened to curve upwards, but she lowered her head in reflection of what images were tormenting her mind. "Are you sure?" she questioned, tilting her head back for a brief peck on the lips.

I took ahold of her chin, prolonging the kiss for a little longer than necessary. She enjoyed the sensation nonetheless.

"Tsk, very sure."

A large, fleeting cloud threatened to release a downfall of rain upon the sleeping palace, disturbing many resting guards and servants. I rolled my eyes in disapproval, snuggling closer to my newly pronounced wife, and soon to be Queen. She smiled wearily, taking ahold of my neck and luring me into a passionate kiss. I sensed her distraction from a mile away, reluctantly pulling back with a faint frown. "As much as I love the taste of your lips, you better start talking."

(Y/N) furrowed her brows, glancing downwards at her rounding abdomen. Over the past few weeks, I had grown protective - more so than usual - over her safety and well-being. No matter where she went, two or more guards followed behind her. It became rather tiring, not to mention troublesome. Regarding her nightmares, a deep sense of disturbance threatened to reveal a splash of sadness.

"It's memories of the fire...I don't discuss them with anyone. It's something I have to deal with by myself."

A deep sigh escaped my lips. Memories of the fire were to be expected. Deep-routed trauma linked to the dreaded flames would remain forever ingrained within her brain. "Tsk, enlighten me. Talking things through helps."

"Perhaps..." she muttered.

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The Present

"Now, hold on, Levi. Are you sure about this?"

Ten armed guards surrounded my position. It had been roughly twenty minutes before the palace became aware of (Y/N's) abduction. Time is on my side. Her capture could not have gone far in such a limited amount of time. With luck, she'll still be within the palace, or the very least on the outskirts. Petra nervously paced beside me, lecturing on about "managing my emotions" and "keeping calm" despite her visibly distressed appearance. The entire palace shook with fear upon seeing my truly poisonous expression.

How dare an abductor steal my pregnant wife in broad daylight. I'll have whoever is responsible hung for all to see.

"You've been given your orders, now go. I'll follow after you." All ten armoured guards loyally saluted and turned on their heels to begin the search and rescue order. Petra quickly interjected my authority. "Ah, Levi. This could be a trap to lure you out...I really think you should let the guards do their job—" a deep sigh escaped my lips. If this woman thinks I'll sit and drink tea while my wife and unborn baby are in potentially life-threatening danger, she's more unintelligent than I once thought. Petra bowed her head, smiling gently after realising what my foul expression implied. "Right...it's (Y/N). Of course you'll go look for her."

A sound similar to a scoff instinctively leaked from my lips. It remained evidently clear to all who my weakness was:

(Y/N). She'll forever be a huge weakness to me. My heart aches desperately due to her unknown whereabouts. Her pregnancy only unnerves me further. Her capture is bound to put two and two together after seeing her stomach up close. "Don't worry, Levi. I remember all that time ago when she saved me from a deranged noble who pulled a knife on me. Her stance was unbelievable. I felt extremely safe when she showed up," Petra mused quietly. "I never did thank her for that..."

"You can thank her when she returns." If it were not the fact that standing beside me was the woman who loved me dearly for the entirety of our "engagement" my anger would have washed over her like an ocean wave. Her advice was well thought out, so to speak ill of her would be unfair and extremely cruel. Petra wishes nothing but the best for my wife. To cause her any more emotional distress is a step closer to mimicking my notoriously evil father. That in itself is a thin line. My mother stepped over said line a time too many.

"I know it's hard...but you must keep calm, Levi. (Y/N) is counting on you to make controlled, rational decisions." Her soft red curls bounced gently upon her jewel-covered shoulders. "Let's go. Her capture could not have gone far." A woman of her calibre sent ripples of calmness across the panic-stricken palace. Servants noticeably relaxed when passing her calming aura. Good fashion sense was not only her main attraction; but a sense of tranquillity also followed behind her. Elegance defined her presence, and instead of sensing a surge of annoyance overcome my body, a gentle trickle of maturity lingered in the air. Perhaps this is the scene of a woman who has overcome a one-sided love.

It would do me good.

No petty woman would intercept the beauty of (Y/N). I expect the feeling is mutual for her.

Loud yelling echoed outside the palace, unusually close to a stool selling a variety of scaly fish. Three of my ten guards apprehended a foreign-looking boy with an oh-so-familiar shaved head. Connie Springer. What on earth is he doing here? A close friend to my wife; and a frustrating acquaintance to me. "A thief at a time like this? I hate to be direct but he does look like he comes from Chi..." Petra remained correct to be suspicious of his timing.

"That pathetic, idiotic foreigne—" the palace doors bust open, revealing a disoriented thief held up by his arms. His face was beaten to a bloody pulp, presumably by the guards the second he interrupted their mission issued by me just minutes ago. "King!" His bruised eyes curved upwards upon seeing me. The only downfall to the situation? Connie fails to speak a single word of the language from my Kingdom. A variety of foreign cries escaped his lips. His face contorted into one of realisation as he extended out his hand and pointed towards my glistening crown.

"(Y/N), (Y/N), (Y/N)," he chanted her name a variety of times in the hopes I would understand his scrambled message. His accent was thick, so to hear something resembling my tongue alleviated few worries. "She...fight...hard," his eyes began to brim with tears. "...her...eyes...are...like...old...days..." Old days? Her days as a warrior in Chi. I heard she was ruthless all that time ago. Fighting implies she has abandoned the thought of protecting our baby. She would only do that if the situation provided no other accessible options.

"Where? Where is she?!" My increasingly crumbling resolve proved no use on the matter at hand. My beloved wife is in trouble. I won't stand for someone hurting my unborn baby. Connie furrowed his brows, racking his brain for the correct words to use. He repeatedly shook his head, pointing outside the palace. He spoke in Chi, kicking and yelling against the firm hold of my highly trained guards. It was no use. The conversation remained futile. Petra and I have no choice but to force Connie to personally escort us to (Y/N's) location.

A simple dismissal using my right hand released Connie in one swift motion. He desperately scrambled to his feet, gesturing for the two of us to follow briskly after him. The extent of his beating made it difficult for him to maintain a steady sprint, but he managed to do so through sheer will power. Connie's overwhelming fear sent shockwaves of anger throughout my body. I promised (Y/N) a peaceful, safe life to raise our baby in. This scenario goes against everything I whispered to her when alone together. My loving touches against the silver strikes of her creamy skin promised no harm would ever come to her again.

During our lovemaking, I promised her a new life. One without hurt or turmoil. Her clearly risky position fighting whoever has taken her hostage, presumably a man, tarnishes my points of care and respect made during the evenings. I have no doubt she can effectively protect herself — she was my guard for almost a year; but now she carries our unborn baby, the task will be near impossible without causing harm to her fragile body. A woman baring a child should never be put under extreme stress, let alone a physical danger such as this.

"Keep calm, Levi. (Y/N) won't fight. Call it women's instinct." That may be true. Fighting will avoid injuries, but she will have to avoid constant attacks from her rival. She is bound to sustain an injuring remaining neutral on the battle. No matter her decision, pain is inevitable. A deep, crushing sense of helplessness began to swell and pulsate within my gut. Nothing bad will happen. I'm deeply familiar with (Y/N's) personality. My faith and trust in the situation will have to concur any surfacing doubts.

A small cobblestone path lead behind multiple dark allies. Connie began to lessen his pace due to a deep wave of fatigue that overcame his body like a hit to the gut. Without the protection and aid from my assigned guards, if this were to be a trap, my safety is at overwhelming risk. My panic-stricken eyes studied the vicinity, only to spot nothing of note. Connie crouched down beside a deep, bottomless well used for water collection. He pointed towards a few loose bricks, revealing a prominent splatter of fresh blood.

"Down," he chanted.

Petra narrowed her eyes, assessing a broken rope used to lower a bucket of water for collection. "It's broken...you don't think they fell down, do you?" Time is running out. If I fail to locate (Y/N) soon, my window of opportunity will close and never open again.

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