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Editing completed 6/7/2017

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A low sigh of satisfaction left my lips as I finished the novels final page and closed the book. I studied the title - Tricked by a Prince, which ironically contradicts itself. Prince Levi looked up from his paperwork, parting his lips.

"How did you enjoy the ending?"

I am the ending. I crossed my arms, awkwardly averted my gaze to the side of the room. Prince Eren has a... lustful imagination. I quickly avoided his question.

"Which was your favourite part, your majesty?"

The Prince lowered his quill and leant back into his chair with a low groan.

"I enjoyed the brief romance between the two before the female's lust for money overpowers her."

My features darkened; I like money - who doesn't? I most definitely wouldn't leave my lover over it.

"I see..."

The Prince rose from behind his desk and stretched his arms above his head. I find myself worrying over Prince Eren if he should ever find me... I'm currently hiding in plain sight - somewhere he obviously hasn't thought to look.

"You didn't answer my first question."

I traced my fingertips over the golden cover and placed the book onto the Prince's desk.

"I was originally a thief. I enjoyed the idea of gaining all that coin."

The Prince glared, examining the cover and flipping through the pages in order to refresh his memory.

"How disappointing."

A small smile graced my lips as the Prince handed the book back to me and instructed I place the novel back where it belonged.

"I expected you to enjoy the mysterious ending. The Prince never does see that girl again."

I shrugged my shoulders, gently pushing the spine of the novel in between two smaller books. Prince Eren will mostly likely have me sentenced to hang over the knife incident or he might wish to pursue his unrequited feelings for me... unless the novel he wrote really is just his imagination...

"The ending is... normal for people of mine and your status. I was not particularly surprised."

The Prince tensed up, removing his crown from his raven hair and placing the gold onto his desk.

"I am free to marry whoever I wish - status does not particularly concern me, however my kingdom would be livid."

I crossed my arms and leant forward into a half-bow, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"Oh? You would marry a female peasant out of love - is that what you're saying?"

The Prince glared fiercely, demanding I remember my manners and my position as his guard.

"Know your place, damn foreigner. Essentially, yes - that's what I'm saying."

I found myself bowing further upon hearing the Prince's words - a rather ingesting insight on his personality and forgiving rule over his people.

"As for you, foreigner, if a man of high wealth courted after you?"

I smiled warmly, placing my hands onto my lap with the bow of my head.

"I'm poor, not to mention a thief too."

The Prince leant back into his dark wooden chair with a wicked glint deep within his steel eyes.

"If you loved this hypothetical man - would you marry regardless of status?"

Since when have the Prince and I spoken so casually like this? I crossed my arms and returned his majesty's steel glare.

"Just like you - yes."

The Prince raised his crown above his head and adjusted a shimmer of gold. I found myself unable to look away - despite the cloud of worry hovering over me.

"The bonfire starts within the hour. I expect you to remain composed - despite your history with fire."

"Yes, your majesty."

The Prince rose from his desk and clicked his tongue, demanding I follow behind him. I closed the wooden door as the two of us left the Prince's chambers.

"I've attended each yearly bonfire with Petra by my side - this year she stands beside me as my fiancé, I expect her to be excited over this fact."

I nodded my head, listening to the sound of golden chains that decorated the Prince's dark dress coat.

"I see..."

The Prince cast his eyes to the beautiful view of the crystal moon shining down upon the palace. I admired the moonlight illuminating the Prince's pale features.

"Many descendants of royal blood gather to watch this bonfire - believe it or not, the author of 'Tricked by a Prince' should be attending this bonfire. Eren watched the previous year also."

I immediately tensed up, feeling adrenaline flood my system. Eren attends these bonfires? He's going to recognise me! I'll be removed from guarding my future king...

"I see..."

I couldn't inform the Prince - for some reason I struggled to voice my value to Eren - not to mention I'm unsure if he even wishes to speak to me... he might even ignore me... I remained stiff yet tried to seem calm. I could potentially ruin this bonfire evening if Eren spots me.

"Lets go, foreigner."

I half-bowed, following behind the Prince who adjusted his crimson cape which clung to his broad shoulders.

Petra is meeting the Prince on the balcony... will Eren be there to greet them? If so... I'm in trouble. The hallway began to feel longer than usual as the golden balcony quickly came into view.

I immediately spotted a unfamiliar golden and green emerald crown, underneath a mess of brown curls. He's there! It's too late...

"Levi!"

Petra quickly took the Prince's arm as he rolled his eyes at her noisy actions - four guards, not belonging to this palace wore a different grey uniform - my once thief accomplice, now a Prince approached me.

"......"

We stared in complete silence as Eren's features visibly darkened upon recognising me.

"Seize her."

Eren's serious voice startled me, his cheery and innocent behaviour... was it all an act? Eren's strange grey guards immediately took ahold of my arms.

"Tch. Just what the hell are you doing? She's my personal guard."

Forgive me, your majesty.... Eren smiled gently, reminding me of his carefree personality I once knew.

"Oh? You didn't tell him, (Y/N)? That's very dishonest of you."

The Prince's eyes immediately widened, his irises darkening to a deep steel colour, similar to a metal sword.

"Tch. Just what the hell is going on?"

Petra stood beside the Prince, her lips parted clearly out of shock.

"I'm confused... the foreigner hasn't committed any crimes."

I lowered my head as Prince Eren leant towards me, a teasing smile flashed across his lips as he removed a golden covered book from his inside jacket pocket and began to read the first page aloud:

"Upon our first meeting, the girl tightly pressed a silver pocket knife against my throat - something I'd never experienced as a Prince - I immediately fell for her enchanting beauty..."

Prince Eren swiftly shut his novel and waved the book in front of my face.

"I'm sure you remember doing that, right
(Y/N)?"

I clenched my fists, deciding to stay silent. Anything I say at this moment won't be considered.

"The novel was created using... truth?"

The Prince's face remained unreadable, but I could sense his blatant anger and betrayal. I quickly voiced the truth of mine and Eren's encounter all those months ago.

"Not the exact truth. We're most definitely not lovers. I threatened you because I assumed you to be weak. I was unaware of your position as Prince..."

Eren looked oddly saddened by my words as he ordered his guards to remove me from Prince Levi's palace and sentenced me to the cells while he thought about my punishment.

"I won't allow that - she cannot be removed from my presence."

Eren's eyes widened, his brows furrowing in blatant confusion. I felt frozen in place by the fierce stare of the Prince - his steel eyes shone with determination and burning rage.

"I formed a contract with her. She's my property."

What a twisted way of voicing our contract... but his words are true - the only person who can punish me is him.

"Oh? Protection in exchange for the ruby you stole..."

Eren seemed dismayed - my contract with the Prince has ironically saved my life. Eren's hand clenched into a fist as I suddenly received a strike to what felt like the side of my head. His clenched fist was an order to injure me...

"Ah! Don't hit her!"

Petra's frightened voice filled my ears as I rose my palm to my head, only for warm blood to seep out and stain my skin.

"You've injured my property. She is supposed to protect me - not receive beatings over petty tales of romance."

I felt my surroundings blur for a few seconds as my vision slowly began to clear. I met the soft ocean eyes of Eren - who ordered for his guards to release me. I rose to my feet, a small hiss of pain escaping my lips as blood trickled down the back of my neck.

"Romance? We lived on the streets."

I muttered only for Eren to turn to me, his turquoise eyes burning with rage - sheer distress filled his features over my abandonment of him.

"I thought we were friends, (Y/N). My role as Prince was irrelevant - you left me with strangers."

I attempted to block out the sharp sting at the back of my head. Eren is genuinely hurt... I wouldn't expect such behaviour to be shown by a Prince...

"I didn't want to ruin your life - my decision was obviously correct as you rule an entire kingdom."

Eren announced his decision on missing the yearly bonfire evening and promised to visit again in the future - the Prince ordered me to sit down and press my back against the balcony side wall.

"I have no time to deal with this - the bonfire starts in ten minutes just sit there, foreigner."

I nodded my head, feeling rather grateful over the Prince's decision of keeping me by his side - despite the fact I didn't inform him of my involvement with Eren.

I expect I'll receive a punishment at the end of the night... I slowly lowered myself to the ground, feeling the cool palace wall press against my back. I quickly withdrew Petra's handkerchief and pressed the soft material against the back of my head.

I could see a little above the balcony - red sparks and grey smoke rose into the air as the crackle of logs quickly hinted the bonfire had begun. I closed my eyes as the gentle warmth lulled me into a trance. I can't see the flames... but the warmth is very calming...

|~~~~|

"Oi foreigner... don't you dare die on me."

I felt my eyes lazily open I attempted to focus on the fuzzy outline of my future king.

"I'm not going to die... over a small punch..."

The Prince's deadpan stare soon stopped blurring as I sat up with a load groan. Why do people keep hitting me in the head... it hurts worse than Reiner's sword strike...

"Now you're finally awake, I can decide a punishment for not informing me of your 'friendship' with Prince Eren Yeager."

I looked around my surroundings and quickly spotted the familiar marble arch of the throne room. Why am I here? Have I been unconscious on the palace floor for long?

"I no longer think he considers me a friend... plus I didn't know he was a Prince... forgive me."

The Prince sighed loudly as he crossed his legs, tapping his pale finger onto the armrest of his golden throne.

"I won't allow another scene like that to happen again. If you have any information similar to what I've learned today - inform me right now."

I racked my brain for any hidden secrets I'd kept from the Prince - but with the sting of my head I found this task rather difficult.

"I-Idon't think there's anything else..."

I slowly rose my feet and leant forward into a half bow. I must thank the Prince for his quick thinking earlier on the balcony.

"Thank you for saving my life. I do believe Prince Eren would of sentenced me to death or forced me to serve him instead."

The Prince smirked deviously, placing his finger under his lip. Such a manipulative face...

"I won't forget that - your life now belongs solely to me. I've arranged a paper contract of our agreement to be made - you'll have to sign tomorrow evening."

I nodded my head, wincing at the sudden pain which bounced around my head.

"Of course I won't let you get away with what happened tonight - so I've assigned you with double sword training and you'll be cleaning my chambers three times a week."

Oh brilliant. I suppose it's better than beatings or nights in the cells... speaking of which... why hasn't he given me such punishments?

"No nights in the cells? No more being punched?"

The Prince visibly stiffened upon hearing my two punishments and removed his crown with a loud sigh.

"I can't have you dislike me if you're guarding my life... it might cause you to hesitate if I'm attacked because of your hatred towards me."

That's very true... seems he's though of all possibilities while I serve him. I cast my eyes to the ticking grandfather clock which read midnight exactly.

"It's late. I have paperwork to sign, not to mention calm Petra's distress over the evening."

I lowered my knee to the floor, placing my hand over my heart. I tightly clenched my fist as a small droplet of blood trickled down my check.

"I appreciate what you did tonight. Like I've said before... I'll serve you until the very end."

The Prince's steel glare glazed over in approval, clicking his tongue loudly. I find myself serving someone with such power... I can't help but feel proud.

"I was only stating the truth, though I have one question on my mind."

I raised my head, slowly standing to my feet.

"Tricked by a Prince is a very lewd read. I find myself questioning if the two of you were lovers."

My eyes widened as I shook my head, a slight blush spreading across my features. Asking such a question like this!

"Y-You think we did the things described in the novel? I assure you those things are purely fiction. I merely lived on the streets with him - we were accomplices in thieving."

The Prince remained silent for a few seconds, studying my beet red face with an amused smirk.

"I see, no issues then."

No issues? Just what does that mean? I quickly glanced down at my rather light weight than usual, only to spot my missing scabbard.

"My curved sword... where is it?"

I watched as the Prince looked rather drained from the evening - he rose from his throne with a curt sigh.

"I had your weapon sent to my chambers - lying on the floor with a sword is dangerous."

I slowly nodded my head, following behind the Prince who informed me of our next task.

"I have to pay Petra a visit - stay beside me, foreigner."

I bowed my head.

"Yes, your majesty."

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