Enjoy~

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Several days past, all of them without news on Eren's punishment. Currently, I'd been standing outside Prince Levi's chambers. A rather long and painful wait.

He'd ordered me to stand outside while he collected something: 'extremely important.' A low, slightly worried sigh escaped my lips. No rumours. No nothing. Many important individuals had heard Eren's very compromising conversation about myself and Prince Levi. Yet I'd been faced with no consequences.

Not even Prince Levi knows what's happening... he's trying his absolute best to discover why the rumours haven't spread - but can't do so without risking his throne. Leaving me on edge nearly all the time. Jean's making steady progress... awake some days and unconscious the next. The doctor said he would walk again, but needed plenty of time to heal before he could stand on his own - without assistance.

I crossed my arms, furrowing my brows as I attempted to think what exactly could've happened to prevent the spread of such dirty rumours. Three guards, two national governors and Erwin the jewel seller were listening in on the conversation. Just what was Erwin doing there anyway?

"Listen to me, dumb brat."

I rose my head, meeting the frustrated stare of Prince Levi - who stood clutching some sort of scroll. When did he leave his chambers? I must of been thinking a little too deeply.

"I'm sorry..."

The Prince merely clicked his tongue, demanding I follow behind him. I reluctantly did so, continuing on with my thoughts. Erwin knows... that'll give him something to taunt me about... not to mention two national governors also heard Eren's words... you think I'd be in a cell right now.

How odd. Are they sick and delayed the sentence? Are they planning an assassination? I just don't know. The three palace guards are nothing to worry about. Prince Levi's authority can easily silence them. Although the governors and Erwin are a completely different story.

"Ignore me one more time, brat. See how I'll react."

I snapped out of my troubling worries and bowed my head, flushing red from my lack of interest.

"Ah! Do forgive me."

Prince Levi sighed loudly, turning to face me with a cold and calculating stare. He's assessing me... I averted my gaze, unsure of what exactly could ease the sudden tension.

"Are you troubled by the threat of rumours starting? If so, don't worry."

I frowned, his words didn't ease me - if anything they upset me more. Surely the second people discover our relationship, I'll be sent to the cells while Prince Levi proves my innocence and love for him.

At least, that's what I hope will happen.

"A little..."

Prince Levi sighed loudly, unravelling a small crumpled scroll and pointing towards a faded sentence.

"This princess married a poor homeless young man."

My eyes widened as I studied a small black ink sentence, next to the words sat a beautiful watercolour picture. A Princess tightly embracing a clearly dishevelled handsome man. I admired the drawing for a couple of seconds before the Prince closed the scroll with a deep sigh.

"I'll use this to help our cause."

I nodded, smiling softly.

"Just how long ago was that?"

Prince Levi frowned, harshly clearing his dry throat. I have a feeling this marriage was a very long time ago. So long ago the scroll won't possibly be able to help us.

"A hundred years ago..."

I lowered my head, disappointment filling my heart. Maybe people will take pity... some rich individuals are fully against a royal descendent marrying a peasant.

"I see."

Prince Levi turned left, travelling down the golden halls - scroll in hand. Maybe the court will acknowledge the princess painting... or they'll ignore our love completely and I'll be sentenced to hang.

"Eren's court hearing was yesterday. I expect to hear news of his punishment soon."

I winced, the very thought of Eren troubled me to no end. Hopefully he receives jail time, two months at least. I followed behind Prince Levi who swiftly past the marble archway- arriving inside the throne room.

"Is that so?"

The Prince collapsed into his golden throne, a tired sigh passing his lips. Prince Levi hasn't been sleeping well, the dark circles under his eyes prove this fact. I bowed, hoping to demonstrate to surrounding guards our relationship was purely platonic. Not hopelessly in love.

"Jette la clé de la prison. (Throw away the prison key.)

Prince Levi muttered something under his breath. The only word I managed to make out was 'prison.' Something about Eren staying in a cell?

"When will we discover Eren's fate?"

Prince Levi closed his eyes, a deep, clearly fatigued exhale sounded from his chest. I listened to organised footsteps sound outside the throne room. Some sort of march? A palace patrol or something?

"Soon."

Heavily armoured guards turned the corner, passing under the marble arch and carefully approaching Prince Levi- who sat elegantly and intimidatingly upon his golden throne. The troop bowed in front of their ruler, obediently lowering their knees to the floor.

"We report to you - by your request - that Prince Eren Yeager has been sentenced to three weeks in the cells for deliberate bodily harm to a nobleman and attempts of blackmail."

Three weeks... that's much shorter than I'd hoped. A shame... my heart began to race as the dark patrol of guards suddenly turned to face me.

"We also regret to inform you that your guard- (Y/N) - who's last name is unspecified - is rumoured to be in an intimate relationship with you. She is to be sentenced to the cells until further notice."

My eyes widened. The time has come... just like I knew it would. Prince Levi loudly clicked his tongue, glancing towards me for a single second. The Prince nodded his head, his steel eyes ablaze with:

I'll free you.

"Very well. Take her away."

Prince Levi's words were noticeably forced as the guards roughly took ahold of my arms and proceeded to escort me away. I sharply raised my head, meeting the furious stare of my future king - he tightly held the scroll against his heart, crumpling the paper.

I felt slightly afraid, my confinement to the cells will be mind numbingly boring but horrifically worrying as I await my fate:

Freedom or the noose.

|~~~~|

The prison cells were ice cold, creepy and painfully lonely. My usual standing beside the Prince was harshly torn away from me. The moment the guards announced my sentence...

I felt lonely.

I sat crossed legged on the chilly concrete floor, tight metal chains held my wrists in place - limiting my movements. Maybe I should've fought... or kicked and screamed while they dragged me away. A shaky sigh escaped my lips. What would be the point? I'd still end up here regardless.

The moment my lips touched Prince Levi's I was destined to be here. I tightly clenched my fists, sudden anger replacing the sinking feeling of loneliness.

"Do you feel death, (Y/N)?"

My head shot upwards, meeting the wicked grin of Eren himself who stood noticeably outside the bars.

"Did you really think my kingdom would sentence their king to the cells? My blood forbids that kind of punishment!"

My eyes visibly widened. Was I too hopeful? Too blinded by my love for the Prince? My chains rattled softly as I closed my eyes, reminiscing on my freedom. I spoke my mind, clearly angering Eren.

"I'm disappointed..."

Prince Eren furiously grasped the metal bars, gritting his teeth as he rose his voice to a yell:

"You thief! A dirty, deceitful thief who's bewitched Levi - the so called man you're 'in love' with."

I studied my chains, a light red mark started to taint my skin from the pressure of the metal around my wrists. I hoped to be freed... but I know what must be done.

"I'll give you two choices. I'll release you right now. But you must flee. Never come back here."

Eren began to pace outside my cell, swinging a silver key around his finger. The key to my cell. I studied the object - my light to the darkness inside this very cell. Should I risk being sentenced to hang? Or leave this kingdom?

I love you...

All I wish for is your heart!

You'd marry me?

I rose from the ground, extending my hand through the bars of my cell. If I remember correctly, Eren offered a second option? I felt the cool metal of the key tickle my palm.

"Option two. Stay here and rot, then be sentenced to hang. If by any chance Levi manages to free you... I'll murder your friends, then you."

Or I can sit down and wait.

My hand tightly grasped the prison key. I'm at a loss. I'd be abandoning Prince Levi. He swore to free me. I'd be disregarding his attempts... if I leave he'll know I doubted him...

I wouldn't of given him a chance.

I lowered myself to the old, dirty floors of my cell and smiled gently.

"We'll talk more once I'm free, your majesty~"

My disregard for Eren's authority soon forced his hand through the bars- a desperate attempt in trying to reach me, but I remained just out of his hold.

"You've made your choice. Faith in Levi it seems. Watch me destroy all that hope."

I closed my eyes, preparing for meditation in attempts of calming my mind. Meditation will hopefully give me a slither of peace while I try to forget the risk I've put my friends in.

"Goodbye, thief."

|~~~~|

Prince Levi Ackerman, royal descendant.

"No one inside the palace knows?"

Why? Why do only guards know of (Y/N's) sentence? The two governors have gone missing... blood stains were found in their houses... the only conclusion is Eren had them killed... but why?

Naturally, thanks to the guards, rumours have spread all throughout the palace.

Prince Levi in love with a foreign thief.

Yet none of my subjects had the guts to speak about it within my presence. Weak. All of them. The sight of my brat being dragged away remained etched into my mind. Taking away their Queen like that.

All shall receive punishment in the future.

I'd also been informed that Prince Eren had escaped, his sentence of three weeks - now upped to a month instead. A strange thing for him to do... surely he'd want to be released as soon as possible.

I suppose not.

My brat had been placed into a isolated cell, orders by myself of course. I won't have her so close to murderers and thieves. People sentenced to the cells by my own word - most are due to be hung for their crimes tomorrow afternoon. Luckily the cell I placed (Y/N) inside does not have such a view - so she won't be able see the distressing sights.

Any visit to (Y/N) is forbidden due to the claim of our relationship. But I won't be kept away from her. I've pulled some strings and a single ten minute visit was granted.

I have my soon-to-be coronation to thank for that.

                                  |~~~~|

Hours past, at least, I assumed they did. Sitting in a cell was such a strong parallel compared to standing beside the Prince. I once had permission to go wherever I wished, allowed to eat whatever I desired.

I was always with Prince Levi.

Now I'm not allowed to see him until my fate has been decided. I must admit... I feel awfully strange. I've never left Prince Levi's presence for a second... I miss him.

Luckily, I've been given a trial in court - something not all thieves are blessed with. I suppose Prince Levi and I will announce our love for each other there. Hopefully. Or maybe the Prince has another plan?

"I've already scolded you once for ignoring me today."

I sharply rose my head, meeting the steel gaze of Prince Levi - who stood against the prison walls with his arms crossed.

"Levi..."

I spoke his first name, attempting to voice my overwhelming joy and surprise. I can't believe he's been granted permission to see me. Due to the nature of my sentence - he isn't allowed anywhere near me.

"Speaking so casually with me? How endearing~"

I smiled gently, approaching the bars, only I stumbled - a tight metal sensation around my leg forced me to the ground. A prison guard had shortened the chain due to Eren's last visit. Now I couldn't reach Prince Levi. Let alone touch him.

"Why was your chain shortened to such a length?"

I glanced towards my feet, the ache of painful metal began to feel tiresome. I cleared my throat, deciding to voice the visit from Eren. I haven't got anything to lose now I'm in the cells.

"Eren appeared before me not too long ago... he said his sentence was ignored due to his royal blood."

Prince Levi's eyes suddenly widened as his lips parted from shock. I sensed something was horribly wrong just from the troubled expression which graced Prince Levi's handsome face.

"Eren visited you? That is not allowed. He broke out of his cell hours ago... he was originally charged with three weeks in prison. Now his punishment has been upped to a month for fleeing."

My entire body tensed as an overwhelming wave of relief washed over my very soul. Eren tried to convince me to flee. Tried to trick me because he couldn't hurt my friends if he's locked away in a cell.

Eren's failed... and now has to remain locked away for a month.

My trust in Prince Levi had been greatly rewarded. I smiled brightly, my desire to reach the Prince only increased as I struggled against my bonds.

"I'll free you, (Y/N). I'll punish those who have treated you this way."

I reached out, but my chains prevented me from nearing him, instead the only part of my body that could touch him was my hand.

Our fingers slowly entwined together.

"Wait for me, (Y/N)."

I nodded my head, my heart aching dearly to be released from my confinement and stand beside the Prince once more. If I'm not freed soon... I'll miss Prince Levi's coronation. I lowered my voice, practically to a whisper:

"...how will we convince people?"

Prince Levi tightened his hold, a deep sigh erupting from his chest. I knew he was unsure. I studied our hands, savouring his touch so I could reflect whenever I felt lonely.

"I'll force people to listen. I won't have you hung."

I lowered my head, casting my eyes around my prison cell with little hope. I'll remain here until my trial is arranged... a case involving the Prince will take a lot of time... not to mention Jean might not be able to vouch for us due to his condition.

Jean doesn't even know of our relationship. Now I really hope he was awake during the carriage ride back from Eren's stables...

"I-I don't want to be apart from you..."

Prince Levi cast his eyes downwards, looking rather distressed over the whole ordeal.

"I don't want to hear such words from you inside a cell. Wait until I free you... then reveal yourself to me."

I felt the urge to cry flood my vision and painful heart but repressed the feeling. I won't cry here... when I'm free... then I'll cry...

"Are you allowed to visit me again?"

Prince Levi loudly clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he muttered:

"No."

My heart feels like breaking... I've never felt such a strong desire to be with someone before... my cell prevents me from seeing the Prince for an incredibly long amount of time. I won't see him next until the trial... unless he manages to visit me again... although the chances are unlikely...

The sudden rattle of keys forced our hands to break away as a prison guard approached my cell, bowing loyally as he nervously cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry, your majesty... I really could get in trouble for this... that's all the time I can give you."

Prince Levi nodded, glancing reassuringly in my direction.

"I'll be back soon enough."

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