Enjoy|

Editing completed 7/7/2017

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

"You're damn lucky a descendant of royal blood didn't spot me leaving my kingdom."

I leant forward into a shaky half bow, still not fully recovered from Prince Levi's intense... 'punishments.'

"I'm sorry. I'll try harder."

The Prince glanced downwards from his golden throne, making him look even more intimidating. He really does look like a king...

"Since you've been gone for two weeks, the ball is in two days time."

I raised my head, examining the throne room which looked ravishingly beautiful. Small white roses decorated the golden walls and illuminated low chandeliers, while deep velvet curtains covered many windows - only allowing pale moonlight to touch the tiles.

"Thank Petra and her designs... she also organised this whole thing - so I plan on being respectful about it."

Prince Levi clicked his tongue, crossing his legs and lowering is chin onto his palm. Such a sadistic position... he really will be a scary king...

"As for you, I expect to be guarded well. These evenings are notorious for getting out of hand."

I furrowed my brows, clearly confused.

"Drunk you idiot, people get intoxicated."

I nodded my head, glaring from his sudden insult and leaning forward into a respectful bow. I'm rather tired from horse riding... the Prince also informed me he doesn't sleep well...

"Dismissed. Leave my presence."

I leant back, neatening my slightly messy hair from being pressed against the palace wall just ten minutes ago.

"People often disregard my rules - many idiotic males court after female servants. I expect you to behave accordingly and ignore them."

I crossed my arms with a soft smile. Courtship... how refreshing to hear people of high class try to gain the attention of servants.

"I don't recall my words being funny. Behave or receive punishment."

I nodded my head, not particularly wanting to receive another inappropriate punishment. I expect the ball to be very busy, considering Prince Levi is the most desired and sought after royal descendent.

"Yes sir."

                                |~~~~~|

A new day arrived as I stood beside the Prince who took a small sip of black tea and sighed loudly. I noticed Prince Levi is rather fond of tea leaves... Only a day remains until the Prince's midnight ball... a tradition held every year, just like the bonfire... only my presence ruined the last one...

"Good morning Levi."

Petra arrived at the daunting glass table as a rather crushing silence surrounded the three of us.

"I hold you in high regard over the palace's decorations."

Petra let a sly smirk bewitch her smooth feathers as she waved her hand, attempting to disregard the Prince's praise.

"Oh. My designs are not published yet... I organised the decorations for fun."

I remained silent throughout their conversation, sensing my words would disrupt the flow and abruptly end their soft chatter. Even though the Prince is entirely to blame over the failure of their engagement.

"Ask someone to review your work."

"Oh... I couldn't do that."

Prince Levi clicked his tongue, taking another sip of hot black tea.

"As you wish."

I glanced downwards towards my beaten and slightly torn scabbard, the leather looking a little worse for wear after being delivered on the back of a horse all the way from Chi. I frowned, sensing Connie would be rather displeased with my mistreatment of his treasured weapon.

"Oh! This arrived addressed to me yesterday... I can't understand what the letter reads though... can you be of any use, foreigner?"

I flinched upon being addressed so suddenly, gently bowing and taking the light pink paper from Petra's polished fingertips.

"I'll try my best, M'lady."

I glanced downwards, skimming the letter- not expecting to read much of importance. I guessed the letter was merely about imported foods from Chi and dates of deliveries.

"Foods from Chi and times of arrival, M'lady."

I held the invoice out for Petra to take, only her honey eyes kept me still. The Prince - who had kept a watchful eye over our small interaction, cleared his throat as Petra sharply snapped out from her daze, glancing downwards in pretend interest over the foreign language.

"I see... thank you."

I bowed, slightly distressed over what exactly about my face had earned her sudden interest.

"Hn. I should check on my servants... I expect them to be doing the shitty jobs I pay them for."

Petra smiled and softly nodded her head, dipping small toast rectangles into a soft, very runny boiled egg.

"I appreciate you taking time away from your duties to visit me."

The Prince rolled his eyes, clicking his fingers for me to follow behind.

"Don't mention it."

I bowed in silent farewell to Lady Ral who lowered her head in acknowledgment. Prince Levi, however, grew impatient.

"I'm on a shitty time schedule, you brat."

I quickened my pace, reluctantly trailing behind the Prince who seemed rather stressed over the annual ball. We have plenty of time... the ball doesn't start until midnight. I studied the Prince's deep crimson cape and elegant grown sparkle from behind.

Such expensive clothes... I wonder if they weigh him down? That would prove why he hates summer... wearing those clothes would boil you alive. I turned left, admiring the familiar golden halls and elegant paintings of past life experiences of Prince Levi himself.

"Wait here. I have something I need to retrieve from my chambers."

I nodded, standing guard outside the future kings resting quarters. I patiently leant against the palace walls as a low sigh escaped my lips. Annual ball... Chi never held such money wasting events... General Pixis would laugh until his moustache fell off.

"A fine morning, just like yourself (Y/N)."

I let a small glare darken my features as Jean the nobleman approached my spaced out figure.

"Good morning, Jean."

I smiled brightly, bowing respectfully the way a proper servant should - only Jean lightly placed his hand onto my shoulder.

"No need to bow to me. I've only just trained you to address me by my first name."

"Which she shouldn't. It's improper."

I rolled my eyes, flashing Jean a playful smirk who gladly defended my position as a servant. Such a lively guy... truly a humorous soul.

"I call you Levi, don't I?"

The Prince clicked his tongue, crossing his arms while clutching a tightly rolled up piece of paper. Is that my contract?

"Which you also shouldn't."

Prince Levi closed his chamber door, locking the entry with a gold key. Why on earth is he locking the door? To hide something?

"That's called being friends, Levi."

I leant forward into a half bow, letting Jean overtake me as we began to walk down the royal hallways.

"I suppose you are attending the annual ball? The stench of stables follows you all around the dance floor."

Jean frowned, dusting down his dark causal outfit with a loud sigh.

"I don't mind it... besides working with animals is rewarding... plus I can always shower."

I felt my heart warm from Jean's genuine words, he really does loves working with horses. I sense he wouldn't change his job for the world.

I followed the two underneath the large marble carving as Jean lowered himself into a silver chair, pulling a small piece of card from his pocket. Prince Levi sat opposite, exchanging papers as the two read in silence.

"You fucking idiot. Please tell me you didn't hand those out."

Jean smiled.

"Hah. Sure did."

I furrowed my brows in blatant confusion over what exactly was happening, only Jean held a small card out in my general direction.

Royal Annual Ball.

{ Prince Levi is searching for new wife to become his queen. }

Dress formally.

My eyes widened; Jean's announced the Prince has called of his engagement to the entire palace! All the women will be desperate to please him...

"How fucking bothersome. I despise the courtship scene."

Jean chuckled, placing the small card onto an elegant glass table - almost to frame his lies.

"It'll be fun. Even I knew things with Petra were completely dead."

I met eyes with the Prince who silently screamed: 'act fucking natural or I really will sentence you to hang.' I averted my gaze, crossing my arms with a small frown.

"I've told you a thousand times. Stop setting me up with women."

Jean merely shrugged his shoulders, studying his small paper card with a triumphal smirk. I'm really not looking forward to talking with rich women and their false hopes of marrying the Prince. The last time I spoke to such women the conversation quickly failed and Prince Levi's authority had to bail me out.

"I'll gladly escort (Y/N) to the ball. She's quite lovely."

Jean smiled charmingly as I bowed in appreciation to his compliment. Such a gentleman... how quaint.

"Forget it."

Jean sensed the sudden venom in Prince Levi's voice and quickly questioned his strange outburst.

"Hah? Just what concern is it of yours if (Y/N) meets some rich nobleman like me, for example?"

The Prince loudly clicked his tongue, meeting my slightly flustered gaze as I stiffly kept my arms crossed and watched servants prepare Lady Ral's finishing designs instead.

"She belongs to me. I'll decide who she can and cannot see."

Jean seemed unimpressed by his future king's answer, leaning into his seat with a concerned glare.

"She's a servant - not a slave, Levi."

I sensed the conversation turn strange as I quickly attempted to diffuse the increasing tension.

"I don't intent to meet or marry anyone so your words are irrelevant."

Prince Levi visibly stiffened, his features darkening into a fierce glare - clearly deeply frustrated over my words. Jean, on the other hand, seemed rather happy with my comment and turned to face his future king with a small smile.

"Problem solved then?"

The Prince crossed his arms with a deeply concerned glare - he certainly looked like he wished to correct my words but remained silent.

"Please don't fight..."

I whispered softly as Jean chuckled loudly, gently ruffling my hair.

"Ha! Me and Levi have had far worse arguments than this. We beat each other up once."

Prince Levi rolled his eyes as he reflected upon the mentioned memory, clicking his tongue in slight disgust. Clearly the memory was upsetting... but I suppose it only strengthened their friendship. I bowed respectfully as the Prince glanced at the very old, large grandfather clock that ticked gently in the background.

"I have preparations to finalise. Not to mention sort my guard schedules... Prince Eren is most likely to attend."

I winced upon hearing his name, shifting my standing position. I really don't want to run into Eren either... I feel the ball is going to cause tension inside the palace.

"Prince Eren? He's the one obsessed with forming contracts isn't he? A strange guy if you ask me."

The Prince nodded, his steel eyes darkening into stiff scowl. Such a angry look... Jean rose from his silver chair with a loud sigh, dusting strands of hay from his jacket.

"Well... see you tonight I suppose."

"At midnight."

|~~~~|

I studied the frantic servants cleaning champagne glasses with small white rags. The palace is rushing... we're a little behind... only by five minutes.

I stood in a dark black servant clothing, sourced from Chi once again. I'd been standing idly against the throne room wall, waiting for Prince Levi to change into something formal and expensive for the night. He must look 'forceful and ever so slightly intimidating.'

"Leaning against the walls is inconsiderate, you damn brat."

I admired the Prince's regal clothing designed specifically for the annual ball - he wore a deep crimson and gold buttoned dress coat which focused attention on his royal crown, matched with dark black trousers and below the knee boots.

"Forgive me."

I spoke formally as many catering servants surrounded us, all of them looked incredibly tense once they saw the Prince study their actions. Multiple guard stood beside the door, holding their ebony spears in a cross shape in order to prevent guests from entering.

"Stand aside. Allow all guests inside."

Upon hearing Prince Levi's instruction, the two guards sharply obeyed, routinely trained to move either side of the palace gate. Hundreds of guests began to slowly fill the palace, turning the usually quiet throne room into a lively, relaxing evening of good food and strong wine.

"Good evening, Levi."

Jean was the first to approach the Prince, completely unfazed by his clearly intimidating presence. Only Jean would approach a Prince so impolitely.

"Smoking?"

Jean held a small, old fashioned case between his fingertips, lightly spinning the metal.

"It's empty. I bought the case to add to my charm."

Prince Levi rolled his eyes, regretting wasting precious oxygen on forming his question. I bowed and smiled warmly towards Jean.

"You bought a case to imply you smoke - only you don't - just to charm potential women?"

Jean smiled brightly, gently tucking the metal case inside his tuxedo pocket with a small tug of his bow tie.

"Have you considered what might happen when the women ask you for a cigarette?"

Jean smug smiled suddenly faded, his eyes glossing over in realisation at his failed attempt of trying to court after luxurious ladies. Prince Levi seemed dismayed and completely devastated by Jean's stupidity.

Like he's physically wounded by Jean's lack of intelligence. The situation quickly became far to hilarious as I laughed loudly, covering my lips with the palm of my hand.

"Haha!"

Prince Levi flinched upon hearing my laughter as Jean watched with wide, surprised eyes. I hid my smile with a small chuckle, wiping my eyes out of sheer amusement.

"You have a lovely laugh, (Y/N)."

Prince Levi watched in awe, quickly shaking his head with a soft glare.

"As refreshing as it is to hear genuine laughter, keep quiet foreigner."

I felt embarrassment fill my heart as I softly turned away from the two authority figures watchful gaze.

"I'm sorry... that was rude of me."

Jean chuckled, neatening his bow tie with a cheerful frown.

"Well... I'm off to mingle. Keep Levi safe,
(Y/N)."

I bowed deeply and frantically nodded my head. I feel so flustered... think of something else... Reiner throwing fruit at my head, tripping over, crying, anything...

I suddenly met the ocean eyes of Prince Eren himself who immediately ceased my smile. He's fashionably half an hour late... not to mention rather scary looking...

"Stand beside me foreigner."

I bowed, taking a deep breath and slowly releasing my sudden panic.

"Yes sir."

                   •~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Thanks for reading!
Please comment and vote :3