Enjoy~

Editing completed 7/7/2017

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I glanced at the contracts title. Just what is this?

"Levi's punch may of broken my nose, but my mind is perfectly functional. Levi always acts calmly and gives judgments which only benefit himself. Punching is not a normal action... meaning he didn't think before he broke my nose."

Prince Levi dismissively crossed his arms, rolling his eyes with very little interest in the conversation. He looks completely calm... like he's already won.

"Whatever you threaten me with: sexual-deceit, money, tarnishing my name - take your fucking pick - the girl is bound to me by a contract. Remember what you wrote on the last one?"

Eren suddenly flinched, reflecting on something extremely important written in the previous contract.

'(Y/N) returns to her supposedly previous contract holder - Prince Levi Ackerman.'

A small smirk graced the Prince's features as he collapsed into his golden throne. I stood glued to the white palace tiles in absolute disbelief. Prince Levi thought ahead... just like Jean said.

Eren can't create another contract against me for as long as he lives. Eren shook violently with rage, angrily clenching his fists. Armin remained in a low bow, unsure of what his actions should be.

"You calculating piece of shit! Don't underestimate me!"

Prince Levi smirked softly, clicking his fingers as several guards approached Eren, escorting him out from the palace. Eren is furious... little Armin hastily followed behind.  I can't believe this... Prince Levi planned ahead from the start... just how far forward is he inside that mind of his?

"Situation avoided."

I stood clutching the small black box in pure silence. The Prince wasn't concerned over the punch because he knew Eren couldn't pin anything on him from the start.

"How... what?"

Prince Levi clicked his fingers with a loud sigh, demanding I stand just centimetres in front of his throne. I clumsily followed his order, walking up the first red carpet covered steps in a daze.

"Snap out of it."

Prince Levi wrapped both his hands around my waist, pulling me forward as I landed straddling his lower half. I immediately raised both of my hands onto his chest in attempts of pushing him away and hoisting myself backwards at the same time. But the Prince's vice like grip kept my firmly pressed against him.

"Accepting courtship proposals when I strictly ordered you not to... this is what I'm punishing you for."

Prince Levi leant closer as heat flushed my previously ice cold skin a warm pink. I could feel my rapid heartbeat against the Prince's chest who traced his thumb under my lip and stared for a few seconds, seemingly enjoying himself. I turned my head to the side, hiding my flustered face from Prince Levi's intense steel stare.

"Such a bad brat."

The Prince whispered softly against the shell of my ear, trailing his tongue across my lobe and sucking over so slightly. I cried out, his tongue being far to warm against my cool skin.

"Sensitive~"

My head leant forward, pressing against his right shoulder in attempts of hiding my shivers of pleasure. If anyone walks in and sees this!

"Such reactions~"

Prince Levi gently pulled my head away from his shoulder, studying my fierce blush and glossy eyes with a small smirk, he leant close-abruptly stopping once his lips were only seconds away.

"Hn~"

His voice low and deep, hummed in approval upon seeing my body shake inconsistently against him while I received his punishment. Prince Levi gently pressed his lips against mine, his hands tracing across my shoulder and gently lowering my shirt to the side, exposing precious skin.

I'm happy Prince Levi saved me from being caught in Eren's contract... The Prince gently deepened our kiss, parting my slightly wet lips with his tongue, mixing with mine as I whined against the intense heat.

"Nn..."

His hand traced my shoulder, slowly pulling away with a deep sigh. Prince Levi lowered his eyes to my bare shoulder, licking his lips and trailing his tongue across my clavicle, biting softly as a purple mark began to form.

A hickey?! I rose my hand over my lips and muffled my almost moan with the back of my hand. Prince Levi flinched upon hearing the sound, angrily grabbing by wrist and lowering my fingertips with a fierce glare.

"Don't."

I nodded my head as Prince Levi checked his mark with a soft nod. My heart beat... I'm sweating... I stiffly leant backwards hinting at my release as the Prince clicked his tongue, loosening his grip.

I shakily rose from his lap, walking down the first three steps with a deep breath of relief. His kisses make me dizzy... I need some fresh air... Prince Levi rose from his throne and sternly walked towards me, taking ahold of my shoulders and quickly pressing his lips against mine for another heated kiss.

I felt the familiar tightness clutch my heart as Prince Levi held my chin firmly in place, becoming more forceful once a small cry escaped my lips. I winced once his hands gazed my marked collar bone, his fingertips brushing against the side of my chest.

"Nn~"

All of a sudden, he sharply ceased his movements, stepping away with a frustrated sigh and wiping his lips.

"Listen to me next time."

I quickly nodded my head, wiping my swollen lips with a pink blush. Prince Levi looks dishevelled and slightly flustered. Clearly his punishments were affecting him as well. I leant forward into a half bow avoiding his heated, dirty stare.

"Dismissed. Return to the throne room early tomorrow morning."

I nodded, bashfully clearing my dry throat.

"Yes sir."

|~~~~|

"The ball really was so lovely... I'm excited to design the next."

Petra rose a pale white tea cup to her pink lips and sipped her sweet morning tea with a gentle smile. I didn't sleep very well last night... my mind remained filled with the Prince's actions from late last night.

"The designs were elegant, the people not so much."

Petra giggled lightly, nodding her head in agreement. I stood stiffly beside the Prince who smirked upon noticing my face slowly flush red after meeting his steel eyes. I lowered my head, turning to the marble archway which little blond Armin stood underneath with a slightly worried smile.

Why is he here? Has the Prince allowed him to visit? Surely not. That only leaves... Eren...

"Oh... I think we have a guest, Levi."

Petra quickly spotted Armin's quiet presence with a small point of her polished, pale finger. Armin flinched upon being discovered, clearly not mentally prepared to speak to Prince Levi just yet. The Prince clicked his tongue, dismissively crossing his legs and gesturing for Armin to approach our table.

"I can have to sent to the cells for showing up here unannounced."

Armin's blue eyes deepened in colour, his lips parting in shock. He looks scared... not to mention oddly dressed... some sort of gardening apron?

"I-I'm here to tend the gardens... I'm the person who m-maintains them..."

Prince Levi's eyes visibly widened, his steel gaze lightening as he glanced towards the beautiful greenery window just behind our metal table. Armin's the person who looks after those wonderful flowers?!

"Very well. Get to work."

Armin bowed deeply, his deep river eyes wandering to me for a second. Clearly he wishes to request something...

"I-I was wondering if (Y/N) would like to assist me... I'd r-really like to be friends..."

Prince Levi lowered his chin onto his pale palm, about to shake his head. I quickly spoke for him.

"I would love to. Ten minutes wouldn't hurt?"

Prince Levi glared, examining my cheery smile with a slightly warmer sigh than usual. I sense he'll allow me just a little bit of time.

"Ten minutes. No more. No less."

I bowed my head, turning to Armin with a friendly smile. Prince Levi seemed displeased, clicking his fingers in dismissal. He let me... I guess his words at the ball were sort of true...

Armin seemed overjoyed, leading me towards the small wooden door- viewing the great endangered pear trees. 'Royal Gardens' remained carved above a small wooden arch. Once I closed the door behind me, Armin let out a shaky sigh- wiping his sweaty forehead.

"Prince Levi is... an interesting man..."

Armin smiled, adjusting his apron with a small nod.

"I-I agree... but I've seen him give caring judgements... h-he spared a starving thief from being sentenced to the cells for stealing food... h-he even provided the thief with luxury items from his palace... I-I know he's a good guy underneath that scary glare."

My eyes widened. A case very similar to mine... well minus stealing a prized possession. Armin smiled gently, crouching down beside a small pear tree and began to trowel the soil, removing any weeds and little stones.

"Do you like gardening? I saw that daisy pinned to your servant uniform."

Armin seemed pleased I remembered, glancing downwards where his daisy used to be. I know for a fact Armin is a intelligent guy... he's the brains behind Eren's contracts... Armin points out flaws and holes in contracts for Eren to manipulate.

"I-It's a hobby of mine... nothing special."

I smiled, Armin knows his flowers and plants, otherwise he wouldn't be tending to Prince Levi's gardens.

"I think it's nice..."

Armin rose from his crouch as we walked towards a now overgrown bush of beautiful flowers all tangled together. So pretty... the stems are mixed with tiger lilies... Armin frowned, clearly distressed over seeing the different varieties of plants get so intwined.

"T-This'll take a while to fix..."

Something steel reflected from the rays of sun warming the glass window. I quickly realised me and Armin were in full view of Prince Levi, his cloudy grey eyes glanced in our general direction for a brief moment, before taking a sip of black tea. He seemed disinterested... maybe that's a good thing.

"I-I'm sorry if I s-sound rude, but do you come from Chi?"

I smiled gently, nodding my head.

"Yes... Chi's been rebuilt now."

Armin nodded his head. 'The Great Chi Fire' is common knowledge to nearly everyone who lives under Prince Levi's rule- considering his father created the flames.

"I'm sorry..."

If I had a coin for every time someone's said that to me me... I most definitely wouldn't be serving Prince Levi... I'd be relaxing on a beach somewhere. I shook my head, bowing gently.

"Don't worry yourself... the fire broke out such a long time ago."

Armin began to clip small green stems, glancing towards a elegant glass clock that ticked softly above the greenery.

"Y-You should head back. I don't want to upset the p-person who pays my wages."

I nodded, his words are understandable.

"It was nice talking to you. I hope we meet again soon."

Armin smiled brightly, lowering his plant cutters and bowing deeply towards me.

"W-We will... we're friends after all."

I waved goodbye, turning on my heel and passing a small, growing pear tree. Armin created a pretty patten in the soil to focus attention on the tree...

I reached the small wooden door leading back to Prince's Levi's royal throne room. I'm back... how long was I gone for exactly? I quickly spotted Prince Levi - sitting alone.

"Staring is rude, you shitty impolite brat."

I bowed my head, slowly walking towards his metal table. My heart is racing... I'm not even standing beside him... how strange.

"Fifteen minutes... expect punishment for disobeying my instruction."

I flinched. Surely not in daylight? Prince Levi clenched his fists - almost debating a tough decision. Is he trying to stop himself from touching me? The Prince leant close - his thumb lightly parting my lips for a quick, gentle chaste kiss.

My blush spread quicker than usual at his strange action. My heart can't take much more of this... I rose my arm above my pink face in slight confusion. Prince Levi seemed troubled, maybe even slightly disappointed. His action seemed genuine... maybe he's trying to convey something?

"I have paperwork to complete. Follow me."

But still... no explanation... no nothing. I sensed his mind was unwilling to admit what his lips had told me only a few days ago.

'If I loved you?'

Seemed to be the main question filling my head. His words were said while under the affects of a medium dosage of sleeping powder... his time to fall unconscious took far longer than mine.

I fell asleep instantly. Had he felt annoyed he let his emotions slip so easily? Maybe not wanting to find out my own in case of rejection.

I remained unsure.

"Stop spacing out."

I bleakly followed behind, admiring his ebony black cape, which had been slightly longer than the others - almost touching the palace tiles. But not quite. I turned left, walking down the golden hallways which now felt like home.

Silence.

Almost deafening. Our footsteps echoed down the lavish halls as I lowered my head - my mind remained a mess, as did my heart. Upon reaching the Prince's chambers he invited me inside - holding the wooden door open with his sturdy back- just like he did while under the influence of Sasha's sleeping powder.

I mumbled a small "thank you" under my breath and slowly walked towards his majesty's book case- my instinct being to pick a book and read in silence.

That's exactly what we did.

Prince Levi sat quietly behind his desk, lightly using his black feather quill to complete forms of paperwork and taxes. I selected a novel, deciding to read 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf.' - a once well loved, slightly bittersweet children's book, adapted into a fine read for adults. I turned the first page and began to read the opening sentence.

A young boy who lied, lied and lied.

Although the urge to look up overpowered my very soul. For some strange reason- a part of me begged to look up and meet the steel glare of Prince Levi.

Why? Why do I want to look at him? Maybe because I knew looking into his eyes was wrong. Or maybe I wanted something out of his gestures - regardless - I looked up.

Only to find Prince Levi staring back.

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