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Editing completed 6/7/2017

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"I'm frustrated you didn't think to inform me about passing General Pixis's regime..."

I crossed my arms with a soft sigh. I trained under that regime a very long time ago... it would of been irrelevant to notify him.

"I didn't think it had such high importance, forgive me."

I'd been ordered to answer all the Prince's questions respectfully - yet again - as we'd been surrounded by many important nobles. These people had also been present during the previous income and tax meeting.

"I will find out everything about you eventually - you are my guard after all."

What a unnerving thought... the Prince knowing me completely. I scrunched up my nose in slight discomfort as the Prince quickly caught sight of my expression and rephrased his question.

"You dislike the idea of me knowing you?"

I smiled gently.

"I dislike the idea of the Future King knowing every little detail about me."

The Prince let out a small chuckle, tilting his crown to the right and resting his elbow on the chair he'd been sitting on.

"You worry over pointless things..."

I crossed my arms as a calming silence fell between the two of us. I didn't even have time to appreciate the quietness as it was quickly interrupted by Jean the nobleman as he approached the two of us, pulling on the ends of his bowtie with a devious smile.

"Good evening Levi - you too, pretty guard."

Just what the hell is he doing? Talking to a servant like that could cause him a lot of trouble. Jean greeted me so informally, I smiled brightly in response to his lively presence and disregard for the rules.

"Shut the fuck up. Addressing a servant that way is inappropriate."

I frowned deeply; my mind instantly reflecting on a very traumatising yet oddly heart racing memory.

'Tch. Good girl~'

Jean sighed, lifting a glass of champagne to his lips and taking a sip.

"I do believe dating a servant is inappropriate, a simple greeting is perfectly fine."

Jean quickly took a seat opposite the Prince and leant forward, lowering his voice. Just how in the world are these guys friends?

"I hear an important guest is due this evening or tomorrow morning...'General Pixis'... is it? I hear he has a guard from Chi - just like you, Levi."

The Prince tensed up at this new information. Seems news spreads rather quickly around the palace... he sighed loudly, taking a sip of ice cold champagne.

"Do you know this guards name?"

Reiner Braun. Extreme physical strength. He's  trained in Chi all his life... he was the second winner who passed along side me eight years ago.

"Mmhm. The guards name is Reiner. The guy's built like a brick apparently."

The Prince lowered his chin onto his palm with a slightly frustrated sigh.

"I'm assuming my little brat is aware of this information?"

The Prince tilted his head to the side, casting me a deadpan stare. Such a look... like he can see inside my soul...

"I.... well-"

Jean laughed; placing his champagne glass beside him and flashing his happy-go-lucky smile.

"You're scaring her Levi, naturally she would know this information, she was born and raised in Chi."

The Prince glared, leaning back into his chair while loosening his cravat. It seems the Prince dislikes information being withheld from him...

"Are his abilities higher than you, foreigner?"

Mastering a curved sword took me eight years and slightly more time after that. I'm confident in my skills, me and Reiner are on a similar level, but I trained in such conditions that Reiner would have a rough time.

"You doubt me?"

The Prince crossed his legs, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. He thought for a second and then asked a strange question:

"If you were to go against him...would you win?"

He doubts me.

I glared; crossing my arms with a fierce stare. A rather strong change in my usual character.

"I trained for eight years under that regime. I bled, I cried, I broke all my bones - until I made my opponents do the same.... Reiner is nothing compared to me."

The Prince visibly froze, his steel eyes swirled with shock upon seeing my drastic change in personality. Jean frowned at my outburst, removing a small white cloth from the front of his tuxedo.

"It seems I doubted you. Forgive me,
(Y/N)."

I stiffened upon his use of my first name, the way the letters rolled from his tongue expressed his genuine guilt. I crossed my arms and turned my head to the side. I'm confused on what I should say... I can't think of a suitable reply... why is my heart racing like this?

I can't think straight... Jean held out a small piece of cloth with a sad smile. Jeans trying to lighten the mood and slowly wash away the sudden tension.

"Your sword material looks a little worn, feel free to use this."

I slowly extended out my hand as Jean smiled softly once I took the material and tied it around the hilt of my sword, hiding the red bandages which were beginning to tear and fade in colour. It gives my sword a personal touch.

"Thank you."

I muttered softly as the Prince suddenly spoke up. He sounds agitated...

"I do believe the evening has come to a close - follow me, foreigner."

Jean wished the Prince good evening and slowly rose from our table, walking further down the hall, gradually blending in with nobles wearing similar tuxedos.

I followed behind the Prince - who walked to a small wooden door, leaving the large formal hall. He looks distressed... we stood out in the hallway, the Prince turned to face me with a harsh glare.

"Listen, foreigner. I won't permit you to undertake that regime. It appears you are emotionally scared... I won't allow my guard to undergo training that isn't supervised by me."

I felt my knee lower to the floor, placing my hand over my heart.

What am I doing?

"What I said... came out wrong... I've healed from those times... I'm sorry for upsetting you."

What am I saying?

The Prince stiffened as he slowly placed his hand onto my head, gently ruffling my hair.

"There is no need to bow. Apology accepted, you troublesome brat."

I tensed up at his touch, feeling myself slowly rise back onto my feet, the Prince rolled his eyes - looking noticeably better than before. Have I calmed him?

"The evening is coming to a close. Petra is probably waiting for us."

I smiled gently as the Prince brushed past my shoulder with a loud sigh, opening the wooden door, we returned to hear gentle piano music, many guests were dancing in tune to the sheet music. Petra... she's sitting by herself. We arrived beside the table as the Prince lowered his head in apology.

"I've made you wait, Petra."

Petra smiled brightly as she shook her head.

"I'm glad you're here... did something important pop up?"

I slowly half-bowed to Petra with a sad smile, mumbling:

"I misspoke a little while ago. I caused a scene... please forgive my rudeness."

Petra furrowed her brows, looking slightly frustrated, but sighed after a little while.

"Do try to keep you emotions in check, foreigner."

I deepened my bow, apologising again.

"I'm truly sorry. It won't happen again, M'lady."

Petra smiled brightly, taking a sip of champagne and twirling a small strand of honey brown hair around her finger.

"Its over now, don't worry about it, foreigner."

I leant back, standing straight again. Petra requested a dance with the Prince for the final part of the song.

"Very well."

The Prince cast me a look of what I assumed to be: 'stay here'. I bowed - to show I understood - as the two walked away from the table, towards a small cleared area meant for slow dancing. I'd been left to my thoughts as it suddenly struck me:

I need to convince the Prince to let me partake in the regime... General Pixis won't allow me entry into Chi unless I take part - it makes sense to complete the regime while General Pixis visits the Prince... I bit my lip. The Prince has already told me he won't allow me to take part in the regime... how can I convince him?

"A real shame we couldn't dance for longer..."

Petra muttered while smiling gently - the final song of the night had finished as many guests began to leave.

"It's late... you should rest for General Pixis's arrival, Levi."

Petra's advice was well considered. The Prince will require a lot of focus for tomorrow morning...

"I will retire for the night then, see you tomorrow, Petra."

Petra smiled softly and began to walk towards the wooden door leading out into the hallway. I didn't realise last time - but the wooden door is actually a shortcut to quickly leave the grand hall - guests are not allowed to leave through that door.

"You should rest as well, brat."

I nodded my head, parting my lips to speak. But couldn't say anything... perhaps I should leave it until tomorrow? The Prince must of sensed my troubled presence as he rose an eyebrow suspiciously.

"What is it?"

I tensed up. No backing out now...

"I would like to take part in the regime again."

The Prince stiffened as he crossed his arms, leaning against the grand wall with a loud sigh.

"Why?"

I half bowed, feeling strands of hair fall in front of my face.

"I'm positive General Pixis will not allow me entry to Chi unless I undergo the regime again..."

The Price glared, stepping away from the wall, standing just a small gap in front of me.

"The General may not say that, not to mention you are bound to me. I will not dismiss you from our contract, so you can't visit Chi anyway."

I clenched my fists and met the glare of the Prince.

"If I can't leave for Chi to complete the regime - let me do it here. I wish to visit my hometown someday... this will make it easier..."

The Prince's features darkened as he turned on his heel and began walking towards the wooden door.

"Have you considered what might happen if you die?"

The Prince didn't turn around to face me, only we slowly walked out of the grand hall and exited through the short-cut door. I reminded him of the rules of our contract:

"I can easily be replaced. You on other hand, cannot."

The Prince immediately turned to face me, his cape swishing behind him - his glare was so fierce - I found myself bowing to avoid his eyes.

"I dislike when you say that. Refrain from saying that in my presence."

I deepened my bow, furrowing my brows in confusion. Why on earth does he dislike it?

"I speak the truth, don't I?"

The Prince sighed loudly, crossing his arms and fidgeting slightly.

"Harshly speaking - yes."

I slowly leant backwards from my bow, meeting the softened gaze of the Prince, who also looked a little tired. I decided to drop the topic until the Prince meets with General Pixis in the morning.

"I'm sorry, you should rest for now."

The Prince gently rubbed his temples with his pale fingers. I feel guilty... I've troubled him.

"I'll think about it - though you must understand why I'm so hesitant to allow you to undergo the regime again - you are not completely healed - training again... may damage you beyond my repair."

I smiled reassuringly, the Prince makes honest and fair judgments. It took me a little longer than most to figure that out.l, but I find myself... respecting him.

"I'm grateful, please consider it."

The Prince loosened his cravat with a small tug, looking rather hesitant to leave.

"Leave to your room, we will meet in the throne room - just like usual - the General may already be there, so don't be late."

I nodded my head as the Prince slowly turned, continuing on down the hallway. I trailed behind in silence.

"Have you met this 'Reiner' before?"

The Prince spoke up, though his voice was low- practically a whisper. I must admit, even Reiner's name sounds intimidating, he really is built like an ox.

"He stood beside me as the three of us passed the regime..."

The Prince muttered;

"Three? Who was the third?"

I frowned; Marco... the boy I never spoke to... it's hypocritical of me to even assume we we're friends in the first place... we merely trained together...

"Marco... together, the three of us passed."

The Prince nodded his head as we arrived outside my room. The Prince is rather keen to learn of my life in Chi - even though it's of no importance to him...

"Eight o' clock tomorrow. Throne room,
you brat."

I nodded and bowed, placing my hand onto the golden door handle.

"I won't disappoint you."

The Prince smirked and rolled his eyes, slowly walking away from me.

"The amount of times you've saved my life, I find it hard for you to be able to disappoint me."

I smiled brightly, though he had been so far down the hallway - he didn't see.

I will not fail you, if you allow me to undergo the regime.

"Goodnight, Your Majesty."

The Future King remained silent as I listened to his footsteps fade down the hall. I promise.

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