Enjoy~
{Chapters 1-5 have been re-written or changed slightly. }

Editing completed 6/7/2017

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"Tch. Green?"

My shoulders slumped forward in relief. Sleeping powder? Why would someone want the Prince in a deep sleep?

"Damn brat. Tell me."

I smiled gently, swirling the cotton deep within the water - just to make sure.

"You will not die. The powder isn't lethal... you'll sleep for maybe a day or two."

Prince Levi furrowed his brows, standing from a small wooden stool and neatening his cravat. Sleeping powder... my mind remained blank on why anyone would blowdart the Prince with anything other than a dangerous substance.

Sleeping powders are completely harmless... most people use sleeping remedies to relax... have more peaceful dreams.

"Sleep? Someone risked being caught just to put me to sleep?"

I nodded my head a single time.

"Appears so..."

Prince Levi sighed loudly; placing his finger onto his small red dot, feeling for the darts point of entry.

"I can't afford to sleep through the preparations for the ball... and just what exactly will you be doing while I'm unconscious?"

I remained silent for a few seconds. When I'm in the palace - Prince Levi's authority protects me from being harmed by any passing nobleman or guards.

"Waiting I guess... or I'll do a runner."

Prince Levi glared, leaning against his golden palace walls as I watched the now used cotton float in a bowl of mint green water.

"You will not."

I rose from my stool, dusting down my beige shirt with a small sigh. I feel a lot calmer now.

"Can you accurately guess how long I'll be asleep for?"

I lowered my eyes to the wooden bowl, thinking for a second. If the Prince struggles to sleep... maybe two or three days... if he sleeps well... maybe one.

"Do you sleep properly?"

Prince Levi hesitated before shaking his head.

"No."

I frowned, studying his red wound which had gradually become more noticeable throughout the day. I must admit the mark looks rather painful...

"Then I highly expect three days with brief moments of being awake during the day... you'll have low amounts of energy... so make sure to eat good meals so you can regain your strength quicker."

Prince Levi nodded his head in approval, humming lightly as he clicked his fingers.

"I'll try to organise the ball before I become fatigued. Petra also needs to be aware of my condition..."

I bowed deeply as the Prince leant against the wooden exit - essentially holding the door open using his back - allowing me to leave first. My eyes widened at his considerate gesture, an unexpected move from a supposedly ruthless Prince.

"Thank you."

The Prince merely rolled his eyes, closing the door behind him as we stood out in the golden hallways.

"Tch."

Prince Levi seemed drained, his red mark swollen and blotchy. I noticed his eyes were glossed over and a small layer of sweat covered his skin.

"Maybe you should rest now..."

I offered my advice only he shook his head, turning to face me with a sharp glare. I sense the Prince will try to remain conscious for as long as possible...

"No. I have shit to do before I can sleep."

I frowned, leaning forward into a bow.

"I feel this is a good time to tell you something before you go to sleep."

Prince Levi furrowed his brows, turning to face me while crossing his arms. He's sweating... he really should rest soon... I was going to request if he wanted me to stand guard while he slept but instead I told a white lie.

"The longer you put off going to sleep... the more time you'll be asleep."

A small lie... but it'll benefit his wellbeing. Prince Levi clicked his tongue, running his hands through his raven hair with loud sigh.

"That information would of been nice to know from the start."

I stiffly bowed, lowering my head.

"Forgive me..."

The Prince seemed stressed over being asleep for a couple of days. Surely being asleep would ease his worries of real life? I watched Prince Levi walk forcefully down the hallway - his fatigue clearly beginning to affect his body as I neared closer just in case he collapsed.

"I'll inform Petra of my issue... she'll have to manage the shitty ball preparations."

I nodded my head with a small frown.

"Yes, your majesty."

|~~~~|

Elegant foods adorned a small glass table as Prince Levi sat opposite his ex-fiancée, Lady Ral.

"Tch. I'll make this quick. I've been blow darted with some sort of sleeping powder. I won't be able to mange the affairs of the ball because I'll be unconscious throughout most of it."

I remained in a low bow, attempting to convey my genuine upset and disappointment over failing to protect someone who Petra loves very dearly.

"What? Sleeping powder? Why didn't the foreigner take your place?"

Prince Levi clicked his tongue, taking a small sip of black tea with a sigh of relief.

"She wasn't present that day. I sent her away so I could discuss our marriage with you."

Petra lowered her head, looking clearly guilty over her actions. She looks so sad... Petra poked her strawberry shortcake with a silver fork.

"I see... I'm sorry."

Prince Levi shook his head, neatening his cravat while gently turning his tea cup. Such a strange hold...

"If anything the mistake was mine. The dart has already started to affect my levels of energy... I deemed this information important for you to be aware of."

Petra smiled gently, taking a bite from her shortcake with a light hum of approval.

"I appreciate the gesture... though I think you should really rest for now..."

Prince Levi rose from his elegantly carved chair with a loud sigh. I hope the two get along... just because their marriage is over doesn't mean they can't be friends...

"Oh and Levi."

I flinched as the Prince turned to face Lady Ral with a light glare.

"Tch. What?"

Petra lowered her head, studying her dessert with a small sigh. So tense.

"Where will the foreigner go? You of all people know how prejudice people can be."

I tensed up in surprise. Petra is concerned over me? Prince Levi rolled his eyes, shrugging his shoulders dismissively.

"I haven't decided."

The Prince clicked his fingers, demanding I follow behind him. I bowed respectfully towards Petra as she merely smiled weakly in response.

"Tch. Hurry up."

I quickened my pace, passing under the marble archway in a tense, saddening silence. My duty is to protect the Prince from harm... I technically broke the contract... yet he hasn't removed me or dismissed the paper I signed.

"Tch."

Prince Levi suddenly stumbled, placing his hand onto the golden walls in attempts of steadying himself.

"......."

I watched in silence as my future king struggled to even walk the hallway back to his chambers. I know the Prince is a prideful man and dislikes displays of weakness... soon, the familiar light green wooden door hinted the Prince's resting quarters lay within.

At this point, I expected the Prince to turn me away - only he held the door open once again using his back. Why? Why is he acting so strange?

"......"

I remained silent but his steel glare burned with rage over his physical weakness and silently forced me to enter his room.

"I won't leave you outside. I've decided you'll stay here and guard me while I'm fucking unconscious."

I nodded my head and quickly past the Prince, who had been heavily panting and clearly drained of any remaining energy.

"Yes sir."

I instinctively walked towards Prince Levi's familiar bookshelf, quickly deciding to re-read 'Tricked by a Prince' in order to find some hints about Eren's personality or possible loopholes in escaping his contracts. A soft creak hinted the Prince had successfully reached his bed as a loud groan escaped his lips.

"Tch. Come here."

I lowered my chosen novel with a small sigh.

"You should sleep. I am of no use to you right now."

The Prince clicked his tongue and removed his cravat completely, tossing the material beside his pillow.

"I'll decide when you are and aren't useful to me."

I frowned, walking towards the Prince who sat on the edge of his bed with his legs crossed.

"....."

Prince Levi's eyes were glossy and dark, his usually pale skin shone a light pink. Such a strange sight to see... he looks... emotional?

"Do you dislike me?"

I stiffened upon hearing such words leave his lips. Clearly the powder is changing his way of thinking... maybe he's had several questions on his mind?

I smiled gently, shaking my head.

"No."

This is rather fun...

"Do you feel disgusted when I touch you?"

Okay. Not fun anymore.

I felt my face flush in embarrassment. I don't necessarily feel 'disgusted' maybe... unsure of his emotions behind his actions.

"......"

"Answer me."

I cleared my throat, fiddling with the paper cover protecting Eren's novel from becoming tarnished with age.

"What answer would you like me to give?"

"The truthful one."

I sighed gently, feeling my heart beat rapidly inside my chest. Feeling so flustered over simple questions like these... what's wrong with me?

"No... just confused I suppose."

Prince Levi simply nodded his head, wiping his forehead of any sweat before asking his final question.

"Could you see yourself marrying me?"

My eyes widened as a deep blush spread to the very tips of my ears and tainted my skin a soft pink. Marriage? I'm not a descendent of royal blood or wealthy... Prince Levi would tarnish his name over marrying someone like me.

"That's out of the question... I couldn't do something like that."

The Prince glared fiercely, crossing his arms with a loud sigh. He looks furious... similar to when I returned to his palace covered in lashes...

"Tch. Why ever not?"

I frowned, tightly holding Eren's novel for emotional support. Marrying the Prince is unimaginable... I'd become a queen...

"I'm really not suited..."

Prince Levi deepened his glare, clearly distressed by my answer. Why is he asking such things?

"If I loved you?"

My grip suddenly slipped from Eren's book, the clatter being the only sound to distract me from my overwhelming shock. If he loved me?  I stuttered, attempting to form a suitable reply, only when I glanced upwards - Prince Levi was unconscious.

A shaky exhale escaped my lips as I reached down to collect my novel. Love? Does he love me? Did the sleeping powder force him to speak such a way?

Or are these unrequited feelings he longed to tell me? My throat remained dry as I walked to a small wooden stool and began to read the first page.

Love?

|~~~~~|

A new day arrived, but my mind remained filled with the previous night's questions. After the Prince fell unconscious, I left to read my novel elsewhere. Prince Levi requested I visit his chambers multiple times throughout the day, but I denied each guard who approached me with his orders.

I can't bring myself to face him... not after what he said... well... he didn't say he loved me... just implied it. Prince Levi is far too weak to move so he's sent many guards in his place.

"Foreigner, the Prince is requesting you. I'm ordered to escort you to his chambers by force if you won't come with me willingly."

Another guard? By force this time? How displeasing. I knew the male guard wouldn't stand a chance against me, but if I put up a fight the Prince will definitely send me to the cells for attacking a guard needlessly.

A low sigh escaped my lips as I reluctantly followed behind the armoured servant in silence who lead me down a familiar golden hallway, leading to Prince Levi's light green door. I knocked single time before the Prince's intimidating voice rung clear.

"Get the fuck inside."

I shakily exhaled. His words shouldn't of got to me so much yesterday... why am I so bothered about his feelings? I'm even unsure of what mine should be. I closed the door behind me with a small sigh, leaning forward into a deep, meaningless half bow.

"You requested me?"

Prince Levi loudly clicked his tongue. I sensed his rage from across the room.

"Tch. Are you fucking serious? I've been requesting you every time I've been awake."

I remained still, tightly clutching my novel which I had yet to finish. Eren really does write dirty books... such untrue chapters.

"Forgive me..."

"Look at me."

I flinched as a few strands of hair fell in front of my face. I slowly raised my head to meet his sharp, steel glare. He looks neat... like he hasn't just woken up from an intense, incredibly deep sleep.

"I expect you to follow my every word."

I nodded my head.

'If I loved you?'

"Tch. Disobeying me will result in punishment. Just why the hell have you been ignoring me-"

I quickly wiped my face. My checks are wet... for some reason... I'm crying.

"......"

The room fell silent as I rose my arm above my face, flustered over my lack of hold on my usually iron emotions. Crying over his words from yesterday... I sensed the Prince's watchful, wide eyes burn deep into my skull.

"Tch. Why are you crying? My words usually don't affect you this way."

I shook my head, turning away from his clearly confused gaze.

"Tch. I walked to my room with your assistance. I don't remember anything after that."

His eyes suddenly went wide with terror, his face darkening to a murderous glare. I've never seem him make such a scary look before... is he afraid?

"Tch. Did I... assault you?"

I frantically shook my head with a small smile.

"No! I promise you did not. I helped you to sleep - that was all. Forgive my behaviour."

Prince Levi seemed genuinely worried, his usually cool and composed behaviour completely faded as he clicked his fingers.

"I can't move so fucking come here."

I slowly approached his bedside, leaning forward into a shaky half bow. I anticipated to receive some sort of vocal punishment but instead the Prince took ahold of my chin and raised my lips closer to his.

Another physical punishment. My lips gently met his, a loving and warm gesture which I quickly expected to escalate into something more heated.

But nothing happened.

I quickly realised this was no punishment.

But a genuine kiss.

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