"This is better," Historia and Ymir had led us into her own private chambers. "There's a lot we need to talk about."

MORE ???

"Keep it short," Levi glanced over at me, "we're tired."

YES WE ARE

"I'll try," Historia nodded, "Ymir can you bring over the article from yesterday?"

levi said there wasn't anything interesting in the paper?

was he lying?

he wouldn't do something like that y/n

"Didn't you say that there wasn't anything?" I looked up at Levi, confused.

"There wasn't," he shook his head, confused. "Unless it was published in a different paper."

help-

"Don't you think that it would've reached us by now? I mean we heard about the pregnancy thing almost immediately so-"

"Oh don't worry! This article never got published," Historia handed us what looked like a mock-up of today's paper, the headline in bold font read 'PREGNANCY? MARITAL ISSUES? THE LATEST ON DUKE AND DUCHESS ACKERMAN.'

clickbait

"I could've come up with a better headline," I murmured, quickly reading over the rest of the article.

the headline game is like top ten levi & y/n games

rock paper scissors takes the crown ofc

it deserves the number one spot

"I think the first princess had this article written, you two are being watched," Historia explained. "Annie has connections with major news outlets and had the story of your argument replaced with something else."

i'll have to thank her

"That's not going to last forever," Levi commented, grumbling loudly.

we have an even shorter timeline than we thought we did

"Is it too late to go home and just live in isolation for the rest of our lives?"

that sounds really good right now

"You could certainly try," Historia hummed. "I think we can use this to our advantage, the first princess knows that you two were fighting, she missed out on the opportunity to expose it through the paper so we know she'll attempt to do the same at a different event."

THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY THAT LEVI MENTIONED EARLIER

"I haven't declined the invitation yet," Levi muttered, knowing exactly what I was thinking the moment I turned to speak to him.

WE'RE ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH

"We got invited to an event by the first princess," I explained to Historia. "She'll probably attempt to humiliate me or spread rumors while we're there."

that could be the opportunity we need to completely turn the tables on her

there's a fair chance she believes we're still on bad terms

if we use that to our advantage-

"The engagement party right?" Historia appeared deep in thought.

"That's the one," Levi nodded.

i guess my question is whether or not that's a big enough deal to help historia

"It's a small event but that should be enough, I'll have someone suggest to the first princess that the location of the party change so that it gets even more attention."

is it really that easy???

"So the two of us just have to show up?" I asked to clarify the plan.

"It would be amazing if you looked inseparable while you're at it."

AHAHAHA FORCING LEVI TO DO PDA

MY FAVORITE ACTIVITY

HE ALWAYS LOOKS SO DISTURBED

"Fucking hell."

"Oh get used to it, I'm going to drag you out on dates all the time when this is done."

"I hate you."

"Love you <3"

"Seems like we all have brighter futures to look forward to after this," Historia beamed. "I'm happy for you."

I WANT TO HUG HER

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything you want."

"Why do you want to rule? I mean- I don't think this is making your life any easier."

as far as i can tell your life would be much easier if you didn't

"Y/N is right- you don't seem to be power hungry enough to want the throne, you have a good head on your shoulders which is all the more confusing," Levi frowned. "It takes a real idiot to want to run this country, you don't fit the image."

i mean especially when you factor in her relationship with ymir

she's going to face pushback from upper nobility

not even bc they're both girlbosses but bc ymir isn't nobility

"Maybe I want to become Queen because I'm just that idiot," she smiled serenely. "I wouldn't be too confident that I'm not just as power hungry as the rest of them, I mean, I've always wanted to slap you Duke Ackerman."

wow..... honestly same

"If you overstep your power we'll have no choice but to push back," I reminded, laughing a little.

only i'm allowed to slap levi sorry </3

"Of course, I welcome it."

"Bold of you to assume that I would let her become an asshole," Ymir cut in, taking a seat next to Historia. "Worry about your own shit."

whatever u say ymir <333

ymir could ask me to sacrifice my first born and i just would

the hold tht women have over me

"Should we go?" I glanced over at Levi who had fallen silent, "we have to send a reply to the engagement party invitation."

i actually just want to sit in bed

"Let's," he nodded, offering me his arm as we stood up together.

this was productive

i was honestly worried that something would go wrong

this was close to the best possible outcome

"We'll walk you out," Historia and Ymir stood up, following after us.

there go my plans of sneaking around

"There's no need," Levi quickly dismissed them, "enjoy yourselves."

WILL THAT WORK ?

"Alright, thank you."

"Once," Levi stopped in his tracks, turning around to address the two of them. "You can slap me once."

"I look forward to it."

___________________

this flower sounds like a skin condition or something :| 

i feel like this chapter is a lot more 'plot' heavy than some of my others so i hope you like it <3  knowing tht this is kinda the last arc of tidal makes me really sad- but at the same time i'm happy that i get to end this story at a point where i feel like i've explored everything i want to with these characters! i also like ending my fics before i feel totally bored and tired of writing them and i still have tons of steam for tidal- im going to make this a great one <3

OK ! i don't want to make this too depressing but i feel like its important to talk abt my thoughts for this story w/ you guys (since you've all been here for so long 2+ years).

this is my favorite thing to write and that's largely bc all of you are hilarious and just as invested as i am (: 

ILUUUUU

- am(wah)i