Hidden Love [Rivetra fan fic]

That Night

A:N/ This chapter is longer but I promise it's worth it

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Petra had just gotten back to her room from her little meeting with Levi and she began pacing around her room. 'Why did I do that?', she thought, 'He's supposed to marry Aylin, not me. That's not why I'm here'. Petra crawled into bed and buried herself in the luxury blankets. 'It was really good though', she told herself as she thought more about their kiss. The way he pulled her towards him and the way he looked at her before he kissed her, it gave Petra butterflies. But she knew she had to break it off, as much as she didn't want to. She could've stayed there forever. But what would happen if they did start something out and people found out? A Prince and a hand maid? She would get punished for sure, and what would her father think? Petra pondered these things as she drifted off to sleep, dreading when she would have to face Levi again.

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The next morning, Levi met up with Aylin for breakfast in the dining hall. He didn't speak as much with her during their meal, well, no more than he usually did which wasn't a lot.

"Is everything alright Levi?", Aylin asked him, concerned.

"Yeah, I just didn't sleep well last night", he told her, struggling to stay awake.

"Must have been something going around. Petra was just telling me that she didn't sleep well either. She seemed a little quieter as well this morning", Levi looked up at Aylin, "Maybe she just misses her family I suppose", she shrugged and continued eating her meal. 

Levi spent most of the day with the palace staff being trained for whatever royal duties he would have to take over once he was King. He didn't see Petra most of the day, which was probably a good thing. The only time they saw each other was when he passed her in the halls on his way to a meeting with his mother. They only made short eye contact and continued on their ways. Levi was busy mentally preparing himself for whatever fight he was about to get into with his mom.

"Come in darling", she told him as he knocked on the door.

"What do you want, mother", Levi said, annoyance in his tone.

"We must speed things up around here", she said as she worked.

"What is that supposed to mean?", Levi asked.

"It's time for you to propose to Aylin. She's been here long enough and I'd say you've spent enough time together to get to know each other", she told him.

"But-"

"I have planned a ball for next week to celebrate. You will propose during the event for everyone to see", his mother said. This struck Levi.

"In no way am I ready to propose to anyone right now. We haven't even kissed each other yet", Levi responded, although he regrets mentioning that second part. It was true though.

"What is stopping you Levi? It's not like there's anyone else you're interested in so what's the hold up?", asked his mother. Levi looked out the window into the central garden.

"Look at me Levi", she stopped what she was doing and looked him straight in the eyes, "This is happening. I know you're hesitant, but it is what must be done for our country. I just want to see you happy. You've been alone most of your life and I want you to have someone once I am gone. I thought I noticed you becoming a bit more energetic when the Princess came here, but now I see that you are the same as always, gloomy and alone". Levi didn't even look at her, he just got up and walked out of the room.

The next week leading up to the ball was one of hardest weeks Levi had to go through. He spent most of his time with Aylin, which usually meant that Petra wasn't far. He would often converse with her when Aylin was around, but they mostly just talked about the weather and went their separate ways. When ever Petra wasn't around however, he was able to focus on Aylin and they grew closer as the week went on. But he didn't feel for her the way he felt about Petra.