Imperial Affairs (Levi X Reader) AU

6. Lifelong Friends

Reader's POV

I groaned slumping back in my chair while Mikasa sat at the same desk, opposite me. We were in the library now and I was feeling extremely guilty about yelling at such loyal soldiers. I couldn't take it back either or I would be mistaken for being weak. Mikasa sensed the source of my worries and comforted me.

"You did the right thing, breaking rules is quite an offence. It damages your dignity if your workers aren't following proper orders. You're responsible for them after all. We would be lucky if the shorty doesn't report this back to the Empress. The press would definitely be looking to damage the reputations of the nobles and the Imperial Family."

"I know," I headbutted the desk, "But I feel like I overdid it."

"You've always been like this whenever it was to reprimanding workers. It isn't your fault. I'm sure they understand that but we have more important matters at hand."

I looked up to meet her beautiful black eyes.

"That shorty might be a real threat."

"You know," I sat up, resting my cheek on my fist to keep my head up, "You've always been hostile towards the assassins but you seem to especially despise this one."

"Of course," she scowled and clenched her fist, "He's disrespectful towards you and doesn't even try to fix it."

"He's an assassin sent to kill me, why would he respect me?"

"But he should act like he does," Mikasa replied, getting angrier with every word.

"Okay, okay," I replied, trying to calm her down before she snapped. Dealing with an angry Mikasa was no easy task so I just changed the subject.

"I'm sure he won't be able to kill me but I'm not too sure about the workers. I have to do something to keep them safe too."

"We still don't know the actual level of his strength," Mikasa explained, "How about I duel him?"

"No, I didn't suspend all those workers so that you could duel him instead."

"I could ask him, he can turn me down if he wants."

"Ugh," I looked down. If I had to choose between my pride and the safety of my workers, of course I'd choose the latter but it would still hurt, "Do whatever you want."

"Okay," Mikasa smiled, now reassured, "I can see you're feeling down, how about we visit the market?"

"Okay," I agreed, getting up slowly.

In about half an hour, I changed into commoner clothes to stay undercover. I did not go without makeup because I couldn't let the guards at the palace gates see me without it, besides I had a weird paranoia that the people in the market might see my makeupless face and someone might connect the dots. Reiner and Mikasa showed up at my door and we went downstairs to a commoner carriage I had stored and went to the Stohess market.

When we arrived, I got out first with Mikasa and Reiner following behind me. I smiled slightly upon seeing the market again. I lived in Stohess, the place I managed. I was the only noble living in Stohess, after all, the capital was the only place where multiple members of the nobility lived. The central mansions of the nobility were within the area they managed.

I looked around and saw a food stall and damn, I was hungry. I rushed towards it with Mikasa trying to stop me from eating street food.

"Y/N! Stop running and don't eat the food, it could be poisoned or might make you sick," she caught up to me, whispering in my ear.

"Mikasa!" I groaned.

"Tch, fine," she gave in, "But let me test one first."

"You are too paranoid, Mikasa," Reiner joined in, finally catching up to us.

"And you are too carefree, you let Y/N visit the market without anyone to protect her," Mikasa glared.

"What are you talking about?" Reiner asked, pretending to be confused. Reiner being the amazing liar that he was, had never been caught sneaking me out of the palace. I honestly thought that he would do well in the acting industry but he refused, saying that he was not interested.

Mikasa ignored Reiner and stopped me who was reaching out for candy. She tried it first and when she confirmed that it was harmless except for the fact that it was unhealthy, she handed one to me and another to Reiner. I took it and walked off to explore the rest of the market and left Reiner to pay for it.

"Pay for it yourself, Y/N! It's expensive!"

"Yeah, three pieces of candy sure are expensive," I gave my sarcasm filled answer.

"Still, you're the rich person here!"

"I'll give it to you later," I said, amazed by another food stall with Mikasa going ahead to test it first.

We spent a few hours in the market and went back to the palace. I changed and decided to go to bed early as I was tired from walking around the market. I already informed Niccolo, the head chef of the palace that I would be skipping dinner because I already ate too much at the market. I imagined Mikasa would be full too due to the fact that she tested everything I ate. This was why I preferred to go alone. I had fun though. 

Spending the day with such good friends was certainly nice. Even though I had difficulties due to my position, and the fact that if Gabi became the Emperor, I could, or rather, most definitely would die but I certainly was grateful that I had good friends who wished the best for me. Mikasa, Reiner, Annie and Bertholdt were very important to me and so were my other allies. I would pay them back for all they have done for me one day.

With these thoughts, I fell asleep.

The Next Day

I woke up to the sound of Reiner shaking me awake.

"Wake up, it's morning. It's not fair that everyone gets up early, at like 6 am but you sleep till 10 am."

"Well, I am a prince."

"So what? Wake up now. If you become Emperor or even the crown princess, then you won't be able to live with such leisure."

"I manage the entirety of Stohess and my palace!" And that was true, managing an entire district wasn't easy. I just took a break yesterday.

"You work hard, I know that, but an Emperor manages the entire empire. You should work even harder."

"Yeah, Father must work really hard." I realised, "He is quite a respectable man."

"Get up now."

"5 more minutes," I turned around in the bed, not facing Reiner who was still shaking me.

"Ugh," he groaned. He must be really tired of dealing with me every day.

In what seemed like 5 seconds, Reiner tried to wake me up again.

"10 more minutes."

"Y/N! Please, get up."

"No."

Half an hour later

I walked down the main hallway with Mikasa right beside me to see Levi who was waiting for me with Marco by his side while my blood started circulating quickly through my body as I neared him. Levi had the new uniform on and a sword in his scabbard. Marco whispered something to Levi which I imagined were instructions. He didn't say anything, nodded or even shifted from his position to respond to Marco. He just glared at me while I approached him. I nodded at Marco to signal him to go and do his regular duties and he bowed and left. I swiftly passed against Levi and he turned on his heel to follow me.

Even though I had my back to them while walking, I could tell what was happening right behind me. Mikasa glared at Levi and he glared back. This sure was going to be interesting. But now that I saw them together, they looked kind of similar. Probably just a coincidence, though.

A/N = Sorry for the late chapter, I got lazy and was busy with schoolwork.

24/1/2022

- Heliaxa