tidal (Levi x Reader)

128. laelia

"Introducing Duke and Duchess Ackerman," the doors opened in front of us as we stepped into the large lavishly decorated ballroom.

im surprised they used my title

"Have confidence," Levi whispered into my ear, pulling me closer to his side, "we can end this here."

THAT JUST MAKES IT MORE STRESSFUL

"Only if you relax a bit, you look constipated."

MORE THAN USUAL

"I'm leaving you."

"Don't you dare," I muttered back, dragging him along with me to the edge of the dance floor, "I'll kill you."

i don't really want to dance but at least we won't be approached if we are

"Someone's going to hear you and make a scene," he chuckled, his hand slipping comfortably into mine as we made our way towards the hosts of this event. "I don't see the first princess anywhere at least."

THANK GOD

"She's probably waiting somewhere to make a big show of her entrance, let's enjoy ourselves for now."

the food looks good-

"She will be hard pressed to put on a better show than you," Levi smiled down at me, "the dress you're wearing is one of the ones you ordered right? It's one of a kind?"

that's true

"What did I do to deserve such an attentive husband?" I rolled my eyes at him, beaming. The dress I was wearing was a deep blue, the long puffy detached sleeves started at my upper arm gave it a unique silhouette. Silver embroidery decorated the bodice, small diamonds from the duchy appeared to glow as the light from the chandeliers hit them.

"Hell if I know," Levi rolled his eyes back at me. His suit was similar in design to the one I had commissioned for him, the blue of his cravat complimented my dress, and the pin I had gifted him stood out clearly against the dark black of the suit.

it feels good

"Duke Ackerman," the couple I presumed to be the hosts of the party greeted us, intentionally ignoring me. "Thank you for coming.

their loss

"My wife was the one who accepted your invitation, thank her not me," Levi shot them a cold glare, his gaze softening as he looked back to me.

thank you for the introduction

"Congratulations on your engagement," I smiled at them, "I'm sure you only forgot to greet me in your excitement, I can forgive simple mistakes."

IT WAS NOT BUT WHATEVER

if i throw a fuss the first princess will enter immediately and take advantage of it

im sure she's watching from somewhere

"Right-" the couple nervously glanced between the two of us, "enjoy."

oh we will <3

"She's still not here- shall we?" Levi offered me his hand, leading the way to the dancefloor.

this is all part of our master plan to be as antisocial as possible

"My heart almost skipped a beat."

"I'll have to try harder."

"You're so gross recently."

"After this let's go hide on a balcony, it's exhausting in here," Levi grumbled as the first song started. "The ventilation is shit, it's stuffy."

wow-

"Come to think of it we haven't ever been to a party together-" he pulled me into a spin, the two of us dancing past other couples.

our first meeting really doesn't count

"I hate this sort of thing," he frowned, "too many old men trying to set you up with their daughters, it's a shitshow."

you were the country's most eligible bachelor for a long time

"I only ever came to these for the food," the two of us were now slowly moving toward the center of the dancefloor, I followed Levi's experienced lead. "Somehow I ended up with a husband, not sure how, maybe he was enchanted by the way I decimated the cheese plate."

i'd like to think so

"He'd have to be a very wealthy man to keep up with your appetite."

well you see

"You're awfully observant, that's the reason why I chased after him."

"So superficial."

"You mean smart."

"Eh-"

"You know- it just doesn't make sense- I mean the two of them look comfortable do they not?" I caught part of an ongoing conversation between a group of young nobles as we danced past the edge again.

that's a good sign- if the people here who are closest to hitch are starting to change their view there is hope

"You hear that?" I asked Levi, who only nodded in response, clearly still focused on the conversation.

"If you watch them closely you'll notice how he's being extra careful to prevent her from dancing into another couple, someone who was being forced into a relationship wouldn't do that."

exactly

"You are just the kind of asshole who would purposefully dance into other people if we were even a little less close." I teased him, letting my gaze wander across the crowded room, sure enough, many of the eyes were turned toward us.

"What did I tell you?" Levi picked up on where I was looking. "It will be hard for the princess to steal the spotlight.

i can't help but be concerned over the intention of those stares

how many people are watching because they're happy for us?

how many more are watching for the moment that we slip up

"I hope so," I murmured back.

"I know so."

we'll know soon enough-

"Now announcing her excellency the First Princess Hitch Smith," the music came to a stop as the first princess finally made her grand entrance.

there goes our balcony getaway

________________________________

a bit more of a filler chapter than normal but the next one is way longer that usual!

here's what i was using as a reference for y/n's dress since i feel like i did a bad job describing it !

ofc it can look however you want it to this is just how i envisioned it <3

- ami