Imperial Affairs (Levi X Reader) AU

81. Always?

Reader's POV

"I wish you a pleasant night, Your Highness," I slightly bowed to Falco once I got off the carriage.

"Yes," He was quiet for a moment before talking again, "The North terrace is a beautiful spot."

"Pardon?"

"I used to go there to avoid people during parties," Falco confessed, "No one else ever went there. You were always the life of the party so you wouldn't know about it. I felt...that you could use it now."

I gulped and smiled, "I...Avoiding problems won't fix them."

"It's your choice," Falco walked past me, "I sincerely hope that it won't be enough for even you to break."

I held my breath until Falco was gone from earshot before releasing it. He was grateful to me for agreeing to not kill his sister so he told me about a quiet spot in case everyone's gazes on me tonight felt too much. But I couldn't let my nervousness and fear show. If I did then I wouldn't be the invincible prince any longer and while I knew that invincibility was impossible, I had to make sure that no one else found out.

"Is the pain okay?" Reiner stood alongside me, facing away from the palace and to the spot where the carriage was a minute ago.

"It won't change anything."

"So it hurts," Reiner sighed, "Does it hurt like the night of the dinner?"

"No. It's not that bad."

"Makes sense. You threw up most of the poison. That includes any food you ate so you must be feeling hungry now, am I correct?"

"You are," I sighed, "But I can't shovel the food at the party down my throat."

"No one will notice."

"All eyes will be on me. Everyone will notice. Two snacks and a few glasses of wine is the acceptable amount."

"Do as you wish," Reiner questioned once he was done with my check up, "What did you two talk about?"

"We made a deal."

"What deal?" Reiner's eyes widened, "You-you can't trust him!"

"Don't worry," I patted Reiner's head, annoying him in the process, "I really, really needed what he was offering me."

"And what is that?"

"Not now, Reiner," I turned around and motioned toward the palace, "Let's go?"

"Can you walk?"

"Thanks to the stimulants you got for me, yes."

"Don't blame me if you fall into another coma."

"I could never blame you," I slowly walked toward the palace, forcing my weight on my walking stick but still balancing myself onto my feet to not make it obvious.

Reiner appeared to not have heard my words and I was thankful to that. They held a deeper meaning. I couldn't have him know. I couldn't have myself know.

"I need to speak with Kenny Ackerman," I muttered, "Today."

"That'll be...challenging."

"Understatement of the millennium."

"Do you want to try approaching him?"

"The man is so brazen that he might just turn away and leave at the sight of me, ignoring my lineage. We can't have that."

"Surely he'll keep his word to meet you in three months? Mikasa is with you so he has to follow up. And there's the contract-"

"I can't wait that long," I explained, "I don't have much time left."