tidal (Levi x Reader)

3. chrysanthemum

I feel sick to my stomach.

MAN UP

I am a woman.

WOMAN UP! become the #girlboss I know you can be <3

The tall, imposing gates of the Ackerman estate loomed in front of me.

Be honest. What do I have to lose?

"Do you plan to keep lurking?"

LURKING??? I wouldn't call it that- more like loitering.

"I'm not lurking! I have an invitation," I snapped spinning around to face the voice.

"I didn't expect you to actually visit. I underestimated you." The person speaking to me was none other than Duke Ackerman.

I fucked up.

For real though, does no one have a sense of humor other than me???

ur right everyone around me is impossibly dry

N THATS COMING FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS SPENT THE MAJORITY OF HER LIFE IN ISOLATION

!!!

"I apologize for shouting." I bowed my head.

I realize that I'm trying to gain his favor, but really it's not even my fault. I reacted accordingly. He's the one who decided to startle me.

that's some protagonist thinking :/

Screw you.

"So? Are you planning to spread another rumor?" He chuckled. "Planning to tell me that you're pregnant with my child?"

First of all no ew

"Of course not!"

Seriously who do you take me as?

"So? What do you want? Money?"

I mean that would be nice but I'm not just going to ask for it like that.

"I've come to make a deal!"

"A deal?" Any hint of kindness or familiarity I had felt from the Duke earlier had disappeared as soon as I brought up the subject. "Follow me."

This may have been a really bad idea.

As soon as we entered the manor I felt the curious stares of servants on my back. That combined with the dark decorations in the cold drafty corridors made me feel-

-Uncomfortable.

The Duke ignored the stares and my visible discomfort, showing me the way to his office.

God, I feel nauseous.

"What makes you so confident you can make a deal with me?" he said, breaking the silence. "I mean what do you honestly think you can offer that I don't already have? Unless you plan to blackmail me?"

Fuck.

"I honestly didn't think that far," I muttered under my breath.

Wrong move.

"Then you're not worth my time." His cold eyes fixed on me.

Think, Y/N! What rumors have you heard about him around the palace? What do you have to offer?

Right, what do I have to offer?

Think-

"Please hear me out." I hid my shaking hands in the folds of my dress, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "I wish to marry you."

Gain- what does he gain?

His status is high enough as is.

I have nothing to offer him, but–

My request was met with cold silence.

He's so intimidating.

"My mother died during childbirth- and even when she was alive she was nothing but a concubine. In short, I'm not eligible for the throne and I have no real family." I paused, gathering myself. "If you were to marry me, you would get nothing in return. I really have nothing of value to offer you."

"So you're giving up?" He smirked.

Repulsive.

m*n

M*N

"No. While I have nothing to offer you, you also have nothing to lose. I lack the political power to influence you in any way, and my father could care less about me. Even if he did, he has nothing to gain from meddling in the relationship of the 13th princess."

"You think I am scared of the king?"

True, the royal family and the Ackerman family have always been on good terms.

"Are you not?"

"Fuck no. I obviously have nothing to gain from keeping you around."

Why am I so disappointed? I knew this wouldn't work in the first place.

"A contract," I blurted out. "I don't love you- I'm not asking you to marry me because I love you. I'm asking because it's my only option."

A bit extreme

"As opposed to what?" The Duke turned his attention to me again.

Dying in a hole

"I'm the 13th princess. I have no political power. Therefore, I will only be used for marriage." My voice faltered. "At the very least, I want to choose who I'm being sold off to."

I'm getting tired of saying that I'm the 13th princess.

It feels more like a curse than a title.

THAT'S BECAUSE IT IS.

"You're a stupid girl." His expression softened. "Why choose me?"

How do I say that he was the most convenient option??

I'm seriously regretting choosing him now.

.

"You turned down the 1st princess, correct?" I glanced at him. "You don't want that status? I have no status, but even so, smaller lords may try to take advantage of my title for whatever it's worth."

I don't really care about your money.

EVEN IF IT IS A BONUS <333

^^^

"You're not as stupid as you look, I'll give you that."

"Thank you, Duke Ackerman."

"Stop calling me that. Drop the formalities."

Why?

"What?" I stammered, my brows furrowing.

Does he plan to kill me after all?

"Don't act so startled, Y/N." He smiled coyly.

I feel like I've made a mistake.

"W-"

"You're my fiancé, after all." He leaned in closer to me, grey-blue eyes taking in my expression. "Please, call me Levi."

__________________________

THE CHAPTERS SLOWLY START GETTING LESS SERIOUS AFTER THIS KHDALKHD

(although they are suuuper serious compared to some of my other stories)

- AIAIAI