tidal (Levi x Reader)

27. deutzia

"I don't trust the royal family," Levi murmured after a long tense silence.

I could tell that-

"And yet they call you the King's dog-" I laughed dryly.

I'm not sure my father is a good person either- but what reason does Levi have for distrusting him?

"I don't support the aristocratic faction either," he continued.

"Lesser of two evils?"

"Something like that," Levi combed his hair back- his eyes locking with mine. "You're just low enough on the chain of command to not have any influence over me but high enough to convince your father that I'm still loyal to his shitty family."

I can't really complain about this situation because I walked right into it but-

It hurts a little bit.

I asked for the truth. What was I expecting?

"Then- you're asking me to convince my father that you're still supporting him?"

Is it just the first princess who's giving you a hard time?

"I'd rather not be bothered by any nobility at all."

So you got married to avoid comments.

I can't fault that at all.

Why ask me to get close to the princess then?

"If you want me to get close to the princess because you secretly have feelings for her but feel awkward accepting her after turning her down then you should just say so-" I forced a smile.

Who am I to judge?

"The crown princess is the whole problem-" Levi grumbled, "she has that brat under her thumb."

Brat????

"ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE CROWN PRINCE?"

IF ANYONE ELSE WAS SITTING HERE WITH YOU- YOU WOULD BE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE.

"Who else?" He paused, "your father can do whatever he wants- I don't need brats like Eren overstepping their boundaries."

FIRST NAMES ????

"So you just want to be left alone?"

It makes sense- the Ackerman Dukedom has always operated slightly separate from the rest of the country.

If the King wanted he could make that harder-

I guess they have some sort of agreement currently?

"l don't want my position to be questioned when your father croaks." He paused before muttering under his breath, "I can't afford to lose anything else."

What was that?

I don't want Levi to lose power either.

True he might lose a lot of money ):

"Hey Levi?" I asked, laying down on the picnic blanket that had been spread out on the ground.

"Yes?"

"Do you think that we could be friends?" I felt myself flush as I spoke.

It sounds incredibly stupid when I say it outloud.

"Friends?"

"We didn't marry for love or anything but-" I paused, "could we try at least getting to know each other?"