Enjoy~
Prince Levi Ackerman, royal descendent.
Upon entry to my palace chambers a small sigh escaped my lips. Living as royalty is nothing but luxury, people obey your every word. Recently, my mind had been plagued by two thieves who've stolen my mother's precious ruby. I have no information on their whereabouts nor any news of their names.
I quickly spotted a midnight black jacket, folded neatly atop of my double bed. Tch. Servants are convenient after all... I slid my arms through the pristine, expensive material and neatened out the collar in solitude.
I glanced downwards once again, my treasured cravat lay hidden under my elegant green cape. I feel unusually distressed... no news on my ruby's location is starting to worry me... a gentle knock at the door quickly distracted me from my sudden sadness. I answered brashly－ hoping for information about the dirty, homeless thieves.
"It's me, Levi!"
"Petra... give me a moment."
|~~~~|
(Y/N), petty thief.
My eyes widened upon seeing a large, bloodied corpse laying face down in the drains. Another murder... I suppose I shouldn't be surprised... we did steal a highly expensive ruby... people must be desperate to find the thieves...
"I-Is he... dead?"
I quickly leant forward, pressing my fingers against the side of his ice cold neck. No pulse... he's definitely dead. Eren seemed horrified, covering his mouth with a white rag and proceeded to vomit into the nearby sewers. Don't tell me Eren's never seen a dead guy before? How long has he been living on the streets? Our friendship is new but surely our time on the streets is not... Eren wiped his lips of any sick, clearing his throat with a shaky exhale.
"We're just going to leave him there?"
I nodded my head, neatening my small silver pocket knife which kept jabbing into my thigh every now and then.
"He's dead... there's not much else we can do."
Eren seemed disheartened, silently walking beside me as we began to take shelter underneath a large concrete tunnel, leading behind the dirty streets of this large, new kingdom. Village Danba is nothing like this kingdom... we lived in wooden houses... now my huts are merely dust traveling across the skies...
"I guess so..."
Eren－ in his current condition－ will not survive another six weeks on the streets. On that freezing winter's night, Eren luckily spotted my fires glow... I'm positive if he hadn't of done so... I'd be walking past his corpse today. I rose my pocket knife out from my leather case, flashing Eren a sickly sweet smile.
"What is it?"
I took ahold of Eren's shoulder as he made no attempt to flee or resist my touch. Why isn't he moving? I'm pretending to murder him... this means he's only lived on the streets... for a day?!
"Don't... I'm a Pri-"
Eren's throat remained crushed by my silver blade, preventing his final words from reaching my ears, his tanned skin quickly began to turn red and mushy from the force of my knife.
"I could kill you... if I really wanted to."
Eren's heart raced violently against my chest, his eyes wide with terror. He's shaking... am I been too cruel? I swiftly lowered my hold as Eren desperately gasped for air, coughing and collapsing into the muddy cobblestone streets. I feel a little guilty... Eren's only walked around the streets... never lived in them. Eren trembled, his lungs heaving in attempts of receiving more clean air. Reminds me of Marco... my angel...
"Why... why would you do that?"
I frowned softly, extending out my hand for Eren to grasp. He studied my hand for any tricks or concealed weapons before accepting.
"I need someone who I can rely on... when an enemy attacks... you must be strong."
I gently pulled Eren to his feet, studying his panting lips and slightly damp eyes. I know Eren is strong... he just needs someone who can crack him open... like a monkey nut... Eren stiffened, his ocean eyes swirling with great power. Just like crashing sea waves...
"Can I keep that knife?"
I smiled warmly, placing the small, yet deadly weapon into the palm of his tanned hand.
"Sure."
|~~~~|
Prince Levi Ackerman, royal descendent.
"Good afternoon, Levi. I trust all is well?"
Petra gently lowered her small, pale hand onto my stiff shoulders in attempts of reassuring me. Such small fingers... she really is quite tiny for a lady...
"Other than attending this shitty afternoon tea, then yes. All is well."
Petra smiled softly, linking arms with me like royal couples do as we left my chambers behind, walking down the golden hallways in a calming silence. Petra looked rather formal and a little over done, a soft pink dress illuminated her strawberry blonde hair.
"It'll be fun, many people are attending."
I rolled my eyes, knowing full well these afternoon teas are never enjoyable.
"Besides I hope to marry you... it's only natural we attend such social parties."
I clicked my tongue; Petra's words do make sense... yet I still feel bothered by attending these so called 'parties' with her at my side.
"By the way..."
Petra leant close to my ear, she even lowered her voice, preventing guards who stood nearby from overhearing her words.
"Did you happen to catch those thieves? I do believe they stole a ruby from you..."
My features darkened into a frustrated glare, even hearing the news angers me. I will have them caught. I will sentence them to hang.
"No."
Petra frowned, lightly twisting her soft honey locks around her matching pink nail.
"That's awful... I hope they're caught quickly."
I cleared my throat, attempting to forget about the stupid thieves for a moment, my mother's ruby consumed most of my thoughts on a daily basis.
"I will see to it."
Petra suddenly smiled, like she'd thought of an amazing idea, quickly linking arms with me once again.
"I know! We'll order some tea... that'll help calm your nerves."
I hummed in agreement. Seems she's not as careless as I once thought... how odd.
|~~~~|
(Y/N), petty thief.
Eren's smile widened upon seeing the stunning blood ruby dazzle under the rays of sunlight.
"How much will a jewel like that sell for? Probably millions right?"
How on earth does he know? My friendship with Eren had progressed rather quickly, just like most alliances do on the streets. We have each other, and most importantly, trust. Stealing the ruby was an extremely difficult task, taking down over thirty guards and killing ten... we even almost blew our cover. I'm glad the hard part is out of the way... now we can earn the rewards and be rich for life... better luck next time, Prince Levi.
"By the way... were you trained from outside the Kingdom? You clearly know some form of martial art."
Reiner and Marco taught me martial arts in exchange for sword lessons. I miss them.
"Yes I was and indeed I do. But that's not important－ we need to focus on selling this ruby."
I admired the ruby for a final time before lowering the jewel into a small leather pouch, pulling the strings nice and secure.
"We'll locate a hushed up buyer to avoid being traced."
Bustling street life and loud shouts could be heard daily, a peasants life is always crowded and sweaty when wishing to purchase an item from a morning stall.
"Should we conceal our faces?"
I thought for a moment; Is there a need to hide our faces? I suppose if we want to avoid getting caught then the answer is yes. I studied the morning stalls selling honey, fabric, and hot soup. Common things for poor people...
"Yes. I think there's a mask stand over there."
I pointed to an old run down stall covered in white cloth to shield the masks from getting damp. An old lady stood siting beside her creations, currently stitching a broken dog mask back together. She must be doing repairs...
"That looks run down. Can't we go somewhere more... pleasant?"
Eren complained as I shook my head, stating this stall was as good as any other. Even if the masks are terrifying. Eren and I began pushing our way through the sea of villagers, until we slowly approached the stand with a small smile. We're the only customers around...
"Hello, dearie. Looking for a mask? I make the highest quality."
I cleared my throat, taking ahold of Eren's hand as he flinched in surprise yet didn't let go.
"We're looking for masks... our two children love them."
The old woman smiled brightly, shakily using her walking stick to reach two child like masks, one with a large blue grin, the other wearing a red frown. Eren stared at our tightly held hands with a small sigh. He's blushing...
"Perfect."
I complimented as the old lady read the small string price tags. I hope these masks are cheap... I'm broke as hell.
"That's one hundred gold then please..."
Now I'm dirt poor... fifty gold a mask... just what does she makes these things out of? I reluctantly parted with my precious gold coins and placed the masks into a small paper bag, given free by the kindness of the old lady.
"Have a blessed day you two."
I bowed and turned away from the nightmare stand, releasing Eren's hand once we reached a suitable distance away from her watchful, yet grateful eyes.
"Lets go, Eren."
Eren nodded, looking lost in deep thought for a brief moment.
|~~~~|
Prince Levi Ackerman, royal descendent.
"Wow, Levi... everything's so pretty here!"
Petra sat opposite me, admiring sandwiches, hot drinks, and little scones. I took a sip of hot black tea from my cherry blossom tea cup. Petra took a bite from a small ham and cheese sandwich, smiling brightly. She's in a good mood today... a servant, dressed in a traditional black frilly apron stood beside our table－ a chef servant－ who took away food if the meal did not reach my expectations.
"Oh... could you change the music, servant? I don't enjoy this piano part."
The servant bowed, lowering her head obediently.
"Right away, M'lady."
Nothing is particularly wrong with the music... Petra swirled a spoonful of sugar into her breakfast tea with a gentle smile. Sugar? Far too sweet.
"So, Levi-"
Before Petra could finish her sentence, one of my heavily armoured patrol guards approached our glass table with a strong salute.
"I'm awfully sorry to interrupt, M'lady, but I must speak with the Prince immediately."
I lowered my chin onto my palm, glaring softly in response to his words. This better be news on the thieves... I find myself becoming more and more impatient the longer this issue goes unresolved.
"Give me a moment, Petra."
Petra smiled warmly and nodded her head, claiming she'd save my seat for when I returned. The guard seemed uncomfortable as I ordered him outside into the golden halls, away from Petra's calming presence.
"I regret to inform you of no news, your majesty. Patrols have been doubled yet the thieves remain untraceable..."
I clenched my fists, angrily running my hands through my raven hair. Just where the hell are they hiding? The streets are huge, but can easily be scaled completely by patrols. I could switch up the guard patrols and begin searches... or send guards to check local jewellery stores... I'll make a decision after this shitty afternoon tea.
"Triple the patrols. Don't stop looking until I see them kneeling at my throne."
The guard saluted, his armour clinking softly. I'll find them even if it takes years...
"Yes sir."
I dismissed the guard with a simple wave of my hand, my mood had only worsened upon hearing the lack of knowledge over the thieves whereabouts. I sighed loudly, leaving he hallways and passing through a wooden door leading back to Petra－ who sat patently sipping tea.
"Welcome back, Levi."
Petra smiled warmly, though I found my focus remain on where the thieves could be. Managing to steal from me is a big deal... wouldn't other criminals be desperate to rob them?
"Something the matter, Levi?"
I shook my head and took a sip of my now cold black tea with a distasteful frown. Cold tea... disgusting.
"I'm distracted is all."
Petra frowned, chewing her final bite from a chicken and lettuce sandwich and deciding to move onto a variety of warm desserts instead.
"Oh... that's too bad."
Petra dipped her spoon into a small, strawberry shortcake topped with fresh cream. Looks sickeningly sweet...
"The ball plans are all successful... the completion date is in a couple of months."
Shit... I forgot all about that.
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