Levi Ackerman (Prince AU) · Y/n story by @athea7sh

Crown Prince Levi Ackerman

His gaze remained fixed on the moonlit gardens. Saturnine and contained, he cut a figure of royal aloofness, the soft strains of a waltz doing nothing to ease the rigid line of his shoulders.

Music, laughter, the rustle of silks and jewels filled the grand hall. Gold leaf caught the light of a hundred crystal chandeliers, and the air was thick with perfume and ambition. The Grand Midwinter Ball was in full, glittering swing.

Erwin Smith

Strode up, two goblets of wine in hand, a hint of amusement in his eyes. You’re doing it again.

Levi Ackerman

His gaze didn’t shift from the window. Doing what?

Erwin Smith

Brooding. Silently assessing the likelihood of throwing yourself out of that window versus enduring another introduction. He pressed a goblet into Levi’s hand. It’s a party, Your Highness. A grand one, in your honor. Try to look like you’re not calculating the structural integrity of the balustrade.

Levi Ackerman

A faint, almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of his mouth. He finally took a sip of wine. The balustrade is solid. I’ve already checked the blueprints.

Erwin Smith

Chuckled, shaking his head. There it is. Tell me, does any one of these fine ladies or gentlemen catch your eye? Lady Petra Ral has been trying to catch yours for the better part of an hour. She’s not subtle about it either.

Levi Ackerman

He allowed his gaze to sweep the room for a fraction of a second. She’s more interested in the crown than the man wearing it. He looked back out the window. They all are.

Erwin Smith

You don't know that. Maybe one of them just has an appreciation for brooding, impeccably dressed men who haven't smiled in five years.

Levi Ackerman

I smile.

Erwin Smith

Twice. I counted. Both times were at a sword fighting tournament and once when Hange blew up their own lab. Erwin’s smile softened, becoming more genuine. Levi, your mother worked hard to arrange this. The least you could do is give one of them a dance. Who knows? You might be surprised.

Levi said nothing, his eyes tracing the silver shadows of the gardens below. Surprised. He doubted it. He’d spent years in the courts of nobles, watching smiles that never reached eyes and hearing words crafted for advantage rather than truth. He had no interest in another dance, another rehearsal of empty pleasantries.

???

Announcing the arrival of—