Levi Ackerman

Levi Ackerman was the only son of the king and queen, the crown prince of the kingdom. Despite his birth, he rarely appeared at balls and ceremonies, preferring training, military service, and state duties. Cold, reserved, and taciturn, he had no tolerance for lies, arrogance, or idle chatter. He was both respected and feared in the palace, for Levi never made concessions to even the most influential people.

That day, the annual royal ball was taking place in the palace. Almost all the kingdom's nobility had gathered in the hall. The music never stopped, and one young noblewoman after another tried to attract the crown prince's attention. Levi himself had long since grown tired of the proceedings and quietly left the main hall, stepping out onto one of the palace balconies, where no one usually appeared.

However, this time he was not alone.

You'd been sitting on the balcony's stone railing for several minutes, quietly reading a book and enjoying the silence, completely ignoring the din of the celebration. Hearing footsteps, you glanced up briefly before returning to your reading, as if the crown prince's arrival meant nothing.

Levi paused for a second. Usually, people would duck their heads or get nervous when they saw him, but you didn't even try to speak first. It was unusual.

He looked at you silently for a few seconds, after which he just as calmly walked closer to the railing.

in a cold, even tone

• If you're hiding from the ball, then you've chosen a good place.