-Haruka POV-
Levi Ackerman had arrived.
"Oh my, he's here. Now go to your prince charming." My mother said that playfully. Luckily, my father already left a while ago.
Ray let out a low chuckle beside me, leaning in slightly. "Well, well. Looks like your guest actually showed up."
I ignored him, exhaling as I finally turned towards the entrance.
Levi stood at the threshold, dressed sharply yet effortlessly, exuding his usual air of authority. His dark suit was perfectly tailored, complementing his lean frame, and though his expression remained as unreadable as ever, I could tell he was taking in every detail of the room.
Even without saying a word, his presence was undeniable.
The quiet murmurs get louder. Some of my relatives exchanged glances, likely recognising him, while the others discreetly assessed him with curiosity.
Levi's sharp gaze swept over the room before finally landing on me. His eyes held no hesitation, no uncertainty. Just a quiet expectation, as if waiting for my reaction.
I sighed. "You're late."
Levi clicked his tongue. "Tch. You didn't exactly give me a schedule."
"Well, well. So he finally arrived."
The deep, knowing voice belonged to none other than my grandfather.
I turned to see him approaching, my grandmother at his side, both carrying the unmistakable air of old nobility. Despite his age, my grandfather's posture remained strong, his sharp eyes holding the wisdom of years past. My grandmother, ever graceful, watched the interaction unfold with a quiet smile.
Levi, standing beside me, turned to face them properly. The moment his eyes landed on my grandfather, something shifted in his expression—not hesitation, not nervousness, but something… familiar.
"Dr. Auclair and your highness, Princess." Levi greeted, his voice steady but carrying a respect rarely heard from him.
A slow smile stretched across my grandfather's lips, amusement twinkling in his eyes. "Hoho… You still call me that, I see."
Levi gave a small nod. "I guess I get that from my grandfather, haha."
My grandmother chuckled softly. "It's been quite some time since we last saw you, Levi."
"Yeah. I guess it has." Levi admitted, his tone quieter now. Well, the last time he met my grandparents was during my birthday dinner.
My grandfather studied him for a long moment before nodding in approval. "You've grown well, Levi. I can see it in your eyes. Your grandfather would be proud."
Levi's jaw tightened just slightly at the mention of his grandfather, but he didn't look away. Instead, he pulled out a luxurious paper bag and extended it towards my grandfather.
"Happy birthday, Dr. Auclair."
There was a beat of silence before my grandfather let out a deep, amused chuckle.
I watched as my grandfather took the paper bag, his fingers running over the fine wrapping. His expression, though playful, held something deeper. Acknowledgement, perhaps even appreciation.
My grandmother leaned in slightly, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Shall we open it now?"
"Go ahead," Levi said simply.
Carefully, my grandfather unwrapped the box, revealing a handcrafted pocket watch, sleek and elegant, with an intricate engraving on the back. His fingers traced over the engraving before he let out a hum of approval.
"Ah… fine craftsmanship," he mused. "And quite the personal touch. You put thought into this, didn't you?"
Levi simply shrugged, but even I could tell that was his way of confirming it.
My grandfather nodded in satisfaction. "Well then, I suppose I'll accept it. But now that you've given me a gift, I'll have to make sure to return the favour someday."
Levi exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "That's not necessary. It's your birthday, after all."
"Haha, we'll see." My grandfather said with a smirk before turning to me. "Charles, I must say, you certainly know how to bring in interesting company."
"You already knew he was coming, didn't you?" I said, simply meeting my grandfather's gaze with ease.
"Of course." My grandfather's smirk deepened. "After all, I've known this boy for far longer than you have."
Levi let out a small tch, but my grandmother simply laughed softly. "Come now, let's not overwhelm the poor boy before the event even starts."
My grandfather nodded before giving Levi one last look. "Enjoy yourself tonight, Levi. And don't disappear too soon."
Levi gave a curt nod. "Understood, Dr. Auclair."
As my grandparents walked away, I noticed Levi exhale slightly. Well, only someone who knew him well would catch it.
I smirked slightly, watching as Levi adjusted his cufflinks.
This was only the beginning of the evening.
-Dining Hall-
The dining hall of the Auclair residence was prepared with its usual elegance. Long, polished tables lined with fine china and crystal glasses reflecting the warm glow of the chandeliers above.
This wasn't a large-scale event with high-profile guests and unnecessary extravagance. This was just family.
A quiet hum of conversation filled the room as everyone took their seats. Levi, who had been standing beside me, followed my lead as I made my way towards my usual place at the table.
"Sit wherever you like." I murmured to him, though I was well aware that most eyes were still lingering on him.
Ray, who had been scanning the room with mild amusement, slid into a seat without hesitation. Levi, however, took a brief glance around before settling into the empty chair beside me.
I noticed the slight pause from some relatives, though no one openly commented.
The atmosphere shifted slightly as my grandfather, seated at the head of the table, lightly tapped his wine glass, signalling for attention.
A hush fell over the room as all eyes turned to him.
"Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any to start," he said with an amused tone. "Another year, another gathering. And while I may be getting older, at least I still have the pleasure of seeing all my beloved family members under one roof."
There were murmurs of agreement and a few light chuckles from the table.
My grandmother, ever graceful, smiled beside him. "It's rare for us all to be together like this. That alone is something to be grateful for."
My grandfather nodded before his gaze flickered in my direction.
"Charles," he addressed, voice carrying an almost expectant tone. "I trust you've been doing well?"
I inclined my head slightly. "I have, grandfather."
His eyes then moved slightly, just enough to glance at the figure sitting beside me. "And it seems you've brought an interesting guest this time."
A few more murmurs rippled through the table. I could practically feel some of my cousins sneaking glances at Levi, waiting to see how he would respond.
Levi, however, remained unfazed.
"Tch. You already knew I was coming." He said bluntly, meeting my grandfather's gaze without hesitation.
A brief pause. Then, my grandfather let out a deep chuckle.
"I did."
He didn't elaborate further, instead raising his glass.
"Well then, let's not waste any more time. A toast, to family, to another year, and to the moments that bring us together."
Everyone raised their glasses in response, echoing sentiment.
Levi, after a brief hesitation, reached for his own glass. I caught the flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before he clinked his glass against mine.
The dinner had begun.
The clinking of silverware against fine china filled the dining hall as the Auclair family settled into easy conversation. Despite the subtle tension that had accompanied Levi's arrival, it had quickly dissipated into the usual atmosphere of familial chatter.
"It's been a while since we were all together like this." One of my uncles mused, swirling his wine glass. "With how busy everyone is, it almost feels like a rare occasion."
"Rare, but not impossible," Christine added smoothly. "And certainly not one to be missed."
"Right. Says the one who's living the farthest." Chris added, and everyone chuckled while Christine just gave a simple glare.
I nodded slightly in agreement, though I could feel the occasional glances being thrown in Levi's direction. This is definitely different from my birthday dinner. Maybe it's because the whole family is here tonight. Everyone here already knew who he was.
The great Levi Ackerman.
"It's quite the surprise to see you here, Mr. Ackerman." Harry finally spoke up, his tone polite but inquisitive. "Though I suppose it shouldn't be, considering you've joined us before."
Levi, mid-sip of his drink, raised an eyebrow but didn't seem particularly fazed.
"Just call me Levi outside, Harry." Levi corrected, placing his glass down. "And yeah, I've been here before. What about it?"
Harry blinked at his bluntness before letting out a small chuckle. "Nothing, really. It's just… we don't often have someone from another influential family joining us outside of formal events."
Chris, ever the instigator, leaned in slightly with a smirk. "And yet, Levi here has been showing up for Charles' birthday dinner too. Isn't that interesting?"
I shot Chris a look, but he only grinned wider. I didn't expect my brother would act like this.
Levi clicked his tongue. "Tch. Didn't realise it was such a big deal."
"It's not." I said flatly, steering the conversation away before everyone could dig further.
But then again, another person spoke, which was my mother.
"Levi dear," she addressed him smoothly, her voice carrying the elegance she was known for. "I imagine your work keeps you busy, but tell me, have you been well?"
"Levi glanced at her briefly, then gave a short nod. "I'm fine. Busy, but that's nothing new."
My father, who had been listening silently, finally interjected. "And yet, you made time to be here."
A subtle pause settled over the table.
Levi met his gaze evenly, not a flicker of hesitation in his expression. "I did."
The simple answer held more weight than anything else he could have said.
My father studied him for a moment longer before nodding slightly, as if silently accepting something unspoken.
The conversation eventually moved on, shifting toward work, travel, and recent events among our extended family. Levi remained mostly quiet, only occasionally responding when directly addressed.
At some point, I felt Ray nudge my arm slightly. When I glanced at him, he smirked.
"Like always, your family really does like testing the waters, huh?" He murmured low enough only I could hear.
"They always do." I muttered back.
Levi, seemingly sensing our exchange, flicked his gaze towards me briefly. I wasn't sure if he had caught what was said, but his expression remained unreadable.
The evening continued like that. Casual, but with layers of unsaid thoughts beneath the surface.
As dinner wound down, people began shifting to more relaxed seating in the lounge area.
Levi had handled the attention better than expected. He was polite when necessary, observant when left alone, and effortlessly unreadable to most. But then, I noticed he quietly slipped away from the main after he had enough of everything.
I found him on the balcony, leaning against the railing, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He really loves whiskey, I must say.
The cool night breeze ruffled his dark hair slightly, carrying the distant hum of the city beyond the estate's vast gardens. He didn't turn when I stepped outside, but I knew he was aware of my presence.
"Escaping already?" I asked, moving to stand beside him.
Levi exhaled, swirling the whiskey in his glass before taking a slow sip. "Tch. Just needed a break. Too many eyes in there."
I smirked. "You are quite the centre of attention tonight instead of my grandfather."
"Not by choice," he muttered, setting his glass down on the railing. "The Auclair Clan's something else, you know that? I didn't meet all of them during your birthday dinner."
"Well, you're handling it better than I expected." I said, leaning against the railing.
"Tch." He crossed his arms, gaze distant. "Your grandparents, your mother, and your siblings are fine, your father's sharp. The rest? I don't care for the pointless small talk.
I chuckled. "I figured as much."
A comfortable silence settled between us, the faint music from inside filtering through the open doors.
Then, Levi spoke again, his voice quieter. "So, why did you invite me?"
"What do you mean?" I turned my head slightly.
"You could've come alone. Your family obviously wasn't expecting me at first. And it's not like you needed me here." His gaze flickered to mine, unreadable. "So why?"
I considered his words for a moment before replying. "Because I wanted you here."
-Levi POV-
"Because I wanted you here." Haruka said, and there was no hesitation in his words.
I didn't know what I had been expecting, but that answer, so simple yet certain, made me pause.
I looked away first, scoffing. "Tch. That's a vague answer."
"And yet, you still showed up."
I clicked my tongue, reaching for my drink again. "Yeah, well… someone had to make sure you didn't get bored to death."
He let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, that must be right." He said, while looking at the night sky.
I leaned against the railing again, fingers tapping lightly against my glass. "You owe me for this, Haru-chan."
Before Haruka could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps cut through the night.
"Sneaking off to the balcony in the middle of the event? How scandalous."
TO BE CONTINUED!!!