Chapter Text
The city is huge and bustling with life, it surrounds the whole palace. The marketplace itself is full of people and colors, different kinds of foods, meats, vegetables and exotic fruits that Levi has never seen before. People are shouting trying to get attention to the people walking around.
Their clothes are different, like they are living in a different time – women are wearing dresses and men with their medieval trousers. He was thankful for the Elemetal’s quick thinking earlier before they entered the gates. Levi is wearing a long deep forest green cloak on top of his ‘earthly’ clothes as what Eren would say. The cloak reaches his feet enough to cover him and not trip over it.
Somehow, Levi could see how different Eren is to the rest of the population. The way he walks and moves in general is different than others. Levi can’t explain it but there’s an unearthly air that surrounds him and the way he seemed to glow when basked under the sun. People would double take and take a look at the Elemental, some would blush and giggle especially the girls. He’s handsome – Levi admits to himself.
Levi was not staring or ogling. No, he wouldn’t call it like that; observation is the better word for it.
They walked along the streets straight along the slope leading to the castle. Levi already asked earlier why the castle’s like on top of a mountain. The visitor could see the castle even from afar. Eren explained that this was for strategic purposes that if someone were to attack the kingdom it’ll be hard for them to reach the castle due to its terrain and it would give the guards of the castle a clear view of the enemy if that ever happens.
It makes sense for Levi. You could see everything on top after all.
♣♣♣
The castle is a sight to behold, a stronghold of bricks and woods. The front section of the whole expanse of the castle is open to the public. They have shrines and a park where you can play around the small pond or just relish the beauty of nature and the cinematic view overseeing the whole kingdom. It was breathtaking.
As soon as Eren entered, the guards stood in attention with their right hand against their chest and the other at the back. Eren smiled at them and nodded in acknowledgement. After being acknowledged, their eyes turn to Levi confused but curious. Levi chose to ignore them and walked closer beside Eren.
They continued walking further into the castle while Eren explains some stuff that Levi’s having a hard time digesting the information. The more he steps into the castle the more he realizes that this is neither Trost nor Earth and it’s freaking him out. He is thankful that Eren keeps talking, if he isn’t Levi would’ve gone crazy.
The forest alone is dangerous especially at night according to Eren and that Levi’s lucky he found the Elemental.
Levi clearly remembered what Eren said earlier.
“This world has been at war with an unknown force for years. It already swallowed my family and my kingdom. I’m the only survivor.” Eren said.
“I’m sorry.” Levi offered his condolences. He knows what he feels about losing someone but the whole kingdom along with your family is just devastating.
“It’s fine.” Eren smiled sadly. Then he frowned and burrowed his eyebrows glaring “I’ll kill him. Whoever or whatever is causing this, I’ll kill him. I can’t let it destroy my new home.” His knuckles white from anger.
Levi felt fear at that time and he doesn’t get scared easily. Levi turned to see Eren who was not moving. Levi’s eyes widened with awe and a chill went down his spine when he saw Eren’s eyes, those golden eyes glowing with anger. He can’t stop looking at it. Then he turned away when Eren closed his eyes trying to calm his self.
When he opened his eyes again, it was back to its original teal color. Eren smiled and continued walking.
♣♣♣
“Prince Armin, Prince Eren is here to see you.” A royal servant announced, bowing slightly.
Armin, who’s bored from talking to officials all day perked up. “He has returned! Let him inside.”
Not a moment later Eren sauntered through the prince’s chamber like it’s his home, greeting the blonde prince. “Greetings, Prince Armin.”
The blonde prince became wary of Eren’s way of greeting him and he knows that if Eren greets him formally it means there’s something he wants to tell him privately. His councilors are still in the chamber so he ordered them in his authoritative voice, “Leave.”
The whole kingdom knows that he’s a soft-spoken and gentle prince, people especially nobles would always take advantage of this that’s why at a very young age he mastered how to manipulate them strategically. People who are close to him like Eren would call him cunning.
Once all the councilors and servants left, he immediately got up and went to a private room behind his seat covered by a handmade clothed divider.
He was surprised when someone was already there sitting in a chair near the window wearing a cloak. The mysterious person noticed him and stood up. The blonde prince was followed immediately by Eren who came to the mysterious person’s side.
“Armin, I want you to meet Levi.” Eren smiled as he introduced Levi. “He is–”
“Is your bride?” Armin asked smirking at Eren’s face turning red. This is the first time he saw Eren brought someone inside the castle and to top it all off, Eren gave his cloak to Levi. Giving your cloak, especially if you’re a noble or Elemental is a gesture of intent of marrying the person you put your cloak on to.
Eren instantly blushed at the prince’s question. “N-no, it is not! Why would you say such thing? I-I uh I… He’s not from here; he’s from a place called Earth. He’s the one we’ve been waiting for Armin!”
Levi wonders how Eren could be an adorable embarrassing mess to an excited boy then turned to look at the blonde prince who’s smiling fondly at the brunet.
“I know, I can guess from his peculiar haircut. And Eren, he’s the one YOU have been waiting for. I’m the one who dreamt of the premonition; YOU are the one who has been dreaming of this boy.” Armin replied.
Eren blushed again but didn’t say anything he knows it was the truth. He had been dreaming of Levi around the same time Armin dreamt of the premonition, a warning that might save from or lead the whole kingdom into the unknown darkness.
Then Armin looked at Levi with a calculating look.
“I hope your presence will mean peace and victory against our enemy” said Armin.
It confuses Levi. “I don’t even know why I’m here, or how did I get here. I just want to go back home. I was hoping you can find a way for me to go back.”
Armin gave a small smile, “I wish I could be of help but this is the first time someone from another world ‘visited’ us. Nevertheless, I, we will help you get back to your world.”
Great, now I’m stuck in this place. I was hoping this prince could help me but do I really want to go home? There’s nothing left for me there, I was supposed to die in that world. Last thing I remembered was me falling to my death. Levi thought.
“Levi, you should rest for now. You do not look good.” Eren suggested.
“That would be wise. My servant will usher you to your room, just tell her everything you need.” Armin said gesturing for a servant to come inside and instructed her to take care of Levi.
Levi was reluctant to go. This place is unknown to him, he feels lost. He turned to look at Eren who’s talking to Armin.
Eren noticed his apprehensive look and smiled. “Do not worry. I will see you at once after I talk to Armin.”
This gave Levi a small comfort. He nodded and went to follow the servant.
The walk to Levi’s room was quiet but the servant girl would turn his head around a few times to Levi, giving him weird looks. Levi rolled his eyes.
Yeah, I’m not from here. Fuck off.
The room presented to him was the biggest room Levi saw in his life; it’s bigger than the Smith’s master’s bedroom. He gazed his eyes around the room. The bed itself looks amazingly soft and comfy; on its top is a bundle of different sizes of white silk fluffy pillows and a crisp white and purple thick blanket. The wall behind it hangs a painting of a castle with a garden full of flowers surrounding the castle. Levi could feel the warmth plastered all over it like you’re really in that place and not just a painting. It was a masterpiece.
The queen size bed is placed directly in front of a huge window, covering the whole wall, draped with gold and purple curtains and its intricate design. The floor is tiled with white shiny marbles; you could see your reflection on it. The far side of the room is a door and adjacent to it is a white door that probably leads to the bathroom base from its design. The other side of the room has a desk with scattered papers and books stacked haphazardly on the desk and the floor. To its side is a forest green couch framed with white-painted wood. It was the only messy part of the room.
“Do you need anything, sir?” the servant asked.
“No, thank you.” Levi replied unsure of what to say.
“If that is all, I will be outside.” The servant gestured a bow and went out the room.
Levi stood in the middle of the room is still confused of what’s going on. It’s as if his brain is just taking all the information but actually not processing anything.
Maybe a bath is all I need. He thought.
He went to the bathroom and was mesmerized by its marble walls, there’s a small window perched up high up the wall and under it is a big white ceramic tub. There’s a toilet to Levi’s left side and a counter, probably where the towels are located. In front of the toilet is a sink embedded within a block of a big cube-like marble.
Levi moved closer the tub, he was thankful there was just two simple golden taps. He doesn’t want to call out the servant just to prepare him a bath like the one he sees in the movies.
The raven-haired stripped off his cloak and placed it neatly on the counter along with his other garments and his sharp knife. Not long after, he’s stark naked alone in the bathroom. He carefully turned the right tap on, hot water oozes from it, he did the same on the left and cold water came out. He waited for the tub to fill up while minding the water’s temperature. Once, he deemed it finished he tentatively dipped his feet into the tub the water temperature was just right so he didn’t waste time and dipped his whole body into the tub.
Two people could fit in this bath with still enough room to move. Levi thought.
He let himself relax. His foggy mind slowly became clearer. He’s trapped in an unknown world with no means of getting back. Levi sighed not knowing what to do.
He was mulling over things when someone knocked on the door.
He thought it was the servant, he said, “Come in.”
At that moment Levi realized the door has no lock. The door slowly opened and it revealed a reluctant Eren smiling awkwardly.
“Levi…” the way Eren said his name made his chest warm. Instead of being bashful, Levi ignored the part that he’s naked in the tub since he saw Eren practically naked when they were in the river earlier.
“What are you doing here? Are you done talking to Armin?” Levi asked, still not getting out of the comfort of the warm water.
Eren finally got over his embarrassment and opened the door wide and stood up straight. “Yes. I was intending to find your room but I did not expect the servant to usher you here in my room.”
“This is your room?” is all Levi could say, he was also not expecting that. He should’ve noticed it when he saw the messy desk. He was too out of it to process anything.
“Yes. But do not worry. Do you wish your garments to be washed? It seems filthy.” Eren asked looking at the neatly folded clothes on the counter.
Levi then realized, yes his clothes are in fact disgustingly filthy. “Yeah, that would be nice.”
Eren smiled brightly and took his clothes silently. It was already too late when Levi realized that his underwear is somewhere under his pile of clothes.
”Well, fuck.” Levi mumbled to himself.
♣♣♣
Eren and Levi were invited for dinner that night but Levi was reluctant to go.
“What seems to be worrying you, Levi?” Eren asked.
“Do I have to go to that fucking dinner? I don’t know shit about table etiquette.” Levi complained. He is now wearing one of Eren’s old clothes since they couldn’t find any clothes that would fit Levi. He’s wearing a cream white long sleeve collar shirt and a pair of trousers that Eren would never admit but it was his pants when he was in his younger teens.
Eren gave him a reassuring smiled, “Our presence is needed there. But be at peace, I will be with you.”
“Huh? What the fuck are you talking about?” Levi said as he closed his arms across his chest.
“You see, I was not intending to but I gave you my cloak…” Eren trailed off but continued when he saw Levi raising an eyebrow. “Giving you my cloak means I-I intend to marry you and I somewhat, without knowing, ahh… announced to the whole kingdom that you are to be my bride as we were walking through the streets earlier this day.” Eren explained. His face is getting redder after every word spoken.
So that explains the weird looks… Levi thought.
“Can’t you just give me food and you go to the dinner?” Levi said still uncomfortable about the whole dinner thing. He has seen to many movies to know how royal dinner works and being formal is not Levi’s style.
“Unfortunately, that is not possible.” Eren replied.
“Why?”
“Because the Royal Family, I mean the King and Queen, is requesting to see you.”
Levi covered his face with his right palm and let out a frustrated sigh. He has no escape to this. Its nerve wracking to meet the king and the queen but if he plans to stay here for a while, he should at least be polite to them.
“Fine. But don’t fucking expect me to know shit about table etiquette.” Levi finally said after contemplating.
“Do not worry, the King and the Queen are kind people.” Eren tried to reassure him.
“Whatever. Where are we going?” Levi said impatiently.
“We need to go to the main castle.” Eren started but is abruptly stopped by Levi.
“You mean this is not ‘the’ castle? How many fucking castles are there?” Levi just gets getting surprises in every turn and his mind isn’t catching up that fast.
“The entire castle is divided into different chambers and quarters. It is a maze on its own. This part is the prince’s quarters. It is his place of work. Towards the east is the princess’ chamber. You see, Prince Armin has a younger sister. You will meet her during dinner.” Eren explained as they walk through a maze-like hall.
Levi only nodded in response while Eren smiles back. They walked the halls quietly.
♣♣♣
“Where is this person you speak of, Armin?” the queen asked.
“They are coming, mother.” Armin replied. And not a moment too soon the door opened announcing the arrival of the two awaited guests.
“I apologize, my King, my Queen… We were discussing some things.” Eren spoke as soon as he’s near the dining table, bowing in honor of the King. Levi soon followed but didn’t speak. In fact, he can’t speak at all. His mind is in disarray when he saw the king’s face. He couldn’t believe his eyes, the familiar face, those blue calculating eyes, broad shoulders whom he depended several times before, Erwin Smith. The only difference is that in this realm he looks older and has a long hair tied behind his back.
“Oh, is this your bride, Eren?” the king’s voice boomed throughout the dining hall.
Eren blushed, not entirely sure what to say to the King so instead, he smiled and ushered Levi towards the empty chair by putting his hands behind Levi’s lower back. Levi can’t help but stare at the king.
What is he doing here? H-how? What the heck is going on?
Eren noticed his anxiousness and eyed him with concern. Levi gave a quipped smile.
They all sat in the table, the king at the head of the table to his right side is the queen and the princess, to his left is Armin, then Eren and Levi.
As they eat their dinner, Levi can’t help but observe the king. He really looks like Erwin. He also noticed that this guy is more laidback than the Erwin he knows, he would laugh more and gives advices that may or may not be a joke. It was refreshing yet weird at the same time.
“So, Eren what is the name of your bride?” the king asks.
Eren almost choke with the King’s question. He drank his wine before he answered, “My King, my apologies but Levi is not my bride rather he’s a foreigner from another place. Giving him my cloak is our way of hiding his strange clothing.”
“Is that so then it is better for him to stay as your bride. Not everyone in this kingdom is very welcoming to foreigners.” The king replied seriously.
It’s true. Since the destruction of East Kingdom, Eren’s hometown, and the appearance of the mysterious being; human trafficking is getting more and more rampant. Before, people from different kingdoms can freely go everywhere and trade but times have changed. It all changed when humans were mysteriously taken and was never to be seen again. Hundreds of missing person reports is filed every week and their usual targets are foreigners or tourists.
Eren nodded grimly. Even though he was bestowed to be an elemental, he is powerless against these problems.
“Is that acceptable for you, Levi? This is for your protection after all.” the King turns his attention to Levi and asked.
Levi snapped back to attention and answered, “Y-yes, s-sire.”
The king smiled and nodded. “So tell me, Levi. Where are you from?”
Levi hesitated to answer. He looks at Eren asking if it’s alright to answer honestly. Eren just gave him a reassuring nod. “I’m from Earth, sire.”
The whole royal family was surprised, except for Armin who already knew about Levi’s case. Levi already anticipated this reaction so he was not really surprised. What startled him is the princess’ reaction, she went rigid and her face turned white.
“Father, may I speak?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She then turns to face Levi warily. “H-how did you arrive here?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. The last time I remembered, I was falling from a building. I thought I was gonna die but when I woke up I’m already here.” Levi answered.
Her face turned grim, “Y-you have been sent here by someone.”
“What do you mean?” Eren asked this time.
“Someone has called him to be here. I do not know who but HE will only bring despair to the kingdom and to you Prince Eren.” she answered, her face stern.
Levi got more confused, he doesn’t have any idea why he’s here. And now he just heard the princess telling him that he will cause despair to everyone. He suddenly lost his appetite. Everything is swirling around his head and no one can give him any answers.
“How could Levi do that? He does not have the power to cause any of that.” Eren defended Levi, his fist clenched tightly under the table.
“I do not mean any harm, Prince Eren. I am but only telling you what I have seen from the future.”
“Then it does not mean it would happen. I will make sure that it will not.” Eren said firmly, leaving none for any arguments.
They continued eating silently after that. The princess is known for her gift of divination and what Eren wouldn’t admit is that none of her foretelling was false. It all came true.
Everyone silently thinks about Levi’s appearance to their world. Who brought him here? Why is he here? Will it bring them harm or peace, no one knows. But one thing is for sure, Eren’s going to protect Levi no matter what.