Chapter Text
The big brown doors of Mitras burst open as Kiyomi enters with an excited expression on her face. "I have news for you all! Listen up, especially you Lady Mikasa!"
Everyone in the room was sitting in several round tables as they turned to look back and forth from Kiyomi to Mikasa, a confused face on everyone's faces. "Kiyomi-san.. What's this about?" To be honest, Mikasa was a little worried it was another one of Kiyomi's suggestions for her to move to Hizuru.
Kiyomi composed herself and handed a white letter with a fancy sticker to Commander Hange. Reiner's eyes widen, "Could be it be a love lette- OW!" Annie smacks him in the head. "Shut up."
Hange then begins to open the fancy letter. Drei offers Hange a letter opener. Hange mutters a Thanks before they clear their throat.
"To the people of Paradis Island,
I see Lady Kiyomi has taken a liking to you. We have been informed of the descendant of the Shogun clan that Kiyomi agreed to meet in exchange of Zeke's Jaeger's plan." Mikasa flinches and tries to cover up her wrist with her other hand. Eren and Armin send her worried glances.
"But worry not! This letter wasn't meant for anything like that. As the royal family of Hizuru, we want to give you a invite to our homeland. A grand ball shall be held to celebrate our coming to terms for peace. Hopefully Queen Historia and Lady Mikasa can attend too. There is someone I'd like her to meet. He's a very charming prince." Eren resisted the urge to protest as his fists tightened a bit.
"Yours truly, The Royal Family."
Incoherent chattering from people in the room can be heard as the crowd think about the request.
"Are you sure it's not a trap?" "They probably just want to gain our trust.." "I think it's worth gaining their trust too." "A little fun won't hurt right?" "Fools! They will obviously trap us in their land once they are done."
"Okay, okay! Calm down everyone!" Hange exclaims, as all eyes are on them again. "I'm going to have Queen Historia approve of this so she can make the decision. Please take a seat for now."
The room is now silent as Hange exits the meeting room on their way to the queen.
After a few hours of waiting, Hange reappears in the big crowded room with the queen, Ymir following behind her. Everyone gave their finest salute while Hange gave Historia the queue to speak.
All attention was focused on Historia as a smile formed upon her lips. "I have accepted the offer Hizuru has given us. I truly think this will benefit the reputation of Paradis. And personally, I think you all deserve to enjoy once in a while. I will be attending as well! I hope we all enjoy ourselves."
Sasha raises her hand like a student, "Will there be free food?!"
Historia chuckles, "Of course Sasha! And to those who want to attend, please inform anyone in the higher ranks before friday. The party will be held at 6 PM. Now if you will excuse me."
And just like that, Historia leaves the room. Hange steps in, looking very enthused. "Well? Told you it would be fine. Now get those outfits ready cuz' theres no chance Levi is letting us go to a ball looking like this!" Everyone nods in agreement.
"I'm so excited!," Sasha jumps, "Aren't you Niccolo?"
Niccolo looks at Sasha a bit bashfully, "Well.. I was invited beforehand to be in charge of the food..."
Sasha looks at him with her mouth agape. "No way! The food is gonna be great!" A drool escapes her mouth, "I can taste it already.." A tiny blush makes it's way to Niccolo's face. "J-Just don't eat too wildly okay?!"
"You got it boss!" Sasha clumsily puts her fist to her chest and salutes with a smile evident on her features.
Everyone then returns to their rooms to prepare for the big day tomorrow.
Mikasa dropped down on her white queen-sized bed as she absentmindedly played with the edges of the bandage on her wrist. Underneath lying her important heritage. Sighs, sometimes she just wished things were simpler. All she ever wanted to do was live a peaceful life anyway.
Her life as a soldier and supposed Hizuru ruler has lessened her opportunities of acting like a normal girl. Because of this, she has a hard time letting out her true feelings, always afraid of ruining something. Like that beautiful night at the refugee camp when Eren asked her what he is to he-
The door creaks open.
"Mikasa?" The concerned voice of her best friend snapped her out of her thoughts. Armin looked worried. "Are you okay? You've been staring at your wrist since this morning... Eren is worried too you know?"
Mikasa didn't realize how long she was dozing off. She felt guilty now, she made both of them worry about her again... "I'm fine, nothing to worry about. Just organizing my thoughts.. that's all."
Armin let out a small nod, despite knowing there was something she wasn't telling him. But he didn't want to push her, he rather wait for her to tell him when she's ready.
"How about you Armin..? You seem to be worried too.." Armin looks at her a bit surprised. Looks like she read right through him.
An inevitable blush creeps on Armin's face as he contemplates on telling her or not. "Please don't laugh..." Mikasa, confused, simply nods.
"Well, I kinda want to ask Annie to dance tomorrow.. But I don't know how to dance! I don't even know how to invite her... I'm such an idiot, dancing shouldn't even be hard. But I'm sure I might accidentally step on her dress or something."
Armin's face is so red right now he almost thinks it can rival Mikasa's scarf. Why was expressing feelings so hard?! If he can't even tell this to Mikasa, he should just give up on asking Annie.
Using all his courage, Armin turns to Mikasa again. She has a grin on her face as if shes tying to stop her laughter.
Armin couldn't help but laugh as well, "I said don't laugh!"
"I'm sorry! It's just.." Mikasa composes herself again, then puts a reassuring hand on top of Armin's. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure Annie loves that clumsily side of yours. Just be yourself."
Armin exhales after laughing so much. "I guess you're right. Thanks, Mikasa."