The clacking sound of heels on wooden floor echoed even sometimes in the hallways of the Survey Corps headquarters. And today was such a day.

The closer the raven haired man approached a certain room, the louder the fast impatient sounds got. Seems like she was in a hurry and no doubt she had to if they didn't wanted to be late. Checking his pocket watch Levi Ackerman sighed. Everyone else was ready already and waiting inside the two carriages they had called to pick them up. Everyone was ready besides her, the main person in question, 14th Commander Hanji Zoe.

Levi himself was wearing a black long twill Victorian tail coat suit with pointy ends at the back. A white shirt under it along with his white cravat around his neck and black pants with black lack shoes to finish off his perfect appearance. His hairstyle remained the same besides having freshly washed hair and being combed to perfection. A dark green handkerchief was tucked neatly into his breast pocket.

Reaching with his hand out he knocked shortly but loudly enough at the door to announce himself before stepping inside.

"Hanji I'm coming in. Are you still not ready yet-?"

He wanted to say more but his voice was left stuck in his throat upon laying his eyes at the brunette standing in front of the big mirror in her room.

She was wearing a red sleeveless A-line dress hugging her slim figure nicely while her neckline was a straight across one line, pushing her breasts nicely up and giving everyone a good view if your eyes would wander below inside her cleavage. A big red rose design attachment on her dress was on her right breast side to make her dress even more special and standing out. Her hands were covered in black long silk gloves up to her shoulders, fitting to her black eye patch she wore. Her red high heels were the same color as her dress.

Levi noticed she kept wearing her glasses, her make up was light and decent just the way Levi liked it in secret. Her beauty was not determined by him by her outta appearance or how much make up she wore but what was within her heart. Lightly red lips, a mysterious lavender perfume Levi could smell from where he was standing, along with a pair of drop design gold earnings with a green stone inside was all she needed to be stunning.

Her hair was freshy washed as well Levi noticed but it seems like the beautiful woman in question in front of him had still a problem with her hair. Ponytail or no ponytail.

"Hanji. Are you listening?"

"Huh?" Finally registering the intruder in her room Hanji stopped with her hair and let it fall down to her shoulders before turning around to face him. "Levi!? Why are you here?"

"It's time to go, idiot."

Making his way up to her Levi grabbed her comb on her dresser along the way to her before he started doing his work. Pulling a chair with him he placed it behind Hanji and made her sit down. It would be awkward because of her heels she was having a even bigger height difference to overcome for him. Before she would see him get on his tip toes to be able to comb her hair properly Levi made use of the chair to clear up his problem. Combing her hair gently he watched her reflection from the mirror. She was quiet and he could see how she was picking around with her fingers at her dress nervously.

"Don't act this nervously at the ball. These Sina rich pigs will notice it."

His words made her stop and Hanji grimaced, biting her lower lip.

"I know but I can't help it. This is the first time... without Erwin and me as his replacement.."

Putting her hair up into her ponytail Levi stepped away to get something from her bedside table. Coming back Hanji's eyes widened seeing how Levi put Erwin's bolo tie around her neck.

"No one can replace Erwin. Not me and not you. But you are the new Commander Erwin decided to be. Something I could never shoulder myself is your job now. Erwin knows you can do it so don't let him down... I know you can do it and I'm here if you need help."

"Levi..."

In a matter of seconds Hanji had gotten up from her chair, she had turned her body so fast around, resulting into the chair being knocked over and hitting the ground with a loud bang. Not caring about the chair or the mess she had created Hanji was throwing her arms around Levi. She hugged him tightly, burring her body into his chest.

She felt Levi slowly move his arms around her waist and hold her close, making her blush a little.

"Oi, don't start sobbing now or you will ruin your make up, even if it is decent what you are wearing."

Pulling himself away, Levi touched her cheek lightly to make her look up at him and being able to press his lips gently against her black eye patch before he took a few steps backwards and held his arm out to hear to take, in the same manner any gentlemen would do to escort his date.

"Shall we go now?"

Whipping carefully a single tear away from her good eye Hanji smiled brightly at him while she reached her hand out to him, accepting his offer happily.

"Yes, let's go and get us some funds!"

While Mikasa, Eren, Jean, Armin, Connie, Sasha and Floch were riding in one carriage Levi and the Commander Hanji took the carriage at the front for themselves alone. Commander privileges Levi said as he helped Hanji step inside the carriage and monitored for the others to take the carriage behind them.

To be honest Levi was against taking the young adults with them but because they were the heroes of retaking back Wall Maria and the only survivors along with the two Veterans the Queen herself Historia demanded them to be present at today's ball. Historia was present as well as far as they heard and so Hanji and Levi suspected she wanted to see her friends as well, which they of course couldn't just refuse could they? These brats deserved it.

During the ride a comfortable silence surrounded Levi and Hanji. They sat across from each other, Hanji was looking out of the window and at all the lights coming from the many windows from the houses they passed. Levi's eyes on the other hand had moved away from the view outside the carriage window and was stuck on her.

He didn't know why but the way the light was reflected in her chocolate brown eye while she looked out the window mesmerized him and took his breath away. Her red dress she wore and how she did rest her chin against the palm of her hand... and those red lips.. damn if he could Levi would get up from his seat and just move up to her and kiss her. But now was not the time. Such feelings he shouldn't feel right now.. even if they were already something in between the boundaries of friends and more.

What were they?

Ever since Erwin and Moblit died and they had no one left something changed. Ever since than they relied only on each other and spend even more time together than before.

Before Levi could ponder even more over his relationship status the carriage had already stopped.

"Seems like we are here and a full house is too."

Hanji's voice pulled him out of his deep thoughts and Levi couldn't help but click his tongue in annoyance.

"Something is bothering you Levi?"

Questioning Levi she eyed him confused, but Levi only shook his head and stepped out of the carriage ahead from her.

"No it's nothing. Come let's go and get this over with. I am not a big fan of crowded places as you know."

Holding his hand out to her Levi helped Hanji out of the cart. Linking hands with her to escort her inside, Hanji gave him a reassuring smile.

"At least we are together in this mess, right?"

"Right... let's hope these brats behind us aren't making any stupid mistakes."

Looking behind himself Levi had a bad feeling already now. Mikasa in her light blue slender mermaid dress and her red scarf she still didn't took off was stuck between Eren and Jean glaring at each other. Armin which tried to calm the two boys down while Connie and Sasha were talking over the food bar already. Sasha wore a green simple dress while all boys wore suits in different colors. Armin wore dark blue with a blue cravat, Eren and Jean black with black ties, Connie wore a dark brown suit with a brown cravat and Floch wore a white suit with a black cravat.

"Oi, brats behave yourselves inside there am I making enough myself clear? I don't want to hear any complains from nobles or fights breaking out over hormonal issues because you will face many fancy woman in dresses and some trying to flirt with you or want to have a dance with you." Levi ignored Mikasa's darkened expression after his words over woman and flirting had left his mouth and continued. "This event is very important for our future reputation and funds for the Survey Corps. Don't mess this up."

Hanji had to chuckle watching how everyone suddenly flinched together and saluted quickly from the Levi's squad. Only Floch was calm but saluted as well.

"Yes, captain!"

"Good."

Levi watched them for a moment longer before he nodded and turned around to move ahead with Hanji leading her inside with the others following right behind them..

"You are so strict Levi. I am sure they know how to behave. Let them have a little fun, dance, eat and maybe even flirt a little around."

At this Levi rolled his eyes.

"I hope not. Hormonal teenagers is the least on my list I would like to have to add now too. What if Mikasa and Sasha end up getting pregnant."

"I cannot say for Sasha for sure but she is rather in love with the food and Mikasa is having all her eyes on Eren which is..."

Hanji looked behind herself and sighed seeing how Eren was talking to Armin and not offering Mikasa a hand like Levi was leading her and Jean would like to do it but got ignored.

"... as blind as usual you mean."

Levi finished the sentence for her knowing what she meant even without having to turn around.

At the gate two guards were standing to confirm the invitations to enter the big mansion with its big garden for this royal ball.

Levi showed their invitations the Survey Corps got and the guards quickly let them through. Hanji's bolo tie making it clear for them as well which who they were dealing with.

Inside they got lead through the spacious hallway until they reached the big ball room. Classical musical was playing from the musicians on the stage, filling the large room with a almost sickening happy atmosphere. Considering they were at war and just outside across the ocean the whole world was waiting to attack them any day, any moment even now it could happen... yet these rich Sina people were thinking nothing over it and partying from day in and day out, throwing their money away for luxury goods and hosting such festivities like this one. They should invest all their money into the military in Levi's eyes and not to fatten each other even more.

"Well everyone shatter and be nice to everyone. Talk to potential funding people and make them give us money if possible. Don't refuse to dance with someone if they offer you to dance with them since it could negative affect us." Hanji said as she looked at each one of her soldiers before she dismissed them.

Sasha eagerly went to the food bar obviously while Connie followed her. The others went their separate ways for now besides Mikasa walking after Eren like a duckling. Shaking her head Hanji sighed and her attention went back to Levi.

"And what shall we do now?"

There wasn't even a pause from Levi to think about it even what to do, instantly answering her.

"Let's be adults for now and greet some nobles and meet up with the Queen first."

"You mean the faster we are done with this at least you can escape in some corner."

Hanji grinned knowing Levi. The noble woman would soon spot him and annoy him just like always it did happen in any ball he had to attend to. He always got many of them to fund the Survey Corps however too.

"Right, this time you can't escape from your fate as Commander." Levi said.

He had already earlier decided for himself to remain by her side which she didn't knew yet however.

Holding onto Levi's arm like the ladies were supposed to do with their partner at the ball, Levi lead her to a certain direction near the the staircase leading up to the second floor and the guest rooms for people which would stay the night. Levi had spotted among the crowd a petite small figure standing out like a sore thumb. Queen Historia was standing with a few noble man and woman there. She wore a white empress dress while her hair was stuck up beautifully just like in her grown ceremony and she wore a tiara in her hair to make it clear who she was even from far away. However this was all for show Levi could tell even from far away. As young adult she felt clearly a little out of place between these rich old nobles, trying to trick her or gain something from the Queen. She was still not seeing anyone which meant they would try to give her suitors from all sides too. Becoming the husband of the young Queen, the King who would say no to this?

Certainly Levi but he was different than them to begin with.

"Queen Historia may we can join this conversation."

Hanji said loud enough to be able to get heard between the music and the little distance they still had to overcome to reach the group.

Looking to the side Historia's eyes widened for a moment before her expression softened and some kind of relieve washed over her.

"Commander Hanji Zoe and Captain Levi Ackerman. You two could make it."

"We just arrived along with the other 'heroes' even if we still hardly call us so, considering our still unchanged situation, being still at war and possible even with a greater foe than before." Hanji said joining and shifting the conversation quickly. She and Levi both noticed Historia's short lit up expression upon hearing these news.

"Really? Than maybe I should go and greet them-"

Already wanting to leave the Queen got stopped by some new arrived nobles, blocking her way. A father with his son.

"Oh my Queen pardon me but my son wanted to meet you and greet you. I just couldn't stop him."

"Dr. Barton from the hospital in Sina and Rose." Historia stammered.

Mr. Barton owned the biggest hospitals in Eldia and saved many life's with his medicine and doctors he had employed and under his wing.

"You remember me, I am honored." He smiled while giving his son a small push. "My son Jeremy will inherit the hospital in Wall Rose as soon as he finishes his studies and is a full fledged doctor. He should be around your age still I believe and only a few years older. He turned 18years this year."

The tall blond boy with his blue eyes took Historia's hand and kissed it. A real charmer, making Historia want to roll her eyes if only she could.

She couldn't see how Levi and Hanji were observing the conversation. Hanji lightly elbowed Levi to get his attention next to her.

The raven eyed her from the corner of his eyes while acting like he listed to what these nobles from earlier tried to tell him.

"Levi go do something. I will stay here and keep these guys busy."

Telling him so much only he understood this much just by the way she was looking at him while nodding her head once to Historia's direction. Levi clicked his tongue and moved away from Hanji. She already had let go off his arm as well to let him leave, much to his dismay.

"If you would please excuse me for a moment."

And with those words Levi was gone and it seems like not a minute too late.

From the corner of her eyes Hanji observed Levi approaching them. She saw how the younger male, probably the guys son had kissed Historia's hand and told her something she didn't seemed to like, her body expression was immediately all tensed up. But this all changed as Levi appeared next to her and held his hand out to her and after some words seemed to have succeeded, now dragging Historia down to the dance floor and away from the father and son group. They didn't looked pleased.

Levi on the other hand wasn't very pleased with the current situation either. Getting ready in position he waited for Historia to hold onto him as well so he could lead her into the dance.

"Tch, I thought I did teach you better than that to not get yourself into trouble like this. Some males are dangerous and simply pigs, especially those."

Lecturing her while they danced along the music carefully, Historia puffed her cheeks in annoyance.

"I know that! I had this situation under control even without you arriving to take a dance with me before him. I'm the Queen Historia Reiss. I'm not the weak little Krista Lenz anymore."

At this Levi raised a single eyebrow. "Oh really? Hanji certainly felt different as she send me over."

"Hanji did?"

Levi nodded.

"I suppose I still have to thank you two... but don't worry I'm fine. I can handle the situation. It was an order to become Queen and face my past, right? Even if I must still say lifting me up in this rough manner was not needed."

"It worked however and let you grew up into a fine Queen so far."

Hearing the captain's sudden praise surprised Historia. She almost dripped over her dress because it took her so much off guard but Levi kept her balanced.

"Oi, don't fall on your ass. I don't want to be a even bigger asshole having all attention on me because I let the Queen fall on the ground and end up into jail." Levi growled as he looked a little around past Historia and always to a certain direction. Even Historia noticed it and chuckled.

"Why are you chuckling brat?"

"Nothing. I'm sorry for keeping you busy captain... where are the others?"

"Spotted Sasha and Connie with Armin next to the food banquet area. I will guide us close to it until the song has ended to let you see them. This is what you wanted, right?"

It wasn't really a question but a matter of fact. Levi knew even without the petite blond to say anything he was right.

"You still owe me now for taking my first dance with you."

"But Commander ordered you and you will not disobey her, I assume." Historia said while thinking the last part only in her head. 'Or better to say because Hanji asked you to do it and you would have preferred to have your first dance with her and protect her instead of me. He is really not honest reminding me of someone else... I wonder if Mikasa made ant process with Eren...'

Rolling his gray blueish eyes Levi guided her slowly but surely near the food stand while they danced.

"Tch, right. Now let's get this over with and get you to your friends."

As soon as the song had ended they separated and Historia could spot already her friends smiling earnestly from ear to ear. Levi couldn't help but let his lips curve up a little. Historia with handling the orphanage and the duties deserved a little bit of peace like this. He was already about to take his leave and return to Hanji as Historia stopped him and called out to him.

"Captain wait!"

Turning around he saw her taking something out of her silk gloves and toss at him. Levi catches the small object with ease, revealing a small key resting now in the palm of his hand.

"You can have it if you ever need to escape to have some privacy. It's a room to one of the guest rooms upstairs. I will just say I lost the key and they will assign me to a different room. See it as apology for taking the first dance from you Captain. Have a nice remaining evening. It was nice seeing you, I wish I could have talked with Commander Hanji more."

And with those words the blond Queen turned around and quickly vanished away from the crowd and to her three friends. Levi shortly watched them to start happily chatting with each other before his eye's traveled back down to the room key in his hand and he safety put it away in his right pants pocket.

"Privacy.. damn cheeky brat and your implying words."

Meanwhile Hanji's attention strayed more and more off the longer Levi was gone. She had started talking with more nobles and possible funders or old funders she needed to keep on funding the Survey Corps despite Erwin being gone.

"Is there something the matter Miss Commander Hanji Zoe? I asked a question about what the next move of the Survey Corps would be now?"

Quickly turning her attention back to the tall black haired noble Hanji laughed nervously.

"I apologize. My mind was elsewhere wondering where the Captain would be. I think he could answer quite a few questions too, maybe even better than me... About our future plans we are still construction those. Knowing we are surrounded by the ocean and with the Marley's betrayers joining forces with us we must be careful."

"I don't trust these people at all."

Gulping down from his wine a shorter but very fat Sina noble scoffed, followed by others Hanji was grouped together with.

"I heard they want to propose some kind of plan. Is this true?"

"... yes, we do not know yet what sort of plan this is. But they have better technology than us unfortunately and we do benefit from those." Hanji said, all the while her eyes were scanning the dance floor but she couldn't spot her short partner anymore.

"Or get killed by those."

"But if we refuse them all blindly-." Another began to speak.

"We should just have closed the walls off maybe years ago."

Not again these words Hanji thought. She didn't trusted these new people either yet, but if they continue reject the world they would get killed sooner or later. They needed to advance and try to understand each other to find an agreement.

Hanji was about to open her mouth to protest as a sudden hand grabbed her shoulder. Thinking it is Levi her heart skipped a beat almost until her expression fell, seeing familiar red hair.

"Lev-!? Floch!?"

"Commander I saw you all alone and so.. would you like something to drink? The food and wine is really good. Holding a freshly filled glass of wine under her nose he offered it to her kindly.

"... thank you Floch... I suppose since you are here I should introduce you than to these famous people then. This is Mr. Weiss a author, this is Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman, their company builds parts for our military 3DMG and Mr. Reims to your right with his fiancee I just happened to learn and congratulate them, is working for the market just like the Reeves Company does under Flegel Reeves." Hanji's eyes moved back up to the nobles after she was done introducing them. "And this soldier here is Floch Forster and under my wing among with the others which are somewhere at this ball.

Floch shook his hand politely with everyone. At least despite his troubles he made in the Corps he seemed to be well behaved here. Hanji clearly was relieved over this.

"By the way Commander where is captain Levi?" Floch asked.

"I saw the captain a moment ago near the dance floor to our left." The fiancee a beautiful black haired woman suddenly spoke up and Hanji quickly turned her head around in hope to spot him.

"...with a few other woman seeming to have occupied him. Well if I would be not taken already with my dear Nicolas Reims here I even would have fallen for his looks." The woman chuckled while her fiancee pulled her closer.

"But I am still better so I am relieved." Nicolas laughed. "But I heard he is still single and not seeing anyone. Should he not consider soon to pick someone out to start a family? Humanity could need more of his kind."

Mr. Reims words put a lump into Hanji's throat and she casted her eyes downwards for a moment not knowing how to respond to this. Floch seemed to have noticed this and smirked.

"Ah I can see him now. He is on the dance floor with someone. Quite the beauty. I could never have the chances to land on a woman like her." Floch said faking his disappointment but having effect on the group.

The nobles laughed, trying to encourage him to not give up while Hanji couldn't help it but look to the direction again. The red head didn't lie, Levi was dancing with a tall brunette in a yellow gown dress, her chest sticking out prominent from it and leaving a desire able cleavage for any man to look at.

Meanwhile hers was... average and she used padding to make it look even bigger today. Nobles from Sina paid more money if their perverted eyes had something to look at.

Hanji's grip on her untouched wine glass tightened just from watching the scene displayed in front of her eyes. It was stupid. For her to feel jealousy at her age over something like this. She knew he couldn't refuse the woman if she asked him for a dance. She knew it yet why did it hurt so much?

He wasn't even hers to begin with. He could date any woman he wanted. They were just comrades, best friends which stuck together since years and knew each other the best... and enjoyed spending time with each other.. and already did end up together in bed a few times because they needed to feel the warmth of another human being to stay sane and feel alive and mostly to forget... forget for just an instance that they were at war and how the whole world was out to kill them and how much it does hurt about how many comrades they had lost by now.

Shaking her head Hanji knew she had to stop thinking about him. She was here as Commander and to gain funds. Gulping down the wine she groaned feeling the wine run down her throat.

Originally she didn't wanted to drink any alcohol today but one or two glasses wouldn't hurt her she supposed.

She didn't noticed the evil expression on Floch as he watched her from the corner of his eyes drink the wine he had given her.

'Finally. Now my plan can begin.' He thought.