During the bath time which ended up in a little more kissing and touching and exploring each other's body, Levi had left the tub first in search for some clothes.
He was lucky to find some in the closet in the room. There was even a few decent looking dresses for Hanji to change into along with a shirt and fresh pants for him.
Getting himself dressed and laying out on top of the bed the dresses for Hanji to try on, while Hanji finished bathing herself, he almost didn't hear her as she emerged from the bathroom in nothing more than a thin towel wrapped around her slender body.
"Oh, you found some clothes."
Adjusting his sword to his belt he turned around to face her.
"Yes, try the dresses on. One at least should fit you."
"Right. Luckily our hair didn`t got all too wet and already started to dry up and we were careful to not get them wet again while we took the bath."
Hanji lightly blushed while saying those words, remembering the other things they did however in this 'bath session'.
After Hanji picked out a yellow dress which was not too flashy and easy to walk in, Levi helped her into it ans zipped it closed behind her back. He was temped to kiss her neck area as he stood this close behind her. Leaving a hickey to her vulnerable exposed backside to mark her as his and being her first too.
But he couldn't. He was not allowed to.
She was not his. Would never be.
She was a princess and he was a mere knight from another kingdom on top of it. This today was nothing more than a 'sin' they both committed to because they are weak.
Tying her hair up into a ponytail, Hanji put back on her glasses for the final touch. Checking her appearance in the big mirror one last time she nodded satisfied to herself.
"Ready to move out?" Levi asked, holding his left hand out to her.
He was already ready and waiting at the door while his other hand was resting against the doorknob.
The dream was over and reality would begin now again.
"I'm ready. Let's see where Princess Historia and Moblit are."
Taking his offered hand, they left the room.
Downstairs the festivities still continued just like during the time they had left.
Moblit was the first to spot the pair as they descended down the big staircase. His eyes immediately widened upon their changed appearance.
He gently tabbed Princess Historia's shoulder to make her turn around and bring her conversation with two other noble woman to an abrupt halt. At first she was confused and a little annoyed since such behavior was rude for a knight, but as soon as her blue eyes saw the pair as well she understood and quickly excused herself to follow Moblit up to them.
"Princess Hanji what did he do to you!?"
Moblit's frantic voice was the first Hanji heard and soon after she felt a pair of arms, belong to none other than Moblit which stood right in front of her now, grabbing her by her shoulders and shaking her lightly. Worry no rather panic was displayed on his whole face.
"M-moblit!? Stop it! I am fine! Levi didn't do anything to me!"
Freeing herself from his panicked grip, she groaned.
"Wait! Is your hair wet!? Why are you both wearing different clothes!? Did he touch you!? Oh god the King will murder me- I will get my head cut off from my body or tortured first and than killed!"
His head immediately turned around to face Levi with a sudden outburst of rage. Moblit was already about to grip his sword, to pull it out and charge at him to punish him.
"YOU! You beast! I should have never allowed her to go with you!"
Levi showed no signs of intimacy, calmly he had his hand rest on his sword already too, ready to pull it out any time if needed to defend himself.
"Stop stop stop!"
Hanji stepped in between them with no fear of getting hurt followed by Princess Historia to prevent any bigger scene from breaking out. They were lucky enough that the music was loud loud to mute any arguments, insults and loud protests Moblit had said, along with the fact they stood in a corner of the big room helping them now out a lot as well and it seemed like no one has noticed the intense quarrel yet.
"It's my fault Moblit so stop and put your sword back! This is an order! We were outside in the garden and I fell into the fountain and dragged Levi with me as he tried to catch me!"
It wasn't a complete lie but Hanji certainly couldn't tell her overprotective knight Moblit the complete truth.
"The fountain...? And why were you two upstairs-"
"Because we needed a change of clothes? The guest room upstairs for me luckily had some clothes in the closet. Levi didn't assaulted me Moblit and he is no beast. Apologize to him now."
With a stern voice Hanji waited and watched how Moblit began to relax slowly. With gritted teeth, he apologized to Levi who relaxed again as well, both knights removing their hands from their swords again.
"I know Levi since a while now too. My knight would never assault any woman or hurt any woman." Historia added to ease Moblit's anger as well.
"That's right. I was only here to protect and take care of her. Following my duty, knight."
Levi said using on purpose the words 'take care' which only Hanji knew what meaning they had.
"My name is Knight Moblit Berner. If you only fulfilled your duty I shall accept it but if I find out you did something else than..."
"Moblit!" Hanji warned him and he stopped, closing his mouth before he would continue and say too much. "Stop it now. Anyway what happened while we were gone? Did Eren pick already his fiancé?"
"No he didn't, Princess Hanji. In fact prince Eren did nothing besides talk and dance with many woman and now he had disappeared together with his older brother and his two close knights to discuss something." Moblit informed her.
Now with his princess back, but in this condition however, he stood extra close to her now to keep an eye on her and safe. He couldn't trust anyone after all.
"I see."
Hanji wished he would have already picked someone out so she could go home. But on the other hand this gave her maybe a chance to spend a bit more time with Levi, even if it was just for a few more hours. No one knew if they would be able to see each other anytime soon again.
Just as the four wanted to go somewhere else the two loyal Yeager knights came back and announced Eren's return along with his brother's. Both stood next to the throne and Eren spoke with a loud voice for everyone to hear.
"I know you all must be tired and I know you all want to know who will be my future Queen... unfortunately I am not yet ready to decide on just one possible future wife of mine. Due to this me and my brother have decided we will announce 4 woman which are on the second selection to win my heart fully. The 4 woman I will announce now are the woman which stood out the most and captured my heart the most for me on today's party.
After I call each name out I wish you to step up here next to me..." there was a pause to add suspense to any woman inside the room until Eren continued.
"Mikasa Azumabito."
Clapping echoed in the whole throne room as Mikasa stepped up and next to Eren. She seemed embarrassed and happy however Hanji noticed. No wonder considering she still wore the scarf he gave her years ago. It was clearly to see she loved him.
"Historia Reiss."
Grinning at Historia while clapping she watched her friend walk away and up to where Mikasa was too. Historia seemed to have a liking to Eren too considering her red face she had. Good for her, Hanji supposed.
"Annie Leonhardt"
A blond, Hanji has not noticed until now stepped out of the crowd. If she remembered correctly she was from a very distant country called Marley.
"And lastly the woman I will select is Princess Hanji Zoe."
Hanji's eyes widened upon hearing her name. She must be hearing wrong but as the two knights looked at her with the same surprised expression she gulped and had no other choice but to step out of the crowd and stand next to the other three woman.
"These four woman will be having the chance to win my heart. A few days from now on I will invite them all to visit my castle again. For all others I thank you for coming and wish you all have a remaining good time."
Clapping echoed again in the whole room but Hanji barely registered what was happening.
Why was she standing here!?
She didn't wanted to be Eren's future wife!
As soon as they could leave Hanji made her way upstairs and locked herself into her guest room. Falling onto her bed she hugged the pillow to her head and let out a frustrated muffled scream.
"Why did he pick me out!?
"Princess Hanji you shouldn't lie down like this with your dress. Please change into your sleeping attire before going to bed."
Approaching her carefully Moblit's cheeks turned pink from the sight she was giving him. But Hanji didn't care turning her head around she looked up at Moblit and glared, while her eyes showed signs of becoming watery, ready to cry any moment.
"I know! Than leave and get in front of the door so I can change!"
Almost kicking him out of her room Hanji let out a long sigh. Finally she was alone.
After a while she forced herself to get up from the bed and to change just like her knight asked her to do.
Reaching behind her back she began taking off her dress. Lucky for her she had long arms and if she stretched herself she could reach her zipper without the need of help.
She had just finished putting on her sleeping gown as a knock on her door followed by some complains from Moblit and another person talking she could hear.
Confused Hanji made her way to the door and opened it enough to take a peek outside.
"What is it now? I told you to let me alone Moblit-!? Levi!?"
Surprised Hanji stared at Levi who stood right next to her door, while Moblit tried to block him and to not get any closer.
"I wanted to talk but your knight won't let me through."
"Because Princess Hanji said she wants to be alone! And she is changing!" Moblit glared at him annoyed.
"Moblit it's fine. I am finished changing already. Please let him inside. It would be rude to refuse him after he walked all the way here."
Moblit's eyes clearly widened in shock. He wasn't thinking to hear this reaction from her.
Stepping aside the brunette princess let Levi push the door open and step past Moblit, a smirk plastered on his face, showing Moblit how a winner looked like.
"Please continue staying on guard, thank you Moblit."
Was all Hanji said before Levi already Closed the door behind himself. WIth the loud click of the door being shut Moblit was left alone and unable to enter.
Levi crossed his arms over his chest as soon as he was inside, facing her now. His gray blueish eyes were traveling over her light clothed appearance, understanding why she didn't wanted Moblit to enter immediately.
"So what do you want Levi?" Hanji asked first being a little confused why he was here.
"You look like shit."
"What?"
Hanji was expecting a lot to hear but certainly not any rude words like this.
"You look like shit. Did you cry?" Approaching her slowly, Levi touched her cheek, observing her closely now. "What are you going to do if Eren picks you out again?"
"As if this would ever happen. I mean really me!? I am old, not pretty at all and Eren is just teasing me. He has much more better candidates picked out than me."
"Yet it worries you."
She paused. He just saw everything, didn't he?
"A little." She admitted.
"But you don't love him, do you?"
"Of course not. I never will. I have to escape this selection somehow. But I don't know how yet."
Relive washing over him Levi continued.
"If you need help ask Historia. She would be glad to help out if this means getting rid of any rival, since unlike you she is very interested in Eren Yeager." Leaning closer Levi gave her a kiss on her cheek. "I have to go now and return to my duties. Good night Princess Hanji Zoe."
Watching Levi leave dumbfounded and completely taken off guard, Hanji stood there like a blushing mess.
Did he seriously just now offer his help?
Was this his way of saying he was jealous?
Did he care so much in the end for her?
Just from one day meeting him again after years they felt so strongly over each other again?
Or was she just seeing things and interpreting too much..
The next morning Hanji woke up very early, being called to appear downstairs. Apparently all 4 fiancé candidates were called to appear so the future King himself could talk to them.
Hanji was the last one to arrive and the only one seeming to not care much about her appearance so early in the morning. She put on a comfy light blue dress after she had washed her face and combed her hair, letting it fall down to her shoulders this time.
The others were all dressed again more nicely and looked like they were ready to attend the next ball.
Sitting down at the dinning table next to the Princess Historia they waited for their breakfast and for Prince Eren to arrive.
Just like Moblit each knight was present and standing close to their respected Princess against the wall right behind them.
Hanji's eyes moved to Levi, back in his knight and dry again uniform, in duty mood. But very shortly their gazes met before Levi again looked away, looking straight ahead and back on guard, nonetheless it was enough to make Hanji smile a little seeing he took notice of her and he cared.
"Did I miss something Moblit or why am I the only one out of place?" She whispered to her knight which nervously answered in a whisper.
"I think because they all are interested to please him and only you not princess..."
Hanji wanted to complain but before she could even begin the big wooden door opened and Eren himself entered followed by his faithful guards like usual. He took a seat at the front of the dinning table to have at each side two woman seated next to him.
"Good morning my ladies. I have decided about the next plans for us. You all each deserve the same chances which means each of you will meet up with me to spend time with me separately. You all will have a few days to get ready and do plans how to make me fall for you." Eren chuckled at the clear surprised expression on each woman.
"Do you think we are some kind of toy to you!? A slave to exist to please you and bear you an heir!?"
Hanji blurred out angrily while slamming her hands on the dinning table. This subject was very touchy for her.
She was aware over how most royal families did behave and she detested it. The woman weren't just trophies for them or to birth children for them. They were supposed to be equal and rule the kingdom together. But many times it was not like this. Not even anything could be done if the King had a few mistresses for his entertainment. The Queen had to endure and to shallow down her pride. In no way in hell Hanji would ever become a Queen to anyone as disgusting like this!
"At ease Princess Hanji. But you all wish to be with me, correct? And almost all here seem to already try to please me, looking all too beautiful already." Eren smirked, watching Hanji sit down again and grit her teeth only at him in silence.
"To finish my announcement. I will give you each a letter and in a week from now on the first woman will spend time with me for the whole day. After a week or two the next woman will until all four woman are done. Afterwards I will announce the woman I will pick out as my future wife, does everyone understands?"
"Yes, Eren we do." Mikasa said calmly.
She was the only one not using Prince Eren for him.
"Good."
Receiving a plate with four sealed letters on top of it Eren monitored for them to each pick a letter out.
Hanji rolled her eyes taking the last one on the plate before hastily ripping it open and to read the number '3' followed by a date a few weeks from now on.
"After each woman's date I will take a week break until I meet the next one. Please show me your numbers."
"One" Annie said from the Marley Kingdom.
"Two" Historia was next followed by Hanji and lastly a disappointed looking Mikasa.
"Good, since we seemed to have finished talking over anything why don't we start eating?"
Nodding happily, Eren clapped his hands together and the doors opened and butlers entered the room almost immediately to serve finally breakfast for them.
After breakfast the carriages arrived for each Kingdom and it was time to say goodbye.
Hanji sighed ready to step inside her carriage as a familiar blond woman rushed up to her, Princess Historia Reiss.
"Wait! I wanted to talk with you for a moment still."
Telling Moblit to finish putting her luggage into the carriage Hanji went to Historia.
"What would you like to talk about?"
"You want to meet my knight Levi again, right?"
At the sudden question Hanji couldn't help it but feeling how her cheeks grew incredibly hot. She must have looked like a tomato due to the sudden amused chuckle the blond Princess let out. Was she this easily to read?
"I saw the looks the two of you are giving each other. I'm quite good at spotting things like this." Historia said and added. "I really start to like you Hanji. If you want why don't you visit me soon. You know Eren as he was younger. Tell me about him and in return you can see Levi and spend time with him."
Hanji understood what Historia was implying. She guessed Levi must have already talked with her as well which meant he wanted to see her again too, right?
"I will help you to get Eren and you help me with Levi, you want to say, right? "
"Yes, that's correct. I mean it's forbidden to have our knights leave our side... but if we meet up there should be no problem."
"We have a deal. I am not interested in Prince Eren. If you take him away from me iit will help me out even more." Smiling at Historia brightly, Hanji reached out her hand which Historia gladly took.
About a week passed until Hanji finally got her father to approve to travel to the Reiss kingdom.
Visiting a friend and to strengthen the bond between the two kingdoms again was enough to convince him to let her go if Moblit her loyal knight followed her.
It's been so long since the last time she was here. She had stopped coming shortly after Levi was gone and she could only play with Frieda Reiss or see once baby Historia as she was newly born and only a few months old.
Hanji peeked with her head out of the carriage window and gasped. The big castle was in sight and so much bigger than the Zoe's Kingdom's. Not that she needed her home any bigger but she still wished for her home to grow more in prosperity and have her townspeople be happy just like the people in the Reiss Kingdom were.
But to pay the price and marrying into the Yeager Kingdom to merge both kingdoms together Hanji certainly refused. Not even if her parents begged for it.
Driving through the big castle gates and arriving at the front yard area with the big fountain and red and pink rose bushes in the middle, Hanji spotted Princess Historia with her parents, the current King and Queen and siblings waiting already for her, followed by Levi standing right next to blond princess.
Officially at least it was a meeting for the two households and not to benefit Hanji and Historia only.
Stepping out of the carriage with the help of Moblit, Hanji walked up to the Reiss family and greeted them.
After formalities were done she got lead inside and Historia went up next to her, smiling proudly how her plan worked out.
"I'm glad to see you could make it Princess Hanji. Your room is already ready and the room for your knight as well. My father said you are allowed to stay as long as you would like and we will hold a big banquet thanks to your arrival in the evening until than we are free to talk and spend time together as we please. Since it was my idea I will be in charge for your hospitality and to give you a great stay here with us, so we will hopefully grow together with our kingdoms and help each other in the future."
Historia said politely while she explained most of the events what would today happen. The bespectacled woman knew the hidden meanings in her words however very well.
"I can't wait for that. The ride was very pleasant. I hope you can show me around your huge castle and through this beautiful garden." Hanji smiled, her gaze looking behind her shortly to spot their two knights following them close behind.
Moblit heavy packed with her luggage while Levi had nothing because Moblit was stubborn and refused to let him carry anything, saying it was his duty to take care of Princess Hanji Zoe.
After Hanji got settled and her luggage was placed in her room Historia lead her up to her own room, saying she had already prepared tea for them there along with some sweets to eat.
Historia's room was up in a tower in the castle. Her room had a balcony where she had a table with four chairs and the promised tea with sweets and cakes already waiting for them.
"Did I promise too much? I told you here we have one of the best views."
Watching how the brunette already had rushed to outside and how Hanji was leaning over the balcony railing and gasping with wide exciting eyes made the shorter Princess chuckle and even Levi couldn't help but smirk a little.
"Princess Hanji! Don't lean over too much! You will fall down!"
Only Moblit her knight was the only one being in a panic.
Rolling his eyes after the brunette still was spacing out in her own little world, Levi had enough and walked past Moblit and over to Hanji, grabbing her by her waist and forcefully pulling her backwards.
"Whoa! What!?" she gasped surprised.
"Enough spacing out Hanji. You can look at the pretty view even from your seat and while you drink tea and eat some cake." Levi lectured her and placed her down onto her seat.
"Sorry. I got too distracted." Hanji quickly apologized, embarrassed now herself over her mistake.
"It's fine. I found this very entertaining." Mysteriously smirking, Historia peeked up at Levi from her seat across from Hanji, making Levi avoid eye contact with her to not give anything away... his feelings for the brunette Princess or his current light pink cheeks. "We have two other chairs. Please you two sit down with us. We have enough tea and cake for everyone."
"Ohh that's nice but we cannot as knig-" Moblit wanted to deny the offer until he stared with big eyes how Levi without bating an eye took a seat next to Hanji and Historia.
Raising an eyebrow Levi looked at Moblit while pouring himself a cup of tea.
"What? Don't just stand there and stare. The Princess said it was ok. You are damn slow for a knight."
"And you have a bad mouth for a knight and you are way too short." Moblit glared at him as he took the last free seat.
"Well, well don't fight now. Let's eat now and talk. As I remember I have to tell you everything I know about Eren, right Historia? I didn't forgot our talk."
Historia blushed a little but tried to keep her composure, sipping from her own tea.
"Yes, I heard the first candidate Annie Leonhardt from Marley already did everything she could. And the interesting thing is I heard many not picked out woman tried to change his mind."
While Historia explained Hanji got more and more curious. This was new to her.
"What do you mean?"
"They used their body to seduce him."
Hanji regretted taking a bite from her cake, coughing violently now.
"W-what!?"
"I admit the woman were not dumb for using this method. A typical method in the slums to get rich people to marry them and to start living in luxury." Levi muttered not being shocked at all. "But Prince Eren seems to stay by his rules. He denied all woman so far."
"I see." Blushing still Hanji couldn't help but think over her and Levi's little time they had a few days ago. "I guess I should begin now and tell you all over Eren Yeager I know."
And so the brunette began telling her over the young Eren she knew and what he liked, he disliked, what he always told her he would do as an adult and how he changed little by little over the years until Hanji stopped seeing him for a few years until now.
Historia listened thoughtfully until Hanji was done.
"Really I hope this can help you. If someone should Eren pick it is someone truly interested in him and hopefully he will stop with his bratty behavior then as well." Hanji said and smiled.
Historia nodded smiling back as well. A knock on her door interrupted the little tea party.
"Come in please."
A knight unknown to Hanji came in as soon as Princess Historia gave her permission.
"Princess, the carriage is here for the ride into town just like you wished for."
"Carriage?" Moblit and Hanji were confused looking.
"Yes, to show you a bit around I ordered Levi to show you around. Unfortunately I cannot go with you, my father needs me. But since I am at home I can let Levi, my knight leave my side for a little while."
Giving Hanji a short wink as hint, Historia stood up from her chair and pushed the three out of her room quickly.
The rest was up to Hanji how she would deal with this date she got herself into now.
Moblit or Levi? Which knight would win her heart over in the end. Historia really wondered how this would play out in the end.
