Crystal: wow! I didn't think so many ppl would favorite and follow my story! Thank you guys!
Anyways on another note: in this chapter, 4 years have passed, forgive me if I slipped and put Eren as a "she" there are no females in this story and this chapter is a bit long, sorry!
The royal winter ball
4 years later
Early morning of a cold December day rose, no light was able to glisten through the finest golden silk drapes that decorated the window. A king sized bed stood against the wall with thick turquoise sheets with golden designs and a silk canopy closing in on the bed. A shima no older than 16 lay sleeping soundly after an exhausting christmas eve dinner the night before. His brown locks stretched elegantly passed to lay at his curved hips.
A light knock sounded at the door, but fell on deaf ears. A young hera came in dressed in princely white clothes with white gloves and black dress shoes. His black hair was short and his eyes a dark gray. He neared the bed a smirk at his lips as he went to lean in to the shima's ear., and sucking in a breath yelled, "EREN! WAKE UP!" Eren shrieked sitting up and shifting suddenly falling on the wooden floor. "Ow, ow, ow, ow!" Eren groaned standing up from the floor groaning and at seeing the one who woke him up, he frowned and ran to him angrily.
Eren jumped at him, hitting his chest as the Hera laughed and picked him up. "Stupid Mika! That wasn't funny! Let me down!" Eren yelled as he took the moment to pull on Mika as they both fell on the bed laughing. "After these 4 years you still don't wake up early", Mika laughed. "Oh shut up!" Eren laughed chucking a pillow at him. Mika stood as Eren stretched. "Hey, get out will you, can't you see a lady has to change?!" Eren yelled throwing yet another pillow at her adoptive brother. "You're anything, but lady like, Eren", Mika snorted as one of the shima maids came in to help Eren before he could retort back at Mika's comment.
Eren wore a red gown with a red bow keeping his hair together that had been curled from the ends. A long hooded robe was places on his shoulders to keep him warm from the winter weather. During winter, Eren always felt the most nostalgic. He remembered spending christmas at the orphanage and how sometimes the most you got for a present was a new toothbrush or blanket. He wondered if the kids were better off with the amount of money they had paid for him. He shook his head willing the memories away of such dark times as he descended towards the living room where his family waited. "Eren, my child, you finally join us", her father grinned as he grinned sheepishly guilty.
"My dear, it's time for you to open you gifts",his mother Yuki smiled sweetly. Eren leaned down first to a small red box with a white bow. "That's mine", Mika smiled as Eren began to unwrap it to see a necklace with a heart shaped locket and a matching ring all made of gold and encrusted in diamonds. "Mika...we've talked about this..." Eren sighed. "Gosh Eren. I know you don't like these sort of lavish gifts, but I want you to take them as a reminder that I love you", Mika smiled. Eren gave a sigh of defeat as Mika grinned helping her put the necklace and ring on. "I love them", Eren smiled hugging him. Eren then pulled his next gift that was from her parents, and it was a relatively large box.
Eren unwrapped it with care, and pulled out a gown that was as expensive as it looked. It was a gown in red with golden designs decorating the dress and rubies sprinkling the corset. Eren was shocked at such a beauty. "Mom...dad...it's breathtaking. Seriously, I can't take this", Eren looked down. "Eren, please take it as a gift for tonight", Yuki told him. He perked up. "What's tonight?" Eren asked. "My jewel, tonight is the royal prince's birthday ball. Since he will be 19 it will now be time for him to choose a bride. As the daughter of the Ackerman family who is the crown's right hand, if the prince is unable to choose a maiden of his liking you shall be his bride by the king's orders. He may even chose you before he realizes it", Damian grinned. "What?!" Both Eren and Mika yelled outraged.
"But father...m-marriage!? I'm not...suited to be an Ackerman much less a queen!" Eren tried persuading her father. It wasn't just that Eren didn't feel suited, but he was a hopeless romantic that believed in true love. Maybe this whole new life charade finally was coming with its consequences. Eren finally understood the cruelty of the world. The free were condemned to poverty, the rich condemned to be slaves to the crown. "Eren, it is of the greatest and highest honor that the king is offering us to have you set off to be with the prince", her father explained.
Eren just stepped back letting the gown fall back into the box. His eyes shook, tears threatening to fall as he darted from the room. "Eren!" Mika yelled glaring at his parents before running after him out in the snow covered town.
~~xXXx~~
Eren ran as fast as he could, slipping through the crowds of towns people. He ran towards the woods on the outskirt of town until he tripped just before getting there. Eren whimpered grasping at his ankle tears spilling like waterfalls. He heard quick footstpes near him and he looked up finding his childhood best friend leaning down to him worried. "Armin!" Eren sobbed hugging the Shima that Armin was. Armin was a peasant shima that had pretty long blonde hair and wore a slightly torn brown dress.
"Eren! What's wrong?" Armin asked worried. Eren couldn't even form words, so he just hugged Armin. "Eren, there you are!" Mika's voice could be heard. "Mika, what's going on with her?" Armin asked. Mika sighed rubbing at his temple. "So tonight that everyone is going to the ball, the prince will choose a bride, and if he doesn't chose one then they'll resort to their second plan which is the arranged marriage of the prince to Eren", Mika explained as Armin frowned. "Eren, what could you expect? Your a noble, and you have to do as you're a told. And plus there are gonna be lots of girls present. He's bound to pick someone and it might not be you if you keep low profile", Mika leaned down to her.
"You really think so?" Eren said looking at Mika with big tearful eyes that made Mika blush and nod as he carried him bridal. "Armin, will I see you at the ball tonight?" Eren asked and after a moment with resignation in his eyes. Armin sighed after a seeing Eren so upset and agreed. "Eren! Gosh, okay I'll attend just don't be upset", Armin smiled at him. Eren smiled relaxing a bit, but the tension was still great. He forced his way out of Mika's grasp sighing heavily. Mika looked at him intently. He hated the idea of seeing Eren with the prince and the whole marriage engagement was just as much hated by him than by Eren.
He would never admit it because it was a sin to the crown that he was deeply in love with Eren. He might be his sister under the crown's law, but they weren't blood related. Mika reached to place a hand on his shoulder, but was stopped by Eren running inside their home. "Dang it! If only there was another way", Mika whispered to himself. Eren met her parents waiting inside who ran to him worriedly. "Eren, sweetheart!" Yuki yelled grasping Eren in a tight hug in tears. Eren hugged his mother in reassurance. "I'm sorry for running away. But don't worry... I know that I have no saying against father and the king's orders... I'm going to change", Eren whispered keeping back tears as he let go of his mother. "Eren..." Yuki muttered dejectedly to see his daughter so upset and resigned. Damian hugged him giving his lips a comforting peck. "He'll understand his position some day", Damian sighed.
~~xXXx~~
Eren felt like a doll as his maids bathed him, and pulled him around. He was placed in front of the mirror in his room naked as they dried him off. Funny how similar the bodies of shimas and heras were. The only difference was a shima was curvier, feminine, and with much longer hair. He wondered how the creatures that went extinct looked like. He was brought out of his thoughts as the red corset top was placed on his upper body and tied to snuggle his curves. The lingerie he'd been given was a pair of red panties with a black ribbon. The dress's bottom was slipped on him and zipped up.
"Mistress please don't fidget", a shima maid begged as he powdered Eren's face and applied a dark charcoal black liner to his top eye lids. Light gold and red shadow were placed on his lids as his lashes were curled with a spoon. The last step was to add a light coat of red lipstick before they curled his hair that was in a half ponytail. "Wah! Mistress your gorgeous!" The maids gawked. Eren side glanced at them and frowned. "Thank you for your help. Now if you please, i'd like to be alone", he whispered as they bowed exiting.
Eren looked at himself in the mirror. A beautiful Shima reflected back at him. Gorgeous, elegant, sophisticated, but it wasn't him. How he would have rather spend his time at river, washing his clothes by hand or running down the village. But no. He realized at that moment that he was being selfish. He was being ungrateful to his parents who had given him the life he never thought he'd have. He nodded mentally preparing himself before he headed downstairs where they all awaited him. "Eren...you look...gorgeous", Mika breathed mesmerized, but frowned seeing Eren simply look down and sigh heavily. He walked to him placing a hand on his hand assuringly. Eren looked up at his brother's soft smile and forced a smile of his own.
Upon setting off in the car, Yuki tried to ease the tension by announcing. "So as the right hand of the king, we are the last family to be announced at the ball. As we arrive they'll announce Eren first since she is to present herself to the prince. And then we shall be called. This will be the first time you present yourself to the whole kingdom as our daughter. So please Eren for our sake, smile darling", Yuki smiled softly as Eren nodded. They arrived to the castle a bustling if nobles and peasantry alike bustling in the doors. The door to the car was opened for them as they got off towards the great brown doors.
Eren walked ahead with his family and were greeted by a hera who bowed. "Mr. And Mrs Ackerman, Sir Mika Ackerman! Welcome!...and you are?" He asked almost regarding Eren with a sense of non importance. Eren looked down, but before he could speak his father interrupted angrily. "I demand more respected you simpleton! I advise you watch the way you speak to my daughter Lady Eren Jaeger Ackerman!" His voice shook as the attendant shook with fear. "P-Please forgive me Mr. Ackerman and Lady Eren Ackerman", the man said quickly as Damian lead them ahead until they reached a stair way that led down to a carpeted pathway leading to the throne.
Eren's breathing shook as his nerves were getting the best of him. The announcer bowed as he signaled for the trumpets. " And now it is with the greatest pleasure and honor that I present the Ackerman family! Mr. And Mrs. Ackerman along with their son Sir Mika Ackerman!" Everyone clapped loudly for them and paused. "Not to mention, I shall now present for the first time the one and only daughter of the Ackerman family, Lady Eren Jaeger Ackerman!" The announcer yelled as Eren took that as a signal to glide his way down the steps.
Shocked faces were to be expected as well as progressive sounds of awe and approval were uttered by the crowds. Eren finally made a stop right in front of the queen and king...and prince. She's heard of the tyranny of the prince. A spoiled Hera, who was cruel and cold to the subjects of the kingdom. The king had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. The queen had black licks to his waist and soft gray eyes. Eren took in the appearance finally of the prince. He was extremely handsome and took the appearance of his mother the most. His hair pitch black with and undercut, furrowed brows, and steel cold gray eyes. He had an air of superiority, and smugness. Like he truly believed everyone around him was mere scum.
Eren bowed gracefully as the king and queen looked over him with nods of approval. 'Oh no! I called to much attention to myself' Eren thought. "Thank you for the honor your majesties. It is, but the greatest honor to be at your presence", Eren said respectfully. The king smiled. "Thank you, Lady Eren. You are a stunning beauty unlike any other. We are pleased with your attendance to my son Levi's celebration", he said. After a bow from Eren's family they drifted into the crowd while Eren didn't miss the glint of interest in the prince's eyes. Eren found something about him that was intriguing. Even with all the rumors, he didn't seem like he was such a bad person, but then again Eren could never be sure.
Eren was suddenly pulled by the arm and forced onto the balcony of one of the large open windows. "Hey!" Eren yelled before sighing irritated at seeing the hera before him. "Jean, what do you want?" Eren snapped. "Calm down, I'm not here to tease you. I just wanted to talk", he said. "Jean, you are irritating! How many times do I have to reject you before your satisfied! I'm not interested in a relationship nor am I in a position to choose", Eren explained. Jean sighed, "I know that. And one, I'm not pursuing you anymore! And two, there's someone else who I have my eye on. I just wanted to settle this dispute and be just friends", Jean shrugged sheepishly.
Eren was surprised and laughed. "Okay, sounds good to me...I still think you're a horseface", he giggled. "Psh, whatever", he laughed as he left Eren there. Eren laid his hand on the stone railing looking up at the full moon. A chilly breeze reached him making him remember his dark past. His parents, once a noble family, murdered leaving him in an orphanage after all because a shima was not allowed to own money or property. He walked down the left which the balcony was connected to a long hall past the other windows. He walked slowly passing grand pillars of marble humming a tune of his child hood.
(1)" Dancing flakes...painted wings. Things I almost remember", Eren sang unknowing that the prince had just walked out into the balcony just steps behind him managing to hear him. Prince Levi hid hearing him as he continued. "And a song someone sings...once upon a December", Eren continued stopping to sit at a bench. "Someone hold me safe and warm...horses prance through a silver storm. Figures dancing gracefully across my memory..." Eren stopped looking down at his lap. He stood walking inti the crowds Levi following only to be surprised by Eren hugging a peasant blonde tightly.
This shima was interesting, maybe a good distraction and pleasure object he could use and then throw away like the rest of them. There's no way he could be refused by anyone unless they wanted his wrath. He was going to walk towards Eren when the blonde squealed. "You look so gorgeous just like royalty. At the orphanage you would have never been able to be like this! I'm so happy!" Armin smiled tears at his eyes. 'Ah, an orphanage then...there's nothing money can't fix' Levi thought to himself finally approaching them. Armin got on his knees bowing, and Eren looked at Prince Levi perplexed. Levi completely ignored Armin as he bowed stretching his hand. "May I have this dance, Lady Eren?" Levi said firmly and very gentleman-like. Eren wanted to refuse, but that would only alarm the crowds so he curtsied and took his hand stifly responding with a slightly harsh "my pleasure, your majesty".
Levi chuckled under his breath. This shima had good intution. In other words, the hard to break in, hard to get. Levi led Eren to the middle of the ball room as the king stopped the music. "Now that the prince has chosen a partner, this will be the first dance of the night", a hera announced before the crowds cleared the floor still in awe of two beautiful figures about to dance. "As requested by the crowned prince the song of choice shall be Vivaldi's "four seasons-winter" piece", the hera continued to explain as Eren looked shocked at Levi. He wanted to make a fool of him it seemed. A song that not many could dance for it's extremely quick pace and Eren saw the shock and worry in his parent's eyes. Eren only smiled ready to take his challenge.
The music started and the dance began. Levi skillfully maneuvered him across the dance floor Eren not far behind. The whole room kept complete attention with mouths agape at their gracefulness and lightness on their feet as they look like they were floating. Levi twirled Eren in fast circular motions as Eren was perfect to twirl back and continue the quick pace. Levi was actually quite impressed by the shima's skill and as the dance continued he finally could feel Eren's exhaustion. 'Perfect and just in time' Levi thought as the music ended and he pulled him into the balcony once more.
Eren panted heavily leaning against the railing. Levi smirked pullung him at his wrist and pushing him against the wall. Eren was caught off guard as the prince attacked his neck and licked. Eren gasped and pushed against him. "Let go", Eren tried not to yell for the criwds could discover them. The prince only chuckled huskily leading his tongue slowly up his neck to hus chin. Eren was panicking and mustering all the strength he could, he pushed him off. "I said let go!" Eren hissed.
"You seriously have the guts to refuse me? Is it money you want to bed you? I'm sure money is appealing to you after you enamored the Ackerman family to buy you. Did you seduce their son so they could buy you? I can't see why their son would still live around you and not have dishonored such a fine toy as you. I bet he's been inside you and you loved every minute of having a cock inside you as long as money was involved", Levi grinned as Eren looked down anger boiling up inside him. This Hera was the most vulgar and despicable person he'd ever met. At this point, dying didn't matter. "Come now, tell me your price? I'm being generous for I could kill you at any moment", Levi whispered.
"Enough", Eren yelled slapping the prince across the face. Eren was asking for a death sentence. "Mika is my brother and I still have innocence untouched you, bastard! I rather die than have your filthy money or much less marry the likes of you!" Eren yelled at the top of his lungs. "You're going to regret saying that if you don't take that back", Levi frowned holding his cheek. Eren sighed glanced at him right at the ballroom entrance. "Make me...good night your majesty", he said simply going into the crowds once more.
Soon midnight came as Eren danced with a few nobles and conversed with Armin. And after a final dance with Mika the trumpets sounded announcing the end of the ball and the announcement of the maiden who the prince would marry. Yuki pulled Eren to the front as Eren sighed. He was dead for all he knew after the scene a good two hours ago. Eren looked boredly around as the king stood with a velvet box with Levi next to him. "Thank you all graciously for coming on celebrating my son, and now it is time for him to announce the maiden who shall be his wife and our future queen", the king smiled.
Levi cleared his throat. "I now humbly ask to take the hand in matrimony of the beautiful and fair maiden, Lady Eren Jaeger Ackerman", he bowed. Eren paled immensely as the crowds roared in excitement. 'No...' Eren could only think as Levi stretched his hand for him to take.
