A/N: This was originally written for Day 2 (Theme: The Empress) of RivaMikaWeek Cycle 6 in December 2015! I was only going to compose a single entry this RivaMikaWeek for the fic, but it became so long that I had to split it up – now the final day of this RMW (January 1st) will have yet another chapter/chapter III since the prompt somehow fit perfectly ;) Stay tuned!
Dulcius Ex Asperis
Rating: T
Summary: A lost prince, a false princess, and the cobwebs of fate that bind an entire kingdom's future. RivaMika.
At dawn, the inner ward of Castle Sina indulges in near silence, with only the crisp clashing of metal and an occasional battle cry resonating through the eardrums of guards and maids alike. The conflict inspires little reaction from the early risers, however, for it is merely a weekly incident that proves more entertaining than disturbing.
"Hyaaah!" The future queen charges eastward, a glittering blade tightly within her grasp and feet stomping across bruised stones that have endured infinite steps of a similar nature. A formidable swing follows thereafter, slicing through air molecules with agility only seen from the most elite soldiers in the land. Unfortunately, the execution quickly becomes stained by an imbalance in her footwork, leaving an opening that permits her opponent to retaliate.
"Oomph!" Mikasa coughs as her body bends almost unnaturally against the unforgiving kick to the waist. Gravity soon takes its toll, binding all weakened limbs and torso to the ground in an unkempt fashion. Once her cheek flattens against the frigid stones, her sigh of frustration resounds louder than all the noises preceding it.
A pale hand extends towards her defeated form, and the young royal regards it - almost shamefully – for a prolonged moment before accepting the offer.
"Mikasa," Her companion, one of few exempted from addressing her formally, states with routine placidity, hooded eyes tracing the figure gradually returning to a proper stance. "Your focus is quite…lacking today."
She returns the look with reluctance, interpreting the mild observation as a severe criticism. Though it is common for her most trusted knight to voice opinions with gratuitous honesty, Annie Leonhardt seldom disparages against her dueling capabilities. After all, the blonde girl has also served as her training partner since both their childhoods, honing her mastery of self-defense little by little over the years. Only a week before did Mikasa actually put such acquired skills into practice successfully – but those are the very same circumstances that have now led her attentions astray.
"Sorry…I know I should rid my mind of all distractions before our training sessions, but it has been a rather…interesting week." Rubbing her right wrist to relieve remnant soreness, Mikasa murmurs the halfhearted confession.
"Oh?" A bright eyebrow arches at the inflection, and Annie places a palm against her hip before enhancing the sarcasm even further. "Something interesting…involving sneaking out of the castle grounds, perhaps?"
At an instant, a flush overwhelms Mikasa's entire face, leaving no area unblemished. She had warned Eren and Armin of Annie's potential at murdering them for assisting such an act, and now – as she had feared - the rest of her day may well be dedicated to the preparation of two state funerals.
"How—how did you…"
Annie releases her own, almost accusatory sigh. "I saw the three of you slip through the main gates when you returned at sunset that day." Despite the claim, relief still peppers her voice, as if finally pleased to expose the hidden secret. "Others may not have recognized you next to Eren and Armin in that disguise, but you certainly can't fool me after all these years."
Mikasa chuckles brokenly, nervously – her mind racing with miraculous excuses that may still be effective. But lingering at the end of every train of thought are some harsh realities: no matter the context, Annie is always capable of recognizing even her shadow; and no matter how delicious, chestnuts are absolutely no justification for what has transpired. Before her lips can even formulate a proper defense, her watchful knight shatters the façade into even smaller fragments, leaving no opportunity for repair.
"I already took Armin aside yesterday and...convinced him to tell me the truth." The blonde confesses. The unnatural pause midway quickly prompts many inaudible cringes within Mikasa, as the young royal is well-aware of the possible manipulations Annie has bestowed upon her bashful admirer.
Oh, Armin…
"Bandits, Mikasa? You are practically delivering ammunition to your dissenters by associating yourself with their kind."
The stern appraisal subliminally guides both of Mikasa's hands to her own hips. "They're not a bad lot, Annie. They helped us, even though we were complete strangers."
"Forgive me for remaining dubious." Unsurprisingly, Annie fails to shift even slightly from her position. "They could've easily pretended to not recognize you."
"You said it yourself – if our own guards hadn't a clue, why should they?"
"Those who have experienced more of this world often have far better intuition." The blonde poses a crucial reminder. "We…should know that more than anyone else."
Experienced far more of this world… At the utterance of that phrase, Levi's face immediately floats to the surface of Mikasa's thoughts. Though his expressions proved indecipherable – almost impenetrable – during their brief encounter, she could already sense all his worldly knowledge emanating from each spoken word and fluid movement. Out of the many bandits, he was certainly the most distrustful of them - and perhaps rightfully so. Years of exploration have sharpened his intuition in the same manner Annie and others have refined her, but unlike them, Levi has likely always possessed the advantage of freedom, with his wings unconfined by any wall or obstacle and constantly lifted by those who nurtured him.
Perhaps…it's that very aspect of him that fascinates me now…
When vivid visions of infinite landscapes and joyous families begin to accompany her memory of Levi's silhouette, as they had occasionally done so throughout the past week, a burst of courage streams through Mikasa's blood. Standing upright at last, her posture regains its usual confidence, while her voice once again resembles that of a woman in full command.
"If you still doubt, Annie, why don't you come with me and gauge for yourself?"
At the unexpected challenge, something glints within Annie's pupils, though it soon fades away into the duller blueness.
"Did you really just request that of me, Your High-Mikasa?"
Mikasa releases a sly grin at the slip into formality, knowing that she has officially reclaimed the upper hand in their verbal debate. Meanwhile, the knight attempts a recovery, no matter how futile.
"What makes you think I would allow this again, much less follow along this time?"
"I saw that flash in your eyes, Annie – you have also grown weary after being restricted by this castle day after day, constantly looking outward from your posts and wondering how the rest of our kingdom has changed. When was the last time you traveled outside for your own purposes? Two, or perhaps even three years ago?" With that assertion, Mikasa leans in, shortening the distance between them and lowering her voice just enough to express understanding. "You actually questioned Armin about our 'adventure' because you were envious of him, weren't you?"
"I…" Though her expression feigns denial, Annie's stammer betrays the truth.
The monarch amplifies her persuasion then, using only her stare to tempt the other, flustered young woman into a state of admission. Nevertheless, Mikasa does not utilize the weight of their differing statuses as a burden, for both of them understand that all their actions – whether proper or rebellious – shall always stem from a foundation of genuine friendship and trust.
At last, Annie Leonhardt succumbs to the urging of her own curiosities.
"You know very well that I could lose my position for aiding you in this."
Mikasa slaps her palms against her former opponent's shoulders - in assurance, rather than victory.
"I'll just reinstate it if you do."
As the subject the castle and its guards are intended to protect, Mikasa notes the next afternoon that she should really be more concerned about how easily she has escaped – again.
But as the young princess rides upon a horse borrowed from the barracks, hastening to the rhythm of light pieces of armor – the disguise she has since removed - knocking together in a potato sack attached to the saddle, she feels far more anticipation than apprehension.
Well, as long as they are more cautious about who they allow in, rather than out.
A short distance ahead, Annie strides onward at a moderate pace, dressed much more casually than her usual uniform – they had both changed not long after the exodus - and saying little other than the occasional request for upcoming directions. Rather than her usual weaponry, only a set of concealed daggers throughout her clothing remain as protection for them both, though she had insisted for Mikasa to equip a few as well. It had also been the knight's idea to disguise her as an apprentice soldier, and one who required "extra practice and supervision" for a long-distance journey by horseback, to the amusement of the guards. Thus, with a metal helmet shielding her dark hair and most of her features, the princess transformed an extended rest session in her chambers into yet another escapade. And despite the animal carrying her not being her usual steed, she is especially grateful for the ease of transport this second time around, as it both conserves precious time and allows for more beautiful views of the entire route.
Once they enter the capital's main district together, familiar sights from her previous journey reiterate themselves - but unfamiliar ones also appear, mostly in the form of children marveling at the beauty of their horses. Annie seems reluctant, even wary, of the appreciative responses at first, but Mikasa observes that once the horses conveyed no alarm, the hardness typically embedded in the blonde's features also began to soften.
Though barely a week has passed, the complex trail leading to the compound still challenges her memories momentarily, and on the second time they are forced to retrace their steps, Mikasa fleetingly wonders if Levi might need to come guide them again. The scenario proves unnecessary, however, as their third attempt finally leads them to the familiar barricades formed by solid rock and crafted wood. As they approach, Mikasa waves hopefully to the watchtower guards above, hoping that the burly men – perhaps more capable than those on her royal estate – would still remember her visit not long ago.
From their elevated position, the same menacing stares from the previous time intimidate her for a moment, but she breathes a sigh of relief when one of the guards turns and releases an uproarious yell into the grounds.
"Someone get Levi!"
Annie glances back at her then, both cerulean eyes full of inquiry – and Mikasa simply winks.
A short while later, the makeshift gates swing open at a languid pace, revealing a few recognizable faces. Among them is the one who has plagued her thoughts more than Mikasa will ever admit, and instead of staring at him dumbfounded, she uses the time to gracefully descend her horse, pacing every slight movement so that the process is as prolonged as possible.
But now that she has actually arrived, she realizes that she has little idea of what to do next.
"…afternoon."
The close proximity of the deep voice startles her, and she nearly plunges onto the ground before regaining balance with tightened grips on the stirrups. Even without looking directly, there is no doubt that the shadow suddenly materializing next to her is Levi's. Wasn't he all the way over there just a moment ago? Mikasa's mind frantically races with the rather nonsensical notion. Meanwhile, her eyes stubbornly choose to focus on a random pebble on the ground, finding it far safer to gaze at right now than either azure irises or their owner.
"Af…afternoon, Levi." Her parched throat succeeds at expelling the briefest of greetings.
An awkward silence ensues, disturbed only by the recognizable chuckles of Auruo from closer to Annie's location. Mikasa can only sigh, imagining all too well the scowl her knight must have bestowed upon the older bandit by now.
Oblivious to her dilemma, Levi clears his own throat.
"I see that you are returning to us under...somewhat better circumstances."
She nods with slight amusement, all the while giving a reflexive, gentle caress to the horse. Then, after a deep gulp and an even deeper breath, she finally twists her neck in his direction, scanning past various dark fabrics comprising his trousers, belt, and tunic before arriving at his features.
At the immediate sight of Levi in the flesh, and that prominent scar unintentionally maturing a youthful face, an unprecedented, inexplicable sensation kindles in the caverns of Mikasa's heart. After days of existing only in her thoughts, the return of his physical presence is astonishing yet intimidating, for that memorable façade still camouflages mysteries too enigmatic to uncover. And though the severities within the young man's features are still intact, she thinks that she detects a tinge of tenderness beneath – but to her chagrin, she cannot be certain if the discovery only stems from wishful thinking.
"You couldn't get 'nuff of us, right, lass?" From where he stands, Auruo interrupts with a boisterous voice, leading Mikasa to gander in his direction. As she had expected, Annie's expression next to the animated man is one completely devoid of amusement.
"Something like that, Auruo." She smiles with some anxiety, hoping to diffuse the unusually tense situation. "My…apologies for the unannounced visit. We were just passing by."
"We are the ones honored that you'd want to return here, out of all places." A man with slightly darker hair than her knight – Erd, Mikasa recalls from their brief introduction a week ago - surfaces at Levi's side with a light punch to the younger man's arm. As his victim frowns, Erd feigns ignorance, choosing instead to take note of the sack hanging from the horse saddle. "What's in there, Mikasa? Need help unloading it?"
With little desire to explain the unusual contents, Mikasa reacts quickly. "No need – they're just some supplies for my kitchen." The lie rolls off her tongue with expertise, and when she senses Annie's intrigue from the corner of her eye, she meanders towards her companion to perfect the shift in subject. "Please meet my most loyal acquaintance, Annie. She can be trusted."
It seems only then that Auruo finally perceives the rather displeased young woman at his right. With a faint yelp, he nods a nervous greeting before swiftly stepping away, clearly perturbed by the stranger's aloofness. As he passes by, Mikasa overhears a muttered whisper, intended only for Auruo himself yet apparently projecting much louder than anyone preferred.
"'dis one looks like she gun' kill all of us..."
The tactless words reach not only her ears, for Annie also begins to glare daggers at the man, while Levi and Erd release simultaneous groans of frustration. Realizing his fatal error, Auruo begins to stammer and stumble backward, only to accidentally bite his tongue in the process.
"Arrrggghhh-" The pained howl is rapidly silenced, for Levi's fist connects effectively at the very next moment, knocking the blundering fellow into a temporarily lifeless state. Without a word, Erd effortlessly hauls Auruo unto his shoulder, looking apologetic towards them as he treads away, obviously aiming to deposit the man back home.
Though an unconscious figure resulted among them, Mikasa sighs in relief, thankful that they have somehow managed to prevent a bloody slaughter courtesy of Annie from taking place.
"It's quite alri—" She barely begins to assure before she is disrupted by a cheerful yelp from behind.
"Oho! You must be the famous Mikasa."
She turns even quicker than Annie does, as her memories do not recall ever hearing such a vibrant voice. And when her brain attempts to identify the owner now rushing towards them – brown ponytailed hair, long leather coat, spectacles and all – it also fails in that quest. The excitement of the stranger is undeniable, however, for arms soon capture her in an embrace more customary for reunited kinsman.
"Af-afternoon..." Overwhelmed by affection, Mikasa can only stutter the greeting, all the while using her eyes to discourage Annie from performing any adverse actions. Meanwhile, words continue to pour incessantly from the newcomer's mouth, as if floodgates had been released by the storm of their arrival.
"I was terribly disappointed to have missed you last time, but I've thankfully heard much about you already from Auruo and the others. Not Levi, though, he has been so adorably distracted since you-"
Without warning, a stout force tears their embrace apart, snatching away the taller figure to a short distance away. Mikasa recovers in time to witness Levi at the helm once again, a muscular arm towing the collar of the leather coat with ease, as if no person had been wearing it at all.
"This is Hanji, manager of our supplies and storage tents…and also our resident pharmacist." Releasing the excitable one to a seated position upon the gravelly earth, Levi provides a most apathetic introduction that even rivals Annie's usual tone. Below him, Hanji shows little distress for the inelegant state of things, choosing instead to continue marveling at Mikasa's presence from the inferior position.
"Ye…yes, I do recall your name being mentioned." Though somewhat uneasy from the entire occurrence, Mikasa maintains her composure and enters into a courteous bow. "Thank you kindly for granting us usage of the smelling salts. My acquaintance Armin was quite enamored with your collection of remedies."
The declaration seems to deliver a surge of energy, as Hanji immediately jumps back into a standing position. "Marvelous! He is welcome ANY TIME he wants to visit. Even if I'm not here!"
"I shall definitely relay this to him."
"I must say, you are even more splendid than they all described!" Despite the previous response, Hanji somehow redirects the topic again. "I knew Levi must've had good reason to be daydream-mmph!"
Once more, the pharmacist's brazen statement is interrupted - this time by way of Levi's pitiless palm muffling all the words, rather than a verbal retort.
Daydreaming? Mikasa gulps. Surely that isn't referring to…
"…I. Must. Be. Off." Ahead of her, the very displeased young man hisses at his struggling target.
"Um. I brawght yur hoarshe." From behind tightly closed fingers, Hanji finally manages to verbalize a more practical matter.
Though the words are barely comprehensible, a few neighs coming from the gate provide pertinent hints to the mystery. Before long, a beautiful, chestnut-colored horse rounds the corner and saunters towards them, equipped with gear sufficient for a sizable journey. Though understated, its entrance renders Mikasa mesmerized, for she easily recognizes it to be as extraordinary as the ones bred and trained on royal territories.
"Impressive creature." Next to her, Annie finally speaks for the first time since their arrival, echoing her same thoughts.
Contrary to them, Levi's reaction is rather dejected, though his tone towards Hanji loses no sense of warning from before. "Be assured that I will return later to deal with you."
With that, he uncoils his arm from the pharmacist's figure before directing nods at everyone present. Soon, resolute steps deliver him to the spot adjacent to the compliant horse, and a series of brisk, smooth movements illustrate the young man's ascent onto its back. The sight causes Mikasa's heart to inexplicably race, and an instinct even she cannot identify steers her own feet past the others, rousing momentum that fails to halt until she finally reaches him again.
"Where must you head, Levi?" Gazing upward, her voice releases with more anxiety than she intends. And why do I worry so?
A momentary silence follows her question as Levi returns her gaze, his eyes seemingly occupied by surprise. Only when he blinks again does the response come, and he conveys the words rather carefully, as if to soothe her concerns.
"We exhausted one of our medicines for the children, so I must go hunt down some specific herbs in the forest near here for Hanji, that is all." He states simply. "I was about to depart when you arrived."
The innocuous explanation causes Mikasa to flush, for it proves much less severe than her unnecessary fears. "Oh, I see. Best of luck, then." She nods in understanding on the surface, though her inner thoughts berate herself for imagining the worst. Admit it, Mikasa, you were worried that he would be leaving here for an extended period…
"Wait, wait – can you help him if you have some time right now, Mikasa?" Hanji suddenly bellows. "Levi usually takes ages to gather enough…a fresh set of eyes would likely be a blessing for him."
"Hanji, you-" Levi's displeasure sounds from above, though for the first time, even he is apparently unable to complete his words.
Mikasa perceives Annie's look of warning in that moment – as well as the unmistakable shape of the knight's lips mouthing no repeatedly – but she hesitates little before grasping the unusual opportunity at hand. The unforeseen suggestion had sent her heart into the most wayward of palpitations, and by now, she has discovered the route she must dare to take, even if the conclusion is unknown.
"Well, I have actually done something similar with Armin before…" She confesses to an experience from the past year, where she joined the apothecary-in-training for an investigation of the castle gardens. Not quite the same, but surely close enough. "He said that I actually have some talent for spotting obscure plantlife."
Hanji slaps both hands together in a loud clap. "That settles it, then! Bring her along today, Levi!"
Before Mikasa can gauge his reaction, she sees Annie approach them in a last attempt at dissuasion.
"Mikasa, I'm coming with…" The knight's advance is unwavering, clearly wishing to enforce her usual protective character upon the spontaneous situation. Her intentions, however, are quickly dissolved by a hand dragging her sideways towards the main gate, exerting unusual strength that even she cannot overcome.
"Please stay here with us, Miss! You're…just in time to join us for a delicious lunch and a tour of our compound!" Hanji marches determinedly with the blonde's forearm in tow. "Unfortunately, today Levi has only enough rations for two people, and not three."
"I do?" The rider's response bears only confusion.
Mikasa watches Hanji halt mid-step, nearly causing Annie to stumble, before directing a penetrating glare towards Levi. "Yes, you do. Putting a few more morsels in your supplies is the very reason I was delayed coming here."
"And why did you-"
The glare intensifies.
"—alright, very well, very well. I shall bring her…" At last, Levi seems to succumb to Hanji's astute tactics. Though no longer facing him, Mikasa can now detect his eyes on her back, and to her aggravation, the difficulties in confronting him from earlier begin to surface again.
"Wait." She steps forward, line of sight trained on her trusted friend. "I must speak with Annie before anything further."
Hanji releases her death grip then, and Annie instinctively flinches away, somewhat unsettled from the recent mayhem. Wordlessly, Mikasa follows her footsteps, and they soon stop at a site much closer to the compound barrier, though still very much visible to the others present.
"Mikasa, this is…" Annie breaks the silence first, voicing her frustration in a hushed whisper.
"I shall be fine, Annie." The young monarch repeats an action of reassurance from the day before, placing both hands upon her exasperated knight's shoulders.
"I now believe they truly do not know your identity, but…they are all absolutely mad." Shoving aside the supportive gesture, the blonde motions somewhat wildly with her arms, as if questioning her own lucidity. "You cannot possibly stay alone with any one of them – even if it's the one who seems most sensible - and I…I refuse to be left here."
"You just need some time with them, I promise." Mikasa shakes her head in disapproval, though even she is beginning to doubt her own words. "Yes, those first impressions were rather…unfortunate, but I know that they are all quite lovely."
"They clearly seem to adore you, but I..."
"Just allow them to have some time with you as well." Greys met blues in a final act of insistence. "Please."
For a moment, Annie still remains quiet, lips pressed together in insolence. The stubbornness proves short-lived, however, when they both sense a horse and rider approaching them.
"You can trust me – I know these woods better than anyone else, and I won't let anything happen to her." Levi declares to them both, voice thoroughly confident as he controls the reins.
Her eyes meet his once more, and Mikasa nearly flushes from seeing the darkened shades of the young man's irises, now radiating something akin to valor. He is truly far from a knight in shining armor, and yet…
Annie only maintains her silence for a second longer.
"Very well. But if she comes back with even a scratch anywhere, you will have to answer to me."
"She won't." Levi affirms. "And do not neglect something we are both aware of: this one can care for herself quite well."
"Indeed she can." Sighing, the blonde's own irises start to appear glassy, as if undergoing some form of nostalgia. "Though I do need that reminder sometimes."
The two young women exchange slight smiles then, with Annie also offering a nod of official consent for her voyage.
"Shall we?" Levi, master of interruptions, poses his request.
"Yes, let me just get my horse—" Mikasa heads toward her waiting animal, which has somehow remained patient and docile throughout the entire set of events. But a blockade soon appears in the form of Levi's own steed, maneuvered masterfully by its rider to impede her path.
"I think one will be enough." He bends slightly from his vantage point, extending an arm downward in invitation. "Let yours rest a bit."
In all her years as princess, she had seldom ridden with another due to the eminent nature of her status. But at that very moment, Mikasa grasps the offering hand with no hesitation, for she recognizes that the young man daring to share his space with her is beyond fearless – that he will never succumb to a challenge such as herself. So with polished movements rivaling his own from earlier, she glides atop the horseback and settles behind him, giving thorough indication of her preparedness for whatever lies ahead.
"…Not bad." Levi nearly whistles at her dexterity. "When you almost fell while getting off earlier, I actually thought you inexperienced."
Her wordless retaliation comes in the form of both her arms, tenderly wrapping around his robust torso and forcing his posture into a firmer state. The action evidently unnerves him, but he betrays little unease other than a hastened cry for their horse to commence its journey. As Mikasa looks back to gesture farewells, Annie's somewhat stunned expression at the development burns into her mind, for that is a spectacle even rarer than a smile. In the distance, she can also distinguish Hanji's unhindered, cheerful reaction to it all, and she deliberates briefly on how many other amusing "schemes" involving her may still come to pass.
But for now, let me indulge in this freedom. She presses a cheek against her temporary support, noting his warmth in contrast to her castle's stone-lined grounds.
Even if just for today.
[End of Chapter II]
Preview for Chapter III (To come in a few more days):
Levi: Um I thought I was supposed to protect you
Mikasa: Quiet I'm in charge now kay
