A:N/ Hi guys! I'm sorry that it's been quite a while since I updated, so I tried to make this chapter as long as possible since I have another vacation this weekend. Enjoy as much as I enjoy that Elyse is my only original character in this mess of things.
Elyse couldn't believe what she was hearing. It had been five years since Eren was introduced into her life. The moment she had held him, she was sure that she wanted to be his mother, yet she was unsure of how long she would be.
Now, the time came, and she didn't know what to do about it.
A side of her was relieved that her uncle was found, but the other side of her was distraught because one of her children was going to be taken away from her.
She looked at Erwin, trying to remain calm, but his face was damn blank as if he was just informed a normal everyday thing.
"Where is he? What happened to him for the past five years?" Elyse asked, trying to remain calm.
Her father sighed, "He was found dead, Elyse."
The ground from underneath her seemed to disappear as the news hit her.
"Dead?" Elyse whispered, her gaze going immediately to Eren, who was still distracted with his siblings.
"The police found his body abandoned in a basement. We don't know the details yet because they want to meet with the next of kin and ask some questions before the planned funeral." Her father continued, and Elyse could see the guilt in his eyes as he spoke.
The fight that cut off all communication with her uncle was because of him.
"He was murdered?" Elyse asked, distraught as she heard Eren's laugher in the background.
"That's what they're saying." Her father said, softly.
Elyse didn't know what to say as she stared at her father, completely lost and hardly breathing.
"Elyse, why don't you go upstairs and put the kids to bed?" Erwin's voice broke through the tense moment in the room.
Elyse, not trusting her own voice, nodded, and she made a move to stand up, but she faltered slightly, and she found herself being held up by Erwin, who in one stride was at her side.
"Elyse…" Erwin trailed off, waiting for her to respond to him.
"I'm fine." Elyse said, robotically, and she motioned for the kids, "Eren, Armin, Mikasa, it's time for bed."
The kids sighed, but they obeyed as they got up and started to clean up the toys that their grandfathers got them. While they were doing that, Elyse took the opportunity to kiss her fathers goodnight.
"I'm very sorry, Elyse." Her father whispered in her ear as she bent down to kiss his cheek. Elyse offered a weak smile, but she knew that her expression was one of heartbreak.
The kids ran up to their grandfathers and as they talked, Erwin pulled Elyse aside, a strong hand on her back to guide her towards the bottom of the staircase.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Erwin asked her carefully. Elyse just nodded, her gaze still on Eren as she grabbed Erwin's hand for comfort.
She could feel Erwin's stare on her, but she just couldn't break away from looking at her son.
He lost his real father, and he doesn't even know it.
A tight squeeze from Erwin's hand made her face him, and he looked at her, carefully. After a moment, he smiled at her, reassuringly.
"I'll just discuss a couple of things with our fathers about what's going to happen now, and I'll tell you all about it later." Erwin stated, letting go of her hand and placed a small kiss on her forehead.
Elyse, still not willing to talk since she can't even get her emotions in place, nodded, and she watched as the kids bounded to where they were.
Erwin bent down to kiss them goodnight and Elyse still couldn't keep her gaze off of Eren, her heart breaking every time she saw that smile on his face.
"Goodnight, liebts." Erwin wished them as they bounded up the stairs with Elyse following after them.
But, Erwin tugged at her hand and she looked back at him, expectantly, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he had a worried look on his face as he stared at her. Then, he let go of her and turned around to walk back into the living room. And Elyse shuddered as she watched her husband's strong back face her.
Elyse waited for him in their shared room for the night. Technically, it was his room, but since he barely slept in there when he was in his office, Elyse considered it "the room they had to share if they had guests over."
She found herself out on the balcony with a throw wrapped around her shoulders as she overlooked the water hitting the rocks and felt the cool breeze whip around her here and there.
She needed to feel something.
The emotions that had wreaked havoc in her mind when she had first heard the news were starting to subside, but Elyse didn't like the feeling that was bubbling beneath it all. It was wrong to feel this way after you hear that a loved one passed.
The sound of the door opening caught Elyse's attention and she turned around only to see that her husband was looking at her, a little annoyed.
"It's cold outside, Elyse. Please come back inside." Erwin demanded, his voice sounded tired but firm.
Elyse nodded and walked back inside, closing the balcony doors. She watched as Erwin poured himself a drink from the mini-bar in his room and he sighed as he sat down in one of the leather chairs.
He motioned for her to take a seat on the opposite one from his chair and she obeyed.
He was deep in thought before he regarded her as he drank from his glass.
"Where do you want me to begin?" He finally asked her, prompting her to answer him.
"What's going to happen?" Elyse finally asked, her own voice sounded foreign to her.
"The investigation came up with somebody was chasing after your uncle. Your father said that the police found a note on your uncle's body. It was in his handwriting and he stated that…if anything were to happen to him to let his family know that he was going to join his wife and that he knows that his son is being taken care of." Erwin paused, making sure that Elyse was caught up with what he was saying.
Elyse teared up at that, "He knew? He knew that we had Eren?" She asked, softly.
Erwin nodded, "it appears that way. But, that's not all. They also found a will down in that basement that belonged to him. It stated that everything he had left would to be given to his son, but it also stated that some of it would go to you and your brother."
That's when Elyse began to cry. Her heart not being able to bear another death. She had barely known her uncle, only knowing that he had been a kind man that cared very much for her and her brother.
"I can't believe that I lost another family member. I can't believe that…Eren lost his father. Erwin, oh my God." Elyse sobbed, and Erwin got up and made his way towards her. He sat on the armrest of her chair and he began to soothe her.
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Elyse." Erwin comforted her, and Elyse laid her head on his hip as he rubbed her shoulder.
"So, what now?" Elyse asked, quietly, after her sobs subsided and the quiet moment passed.
"We'll have to go to Germany. Your father wants us and your brother to join him as he figures what to do with the investigation and the funeral." Erwin said, "We'll have to leave the kids here."
Elyse sat up straight at that, confused and troubled, "Wait, why?"
Erwin raised an eyebrow at her and he got up to get his drink off the table and he walked towards the roaring fireplace.
"The kids have private tutoring in three days, Elyse. Did you forget?" Erwin said, his back turned towards her as they drank, quietly.
Elyse gasped, suddenly remembering that she had talked to Nana, Mike's wife, about it. Nana had recently given birth to a baby girl and she was a pre-school teacher in a prestigious school in Paris. Elyse had relied heavily on Nana when it came to applying her kids for that school, but then again, Erwin being their father was already a given that the kids would be able to get in.
Mike, Nana's husband and Erwin's good friend, had dropped by a couple of times as Elyse offered Nana Mikasa's baby stuff that Mikasa had grown out of.
Elyse was amused when the man rarely talked, and she found herself even more amused as she watched Erwin and him interact. Her brother had visited at one point, and Mike and him were the most amusing to watch as Levi insulted Mike while Mike simply stared at Levi as if he was a small kid.
"Nana said that the kids would need help with that, Erwin. After the weeks of private tutoring, they'll enter the school and then they'll be— "
"I don't like this either, Elyse, but we can't do anything about it right now. This is all unexpected, but the kids should be okay. Nifa is here, and I can ask if Nana and Mike can stay in the estate for a while as we fix whatever is going on in Germany." Erwin interrupted her, finishing his glass of alcohol.
Elyse knew that it made sense, but she also didn't want to leave her kids alone. It scared her. She never left them for such a long time, and under these circumstances, she didn't know if it was the right thing to do.
"You told me that it's time for the kids to go outside, and its time for you to leave them for just a bit, Elyse. We're not only doing this for your uncle, but we're doing this for his son, our son." Erwin said, turning to face Elyse.
Elyse took a moment to stare back at him and she found herself saying, "Okay, let's go to Germany."
Her father and brother greeted them as they helped with the luggage. Levi and her father had already said goodbye to the kids, and the kids were confused when Erwin informed them that his father would be taking care of them.
They were even more upset when they realized that their parents were also leaving.
Saying goodbye to the kids was proving to be difficult since the kids were distraught when Erwin was explaining that they wouldn't be in the estate for a couple of days because they had to be somewhere else.
"Why can't we go with you?" Mikasa asked her father, her eyes watering as Erwin placed a kiss on her forehead.
"You guys have to get ready for school, remember?" Erwin pointed out, smiling as his daughter shook her head, stubbornly.
"Mikasa, your father is right. You have school, and you can't miss that." Elyse said, poking at Armin and Eren's cheeks as they were too busy pouting to focus on their father.
"Why can't we have the teacher come with us like we have Nifa with us everywhere?" Eren asked, whining. Elyse actually shot her eyebrows up at the suggestion, looking at Erwin.
Erwin shot her a, "No, Elyse. Stop clinging on to the kids," gaze, before he turned to Eren, "Because this time, you can't bring a whole building with you, Eren."
"But, we won't be attending school until after, Papa." Armin protested, running up to his father, using his big blue eyes to use against him.
Armin is Erwin's son. Bringing out the pouting to put his father into his place. Hm, maybe, I can use that to my advantage when he gets older.
That thought amused Elyse, and she actually laughed aloud, forgetting that her kids were busy trying to convince their parents to take them with them.
Erwin shot her an exasperated look, but she shrugged.
Elyse realized that it was time to let the kids go for a bit. Thinking of how they would grow up gave Elyse the assurance that she'll always come back home to them even though it sucked leaving them.
"You guys can't come because it's alone time for your father and I," Elyse said, using the first lie that popped in her head, and she blushed when she realized what she just said.
Erwin raised an eyebrow at that and she shot him a glare when an amusing smile crossed his face.
"A-And, like we said, it's only a couple of days, okay? You guys should be excited for school! You'll be making new friends and learning new things." Elyse said, trying hard to convince them.
The kids sighed and nodded, and Elyse breathed a sigh of relief under her breath.
Erwin got up, and he helped Elyse get up, too. "It's time for your mother and I to go. Behave for your grandfather, okay? Remember that we love you and that we will be back."
The kids nodded once again, and Elyse leaned down to kiss them each on the cheeks, and she hugged them, tightly.
One Erwin also embraced his kids, he helped Elyse outside and into the car.
He didn't mention anything as Elyse waved out the window, as she stared at her kids, her heart beating fast as she watched them disappear in the distance.
Elyse was thankful that Erwin and her brother and father were too busy discussing business matters since that meant she could fall asleep in the private jet for at least half an hour until they landed in Germany.
She had trouble sleeping the night before, and she had been shocked when Erwin had fallen asleep as he fell asleep in the leather chair in front of the fireplace with a book on his chest.
She realized that Erwin was not indestructible like she had thought.
She was awoken by her brother when they landed, and she hauled herself up in a sluggish stupor as she made her way to the car and then to the hotel they were staying. The press was there, but she remained grateful for the invention of sunglasses and baseball hats.
When they were all checked in, her father and brother excused themselves to see their rooms while Erwin and Elyse went to the suite that they would be sharing.
Once they entered the room, Elyse made a beeline for the bed, groaning in satisfaction when she felt her body hit the soft mattress.
Erwin sighed as he tipped the bellboy and dragged their luggage inside. He kicked her leg with his shoe as he passed by her.
"You could help with the luggage." Erwin said, but Elyse knew by the slight amusement in his voice that she was clear from scolding.
Elyse gave him a muffled reply as her face was still appreciating the pillow that was on the bed.
She felt a sudden shift in the bed and she turned her face to face the intruder on the bed, annoyed.
"You're taking up all the space." Elyse whined at Erwin, who was busy closing his eyes and placing an arm over his face.
Erwin didn't respond, and Elyse pushed him, but she failed due to him being stronger than her as he pulled her into his arms.
"Stop moving, and go to sleep, Elyse." Erwin demanded, his eyes still closed.
"Don't we have to go somewhere? Like, I don't know, the funeral home or the station— "
"We don't need to go until two more hours, so I suggest that you get some rest now before all hell breaks loose." Erwin interrupted her, placing a hand on her mouth so she could stop talking.
Elyse giggled in his hand, and Erwin let her go as she pulled his arm away so she could close her eyes and sleep.
"Erwin, Elyse, get your lazy asses out of bed." Levi's voice called to them from outside their suite.
Elyse groaned at the sound, and she snuggled more into the pillow she held on to.
"I would also go in and kick your asses out of bed, but I'd rather not walk in seeing you both naked." Levi continued, and he hissed in pain as Elyse heard her father smack the back of her brother's head.
Erwin chuckled at that as he slowly got up from his place on the bed.
"Elyse, wake up." Erwin said, pushing her legs off him and Elyse sighed, but she obeyed.
As she got up to wash her face in the bathroom, Erwin went to the door and opened it for Levi and his father-in-law.
"Sorry about that. We didn't get much rest last night." Erwin apologized to his father-in-law.
Elyse could hear her father's reassuring laugh, "Don't worry, son. I'll just be expecting another grandchild soon."
Elyse chocked on the water that she had been gargling when she heard that, and Levi's laughter echoed throughout the suite.
Flaming red, Elyse got out of the bathroom, and she noticed that Erwin had an amused expression on his face as Levi was still doubled over with laughter while her father nodded at her with a smile.
"Let's go." Elyse groused, already walking towards the door, but she made sure to kick her brother's shin as she passed him.
They arrived at the station first, the one with the police officers that had discovered her uncle's body and Elyse shuddered as she entered the office.
They spoke German, and Erwin took over with the conversing. Levi and her father were listening, since they were fluent in the language. Elyse only could understand a couple of words here and there.
She had stopped listening when she heard the words, "murder", and "missing for years."
Her heart began to break once more as she thought of Eren back in Paris, still oblivious and innocent about what he had just lost.
The officers interviewed them, and Elyse found herself grateful when they assured Erwin that they would do everything in their power to find the culprit. It wasn't long before they all got up to leave for the funeral home.
Elyse looked forward to the car ride, so they could discuss what the police had said, and she could have some peace of mind about what's going on.
"He was running from someone, that's for sure." Levi stated, once they got into the car. "It probably has something to do with…"
Levi trailed off, as if realizing that he shouldn't be saying the things he was saying. Elyse didn't miss it when Erwin shot Levi a look.
Her father voiced her annoyed opinion, "What is it? What are you both hiding?"
Levi sighed, and Erwin held up a hand, and Levi glared at the man, but he kept his mouth shut.
"It's nothing." Her brother stated, curtly. Her father was about to say something, but he was interrupted by a phone call and he sighed.
When her father answered the phone, Elyse looked at her brother, who didn't look at her as he busied himself with his own phone. When she tried to look Erwin, he had already picked up a newspaper, not even meeting her eyes.
Before she could question them, her father was starting to yell in his phone.
"That's insane. My family and I can't make it to a party two days after my brother-in-law's funeral." Her father hissed in the phone.
Elyse began to worry when her father began to massage his temples.
"You're expecting me to-Enough. Fine. My son-in-law will go in place for me. Not another word." With that said, Ansel Ackerman hung up his phone and threw it on the floor, angrily.
Levi and Erwin looked up from what they were doing, and they waited for her father to calm down. Elyse waited, patiently, also.
"It seems that there is a major party with the business clientele for Germany, but it's two days after the funeral. They said that it's a serious insult if no one related to the head of the company will show up, so I offered to send Erwin, except that they find that unacceptable due to Elyse being my daughter and that she won't escort her husband to the party." Her father groused, and he grabbed a glass off the mini-bar in the car and poured himself a drink.
Elyse bit her lip as she looked at her brother and then at Erwin. Erwin nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"It's fine, Ansel. I should be fine by myself. They can act all offended if they want, but I can make a speech that will have them feeling guilty for even trying to take you away from mourning." Erwin stated, nonchalantly. Elyse rolled her eyes at that, but she had a small smile on her lips, secretly thankful for Erwin's…charm with people.
But, Elyse didn't feel comfortable leaving Erwin alone with the businessmen. She remembered how Nile Dok was at talking business with her husband and the terrible mood Erwin was right after. Even if the men in her family won't tell her what's going on, she knew that something was up with the business.
"It's not that. I agree with what they are saying. I don't like what's going on with Greisha's murder and I don't want my children to be out and about after his funeral in Germany— "
"Papa, I think I can accompany Erwin at the upcoming party. It won't look good with the press, and I'm sure that our bodyguards are well-equipped to protect us." Elyse interrupted her father, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
Her father gazed at her, disapproving of her suggestion.
"Elyse, did you not hear what I said? I don't like you to be out and about with all this investigation going on." Her father stated, sighing.
Elyse nodded, "I know, but like I said, our personal security detail has been doing well in protecting us. Germany may be a different setting, but I trust them enough to know that I will be safe. Besides, all we need to do is show up and play nice and then we leave."
Levi shot her a look, but Elyse ignored it. She also ignored the fact that there was a frown on Erwin's face.
Men and their stupid pride. I'm trying to save the business, you morons.
It angered Elyse that they still treated her like she was some little girl who needed to be taken care of. She may not have the skills that they have as Army men and direct businessmen, but she was sure she could hold herself well among the elite.
She had been playing trophy wife and mother for quite some time now.
Her father studied her, and by the looks of it, he was about to reject her idea.
"Fine." Her father said, and that took Elyse aback a little.
"Father—" Levi hissed, but he was interrupted when their father held up a hand.
"Your sister has a made a decision, and I'll respect it. She's not sixteen anymore." Her father said, drinking from his glass.
Elyse heart skipped at the last statement. Her father was trying to be a supportive parent, even though it was a little too late. Maybe, he was trying to apologize for what he almost made her do all those years ago.
It has to be the death of our uncle. Maybe that's why he's being more…supportive.
Elyse softened at the thought, and she squeezed her father's arm, comfortingly.
She smiled when her father patted his hand atop of hers.
The funeral took place in a small plot that was bought by the Jaeger Family years ago. Elyse scanned the headstones, her heart breaking when she saw her mother's parent's graves. It had been years since she had last been here with her brother.
As if realizing that too, her brother held out his hand to hers and she grabbed it, smiling softly.
Elyse watched as they lowered the casket in the ground, and she listened as they prayed and sang. When it was all over, Elyse walked up to the headstone and she bent down, her fingers grazing atop of her uncle's name.
It's been a routine for her now. And it sucked.
"Hello, Uncle Greisha. It's been awhile, huh? I wish…I wish I could've seen you before this happened. But, of course, family matters always get in the way…At least you're buried next to your wife, right? I…I wish you could've also told me that you knew about Eren being with us. Because, maybe, just maybe, Eren could've heard your voice. God, Uncle, I just…why couldn't you just have called and just say, 'hey Elyse, I just want to let you know that you're doing a great job as a mom and want to thank you for taking care of Eren.'" Elyse eyes began to tear as she covered her mouth, "It's hard sometimes before, when I watched Eren grow up, knowing that you were out there. I thought that, 'I'm going to lose Eren soon because Uncle Greisha is going to come one day.' And now that's not going to happen…"
Elyse hesitated to continue, but she persisted, finally letting go of the emotions she had felt when she first heard about her uncle's death.
"I feel grief that you're gone, Uncle, but, now that I'm here, opening up, I'm glad that Eren will still be with us. I'm relieved that I still have my son, and I don't know if that makes me a terrible person, uncle, but know this, I love Eren with all my heart and I didn't want to have him the way I did, but I'm still happy he's here with me, with us. And, uncle, I hope that I'm making you happy with how I'm raising him." Elyse finished, her tears falling down her cheeks.
A hand on her shoulder made her turn around, and she looked up.
Erwin looked down at her, smiling, and she smiled back, reaching to place her hand atop of his.
Elyse said goodbye to the last funeral goer with a smile, and she sighed as she watched her father and Erwin talked among the other people in German. Elyse didn't feel like joining them since she was still unsure about her German, and she wasn't ready to face the onslaught of grievers that knew her uncle well since it would remind her of all the family drama that she had growing up.
She had already missed her uncle growing up.
She turned and she noticed that her brother was in front of a headstone that looked eerily familiar, and her heart stopped when she noticed that it was the same grave that she had been actively avoiding since they got here.
With a hesitant step, she approached her brother, and she kept a safe distance from her and the headstone.
Her brother didn't seem to notice that she was there since he had his eyes closed and he was muttering something under his breath.
It hit Elyse that her brother was sending a prayer, and it hurt her that she realized that he only prayed when it came to her.
Elyse watched her brother for a moment, actively trying to not look at the headstone as he rose.
"Elyse, I know you're there." Levi stated, nonchalantly.
"I know that." Elyse replied, softly.
A moment passed between the two siblings as Elyse faced her brother's back. It was an eerie déjà vu, one that Elyse remembered she had been staring at when she had only been 9 years old.
"At least another soul joined her up there." Levi said, after a moment of silence.
"At least." Elyse muttered, softly, looking down at her shuffling feet.
"Are you not going to say anything to her?" Levi asked her, not even bothering to turn and face her.
"What is there to say?" Elyse asked, a trace of sadness in her voice.
Levi scoffed and turned to glare at her, "Oh, I don't know, Elyse. How about the fact that you are a mother and wife? How about that you own a theatre, a very special theatre, and that you're the lead ballerina in the most praised production in France?"
Elyse bit her lip and she looked down once again at her feet.
"She knows that." Elyse simply said, still not looking up at her brother. "It's not like she can…hear me."
Elyse could hear her brother sigh, but he didn't push her. Instead, he walked up to her and she looked up, surprised.
He flicked her forehead. Hard.
Elyse hissed in pain and she glared at her brother, who simply looked at her with a frown.
"You might have grown up in other aspects, but this one…it's time to stop being a little girl, Elyse." Levi scolded her.
A shot of bitterness, shame, and anger coursed through Elyse's entire being as she stared at her brother.
"I've grown up, Levi. And you're the one who needs to realize that you're the one who needs to grow up and realize that talking to a slab of stone doesn't change the fact that she's gone." Elyse hissed, angrily.
With that said, Elyse whipped around and walked to where her father and Erwin were standing, not bothering to glance at her brother.
"Hi, darling. How is everything? Oh? You learned how to peel an orange? I'm so proud, baby. Don't push your brother, Eren. Yes, papa is here. Do you want to talk to him?" Elyse asked on the phone, smiling as heard the chorus of kids on the other line.
Erwin, who had been tying his tie as Elyse sat down on their bed to talk to their kids, smiled in the mirror as Elyse shot him an amused look.
Elyse got up and handed Erwin the phone. He took it from her and he began to talk as Elyse took over the mirror to fix her make-up. She smiled when Erwin laughed at whatever was said through the phone.
She knew that he missed the kids. He had been getting anxious with calling them since they didn't have the time to call them since they had landed. He was the one who persisted to check on them as Elyse was stressing about what her father was coaching her to do in tonight's party.
Her brother and her haven't talked since the showdown in the graveyard and Elyse wasn't about to be the first person to break the icy barrier.
Her brother, for once, had hurt her, and she was tired of being scolded by him especially when it came to that matter. She still felt guilty about the fight, but she was adamant and too stubborn to be the first one to talk about it.
Maybe he's right. I do need to grow up…No! Elyse, you get to be angry for once. Okay? It's your brother's turn to be the one to actually fix something.
Holding her head up high, she didn't realize that Erwin had already said his goodbyes on the phone and he was putting on his jacket to complete his tuxedo ensemble.
Elyse dusted off her red gown and made sure that red lipstick wasn't on her teeth before she turned to face him. Erwin smiled at her, and she offered a smile back.
"It seems that I brought Paris back with me." Erwin teased, offering her his arm. Elyse groaned at the cheesiness of his line.
"Don't, Erwin. The cheesiness should start later on when we get to the ballroom." Elyse scolded, playfully.
Erwin chuckled, but he pressed a kiss on her hand and Elyse laughed when he spun her around and out their hotel suite's door.
The ballroom was gorgeous. It was filled with important business clientele just as her father had promised, and by the looks of everyone when Erwin and her arrived and had been announced, the guests seemed relieved that the most important guests of the party were here just as promised.
Elyse didn't know what to think as they descended down the stairs.
"Smile. Breathe in, breathe out." Erwin whispered in her ear, drawing her closer to him and Elyse accepted his offered strength.
She wasn't in any mood to party, and she was sure that if she had been alone in this, she would be suffocated with the glitz and the glamour of it all. Once again, she thanked the fact that her twisted marriage was a bonus point for her.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Erwin and her were greeted by the German hosts of the party, a very sharp-looking older couple that eerily reminded Elyse of the sharp beauty that the Germans were graced with.
It intimidated her.
A strong grip on her waist reminded her that she wasn't alone and she leaned into Erwin's touch, thankfully.
Erwin spoke fluently in German, and Elyse could make out certain phrases like, "We are honored to be here," and, "It is a gorgeous party."
The hosts graciously looked at her, and they talked to Erwin for a moment and then they left as Elyse gave them a slight curtsy.
She flushed when she realized what she had done. Erwin laughed in her ear, "You want to explain why you just curtsied?"
Elyse turned pink in embarrassment and she pinched Erwin's arm in warning.
Erwin guided her through the party, talking with powerful men and women here and there and making sure that Elyse understood what they talked about as soon as they left.
"Do you want a drink?" Erwin asked, after saying goodbye to yet another businessman. Elyse nodded, tiredly.
"Yes, please." Elyse said, exasperated. Erwin smiled and excused himself to get them drinks.
Elyse watched the couples dance on the ballroom and she mused on asking Erwin to dance with her, even though he had been horrible that one time back in the theatre.
"Ah, Miss Elyse, I didn't expect to see you here." A familiar voice said from behind her.
Elyse turned around a bit surprised, and she was greeted by Mr. Dok.
She smiled at him, welcoming and warmly. He had been a bit…weird at Erwin's office, but she didn't want to judge him so quickly. Erwin had said that he was a business partner of some sort, so maybe Mr. Dok wasn't a bad guy.
"I didn't expect to be here either, but duty calls." Elyse said, playfully. Mr. Dok chuckled at that, and Elyse patted herself on the back, inwardly, for being a nice person.
"Ah, I see. Is Erwin here? I expected to see him with you." Mr. Dok asked, looking around.
"He's here. He just went to go get us drinks. We're a bit parched since all we've been doing since we got here was talk." Elyse sighed, thinking about how much talking she had been doing.
Mr. Dok seemed to think on that, and he held out a hand towards her and she looked at him, surprised and confused.
"How about we dance then? Until Erwin gets back. It is a ballroom after all, and besides, I hear that you're a fantastic dancer." Mr. Dok asked, politely. Elyse blushed at that last statement, but she accepted his offer, grateful to be doing anything else than standing and talking about business in her broken German.
They approached the dance floor, and Elyse eased into what she was comfortable with. Mr. Dok led nicely, and Elyse noticed that he was very smooth on the dance floor.
"You're not a bad dancer, Mr. Dok." Elyse complimented him.
"That's because you have Erwin as a dance partner." Mr. Dok replied, laughing.
Elyse laughed in return, "You know about Erwin's dancing?"
"Oh, yes, when we were in the Army together, he danced like he had two left feet. The poor women never knew about it because he refused to dance with them." Mr. Dok said.
"You knew my husband in the Army, Mr. Dok?" Elyse asked, curiously.
Mr. Dok nodded, "He was a Commander, and I was also one, too. He chose more dangerous missions than me while I chose to play on the safe side. Nevertheless, we didn't agree on many things back then."
Elyse raised an eyebrow at that. "I see. But then again, my husband is a rather complex man."
Mr. Dok seemed to be highly amused at that as he let out a boisterous laugh, which caught a lot of attention.
"He truly is." Mr. Dok mused.
"You said that he danced with two left feet and that women didn't know since he never danced, but how do you know that he danced horribly?" Elyse asked, realizing his earlier comments.
"Ah," Mr. Dok mused, smiling, "That's because he only danced with one woman."
Elyse paused at that and she felt curiosity pick at her. "One woman? Was she special?"
Mr. Dok paused for a moment. "He never talked about his stint in the Army with you, did he?"
Elyse shook her head, "No, not really. I've only gathered bits and pieces here and there because I want to respect his space. My brother was with him, too, and I've seen how my brother was when he returned home."
Mr. Dok nodded, thoughtfully at that, "Oh, yes. Your brother was there." And by the tone of it, Elyse knew that Mr. Dok wasn't fond of her brother.
But, speaking about her brother, a sting of guilt hit her once more, but she ignored it, focusing on the dance.
"Well, Erwin was always a ladies' man. Very respectable and not bad to look at especially with his high rank. Yet, Erwin was a private man, and we had been surprised when he had brought a girl to a party this one time." Mr. Dok said, amused.
Elyse began to grow excited. Was she finally going to hear more about her mysterious husband?
"He danced with her all night and he looked pretty cozy with her." Mr. Dok said.
Elyse wondered for a moment, trying to place her finger on a specific question she wanted to ask, but there was too much that she found that the dance was over before she could say anything.
"I believe that Erwin should have your drinks by now. Shall we?" Mr. Dok asked, breaking into her thoughts.
Elyse nodded, and she let herself to be led out of the dance floor towards her husband.
Elyse spotted Erwin and she was about to call out to him, but she noticed that he was talking to someone. Mr. Dok even seemed to know who he was talking to as he smiled.
When they got closer, Elyse noticed it was a woman and a very beautiful one at that. The two were caught up in conversation and Mr. Dok had to clear his throat in order to get their attention.
Erwin turned around, and Elyse caught a flash of anger on his face before it settled to his normal stoic face.
"There you are, darling." Erwin said, flashing her a smile, and Elyse noticed that he held on to two glasses of champagne.
Elyse smiled back, letting go of Mr. Dok's arm to approach her husband. She grabbed the offered glass and kissed him on the cheek in thanks. Erwin was still smiling as he motioned towards the woman he had been talking to.
"Elyse, this is Marie. Marie, this is my wife, Elyse." Erwin introduced the two and Elyse approached the woman and kissed her on both cheeks in greeting.
"Ah, so it is true. You have married a Parisian beauty." The woman said in a very thick German accent, amused.
Elyse laughed, merrily, as she blushed at the woman's statement. The woman was indeed German from head to toe. She had big waves of blonde hair that cascaded down her back and bright blue eyes that shone warmly. She was tall and Elyse was reminded of those tall, willowy models back in New York City. On top of that, the sharp beauty that contrasted with the big blue eyes was captivating.
"You flatter me, Miss Marie." Elyse said, softly, still abashed by the loud compliment.
"My fiancé speaks the truth, Miss Elyse." Mr. Dok's voice said from behind, and Elyse was surprised as Marie grew flustered at the statement.
Mr. Dok joined Marie and wrapped an arm around her waist as he bent down to kiss her cheek.
He smiled at Erwin, "Congratulate me, dear friend. I've asked our lovely friend here to marry me."
Elyse smiled, widely at the couple. "Congratulations!" Elyse turned to Erwin and she was taken aback when she noticed that her husband's gaze held something dark and she almost gasped when she felt his fingers press against her waist, tightly.
"Congratulations." Erwin offered, and it would seem normal and happy to anyone else, but Elyse knew Erwin long enough that there was something off about his offered congratulations.
Before she knew it, Erwin looked at her, smiling, "Elyse, let's go to the balcony. I think I saw some other business clientele that we have yet to speak to."
Elyse nodded, not knowing what else to say since she was taken aback by all of her husband's actions.
Erwin turned to face the couple, smiling, "If you'll excuse us."
Before Elyse could even say goodbye herself, Erwin was already guiding her through the dance floor and towards the balcony.
And by the look on his face, Elyse thought better to keep silent.
They finished talking to the people on the balcony and Elyse noticed that Erwin was on his fourth glass of Jameson. He didn't lose his charm as he talked to the laughing businessmen, and Elyse respectfully laughed with them.
"Erwin, is everything okay?" Elyse finally asked, hesitant but she was worried. Erwin downed his fourth glass and looked down at her and smiled.
"Let's dance." Erwin finally said, leading her to the dance floor and Elyse didn't have any choice but to follow helplessly.
As the song began, Elyse was grateful that it was a slow one since Erwin was a…troubled dancer. This number would just be them swaying from side to side.
Erwin, seeming to read her thoughts, chuckled, "Saved you there, didn't it?"
Elyse smiled, easing into his embrace, "Pretty much."
She studied him, but much to her annoyance, she couldn't get a read on him. She's been married to this man for five years and a couple of months, and he still was unreadable.
"I'm fine, Elyse. I'm just tired of all this business talk. I thought I could get away from it, but here we are." Erwin sighed, placing his forehead on hers.
Elyse didn't blink twice at the random affection since she knew he needed it at this point. Erwin was always working, and it hadn't occurred to her that he needed a break since he was so good at it, but seeing him like this, it made her realize that the man did need a break.
"I'm sorry, Erwin. I should've just told my father that— "
"That we can't attend a party that's in our company's honor? Yes, Elyse, that would go really well. If anything, I was expecting to go to this alone." Erwin said, amused. Elyse smiled at his weak attempt to be playful.
"And miss all the fun?" Elyse asked, sarcastically. That earned her a chuckle from Erwin and Elyse laughed along.
"Is that why you're acting all weird before? Does Mr. Dok remind you of work or something?" Elyse asked, pointing out that he had been acting weird since seeing Mr. Dok.
"You could say that." Erwin groused. Elyse laughed and she noticed that the song had ended with a sigh.
"Come, let's keep drinking." Erwin said, pulling her towards the bar and Elyse giggled, letting him.
"Okay, but who dropped Eren's diaper next to Levi's suitcase?" Erwin pointed out, downing his tenth glass of Jameson.
Elyse giggled, drunkenly.
"Oh, please. You're the one who almost dropped Eren." Elyse stated, poking his nose.
Erwin slapped her hand away, and he laughed when Elyse let out an annoyed noise. Erwin got up, and he offered a hand to Elyse as she giggled when she almost tripped over her dress.
"Let's get you to bed, sweetie." Erwin teased, and Elyse rolled her eyes, but she let him help her get on the elevator.
Before they knew it, Elyse felt herself being stopped and she looked up, confused. She widened her eyes when she saw Marie, who was looking at Erwin with an earnest expression on her face but Elyse noticed that Marie's expression changed when she saw that Elyse was holding on to his arm.
"Marie." Erwin stated, a bit surprised.
"Erwin, can I talk to you for a moment?" Marie asked, and she tried very hard to not look at Elyse which confused Elyse more.
"Can we talk another time? I need to escort my wife to our room." Erwin said, pointing out that Elyse could barely hold herself up.
"Erwin…" That way that Marie said his name made Elyse, very, very drunk Elyse, feel a bit miffed and possessive.
"Marie, I really do need help to get to bed. Also, it's our only time away from the kids so you could see why I'm very anxious to jump him." Elyse pointed out, and she offered an innocent smile.
She could feel Erwin's amused gaze on her, but she ignored him and found herself rejoicing in Marie's taken aback expression.
"Oh, I see. Then, I guess we'll talk some other time." Marie said, and she excused herself.
"What was that about?" Elyse asked, curiously, and Erwin shushed her, picking her up bridal style since she was beginning to drop on the ground.
"Nothing, Elyse. Let's just say that you have once again saved me." Erwin said, smiling at her.
Elyse smiled back, drunkenly flicking his nose, "Yes, I am your savior. You must worship me."
The elevator doors closed to a laughing Erwin and a whining Elyse.
Erwin dropped her down on the bed and Elyse groaned at the sensation of feeling the soft bed beneath her.
She sat up when she noticed that Erwin was taking blankets and a pillow to the couch outside their bedroom.
"Where are you going?" Elyse asked, confused.
"I'm going to sleep outside on the couch." Erwin stated, with a sigh.
"Why?" Elyse asked, getting even more confused.
"Because you're drunk and I'm pretty sure that you're devious when you're drunk." Erwin said, giving her a pointed look.
"I'm not devious when I'm drunk." Elyse protested, pulling her dress up as she took it off, not realizing that Erwin was looking away from her as her naked body was revealed.
"You keep telling yourself that. Armin was definitely conceived when you were sober." Erwin said, already leaving to go outside.
Elyse laughed loudly at that, and she got up, not realizing that she was naked in her drunken state.
Erwin, being respectable, was looking away from her, and Elyse pouted as she wrapped her arms around him.
"But, I promise I won't take advantage of you. Besides, you're too tall and muscular for that couch, moron." Elyse said, giggling.
Erwin sighed and he gently peeled Elyse's arms off him.
"…Elyse, I'm trying my very best to be in control right now. I've had a rough day, and you know how I already get with rough days. Besides, you're fucking naked right now." Erwin hissed, as Elyse pressed her body against his clothed one.
Elyse, already feeling like a tease and enjoying the high that the alcohol was giving her, bit his ear, playfully, which earned a sharp moan from Erwin's gritted teeth.
"We've been fucking every now and then. What's the difference now?" Elyse asked, her lips finding his stubbled jawline.
"You're drunk. That's the difference." Erwin pointed out, and his hands were hovering above her body, careful to not touch her.
"Fine." Elyse sighed, letting go of Erwin, and Erwin relaxed when she went back on the bed.
When he began to leave, Elyse, drunk and mischievous, spread her long legs and coughed, slightly.
Erwin, being also slightly out of it due to tipsiness and his gorgeous wife trying to be the death of him, turned to face her and his face darkened at the sight of her on the bed.
"I'll be here when you cave." Elyse whispered, laughingly.
With a growl, Erwin whipped himself back around and Elyse could hear the blanket and pillows hit the lamps on his way to the couch.
Elyse woke up with a groan.
Her head was pounding.
She tried to recall the events of last night, and with a slow recollection, she simply remembered drinking and then trying to…seduce Erwin.
With a sigh, Elyse hit her forehead to punish herself.
"Erwin, are you out there?" Elyse asked, loudly, wincing as the pain in her forehead pounded even more as she moved.
"I'm right here." Erwin's voice said from…below her?
Before she knew it, a surge of pleasure hit her body and she bucked her hips against lips that caressed her folds.
"E-Erwin?" Elyse panted, arching her back as she felt more pleasure through her hangover.
"Payback's a bitch, Elyse." Erwin laughed and after a moment, Elyse found herself being completely undone.
"You know you didn't have to be such a…meanie about it." Elyse groused as she packed her stuff in the bathroom.
"Meanie? Elyse, why do you still talk as if you're in high school. It's healthy to curse here and there, you know." Erwin's voice wafted in the bathroom as he packed their stuff from their room.
Elyse was still a bit flushed from Erwin's action this morning, and it had helped her hangover, but still.
He had fucked her without abandon after that, making sure that she would regret ever teasing him when was inebriated.
She had trouble walking even now.
Elyse rolled her eyes at Erwin's point of cursing, and she mimicked his words, annoyed.
She felt her phone vibrate in her jean's pocket, and she pulled it out, checking on who's calling.
Her heart stopped when she noticed Braun's name lit up on her phone and she completely forgot all about Erwin and their tryst this morning.
Taking a deep breath, Elyse answered, hesitantly.
"Hello?" Elyse greeted, softly.
"Elyse, it's me, Braun." Braun's voice sounded from the other side, and Elyse's heart clenched at the sound of his voice.
Stupid heart.
"Yes, I know. Why are you calling me? Does it have to do with the theatre?" Elyse asked, worried about the theatre and that she had received a text from Freida that everything was going fine.
"No, the theatre is fine. I'm calling you to warn you about your husband." Braun said.
Elyse raised her eyebrows at that, confused and annoyed at Braun's insinuation that Erwin was a bad man.
If anything, Braun was the bad man. He's the one who broke her heart two times at this point.
"Braun, enough. I don't want to hear it." Elyse said, exasperated.
"No, you need to listen to me, Elyse. You need to hear this." Braun said, pleading.
"What? What do you want me to hear so badly?" Elyse asked, massaging her temples.
"He's been married before, Elyse. To a woman named Marie. That's not all, she was pregnant with his child before he left her for the Army."
Elyse dropped her phone as she felt her world crash down around her.
A:N/ Hello guys! Here's a lovely cliffhanger and I'll be away for vacation this weekend, and don't worry, I'll be working on the next chapter while there. Discuss your theories down below with each other. Make friends with this angst.