Author's Note: I hope everyone has been having a great time, and honestly its crazy to think that Attack on Titan is coming to an end very soon, and writing this chapter has been very special to me. I already have a feeling that many of you are gonna be thrilled by what the contents have to offer especally with moving the story forward and continuing build up of Eren and Historia's relationship.

Chapter 8:

Cadet Corps Reunion

Reputation was a concept that I've little to no control over for as long as I could remember, but at the same time that also coincided with a concept of responsibility. Since the day of the coronation I knew what was expected of me as the ruler of the walls. It was meant to ensure that everything I had done was for the sake of the people. Most of the decisions came from the higher ups I held the power to make the final call in case something wasn't to my liking or if it had little to no benefits to the citizens as whole. That was only if there had been anything that occurred with the system and occasionally Captain Levi would offer some suggestions, but it would mostly have been towards the middle of the day... A simple check in is how I'd probably describe it truth be told. Though, if I had to be honest I feel like my reputation and responsibility went back to before I became the queen. Back when I was just the sweet caring Krista Lenz in the Cadet Corp under Instructor Shadis' training grounds. I knew for a fact that my old persona drew many boys with such adoration because of how meek and shy I used to be. That also came to a few popular nicknames that were given to me as Krista which were angel or goddess which came as a unanimous compliment from everyone... Well mostly everyone except for one particular guy who thought the complete opposite. When I originally assumed that nobody would've preferred who I truly was deep down.

If it wasn't for that simple chat in the cabins four months ago I don't believe the same person would be here or have the will to move forward. Just like the other two people who were close to me before they had left me behind for my own protection. These were the many things that raced through my mind as I made my way through the entrance of the old training ground. At the time the sun had barely begun to set and I couldn't help, but tend to the responsibilities at the farm and especially the orphan children. Odds are things would've only just now been resolved which might've made me late if it wasn't for Chloe's persistence of "Don't worry about it your majesty I'll take care of whatever things need to be finished... Go ahead and have an amazing time with your friends." I'm really grateful that she's willing to handle things in order for me to have fun once in a while, but I still can't help to feel a little selfish about the whole thing. Oh well Historia she wants you to have an amazing time so do just that! Thankfully, An old classmate who joined the Military Police, Hitch offered to escort me from the farm to this nostalgic view. Ugh... I know I'm queen and all, but come on I don't always need one of the guards to make sure I was safe from danger.

I couldn't help to find myself interested in conversing with Hitch along the way to the training grounds. Most of it had to do with a very simple fact. We had hardly spoken to another during the old cadet days, and the other reason simply being that she was a part of the Military Police. It allowed me to gain some more insights on how some of the members felt about the system through her perspective which she'd relay back to me for my own opinion. There wasn't necessarily a whole lot that was discussed about since there still hadn't been a lot of time since the ceremony passed. Especially since a lot of the attention was spent on the citizens in the walls and nothing more. The part I found hysterical in terms of insights were the small warnings she'd give off to a few kids causing trouble for the sake of having fun. It almost reminded me of the mischievousness I'd have to deal with from time to time when it came to Holgar's antics or worse... whenever he'd team up with Suki and Wim... That would've definitely brought out the more annoyed motherly aspect of me. Sometimes I don't even realize that aspect even emerges during moments like that. Odds are if the kids Hitch scolded out on the streets came across me they'd probably act surprised and sweet. Especially after I came across the two kids Yui and Soren during my stroll around a little while ago. In fact, the jest of our conversation lasted until we had approached the doors to the old mess hall. What came beyond the door were the dozens of selected food items set atop 3 joints tables concealed by a while cloth sheet as well as some of my other classmates who had joined the Survey Corps less than four months ago.

"Hey there's the queen we all know and love." Jean stated enthusiastically with a grin.

Connie raised his fist in the air, "Yeah it's really great to see you too, your majesty."

"Don't worry we've made sure to save enough food for you my queen.." Sasha pointed over to the food as she snuck a steamed potato into her pocket.

I chortled slightly with a soft sigh, "Come on you guys we've been over this already... you can just call me Historia." and pointed over at my white shirt and brown skirt.

In the corner Floch answered coldly, "I would've probably gloated about that if I were the ruler of the walls Historia."

"Is that so?" I understood nervously as my shoulders moved up and a drop of sweat fell off the side of my face, "That's nice... I guess..."

Connie said, "I probably would've done the same truth be told even if it was for like a super small moment in time."

"Plus you can't exactly blame us for addressing you that way... I mean you are the rightful rulers of our walls now Historia." Armin pointed out us.

I answered softly, "Sometimes I feel like my status as queen gives people the wrong perception amongst you guys."

Hitch patted me on the back, "I wouldn't worry much about that Historia... they're just simply having a nice little jab is all."

"I suppose that's one way to put it..." A realization sparked through my mind after I immediately pointed my finger out to them, "Wait a minute... MIkasa and Sasha didn't we agree to be making the food together?"

Sasha started twirling her hair with a meek look, "Well that was originally the plan, but something happened along the way and..."

Mikasa bluntly answered, "We all thought it would've been better to take care of all the cooking before you got here after it was advised to us."

"Well it's not necessarily too surprising given your role of course" Hitch answered casually.

I placed my hand over my cheek, "True, but now I'm wondering who was the one that advised Mikasa and Sasha about the food preparations?"

The door opened behind us as Eren had set a container filled with dozens of empty pint sized steel glass on the table that held a medium sized barral labeled soda.

"Hey it's good to see you finally made it, Historia." Eren answered calmly.

I smiled in response, "Aww you know I wouldn't miss this for the world, Eren." as we all witnessed Jean let off a cheeky remark, "What's so funny?"

"Your little someone is the guy standing in front of you!" Jean continued.

My eyes gazed at the direction his finger pointed towards the boy with the black cardigan before me, "Eren! You were the one who advised Mikasa and Sasha about this?" and immediately towards the delicious food that stood.

"Well I knew you'd probably have been caught up with your daily chores around the farm, and your occasional routine of checking things up at the palace would've made you worn out." Eren held onto the side of his neck nervously, "So I figured that it might've been better to make things a little easier on you is all."

His response left me in awe, "I see... you were just looking out for me."

"Yeah." Eren continued.

I scanned the room once more for any other recognizable folks, "Huh that's odd.. I thought Instructor Shadis would've joined us."

A voice called out from behind, "That's because I am standing right here, Historia."

It was the instructor with a gloom yet stern look on his face which took us by all surprise as he held another medium sized barral labeled soda, "Instructor Shadis it's great seeing you again after a while... I just realized you're the only one besides Eren to address as me by name."

"I got the gist of the matter from the conversation you had with the rest of your former classmates." Instructor Shadis set the other barrall next to the first one, "And as your former instructor I've come to respect your wishes."

I answered happily, "That's very considerate of you thank you."

Instructor Shadis nodded silently, "Yes.. I hope you all have an amazing feast together." and slowly stepped outside the door.

"You're not going to be joining us Instructor?" I asked as he came to a stop at the front of the door.

He continued calmly, "I've a few gears that need to be looked at for my current students before their training takes place tomorrow. So unfortunately I won't be able to join you all" with his attention suddenly on Sasha, "And Sasha Blouse..."

A single utter of recognition left her nervous, "I.. I hadn't done anything..."

"Just be sure to leave enough potatoes for your fellow peers." Instructor Shadis walked on ahead towards his quarters quietly.

She quickly held her right fist close to her chest, "You've got it sir!"

Hitch very quickly yelled an excitement, "Now who's ready to celebrate?"

A roaring fist raised up in the air from Samuel, "You know it."

"Do you even have to ask?" A confident Daz answered with a smug look.

Sasha said with a watery mouth, "Yes... let's fill our stomachs to the core until nothing is left!" which left everyone in laughter briefly.

In a matter of seconds everyone had gotten themselves a steel layered plate that was off to the side with the utensils. I wouldn't necessarily say that the food that was all prepped for us was on the same level of quality as it was at the palace, but compared to the food we scraped off during the early days really said a lot about the difference. At the same time, there were some of those familiar elements of food present as it gave off a sense of authenticity about the nature that this place was for all of us at the time. Many of us had gotten into the conversation about everything that happened before we graduated from The Cadet Corps.

"Do you guys remember when people used to think there was some kind of rivalry going on between Annie and Mikasa as to who was strongest?" Armin answered softly with his eyes drifted.

Eren took a bite from a piece of chicken off his fork, "Yeah I remember that... who was it that even won that fight again?"

Jean looked directly at Mikasa, "She'd probably know the answer to that."

Hitch answered with excitement, "Yeah Mikasa you should tell us!"

The black haired girl scratched the side of her cheek bluntly, "I can't really say..."

"What!" Everyone bursted in shock towards Mikasa, "Don't leave us in suspense like that.. This is a delicate question."

Armin continued with a smile, "The only thing I knew was that they were both equally strong."

Floch answered cheekly, "I wonder if our dear wondrous queen would be able to take on Mikasa.."

I paused for a second and chortled, "As far as I remember she was pretty challenging during one of our training sessions back then."

Mikasa continued, "From what I knew it didn't last too long."

Jean side elbowed Eren a couple times, "Of course there was also the time when this guy and I would get into a fight and I'd kick his ass."

"Oh yeah..." Eren answered in a cocky attitude as he grabbed Jean by the collar, "You still trying to prove something to me after all this time huh, Horse-face?"

Jean responded to his remark very similarly, "If you're man enough to take the beating ya suicidal blockhead."

I couldn't help but glare at the two of them while smacking my hands against the table, "Hey no roughhousing one another in front of the queen is that understood?"

They both very quickly calmed down with a sigh, "Fine." and found themselves back in their respective seats again as the others laughed in the background.

Jean laughed quietly with a smile, "To be honest though, We've had so many amazing memories with a lot of great friends here."

Sasha commented, "We definitely did."

"You could say that again." Connie said after he swallowed his food.

That was when Jean raised his glass of soda in the air, "Then let's commemorate this feast to all our fallen classmates who valiantly gave their lives in the line of battle."

"Yeah!" Most of had cheered our glasses together in celebration with such joy and excitement. The only person we saw that kept his glass of soda to the side was Eren.

Armin answered curiously, "Eren... Hey Eren don't hold us back!"

His eyes drifted back to all of us, "Right.. Sorry about that you guys.." as he tapped his glass against the rest of ours slowly.

Mikasa asked, "Is everything alright?"

"There's nothing to worry about... I just need a bit of fresh air alone." Eren quietly got up from the table and walked on over towards the door.

Jean asked, "You sure about that buddy?"

"It's fine... really!" Eren paused before he stepped out the door and closed it. Which left everybody in a pit of silence for a moment.

I got up from the table shortly after, "I've got to rush over to the restroom you guys.. Be back in a second." and found myself out of the door as well.

In my line of sight I scoured to see where he was outside within the perimeter of the training grounds, and luckily it didn't take long. Eren sat by the bench on the right side of the mess hall with his arms clasped together in thought.

"Mind if I sit next to you?" I asked.

He looked over in shock as I made my way over, "Not at all." and sat next to him.

"Something seems to be on your mind again huh?" I continued as Eren looked at me with his eyes widened.

"You noticed?"

I explained to him, "I could tell when you didn't join in for the cheer with the glasses like everybody else had, and you walking out here kind of gave it away."

"I see." Eren continued to answer quietly, "Guess I'm not as subtle as I make myself out to be in front of everyone huh."

I giggled for a moment, "Afraid not..." before it broke away into a more solemn expression, "So tell me what's bothering you?"

"When we were in there the only thing that ran through my mind was should we really be celebrating like this?" Eren stated with his clasped hands clenched together as his eyes gazed at the ground, "All of our comrades were lost in battle and everyone's making jokes like it's no tomorrow..." His tense shoulders broke down, "Especially when we know eventually they'll come back."

I asked, "There's something else you aren't saying... Something that's been eating away at you."

His eyes met mine for a moment before they looked toward the night sky, "In the 1 month that's passed since the ceremony I continued to wonder... What is it gonna take to secure our freedom? Do we have to purge our minds and bodies and burn our personalities away? Nobody would want to go to war after what we accomplished in five years." Eren quickly placed his hand on top of his forehead with a frightened look, "So then... do we have no option, but leap into hell? And if we do, is there something beyond it? Is it hope or despair?" He slowly took a deep breath as a sudden calm look appeared on his face, "Perhaps we can only find out the truth by moving forward."

I brought his hand from his forehead and placed it on top of mine with a sadden expression on my face as tears began to drop, "I hope we find out about the truth soon... What we're doing can't be wrong.. Something we can't live with any regret alone."

"You're right... living with regret alone would be painful, but as long as there's someone watching out for you and finding a reason to live then I guess it makes sense." Eren continued until he looked at our hands clenched together, "It didn't happen again..."

"What didn't happen again?" I asked.

Eren explained, "When I held your hand at the banquet I didn't gain any more memories from The Attack Titan, and right now I'm not feeling anything either.'

"That is actually pretty strange..." My cheeks glowed the moment I drifted my eyes away until they met back with his, "So Eren..."

Eren raised an eyebrow curiously, "Hmmm?"

"What would you think... About me sharpening up my combat skills again?"

This chapter has honestly been quite an experience to write because it was the first time since chapter 3 that's had both Eren and Historia which I felt was very appropriate since the last 4 were predominantly on their own individual chapters. Which honestly I always find fascinating because it helps further develop their characters individually and that makes it more meaningful when there are chapters were they are both together having deep conversations with one another. Some may ask if there will be more fun moments between Eren and Historia similar to how things were in Chapter 3 when it came to their little dance at the end. Technically speaking there was a bit of fun with the chapter when it pertained to the other characters teasing Historia's status as the Queen, or when Historia got onto Eren & Jean for almost getting into a classic brawl was amusing since before she was a bit reserved. Especially since the second time she wasn't present the night before they left to reclaim Wall Maria. I've got ideas planned out in terms of fun little interactions between Eren and Historia that you all are gonna love. In fact, the next set of chapters I have set for the story are gonna be Eren and Historia centric focus, and what that entails especially after the cliffhanger is gonna be really exciting. That's pretty much all I've got to say for the moment everybody so I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and as always thanks for reading.