The soft snores that escaped Jean's and Connie's noses could not be compared to Sasha's loud snoring. Nathalie could only chuckle as she entered the room that the three of them shared. Eren, Mikasa and Armin were sharing the other room on the opposite side. Jean's hair were a mess against his pillow. His second pillow had dropped on the floor and the bedsheets were tied around his legs into an impossible knot.

Nathalie cupped his face, caressing his cheek softly with her thumb. "Jeanie, time to wake up, darling,"

Jean hummed and he finally opened his eyes and looked up at her. "G'mornin', Nat," he smiled, before he turned his back on her and rested his cheek by the other, cooler, much comfortable side of the pillow. He sighed contently before he closed his eyes and almost began snoring again.

Nathalie raised an eyebrow. "You need to wake up you know,"

"I know, I know… just, gimme… five more minutes," Jean said before he started slipping into the sweet unconsciousness of sleep.

Nathalie only chuckled. She knew just the thing. "The cake will have disappeared by the time you wake up,"

Jean's and Sasha's eyes shot open. "CAKE?!" Sasha cried out but that didn't seem to have bothered Connie's sleep.

Nathalie headed towards Connie and she cupped his cheek. "Connie, darling, wake up,"

Connie's nose twitched and he opened his eyes standing up on sitting position. He watched as Nathalie set off to open the curtains and allow the morning sunlight in. He sniffed. "Something smells heavenly," He pointed out.

"Wait, you mean there's an actual cake waiting for us, right now, in the kitchen?!" Jean cried out. Eyes wide in surprise. The last time he had had a cake was… actually, he couldn't remember when the last time was.

"Provided the Captain doesn't let it in the oven for too long," Nathalie laughed as she opened the window and allowed the fresh air in.

Sasha jumped off her bed and she ran out of her room as if she was possessed. "CAKE, MY LOVE, I'M COMING TO SAVE YOU!"

"NO!" Connie cried out and he went after her. "Sasha! Get your hands off the cake!"

"Oh my God, she's going to DEVOUR it!" Jean tossed the sheets away from his body and jumped off his bed as well. The two boys rushed out of the room to stop Sasha.

Nathalie laughed before she went off to fix their beds and she dropped their discarded, thrown around clothes into a nearby basket for laundry. After she was done, she walked towards the other room, where Armin, Mikasa and Eren were still sleeping. She brought that basket with her, pressing it on her waist with one hand. She rested it back down on the floor and she approached the children.

She leaned down and cupped Eren's cheek. It seemed like he was making the same messy sleep as Jean. Those two might've hated each other's guts, but they were pretty damn similar. "C'mon, sweetheart, time to wake up,"

Eren hummed and he leaned against her cheek. "Five more minutes, mom,"

Nathalie's eyes widened. Her heart skipped a beat. Had he just called her mom? It was the first time someone was calling her that. It brought such a warm feeling on her chest. She wanted to dive in and pull him a tight hug and squeeze him to death. Nathalie tried her best not to start crying. She chuckled instead, and her hand reached for his hair caressing softly.

"I'd love to," She said. She had a feeling he had heard her. She would come back to wake him in a minute. But for now, she set off to wake Armin, with another gentle stroke in his hair. Armin gave her a smile and he stood on a sitting position.

"Good morning, Nat," He said kindly.

"Good morning, darling, I trust you slept well?" He nodded and Nathalie pushed the curtains away allowing the morning sunlight in and then she set off to wake Mikasa up. She was already up when she got there. Her fingers ran in her raven hair, untying a few messy knots. "Here, let me help you," Nathalie grabbed the comb from the girl's bedside table and she started brushing her hair, sitting behind Mikasa.

Mikasa's lips almost curled up into a smile as she closed her eyes and let Nathalie brush her hair. It almost felt like how her mom would do that with the exact same tenderness. "Thank you, Nathalie,"

"No problem," Nathalie finished and she grabbed that red scarf from Mikasa's bedside table, and she wrapped it around Mikasa's neck. "Must be a very cosy scarf," Nathalie said. Everybody had noticed how Mikasa would always wear it. She didn't know the story behind that, but she was willing to bet Eren had given it to her.

"It is," Mikasa smiled as she nuzzled her nose in the scarf.

Nathalie chuckled as she hugged Mikasa tightly from behind. Mikasa smiled and allowed her head to rest back on Nathalie's shoulder. "We're kinda related now, you know," Nathalie said with a wide smile on her face. "Levi must be some long-distance uncle of yours, so I'm a long-distance aunt for you!" Nathalie planted a kiss on Mikasa's temple and Mikasa couldn't believe this was happening. She tried her best not to start giggling like an idiot.

"That's true!" Armin pointed out, almost excitedly.

Nathalie stood up and let go of Mikasa. She gathered their laundry in the same basket and she set off to leave the room. She realised Eren was still sleeping and she chuckled. "Please, wake that hot-headed boy up for me," She turned at the two and Mikasa nodded.

"Sure," Armin said before Nathalie walked out of the room.

"NO! IT'S MINE!"

"Put the cake down! Nat made this for all of us!"

"Don't be so fucking annoying right now! GET YOUR HANDS OFF THE CAKE!"

Nathalie's eyes widened as she stared at Connie and Jean practically trying to climb on top of Sasha trying to stop her. It looked like she was trying to take a bite from the entire cake that she was holding in her hands. Levi had a hand rubbing on his temple from the headache that those three had caused, but he wasn't doing anything to stop it. He didn't have the energy to scold them. He was just sitting at his normal seat by the head of the table and he was trying his best to enjoy his tea. Nathalie sighed and she let the basket down, and she walked in the kitchen. Levi's eyes met her own, pleading her to do something about this.

Nathalie snatched the cake off of Sasha's hands. She couldn't believe how Sasha was able to hold it, it was still hot from being in the oven. She placed the cake back on the counter hastily -not to burn her hands- and she turned at Sasha who was trying to launch another attack on the cake.

Nathalie grabbed her hands and stopped her. "PLEASE, NATHALIE, IT SMELLS SO FUCKING GOOD, I NEED A BITE!"

Nathalie laughed. She always loved how that girl enjoyed her food. But -boy- was she hungry almost all the time. "You'll get the largest slice, Sasha, I promise," Nathalie promised, hoping that would be enough. And it was.

Sasha slightly relaxed and threw a fist in the air triumphantly. "YES!"

"What?! No fair!" Jean cried out.

"I want a large slice too!" Connie complained.

"You'll all get your large slices, but first things first, you all need to go get dressed. It's Historia's coronation today," Nathalie informed them and their eyes widened.

"It's today?!"

The kids rushed out of the kitchen before she even knew it. Levi let out a loud sigh of relief. The headache started to subside. He had no idea how Nathalie was able to deal with this so effectively. Teenagers are hard to deal with. Though, babies are easy to deal with. They just sit where their parent leaves them, and they stand there being quiet and cute. Levi couldn't believe he almost had that. No. He couldn't believe he had even made that thought.

Still, he tried to snap back to reality. He didn't want to mention anything on the matter. He wanted anything but to see Nathalie cry. Levi just sighed and he brought his cup to his lips. "Finally," He commented before he took a sip, and Nathalie chuckled as she poured herself some of the tea that he had made.

"Oh c'mon, they're so lively and hilarious," Nathalie said as she took a sip from his tea as she sat down on the table beside him.

She hummed. His tea was always so good. He didn't know how to make anything else, but when it came to tea, she could never compete against him. An invisible smile spread across his lips as he watched her enjoy the tea that he had made. She always enjoyed his tea so much. She pulled off that cloth from around her hair, and she let her glasses hung from the rope around her neck. She rested her chin on her palm and she waited for the kids to show up, until the realisation hit her. There was no way she was going to show up in a coronation dressed like this.

"Oh shit! I need to get dressed!" Nathalie said as she jumped off her chair right away.

Before she had the chance to start moving, his hands slipped tightly around her, forcing her to tumble and crush on her bum on his lap. Nathalie let out a yelp. His fingers found her hips, keeping her pressed against him, and she giggled. He caught her hand, the one she was wearing the ring that gave out that she was married. He too was wearing his own. They were never going to take them off.

He brought her hand close, kissing her knuckles and Nathalie giggled. She cupped his face and pressed her lips on top of his own. Their tongues met once more, but they could never get enough of each other. Foreheads pressed and Nathalie pulled back to remind him the obvious.

"You know, I need to go get dressed," Nathalie said and he hummed. He did not stop pressing kisses on her knuckles. "And you know our brats could enter right through that door any minute,"

Levi stopped kissing and he sighed. He wasn't going to let her ruin it. He leaned in, ghosting his lips above her own, before he started kissing his way to her ear. His teeth trapped her earlobe between them. She shivered as he started grazing her earlobe almost painfully. Nathalie let out a whimper that he loved coming from her.

"I haven't fucked you bent over a table yet, have I?" He whispered against her wet ear and a bright blush spread across her cheeks right away. Nathalie bit her lip as the image flashed in her head and suddenly, she forgot what it was that she had to do.

"Uh I- uhhh…" She never got to come up with an answer. His hands let go of her finally allowing her to stand up. His hand crushed harshly against her buttock and the sting still made her moan even from above her skirt.

"Go get dressed, Nat," He reminded her. Her thighs pressed together trying to ease the heat between her legs, only to worsen it. She tried her best to ease her breathing and she turned and shot him a glare. He had a hidden smirk. He was teasing her. The bastard.

Her delicious tongue flashed out, wetting her lower lip. "Yes, sir,"

He shivered on the sound of her calling him that. With just one word, he couldn't believe his shirt and his jacket were starting to get too hot clinging on his skin. He bit his tongue as he watched her walk out of the kitchen and back upstairs. He never thought his lovely wife could be so goddamn alluring.

●▬▬▬▬▬๑۩۞۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"H- Hey, Nat! Will you help me out with this? Please?"

That was Connie's voice. Nathalie was just putting on her heels when she walked downstairs. She wasn't used on walking on heels. She only hoped that today she wasn't going to stumble on her feet and make a mess during the coronation. She wanted to attract anything but attention to her. But it was just this one good pair that she had. She didn't have anything else to wear.

Connie was standing in front of her, with the helpless knot that he'd made with his tie. Nathalie gave him a smile and she approached him. "Sure, darling," She put on the other heel as well and she put on her glasses to be able and see clearly. Her hands reached for the messy knot and she unknotted it much faster than Connie could have ever hoped to do it. Nathalie started fixing it for him again, and it didn't take long when she was done. She settled it neatly on top of his white, buttoned shirt. "There you go,"

Connie blushed slightly. "Uh- uh, thanks, Nat…" His hand reached back to rub his nape nervously. "…I never had to learn. Mom used to take care of this, you know?"

Nathalie gave him a bright smile and she pulled him into a tight hug that Connie accepted right away. He buried his face in her shoulder and he sighed. "Your mom's gonna fix your tie again one day. I promise you, Connie,"

Connie swallowed down the need to cry. His fingers clutched on her clothes. "…yeah," he choked out. It was obvious he was trying not to cry.

Nathalie gritted her teeth, trying not to cry herself. She was once again reminded, she was so damn sensitive. "Please don't cry, sweetheart, I'll start crying too,"

Connie chuckled as he pulled back. Although his eyes still shined with tears that he wasn't letting come down, he still smiled at her and he nodded. "Okay,"

"H- Hey, N- Nat, hey, I- uh… I don't know how to fix my tie either," Jean said and both Nathalie and Connie turned and looked at him.

Nathalie raised an eyebrow. "I see a perfect knot over there,"

Jean tensed up. A hand reached back to rub his nape. "I- I- in no way can I make a knot like this one," He came up with an excuse right away and he pointed at Connie's tie whose Nathalie had fixed earlier.

Nathalie chuckled as she approached him and started fixing his own tie. "If you want attention, just ask for it, I won't say no," Nathalie said with a smile, as she let her hands blindly set his tie in place and she looked up at him. She could've sworn, Jean's face was redder than a tomato.

"Uhhh…"

"We're ready," Armin's voice came as he, Mikasa and Eren showed up from behind.

Mikasa was fixing Eren's tie, and Armin's tie seemed just perfect. Levi showed up. His hand, around Sasha's waist as he forcefully dragged her out of the kitchen. Sasha's cheeks were full and about to explode. She had most probably stuffed an entire slice of cake in her mouth. Levi let go of her. He still had that dead look of boredom on his face.

"Let's go, we have a big ass ride ahead of us,"

"Yes, Captain!"

●▬▬▬▬▬๑۩۞۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

Everybody rode on their horses, except for Nathalie. Levi insisted she ride on his own, with him, just like every other time. Of course. Nathalie wouldn't complain about it though. She loved resting back against his chest. Her head, rolled and rested back on his shoulder. An arm, tightly around her. He'd bury his face in her shoulder, and he'd plant kisses on whatever exposed skin he could find. Nathalie would never complain about these. I'll follow your lead. I'll trust you wherever you take me. She meant these with all her heart. These words were part of her vows. Vows that she'd never break. Erwin's face flashed in her mind and she frowned. Ever.

It wasn't every day that the people could go to the Capital. The celebrations were going to last a week or so, and there was lots of food to be given out to the people. For once, the Capital was crowded and everybody was dressed in the best clothes that they could afford.

A large wooden stage was built in the midst of Mitras. This is where Historia was going to show up any moment. All superior officers were there as well. All officers and squad leaders or members of each Regiment were standing below, and the people were watching the coronation from a little further away.

"Heyyy! Where are my newly-weds!"

Nathalie turned around only to be pushed into a tight hug by Hange. Nathalie smiled as she hugged her friend back. Hange wrapped Nathalie's shoulders as she pulled back and looked curiously at her friend. She had a sly smile spreading across her lips and Nathalie almost felt frightened about what her friend was going to say.

"So… did you two have… fun?"

Nathalie blushed right away. She remembered only just a few hours back when she was sucking Levi's- Oh fuck. What was she supposed to answer to that?

"Hange!"

"Hange!"

Both Moblit and Levi growled in unison and Hange just laughed, passing an arm around Nathalie's shoulders and turning at the two men. "Relax, I was just teasing!" Hange said before she leaned closer to Nathalie's ear and she whispered. "You and I are gonna talk details afterwards,"

Nathalie cringed. Oh boy…

"Hey, Nat!" Armin's voice came from behind and Nathalie escaped Hange's side-hug and she turned at the golden-haired boy. "Hurry up! We found Historia. She wants to see you,"

Thank God, she would be escaping Hange's awkward questions for now. Still, Nathalie turned at Levi, waiting for permission first. She couldn't tell why she needed his permission before she'd do something, but she could tell he was pleased by that. Levi nodded and he held back a smirk.

"Go, I'll be right here with Hange and Moblit,"

"Thanks, sweetie," Nathalie pressed a peck on his lips before she turned around and followed Armin.

She'd never called him that before. He couldn't believe he actually liked it. Hange just stared at the scene before her and she cringed. Did Nathalie really need his permission before going somewhere? What if he said no? "Sheesh, isn't that a little bit… toxic?" Hange commented.

Levi's hidden smirk turned into a deep frown and he shot a glare at Hange without saying anything. "Hange!" Moblit started. "We have no business sticking our noses into how those two work things through in their relationship!"

Hange sighed. She was already getting a headache from Moblit's lectures. "Okay, okay, just quit your bickering!"

Nathalie had never been in such a large, luxurious building before. She shouldn't be surprised, since this was the Royal Palace and from now on, Historia's residence. She smiled, though. Historia deserved nothing but the best. Everyone was there. Connie, Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean and Sasha, and then, Historia. Her hair were beautifully wrapped back in a bun. Nathalie couldn't even calculate how long fixing her hair like this would have taken for the maids. She was beautiful. In a velvet, red dress. Blonde, golden hair, bright blue eyes. A true Queen.

"Nathalie!" Historia cried out as she hurried towards her Lieutenant.

Nathalie pulled her into a tight hug, but still careful not to ruin her hair. "Oh my gosh, you're so beautiful!" Nathalie shut her eyes as Historia buried her face on her shoulder. Her fingers clutched around the clothes of the only figure in her life that had treated her as a mother should.

"Nat, I- …I'm terrified," Historia whispered in her ear and she clutched on Nathalie a little bit tighter.

Nathalie smiled and she stroked the girl's back soothingly. She looked at the others and she nodded at them.

"Uh… we'll give you guys some privacy," Eren seemed to have caught the message. Everybody nodded in agreement, before they walked out and closed the door behind.

Nathalie pulled back only to guide Historia and sit down in a nearby bench in the large room. "It's only natural to be frightened, darling. You're about to become a Queen. It must feel like the whole world's on your shoulders,"

Historia sighed heavily. "Yeah,"

"But, hey, you're forgetting something," Nathalie said as she took Historia's hands in her own and she drew her attention. "This world will not entirely fall on your shoulders," Nathalie gave her a smile. "You're not alone, dear. You have Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Connie, Sasha, Commander Erwin, Captain Levi, Hange, me. We're all here for you to help you carry your burdens. And now, that you're stronger than ever, you're not becoming a Queen just because you got royal blood running in your veins," Nathalie smiled as she cupped Historia's cheek. "It only takes one look at you, and it's all I need to know that you're the only person who can handle taking this position. The only person who deserves to be a Queen,"

Nathalie could've sworn, Historia's eyes shined with upcoming tears. "You really think so?" Her hand reached up to wipe the tears before they got the chance to slide down.

Nathalie nodded and she pulled her into a tight hug. "Of course, I do,"

Historia buried her face in her shoulder and Nathalie caressed her back. "Thank you, Nathalie… thank you so much," Historia pulled back, with more tears streaming down her cheeks and Nathalie immediately wiped them away with the back of her fingers.

"What are you thanking me for? I'm only saying the truth," Nathalie grinned, before she leaned in and pressed a kiss on her forehead. Historia closed her eyes, and she sighed contently with a smile on her lips.

"My lady…" The voice of a maid came as she briefly opened the door. "…it's time,"

Historia nodded and the woman left. She turned back at Nathalie. She took in a deep breath and Nathalie cupped her cheek. "Are you ready to show them who the real queen is?" She grinned.

Historia smiled widely. Her confidence, boosted. "I am," She nodded.

"Good," Nathalie stood up and the two of them walked towards the door. Soldiers were waiting outside to take her to the stage. Nathalie realised there was something else that Historia needed to know before going out there. "Historia," She said catching her attention and pausing her walking. "Ymir would have been proud of you,"

Historia gritted her teeth briefly. Fists clenched. And there it was, that look of utter determination that she had when she struck the final blow and took down her father. Now she was ready. Really ready. "I know,"