Thanks to everyone who favorited and followed! Here is the second chapter :)
Mikasa, once again, has snuck out.
Strolling down the market, the princess (in disguise) doesn't have a destination in mind. Fall has arrived, turning the leaves into a beautiful blend of orange, red and yellow. The streets are still lively as people carry on with their daily tasks. To her left, she sees some children kicking a ball around in an alley. In the distance, she can see a group of people playing go in a square. A large crowd has gathered around them, some murmuring in thought while others make bets on the winner.
Pausing momentarily to take in the scene, Mikasa watches one man make a move. Raising an eyebrow at his strategy, she gauges the reaction of the other man in front of him. His brow is furrowed in concentration and his dark eyes stare intently at the board, picturing the different scenarios. He rubs his beard in thought before finally raising a hand to grab one black stone from the pot and place it onto the board.
Ah.
Not needing to see anymore, she turns around and makes her way down the streets. Sure enough, she hears a resounding groan from the man who just made his move and clamor of the crowd behind her, causing a little smile to tug at the corners of her lips.
Breathing in the wonderful aroma of the food, Mikasa shifts her gaze to the right and finds herself outside of "PATHS Tea Café". Stopping in her tracks, she recalls the last time she came to this shop was about two months ago.
Peeking through the glass windows, the princess sees — like last time — the place is empty. Instantly remembering the quality of the tea, she steps back into the café. After the bell signals her arrival, the owner shortly arrives at the front.
Unknowingly, her breath hitches when they make eye contact. For a second, she wonders if there'll be any recognition in his expression. Interestingly, she thinks he appears briefly stunned before a smile spreads across his face.
"Hello, what can I get you?"
A little flush begins to unconsciously circulate through her cheeks. His voice is as pleasant as the first time she heard it.
Quelling that feeling however, she smiles politely and replies, "An Earl Grey Lavender, please."
Eren nods and then disappears into the kitchen. She settles into a seat by the counter and waits for him to finish preparing the tea, sitting with the upright proper posture taught to her in her youth. Quickly glancing around the store, Mikasa's surprised that this place isn't crowded with people, given what she remembers of the tea.
Shortly, he comes out and places the cup in front of her. She smiles in gratitude. Inhaling the aroma, Mikasa lets out a little sigh: it's smells as fragrant and wonderful as last time. After she takes a sip, the flavors remain on her tongue and soak up the stress of her day. Immediately, her muscles relax from the day, prompting her to exhale in relief.
Peering up to find him looking at her with a subtle, curious look, she says, "It's delicious, thank you."
Eren claps his hands once with a grin, making her heart inadvertently making her stomach flip. "You're very welcome."
Rolling her neck elegantly around her shoulders, she asks, "When did you open?"
He hums thoughtfully before responding, "About four months ago."
Placing her cup on her plate, she comments, "I'm surprised you don't have more customers."
He chuckles, going to the counter and grabs a rag to wipe it down. "Many of the people here have particular preferences when it comes to tea."
Mikasa also gives a little laugh. Thinking back to the tea ceremonies and rituals she had to learn starting from a young age, she wholeheartedly agrees. "Indeed. But still, Hizuru has become more receptive and open to trade over the past twenty years."
Eren gives a half-smile as he comments, "Yes, this shop seems to suit the tastes of the Paradisians that have settled in Hizuru. However, locals are still wary of certain foreign businesses."
A lull falls over them briefly. Reaching for her cup, she takes another sip and lets the flavor roll around her tongue. It's such a shame. Mikasa comments softly, "Your tea is splendid."
His gaze veers up at her, surprised for a short second. Yet, a smile more genuine than the one he gave her previously forms on his face as he replies, "Thank you. But your compliments are more than enough."
Mikasa's heart beats a little faster and she speedily directs her direction back to her cup. A little giddy feeling begins bursting in her, but she can't help but wonder why she's acting so shy and timid. Biting her lip however, she tries to suppress the sensation, finishing the last of her tea.
Twisting her head to the window, she takes note of how the sun has begun setting. Knowing her servants are probably at their wits end by now, the princess decides it's time to leave. Putting a few coins down onto the table before putting on her cloak, she says, "Please keep all of it."
A wider grin stretches across his lips as he dips his head in thanks. "Have a good day."
While she heads back to the palace, some part of Mikasa notices how her day feels a bit lighter and freer.
Later, as he goes to the docks to pick up some new supplies and materials, Eren hears some locals complain about more and more merchants in Paradise undercutting Hizuran prices.
When he gets back to his store, he takes out some documents from his desk and scans through the contents. As he recalls snippets of the angry conversation, the young prince realizes that Reiss has been looping around the terms of the treaty Hizuru and Paradise have.
Eren writes to his father with this information, suggesting they should put pressure on Paradise.
When she quietly leaves the palace a month later, she's conscious this time of where her feet take her among the snow-covered streets. After she enters the shop, Eren greets her with friendly smile that she reciprocates with a somewhat bashful nod.
"Hello, what can I get you?"
She's about to respond "Earl Grey Lavender" but pauses after noticing that he has now a blackboard with various options by the counter. Biting the inside of her cheek, she asks, "What would you recommend?"
His smile grows wider, showing off his dimples. "Would you like to try something different from the last time you came?"
Attempting to repress the tingling feeling shooting through her, she merely nods with a gentle smile. "Yes, I'd like that."
Eren wipes his hands on a towel by his waist and says, "I'll be back in a moment." Shortly, he disappears back into the kitchen.
Although it's a small, normal interaction, Mikasa feels an overwhelming sense of giddiness. But she immediately tries to quell the emotion. She's a princess — she shouldn't be acting like some young child with a crush.
No matter how attractive he is. A sly voice makes its way into her head, to which she immediately shoos it away.
A little cup is propped forth in her vision and she peeks down at it. Instead of a dark liquid, this one is lighter in color. Looking up questionably, Mikasa asks, "What kind of tea is it?"
Eren gives a little smile and simply responds, "Try it."
Quirking a brow, Mikasa raises the cup and takes a delicate sniff. The scent this time is not overwhelming and quite mild. Curious, she takes a sip and realizes that it's green tea. Yet, it's different from the ones that are prepared by the chefs and kitchen staff. The tea contains more citrus and leaves a sweeter aftertaste on her tongue.
A little enjoyable tickle spreads through her body upon swallowing the liquid. Inadvertently, the princess sighs daintily. Her gaze lifts to meet Eren's, who is looking at her expectantly. "It's green tea, but you've added something to it."
He beams, pleased that she noticed. "Yes. I've added honey, ginger and orange extract. It's supposed to provide more health benefits as well, especially on a winter day like this."
Mikasa hums, taking another sip. The taste soaks in her mouth and slackens her entire body. "It's very good. Thank you."
"Of course," Eren replies with gratefulness. Clearing some plates with leftover desserts from the counter, he says cheekily, "For someone who seems to like my tea, you don't come often enough."
She immediately blushes and tenses. Choosing her next words carefully, she merely replies, "Yes, unfortunately, I tend to be… quite busy."
A hefty understatement for her life as a princess of a country.
Eren makes a thoughtful noise and begins to wipe down the counter after putting the dishes in a bin by the kitchen. "You don't leave the house too much, do you?"
Mikasa startles a bit, her grip on the handle loosening. Mouth falling slightly open, she simply asks, "What do you mean?"
He shrugs, putting the rags into another bin by the entrance of the kitchen. Wiping his hands on a towel, he merely replies, "You seem like you come from a well-off family."
She gapes, panic overtaking her for the briefest second. She's thinking of how to respond when he chuckles and continues, "But my lady, your secret is safe with me. Back home, I used to sneak out of my house many times to my mother's annoyance."
Her alarm disappears, instantly replaced with curiosity. "Oh? And where is home for you?"
"Come to my shop again and I'll tell you," Eren responds smoothly. Her stomach violently flip-flops amid her confusion. But then she understands when he continues, "Because right now, it seems like someone's looking for you."
Instantly swiveling around, she sees the approaching figure of her lady-in-waiting coming through the door. Hurriedly throwing a few coins down onto the table, she says, "Thank you again, keep the change."
Mikasa knows she's about to receive a lecture about skipping her lessons, so she briskly grabs her attendant's arm, disregarding her look of half-hearted annoyance, and drags them out of the store before anything is said.
As she exits the shop though, the princess distantly hears Eren chuckling in amusement.
Already, she is planning on when she can come back.
"So, tell me. Where are you from?"
It's been a month since he's last seen the princess of Hizuru. Eren has offered her another new cup, not missing the way her dark-grey eyes lit up with anticipation and excitement.
Even though it's her fourth visit here, he can tell she's a kind princess to the nation. She's polite with a distinct, proper air to her steps. She's also obviously sheltered from the way her maid was frantically looking for her last time. Nevertheless, she appears smart and educated, able to understand the broader implications of the way foreign nations work in trade and business.
"Paradise," he answers, the lie falling easily from his lips. "I came here to make my own fortune."
The princess nods respectfully, putting down her cup on the saucer. "What did your family do back home?"
"They're merchants as well, but in the wool and clothing trade," Eren recites with practiced ease.
She purses her lips. "Why tea, then?"
In that moment, the prince of Eldia thinks back to how his mother always used to make him a cup of tea amid his studies and tutoring lessons. She'd always banter with him and stroke his cheek with her tender fingers. Her touch would be the strength and fuel to keep persevering towards his goal. No matter how busy he was, he'd always make time for his mother. It was his haven amid a life of lurking snakes and leeches.
Unconsciously, his grip tightens around the plate that he's stacking behind the counter. "I always was fond of it and wanted to explore a new nation. Hizuru seemed like the best place for this kind of business."
Giving a little chortle, Eren then responds, "But, it turns out Hizurans have their own traditions, so introducing new kinds of tea to them is more difficult than expected. The tea I make is more suited to the foreigners that have settled here."
Tilting her head sideways, a hint of a smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she teasingly remarks, "For someone who comes from a family of merchants, setting up a foreign tea business in Hizuru is a bit impulsive."
Letting out a genuine laugh, Eren replies, "Well, it wouldn't be the first time someone called me that."
Indeed, Armin — his childhood best friend and confidant — has exclaimed that many times. Part of the court agrees also, using that to push Eren away from the appointment of the Crown Prince. His mother even agreed, telling him to start using his head and not his heart many times in his youth.
As a matter of fact, this decision to stay longer was also an impulsive one — one he thinks made sense at the time but a creeping voice in his head disputes that as the months pass.
She gives a little giggle. The tips of his ears surprisingly feel like they're on fire when hearing that cheerful chime. He doesn't miss the way her eyes twinkle with amusement. "So, do you like it here then?"
Eren pauses for a second, thinking about how to answer. He's here on a mission. He has a duty to Eldia. No matter what kind of appearances he must keep, his priority has been trying to gather intelligence.
Yet, he never expected that the princess of Hizuru would chance upon his store all those months ago. He also never ever expected that she would come back. And after that second encounter, he knew he had the princess intrigued. He knew that he could make use of their acquaintance to get what he wanted.
So no, he doesn't have strong opinions on this nation because he has a higher purpose in mind.
But the way she's looking at him with earnest curiosity in her dark-grey eyes, as though she actually cares about his opinions on this nation, makes him hesitate. Therefore, he says, "The nation is beautiful, and the monarchy is kind. It's a wonderful place to live in."
Distantly, he thinks the words sound dull and emotionless to his own ears. Nevertheless, the answer satisfies her, and she smiles before taking another sip of her drink. He ignores the little churn in his stomach upon noticing her reaction.
"Have you had a chance to explore? I sometimes hear of the locals talking about a beautiful lagoon by the ocean."
Eren shakes his head. "I haven't had much chance to get out of the city. Have you?"
A flush creeps onto her neck. He doubts she'd have the chance to leave the palace often. However, he keeps up his façade, needing her to trust him for his plan to work.
"No, unfortunately not," she says lowly. He doesn't miss the wistfulness in her tone, though.
Nevertheless, Eren nods under the pretense of still not knowing her identity. Casually, he responds without thinking, "Well, perhaps we can get a chance together one day."
She freezes and peers at him over the rim of her cup with wide dark-grey eyes. Immediately, he regrets his words: he's overstepped and provoked suspicion. His muscles are apprehensive, causing him to grip the rag in his hand more sturdily.
Eren's about to pass off another comment diminishing the implication of his words. However, finally, the lines on her face relax, blending into something sweeter and shyer. Her dark-grey eyes become timid and gentle as she answers, "I'd like that very much." She folds her hands onto the counter, looking down at her intertwined fingers.
At first, he's surprised. But then, accomplishment and elation bursts within Eren. Meanwhile, something about her bashful expression makes his heart beat a little faster and tingle. It's too much of an entirely enjoyable feeling, prompting Eren to shove it away.
He's not here for that.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, she immediately gets up and throws on her cloak. A twinge of disappointment pokes him — it's most likely because he can't get any more information from her until the next time.
As she prepares to draw a few coins from her purse, Eren holds up a hand to stop her. "Please, keep your money."
She gives him a confused look. She seems like she's planning to drop the money onto the table anyway. Therefore, he chuckles and asks, "Instead of payment, how about you give me your name?"
The princess immediately stiffens. Her fingers fasten their grip on her cloak, bundling herself more up in the material. Eren sees her mind work through whether she should tell him her true name or give an alias. Anticipation rises in him. He tries to mask his expression but unknowingly, his green eyes glint with a flicker of eagerness. He wants to know if he's earned her trust — enough for her to tell him her name.
"Mikasa," she finally answers. Her shoulders are rigid, and her voice is cautious. Her stormy eyes observe him, watching for anything out of the ordinary — any recognition — with his reaction.
Inwardly, his chest thumps loudly with praise and accomplishment. Unconsciously, the corners of his lips tug upward as he repeats, "Mikasa"—he ignores how refreshing her name sounds as the syllables roll off his tongue—"have a good day."
A lovely pink tinge appears on her cheeks before she quickly pivots and leaves through the doors. Meanwhile, Eren fails to fully repress the bubbly emotion dispersing through him.
Later that night, he writes a letter to his father, adding that the Princess of Hizuru has recently visited his shop and that he's attempting to become closer to her.
He ignores how his pen seems to drag across the page unwillingly.
She comes back to the shop about a month later, worry crinkling her brow.
Her father found out that Paradise was secretly undercutting prices. He'd been attempting to negotiate with the Reiss's, but Eldia somehow also found about this situation. Emperor Jaeger was now negotiating a more favorable deal with Paradise, which would pressure Hizuru to bend to Eldia.
Yet, she's heard whispers among the officials of Paradise attempting to play both sides of the game: King Reiss is offering to refuse the treaty with Eldia if Hizuru agrees to another political marriage between the princess of Hizuru and the eldest prince of Paradise.
Even though her father hasn't told her about the proposal, Mikasa knows her father will refuse. And she knows the implications of a refusal.
As she strolls through the streets, she even hears some disgruntled chatter about the political situation from merchants, customers, scholars and shop owners. Based on the snippets of conversations she's heard, some welcome more foreign trade, advocating the benefits of international relations. However, some oppose it, arguing the Eldian Empire only serves to take away their sovereign rights for their own gain.
The difference in opinions only adds to her concern.
Distracted, she walks through the doors of the tea shop. Eren, as usual, greets her with a smile. She dips her head in acknowledgement and reciprocates the smile with one of her own. Unknowingly, however, it comes out a bit strained.
Settling down in her seat, Mikasa doesn't notice that a hint of confusion and surprise flashes through Eren's face. Nonetheless, he heads to the kitchen after giving her a little wave.
Idly, she taps her fingers onto the surface. Once. Twice.
Even the calming aroma of the shop doesn't seem to distract her from the brewing thoughts in her mind.
In a corner of her mind, she should've expected this kind of situation.
From her youth, the elders have groomed her to be a perfect young lady, in hopes that she could secure a suitable match. Many of her aunts and uncles had marriages for the purpose of profit, reputation, or some combination of both. Her own parents had an arranged marriage for the benefit of two nations: this kind of occurrence shouldn't have been as far away as she thought.
Nevertheless, the reality was different.
Was this all that her life was expected to be?
A light noise jostles her out of her thoughts. Looking up, she sees Eren come out with a kettle, some sort of machine and a small bowl of… dark beans?
Interestingly, he puts those beans into an opening of the machine and repeatedly presses down on them using a small lever. Entranced, Mikasa watches as some dark, coarse powder is spewed out. Then, he takes a small cup from the counter and grabs some kind of fine cloth, fitting it to the inside of the mug. Eren uses a small spoon and puts some of the powder into the cup. Finally, he takes the kettle and slowly pours the water in slow circular motions.
"What is this?" Mikasa asks curiously.
Looking up, Eren answers, "This is the newest drink that has recently hit Paradise. It's called coffee."
"Coff—ee?" Her eyes are wide. The liquid is completely black.
Eren nods, putting the kettle down. "It's made from coffee beans, imported from some nations in the south. You first ground them and then put a filter in the cup to get rid of any grinds. Then, you pour hot water over it."
Delicately sniffing the fragrance, she almost recoils from the unfamiliar strong, earthy and husky scent. It doesn't smell terrible, but she's never seen a drink this dark before. Eren carefully takes the cloth out, gathering any leftover beans from the cup. He dumps it into the sink before grabbing some milk and sugar from the side.
After adding each of those ingredients in, the color goes from black to light brown. Then, Eren places the mug in front of her and gives her a smile. "And here is your drink. Try it."
Tentatively grabbing the handle, Mikasa blows on the liquid to cool it down. She inhales the scent again and it smells a bit sweeter. Finally, she takes a little sip and lets the taste linger on her tongue. Despite the milk and sugar, it still tastes bitter and sour.
Wrinkling her nose, Mikasa looks to Eren, who seems like he's repressing an amused smile. Trying to suppress the disgust in her tone, she asks, "People drink this?"
He openly laughs at her remark, throwing his head back. The sound unintentionally makes her previously stressed posture unwind. "I've heard this drink has been the rage in Paradise shortly after I left."
"Hmm." Mikasa tries another sip. It's still terribly bitter, but there is some sort of sweet aftertaste that leaves traces in her mouth. Nevertheless, she is not as fond of this as much as tea. "Why begin to sell this?"
"Well, after someone told me that I was impulsive for trying to start a tea business in Hizuru, I thought I'd sell something so foreign that people would have no choice but to try it," he replies cheekily. His green eyes glimmer, making Mikasa's heart skip a beat.
However, repressing the giddy feeling rushing through her veins, she raises an eyebrow and comments, "But it's very possible that customers don't like the drink after trying it, meaning you'd lose further revenue."
"Ah, but people are always attracted to the unknown. Customers may not like the drink, but they'll like experiencing something completely strange to them and come back for it again — no matter how much they may try to deny it," Eren replies, arms crossed over one another. His stance is casual yet, confident and Mikasa can't help but think for a second how… regal he appears.
However, that image disappears and in front of her is simply a self-assured tradesman. "Interesting thought. Time will tell how successful coffee will be in this area," Mikasa says, her dark eyes shining with amusement.
"Indeed, my lady," Eren chuckles. He begins to clear the counter as she takes another sip of her coffee. The strong taste lingers in her mouth more and more as she continues drinking. It's strange, but it does leave her wanting more. She smiles inwardly to herself — perhaps Eren's thoughts did have some truth to them.
"So, is everything all right?" His voice breaks her out of her musing. She raises her eyebrows in bewilderment. He shrugs while wiping the inside of the machine. "You seemed a bit worried when you entered the shop."
Her mouth drops open. She promptly closes it and grasps the mug with a little more strength. The ceramic starts to burn the tips of her fingers. Looking down at her lap, Mikasa is honestly surprised at how swiftly she forgot about her predicament — she didn't realize how being around him led to a much-needed moment of rest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," he says gingerly. Her eyes veer up to meet his forest-green ones. They're compassionate and genuine towards her worries. His expression is cautious but also empathetic. In that instant, she's incredibly touched. She doesn't know why, but his concern unwinds some of the tautness in her chest.
Perhaps it was because she felt like she'd been walking on a tightrope for the past two weeks, waiting for something to tip the balance of her life. Perhaps it was because — despite the many uneasy murmurs around her — people would simply put on false smiles and give too-bright reassurances, thinking she needed to be sheltered. Perhaps it was because she grew up believing she could lead her nation to peace and prosperity but was now realizing the role a royal woman often played in a nation.
And perhaps it was because a little part of her was realizing that she felt something more than companionship with Eren.
Regardless, she felt comfortable enough to smile sincerely and respond, "No, it's all right."
The dimples by his mouth show casually before he continues cleaning the counter. He doesn't press the issue any further. A lull falls over them while he serves a few customers that trickle in, and she continues drinking her coffee.
This experience is something foreign to her — but she wants more of it.
"No more coffee this time?" Mikasa asks him with a tiny sparkle in her eye.
Letting out a little laugh, he responds, "After seeing how much you liked it last time, no." Setting down the tea in front of her, he motions with his hand to let her try the drink.
With a thankful smile, she picks up the cup, giving the drink a light sniff before sipping carefully on the liquid. Mikasa closes her eyes momentarily and sighs faintly, rolling her head around her shoulders and commenting, "Ah. That was needed. Thank you very much."
"Of course," he responds with a smile on his face. As he turns back to the kitchen to let her finish her drink, his expression dulls slightly.
Eren is honestly not sure what provoked him to make coffee for her last month. Initially, he thought it was because it would be a way to bring up conversation and get closer to her for information. But when she came into his store looking dejected and frustrated, a pang occurred in his chest when he discovered that her usual gentle smile was forced.
So, he came out of the backroom with that machine. All because he desired to see her smile like she normally did.
In the back of his mind, he recognizes that he's treading into dangerous territory. Feelings like camaraderie with the Princess of Hizuru would do more harm than good.
However, Eren also recognizes that the realization doesn't stop him from picking up on her moods — like her anxiety or her appreciation for his concern from her last visit. Gripping his towel more harshly, he recalls the letter from Armin explaining that King Reiss is weighing his options on who to ally with: even though his father has begun talking with Paradise, Reiss also secretly tried to marry his eldest son to the Princess of Hizuru.
When Eren first heard the news, a biting annoyance stirred up within him. He didn't know why, but it got to the point where he had to pace around his study area a few times to calm himself down.
In a very far corner in his mind though, a little voice tells him the reason why. Yet, as his stance stiffens unintentionally, he refuses to entertain that thought.
"Eren?"
Turning around abruptly, he catches her looking at him with curious eyes.
"Oh. I'm sorry, I was lost in my own world," he responds, plastering a wide smile onto his face.
Mikasa smiles sincerely, in contrast to his hurried one. Inadvertently, the sight prompts his heart to flutter carelessly. "Are you considering what other concoction can be as unpleasant as the coffee?"
Eren snorts, responding, "No, just considering what other drinks could suit your refined palate." He doesn't realize that his smile has become more real and that his shoulders have lost some of their previous tension.
The princess's cheeks gather a light pink dust, and he can't help but find the vision endearing.
"I wasn't aware I was your most valuable customer," she replies while she looks away from his eyes, attempting to be as collected and nonchalant as she can.
He resists the urge to smirk as he cheekily replies, "Well, you're the only customer who seems to visit consistently, so I'm assuming you either come back because you like the tea or because you like my company." He places his elbows on the countertop and leans forward to grin at her.
Mikasa's dark-grey eyes snap to his, only to see a vibrant green shade that instinctively carries hints of playful mischief. The blush spreads more on her pale cheeks. His smile grows wider as he notes that her pink lips part in surprise at his implication. Eren props one arm up to rest his chin against his hand, chuckling at her reaction.
Why is it so easy to talk to her like this?
Mikasa clears her throat hastily, stormy eyes darting around to avoid looking at his face. Her response prompts the corners of Eren's mouth to become wider and more sincere. "Well… I suppose the owner of the business isn't terrible compared to the high-quality tea offered."
He throws back his head slightly and lets out an honest bark of laughter. His green eyes twinkle when he replies, "You wound me, my lady." Rubbing the area over his chest, Eren feigns pain prompting Mikasa to roll her eyes.
When was the last time he truly laughed like that?
"I didn't expect you to be so fragile," she says, with a raised eyebrow and a blank expression. However, despite her efforts not to, he can see the smile that tugs at her face.
"How can I not be, when I need to please my most valuable customer?" he counters teasingly, observing the redness that expands across her swanlike neck.
As she shifts her gaze to him, his heart unconsciously begins pounding as he sees the amused shimmer in her dark-grey eyes. In that moment, he thinks about the sun coming out from behind a rainy day at sea.
Failing to now repress the upturn of her lips, Mikasa lets out a scoff with absolutely no scorn in it. "So, if I were to ask you to give me three wishes, would you?"
"Of course, if it meant to please my most valuable customer," Eren answers with a grin.
Why is it so easy to act this normal and casual around her?
Mikasa bites the inside of her cheek before her lips slowly grow into a beautiful beam that leaves him breathless and his heart racing. Her dimples show freely by her mouth and her expression becomes incredibly serene and joyful. A pink tinge still rests on her cheeks, giving her a little glow in the rays of the afternoon sun trickling through the window.
The corners of her dark-grey eyes slant up marginally when she says a bit timidly, "I'll hold you to that."
Eren's heart feels like it'll pop out of his chest as he feels the lines of his own face also become smoother. His eyes drink her in eagerly, unknowingly taking in every detail of her happy face. The more he stares at her, the more he thinks he could never look away — like the first time he saw her.
The air around them feels warmer and more comfortable. It feels like he's by the hearth of the fire in his youth, lying on his stomach and reading a book while his mother sits at a table drinking tea. It feels like he's underneath a tree in the gardens, resting on the grass in the shade with Armin by his side.
It feels like he's a bird flying and soaring high, unconstrained by the world around him.
Why do I have this desire to pause and stay in this moment forever?
Suddenly, there's a tapping on the window and they both turn to see her lady-in-waiting outside the store with her arms folded disapprovingly. Immediately, Mikasa straightens up and gathers her things.
He doesn't even register the disappointment that floods through him until she places a few coins onto the table and says, "I'll see you some other time. Take care, Eren."
Why did his name sound so pleasant when it came from her lips?
Pushing all these questions out of his mind, he gives her a little wave as she exits the store. Unknowingly, his grin is still stuck on his face, dimmed subtly by her departure. Eren doesn't miss the unsuppressed bashfulness and glee in her smile as she pivots to the door. He also doesn't miss how his eyes are still transfixed on her form as she ushers her maid away from the shop.
Why can't I look away from her?
The reality dawns on him when he's alone. Dread begins to circulate through him as he realizes what just happened. The warmth that filled him previously rapidly fades, leaving his body cold and dull. The corners of his lips drop instantly, causing him to slam his fist down on the countertop in frustration.
He's not here for anything other than intel. He's not here for developing a friendship with the Princess of Hizuru when his goal is to capitalize on any secrets of the nation. He's not here to wound and poison like those snakes that he's seen in the palace.
He's not here for anything else other than completing the steps toward the Crown.
Yet… Eren can't help but think how normal he felt just now. He can't help but think of how relaxed he was around her. He can't help but think of how natural it felt to be by her side. He can't help but think it felt like was in a home that gave him ease and reassurance.
He can't help but think of how he wasn't Prince Eren of the Eldian Empire — he was just… Eren.
Was this how his life would've been if he didn't choose the path he did?
Unbeknownst to him, this is when a long, dormant longing in him for a peaceful life — like how his mother wanted for him — springs into existence.
"You're looking awfully happy this fine, rainy evening."
Mikasa snaps her head to her cousin studying her, holding a teacup in his atypical fashion. A light flush begins to make its way through her face, but she tries to don a blank expression as she replies, "It's not hard to look happier than you, though."
"Tch. You've been acting a bit strange these past few days," Levi replies, blowing and sipping on his drink. His dark-silver eyes continue to observe her like a hawk. Casually shrugging, Mikasa also grabs her tea and takes a small whiff of the aroma.
Before, she wouldn't have thought much of the gentle, alluring scent prepared by the chefs in the kitchen. Now, however, she finds it a bit dissimilar to the strong, flavorful ones Eren usually makes. It leaves her craving the tea that she'll have again in a few days. The corners of her lips tug upward, but Mikasa hides it behind her cup.
For the past few months, she's always visited Eren's shop. Her lady-in-waiting will always give her a stern look whenever she sneaks out. Nevertheless, the expression gets more and more light as the months go by.
They'll talk about everything and nothing — about trade, foreign relations, the cultural differences between nations, or simply getting to know one another. Seconds turn into minutes and minutes turn into hours when she visits. Eventually, she'll realize with a jolt that she needs to leave and then duck out the door with an unconscious light bounce in her step and an effortless, happy smile on her face.
Lately, he's taken to serving something new for her each time she visits, as if he were really holding to his promise of pleasing his most valuable customer. Attempting to repress the giddiness that comes up at the memory, she accidentally peers up to see Levi staring at her with an unimpressed look.
Clearing her throat briskly, she puts her cup down on the table. "How was the trip to Paradise?"
"The usual. Tch." Levi fidgets on his mat, the discomfort of sitting on his knees catching up to him.
"You'd think the pig would understand that half my time is spent in Hizuru because half my family is also here. He wants me to stay more in Paradise from now on," he grunts, finally shifting to sit cross-legged on the floor.
"He thinks you're valuable. It makes sense. It's not like Hizuru will come under attack any time soon," Mikasa comments. After seeing his new position, she's instantly reminded of the cushioned chairs in Eren's shop. Wistfulness rises in her as she wishes she could swing her legs around instead of kneeling on the mat.
"Eldia is putting more pressure onto the two nations. I want to stay here, just in case something was to happen," Levi says, his dark silver eyes surprisingly somber and intense.
She stares at him for a moment. A tiny sense of foreboding dread slithers up the back of her neck. However, Mikasa forces the emotion down. Her fingers lightly twiddle in her lap before she replies lowly, "I doubt Eldia would go that far just for trade routes."
"Tch. You have no idea what men can do for their pursuit towards power," Levi remarks, putting his tea down with a firm thud. His scowl becomes even more prominent and darker than usual. The longer she studies him, the more she feels her veins freezing to ice. His features become unyielding, reminding Mikasa that even though he's her cousin, he's firstly a general in the Paradisian military.
However, his frown returns to his normal one when he props his arm up on the table. Her cousin rests his chin on his hand while the other one tabs absentmindedly on his knee. "But never mind that. Tell me about your suitor."
Mikasa immediately stills, choking on her tea and scalding her tongue. A few coughs are pulled from her throat when hearing the unexpected statement. She rapidly puts her cup down and covers her mouth. A blush forms on her face and she gapes at the dark-haired man in front of her. Her heart beats swiftly, the rush of blood loud in her ears.
Levi doesn't react and continues staring at her blankly; nevertheless, she can discern the tiniest hint of amusement that flickers through his expression.
"Wha—Well—I mean—what?" she stammers, all royal dignity wiped from her system.
The dark-haired man merely rolls his eyes and stands up, brushing off the imaginary dust on his crisp and perfectly ironed clothes. "I just needed that confirmation.
Closing and opening her mouth like a fish out of water, Mikasa watches him exit the room with a casual air. Without a backwards glance, Levi throws up his hand to give her a little wave before declaring, "Don't introduce him, unless you're positive I won't kill him."
Absolutely ridiculous. Where on earth did he get that idea? A suitor?
But her throat is incredibly dry, so she can't seem to voice those thoughts. She can only gawk at him, even as the doors slide shut. Finally registering how hot she feels, Mikasa hastily brings her fingers to her cheeks. The skin feels like it's burning, prompting her to quickly recoil her hand. Taking a deep breath, she fans her cheeks with her hand, hoping the action will cool down her body.
"So, if I were to ask you to give me three wishes, would you?"
"Of course, if it meant to please my most valuable customer."
The heat only worsens from the memory, causing her to fan herself even harder.
Nevertheless, the corners of her lips unconsciously tug upward shyly.
Somewhere along the way, the times Mikasa comes to the shop become relaxing and enjoyable. It becomes a respite in the middle of Eren's day. It becomes a world where the two of them can simply be in one another's presence, away from the looming presence of the reality outside of the shop.
It gets harder for him to deny the growing happiness that he feels every time he sees her come into the shop. It gets harder for him to quell the bubbly and giddy feeling that grows stronger and stronger whenever she tries a new tea he made. It gets harder and harder to resist the temptation to understand more about the young woman beneath the title.
It feels more and more natural to be friends with her. It feels more and more natural to be by her side, serving her tea and playfully bantering with her about everything and nothing. It feels more and more natural to smile and laugh with her.
Above all, it feels more and more natural to forget about who he once was. It feels more and more natural to shed everything that he once knew for calm, serene, safe moments like these. It feels more and more natural to acknowledge the desire to live a kind of life that he thought he could never have.
Above all, it feels more and more natural to —
"Tonight is the Festival of the Sky Lanterns," Mikasa states, breaking him out of his haze. Glimpsing out the window at the bustle in the streets, Eren sees the sun is beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the shop. There's a little wistfulness in her expression and he wonders if she's ever had a chance to experience the festival.
"Do you celebrate the night every year?" He's wiping some plates and dishes with a rag, while peeking at her from the corner of his vision.
"I've only been to the festival maybe two times in my life. My parents often have me stay in the house while the locals celebrate," Mikasa answers with a hint of longing in her voice. He notes the thorough precision in her words.
She still never talks deeply about her background. If she does, she carefully masks anything too intimate and redirects the conversation. In the back of his mind, he wonders if she notices that he does the same.
Eren knows that they haven't been entirely honest with one another. He knows that there are boundaries between them. Yet, it doesn't stop him from becoming more and more comfortable with her. And it appears that it doesn't stop them from building a companionship with one another.
Nevertheless, a part of him knows that it doesn't make sense. A part of him yells at him to not let his head fall off his shoulders. He's not Eren Kruger. He's Eren Jaeger, Prince of the Eldian Empire. He still has a mission to complete.
It's been a year since he's first stepped foot in Hizuru and while his father's been patient with him, time is running out with the court. Zeke's supporters are planning on electing his older brother to Crown Prince soon, taking advantage of the fact that Eren has limited support and power in the kingdom now. If he doesn't come back with a notable achievement, then he can't stop the appointment.
Eren knows that nothing can come out of their friendship. He knows that he shouldn't entertain thoughts like this. He knows that he's been walking directly on the border of dangerous territory and should look to other ways to get information about weaknesses of Hizuru.
He knows that he needs to either stop or continue moving toward his goal with detachment — like when he first came here.
But all these things still don't stop him from asking, "Would you like to go with me tonight?"
She noticeably startles. Pink flows elegantly across her cheeks. Her lips part, before she closes them and bites the inside of her cheek. Eren can see her mind work through the potential consequences of going out with him.
Part of his mind is telling him to retract his words somehow, but he doesn't.
Instead, he tries to maintain an easy-going and casual demeanor as he continues cleaning up the counter. However, he inwardly stiffens at how conflicted she appears. Attempting to reassure her — for what reason? — Eren chuckles and says, "Not to worry, it'll be quick. I think they're planning on lighting the lanterns soon. We can simply buy one, light it and then leave."
Peeking over her shoulder at the outside activity, Mikasa purses her lips in thought. He sees her resolve wavering.
He's not sure what compels his mouth to continue running off, but he adds with an indifferent shrug, "If you get caught, then you can order me to be flogged or whatever the punishment the monarchy deems acceptable for sneaking out at night."
She snaps her head back to him, her mouth agape. Eren can't resist the urge to smirk as she sputters, "The monarchy doesn't flog people as punishment."
Eren raises an eyebrow. "No? Your family won't do that to me?" he says, daring to test the waters.
That same part in his mind from prior is punching him, screaming at him for being so reckless.
Nevertheless, the prince pays it no mind as he watches Mikasa narrows her eyes in offense. She's about to respond when he sees the full understanding of his words dawn on her.
At that, Eren can't suppress the full-bellied laughter bubble within. Her jaw slackens and her eyes enlarge, making her look the very image of shell-shocked. Her face becomes pale than usual. A little, visible vibration jolts through her.
Immediately, he knows that she's preparing to bolt. Thus, without a second thought, he reaches over the counter and gently grabs her hand. She jerks but he squeezes lightly, saying, "Mikasa, your secret is safe here. It's ok."
Is it though? A little voice nudges him, but he violently shoves it away.
Disbelief soon replaces the bewilderment written on her appearance. "How did you find out?"
"You're educated and sheltered. You think and care about the nation from a holistic perspective. You act like someone with a noble background, no matter how hard you try to hide it." Eren shrugs, before giving a little teasing grin. "I took a guess and you rose to the occasion."
It's not truthful answer, but it certainly makes a lovely flush creep up her neck in embarrassment and astonishment. She stammers undignifiedly for a bit before asking, "How long did you know?"
"For some time," he answers, purposefully omitting the details. Some hazy spot in his mind is continuing to punch him, but the sensation becomes much weaker.
"And you never mentioned it before. Why?" Suspicion filters through her stormy eyes.
However, he's undeterred and simply responds, "Because you never seemed like you wanted to tell me. I wasn't going to force you or treat you differently because of your status." The words come out of his mouth so fluidly that he's surprised with how honest he sounds.
But as he reflects on it, he discovers those are his true thoughts.
The suspicion leaves her expression. Instead, surprise with a mixture of appreciation flood through her eyes. Another light blush makes its way through her expression, prompting her to hurriedly look away and rub the skin by her throat. Eren tilts his head in amusement and waits for her to overcome the epiphany.
In that moment, he notices that he's still holding onto her hand. Suddenly, the imprint of his fingers over her palm feels like it's beginning to tickle and burn. Therefore, he abruptly lets go, hanging his hand awkwardly by his side.
At the same time, she retracts hers just as swiftly into her lap. Clearing her throat, she still doesn't meet his eyes. Eren also feels some hints of light red sneaking through his face, suddenly feeling incredibly hot.
Finally, Mikasa asks lowly, "Does this change anything between us?" Her tone is hesitant and unsure. The hand by her throat curls subtly, her fingers forming a loose fist.
"Should it?"
It should, a voice trickles into his mind. In a crevasse of his mind, something harshly continuously prickles his skin, but Eren violently crams it away — as well as any other sense of trepidation.
She finally lifts her gaze to meet his. Her brows elegantly furrow together as Mikasa scans his face inquisitively. There's a sort of haziness to her expression as she scrutinizes him with her lips pursed in thought. Finally, her features become softer and more relaxed. Her dark-grey eyes glisten faintly underneath the light of the shop as a little, genuine smile stretches on her face. "No, I don't think it should."
When he hears that affirmation, there is a part of him that feels so elated. The realization that she fully trusts him makes him feel as though he's floating on a cloud. It's like something overtakes him, making all thoughts about what he should do fly out his mind.
It makes him shed everything that he thought he once was. It makes him forget about everything other than Mikasa. It makes him feel like he's becoming someone else.
It makes him feel free.
Therefore, he goes around the counter with a wide beam on his face. Taking her hand and dragging her out of the shop, Eren hears her splutter in protests but merely laughs in response.
Looking back at her, he sees Mikasa's astonished face but notes that she's trying to restrain her giggles. Gripping her hand more solidly, he realizes how perfect it fits in his. The skin-to-skin contact is extremely pleasing, prompting his heart to race more speedily as they walk down the streets.
Merchants surround them amid the twilight horizon, advertising their products and food. People line up at stalls, preparing to buy items and clamoring in loud voices. Decorations and ornaments are strewn on the front of shops. All colors — orange, red, green, pink, blue — shine down on them as they walk through the streets. The temperature is mild but the heat of so many bodies bustling about makes the air seem stuffier. Nevertheless, there is a mild breeze which provides a layer of comfort.
Peeking over his shoulder, Eren slows his pace upon seeing how fascinated Mikasa is with the event. She's gazing around with wide sparkling eyes, in awe of the hustle on one of the busiest nights of the year. A pink tinge on her cheeks gives off an enchanting glow, making her seem ethereal. Her usual proper bun is slightly askew from the wind, strands from the front peeking out and framing her face.
In that moment, he has the urge to reach forward and tuck the strands behind her ear. He swallows unsteadily as the pounding in his rib cage grows. His breath stutters in his throat. The tips of his ears become hotter the longer he watches her.
Suddenly, there's a light illuminating her presence, so he has no choice but to focus only on Mikasa. The noise around them fades away as she becomes the only thing in this world. In that second, his hand starts feeling clammy, but he doesn't want to retract his grip.
If anything, it only serves to make him tighten it — as if he never wants to let her go.
Mikasa suddenly gasps while pointing at something. "Eren!"
Why did his name sound so delightful when it came from her lips?
He stops and turns his head. She's staring at a stall selling an assortment of lanterns with various designs. Without letting go of his hand, she leads him over where she points at one with two red swans flying amongst a gust of leaves imprinted onto the paper.
"Can we get this one?" Mikasa looks up at him with sparkling eyes. The innocence and hopefulness in her expression is so endearing that he doesn't think he could refuse her, even if he tried.
With a grin on his face, he pays for the lantern. When she finally releases his hand to grab the lantern with both hands, Eren mourns the loss of contact briefly. In the corner of his vision, another design catches his eye. Twisting his head, he takes a closer look at the object: it's of two birds connected by a red string as they fly in opposite directions with light purple petals drifting around them.
For some reason, the image makes his chest twist and turn.
"We'll take that one also," Mikasa says to the stall keeper. Surprised, he twists back to her and gives her a questioning look.
She gives a light giggle as little dimples show by her mouth. "It seems you like that design. Besides, it wouldn't be fun if I was the only one who lit a lantern."
He gapes at her, mesmerized, as she continues to look at him with those twinkling eyes and sweet smile. A sudden surge of joy overcomes him and he lowly chuckles, shaking his head. After giving the money to the stall keeper, Eren takes the lantern and feels the light, but sturdy material underneath his fingers.
Mikasa grabs a brush from the stand, dipping it into an inkpad and then beginning to write Hizuran characters onto it. He's content to watch her though; leaning against a lamp post, Eren takes in the gracefulness of her side profile. However, she pivots to him after a moment and asks incredulously, "What about your wish?"
Eren waves it off dismissively with one hand and says, "You can write what you want."
She raises her brows in disbelief and states, "But this is the tradition of the festival!"
He snorts and retorts, "I don't believe in your Hizuran theology though."
Mikasa scrunches her lips and responds, "Well, it'll add more to your foreign experience."
The dark-haired man is about to reply when she asks, "Please?"
Her beseeching eyes shimmer underneath the lights as they peer up at him, wavering his resolve — again.
Letting out an exaggerated sigh, he grabs another brush and dips it into the ink. He knows Mikasa is smiling and repressing her chuckles, but he isn't even displeased with how he acquiesced to her request. Rather, there's a sudden desire to continue making her smile and laugh like this.
After he's done, he blows on the ink before asking, "Where do we go now?"
Mikasa hums thoughtfully and then replies, "Perhaps, we should go to that bridge?"
Turning around, he sees one close to them, connecting the two parts of the city over the river. Grabbing a few matches from the stand, he nods. "Let's go then."
He doesn't fail to notice the way there's a light bounce to her step as they start walking.
They don't talk amid the noise of the people around them, but he can't resist peeking down at her. She's cradling the lantern and studying the design fondly. Under the lights from the lamps, her prominent cheekbones and swanlike neck are accentuated, while the curve of her nose is highlighted. A light red tinge is still apparent on her face, making her look even more attractive and prompting Eren's heart to skip a beat.
She looks so happy and peaceful.
Inadvertently, a gentle smile spreads on his face.
They go up the steps to the landmark, walking to the center where people around them are clamoring and pointing to the sky. Already, the lighting of the lanterns has begun, the objects casting a faint orange sheen as they sail across the starry night sky and over the water.
Striking the matches, he puts the flame to underneath the lanterns, lighting them. He simply uses one hand to push the object into the sky. However, Mikasa delicately releases hers, as if it were the most precious treasure on earth.
Eren is captivated at the sight. Their two lanterns float higher and higher until he can't discern where they ended up in the horde rising to the sky. Everywhere above him, there is not one area that isn't covered by warm orange light. It's as if the sun decided to defy the laws of nature and shed daylight in this dark world.
It truly was beautiful.
Peeking at the corner of his eye, he pauses upon noticing Mikasa's reaction: she's transfixed by the sight, her pink lips parted in wonder. The breeze changes, ruffling the edge of Mikasa's dark kimono and the strands by her face. Some petals from the trees around them flutter and are carried off into the distance. One of them gets stuck in her hair but she doesn't notice.
Without realizing it, he starts to lift his hand to remove the petal. However, Mikasa suddenly swivels to him and takes his hand. He's almost startled by the action until he sees how much her eyes glimmer with gratitude and joy.
He thought the sky above them was bright, but it didn't compare to how her eyes looked like a beacon of light shedding hope and promise after a tempest raging upon the earth.
"It's so beautiful. Thank you, Eren," she gushes. Her smile is so tender and captivating. The gleam from the lanterns hazily shines down on her face, making her seem more radiant and divine. The petal in her dark hair only makes her appear more alluring and stunning.
Eren can only gape at her.
In that moment, she seems like an angel that came down from this dawning sky.
Mikasa seems to realize what she's done, and a darker pink overcomes her cheeks. Her grip loosens but he discovers how much he doesn't want to let her go. Instead, he grabs her hands again and slowly raises them to his lips. They graze the back of her fingers daintily, but the mere contact makes lightning run down his spine.
Unknowingly, a little flush appears on his face at the intimate gesture.
Her expression is completely bewildered and embarrassed, but he doesn't release her hands. His thumbs unconsciously rub her knuckles gingerly. With an earnest smile, he responds, "It was my pleasure, Mikasa."
A muffled gasp comes out of her. Her mouth opens and closes a few times as she struggles to find something to say but nothing comes out. She quickly rotates away from him and bites her lip timidly. Her cheeks become impossibly redder as bashfulness overtakes her.
Nevertheless, she doesn't try to remove her hands from his. Unknowingly, he leans in closer to her, noticing how her sweet scent leaves him intoxicated for more.
In that instant, he wishes he could pause and relive this moment forever and ever.
This isn't what you're here for.
That sudden thought washes over him. Frost seems to have covered him from head to toe, driving out any of the heat that previously dissipated through his body. A wave of dread overcomes him, threatening to make his knees cave — threatening the very existence of the reality that he's in currently.
You can't—
In that moment, Mikasa makes a little noise, breaking him out of his haze. Slowly, there is a distinct upward tug of her lips as she faces him again. She doesn't directly make eyes contact with him, but he can see she's hiding her joy and pleasure.
"Do Paradisians kiss people's hands when expressing their thanks?"
Eren stares at her for a second before throwing his head back and laughing. Immediately all those creeping thoughts die. Warmth and coziness engulf his senses again. He's snapped back to the reality of this world he's currently in.
"No," he replies, meeting her gaze cheekily. "Only the impulsive ones who want to please a beautiful lady."
All he can focus on is this moment now.
Mikasa openly laughs, the dimples showing by her mouth. Elation and contentment are written on her expression. Her dark-grey eyes are gleaming, crinkling at the corners from her joy. The lines on her face are incredibly soft and youthful — Eren doesn't think he's seen anything more beautiful than the sight in front of him.
He wants to stay in this reality forever and ever.
Therefore, when he gets back to the shop and sees a letter from his father, he takes one glance at it before burning it without even reading the contents.
Above all, it feels more and more natural to love her.
"What is the strangest tale you've been told as a child?" Mikasa asks off-handedly one day while she swings her legs back and forth in her seat. Distantly, she recognizes that the elders would have a fit if they saw her improper behavior now.
Eren shifts around with a bemused look as he cleans up some dishes from some tables in the shop. "Odd question to ask, don't you think?"
"Well, I'm interested to hear the kinds of stories told to children in Paradise," Mikasa replies, discreetly peeking at the muscles that flex beneath the white sleeves rolled to his elbows.
He seems to notice her staring, however, and his expression changes subtly to something more knowing and mischievous as he walks by her to go behind the counter. Mikasa represses a blush and attempts to pass it off as nothing.
Ever since the festival, there's something sweeter in the air as they interact. There are more side glances at one another when they think the other isn't looking. There are more failed hidden smiles as they stay in each other's presence. There are more purposeful lingering touches here and there.
Gradually, she let him know a little bit more of her childhood that she'd been so reclusive of.
She has a loving family that doted on her when she was little. Her parents are extremely protective of their only daughter, shielding her from internal political strife that royal families in other nations go through.
Her father encouraged her to read books about economics, philosophy, strategy in war and more, as if she would one day be leading the nation. Her father taught her Paradisian customs and traditions, ignoring the quiet, stunned annoyance from her mother's side of the family. Her mother turns the other way sometimes when Mikasa leaves the palace. Even though she's a woman, she wishes to lead Hizuru into peace for as long as she can reign.
Normal moments like these make her life feel even more content.
"I'm afraid my childhood was relatively boring compared to yours," Eren finally responds, shrugging while wiping his hands on a towel. "But my childhood best friend told me this one story about these beings called 'Titans'. They were humans that could turn into these giants with special powers. However, they were misunderstood by other humans, leading to a war between the two species."
Mikasa nods thoughtfully. "Who won, in the end?"
He purses his lips before responding, "Neither. One Titan decided that in order for the two species to co-exist peacefully, he needed to become the enemy that united them. Therefore, he died in the end to protect his loved ones."
"Hmm. It's an interesting story to tell children," Mikasa comments with a raised eyebrow.
Eren chuckles as he replies, "Well, I suppose the moral is that sacrifices must be made to gain a bigger goal? Something that would motivate children to act in a noble manner." He waves his hand outlandishly, prompting her to giggle behind her cup.
Beaming down at her, he leans across the counter and rests his elbows on the surface. Her breath hitches when his face suddenly becomes mere inches away from hers. She's close enough to see the tiny faint freckles by the bridge of his nose. At this distance, she notices that there are teal specks in his forest-green eyes. The sun reflecting through the window highlights every curve and contour of his face. She can catch a trace of his earthy and husky scent, making her a little dizzy.
Playfulness flickers across his expression as he observes her. With a casual air, Eren asks nonchalantly, "What about the most interesting tale from your childhood?" His eyes scan her face slowly and deliberately as if they were admiring every little thing about her features.
Mikasa again forces down a blush before she croaks, "Well, perhaps the legend of the River of Lost Memories."
Noting how her voice sounds, she clears her throat swiftly. However, her reaction doesn't seem to escape Eren's attention, prompting his mouth to curve more into a smirk.
Quickly avoiding eye contact, she focuses on the side shelf of tea leaves and says, "Apparently, there is a river in the high mountains of Hizuru that has the power to wipe away a person's memories. It's supposedly extremely beautiful and tempting to anyone that passes by it, so that one has no choice except to fall into its waters."
Eren hums lowly and taps his fingers onto the smooth countertop. "Sounds… uneventful."
Rapidly turning her head, she finds him looking at her with a teasing grin. With a flush creeping up her neck, Mikasa stammers with a hint of affront in her tone, "Well, if you compare the story to giants and war, then of course, it seems boring."
"Then, why this story?" Eren props one arm up on the surface and rests the side of his head lazily against his hand. His eyes still look at her intently, never straying from her face.
Even more embarrassed, she answers, "I just… never could imagine forgetting everything that made me happy in life. I could never imagine forgetting every beautiful memory that I made."
Visions of her parents looking down at her with tender affection in their eyes flash in front of her.
She sees the way they stroked her hair before kissing her goodnight and tucking her in. She sees Levi teaching her how to wield a knife to protect herself from robbers whenever she snuck out of the palace. She sees the times she'd sit to have tea with her family, enjoying the cozy sensation that would always wash over her whenever they were by one another's side.
Suddenly, Mikasa envisions the Festival of the Sky Lanterns. She envisions the lanterns above them creating a stunning collage of colorful lights. She envisions Eren turn around amid the orange glow from the sky and give her the most captivating grin. She envisions him raise her hands to his lips, brushing them gently while he stares at her like she is even more beautiful than the sky above them.
Her heart stutters at the image, causing her to look down at her lap and fiddle with her fingers lightly. Finally, she quietly says, "I can't imagine forgetting those who are important to me."
A brief lull falls over the shop. Eren doesn't say anything while Mikasa's gaze is fixed on her lap. Nervous anticipation washes over her as she subtly voices her true thoughts and feelings. Finally, a reassuring hand reaches forward to crook a finger under her chin and tilt her head up. A bubbly, delightful emotion begins circulating through her from the contact.
Reddening, her eyes meet Eren's green ones. However, she's struck at how intense they appear. There's something incredibly poignant and raw about his expression. It's as if he's taken the story to heart and is now set on committing every detail of her face to memory. It's as if he's engraining the very image of her into his mind forever — as if the river could never tempt him and take away the image of her.
Teal specks smolder underneath the light of the shop as he asserts, "If I ever fell into that river, I would never forget you."
The absolute certainty in his tone makes the red fan even more on her cheeks. The imprint of his hand underneath her chin still is very heated, causing her entire body to feel on fire. Her heart pounds loudly and briskly against her chest. Vaguely, she's registered that she's stopped breathing. The increase in blood flow seems to be going to her head, causing her lashes to flutter against her lids hazily.
Some part of her obscurely notes that their faces are closer to one another now than they were before. Yet, his scent and heat make her feel so comfortable that she can't help but lean in, wanting more.
And in that instant, it feels like the sun is beaming at her with such warmth and affection, lighting up her world with so much joy and tranquility.
"I would never forget you either," she says gently, her lips breaking out into a shy smile.
Immediately, Eren's grin becomes so charming and handsome. Slowly, his hand moves to caress her cheek, stroking the softness of her pale skin. His features are so boyish and youthful that it makes Mikasa's heart sing for joy. His face is filled with so much affection and sentiment that it makes her feel like she could cry from happiness.
It's as if he's etching the image of her right onto his heart, so that she will always be a part of him wherever she goes.
When the distance between them closes, it feels like she's ascended to the heavens.
He crafts a story in this reality.
Eren is a son of wool merchants. His mother died when he was young. He doesn't have a good relationship with his father and brothers. He came to Paradise to prove he could achieve greater things. He wants to live in a world where there is peace and prosperity. He wants to bring some kind of meaning to this world. He wants to live in a place where he can be free from all the constraints that shackle him in this life.
Some of these things are not true; some of them are.
But as Mikasa takes his hand and shows him that sweet, beautiful smile, he believes it.
He believes the reality that he's living in. He believes his existence in this normal world he's constructed. He believes that he can stay in this island of hopes and dreams forever and ever.
He believes that he can have a normal life by her side.
And when Mikasa tells him that she's certain that he'll fulfill his goals and ambitions, he can only respond by bringing her to his lips, pressing them to her knuckles.
Eren falls into this new role perfectly.
The thing is, he knows with vehement conviction that it's not a role.
What they have isn't pretend. It's real — and he never wants it to end.
A/N:
Hopefully you guys enjoyed this chapter 😊 I feel like my writing style is a bit different with this story since it's more plot-based than any of my other stories haha. If you're here for the angst….
Spoiler: don't worry, it's coming haha
I'll probably give more background on why I thought to write this based off Dong Gong in the next few chapters, but I'll just say for now that I can see similarities between the main characters' relationship in the drama and Eren and Mikasa's dynamic. Since I will be (sort of) following the plot of the drama, the characters may seem a bit OOC, but I tried to make their reactions as believable and in character as possible.
But yeah, nothing too deep in this chapter: just some fluff with political intrigue (can you already tell that I cannot write complicated plots and schemes haha). I also just have a basic understanding of econ and IR, so I'm honestly just making stuff as I go on hehe. Hopefully the next chapter will be out soon! Please let me know your thoughts, if you have any 😊