Hello all my readers again! First, I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in these hard global times - and to remember to be kind to one another! Also, apologies for the extreme delay and the (probably) future inconsistent updates. Being unable to travel and grab new inspiration and just being busy with life in general - I am sorry for any more irregular waits you may have. However! Please be assured that I always will be grateful for your support and interest in Rina Hazura's life :D

As always,

Enjoy!

Recap:

"Okay, enough doom and gloom for today. Besides not talking with the socialites, why are you outside?"

"Is it a crime to get some fresh air, Hazura?"

I chuckled and held my hands up innocently. "Can't blame a girl for being curious. Did you want to take a walk then? Get your mind off the social event and its politics?"

At this option, the soldier perked up and finally showed a hint of relief.

"Lead the way."

I led us down the side of the building and eventually came to the edge of a small hedge maze laying quietly in the corner of the land.

"Silently leading me to my ultimate demise, Hazura?"

I chuckled and paused at the entrance. "I assumed that you would enjoy yourself more if we weren't always in the prying eyes of your adoring public, Captain. Of course, if you prefer otherwise, I'd be happy to lead you back to the front ga-"

I burst into laughter as Levi quickly grabbed my wrist and dragged me in the maze without another word. Waiting until we made a few turns did he relax his grip and glanced back at me.

"Tch, you've made your point. Now wipe that smug smile off your face."

I grinned at him. "What face?"

With a dramatic roll of his eyes, Levi hastily let go of his grip and continued further into the hedges. I lagged behind, letting the man brood in his own little bubble. For a bit anyway until I broke the silence with the most controversial question I could think of.

"So are we really going to claim back Wall Maria? Or more specifically, the Shiganshina district?" There was a pause as Levi froze in his tracks.

"That is the plan. We have the royal support, we have the numbers and now all we need is enough political funds to get us out the gates." There was a brief pause. "Do you doubt us, Hazura?"

I scoffed and nudged his arm roughly as I passed.

"Never. What I doubt is the generosity of the wealthy Sina. Like you said, their priorities aren't necessarily the same as our own."

"I guess I'm not the only one being skeptical then."

I laughed. "Far from it. Actuall-"

I froze suddenly as a foreign noise caught my ears. Levi took one look at me and instantly fell silent. It was times like this that I was grateful we were always so in sync. A moment passed and I was about to convince that my mind was playing tricks until the scuffle was heard again.

Leaves? I mouthed to Levi. He made a subtle nod and flicked his head to the north-east of our position. Not sure what it could have been, I unhooked my left weapon from my 3DMG and handed it over to the Captain. Not questioning the action, he wrapped his fingers around it and took it.

Trying to be as quiet as possible, I unsheathed my right blade, a slight twinge from the metal scrapping the cover. This caused the entire situation to explode, with the bushes suddenly bursting with noise and the rustling leaves splitting into two different directions.

"What the-"

"Let's move, Hazura!"

"Sir!" I automatically replied and dashed to follow the streak of moving leaves to the right. Unfortunately the offenders were on the other side of the maze wall so they already had an advantage. It's not like I could see them through the foliage or cut through in one swoop. I'd have to try and get over the walls without being able to use my 3DMG. A few corners in and then the sound of footsteps retreated from me, indicating they had a turn I couldn't reach.

"Shit!" I swore and frantically searched the area for some foothold. If I could use something and vault over the hedge-

Hello.

I grinned at the silent statue of some woman and decided to test my luck. The sculpture didn't have much of a jutting foothold but it was better than none. Sucking in a breath between my teeth, I sprinted at the figure, clutching my single weapon tightly. Leaping at the last metre, I planted a foot midway up the statue and vaulted. The stone swayed under my force and tipped forward. Gritting my teeth, I took another step higher up the statue and using the better angle, jumped off it. The object hit the ground, a muted sound from where I was currently flying. Soaring over the hedge, the smile didn't last long on my face as I realised there was nothing to stop my direction. A swear word ripped out of me as I crashed into the opposite hedge wall, leaves and sticks poking into where they shouldn't be.

"Okay, these fools are so dead." I grumbled, stumbling back into the maze path and after them. It wasn't for a few more seconds that I caught up to them. Acting before they could lose me again, I hurled the blade at the two shadows. It shot between the two, disappearing into the hedge but stopping both in their tracks. To my surprise, the black figures shrieked and dropped to the ground instantly. Just in case, I replaced the lost blade and approached cautiously.

"Please don't kill us! We were only curious to see what the new Queen looks like!"

"Don't hurt us! I've got a brother and sister and-"

"You're kids?" I stated incredulously, blinking in astonishment. Two teenagers, a boy and a girl, lay on the ground, hands covering their heads like they were ducking from gunfire. Both couldn't have been more than 14 years old.

"We're not kids!" the boy jumped up and indignantly exclaimed, almost out of habit. "We're-"

I silently raised my blade and pointed it at his neck, a flat look on my face.

"Don't push your luck. You're both lucky I didn't slice you on the spot for trespassing property while the Queen is on site."

"Please! We're sorry! We were only following 3 other guys when they said we could have a sneak peek at the royal event."

I sighed deeply and lowered the sword. "I'm sure you weren't stupid enough to think that it wouldn't be heavily guarded?"

"We were told to split should anything happen. The chances of getting caught are lowered, my butt." The girl complained, clearly frustrated at the older accomplices. Tsking, I shook my head.

"Let's get going. If you leave my side for even a minute then I'm sure another of my guards won't hesitate to stop you."

"Yes, ma'am!"

With that, we headed out of the small maze, thankfully already near one of the entrances. It wasn't until I got to the gate did Levi show his head again. I grinned and waved my two amateur criminals to join the pack of three already sitting on the ground by his feet.

"I see you caught the other half of the kid pack."

"We are not-"

Levi spun his weapon at the outburst and shot the older boy a look. "Say another word."

I chuckled as the group fell silent again.

"Thanks for helping out Levi. The guard can take care of the rest." With a wave, I motioned 3 of the MPs over and signalled for them to escort the minors out. "I think that's enough excitement tonight for you Captain. Let's get you back to the social event."

Not surprisingly, Levi refused to return my other blade, gripping tightly and glaring at me.

"If it means I won't be returning to the forced conversations and polite head-nodding, then I won't be returning this, Hazura."

I placed a hand on my hip and raised an eyebrow. "As head of security for the night, I must insist that as a guest, you head on back inside."

"And as Captain of the Scouting Legions, I will not be doing such a thing."

I glanced around discreetly.

"Levi please. You're not even supposed to be on duty today. Don't make my job any harder than what it already is. Pass my blade back."

Levi's face remained stoic as he ignored my useless pleas. A figure approached us from behind and a small smile crept onto my face. Deciding to wait, I stayed silent for a command.

'That's an order, Captain."

At the voice, I straightened my back. Levi made an unpleasant face and glanced over his shoulder.

"Erwin."

The Commander waved a hand and I relaxed back to my usual posture.

"I came out to check that everything's all right. Heard there was a scuffle in the labyrinth."

"Just a small issue – it's been taken care of." I reported.

"Thank you, Rina. On other issues, Hazura is right, Levi – you shouldn't be on guard tonight. Give the blade back and come with me."

With his usual awkward smile, Erwin nodded in farewell and turned back to the building. Short but effective. Unable to refuse his commanding officer, Levi hesitantly tossed the blade back to me. I swiftly sheathed it and gave him a cheeky wave.

"Enjoy the rest of your night, Captain."