Year 841. Wall Sheena territory.
The carriage was going slower than usual. These fucking horses were barely moving. Blake sighed in frustration and Kenny saw him stuck his head out the window. "Hey Kenny!" Blake called. "What are you doing, we are already late!"
"I was stretching my feet. Fucking hell give me a break here." Kenny snarled from the driver's seat. If Blake was the son of that fat lecherous cunt named Rod he would've tell the kid to fuck off. But he wasn't, he was the son of Uri Reiss, his king and only friend.
Besides the boy wasn't that bad... Kind of, that bitch Rod married was an annoying dull hag, Rod defined everything wrong in the world and his kids were fucking stupid and far too innocent for the crap sack world they lived in. Not to mention how that brat Frieda tried to boss him around.
Uri sure had a fucked sense of humor, using him as a personal driver like if he was hired for that. He was good at killing and doing other fun stuff to people, not being a babysitter to a 14 year old boy and his noisy cousin.
Though he had to admit he was looking forward how Alma was doing with her child. He remembered very well how Rod's wife found out about his adventure with the maid and how it resulted in a illegitimate child. He grins at the memory, recalling how Rod was crying and begging for forgiveness like a little bitch.
"We're here!" A feminine voice said coming from the carriage. Alas he was back to reality when he heard that annoying girl Frieda. He growled and got off the vehicle and proceeds to see if Frieda and Blake are in one piece. He doesn't care about them but if anything happened to them...
Luckily they're fine, Frieda opens the door and extends her hand to Kenny. He blankly stares at her and she frowned. "Well?" She said.
"Well what?" He answered, genuinely more confused than annoyed.
She made that gesture that pissed the hell out of him which consisted in rolling her eyes as if he were inferior to her.
"Shouldn't you be stretching out your arm so i can lean on it. and thus get down safely?" He hoped she was joking if not then a damn common cold would kill her, seriously how weak and frail was this girl?!
"Oh forgive me your worship." Kenny mockingly bowed to her. "Would you like to step on me so you won't ruin your sacred shoes with mud? Or better yet would you like me to carry you all the way to the safety of the farm? Oh my mighty goddess I beg for your blessing, I am but a humble servant."
Now Frieda was definitely angry and Kenny mentally grinned. "I'm not your dog girl, remember that." He turned around leaving Frieda there speechless but he should have know better she wouldn't stay quiet, she was Rod's daughter after all.
"You're right Kenny, A dog would behave better than you. Should I even call you an animal?" Before Kenny could even think of a good comeback Blake got out of the carriage as well, slighty pushing Frieda off it. "Both of you, shut up!"
Ah there he was, the son of Uri Reiss and the next king of the walls. Kenny wondered what kind of ruler he would be. A madman? Or perhaps a good normal king. Well the latter was almost impossible, considering Blake was seriously fucked in the head plus his father became erratic and eerie over the years thanks to that mysterious power the Reiss family passed down to the next generation every 13 years, and if everything went according to plan, Kenny would take that power for himself.
A few moments later Frieda apologized for her behavior and Kenny reluctantly did the same, with that all of the way the two kids went to meet Rod's walking boner named Historia.
Blake and Frieda made sure to walk a considerable distance from Kenny, Blake was not happy of how Frieda constantly throwed insults at Kenny, not because he cared about the man, Frieda was a member of the royal family and she had to behave as such.
Frieda however couldn't hold his dislike towards the Ackerman. Understandable but that didn't excuse her for her actions.
"I'm sorry Blake, I just can't stand him."
"What has gotten into you? Do you think he'll do nothing once my father dies? He is loyal to him Frieda, not to us, if we give him more reasons to turn on us then he will before father even dies." he explained.
He was right, the man was volatile, dangerous, cruel and sadistic, she constantly heard about all the crimes Kenny did in his youth or how he loved to gloat about all the murderers he committed.
"You have to kill him once you become king." Frieda whispered to his ear, Blake took a step back, eyed widened. He couldn't believe his sweet, kind and cheerful cousin said that.
"Don't pretend that thought hasn't crossed your mind." Frieda accused. "You know it has to be done, hopefully soon." Frieda walked towards farm leaving a conflicted Blake behind.
He knew where those thoughts came from. Uncle Rod's doing no doubt. He thought. He knew the famous saying "There's only one way to deal with a threat." And how Rod said that everytime Kenny was in the same room made Blake believe his uncle was trying to brainwash his cousin. A terrible sin, to besmirch one's beliefs on your children.
That's why he was anxious to become king, to take Frieda and the rest of his cousins away from Rod. Regardless of how Blake felt about his uncle. He was right... to some extent.
Kenny was unpredictable and crazy, he was loyal to his father and only him, what will happen after he dies? Will Kenny slaughter the family before his father's body is cold? Or he would stay loyal to Blake?
Blake was determinated to be the greatest king in the history of Eldia, not for ambition or fame but out of necessity. Luckily that would be enough to earn Kenny's loyalty and respect.
Having enough of not so pleasant thoughts Blake approached Frieda who was talking with Alma. Frieda exchanging pleasantries with Alma reaffirmed Blake's earlier thought of the hate Frieda felt towards Kenny was actually Rod's lies and manipulation rather than her own feelings about the man.
Frieda's hatred towards the woman who almost ruined their family would be justified. Yet she treated Alma with kindness and respect.
He approached the former maid and his cousin. A few seconds passed neither saying anything. Deciding not to make the situation more uncomfortable he spoke up.
"Alma."
"Lord Reiss." He cringed at her choice of words. Remembering how she used to call Rod that.
Over the years he wanted to hate the woman, she almost ruined their family. He remembered too well how Abel, Florian or Frieda would come to his room at night and proceed to cry inconsolably cry on his shoulder. The fights aunt Elissa and uncle Rod were horrible, Urklyn tried to start drinking so he could forget, Dirk would try to isolate himself for days and the girls were heartbroken and depressed.
Despite all that he knew deep inside it wasn't Alma's fault, she was a simple maid seduced by a wealthy and important noble. She wanted a better life and she believed all his promises, only to be sent away when she had his child.
Frieda started to visit Historia a year ago and she told him how Alma despite not being a very warm mother she treated Historia with respect and cared for her. It made him smile, and he felt terrible for both of them.
"You look lovely today Alma." Blake said. Alma smiled at that, a genuine smile. He was only 14 and she knew he meant that as a compliment rather than flirting.
"You are too kind my lord, to what do I owe your visit?"
"Well, Frieda brought me here, I think it's time I meet my cousin, Historia."
Alma nodded and closed the book she was reading. "Of course, follow me please."
The two Reiss teenagers followed Alma to the stables, there was a little girl cleaning the horses, she had long blond hair and large blue eyes, when she turned around and saw her mother she ran with a big smile on her face. "Mother! Frieda!" The girl beamed.
"Mind your manners girl." Alma sternly said, the girl smiled flattened a little but she kept smiling and nodded. "Of course mother, forgive me."
"It seems you had fun, girl." Alma noted, pointing at Historia's face covered in dirt and sweat, her hair messy and her clothes dirty. Alma sighed and her cheeks slighty turned red in embarrassment. She gave both of the Reiss teenagers an apologetic look but Frieda only smiled.
"It's alright Alma, if Historia was having fun there's no harm done."
"Frieda is right." Blake added. "Though I believe she could use... a bath."
"Of course!" Alma quickly agreed. "I'll make sure she is presentable, come girl." She grabbed Historia's hand and quickly got out of there.
"Poor Alma, she was sooo embarrassed." Frieda giggled which made him chuckle as well. "Well why don't we have some fun before they get back? Just the two of us in the meanwhile."
Frieda grinned at this and nodded. "I thought you'd never ask."
Alma tried her hardest not to snap at her daughter, she had no friends besides Frieda and soon Blake but she was frustrated at Historia's hyperactive behavior.
"You need to stop this Historia, I have told you this thousands of times yet you do the same."Alma said as she scrubbed her daughter's arms.
"I know mother... but I got bored and blaze wanted to play with me." The little girl explained.
"The horse isn't your friend Historia!" Alma finally snapped and she knew she said the wrong thing when Historia frowned and looked down in sadness.
"I care about you Historia, I really do, and I'm your mother." She grabbed Historia's face so she could look at her.
"But please you have to behave yourself, the boy out there, did you see him?"
Nodding, Historia's smile returned. "Of course! He is pretty, just like Frieda."
"And he is nice as well, like Lady Frieda." Alma told her, grabbing a towel to help her daughter dry. "He came to this farm for you Historia, he wants to be your friend."
"He does?!" Historia happily asked.
"Yes, wouldn't be nice if you have them both as your friends?"
"Yes! He seems nice and fun!"
Historia's cheerful demeanor was truly something special, Alma hoped her daughter would never change. "Then please no more playing in the dirt or with animals ok?"
"I promise." Historia stated and hugged her mother. Alma's eyes widened, she wasn't very comfortable with being touched but she couldn't bring herself to push Historia away, hesitating a little she slowly wrapped her arms around her little body and smiled a little.
"Good, now let's get you dressed so you can talk to them."
"... I.. can't believe I lost... to you!" Blake tried to come with an explanation on how he lost to Frieda in the race. She was smugly smiling and teasing him about it.
"You just can't beat me, I proved it ... for the hundredth time."
Blake snorted, not trying to give Frieda any satisfaction. "You're not getting a reaction out of me."
"Aww don't be like that, it's fun to see you get angry and throw a tantrum."
Frieda smiled.
"Shut up, you may be the better rider, but I'm the better fighter!" he boasted, puffing out his chest with pride.
"Unless you throw me off my horse and wrestle with me in the ground then I won't believe you." She winked at him, he growled. He loved to have fun with Frieda but everytime they did things they weren't supposed to do such as wrestling, racing or explore places alone he was the one who got in trouble. Not because she blamed him, he would always take the blame so Frieda wouldn't be punished for it.
Most of those activities were his ideas anyways.
Historia was holding her mother's hand, she just took a bath and changed to clean clothes.
"Now remember Historia, be respectful towards them, I know you're excited but their family owns this land." Her mother warned.
"I will mother."
"Good, now let's go see them."
However before they could go Alma's father, the owner of the farm called her so she could help him with something.
"Alright Historia, I will go see what your grandfather wants, stay here and please don't move."
"But-"
"No Historia." Alma quickly interrupted her. "Stay here until I return."
Not fair! She wanted to talk with Frieda and the boy. But she didn't want to disappoint her mother so the girl nodded.
Her mother immediately went inside the house, Historia crossed her arms upset.
After a few minutes standing there a man approached her, he was tall taller than her grandfather. He was wearing a long coat and a pretty hat.
When they were a couple of meters away from each other he smiled.
"So you're the fat cunt's little girl huh." He stated.
"Who? No, my father is dead." She looked down sadly. So she does hate Rod. Kenny thought, he didn't expect Alma would grow to hate Rod.
"Never mind." He turned around and began to walk away.
"Wait mister!" Historia cried out and she smiled when she saw him stopping.
"Yes?" The man asked.
"I'm Historia, what's your name?"
Now that's new. This kid is something else. This is the first time in his life he doesn't hate a kid. She isn't a stuck up bitch like those Reiss girls so this is a nice change.
"Kenny." He bluntly said.
"Nice to meet you mister Kenny! I like your hat."
"Ah, I see you have good taste girl." Kenny complemented. "Wanna know how I got it?"
"Sure!" She said.
Grinning he took off his hat and began to tell his story. "When I was young I was in a brothel, I was hired to kill a guy, you know nothing fancy just some lowlife who owned money to my employer. So in the brothel I sneaked up to him, I lockpicked the door and there he was! I caught the little shit with the pants down, getting sucked off then I-"
"Historia!" A familiar voice called. It was Frieda! And that boy following her. She ran up to Frieda and hugged her. "Historia what are you doing with that man?! Where is Alma?!"
"Oh mother was busy, I stayed here and then mister Kenny began to tell me how he got his hat, he went to a brot- Brotthe- brotha-" Historia innocently tried to explain Kenny's story. Frieda was horrified at Historia's attempt to said the word, she knew what her little sister meant.
She immediately hugged her tighter, trying to shield her from the man. Kenny just grinned and Frieda looked up to Blake clearly wanting him to say something.
"Kenny, keep your stories to someone who pays you enough to hear them." Blake gave him a look that could cut ice.
"Sure thing little lord." Kenny just shrugged and walked away.
With the Ackerman gone, he could at least introduce himself to Historia. "Nice to meet you Historia, My name is Blake."
Historia kept her usual friendly personality. "Hello! Mother said you came here to be my friend."
"Of course dear." he chuckled, he loved her enthusiasm. "I heard Frieda and you always have fun."
"We do! We read together, she let's me ride her horse with her and we play hide and seek!"
"Oh my, that sounds fun indeed." The prince agreed, may I join?" He asked.
"If Frieda wants to then sure!" Historia looked at Frieda asking for permission but she just grinned and nodded.
"Right this way!" Historia grabbed his hand and lead the way.
As the trio began their activities a frustrated Alma was seating on the doorstep, watching them from afar.
She felt a presence behind her when she turn around she froze in terror, that fucking monster named Kenny was there, watching amused and smiling sardonically.
"Well well what do we have here? I thought Rod dumped your corpse in a river, guess I was wrong. How's life been treating you doll?"
"Fuck you." She spat "Why are you here?"
"Don't think I'm here because of you maid, I'm not into Rod's used toys."
She felt like she was stabbed in the heart, a mix of anger and pain was all over her body. She wanted to grab a rock and beat that man to death or at least try. But what about Historia? The monster in front of her could easily snap her neck.
"Stay away from me and my daughter." And with that she quickly went inside her house.
"I guess we'll see don't we?" Kenny said.
-
Two hours passed. Blake and Frieda made sure Historia had fun. She didn't stop laughing and smiling. He had to admit he enjoyed Historia's company even if she was just a little girl she was very mature for her age.
"I had a lot of fun together Historia." Frieda began. "And Blake and I would like to come visit you more often, how does that sound?"
"Yes please! We can make other things together, I've been thinking in drawing or even cooking!" Historia smiled.
"Aren't you too young for cooking?" Frieda giggled, "Still I think it's a great idea."
Alma approached the group giving the two Reiss a small smile full of gratitude and happiness. "Lady Frieda do you think I can speak with you? In private."
"Of course Alma." They walked towards the farm leaving Historia and her cousin alone. "You're very fun!" She stated. Blake proudly smiled and ruffled her hair. "I'm glad you think so dear."
"Hey there she is." A voice said.
"Yeah, but she's with someone else." Another said.
"Who cares." The first replied.
"Hey girl!"
Historia turned around first and when he turned as well he saw Historia crying on the floor, a nasty cut in her brow and blood pouring out.
Blake felt nothing but rage and what those kids were saying pissed him even more.
"Nice throw!"
"You did it!"
"Did you see? It hit her right in the face!
Despite everything he stayed with his little cousin, he pulled out a handkerchief to clean up the blood.
His prayers to hurt those kids were answered when Kenny walked beside them.
Kenny gave him that look Blake perfectly knew what it meant. "Kenny..." he called, holding a sobbing Historia in his arms.
"Little lord?"
"Hurt them... I want you to hurt them." Kenny grinned at this, he was truly delighted at Blake's order. "As you command."
Kenny walked up to them, those little shits still gloating about throwing rocks at a little girl. "Hey brats." Kenny announced his presence. "Do you know who you attacked just now?"
"Go away old man." One said.
"And we couldn't care less about the girl." The other kid boasted.
"Well you should care, you see, that boy over there." Kenny pointed at the eldest Reiss. "That kid is Blake Reiss, and let me tell you he isn't very happy right now... can you guess why?"
"Uh... I said go away old man." The leader said but Kenny could see how the kid was beginning to get nervous.
"Look brats, his father is a very important man, I'm his body guard and he has told me... to punish you for attacking that girl."
He pulled out his favorite knife. The kids quickly tried to escape but he immobilized them in a blink of an eye.
"Please mister we're sorry!"
"We won't return here, ever!"
"I know you won't but the crime is done, you must suffer the consequences, now what you did is enough to chop off some fingers."
The kids went completely pale when they heard that, the fear had them paralyzed. "However since you're just kids... I'm just gonna break your bodies."
The screams that followed were enough to give Historia nightmares. her cousin prevented her from watching what was happening, he only said those boys who would always throw rocks at her were paying for it.
Blake took Historia back to Alma and Frieda, after some explanation Alma wanted to grab her father's rifle and scare off those punks. But when he mentioned Kenny's involvement Alma felt pleased and didn't do anything.
Kenny only knew violence and she almost felt bad for those kids... almost.
Frieda on the other hand was horrified when her cousin ordered Kenny to... 'punish them.' But then she looked at Historia's cut and said nothing.
Speaking of which. Kenny returned to them a few minutes later, having a sadistic grin on his face.
"They're not dead aren't they?" Blake asked.
"Nope." Kenny confirmed. "They're in one piece, can't say the same for their bones though."
"How grave is it?"
"They can still crawl back to their houses, luckily for them, there ain't no titans here."
The prince was tired, he wasn't going to make a fuss about it, he ordered it, he wanted to see them hurt and Kenny did it, end of story.
"Let's just go home, I'm done for today." he announced.
"Very well little lord."
Sadly Frieda and him couldn't say goodbye to Historia, her grandfather was taking care of her in their house. They did however bid farewell to Alma who was deeply grateful towards them.
"Alma, Historia just wait a little longer." He thought.
The trip back home was quiet than usual, Frieda fell asleep on his shoulder, she was a very comfortable it seemed, snoring so loud it hurt his eardrums.
He couldn't get something out of his head though. Those assholes. Did he do the right thing by allowing Kenny to beat them? He wanted to justify it but a part inside his head was screaming the words guilty and cruel.
It's probably better if Uri didn't found out.
They returned home, he carried Frieda out of the carriage and woke her up so she could go by herself.
"Thanks Blake" She kissed him in the cheek but before she could walk inside. His best friend approached him, Carly was a fit young girl with pale green eyes and red wavy hair which she keept at shoulder length. her smile was gentle and kind, the type of girl who befriend anyone. She was taken into the Reiss household shortly after her father died, however she wasn't completely adopted as a Reiss, this was done by no other than Uri Reiss. And his aunt and Frieda were against the idea of another pretty face being with them despite being just a girl, they forbid Rod to interact with her any further than necessary despite him claiming he thought it was creepy they thought of Carly like that. they wanted to sent her away, but he enjoyed the girl's company, she was dedicated to her friendship with the boy and she was reliable, someone any king would be grateful to employ, not to mention she wasn't hard to look in the eyes. Carly Stratmann was the new Alma Lenz in the eyes of most of the Reiss family. An opportunistic girl who came to seduce Blake like Lenz did with his uncle Rod. In his eyes she was a trustworthy friend.
"My Prince, My lady." she bowed to them, her smile never leaving her face. He nodded in return. Motioning her to stop bowing. Frieda in return, smiled coolly clinching her fist and grasping Blake's hand with her free hand.
"Yes?" He spoke first. Noticing the tension between the two.
"The king requests yours and the Lady's presence. He has a decree to make."
"A decree?" The Reiss teenagers look at each other surprised. The king barely spoke to anyone, not even with his own son. he only hoped it wasn't anything bad.
"Yes my Prince." Carly confirmed for him. "I was instructed to escort you to his solar.
"I believe I know my house better than you dear." Frieda told her unkind. He truly was shocked. First with Kenny now with Carly, it seemed not only uncle Rod was influencing her but his aunt Elissa too? When he'd become king things sure would change.
Frieda went up ahead leaving the two of them behind he saw Kenny approaching them. "It seems Uri wants me to go with you to his solar. Ain't this exciting little Lord? Your daddy finally will declare you his heir." Kenny mocked Him, Carly instinctively hid behind the Prince.
"Don't be afriad dear. I won't bite... At least not that hard..."Kenny's smile widened at Carly's reaction. Blake took a steep forward to face the man. Despite being 14 he was already tall.
"I've been the King's heir since the day I was born." Blake said, trying to shift Kenny's attention towards him instead of her.
"Really?" Kenny mused, feeing hurt and wiping an invisible tear from his eyes. "And here I thought Uri would pick me as the next king. I even draw some crown designs for my coronation. It seems I'll have to take it by force." He chucked to which the prince scowled.
"Keep telling yourself that." He grabbed Carly by the hand and walked to their destination. Kenny followed them not too far behind. As Blake let go of his friend he could hear the Ackerman say more stupid things.
"Though knowing good old Uri he'll do the unexpected... Let's say... I know I know! Name someone else his heir instead of you."
Blake let out a snort. "I won't even dignify that with a response."
"That's because you know it's the truth." Despite not looking at the man. The prince knew the Ackerman was grinning. "I can think of some interesting candidates. Your cousins. Especially Frieda, what about Rod? Maybe some pig of the government? Even Rod's bastard..."
"Her name is Historia." he said through gritted teeth. "And about the incident of those boys, not a word to the king about this."
"Oh? Are you... Scared of what he might say?"
"Not. A. Word." he repeated to the Ackerman." If for some reason you decide to ignore my order. I will tell father you acted on your own and threatened to hurt me and Frieda."
Kenny for the first time, kept quiet and didn't reply with sarcasm or insults he just nodded. Which Blake considered even more frightening. They reached the King's solar, as he turned his attention to Carly. He gave her a nod of gratitude and dismissed her. She in return bowed and left. Kenny didn't bother her again and instead decided to provoque the prince one last time.
"I'm still looking forward for your reaction when Uri passes you by."
Blake turned around to face the man and gave him a confident smile. "The only thing you'll get out of me is this smile and be careful how you speak to your soon to be king." with those words. He entered the room.
The room had all the curtains closed leaving the room almost in absolute darkness. His father, a short and old man was sitting in his chair, just relaxing in complete silence. Many eyes stared at him. He saw his family. Uncle Rod gave him a nod and nothing more. Aunt Elíssa a reassuring smile while holding Florian who was sleeping soundly.
At her side was his cousins Abel and Dirk. Both seemed bored and tried to hard to remain serious. Their faces lighten up a little when they saw their cousin who sent them a smile.
Frieda and Urklyn were beside their siblings, offering their mother and father support should their younger siblings misbehave.
He looked to the other side of the room which was big enough to have a these people here. he saw the four pillars of humanity's society in the same room. The royal government.
He addressed the men as respectful as possible. He didn't know their names yet. But he had time for that.
"My Lords." He greeted properly.
They stared at him. The army, the church, nobility and economy all in one place."
"My Prince." the bowed back and replied in unison. Next to him there was a small group of military police officers and an elderly man. The fake king. The boy assumed.
He stepped forward and greeted the boy and the king.
"My prince. Your highness, it's an honour to be here." he said tiredly.
"Brother, sister, Children. My Lords" The king addressed with an uncharacteristically stern and powerful tone. "Thank you for coming. I believe your soldiers can leave now." The last part was directed to the Royal government who hesitated to obey.
"Tell your men to leave." Uri commanded, his eyes hardened and stared menacingly at the group.
"Your highness. They're here for our safety." One of them replied and the king shook his head.
"My personal guard, Kenny is here with us for protection." He monioned to the door and all the eyes in the room set their sights on the Ackerman who was quietly standing beside the door. "You won't find a place more secure than this room my lords. Unless you count your fancy shelters in your ridiculously expensive mansions."
They eventually gave up and commanded their men to leave. As they left Blake felt amazed by how his father dealt with them. This man seemed like a completely different monarch and father, he wondered why his father suddenly changed so much, he aged like 40 years in the span of 13 years or so but only now he seemed powerful like a true king.
"Now, I've would've like if this was announced properly at the capitol so all of our people could know my will. But I consider this is the best course given the amount of time I have left." The king began. Analysing the expressions of everyone present.
"This room has the most influential and important people of the government and all the members of the Royal family. Or the legitimate ones at least." He gave Rod a sharp glance. And everyone looked at each other shocked by the King's words towards his brother.
"I will go to the point. It is time I make my decision known. Who will succeed me."
Blake felt his stomach quiver. All his plans and ideas for the future. For his people. For his family. The path ahead was ardeous and hard but he was up to the task.
"I hereby declare... That my son Blake Reiss is unfit to rule."
His world crumbled upon hearing those words. His legs were wobbly and shaking and he felt so dizzy he felt he wanted to throw up.
"And therefore I choose my niece Frieda Reiss in his stead, as my rightful heir and the next monarch of Paradis island, she shall take the power of the founding titan."
One of the few things the prince could remember that day was the penetrant gaze of the King and the cruel grin of Kenny Ackerman, accompanied with the words." Told you so, little lord."
Criticism is always welcomed and greatly appreciated!This story revolves around politics and the struggle for power within the royal government of the walls. I hope you guys find it interesting.Until next time, please take care and stay safe.