Despite his pain, Levi saw Tart shifting uncomfortably in front of him.
"How much did you see?" She asked him, her face flushed with red.
"Just one nipple." He told her the truth, awkwardly. She fumbled with the linen on her chest, before dropping it to the floor entirely. Despite knowing he should look away, Levi couldn't. Her small breasts looked ripe for the picking.
"You don't think I'm disgusting?" She asked, hiding her face from him.
"N-no! Not at all!" He stumbled, trying to assure that she would not be offended.
"No one has ever seen my body before."
"It's beautiful."
"Do you want to touch it?" Before Levi could reply, he felt a crack on his head, which awoke him from his wet dream. Tart stood in front of him, wearing a simple sundress. Her hair was put up in a linen.
"Shit! That's not how you wake someone up, bitch!" He held his head and rolled into a fetal position. Not only because of the pain, but also to hide the product of his erotic fantasy. Tart giggled, instead of being offended by his remark.
"Breakfast is here, I thought you'd be excited to eat something royal." Her remark led him back into his fantasy, thinking of something else that was royal that he could be eating. Fuck, I'm so perverted. "We have to share, but the chef always makes more than enough for me. If you don't hurry I'll eat it all though!" She continued laughing as she sat at the table in her room.
"Stop saying eat!" He demanded from his place on the floor. She peered over at him, then laughed once she saw his position.
"Sorry, did I awake you from an arousing dream? She bubbled to the brim with laughter.
After some time, he finally regained his composure, and joined Tart at the table. He scarfed down eggs and biscuits, refusing to make eye contact with her. They ate in an awkward silence, and after all the food was gone, Levi stood up to leave. He walked through the courtyard as Tart followed after him, perplexed by his silence.
"I guess we're done here. I'm glad you'll be able to be trained. Bye then." Levi gave his speech with his back turned to her. Tart grabbed at his hand, but he was already attached to the wall and leaving.
"Hey! Levi, wait!" He heard her pleas, but didn't listen to them, and instead left feeling used. I'm stupid to get caught up in such a pointless task. I'm glad to be through with it. Tart laid in bed after he left, feeling hopelessly confused.
As Levi left the grounds, he saw Keith Shadis entering them. I guess he's staying true to his promise. He was happy for Tart, but at the same time he felt completely foolish to ever waste his time with her. He's barely spent a day with her, but he let her consume his mind. It was unhealthy. He should be focusing on the real mission he's been assigned. Only three more days, then we leave.
A few hours later, a guard appeared at Tartarus's door, saying she's been summoned by the king. Tart made a silent prayer hoping that Levi wasn't caught trespassing on the castle grounds, and was escorted to the Royal Hall.
The Royal Hall was the most exquisite area in the entire castle. The king spared no cost, since this is the place where the most traffic flows through. It all had to be divine for the public eye. From the crystal chandeliers, to the embroidered chairs. Everything was always pristine. What the king didn't know is that instead of marveling at the perfect interior design, most were feeling repulsion for the sheer extravagance of it all. None of it was necessary, and it was all a complete squander. It's nauseating to think of how many children could be fed with just one of those paintings hung on the wall. The king lived in his wonderfully rich world, and could care less what outsiders thought of him, however.
Her father stood before her, with Keith Shadis at his side. She felt like she was up for execution with how many guards were present.
"Mr. Shadis here has brought it to my attention that perhaps training you to use the 3D maneuver gear would be our entire country's best interest." Shadis winked at Tart, giving her a small thumbs up. "When I inquired to him why, he remarked that it would better equip you to protect yourself. Seems the martial arts training given to you wasn't enough to appease the public. Also seems that people are far more concerned about your life than they should be." Her father let out a sickening laugh, that only Shadis seemed to be alarmed by. "I gave him the okay to put you through whatever training he wishes, in whatever fashion. Only after I heard the statistic of soldiers that die during the training. One could only hope." Empty laughter filled the hall again.
"Thank you for bestowing this generosity upon me, Daddy." Tart smiled, and bowed before her father, despite all the abhorrent things he just said about her.
"Then, you and Shadis are dismissed. Thank you for wasting my time." Shadis stepped down, and led Tartartus out of the room with him.
"I used to think you were lucky for being born royalty, now I see that's not the case." Shadis shook his head in disgust. "I can't believe some of the things he said about you, is he always like that?"
"That's why I live in the abandoned East Wing sir." Tart smiled, glad to find someone sympathetic with her.
"Now that depressing speech is behind us, let's talk about training!" He spoke as they continued to walk through the castle grounds, towards the exit. "You can't be trained with a regular squad for obvious reasons, even if no one would recognize you. That throws all the partner exercises out the window... unless, hey! Would that Rivaille guy be willing to train with you? Hah, of course he would! He already has. Although, he is a member of the Scouting Legion and they are planning an expedition soon, so I don't think it will work." Tart perked up, hearing about their expedition.
"When do they leave? How long is it for? Are you sure Levi is going, he's a new recruit?" She bombarded him with questions.
"They leave in three days, I think it's going to be their longest quest yet. Three months? Six months? I can't remember. I'm pretty sure all the new recruits are going, but this doesn't matter. I think instead of the regular three year course I'll rigorously train you for just one year. I'll be a lot harder on you than my regular trainees, so be prepared! He guffawed. Tart was still in shock that Levi didn't tell her he was leaving so soon. He left so abruptly, she didn't even get to say goodbye. She might never see him again, she thought as her eyes became filled with tears. She shook her head defiantly. She made a voiceless vow to become stronger, and much more mature by the time they'll meet again. She decided that he would never call her a child, not after she's through with her training!
Shadis took her back to the training grounds, and set her up in her own private cabin. It had all the basic necessities she would need.
"Excuse me, sir. I didn't bring any clothes or anything with me." Although Tart stated this, it was filled with confusion and sounded more like a question.
"That's fine. You won't be wearing your royal clothing anyway, Princess. You'll be dressing like a soldier. I'll bring the clothes over in he morning. You'll be fine for tonight. Don't bother me even if you need something." With that, he left.
Tart laid on her new bed, still feeling hopelessly confused. Her life has progressed so quickly in just a day, it was too much for her to comprehend just yet. As she tossed and turned in bed, she remembered the date.
"May second. My birthday." She wanted to cry, but she knew it would just be selfish. especially when this was the best birthday she's ever had. So she smiled instead.
Shadis awoke her at the brim of dawn, throwing her new uniform on her bed.
"Wake up, get dressed, and meet me outside! You're training begins today! You'll get breakfast after you run a few laps!" He barked his orders at her, and then left. Tart began to feel like this was all a mistake, and just wanted to merge with the bed and sleep forever. She knew that would be impossible, and instead adorned the uniform Shadis left for her. After she put it on, she knew that this was all for the best. She couldn't help but let out a cry of glee as she bounded out the door. All of her dreams were coming true, she had absolutely nothing to be sad about. She refused to let her mind wander to Levi, she didn't want to be distracted on her first day. Instead, she beamed with happiness.