It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single officer in possession of a fine reputation must be in want of a wife. So firmly was this opinion rooted in the mind of Mrs. Zoe that she considered it her personal duty to ensure that one of her daughters would secure such a match.

The news arrived one brisk morning, borne on the lips of none other than Floch Forster, a courier whose flair for dramatics often turned the most mundane reports into epics of improbable proportions. Clad in a slightly weathered uniform and sporting an expression of self-importance, Floch strode into the Zoe household as though he were the herald of destiny itself. The household staff paused their chores, captivated by his booming voice as he regaled them with the latest developments.

"Commander Erwin Smith," he began, pausing for effect, "the illustrious commander of the Survey Corps, savior of humanity, and hero of Wall Maria, is to grace us with his presence. He and his squad—his elite squad—are to be stationed at the garrison nearby. A sight to behold, I assure you!"

Mrs. Zoe, who had been arranging wildflowers in the parlor, all but dropped her bouquet. "Erwin Smith, you say?" she repeated, her voice trembling with excitement.

"Yes, ma'am," Floch confirmed, puffing out his chest. "None other. A man of vision, strength, and unparalleled leadership. And—" he leaned in conspiratorially, as though divulging a state secret—"among his ranks marches Levi Ackerman."

At this, Mrs. Zoe's hand flew to her chest, as if the mere mention of the name required a dramatic gesture. "Levi Ackerman," she breathed, the name rolling off her tongue like a revelation.

Floch nodded solemnly. "The very same. Humanity's Strongest Soldier. His exploits are legendary. It is said he can slay Titans with the precision of a surgeon, his blade a blur to the naked eye. But," he added with a dark edge to his tone, "he is not a man to be trifled with. Stern, unyielding, and utterly devoted to his duty. Some call him terrifying, others a savior. All agree he is unlike any other."

The air in the room seemed to shift, the gravity of the announcement settling over the household like a tangible weight. Even Hange, who had been half-listening while sketching Titan musculature in her notebook, set down her quill and adjusted her spectacles.

"Levi Ackerman," she murmured, her curiosity piqued. "I've read about his techniques. Revolutionary, really. His use of ODM gear in urban environments alone—"

"Hange!" Mrs. Zoe interrupted sharply. "This is no time for your scientific curiosities. This is a time for opportunity!"

Meanwhile, Floch, emboldened by the attention he had garnered, continued unabated. "They'll be stationed at the garrison for some months, preparing for the next great expedition. It's not every day that such figures of renown grace us with their presence. Why, I dare say the entire district will be abuzz."

He puffed himself up once more, preparing to add yet another flourish to his tale, but Mrs. Zoe waved him off, her mind already racing with schemes. Her daughters were young, eligible, and entirely too unwed for her liking. The arrival of such prominent figures could not be ignored, nor could the possibilities it presented.

As Floch departed, his steps lighter from the attention he had basked in, Mrs. Zoe turned to her husband with an urgency that bordered on frenzy. Clasping her hands together in a fervor of excitement, she exclaimed, "Erwin Smith! Levi Ackerman! This is nothing short of providence, Mr. Zoe. Imagine the advantages of being connected to a man of such stature! We must act swiftly before some other family claims their favor. Erwin Smith, the renowned Commander! And Levi Ackerman, though severe, must surely be a man of consequence. Such connections could not fail to elevate our position—it's a splendid opportunity for our family!"

Mr. Zoe, who had been calmly inspecting a set of maneuver gear by the hearth, looked up with his customary air of detachment. "If you mean to foist one of our daughters upon these gentlemen, my dear, I trust you have given due consideration to their wishes in the matter."

"Wishes? Pish-posh!" cried Mrs. Zoe, undeterred by her husband's indifference. "Erwin Smith could not help but be charmed by Petra's sweetness, and as for Levi Ackerman—well, I dare say even he could not withstand Hange's...unique charms."

At the mention of her name, Hange glanced up from the stack of journals she had been poring over, her spectacles slipping precariously down her nose. "Levi Ackerman, you say? The man they call Humanity's Strongest Soldier?" she asked with a spark of curiosity. "I wonder if he might consent to an interview. I've so many questions about his fighting technique, his stamina, his use of ODM gear—"

"For goodness' sake, Hange!" interrupted Mrs. Zoe, waving her hand dismissively. "This is not about your peculiar obsessions. This is about securing a future. You might do well to remember that not all men are inclined to appreciate such...enthusiastic pursuits."

"Perhaps not," Hange replied with a shrug. "But I should hate to marry someone who couldn't keep up with me. And as for Mr. Ackerman, if he's as severe as they say, I can't imagine we'd suit one another. He'd likely scowl through the entire courtship."

Mrs. Zoe groaned in exasperation. "Hange, you will drive me to despair! Must you always be so contrary? Consider poor Petra; she's been out for two seasons now, and her prospects dwindle with every passing day. If Erwin Smith were to favor her, it would be a blessing for the entire family."

Petra, seated near the window with her embroidery, blushed and cast her eyes downward. She had long since grown accustomed to her mother's matchmaking schemes, though she bore them with far greater grace than Hange's open defiance.

Sasha, the third Zoe daughter, looked up from the plate of bread and cheese she had been devouring with great enthusiasm. She chewed thoughtfully, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Well, I think it sounds exciting," she said, her words slightly muffled by the food. "All these famous Scouts coming to town—there might even be a feast to welcome them. Maybe I could help with the preparations."

Mrs. Zoe threw up her hands in exasperation. "Sasha, must you always be thinking of your stomach? This is about securing your futures, not filling your plate!"

Sasha grinned unapologetically. "Can't it be about both? A full plate and a bright future sound pretty ideal to me."

Mrs. Zoe ignored this remark entirely, choosing instead to address her husband. "Mr. Zoe, you must call on Commander Smith at once. It would be unforgivable for us to neglect such an opportunity!"

Mr. Zoe raised an eyebrow. "Call on him? And for what purpose, precisely? To offer our daughters as though they were prizes at a fair?"

"Do not be so dramatic," Mrs. Zoe retorted. "A simple introduction is all I ask. We must make a good impression, and who better than you, with your position as a former Scout?"

"Very well," Mr. Zoe said with a sigh, knowing resistance was futile. "I shall pay my respects. But I make no promises about the outcome. If your grand schemes should fail, you have only yourself to blame."

Mrs. Zoe, her mind already filled with visions of triumph, bustled about preparing the household for their impending social ascent, while Hange, untroubled by such matters, returned to her journals with renewed vigor.

For her part, she found the idea of meeting Levi Ackerman both amusing and perplexing. What kind of man, she wondered, could inspire such awe and fear in equal measure? She would find out soon enough.