It was the following morning, and sunbeams slanted through the narrow windows of the girls' barracks. The other cadets were already bustling about, tying laces, brushing hair, checking uniforms But first breakfast. Everyone was to report to the mess hall by 7 a.m. All the girls were ready and dressed, except for Leona.
"Hey, you guys, don't you think we should wake her up? It's already 6:30 a.m.," Lynne said, her voice bright and assertive as she finished styling her hair. she spun a loose curl around her finger, already dressed and eager to go.
"Since you're the one who cares, go ahead and do it yourself," Amy shot back, brushing past her with a dismissive wave as she slipped on her shoes. A flicker of annoyance crossed Lynne's face, but she kept quiet.
"Pfft." Lynne pursed her lips and glanced back at Leona, who lay sprawled beneath her blanket, clearly lost in a deep slumber.
The other girls hovered, hesitant about waking her; no one wanted to face the girl who had caused so much trouble on the first day.
Amy watched the girls exchange glances, their reluctance irritating her. They were making it a big deal, and for what? "Damn it all," she muttered as she stood up, lacing her shoes with determination. "Why do I have to do everything around here?"
"Relax, Amy," Pixie said soothingly from her spot beside her, as she glanced at Leona.
With a determined stride, Amy marched over to the bunk where Leona lay fast asleep. She hadn't showered from yesterday, her hair a chaotic mess, tangled and grimy from sweat, and bits of dirt clung stubbornly to her uniform proof that she hadn't had the chance to change.
In a fit of frustration, Amy kicked the bunk hard, trying to rouse Leona, but it didn't work; she remained sound asleep. "Hey, Ginger, wake the hell up!" she yelled, her voice echoing in the room.
"Tch." Amy's patience wore thin. In one swift motion, she ripped the blanket off Leona and dragged her out of bed, causing her to tumble to the ground with a heavy thud.
Leona's eyes shot open, bewildered. She blinked up to see Amy, her black hair tied up in a messy bun and piercing blue eyes glaring down at her, arms crossed defiantly at her hips.
"Amy!" Pixie scolded as she rushed over to Leona, crouching down to check if she was alright, concern etched on her face.
"Please, Pixie, calm down. Look, is everyone happy now?" Amy said, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she surveyed the room full of wide-eyed girls, their expressions frozen in shock.
"And you, Ginger," she continued, her voice sharp, "go and take a shower. Damn it, you smell like crap! Oh yeah, breakfast is at 7 a.m., so you better be in the mess hall by then." With that, she stormed off, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.
Leona lay there, still trying to process everything happening around her. She glanced at the girls, who were staring and whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.
A jolt of pain shot through her body; she was sore from running all day yesterday. The last thing she remembered was talking to Erwin, but now she found herself on the floor of the girls' barracks.
Did he carry her back last night? It didn't matter; all she could focus on now was the aching pain radiating through her limbs.
Pixie knelt beside her, gentle fingers brushing Leona's hair from her face. "Don't worry about her. She can be a little... rough," she said softly.
Leona turned to look at the speaker, her gaze meeting a pair of warm, golden eyes belonging to a girl with shoulder-length brown hair.
Leona swallowed hard, cheeks flushed with shame. "Thanks," she whispered. "It's fine," attempting to stand but struggling to find her balance, the world spinning slightly around her.
"Here, let me help you," Pixie offered, extending her hand. Leona took it gratefully, and together they rose from the floor, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"My name's Pixie, by the way," she said cheerfully, her smile brightening the moment. "And the girl who so rudely threw you out of bed? this mornings drill seargeant Amy Wilson," she added jokingly
"Ah, okay. I'm Leona Mackenzie," she introduced herself, still feeling a bit dazed, her heart racing from the sudden wake-up call.
"Yeah, we all know. You made quite the impression during yesterday's gathering," Pixie smiled, her eyes twinkling with kindness, trying to lift Leona's spirits.
"Right..." Leona's voice trailed off, feeling a flush of embarrassment wash over her as she recalled being tossed to the ground and stepped on by the commander in front of everyone.
I really hope everyone forgets about that, she thought to herself, a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach.
"Don't worry; I'm sure everything will settle down soon. For now, let's just focus on freshening up," Pixie said with a reassuring smile, squeezing Leona's hand briefly as if to impart confidence.
Leona felt her face heat up even more as she realized she probably smelled terrible from running for eight hours straight yesterday.
"Definitely," she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper, grateful for Pixie's support.
It was 6 AM the following day when most of the boys stirred from their slumber, preparing for the day ahead. Surprisingly, Erwin was the first to wake among the male cadets, rising about fifteen minutes before the rest. All except for Nile, who lay soundly asleep in the bottom bunk.
Think we should wake him?" one boy mumbled, buttoning his shirt with one hand
"Nah, I'm sure he'll get up on his own," Falgon replied, his tone dismissive as he finished buttoning his shirt, a confident grin playing on his lips.
Once Erwin had showered and dressed, he approached the bunk with a determined look in his eyes, recalling how Nile had always been notoriously difficult to wake.
He gently nudged Nile, hoping to rouse him from his deep sleep.
"Just give me five more minutes," Nile groaned, turning onto his side and burying his face in the pillow, his dark hair tousled and messy.
Erwin sighed, glancing at his friend. He knew desperate times called for desperate measures. With a swift motion, he yanked the blanket off Nile and, without warning, pulled him off the bed. Nile tumbled to the floor with a thud, hitting his head against the hard surface.
Sure enough, it worked. Scrambling awake, Nile shot up, his eyes wide with confusion. "What the hell, Erwin!" he yelled angerily. He rubbed the back of his head, where a small bump was forming.
"Well, it looks like you're awake now," Erwin said with a smirk, the corners of his mouth curling upwards in playful triumph.
"One of these days, I'm tossing you off the top bunk," Nile threatened.
"I'd like to see you try," Erwin retorted, extending a hand to help him up,
"What time is it anyway?" Nile asked, taking Erwin's hand and hoisting himself off the ground, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
"It's 6:30," Erwin replied, glancing at the clock. "Breakfast is at 7 AM."
"What?!" Nile exclaimed, panic rising in his voice as he scrambled to gather his belongings, his movements frantic as he searched for his toothbrush and clothes.
"Sorry," Erwin said, a hint of guilt creeping into his tone. "I thought you were surely going to get up on your own."
Nile huffed in response, frustration etched across his features as he hurried to the showers, the sound of water soon filling the room, a cacophony of morning chaos echoing around them.
All the cadets made their way to the mess hall for breakfast, forming a bustling line as they eagerly collected their food. Most of the cadets had already settled into groups, pairing off with those they would share meals with for the next three years. It didn't truly matter where they sat; it just so happened that this year, the boys claimed one side of the room while the girls occupied the other.
Erwin, Nile, and Falgon settled at a table together, their laughter mingling with the clatter of trays and the hum of conversation. Soon, they were joined by a few other male cadets from their year, creating a lively atmosphere.
Sairam, with his sleek black hair brushed neatly to the sides, usually wore a serious expression, his brow slightly furrowed as he surveyed the room. Next to him sat Dieter Ness, who preferred to be called simply Ness. The five of them formed a tight circle, exchanging jokes and banter, their voices rising and falling in animated conversation.
Across the room, the girls gathered at their own table, aligned with the boys' table but distinctly separate. Lynne, Amy, and Pixie animatedly chatted, their laughter ringing out as they shared stories.
They were joined by two other girls they had recently met: Nanaba, sporting a chic, short blonde haircut, and Mya, who had long, chestnut hair styled into playful pigtails with cute, brown bangs framing her face.
As the boys chatted among themselves, Erwin couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach. He scanned the bustling room, his gaze flitting from one face to another, searching for Leona. Just as he was about to give up, he caught sight of her walking through the entrance.
Nile noticed Erwin's sudden distraction, his words trailing off mid-sentence. Curiosity piqued, he wondered what had captured his friend's attention so completely.
Erwin was not the type to be easily sidetracked, but then again, he wasn't one to break the rules either. Yet, he had done just that when he helped that redhead girl and sure enough, it was her that had ensnared his focus now.
She stood at the entrance of the mess hall, and it was as if the very air had thickened with her presence. The room fell silent, the lively chatter replaced by an almost reverent stillness.
Perhaps it was because she had become the center of gossip among the trainees, but more likely, it was her striking appearance that held everyone spellbound.
Her hair was styled into double buns, with delicate bangs framing her face. But what truly caught everyone's eye was her attire. Among all the trainees, she stood out in an elegant green dress with white sleeves, exuding an aura that resembled that of a princess.
Sairam, momentarily entranced by her beauty, cleared his throat. "She said she was from Wall Sina, Stohess, right?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah," Ness nodded, his eyes wide.
"That explains the outfit then. Way to show off your rich flagon," Falgon made a smart remark, earning a chuckle from the others.
"Guys, she's looking this way!" Sairam exclaimed. The boys, already fixated on her, stiffened in their seats, their previous banter forgotten.
Meanwhile, at the girls' table, Amy was in the middle of a sentence when the conversation abruptly halted. "Why'd everyone go silent?" she questioned, glancing around. It was then that she turned to see Leona entering.
For a brief second, she was taken aback by her appearance, but annoyance quickly bubbled up within her.
"What the hell is wrong with everyone?" she grumbled under her breath, unable to fathom the attention Leona was receiving. To be fair, Leona herself was equally confused.
As Leona stepped into the mess hall, she scanned the room, trying to locate the line for breakfast. But then she noticed the eerie hush that enveloped the place. When she looked up, she found all eyes trained on her.
"Why are they all watching me?" she thought, unease creeping in. She averted her gaze, desperately avoiding eye contact until her eyes landed on a pair of striking blue ones. For some reason, he was the only one she noticed.
Erwin...
Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with warmth as memories of the previous night rushed back the way he had caught her before she fell. Blushing, she refocused her attention and spotted the food line, making her way toward it.
As she moved away from the entrance, the room gradually buzzed back to life with chatter, and Nile and Erwin returned to their plates, both of them quietly eating.
"She seems to really have caught your attention," Nile remarked with a smirk, noticing Erwin's distracted gaze.
Erwin nearly choked on his water, barely managing to conceal his surprise. "Why do you say that?" he asked, attempting to sound nonchalant, his heart racing.
"Well, for starters, you were willing to get yourself kicked out yesterday just to bring her some bread and water," Nile replied, his eyes focused on his meal, a teasing grin on his lips.
That comment struck a chord with Erwin, who suddenly remembered the basket of bread and pitcher of water he had left behind at the training grounds. Panic surged within him as he recalled that he had brought Leona back to the girls' barracks and forgotten all about them.
Noticing Erwin's growing concern, Nile sighed. "Relax, I already took care of it," he said, his voice reassuring.
Erwin's eyes widened in surprise. "You did? No wonder you were still awake when I got back," he said, realization dawning on him. Had Nile seen everything? He hesitated, recalling how he had dropped the basket and caught Leona from falling only to let her go again.
He wanted to ask Nile what he had witnessed, but the words eluded him. "Thank you," was all he could manage to say, relief flooding through him.
"Don't worry, it's what friends are for," Nile replied, a reassuring smile on his face, and for the first time that morning, Erwin felt a sense of calm wash over him.
"Thank you," Leona said softly as she received her food. She took the tray, which held a small loaf of bread and a bowl of what looked like porridge. If Leona was being honest, she felt a slight bit of disappointment at the unappetizing meal, but nonetheless, it was food, and she accepted it gratefully, her stomach rumbling in anticipation.
Now the matter at hand was finding a table to sit at. She noticed the clear separation between the boys and girls, so she decided to sit on the girls' side of the room. The problem was that all the tables were full, and anxiety twisted in her stomach. She was too nervous to approach any of the occupied tables to ask if she could join them.
Leona hoped someone would finish eating soon so she could claim a spot. Her heart raced with excitement when she spotted Pixie waving her over to join their table. They were the last group in the room, and just as she was about to move, Amy turned and shot her a piercing look, a silent warning not to approach.
Leona hesitated, her feet rooted to the floor, even though she reasoned that there was no assigned seating. She was taken by surprise when she caught Erwin's eye, and he beckoned her over with an inviting smile.
"Erwin, what are you doing?" Nile said, nudging him to lower his arm.
Both Sairam and Ness exchanged glances, and soon they too began calling her over, their voices encouraging.
Falgon and Nile let out defeated sighs, clearly annoyed by the commotion.
Yet, it was Erwin's friendly invitation that compelled Leona to move, her feet almost acting on their own as she made her way to their table.
Sairam shifted Ness along to make room for her, and Leona settled into a seat directly across from Erwin. Nile sat right beside him, while Falgon filled the space next to Nile.
Sairam and Ness took their places beside her, creating a small circle. Leona placed her tray on the table, avoiding eye contact with them, and began to eat, focusing intently on her food.
"So, how's the food?" Erwin asked, his brow raised in curiosity.
Leona paused, her gaze drifting upward to meet his eyes. "It's fine," she replied calmly, her voice steady as she stirred her spoon in slow, deliberate circles around the bowl, the soft clink of metal against ceramic filling the air.
"You sure? Your face says otherwise," Nile commented, taking a sip of his water, his expression teasing yet observant.
"Well, I'm not used to just eating porridge in the morning," she admitted, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her tone.
"Right, because you're from Stohess. That means your family's rich, right?" Flagon interjected, leaning forward with an inquisitive smile.
"Sure," she said simply, taking another bite, the spoon clinking lightly against her bowl as she avoided their gazes.
An awkward silence settled over the group, the weight of attention pressing down on her. She was the only girl sitting among the boys, and their eyes felt like a spotlight, illuminating her discomfort.
She hated the scrutiny. "Speaking of families, yours must be well-known," Ness said, breaking the tension as he leaned in slightly, his voice laced with curiosity.
"Well, sort of," she replied, glancing at him, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"Why's that?" Sairam asked, tilting his head. "Well, yesterday she said her name was Mackenzie, and a few people from Stohess seemed surprised."
"Yeah, I was actually thinking about that," Nile added, nodding as he leaned back in his chair.
Leona felt a wave of unease wash over her with all the questions, especially those regarding her family. She understood why those from her hometown reacted that way, and it wasn't necessarily for good reasons.
"So, what do your parents do?" Ness then asked, his tone genuinely inquisitive.
"My mother was a seamstress," Leona replied, still avoiding eye contact, her voice barely above a whisper.
"And your father?" they pressed, their curiosity unabated. At the question, her grip tightened around the spoon, a flicker of tension sparking in the air. Unlike the others, Erwin noticed.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to," Erwin said gently, his voice soothing.
Her eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and gratitude flickering across her features.
Amy had been eavesdropping on their conversation, absorbing every word. Being from Stohess herself, she had heard whispers about the Mackenzie household and the rumors that circulated like wildfire.
Deciding to insert herself into their conversation, she approached their table with a confident stride.
"My father-" Leona began, but Amy's voice cut through the air, sharp and loud enough for the entire room to hear.
"A soldier who lost his mind and decided to slaughter his own wife and mother-in-law couldn't kill his own daughter, so he went ahead and offed himself," Amy declared, her tone mocking as she neared them.
The room fell into a hushed silence, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.
Leona's table fell silent, all eyes wide and fixed on her. Shock coursed through her; her heart raced as she dropped her metal spoon onto the table, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the stillness.
Images flashed through her mind—blood across the floor, her father crying, her mother's screams piercing her ears.
"I'm sorry," her father had cried.
Suddenly, she quickly covered her mouth, the porridge threatening to rise as nausea gripped her.