...Crowning...
The Queen who Leads and the Princess who Protects!
Read the newspaper headlines freshly printed this morning. Written about a Queen who would lead the people with her wisdom and a Princess who would fight for them on the battlefield. It seemed so incredibly stupid and childish to you, but the civilians bought it.
You became famous overnight! And this time, not for killing little stray animals. Made you briefly wonder what would the people of your past thinkâthose soft-minded orphans, the Mistress, and even those bitches back in the Training Corps who ended up Garrisonsâthat you were getting crowned with a status higher than any of theirs today.
The maids of the palace pulled up half of your hair into a braided bun, letting the rest cascade down your back. Your cheeks were dusted with pink powder, and your lips were painted a soft rouge. A simple white gown with gold fringes was pulled over you.
All the while, you couldn't help but think, How the fuck did I reach this point in my life?
Right when you left your room, Historia came out of hers. The moment you two made eye contact, you both broke out laughing.
"Can you believe this is actually happening?" Her hair was in a low bun, her cheeks also dusted pink, and her lips rouge. She wore the same white gown as you, except she looked so regal, so natural, like a destined royal. She made it look tailored especially for her, while you felt you had borrowed the wrong dress.
"No. This feels like a nightmare."
She giggled. "It's not that bad. Just pretend we're playing dress-up. Except for real."
"But I don't want it to be real," you whined, following the maids down the hall.
"You feel nervous? I know I do," she said, fidgeting with her sleeves. "I hear people from all over the walls gathered for our coronation."
"Just for a ceremony that lasts only a few minutes?" You lightly scoffed. "They have my half-assed gratitude, I guess."
Meanwhile, all your friends were squeezing through the crowds to get a good view of the high platform.
Every shop stretching down the streets was crowded to its corners for the special occasion. Eren hastily glanced around at the variety of goods each shop had to offer. Food? No, she's not a big eater like Sasha. Dresses? Whatever, she looks good in anything anyway. Cats? He slowly turned away. Let's leave that in the past.
Armin tapped his shoulder. "Eren, look." He pointed over to a tiny flower shop. "Remember when you stole that bouquet for Y/n? And then Dr. Jaeger found out and had to pay the store owner back?"
Eren gasped. "Armin, you're a genius!" He dashed over to the little shop and searched the shelves.
"Wait, you're not going to steal again, are you?" asked Armin cautiously, keeping close behind, careful not to bump into any civilians.
"No, and I never stole. I told that shop owner that my dad would be back to pay. And he did. Wasn't even that expensive anywayâI don't know why he got so pissed that it was for her." He finally plucked out a bouquet of bluebells. Your favorite flowers. "Sir, how much is this?"
The shop owner stated the price, and Eren dumped his coins on the table. Bouquet clutched in hand, he and Armin rushed out to join the others just in time as the ceremony started.
"What if the two of them pop out in big, puffy ballgowns?" asked Sasha, giddily anticipating the two stars as Premier Zachary was making his speech.
"Imagine if one of them falls," joked Connie. "That'd be a nasty one from all the way up there."
"And it'd probably be Y/n," joined Mikasa, making the other two unable to control their laughs. They were shushed by the people behind them.
"Hey, not funny," said Eren, clearly more serious than the others. "She doesn't like to be embarrassed."
All of their excitement slightly flattened. "Attitude much?" sneered Connie.
"Lord, take a joke," mumbled Sasha, purposefully loud.
"Look at you, defending her honor," said Jean, looking at him judgementally. "Acting like you've already apologized. Well, have you? Huh?"
"I'm getting to it! I will-"
An obnoxiously loud gasp ripped out of Sasha. "GODDESSES!" She pointed to you and Historia, descending the steep steps of the platform on each side.
Historia had a red cape tied around her, and you had a dark blue cape tied around you, a bit shorter in length. As the crowd clapped and cheered, the only thing on your mind was: don't fall, don't fall, don't fall.
Eren's bulging eyes could stretch beyond his face, and his jaw could reach the dirt under the concrete. It wouldn't be that much of a surprise if his knees buckled at any given moment. In that moment, he knew that if he were religious, the sole figure of his worship would undoubtedly be you. No secondary deities. Just his Goddess, his compass, his inspiration. Since the beginning of time.
Jean nudged him. "You can't fucking fumble her nowâlook at her. If I wasn't still after Mikasa, you know damn well who I might've been after instead."
Eren punched him hard in the arm. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Ow! I'm kidding! Damn."
When you finally reached the top, you accidentally stepped on the hem of your dress and stumbled a little. You straightened up instantly, acting as if that didn't happen at all. Fuck.
Pixis snorted, standing in line with the rest of the Commanders of the military. The last time you'd seen him was at the Battle of Trost when he shared his whiskey with you. Now you were being crowned a damn Princess. Time was very funny.
Erwin firmly nodded, standing next to him, closest to your side. You nodded, too, in respect. He was the mastermind behind this all. And as much as you weren't the most satisfied with this situation, he deserved the respect of creating a pretty decent outcome. No more charges against the Scouts, the unjust rulers had been hanged, the Order of the Walls was disbanded, and Eren was a free man once again.
Premier Zachary beckoned for Historia first. She kneeled down, pressed her hands to her heart, and closed her eyes. Even without rehearsal, she was a damn natural. Zachary lifted up the crown, a gold thing adorned with red jewels. "I hereby crown you Queen Historia Reiss of the Walls." He placed the crown on her head, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
Then he beckoned for you. You dragged your feet forward. Is it too late to run away? You kneeled before Historia, pressing your hands to your heart just as she did. She picked up a diadem from another cushion, a gold piece just like her crown, but it didn't connect in a full circle, and it was adorned with a blue gem. "Queen Historia hereby crowns you Princess Y/n Fritz-Ackerman of the Walls." Historia set the diadem on your head. You stood up, the cheers blasting through your ears.
Side by side, you stood in front of the civilians of the Walls. Or your subjects. Your eyes frantically wandered around, unknowing where to even look at. What the fuckkk???
"Bow to the people, please," reminded Zachary from behind.
Historia placed her hands over her heart and bowed to the people. But instead of doing the same, you pounded a fist to your heart, your other behind your back, in a military salute.
"Your Highness, that's notâ"
"The agreement was that I get to stay a soldier," you said. "And I will."
Historia smiled and followed suit, saluting the people. "I still think you should've been Queen."
"Too bad you're wearing the crown already."
"You want to swap?"
You snorted. "You can have both if it were my choice."
Down below, your friends were all hollering at the top of their lungs, waving as if either of you could see them. If Eren were to tell his younger self right now that the girl he'd had a secret crush on forever would end up with a crown, he would honestly lose his mind and delude himself into thinking he could dream about the future.
"Long live the true ruler and the true heir of the walls!"
"Did that girl really bring down a titan bigger than the wall?"
"Yeah! All the people of Orvud District witnessed it!"
"Her father ruled as king from the shadows, but she brought his tyranny to an end!"
"What about the other girl? What has she done besides being the king's niece to earn her position as Princess?"
Eren spun around within a second. "She's the strongest soldier, only second to Captain Levi! She's killed almost fourty titans outside the wall! That's what she's done!"
All the bystanders gasped in astonishment. "Did she really?!"
"Yeah! If any of you read the news, you'd know that she chose to give up the crown to serve humanity on the battlefield! That's the kind of girl she is!"
The crowd immediately turned to each other, praising you as if they weren't just doubting you a second ago.
"That's Y/n LâI mean Y/n Fritz-Ackerman for you all!" He still liked your old last name, though.
You and Historia descended the stairs opposite of which you came. When you reached the bottom, it felt like stepping into heaven. "Somebody, please take this damn thing away from me," you said, holding the diadem. You plopped it on a cushion held by a servant. The other servants removed your cape for you.
You watched as the nobles and the wealthy folk made their way to Historia, congratulating her. When they passed you, they either threw you belittling looks or pretended you weren't there. You rolled your eyes. Jean was right about this one little thing. Stepping into power really gave them more of a reason to dislike you.
Somebody looped their arm around you and guided you away. "I saw that," said Mikasa. "You almost tripped up there."
You frowned. "Was it that obvious?"
"Connie and Sasha laughed." When you groaned, she added, "But it was probably our fault. We were joking that you'd fall."
You scoffed. "Thanks, good to know it wasn't my problem."
"You look really good, by the way," she said. "Even though I know you don't like dresses."
"I don't not like them. This shit's just itchy to wear," you said, scratching your sleeved arm. "Where are you leading me?"
"Where and who else?"
"Y/n!" You turned to see some Garrison around your age approaching. "Hi, uh, I'm not sure if you remember me, but I graduated from the same Class as you?"
You blinked. "I don't remember."
"Okay, uh..." He glanced at Mikasa. "Can I get a moment with her, please?"
Mikasa arched an eyebrow, sizing him up. "You need her permission, not mine," she said, heading off to Eren in the distance, who was waving his arms as if asking, "What the hell is happening?"
"So, uh, my friends and I think you're very pretty, and we've always had, but we were always too scared to come up to you. And we know you're royalty now, but we were wondering if you'd like to get a couple of drinks with us? You know, for old time's sake?"
You narrowed your eyes. "Old time's sake? I don't know any of you."
"You can," he suggested, lifting a little smirk and looking you up and down.
Your guts twisted uncomfortably as you stared at him unamused. I get it. They just want me because I've got status now.
Somebody cleared his throat behind you. His hand slid around your waist. "Back up."
The Garrison's nervous facade washed away immediately. "Eren," he sneered. "Long time no see."
"I said back up. Shoo." He waved his hand as if that guy was a fly. His chin was raised, jaw clenched, staring that guy down like he was a vermin.
"I was just trying to tell her she's really pretty."
"You think she doesn't know that? Piss off."
You smirked a little. You kind of liked him this way. Protective. Territorial. Jealous.
The guy glanced back and forth between the two of you. "Seriously? You're together now?"
Eren quickly glanced at you. "Yeah," you replied. "Got a problem?"
He scoffed. "Should've known the brainsick bitch would choose the titan freak."
Eren was about to lunge at him, but you grabbed his arm, briefly feeling up his biceped arm. Damn. "Aww." You faked a saddened frown. "I'm so sorry the brainsick bitch chose the titan freak over a creepy, annoying, talentless, unmemorable, stupid, weak, cowardly, probably poor, lowly, unrespected, and unrespectful little child. Am I missing anything?" You tapped a finger on your chin. "Oh! And ugly. How could I forget that? I've been staring at the proof for the past few minutes."
Eren's jaw dangled in amazement while the guy's face twisted in heated humiliation. He spun on his heel and speedily walked off, disappearing into the crowd.
"-Embarrassing-" you sang like Connie would. You cleared your throat and stepped away, crossing your arms, staring at Eren from the side of your eyes. "What the hell do you want now?" you asked saltily. Even though he technically saved you from an uncomfortable situation, you were still petty to the core.
"Oh! Right." He shoved the bouquet of bluebells right in your face.
"What the hellâ" You turned away and sneezed from an overwhelming whiff of pollen.
"I'm sorry for arguing with you, I'm sorry for not listening to you, and I'm sorry for ever making you even a little bit mad! I promise I'll do my best never to be a helpless idiot again! I'm sorry!"
He shoved the bouquet into your arms. The moment you accepted it, it felt as if you were holding precious treasure. As if your favorite flowers gifted by your favorite guy could sink their stems comfortably into your flesh. "For...for me?"
"Yeah!" His head was ducked, his hands stuck to his sides, like a soldier answering to his superior. Actually, more like a toddler forced to bow to the older kid. That was more like it.
"What about Historia?" You searched for her, seeing her arms full of her own bouquets from the civilians.
"It's not her I'm trying to apologize to and make amends with. She's not my girlfriend."
Fair enough. She could get all the flowers she wanted from the people. The only flowers you needed were from Eren. "This is your official apology?"
"Yeah." He had a questioning tone to it, as if unsure if it was enough. "And that guy was wrong. You're not just prettyâyou're beautiful," he added shyly.
"Ohâ" You cleared your throat, fighting away the heat seeping into your cheeks. "Thanks," you simply said, trying to play it cool. As if the flowers against your chest didn't already sink into your body, dancing around your heart. "You're not just doing this 'cause it's a special day?"
"No! I'm doing this because I'm really, really sorry."
"And you're never going to make me mad again?"
"Nâ" he paused. "Uh...I can't promise that. But I'll try?"
You shrugged, smiling. "Good enough."
You lifted his chin and the moment your lips brushed against his, he was kissing you back. He wrapped his arms around you and lifted you up, spinning you around in the air, uncaring who was there and where you both were. The giddiness in your stomach was flipping like little chickens doing somersaults.
This was itâthird time was really the charm. The first kiss was rushed, quick, and sudden. The second one was a further step, a confirmation, and also quick. But this oneâit was sweet, chaste, and leisure, feeling like you both finally had all the time in the world.
. * . *
You all headed down the halls after you and Historia were changed into simple white robes. Now, it was time for her final rite of passage. Hitting Levi Ackerman.
"Wait, you're actually doing it for real?" asked Eren. "I thought we were joking!"
"I'm doing it," said Historia, determination written across her face. "I'm just a little annoyed that Y/n isn't willing to do it with me."
"Nah, he'd probably let me get away with it. It won't mean as much to me as it will for you because you're Queen now. Not me."
"And after you've smacked him, you should tell him: I dare you to hit me back," said Mikasa.
"Come on, you can do this," "Yeah, you've got this," said Sasha and Connie, having these identical devious little smiles.
"If I can't do this, then I can't call myself Queen."
"That's the spirit," said Jean. "Pound that runt."
You slowed your pace down to walk with Armin, who was lingering in the back. "What do you think?" you asked him as the rest of them were busy encouraging Historia.
"Hm?"
"What would little Armin of Shiganshina say if he learned his friend who used to beat other kids up would end up a Princess?"
"He'd think it's finally the end of the world."
You rolled your eyes. "Aw, thanks."
"I'm kidding. He'd be happy the first friend who ever stood up for him would be the one in power. Not those self-righteous hypocrites who were all talk and no action. And just between you and me," he leaned in a bit to whisper, "I would've preferred you to be Queen."
Your lips flattened. "No."
"Yes."
"Say no."
"Can't change my mind."
You sighed. "Coming from you, I guess I should feel flattered. Too bad I like the battlefield more than the creepy castle."
"Yeah, you're too good of a soldier to leave anyway. But I know for a fact that if you were Queen, you wouldn't be swayed so easily. You might by only us, but you'd never let anyone knock you off your feet."
You smiled. "Don't let Historia hear that."
"Don't worry, I keep silent most of the time."
Levi was at the end of the hall. Historia finally mustered up the courage and charged for him, punching him in the arm. You all gasped.
"Did that hurt?! Well, I'm Queen now, so too bad! If you have a problem-"
Suddenly, Levi chuckled. Which made all of you alarmingly take a step back as if he held a knife or something. "Thanks, you guys. I needed that."
*
its giving that Aladdin song prince ali "heard ur princess was HOT where is sheeeee"
anyway 30 chaps down!
i lowky dont want this to end too soon cuz this is my #1 form of procrastination and i'm enjoyin it