THE BASTARD, eren yeager

𝐢, the beginning and the end

T H E ⠀B A S T A R D
CHAPTER  いち ONE

"I have the utmost faith in you, [Name]." her mother's voice was firm as she held her face, forcing her to look her in the eye.

The girl's eyes flickered over to her window to see a white dove flying across but it was for only a moment before her mother dragged out her attention back.

"Do you understand?" Her mother repeated.

She finally closed her eyes and gave her an obedient nod as she'd always been taught.

Her mother smiled and kissed her forehead. "I know I shouldn't play favorites with my children, but you–you, my sweet girl have always been my shining star, my enfant parfait."

"Mother," the girl whispered, doing her best to not shed tears. "I'm scared."

[Name] felt her throat go dry because the moment she confessed her fears to her mother, the older woman crumbled in front of her, but how could the woman not feel shame?

Her husband was selling off their only daughter, their only princess, off to their worst enemy. And in the end for what?

Peace?

For how many years?

"I apologize, mother, I shouldn't have displayed such weakness." the girl's voice came out again, forcing her mother to shake her head.

"No," her mother's voice trembled. "No, my sweet child. You mustn't apologize, you are the Princess of Paradis, and one day you will be the future Queen of Marley."

"One day." the princess whispered. "After I marry him."

[Name] spat the word out like a curse.

She'd been betrothed to Zeke Yeager during the winter, now it was nearly summer and it was time for her to set sail towards Marley and meet her husband-to-be.

It was an advantageous marriage for her family in more ways than one. Their wedding treaty would help end the countless years of wars between their two countries, not to mention the fact that Zeke Yeager was the next in line to inherit the Marleyan throne, which meant that when Zeke's father passed, [Name] would be crowned the Queen of Marley.

The first Eldian to ever sit on Marley's throne.

The responsibility fell heavily on the princess' shoulders as she turned her back on her mother.

She always knew she'd be forced into a marriage of convenience, but a marriage to a crown prince?

The crown prince of Marley, nonetheless? The detestable country that'd been desecrating her land and people for decades? If she had a choice in the matter, she would refuse. She would refuse a thousand times over!