Attack on Titan: Aftermath

It's Been Awhile

Alas, the time for Princess Frieda's fourth birthday had arrived. As preparations were being made within the castle's ballroom, Reiner was being toured around the castle by her and Historia. King Otto stayed in his office, quiet, and alone. After another hefty night of drinking to celebrate Jean's new position as head of each military branch, his wife Pieck, son Marco, niece Sasha, and best friend Connie were all on horseback once they arrived at the castle. The temperature became cooler as the day went on and sea breezes picked up. Armin and his wife Annie were on their way to the party, Levi, Gabi, Falco, and Mikasa were all on their way as well. FInally, a real reunion with all the surviving members of the prior war.

Reiner returned back into his room after breakfast and a few early gifts to get a proper dress jacket and tie for the occasion. Even though Historia was with both of them, she seemed to show a lot of indifference towards Reiner. He thought of bringing up the strange boy from the night before, and the fact that Otto hasn’t even wished his daughter a happy birthday, but the melancholic expression on Historia’s face convinced him to keep his silence and act as blissful as Frieda.

While Reiner was getting prepared, Historia and her maids were helping Frieda put on her ostentatious party dress. It was long, and blue to match her eyes. There were several details within each thread. The dress cost well over 500,000 gelds, and was being prepped for the past month. The way it brought out Frieda’s innocent eyes and smile made it well worth any price.

“Mommy, don’t I look pretty! I’m a princess!” Frieda giggled as the other women started styling her hair.

“You look gorgeous sweetheart. I’m surprised you even wanted a dress like this since you were never into girly things. You’d much rather roll in the mud with the orphanage boys then have your hair done.” Historia chuckled.

“Well… I’m four now… I’m a big kid, I’ve gotta act like how people expect me to. I have to be a pretty princess.” She replied. Historia’s smile faded just a bit.
“Did I ever tell you who you remind me of Frieda?” She asked.

“No, mommy who?”

“My very good… friend… Ymir… Ymir was also a tomboy just like you. And she was gorgeous too. When she was younger, she also thought she had to be what everyone expected her to be. But as she got older, she learned, and even taught me, that you don’t have to be what people want you to be. Live for yourself, whether that be a King or Queen, or even something in the middle. Or you can just wish to live a humble life, your blood doesn’t determine anything. But there’s nothing you have to be… except my girlie for the rest of your life.” She smiled. Frieda giggled.

“Where’s Ymir now? I think me and her would get along.” She joyfully asked.
“She’s…” Historia sighed, and her smile faded. “She’s in heaven now. With all my other friends I’ve told you about. She passed helping my comrades, and sacrificed herself for their good. Her only regret was not marrying me… But if it weren’t for her they and their families may have died too. I didn’t understand why at first, but Ymir saved those people because she wanted to. Not to become a hero.”

“Well she sure sounds like a hero. She lived a life with pride and only one regret!” Frieda asserted. Her having some of the best tutors in the entire world certainly helped her to be able to maintain a conversation with an adult.
 
“Yeah… she does sound like a hero…” Historia smiled softly. “But we’ve spent the past hour getting this dress on, did that speech make you wanna change your mind at all?” Historia asked.  Frieda tilted her head as if to give off a visual cue of her uncertainty. 

“Mmmmm I like it anyways!” She laughed. Historia returned a smile, and one of her messenger men knocked and walked through the dressing room door. With his hand over his eyes, he began to speak.