Classroom of The Elite x AOT: Wax Wings

Intermission - Queen's Survival AU II

You know, there's a kind of catharsis I get when making these short "AU" series. Like, you'll have to assume a few more things than usual to grasp what's going on and what plot points have been condensed.

Oh, and there'll be a Q&A for Volume 6 at the end of the chapter.

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Location: Wall Sina Cafe
Year: 849
Time: Mid-Afternoon

Kiyotaka looked down into his tea, as though tracing some invisible line on the surface when a gentle voice broke through his thoughts.

"Kiyotaka? Are you alright?"

Not in the main timeline he is.

He blinked, glancing up to meet the bright, inquisitive gaze of Frieda Reiss, who sat across from him.

"Hm?" he hummed as if shaking off whatever had him distracted. "I'm fine, Frieda. I was just... thinking about something."

"Eh~?" She tilted her head, not fully convinced. "It's not like you to zone out so easily. Did something interesting happen lately? Something fun?"

"Nothing that would interest you."

"Oh, come on!" She leaned forward. "If you tell me what you're thinking, I'll tell you something interesting that happened to me, too!"

For a moment, Kiyotaka seemed to consider it, his eyes drifting back to his tea before he looked up again, giving her a small sigh.

"I'd rather hear you talk first. Your stories are way more interesting than mine. Being an aristocrat must keep things interesting... I, on the other hand..."

The Queen chuckled.

"You can say that all you want, but it doesn't change my mind! But fine, since you insist so much, I'll go first."

She gave a thoughtful hum and then started.

"I went to visit Historia recently," she began, a hint of a fond smile softening her expression. She was always like this when she spoke of her younger sister. It seemed to be the only thing nowadays to brighten her mood, given her... situation.

When Wall Maria fell, her family had been praying in a church, only to be attacked by bandits, killing everyone except her. To say it was distressing to the monarch would be an understatement.

She'd often find herself chatting either with him or visiting her little sister in Wall Rose to take her mind off things.

Kiyotaka didn't know the full truth behind all these words, just the story that was told, but felt obligated to at least attempt to comfort his friend.

"Oh?" The young man raised an eyebrow, setting his cup back down on its saucer. "When was that?"

She paused, a mischievous glint entering her eyes. "Why do you ask? Are you jealous, perhaps?"

"Not in the slightest," he replied smoothly. " Of course, I am a bit displeased you didn't invite me, though. Please, go on."

"Hehe, so you are jealous," She remarked. "She's my baby sister, you know. She's getting a bit too close to you these days."

Kiyotaka took a sip of his tea, his expression remaining perfectly neutral. "She's fourteen, Frieda. She's not exactly a child anymore."

Her eyes widened, and she let out a small huff. "She'll always be my baby sister," she said firmly.