Capable of Loving You

Chapter 11: Pianos and Gossip

 A/N: Hey everyone! So please listen to the song that I have linked above during the appropriate time in the chapter. It's a beautiful song called So Est Es Immer (which means Just As It Always Is. I got the lyrics from: http://shingekinokyojin.wikia.com/wiki/So_ist_es_Immer). It's part of the OST of the AoT ova No Regrets which follows Levi's backstory. The other song's link is in the comments below along with Sophia's outfit just b/c I like to include stuff like that. Enjoy, comment, and vote! ^_^

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Sophia slept like a log that night with her belly full of the cold yet scrumptious dinner that the Commander had brought her. He was incredibly relieved and proud that the job was successful and though she would have liked to celebrate with Levi, she was not yet ready to forgive his rude behavior.

She woke up late the next morning and hurriedly bathed and dressed in a sleeveless, navy cotton dress to make it to breakfast. The King was sitting at the head of the table and Sophia curtseyed in his direction.

When King Fritz noticed her, he spoke up, "Are you feeling better, my dear?"

"Yes, my King, much better. Thank you for inquiring," Sophia said politely.

"Good to hear," his sunken eyes smiled, "Join us for breakfast. You must be hungry and there is still plenty to eat so do not hesitate." Sophia bowed her head slightly and sat between Erwin and Pixis. She looked across and found Nile's dark eyes boring into hers. She tried to fight down the impending nervousness. If he suspected something, why would he be here? He knows nothing as of yet so just relax, her brain reasoned. To calm down, she chatted briefly with Pixis who also asked about her health and insisted she eat more food than what was already on the plate to regain her strength for the journey ahead.

Sophia nodded along before her eyes settled on an elegant old man, probably in his mid-seventies judging by the white hair and wrinkles, sitting directly to the left of the King. Though the rest of his face looked haggard, his piercing amber eyes looked young and alive as he stared at Sophia. She'd noticed him last night too and even then he kept staring at her as he did now but he never approached her. Her instincts told her he wasn't dangerous like Dimitri Volkov (who was absent this morning thankfully), but Sophia could make nothing out from his expression which would give Levi's a run for its money. Only his eyes spoke as if begging and searching for something but Sophia had no idea what. They continued staring, gold clashing with gold, until the man finally looked away and focused on the King again. She had been meaning to ask Erwin who he was but obviously there were more pressing matters last night. So, she did it now.

Leaning in close so Pixis wouldn't overhear, Sophia asked her question, "Erwin, who is that man next to the King?"

Erwin followed her gaze. "Duke John Von Strauss?" he confirmed.

"Yes."

"Well there's not much to tell about him really," Erwin began, "He's the King's trusted friend and the richest man—after the King of course—though it's a pity since he has no heirs. His daughter was kidnapped when she was young and they never found her. His wife too died a number of years ago, so it's just him now. Which is why he spends a lot of his time at the castle since he knows the King so well and prefers his company."

"I see."

"Why are you asking?" Erwin wondered.

Ever the curious Commander, Sophia thought. "No reason," she answered vaguely and dug into her poached eggs on toast with lightly spread honey to avoid Erwin's questioning gaze. When she had finished eating, Erwin pulled her aside.