Princess Ackermann

VI: Festival

Serhilda excitingly pulled on a festive blue dress. Petra suddenly came in her room. "You look great!" Serhilda gazed at her dress while she twirled in it. "Thank you Petra. You got me this dress when I turned 16. It's beautiful."

"It wouldn't have looked great if it weren't for someone as pretty as you." Serhilda blushed, but smirked. "I bet Levi would drool over you once we go out for the festival!" Petra gasped and blushed.

"I-I wonder..."

"Besides, you guys are like siblings to me, but you and him, you look like lovers yourselves." Serhilda smirked, which aggravated Petra more as she slapped her playfully on the arm.

"M-Me and Levi are just friends!" She replied nervously, yet the smirk on Serhilda's face never faded. "Sure... because Mr. Ral unofficially took him in and you lived with him for almost all your life." Petra grumbled angrily and helped combed Serhilda's jet-black hair.

The strawberry-blonde-haired woman smiled to herself once she combed Serhilda's hair. Maybe being more than friends with Levi isn't so bad... "Daydreaming now, are we?" Petra knew the young woman in front of her noticed.

"Sorry. Oh! Serhilda, who is your company during the festival?"

"Eren. Eren will be my company."

"Oh... so you invited that young man we met in the woods, eh? Well, he sure looks charming. Wild." Serhilda blushed at the thought. "I guess he is..." She mumbled to herself.

+•+

"Tch. What's taking those girls so long? It's been an hour..." Levi muttered as he paced back and forth impatiently by the stairs. "Levi, you might be impatient because you want to see Petra, is it not?" Mr. Ral teased and the latter widened his eyes.

"N-No..."

"Heh. It won't work on me, kid."

"Tch."

Finally, he heard light thumping on the stairs. He had no choice but to stare in awe at the view before him. You're killing me, Petra. The Ral woman saw Levi staring at her, and she couldn't help but blush.

Serhilda followed after Petra. Once she got down, she gave Levi a teasing smirk, from which she earned a menacing glare without Petra knowing. "So..." Petra took a deep breath, and asked, "How do I look, father?"

Mr. Ral smiled at his daughter, stood up, and held her shoulders. "You look lovely, my darling. You and Serhilda." He said. "I'm sure Levi wants to say something?" Levi flinched, and looked away, flustered.

Serhilda cracked a laugh, making Petra embarrassed. I wonder if Eren and Armin are coming... "Let's just go." Levi huffed and grabbed Petra's wrist. It surprised her, but Mr. Ral waved to them. "Have fun!" He says and closed the door.

The three walked outside and saw couples, and other of pairs outside. Serhilda's mouth curled into a deep frown. Judging from the number of people out on the streets, it was hard to find Eren.

She sighed and walked sadly with Petra and Levi to the audience. The crowd stood before an open road. Luckily, they forced their way in to get a better view.

Performers began to take over and soon, they started playing their instruments. While Serhilda tried to listen to the performers, she felt hands pull her to the side, and she felt her shoulders collide with someone.

Before she reacted though, the person smiled at her and spoke, "Surprised?!" Since the crowd was cheering loudly, the gasp that escaped her mouth was inaudible.

"Eren!" Unexpectedly, she hugged him and he stood there surprised. Petra and Levi were too focused on the performance to notice Serhilda leaving the crowd with Eren.

Unfortunately, the two wanted little of the noise. Though as expected, festivals are supposed to be festive after all. "I thought you weren't gonna come..." She mumbled shyly. "I did say I would come. That'd depend on my schedule."

"I'm glad you came. Where's Armin?"

"He's... busy. And he would've loved to come, but he's just so busy with his stash of books." Serhilda snorted at his reply.

"Let's talk more, shall we? You see... I don't really have people to befriend."

"Sure. But we should blend in and enjoy the festival too. What even was my purpose coming here?" They both laughed and walked back to the crowd. The performance was almost ending, which means everyone would be buying and celebrating out on the streets.

The flutes and harmonicas were starting to fade, and once it did, everyone applauded. Thus the stroll through town began. Petra and Levi were able to find Mikasa and Eren.

"Hey. Where did you come from?" Levi questioned the Jäger. "I invited him to come with us." Serhilda answered. Eren waved at the other two shyly. "Hello..." He greeted politely as possible.

Levi rolled his eyes and looked at Petra. "Wanna grab some food, everyone?" They nodded and they start to walk on the streets to search for food. Merchants were selling food for free all because of the festival. Lucky day indeed.

While they were walking, Serhilda spoke, "Eren, Armin couldn't come?" He rose an eyebrow. "Serhila, you just asked me that question earlier." He murmured, stifling a laugh from Serhilda. "Oh no! I'm so sorry!"

Petra looked behind her to see the two interacting so well. She smirked and walked side by side with Levi. "Look at them." She tapped his shoulder, and he looked behind. Serhilda and Eren were talking happily, while enjoying the decorations displayed.

He scoffed.

"Don't they look sweet, Levi?"

"Sure." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Really now. Oh, look. That looks delicious." He immediately looked to where Petra was pointing at. They all head towards that direction and started ordering food from the merchant.

While walking, they were eating their food, and took in the sight.