VII: An Unexpected Encounter

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3 days had passed since the festival.

Serhilda got up from her bed and stared out the window. She sighs in relief, breathing in the scent of nature coming from the trees near the neighborhood. She hears birds chirping, and it stops by the window.

She gasped in surprise, yet she let it perch on her finger as she caressed the feathery figure. Moments later, she let the bird free and finally, she got up from the stool to change into her everyday clothing.

After she was done, she headed downstairs to see Mr. Ral sitting alone by the couch, reading a parchment. Apparently Levi and Petra weren't awake. Now she was wondering why since she'd see those two up and about.

Levi would mostly go out for wood. It was only one day when Mr. Ral sent them out together. Petra would be helping her father, and talk with him. She suddenly felt bored.

"Oh, you're awake, Serhilda."

She almost jumped when he greeted her. "G-Good morning, si- I mean, father." She bowed in respect and he rolled his eyes. "You don't need to bow down. I am no king!" He chuckled and she bit her lip sheepishly.

She wondered, why does she still keep bowing to him? Serhilda wandered if it was some kind of habit, but she shrugged it off. "Kid, no worries. I will prepare the food for everyone. You can wait patiently," He set down the parchment and got up.

"Are you sure you don't need help?" She asks and he shook his head. "I told you— you don't need to worry. You kids must've been tired from the festival three days ago. It's right that I do the job for now!" He replied and she nodded her head curtly before going back upstairs.

She could hear mumbling in Levi's room. The other voice unmistakably belonged to Petra. She had no choice but to eavesdrop. Her jaw almost drop when she heard the last 3 words from Levi.

I love you.

She covered her mouth to prevent herself from squealing. Oh my! She inwardly cheered before scurrying to her room and freaking out silently. She tossed and turned in her bed before even noticing the bed that was made was wrinkled again.

She stopped herself and wiped the tears from her eyes before proceeding to fix the bed. The sun started rising and she felt even more hyper minutes later. Levi and Petra were astonished by the noise she made down the stairs.

"Serhilda, if you don't stop your thumping, I will-"

"Levi! Petra! Admit that you two love each other!" The room grew quiet, and with Mr. Ral cooking in the kitchen, he almost dropped the ladle when he heard what Serhilda said. He listened.

"W-Well..." Petra fidgeted nervously, the golden-haired woman was almost hyperventilating. Levi noticed this and held her hand tightly. "Calm down." He said in the most soothing manner possible.

"Aaah!" Serhilda squealed inhumanly and Levi glared at her in embarrassment. Petra blushed a deep crimson before burying her head on Levi's shoulder. "Oh dear..." She mumbled in defeat.

"I am so proud of you two!"

When Mr. Ral heard the news, he smiled to himself and continued stirring the vegetable soup. He indeed was proud Petra found someone to love. It was right before her eyes the whole time.

As for Mikasa... she still didn't know. The answer remained in her memories.

+•+

It was afternoon. Serhilda still couldn't stop smiling from the fact that Levi and Petra professed their love to each other. She felt out of place though, but she was close enough. After all, she had a tad bit of feelings for someone.

During the festival, she felt utter joy when she talked to Eren. She loved it when he showed her the secret garden inside the forest. It was beautiful. It felt like the place helped them get closer to each other than before.

Later on, assuming Eren was pondering by himself on his tree, she dragged herself into the forest and searched for him. When she got to the spot, he wasn't there.

Hm... he is probably on schedule right now. Best not to bother with him...

She sighs sadly and walked back to the clearing, then to the end of the forest, from where she came from. Right now she felt nothing but boredom. Mr. Ral didn't assign her to do anything.

"Oh how I wish to meet the Prince!"

She heard a bunch of exclaims from a group of girls not too far from here.

"He is so dreamy!"

"He is majestic!"

"I want to marry him!"

She shrugged and went to walk down the street where the Ral household was, on her way there, people kept whispering and murmuring incoherent words. It sprung curiosity within her, and she was too engrossed to notice bumping into something hard, and moving.

She fell back to the ground, holding her nose in pain. "Ow!" She exclaimed. She heard hooves tapping on the ground, slowly backing away with a person beside it. "Oh... not again, Fergus!" The person crouched down and looked at Serhilda.

She was quick to notice that her nose was bleeding, so she covered it. "Miss, are you alright?!" The person was concerned. She grunted and he extended a hand out to her.

In no second, she was pulled back up to stand. A few blood dripped from her fingers, and her eyes widened. "Here! Put this on!" The person gave her a white handkerchief and she accepted it, covering her bleeding nose.

"Th-Thank you..."

The person was etched with worry, but he chuckled nervously. "I am sorry about that. My horse tends to be unaware when strangers pass by in front. Would you like my aid? I'll he happy to take you to the infirmary."

She shook her head.

"It's alright, sir... you don't have to."

He stared at her when she looked up in amazement. "Y-You're..." She blinked in surprise. "Are you...?" Her voice was somehow muffled. "Yes. I am the one and only..." The person gave a smirk.

"Prince Jean of the North!"

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