Princess Ackermann

XVI: To Rise

"Petra, Levi."

The two looked at the man. "Her name is Serhilda no more." Petra frowned in curiosity. "Pardon?" Mikasa interrupted, "My name is Mikasa Ackerman. Princess of the East."

Levi and Petra widened their eyes.

Mr. Ral couldn't have been surprised, judging by how stylish her gown was. He kept the truth from Petra and Levi. "I must go back to my Palace, I have been missing for far too long."

"Wait! Father, this isn't true! The Princess died 12 years ago!"

"I am that Princess."

"We found you there by a rock, and Mr. Ral took you in." Levi stated. "Petra insisted we took care of you. But you lost your memories, it happened to come back to you now." Mr. Ral said. Mikasa kept a straight face.

"I see," She bowed. "I thank you then. But I must go." She gave them a polite smile of gratitude before stepping out of the door. Petra gasped and cried on Levi's shoulder. The Ackerman frowned.

Mikasa, previously known as Serhilda, shared the same surname; Ackerman. His Uncle was an Ackerman. There were branches within the family. Where Mikasa belongs, it's known as the Royal Family.

From where Levi belonged, it's known to be below the Royal Family, which is called the Knighthood Branch. In which the knights were known as Ackermans. How'd he know this?

His Uncle was a retired Knight. A Supreme Knight. He was told that he served the Royal Family in his many years of service. However, knowing the system was corrupt during Mikasa's time, he retired and left for another town.

The Royal Family easily granted his release because of his service. His Uncle told him that his mother; Kuchel, was a maid in the Palace. She bore a child from an unknown man.

He didn't know what to feel.

+•+

The Princess of the West was peacefully looking at the balcony when suddenly the wind blew the crown off her head. She gasped as she looked at the crown. Back in her palace, there was this saying where when a part of their life, their crown falls off their head, someone will takeover.

It has proven to be true countless times in the Reiss Clan. Historia wondered who it would be. But she shrugged it off and picked up her crown, placing it gently on her head.

She walked back inside the throne room and sat on the chair. I'll show her who rules this town. She vowed as she clenched her fist. Jean came back in with a smirk on his face.

She sighed. "What is it this time?" Jean walked to her and said, "Nothing! I just feel...hm, excited. If ever the Princess comes back here." Historia frowned and turned away.

"If she does come back, and screw things up in the Palace, my family and I won't hesitate to take over."

"Well you can expect she'll be rusty at first, judging from the memory loss. But we can still keep her on track."

"Sure. But I'll let her know if she tends to mess up things, I won't hesitate to take drastic measures." She gritted her teeth.

+•+

Mikasa was now walking around town.

Every people were busy with their lives, selling stuff out on the streets, chatting, drinking, and having fun, while she was working on her way back to the throne. If she and her family hadn't suffered from the accident, could she be in a much comfortable situation now?

The black-haired woman went to a discreet hill, and she climbed all the way up. To her surprise, it overlooked the palace on the top. There she saw a familiar flag, swaying by the wind. Her hair blew across her face, her dress to the side.

She smiled to herself and climbed back down.

Who would welcome her back?

How would it feel without her parents around?

Will she be the same once she returns?

She took a deep breath and nervously, yet willingly walked the path to the Palace. Once she arrived, there were guards stationed by the gate. Most of them were few, but they were enough to keep the place okay.

She had to admit, they are pretty open to attacks due to the lack of knights. Mikasa gasped since the Palace looked empty. She confidently walked to the Palace gate, where she was greeted by two knights blocking her with their spears.

"What is your business here?"

Mikasa looked up at the two knights. They eventually dropped their spears and knelt down. "This can't be true! The Princess died!" Mikasa breathed, "You may rise, my dear knights. I am back. And I will take over and fix everything my parents have done."

The knights stood up joyously and bowed down. "It is great to have you back, Princess Mikasa Ackerman!"