Princess Ackermann

XVII: The Princess of the East

The guards walked behind the Princess as they walked through the gate. It was then closed and she looked around. Not much has changed, but she could tell the place looked empty without someone taking charge.

She felt the familiar breeze once again, and she twirled around, feeling it. The wind blew her hair sideways and she stared at the large door before her. The two knights opened the large door and she entered.

She gasped once she saw the halls.

It was much more clean, and the atmosphere became warm again. It was not cold where her parents sat there, a glare etched all over their faces.

The knights closed the large door and left. A woman walked down the stairs which was to the left, behind the throne. A man walked to the right. They both came down at the same time.

"What is a peasant doing in the throne of my Uncle, my Aunt, and my dear cousin?" The woman narrowed her eyes. With the crown on her head, and the Crest of the West, she assumed she is the crowned Princess of the West.

And for the man, he had the Crest of the North as a brooch. Judging by his formal appearance, he is the crowned Prince of the North. The Prince stepped forward, held both of her hands and smiled at her.

"Serhilda! What brings you here?" He exclaimed. "Serhilda? Why does everyone keep calling me that?" Mikasa questioned. "What, you know this peasant?" Mikasa felt offended by the Princess's statement.

The Prince whispered, "Don't mind her. She's like that." Then he turned to the other Princess. "Historia, meet Serhilda. I met her days ago in the stables of town Hermina."

For a moment, Historia stared at Mikasa, but then acknowledged her presence. "Pleasure to meet you, Serhi-"

"My name is not Serhilda. I am Princess Mikasa Ackerman of the East. I am the Princess that went missing 12 years ago from the accident. My mother and father; the King and Queen, were eaten by werewolves."

Historia and Jean stared at her incredulously. "Claims to be the Princess of the East is forbidden." Jean said. "If you are the Princess of the East, shouldn't you have any proof?" Historia questioned.

Mikasa lifted her bangs, and they looked at the scar on her forehead. "It's...it's true...!" Historia gasped. "Can I believe my eyes??" Said Jean. "Jean, I haven't seen you for so long. And as for you, dear cousin, you're still the same as ever."

Historia scoffed. "Doesn't mean you're back you expect us to welcome you with open arms." She muttered and walked away. Mikasa ignored her and went upstairs from where she remembered her room was.

The halls were empty too. But the fact that her parents aren't around to scold her, torture her, and discipline her felt more welcoming and warm. She smiled to herself as she opened the door of her old room.

The bed was still the same. The room was untouched. The rose garden was back in its old place. Suddenly, she heard a knock from the door. There came Jean.

"I-I..." He stuttered.

"Mikasa?" She looked at him. "Yes?"

"So it's not Serhilda, then?"

"No. It's not."

"Oh, um...okay." He felt disappointed. If he didn't know about her true self, he would've gotten a chance with Mikasa, even if she held a different identity. But everyone knows Mikasa doesn't feel the same way for Jean.

"Mind if you leave me alone for a second?" She asked, and he nodded. The Prince peered through the door, staring at her, then he left. Mikasa looked through the open window.

I'm finally back...but why do I feel some kind of emptiness?

She then blinked as she felt something wet drop on her nose. Then she realized it was raining, so she hurried and closed the windows. There was a knock on the door and she turned to it to open it.

"Your Highness, we need to get you changed for dinner," The maiden said and she nodded. Mikasa walked confidently and straight-up as possible as she stood by her armoire.

A couple of maidens began to fix her up with a new set of gowns, fitting each and every one, thinking which one is better for the occasion.

+•+

Eren sat alone on the tree he would stay on when he needed to be alone and think. He could care less about the rain that's dropping on his body like a patter on a window.

His hair was damp as it sprinkled water. His clothes were soaked and he stared on to the ground. Particularly at nothing.

What did he do to push her away?

Of course, he avoided her instead of accepting something she didn't purposely do. He was stupid, how would she know what happened 'till she recovered from her amnesia?

Mikasa was clueless at almost about everything. He liked her better. He wanted Serhilda. But some things just need to come to an end, right?

He sighed hopelessly as he buried his head on his knees. However, as he was about to shift into a more comfortable position, he ended up slipping on his toe, and he fell to the ground, face-first.

He cursed under his breath and pounded the ground.

Why did things have to be complicated for him?