Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

FORTY-THREE

'The exclusivity of the living fairytale of nobility cannot be overstated. In the metaphor of the gates of heaven, their gates are sealed tight. Though on their side, you can bask in the wealth and gaiety of a thousand lifetimes, they can never know the pain of being locked away from such a pretty dream.'

-An extract from the book 'Royal Questions' written by scholar and journalist Aksel Briggs.

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FORTY-THREE

Wall Sina, Interior, Mitras, Royal Palace

Lorelai paced outside Erwin's rooms. For a woman who had courted so much before, it was odd that this sort of thing still made her nervous. But then again, she supposed that was a testament to the genuineness of her feelings.

He wasn't inside. Lorelai had knocked a few minutes ago and had gotten no response. Perhaps Erwin was still down at dinner. She had only come back up herself a few minutes ago, bidding goodnight to Levi and resigning herself to agonising over what she was going to say.

She didn't know why she was so nervous. Perhaps it was the publicity of it all; it was risky to appear together as she planned at the ball. The eyes of all the nobles would be on them.

Still, it was a risk she wanted to take. His certainty in the woods had instilled surprising confidence in her. He was worth the risk.

"Lorelai." She spun on her heel. "This is a surprise. I was... um, just about to come and find you myself."

Erwin was standing at the end of the corridor, his hair slightly dishevelled. He held a bouquet of forget-me-nots in one hand. It was raining outside, and his coat was noticeably damp as if he had dashed out to buy flowers.

She just smiled at him, looking at the flowers. Her giddiness had her words stuck in her throat.

Erwin went pink, fixing his hair as he approached. He bowed his head politely. "For you, my lady." He offered her the bouquet.

She giggled and accepted the flowers, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you, Erwin," she grinned. "What's got you all courteous? And please, there's no need to address me so formally."

"Oh," Erwin smiled coyly. "Nothing in particular. But you must forgive my appearance; I intended to fetch a dry coat before I saw you."

"You look handsome as ever," Lorelai insisted, smelling the flowers wistfully. Perhaps Erwin only intended the flowers to be a nice gesture, and she was thinking too far into it. But, the forget-me-not symbolised fidelity and devotion. He was a clever man; she wouldn't put it past him to pay attention to such details.

Erwin smiled. He knew she had picked up on his message. "Now," he opened the door to his rooms, "to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Lorelai politely took a seat in an armchair. "I was actually visiting regarding this." She produced the ball invite. "I assume you received one too?"

He chuckled. They wanted to see each other for the same reason. He had intended to ask her to the ball himself, but Erwin decided there was no harm in letting her ask him instead.

"The royal ball, yes, I will be in attendance."

They smiled at each other in silence for a few seconds. Both wondered who would break first.