A Reason to Fight (Levi x Reader x Erwin)

Chapter 29: Worth the Wait

Erwin's POV

The party was already in full swing when I arrived. I looked around at all the people in the Great Hall, it looks like it is mostly nobles and politicians. Dr. Banning's place is huge, I guess that's one of the perks of being on the King's council.

I recognize quite a few people, even Shadis and Pixis are here. I'm still trying to figure out what this party is even for. He is a doctor, is he celebrating some breakthrough? If it were for a birthday I feel that would have been made clear by now.

I make polite conversation with people who stop and greet me. I had a few women trying to keep me around to chat with, but I make it clear I don't have any interest in them.

I decide to go up the stairs to a balcony overlooking the large room, maybe I'll be able to see (y/n) from up there.

"Ah! Erwin!" Pixis calls to me as I start heading up the stairs, "Strange to see you here, where is (y/n)? Oh! Is that why you decided to come?"

I turn around to give him a confused look, "How did you know she was coming?" To my knowledge, (y/n) didn't exactly advertise the fact she was going to come to this event, let alone tell anyone she was performing.

"Heard it through the grape vine!"

"Hange told you, didn't she?"

"Yep!" He laughs, trying to hand me a glass of wine, but I wave it away, "That's why I'm here! I can't wait to hear what all the fuss is about when she lived in the capital."

"You're here because there is an open bar, Pixis," I chuckle at him, "(y/n) being here is just an added bonus for you."

"Cheers!" Pixis grins at me and makes his way back over towards the bar.

Well he seems to be well on his way to a drunken stupor. Oh well, whatever gets him through the night, I suppose.

I weave my way through the crowd of people on the upper level, making my way toward the balcony when I hear someone call to me.

"Commander Erwin!" I look to my right to see who called my name, it was a man I didn't recognize, "Wait until I tell everyone you came to my party and no one else's!"

Ah, this must be Harvey Banning. He holds out his hand for me to shake and I accept, "Thank you for inviting me." He looked to be in his mid to late 40s, he had short blonde hair combed back, dark brown eyes, thick glasses and a few inches shorter than me.

"It is curious though, I must admit," He continues, "Why you would choose to come to my event and never any other events."

"I'm curious as to why you find that curious." I reply to him.

"Well, it's curious that (y/n) (l/n) joins the scouts, and suddenly you are eager to attend a party within Wall Sina. One that she is set to attend, no less."

He captures my full attention when he mentions (y/n)'s name, is there more to this than Banning just being a fan of her's?

"Relax," Banning says when he sees me tense up a bit, "I doubt she remembers me, but perhaps that is for the best. Tell me, Erwin, is Peter well? Will he be attending this evening?"

"To my knowledge, no." I answer curtly.

"Such a shame," Banning sighs, "Oh well, if you see (y/n) tell her I would like to meet with her before she performs."

He doesn't wait for me to answer, just waves and makes his way over to a group of people that were waving at him. I finally make it over to the balcony overlooking the room.

What was that interaction just now? So, he has met with (y/n) before...

"Erwin?" I'm startled out of my thoughts by someone calling my name from my left, I look over to see that it was Marie.