Enjoy~

Editing completed 6/7/2017

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A new day under the Prince's rule. The palace awoke as rays of sun beamed down upon the Prince's throne.

"Stand beside me, foreigner."

I nodded my head, walking up the first three steps, feeling the suns rays warm my shoulders.

"The General is awake. Reiner claims his injuries are minimal, the pair are due to leave tomorrow."

I nodded my head once again, casting my eyes to my sword. Jean's cloth had been stained with crimson blood - reminding me of the fight.

"I see..."

Quiet footsteps earned my attention as I looked up and met the empty eyes of Reiner - who slowly followed behind General Pixis.

"Thank you for letting us stay, your majesty..."

The Prince rose from his throne, swiftly greeting the General. I remained still, being in Reiner's presence had unnerved me. His clothes are from Chi... such vibrant and soft material... Reiner looked a little pale, yet stood up straight, which must of been painful due to his injury.

"Afternoon, (Y/N)."

I crossed my arms, averting my gaze to the elegant palace windows.

"Reiner."

I spoke his name once, indicating my greeting was informal and slightly rude. Reiner furrowed his brows, parting his lips to speak.

"The General has some food we brought from Chi - he wishes to eat lunch, just the three of us."

My eyes widened; noodles? Boiled egg with onions? Please be boiled egg. Reiner crossed his arms, casting his eyes towards the General who smiled warmly at my peaked interest.

General Pixis informed the Prince of the basket of foods they'd brought to this kingdom. I immediately turned towards the Prince, who rolled his eyes upon seeing my needy face.

"I'll permit it. Eat whatever you damn like."

I smiled as the General chuckled at my excitement to taste the foods I'd eaten as a child.

"I'll send the basket to your chefs... if they'd be so kind as to prepare it... I wrote down instructions on the methods of cooking."

The Prince nodded his head, clicking his fingers as two guards left the throne room, set with the task of informing the chefs to take care while cooking foreign foods and the importance of the guests.

|~~~~|

The Chi cuisine took several hours to prepare, the Prince provided the three of us with a beautifully crafted wire table, curling into many flower designs.

Petra joined the Prince as the two enjoyed a hearty lunch - playing a game of chess a little distance away. General Pixis and Reiner sat opposite me as I rose a white clay cup to my lips, sipping a little Jiuniang. (fermented sweet rice wine.) General Pixis smiled, turning to Reiner who bowed his head as his master disciplined him.

"Try not insult the Prince, when you insult him - you insult (Y/N)."

Reiner tensed but nodded his head anyway. I doubted his actions, but decided against arguing - considering I'd be eating noodles in a couple of minutes time.

"Yes, Master."

I lowered my clay cup with a soft sigh, Reiner studied my appearance for a few seconds, snapping his chopsticks in half.

"Just why do you serve him? I don't understand..."

I smiled gently, reaching for my chopsticks and listening to the wood crack in half. I'm in a contract, actually. I shrugged my shoulders, lightly tapping the ends of my chopsticks together as if I were picking up food. It's been a while since I've used chopsticks...

"No reason..."

Reiner glared, but quickly sat up straight when two chefs arrived with three bowls of noodles topped with boiled egg and onions. I marvelled at the smell and variety of choice. General Pixis also brought dumplings along with him.

"Thank you."

I praised the chefs as they saluted and turned towards the marble, leaving the throne room.

"You're too kind, General..."

Reiner lowered his chopsticks into his noodles, swirling the boiled egg around. I watched intently- this must be nothing for Reiner. I bet he gets to eat foods from Chi every day...

General Pixis chuckled and insisted I enjoy the meal, claiming he never did give me an award for passing the regime all those years ago. I smiled and picked up a dumpling using the end of my chopsticks, biting into the dough as beef and vegetables flooded my mouth. I chewed happily. It's delicious... such rich tasting food...

"Such a fine young woman you've grown into (Y/N)..."

I swallowed and cleared my throat, mixing my noodles together and tasting the slightly spicy broth.

"Aha... thank you General..."

Reiner placed two whole dumplings into his mouth, shaking his head in disagreement.

"Woman? (Y/N) is a scatterbrain. I would know - I grew up with her."

Way to ruin my image, Reiner. General Pixis chuckled lightly, slurping up his noodles with a content sigh, he looked a little troubled, but I didn't want to try and press him about the issue. I silently ate my boiled egg as General Pixis lowered his chopsticks.

"I'm sure the Prince has already brought up your fear of fire."

I stiffened; slowly nodding my head as I caught Reiner staring in the corner of my eye.

"There was really no need to inform him, but I'm not angry. I must overcome it someday..."

Reiner ate another beef dumpling and furrowed his brows.

"I'm not too fond of it either... can't be helped after what happened."

General lowered his head, looking rather sad - almost as if he were reflecting upon a hurtful memory. I swirled my remaining noodles around in my bowl, feeling incredibly full after eating so much.

"Please don't worry yourself, General. I will overcome it."

Reiner nodded his head in attempts to reassure his master, but General Pixis remained unconvinced.

"If you feel that way... then I guess there is nothing to worry about..."

I glanced behind Reiner, quickly spotting the Prince and Petra who had been lifting pieces and placing them onto a chess board. It looked like the two were engrossed in the calculating game, only the Prince cast his eyes to the side - meeting my stare.

The Prince is splitting his focus - half on the game - the other on me. I looked down into my now empty black bowl, placing both of my palms together with a smile.

"Thank you... I enjoyed the meal very much."

General Pixis shook his head as Reiner grunted, taking a final sip of rice wine.

"It was my pleasure, (Y/N). I do hope you return to Chi one day. Reiner really does speak of you a lot."

Reiner's eyes widened as he shook his head.

"Just what are you saying? I only mention her as the next time we meet, I'm going to master the curved sword and watch her bleed out."

I rolled my eyes, flashing Reiner a smug smile.

"Train hard. I won't be so forgiving next time, Reiner."

General Pixis smiled, slowly rising from his chair with a low grunt, placing his hand onto his back.

"I believe we shall take our leave, I have pressing matters to attend to."

I stood from my chair, bowing deeply to the Master and his servant. General Pixis has changed for the better it seems... Reiner remains the same... my friendly rival.

"I do hope our paths cross again."

General Pixis approached the Prince's table, followed by Reiner who glared upon seeing the Prince win the game of chess.

"I think we'll leave your beautiful palace, your majesty - it was a great pleasure meeting you and your servant."

The Prince nodded his head, removing his crown and extending out his hand for an handshake with the General.

"Goodbye."

The two shook hands, the Generals skin looking rather wrinkled. Reiner hesitated but suddenly bowed before me.

"I'll take you straight to hell, next time we meet, (Y/N)."

I nodded my head, a content smile gracing my lips.

"I'll be waiting then..."

                                     |~~~~|

General Pixis and Reiner left the palace, returning to Chi. I felt my heart ache ever so slightly. A small part of me wishes to go with them...

"Anything you wish to notify me of?"

I guessed the Prince was referring to the conversation with General Pixis and Reiner.

"We spoke nothing of importance."

The Prince sunk deeper into his throne with a loud sigh.

"I see."

I admired the golden jewels that adorned the Prince's crown, the red ruby glowing the brightest of them all.

"Quit staring-"

"Hey, Levi!"

A familiar voice interrupted the Prince as I quickly spotted Jean the nobleman under the marble carving.

"Just what the hell are you doing here?"

Jean approached the Prince with a grin, smiling towards me in a silent greeting.

"I need a favour actually..."

The Prince sighed loudly, shaking his head with a firm:

"No."

I tilted my head in confusion- if these two are friends, surely friends provide you with favours and help you in times of need? Jean wined and began to wipe fake tears from his eyes.

"You haven't even heard my problem yet..."

The Prince rubbed his temples with a frustrated sigh. Maybe the Prince should rest for awhile?

"I need to borrow (Y/N) for my personal protection..."

The Prince stiffened, quickly looking into Jeans eyes for confirmation - in case he'd been lying.

"Just what exactly have you done?"

Jean averted his gaze, neatening his black tie. I sensed his upset and slight fear over the situation.

"A customer brought his dying horse to me, begging me to heal her... I knew from just looking at the horse she was going to die... but I told him I'd try my best to save her life... sadly the horse didn't make it..."

The Prince removed his crown with a sigh, telling Jean to continue.

"Well the man went nuts... saying he'd kill me and hire all sorts of people to avenge his horse..."

I furrowed my brows, yet felt a little sorry for the man, he loved his horse that much...

"I doubt he would do that considering he hasn't a penny to his name... yet I feel... uneasy..."

The Prince leant his chin onto his palm, his steel eyes glazing over in curiosity. If the man is poor, hiring thugs will be impossible- they demand a lot of coin to kill.

"I'll grant you a days protection. I'll even let you stay inside the palace - but my guard must remain close to me."

Jean smiled brightly, looking far better than before. Jean hasn't seen my protecting abilities but seems to think I'm of worth just because I guard the Prince.

"Thank you, Levi. I'm really grateful... not to mention it'll be a nice break for (Y/N)."

I smiled weakly, being in the presence of Jean must be very draining, but I'd been excited for a new change of pace.

"Don't make me take back my offer. Make sure you don't stray from my authority, foreigner."

I glared, walking down the three red steps with a quiet sigh.

"Yes sir..."

I stood beside Jean, who flashed me a devious smile. I felt uneasy over the Prince's safety. I only trust myself to protect him from serious threats, if the archer were to attack again, I know regular guards would not be able to handle it.

"I shall increase my number of personal guards, do not fret foreigner."

I crossed my arms, averting my gaze to the side of the palace, studying the white flower wallpaper.

"I'm not."

The Prince rolled his eyes, informing Jean of the darkening sky and inviting him to a formal evening being held in the palaces reception.

"I always attend formal evenings, such exciting nights."

Jean flashed a cheery smile, flattening out his tie.

"I feel much safer with (Y/N) at my side."

The Prince rose from his throne and followed behind the two of us, passing under the arch and quietly walking down the hallway.

"If a threat should arrive, you have my permission to end the assailants life."

I tensed up a little, unable to refuse the Prince's orders; I slowly nodded my head.

"If necessary, I will."

The Prince nodded firmly as loud chatter soon sounded outside a small square room. The Prince's reception evening. Jean approached a small table covered with a red cloth, lifting a glass of champagne to his lips.

"A fine taste indeed, here (Y/N)."

Jean held out a small glass of champagne for me as I hesitantly shook my head.

"Oh... I'm a servant."

The Prince sighed, taking the glass from Jean's hand.

"Are you an idiot? She has never tasted alcohol from our kingdom before... over in Chi they drink rice wine... our kingdom's alcohol is far too strong - it'll make her drunk - you moron."

The Prince seemed rather firm as he took a sip from the glass, drinking the expensive champagne with a steel glare.

"I have some hands to shake, you are under Jean's instruction for the rest of the night."

I bowed deeply, sensing my worry for his wellbeing spike ever so slightly.

"Stay safe, your majesty."

The Prince nodded his head a single time, turning his back on the two of us as several guards dressed in black followed behind him. I watched as the Prince shook hands with several nobles.

I can still see him, so his wellbeing isn't particularly threatened... Jean smiled deviously, finishing his glass of champagne with a sigh of relief.

"I have some people to speak to also, so take care of me, (Y/N)."

I rolled my eyes at his blatant and rather humorous way of talking to a servant. Very improper to speak to a servant like that... he could be accused of all sorts...

"Yes sir. I shall protect your wellbeing for the rest of the night."

Jean chuckled deeply, undoing the first button on his tuxedo jacket.

"So formal, (Y/N). Levi's turning you into a machine..."

I avoided Jean's cheeky smile as my eyes travelled to my curved sword, studying the cloth for a brief second.

"Oh! I must thank you, Jean."

Jean flashed me a look of confusion as I unwound his cloth previously given to me in order to ease tension I created.

"This motivated me yesterday... I appreciate it."

Jean studied the cloth for a moment, quickly spotting the blood that stained the pure white material.

"It's covered in blood, (Y/N)..."

I smiled warmly, reassuring Jean I'd been in top condition.

"I fought with somebody the other day... for some reason this cloth motivated me to move away from a strike."

Jean seemed rather content with my words and smiled cheerily.

"I'm proud I managed aided you."

I quickly turned my head towards the Prince's direction, I spotted his raven hair sitting at a table with five other nobles, discussing something near the reception exit. I'm glad he's safe.

"Let's go mingle, (Y/N)."

"Right away, sir."

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