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The evening sun cast long shadows across the private balcony as the small group gathered in relative seclusion. Kenny leaned against the railing while the others arranged themselves in a loose circle.
"The meeting went better than expected," Eren began, his green eyes reflecting the setting sun. "Revealing Marley's current state will work in our favor."
Historia nodded, her blonde hair catching the golden light. "Lady Kiyomi's reaction was telling. She's already recalculating her position."
"Of course she is," Kenny interjected, his usual mirth tempered by seriousness. "You just told her the big bad wolf lost all its teeth except one. Changes the whole game."
Levi crossed his arms. "Hizuru won't want to back a losing power. They'll be looking for new alliances."
"Which brings us to our next move," Historia said, her voice carrying the quiet authority she'd developed as queen. "We can proceed with our plan to share our story with the world. Show them what Marley really did to us."
"The truth about the walls, the titans, everything," Eren agreed. He turned to Mikasa, his expression softening slightly. "Are you ready?"
Hange looked between them, confusion evident. "Ready for what? Levi, what are they talking about?"
Instead of answering, Mikasa slowly began unwrapping the cloth from her wrist. The symbol underneath seemed to catch fire in the evening light: three crossed swords forming a triangle, encircled by an intricate ring.
Kenny pushed off from the railing, his usual playful demeanor falling away. "Well, well. That's going to change things even more than the Titan revelation."
Historia's spine straightened. "What do you mean, Kenny?"
"That mark," Kenny's voice was uncharacteristically serious, "is something my great-grandfather used to talk about. He was obsessed with old stories, especially ones about the East. That symbol? It's not just any mark – it's a royal seal from Hizuru."
The silence that followed was heavy with implications.
"Are you certain?" Hange asked, their scientific curiosity overtaking their usual exuberance.
"As certain as any old family stories can be," Kenny replied. "But I remember him being specific about this one. Said it was a mark of the Hizuran royal family – a branch that was supposedly wiped out."
Mikasa's hand moved to cover the mark. "My mother never explained what it meant. She only said to keep it hidden, that it was important but dangerous."
"She was right," Levi said quietly. "That kind of heritage... it could be either a powerful tool or a deadly weakness."
"It's more than that," Historia interjected. "This could completely change our negotiations with Hizuru."
Eren moved closer to Mikasa. "This has to be your choice. We won't reveal this if you're not ready."
"I understand what it could mean for our people," Mikasa replied, her voice steady. "If it can help protect Paradis... protect all of you... then I'm ready."
Hange adjusted their glasses, studying the mark intently. "The implications are staggering. A surviving member of Hizuru's lost royal line, here on Paradis? The political ramifications alone..."
"We need to be careful about how we present this," Levi warned. "The timing has to be perfect."
"Tomorrow," Eren suggested. "After they've had time to process the information about Marley. When Lady Kiyomi is already questioning her current allegiances."
Kenny nodded slowly. "Hit them when they're already off-balance. Smart. But be prepared – Lady Kiyomi might not take this revelation quietly."
"What do you mean?" Historia asked, her tone carrying a note of protective concern.
"Finding out that a lost princess of Hizuru has been here all along? That's not just diplomacy anymore – that's national identity, cultural heritage. The kind of thing people wage wars over."
"Then we make sure they understand that Mikasa's heritage doesn't change her loyalty to Paradis," Eren stated firmly.
"We present it as a bridge between our nations," Historia added. "Not a claim to Hizuru's throne, but a symbolic connection between our peoples."
Mikasa looked down at the mark on her wrist, no longer hidden after so many years. "Mother," she whispered, barely audible, "I hope I'm doing the right thing."
Historia placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We'll face whatever comes together. All of us."
The others nodded in agreement as night fell over the walls of Paradis, bringing with it the promise of another day that would change their world.
"There's something else we need to consider," Hange said, their expression growing concerned. "What if they ask about the Curse of Ymir? They don't know we've found a way to extend the lifespan of Titan Shifters."
Eren's face hardened slightly. "The specifics of how we've managed to prolong the curse stay within Paradis. If Lady Kiyomi asks, we'll confirm that we've found a way to extend the thirteen-year limit, nothing more."
"Keeping our cards close," Kenny observed. "Smart King."
"The exact method isn't relevant to the negotiations," Historia agreed. "What matters is that we've achieved it."
Levi shifted his weight, focusing on another aspect of their plan. "How exactly do you propose we spread our story around the world? We can't exactly send messengers to every nation."
A familiar gleam appeared in Hange's eyes, and they adjusted their glasses with a slight smirk. "Actually, I've been working on that. We'll conduct detailed interviews with everyone involved. And yes, Captain, that includes you."
Levi's expression froze. "Interviews?"
"Oh yes!" Hange's enthusiasm grew. "Detailed, comprehensive interviews about everything you've experienced. The fall of Wall Maria, the battles, the revelations about the titans—"
"No," Levi said flatly.
Kenny's quiet chuckle grew into full-blown laughter. "Oh, this is perfect! The great Captain-Nephew Levi, humanity's strongest soldier, afraid of a few questions?"
"I'm not afraid," Levi glared at his uncle. "I just don't see the point in—"
"The people need to hear it from those who lived it," Historia interrupted gently. "Your perspective as a soldier who's fought for humanity from the beginning... it matters, Captain."
"Think of it as another kind of battle," Mikasa suggested quietly. "One fought with words instead of blades."
"Tch," Levi crossed his arms. "Fine. But I'm not doing any public speaking."
"Don't worry," Hange assured him, though their grin suggested otherwise. "We'll just record everything and distribute it in written form. Though, if you'd consider a few public appearances—"
"No."
"Just one small—"
"No."
Kenny wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. "This is going to be entertaining as hell. Hey, four-eyes, make sure you ask him about the time he—"
"Finish that sentence and die," Levi threatened.
"See? This is exactly the kind of dynamic people need to see!" Hange exclaimed. "The human side of our struggle, the relationships forged in battle—"
"The way the brat gets when he finds dust on the furniture," Kenny added helpfully.
Eren cleared his throat, drawing attention back to the matters at hand. "The interviews can wait. Tomorrow, we focus on revealing Mikasa's heritage and gauging Hizuru's reaction. After that, we can worry about how to tell our story to the world."
Historia nodded. "Eren's right. One step at a time. Though," she added with a slight smile, "I do look forward to hearing everyone's accounts."
"Just remember," Eren's voice grew serious again, "nothing about how we've extended the Curse of Ymir. That knowledge stays protected."
"Agreed," Hange nodded. "Some secrets need to remain ours, at least for now. Speaking of which, we should probably head inside. The walls have ears, even up here."
As they moved to leave, Kenny couldn't resist one last jab. "Hey, brat, maybe you can practice your interview skills on the way back. Tell us how you really feel about—"
The sound of Kenny dodging a well-aimed kick echoed across the balcony, followed by Hange's barely suppressed laughter and Levi's muttered threats about cleaning duty.
Erwin
In Commander Nile's study, Commander Erwin Smith stood by the window, his arms behind his back as he gazed at the setting sun. Commander Pyxis sat in a leather armchair, taking occasional sips from his flask, while Commander Nile Dok paced the room. Darius Zackly occupied the large chair behind the desk; his fingers steepled before him.
"You seem rather confident, Erwin," Nile said, pausing his pacing. "What if Kiyomi decides to maintain her alliance with Marley?"
"She won't," Erwin replied without turning. "The revelation about Marley's weakened state has already shifted the balance. Lady Kiyomi is nothing if not pragmatic."
Pyxis nodded, lowering his flask. "Hizuru has always prioritized power and influence. They won't tie themselves to a sinking ship."
"Still," Zackly interjected, his voice carrying its usual measured tone, "we should consider our alternatives. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst – isn't that right, Erwin?"
Finally turning from the window, Erwin looked at his friends. "We have several contingencies in place. The anti-Marleyan volunteers have already provided us with valuable intelligence about other nations that might be receptive to an alliance."
"I'm still not sure if we can trust those volunteers." Nile said with a frown.
"We have Zeke in our hands, and based on the info we got from Pieck Finger, and Annie Leonhart. Lady Yelena will not try anything if it means putting Zeke in danger, and Levi is making sure that the two of them will never be in the same room alone. As for the volunteers, I think we can trust them to a degree, after all, they informed us about the Mid East Allied Forces."
"The Mid-East Allied Forces," Nile mused. "They've been at war with Marley before."
"And lost," Zackly pointed out.
"But they haven't forgotten their grudge," Pyxis added, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Nations have long memories when it comes to humiliation."
Erwin moved to the center of the room. "If Hizuru refuses to ally with us, we can approach the Mid-East Alliance. They have the technological advancement we need, and more importantly, they have every reason to want Marley weakened further."
"It's riskier," Nile argued. "The Mid-East Alliance is more fragmented than Hizuru. More parties to convince, more chances for information to leak."
"True," Erwin acknowledged. "But they're also more desperate. Baed on Annie Lonhart's info, she told us that when she became a warrior, one of their first mission was to destroy a city in the East called Aldarim, it's been eight years since that city was destroyed. They'd jump at a chance for revenge, especially now that we've revealed Marley's vulnerability."
Pyxis chuckled softly. "You've thought this through, as always."
"What about our resources?" Zackly asked. "Can we sustain negotiations with multiple parties if Hizuru falls through?"
"We can," Erwin confirmed. "With the help of his grace, and Ymir's Blessed Jaw Titan. We have managed to find a mine filled with Iceburst Stone, enough to last us for decades, and our King belives that there are many other places in Paradis that can give us Iceburst Stone. Hange even belives that with Iceburst Stone we can advance our technology, and soon we won't need alliances to protect ourselves from Marley's superior technology. We're not the same desperate island nation we were a few years ago."
Nile finally stopped pacing and leaned against a bookshelf. "And what if word gets back to Marley that we're shopping for allies?"
"Let it," Erwin's voice carried a hint of steel. "The more Marley focuses on diplomatic threats, the less they'll focus on military ones. And right now, they can't afford a military confrontation."
"Playing their own game against them," Pyxis raised his flask in a small salute. "Beautiful."
Zackly removed his glasses and cleaned them thoughtfully. "And our technological gap?"
"Narrows every day," Erwin replied. "Between what we've learned from the volunteers and our own developments, we're catching up faster than Marley realizes. They still think of us as the primitive island devils they left behind a century ago."
"Their mistake," Pyxis smiled.
"One of many," Erwin agreed. "But I maintain that this contingency planning, while necessary, is unlikely to be needed. Lady Kiyomi is too shrewd to miss this opportunity."
"To abandon a century-old ally?" Nile questioned.
"To align with the winning side," Erwin corrected. "Hizuru has survived this long by knowing when to change allegiances. They'll recognize this moment for what it is – a shifting of power."
Zackly nodded slowly. "And if they don't?"
"Then we move forward regardless," Erwin's voice was firm. "We've survived worse than diplomatic setbacks. Whatever Hizuru decides tomorrow, Paradis will continue to advance. We've come too far to stop now."
The room fell silent as each man considered the weight of tomorrow's meeting. The sun had fully set now, leaving them in the soft glow of oil lamps.
"Well then," Pyxis raised his flask one final time, "to tomorrow's revelations, whatever they may be."
"To Paradis," Zackly added.
"To survival," Nile contributed.
Erwin's face showed the ghost of a smile. "To freedom."
Annie
The empty room was silent save for the soft creak of floorboards as Pieck entered. She stopped in the center of the room, dark eyes scanning the shadows.
"Come out, Annie," she said, voice flat. "I can smell your aroma. You still don't wash that often."
Annie emerged from a corner, stepping into the dim light filtering through the windows. She wore the uniform of the Paradis military, the wings of freedom prominent on her jacket. "Thank you for coming, Pieck."
"Zeke said you were insistent," Pieck replied, her tone carrying an edge that hadn't been there years ago. "Make it quick. I'm not supposed to be here."
"I know," Annie took a step forward, then stopped when she saw Pieck tense. "I just... I need you to understand what happened. Why I made the choices I did."
Pieck's laugh was bitter. "Understand? You want me to understand betrayal?"
"I want you to understand the truth."
"The truth?" Pieck's eyes narrowed. "The truth is that you abandoned everything – abandoned me – so you could side with...them."
Annie's composed expression cracked slightly. "That's not fair, Pieck. You don't know what happened."
"Then enlighten me," Pieck's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Tell me how you justified turning your back on everything we believed in."
"Everything we were told to believe in," Annie corrected quietly. "It started with Marcel."
Pieck's face tightened at the name. "Don't."
"We need to talk about it," Annie insisted. "About how he died. About what really happened that day."
For a moment, it seemed Pieck would walk out, but then she leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "Fine. Talk."
"We were kids," Annie began, her voice distant. "Just kids walking through titan territory, carrying the weight of Marley's expectations. When that titan emerged from the ground, we all froze. All except Marcel."
"He was always the brave one," Pieck said softly, almost to herself.
"He pushed Reiner out of the way," Annie continued. "One moment he was there, the next..." She closed her eyes. "We all just froze as he was eaten."
"Stop."
"We ran. We were supposed to be warriors, but we ran like scared children because that's what we were." Annie opened her eyes, meeting Pieck's gaze. "That's when I first started to question everything."
"Question what? That missions are dangerous? That people die?"
"Question why children were sent to do this in the first place," Annie replied. "Why we were taught to hate people we'd never met. Why we were told we could redeem ourselves by killing others."
Pieck's expression remained hard, but something flickered in her eyes. "So you decided to join those people instead?"
"No," Annie shook her head. "At first, I just wanted to complete the mission and come home. Come back to..." she hesitated. "Come back to you."
The words hung in the air between them.
"But then I met them," Annie continued. "The people we were supposed to hate. The 'devils' who turned out to be just like us – scared, confused, trying to survive in a world that wanted them dead."
"And Eren?" Pieck's voice carried a new edge. "Was he just another scared survivor?"
Annie's lips curved slightly. "Eren was... different. He reminded me of you, actually. The way he could see through pretenses, the way he fought for what he believed in."
"Don't," Pieck warned. "Don't compare us."
"He showed me kindness when I expected hatred," Annie pressed on. "They all did. No one here called me a devil, Pieck. No one told me I had to earn the right to exist."
"We had each other in Marley," Pieck's voice wavered slightly. "Wasn't that enough?"
"We had moments in between being weapons," Annie countered. "We had whispered conversations about a freedom we weren't allowed to have. Here, I found that freedom."
"Freedom?" Pieck laughed bitterly. "Is that what you call betraying everything and everyone?"
"I betrayed a lie," Annie's voice strengthened. "The final straw was Marco."
"Marco?"
"When Reiner ordered me to remove Marco's ODM gear, knowing it would lead to his death..." Annie's hands clenched. "That's when I knew I couldn't continue. We weren't warriors fighting for a noble cause. We were children being used as murderers."
"So you chose them over us. Over me."
"I chose truth over lies," Annie took another step forward. "I chose to stop being a weapon for people who saw us as disposable. Including my father."
Pieck's expression shifted at the mention of Annie's father. She knew what that man had done, how he had treated Annie.
"My father..." Annie's voice turned hard. "He's probably still in Marley, telling everyone how his daughter was corrupted by island devils. He'll never admit that his 'training' was abuse, that his 'love' was control."
"Annie..."
"But here?" Annie gestured around them. "Here I found real family. People who love me for who I am, not what I can do for them. Eren, Historia, all of them – they showed me what real acceptance feels like."
"And what about my acceptance?" Pieck's voice was barely a whisper. "What about what we had?"
Annie's expression softened. "What we had was real, Pieck. But it was built on a foundation of lies and fear. We were both so scared, all the time. Scared of being discovered, scared of failing, scared of losing each other anyway."
"And now you're not scared?" Pieck's tone was challenging.
"Now I'm scared of different things," Annie admitted. "But I'm scared as a free person, not as a weapon. I'm scared for the people I love, not of the people who claim to love me."
Pieck pushed off from the wall, pacing the room. "You make it sound so simple. Like betrayal is just a choice anyone could make."
"It wasn't simple," Annie's voice cracked slightly. "Leaving you was the hardest part. But I couldn't keep living a lie, even for you."
"So you found new lovers instead," Pieck's words were sharp. "A king and his queens. How convenient."
"That's not fair and you know it," Annie replied firmly. "What I have with Eren and Historia isn't about convenience. It's about understanding, about shared pain and healing. About building something new from the ashes of all the lies we were told."
"And what about what we could have built?" Pieck stopped pacing, facing Annie directly. "If you had just come back to Marley, we could have..."
"Could have what?" Annie asked softly. "Continued sneaking around? Continued being weapons? Continued pretending we believed in a cause that was destroying us?"
Pieck didn't answer.
"I love them, Pieck," Annie said quietly. "But that doesn't mean I ever stopped caring about you. That's why I wanted you to know the truth. About Marcel, about Marco, about everything."
"The truth," Pieck repeated bitterly. "The truth is that you chose them over me."
"No," Annie shook her head. "I chose freedom over captivity. I chose truth over lies. And I'm asking you to make the same choice."
Pieck's head snapped up. "What?"
"I want you to side with us, to truly side with us," Annie said simply. "Make your own choice, not the one that was forced on you."
"You're insane," Pieck breathed. "You're actually insane."
"Maybe," Annie smiled slightly. "But I'm free.".
"I should kill you right now," Pieck finally said, but there was no real threat in her voice.
"You could try," Annie replied, a ghost of their old banter in her tone.
"Does he make you happy?" Pieck asked suddenly. "Eren?"
"Yes," Annie answered honestly. "He and Historia both do. But it's more than that. I'm happy with myself now. The person I am, not the weapon I was trained to be."
Pieck moved toward the door, then paused. "I can't forgive you. Not yet."
"I know."
"But..." Pieck's hand rested on the doorknob. "I'm glad you're not dead."
Annie's breath caught. "Pieck..."
"Don't," Pieck cut her off. "Just... stay alive, Annie. Whatever else happens, stay alive."
Before Annie could respond, Pieck was gone, leaving behind only the faint scent of her perfume – the same one she'd worn years ago, when they were young and thought they could find freedom in this cruel world.
Annie stood alone in the room, tears finally falling freely down her cheeks. "You too, Pieck," she whispered to the empty air. "Stay alive too."
Tomorrow
The grand meeting hall buzzed with tension and anticipation. Eren sat on the main chair of the large hall, Historia beside him, their hands subtly linked between their seats.
Captain Levi stood at attention near the royal chairs, while Hange fidgeted with their glasses, barely containing their excitement. Annie maintained her position by the door, her ice-blue eyes constantly scanning for threats. Mikasa stood quietly at Eren's other side.
Lady Kiyomi entered with her delegation, Rosalinda and Haru following closely. The young Eldian woman's beauty caused many young soldiers to blush slightly, while Haru's serious expression seemed to lighten as he took in the gathered assembly.
"Lady Kiyomi," Eren's voice carried easily through the hall, a smile warming his features. "I trust you've found your accommodations satisfactory?"
Kiyomi returned the smile with practiced grace. "More than satisfactory, Your Grace. The hospitality of Paradis has exceeded our expectations."
"We're pleased to hear that," Historia added, her gentle voice carrying its own authority. "Your presence here means a great deal to us."
"Speaking of meaning," Kiyomi's eyes sparkled with something that looked almost like suppressed excitement. "Before we resume our diplomatic discussions, there's something I believe you should see."
She nodded to Haru, who stepped forward with a carefully folded flag. As he unfurled it, gasps echoed through the hall. The fabric was rich and deep blue, but what caught everyone's attention was the central emblem – three swords arranged in a triangle, encircled by an intricate band.
"This symbol," Kiyomi's voice took on a formal tone, "does it look familiar to anyone here?"
For a moment, silence reigned. Then, Mikasa stepped forward. She pushed up her sleeve, revealing her wrist where the same symbol was tattooed in dark ink.
"My mother..." Mikasa's voice was soft but clear. "She gave me this mark when I was very young. She told me it was important, that one day I should pass it on to my own children."
Kiyomi's face transformed with joy, her diplomatic mask falling away to reveal genuine emotion. To everyone's shock, she bowed deeply before Mikasa.
"At last," Kiyomi's voice trembled slightly. "The lost princess returns to us."
"Princess?" Annie leaned forward.
"What do you mean?" Mikasa asked, her hand unconsciously moving to touch the mark on her wrist. Kenny had told them yesterday what that symbol could mean, but she had thought her very distant uncle was just messing around or was drunk or both.
"That symbol," Kiyomi straightened, tears glistening in her eyes, "is the crest of Hizuru's royal family. Your mother was our nation's lost daughter, who fled during a time of great upheaval. We had almost lost hope of ever finding her line again."
Historia's hand tightened on Eren's as they watched their friend's face cycle through confusion, disbelief, and something approaching wonder.
"Mikasa," Rosalinda stepped forward, her dark hair catching the light as she moved, "you are the last of Hizuru's royal bloodline. The rightful princess of our nation."
"I..." Mikasa looked toward Eren and Historia, as if seeking confirmation that this was real. "I never knew."
"Your mother protected you by keeping it secret," Kiyomi explained gently. "Those were dangerous times. But now..." She straightened, her voice carrying through the hall. "Now, Hizuru officially recognizes Princess Mikasa as our own, and with that recognition comes our complete alliance with Paradis Island."
Hange could no longer contain themselves. "This is amazing! This means we have a chance—"
"Hange," Levi warned, though his own expression showed rare surprise.
"A princess," Historia's voice carried a note of joy. "Mikasa, this is wonderful!"
Eren stood from his royal chair, descending the steps to stand before his friend/lover and protector. "Mikasa, are you alright?"
Mikasa's eyes were distant, perhaps seeing memories of her mother in a new light. "I always wondered why she was so insistent about the mark," she said softly. "Why she made me promise to continue the tradition."
"Your mother would be proud," Kiyomi said softly. "You have grown into a warrior and protector worthy of your heritage."
"This changes nothing," Mikasa said suddenly, her eyes focusing on Eren and Historia. "My loyalty remains with Paradis, with my family here."
Kiyomi's smile widened. "My dear, that's exactly what we hoped for. Your dual heritage, your loyalty to both nations – it makes you the perfect bridge between our peoples."
"And through you," Rosalinda added, "our alliance will be more than just paper and promises. It will be sealed in blood and honor."
Eren's face broke into a wide grin. "Well, Mikasa, looks like you've managed to surprise even me after all these years."
"Your Grace," Kiyomi addressed Eren formally, "Queen Historia, with your permission, I would like to begin instructing Princess Mikasa in her heritage. Of course," she added with a knowing smile, "this would not affect her current duties or loyalties."
Historia stood, joining Eren. "Of course. Mikasa is family – this only makes that bond stronger."
Annie's voice carried from her position by the door, a rare smile touching her lips. "So does this mean we have to bow to Mikasa now?"
"Don't worry, kid," Kenny called out to Mikasa. "Being royalty ain't all that special. Just ask the shorty over there," he jerked his thumb at Levi, who shot him a murderous glare.
"Does this mean we have to call her 'Your Royal Scariness' now?" Connie wondered aloud, earning a light smack on the head from Jean.
The tension in the room broke as several people laughed, including Mikasa herself, whose shoulders relaxed slightly.
"I'd like to see you try," Levi muttered, though there was pride in his eyes as he looked at his fellow Ackerman.
"From this day forward," Kiyomi proclaimed, "Hizuru stands with Paradis. Our resources, our technology, our strength – all of it in service of our shared future." She turned to Mikasa. "And our lost princess has finally come home, even as she stays right where she belongs."
Mikasa looked around the room – at Eren and Historia, at her comrades and friends, at the delegation from a homeland she never knew she had. Her hand touched the mark on her wrist again, but this time with understanding rather than question.
"Thank you."
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