Gala

(Eren POV)

Eren slid his hands through the black suit and straightened it. Looking into the mirror; he was surprised at how much clothing could change one's appearance. Since childhood, he had never paid attention to what he wore; it was too much of a hassle.

Mikasa stepped in front of him and began to adjust his cravat. "It's too loose. Your hair is in a mess as well."

He glanced at the figure in blue busy tidying him up. The tight halter bodice had caused the outline of her curves to be displayed perfectly, and the sleeveless dress exposing her slender shoulders and arms; it wouldn't be surprising if someone mistook her for nobility.

"It's done," Mikasa said. "How about me? How do I look?"

"You look beau-- I mean good." He wanted to say beautiful, but yet that seemed a bit inappropriate. Wouldn't it make them sound like lovers?

They left their room and began to head towards the hotel lobby. While descending the stairs, he stole another glance at Mikasa - who was looking at him as well. He immediately broke eye contact, turning his head away.

"Is there something on my face, Eren?"

He quickened his steps, walking ahead of Mikasa. "No, I was looking at … the hairclip! I think it really suits you."

"Oh. Thanks."

Eren tucked his hands into the side pocket. What was wrong with him? He was acting like a fool.

Upon reaching the entrance of the lobby, they met up with Erwin and boarded an elegant carriage waiting for them. Wearing a black suit and hat, the commander looked incredibly gentlemanly.

Amidst the familiar creak of wheels, Erwin straightened his sleeves. "You're looking incredibly nervous, Eren. Compose yourself. "

"Yeah." He took in a few deep breaths.

"Has anyone approached you so far?"

"The State Minister. As you predicted, he wanted me to join the Military Police and would speak to me later again at the gala about it." He said. "What should I do?"

Hands clasped together, Erwin rested his chin on them. "So they've already made their move? In this case … it would be best to stall for as long as possible. Just tell them you still need more time to consider ."

"Do you know why they are after me though?"

Erwin's blue eyes fixed on him. "I should be able to have a clue regarding that soon enough, hopefully, that man is able to find something."

"That man?" Eren asked.

"Just enjoy yourself at the gala for now. I trust you know the etiquette regarding it?"

"I guess." He scratched his head. Etiquette? Wasn't it just drinking and dancing?

The carriage soon stopped in front of a pair of towering oak and golden doors. At the side of the entrance, multiple people in long black coats and hats were checking the identities of those entering. They were most likely the interior brigade that Erwin mentioned previously; the people in charge of security within the inner district.

Once he was cleared by them, he stepped into an extravagant spacious ballroom. An orchestra played in the background while a few couples were dancing in the middle of the room. The high ceiling, littered with gold chandeliers, was painted with a queer picture: Eight strange-looking titans kneeling in front of a lady. She held a horn in her lowered right hand, and behind her raised left hand was a huge twelve-sided star that stood out between the parting clouds.

Erwin smiled. "Go ahead and enjoy yourselves, it's a well-deserved break after all you've done. I will be socializing with the noblemen who belong to the faction backing the Survey Corps."

He nodded, watching the commander walk off towards a group of nobles that were drinking at the side of the room.

Mikasa prodded. "Shall we get some food?"

"Yeah. I'm hungry already."

Upon filling their plates with the generous selection of delicacies, they retreated to a corner of the room. Eren listened to the sweet music while he helped himself to the grilled fish; it was simply too delicious.

"Here, you should try this. It's really good!"

He turned his gaze towards Mikasa, a hint of red was showing on her cheeks. "Strawberries?"

"Mhm, give it a go." She held a fork out towards him, the pinkish fruit stuck on its tip.

Eren took the food in his mouth. No sooner did he do so, sweetness burst forth as his teeth sank on it. The food that the nobles ate was really something else.

"How was it?"

"It's really tasty. Could I have another one?"

"Of course." Mikasa raised the fork with the strawberry towards his mouth again. "Here."

He helped himself to it, savoring every bite slowly alongside the rich flavors.

"Eren Yeager, I presume?"A voice came from his side.

He quickly put down the unfinished food and placed his hands behind him. "Delt-off ... I mean Sir!"

The man raised his hand. "At ease, no need to be so formal. Is the food here to your liking? They were prepared by one of the few Fritz-starred chefs within the walls."

Eren gasped. Fritz-starred chefs? No wonder the food was so exceptional. "Yes, it was excellent."

"I presume this is your girlfriend and future wife, Miss Ackerman?"

"I-I" He wanted to deny it, but the words seemed to be stuck in his mouth.

"Well, no need to be embarrassed. Even among nobles, it is common for our children to get married at a young age. So, have you considered the offer I raised to you earlier? Upon joining the Military Police, we will double your pay on top of what the Survey Corps is paying you, and grant you your own residence within the Inner District of Mitras as well. "

He paused for a moment. "Thank you, sir, I am truly honored by your generosity, but I still require some more time to ponder about it."

"Is that so ..." The man's expression darkened for a moment, then he smiled at him. "Well, my offer still stands. If you change your mind anytime, the doors of the Military Police are always open to you ." He turned and strode off.

Eren leaned sideways against a pillar and sighed. Questions had been piling up inside his mind more and more. From the system, he knew the power of the Attack Titan and Founding Titan resided in him, but how did he even get it in the first place and what powers did they have? Then there were the titan shifters like Annie who were after him, and now the government wanted him too.

He shook his head and turned his attention to the ceiling, admiring the intricacies of the painting earlier. The artist had a very strange impression of the titans, the way the eight titans knelt before the lady seemed to suggest they were her servants; why was she holding a horn in her right hand anyway? She seemed like a divine being with the way she was drawn.

A jab of pain struck his head, and a scene began to emerge in his mind.

A group of people surrounded him, and he was speaking something while gesturing towards a poster pinned to a wooden board. What was on the poster looked exactly like the painting on the high ceiling in the ballroom.

"I'm sure of it! When you add in the government information the owl has sent us, it's a certainty. The Founding Titan which King Fritz took with him inside the walls, that is the key to Eldia's Restoration!"

"You've done well to find out all of this, Grisha." A tall bespectacled man stepped forward. "With you and Dina, once we reclaim the Founding Titan, we will be able to use its ability to-"

He gripped his forehead tightly; Grisha? Were those his dad's memories? There was something mentioned about the Founding Titan too; what exactly was the Eldia Restoration? The conversation was too confusing and he couldn't recall anything further.

"And now the next song, Paradise - written by the renowned composer, Hugh Reiss, who lived during the founding of our walls!" The conductor's voice snapped him out of his thoughts, then sweet music began to fill the ballroom.

Glancing beside him, Mikasa was brushing her own hair; her black eyes glued towards the figures dancing in front of them. Did she want to do so as well? Why didn't she just ask him if she wanted to?

"Mikasa."

"Eren?"

He held her hand, pulling her along as they walked towards the center of the ballroom. "Let's go. Geez, if you want to dance just say so. Why are you being so shy? We're family right?"

"Y-yeah."

When they had reached the middle of the place, they stopped. One hand already holding hers, he wrapped the other hand around her waist. If it would make Mikasa happy, he didn't mind. "Ahem, may I have the pleasure of this dance ?"

She placed her other hand on his arm. "Mhm."

"Let's begin." He took a step forward.

Mikasa's body trembled and she bit down on her lip.

"Sorry!" Eren said, realizing he had stepped on her foot . Why was he so clumsy?

"It's fine." She smiled. "Follow my rhythm. We'll move our feet at the counts of one, two, and three. One … two … three..."

Under Mikasa's guidance, he was able to follow the dance easily. His left foot would move forward at one. Two, the right foot would move to align itself beside the left. At three, his right foot would take another step forward and the whole process repeated itself afterward.

Soon he was able to unconsciously follow the simple rhythm and didn't need Mikasa to keep saying the numbers.

"You're pretty good at this, where did you learn it?" Eren asked.

"Didn't you pay attention to Commander Erwin's instructions? He told you to study the etiquette beforehand." Mikasa said. "I learned it from a book."

"Wasn't it supposed to be for Petra?"

Her face started to blush. "A-ah yes, I just happened to come across it as well. You are too far away. You need to hold me closer."

He squinted his eyes. Was she trying to change the topic? "Okay." He pulled her in. "Is this better?"

Mikasa's face turned even redder. She nodded, and they continued to move along with the beat of the music. The song was surprisingly simple, its beats staying constant for the most part; yet conveying a sense of peace and melancholy.

He could feel the warmth from Mikasa's body on her hands, it was always so gentle and kind. His gaze continued to be locked with hers; her eyes seemed so enchanting today.

The music soon began to fade away, bringing their dance to an end. Mikasa's eyes were sparkling, and her hands were still holding on to him; did she want to continue? Remembering how mean he used to be to Mikasa made him want to make it up to her

"Let's go on."

Mikasa's face lit up and she nodded. Then the conductor spoke again, and a piece of melodious music from the strings of the violins began to slowly fill their surroundings.

He inspected the other couples dancing around them. "I feel like we're a little out of place. The beat of the music now seems to be much faster than the one before."

"Raise your left hand higher, after the third count." Mikasa's voice grew bubbly. "And let go of your other hand at the same time."

He obeyed and loosened his right hand. Slipping away from him, Mikasa spun gracefully under his left hand; resembling nothing like the super soldier she was on the battlefield.

"How was it … Eren?"

He placed his right hand back on her waist. "It was really nice."

Mikasa's head bowed a little in response, and they continued to dance along with the melody.

Her face was glowing while the corners of her eyes crinkled; the kind smile that hung on Mikasa's face didn't fade one bit since the start of the dance. When was the last time he had seen her so happy? Eren spun Mikasa around one more time. "Come to think of it … there's something different about you tonight."

"Is there?"

"Yeah, try and guess. It's regarding what you're wearing."

"The dress?"

He shook his head. "It's the first time I've seen you not wearing your scarf."

Mikasa's hands that were on him tightened, it was as if she was afraid to let him go.

"It's probably uncomfortable to have it on all the time, especially when the weather is hot." He said. "You should wear it less often if it makes you feel that way."

"No … I like the warmth from it."

The song soon began to slowly fade away along with their steps until it stopped. They retreated to a corner and leaned their backs against an empty table.

Beside him, Mikasa looked away, resting her left hand on top of his right. "Thanks, Eren."

Feeling the heat radiating from her palm on top of his right hand, he gripped the side of the table underneath it even more tightly.

"It's okay, I'm glad you enjoyed it." His pulse racing, he motioned for a waitress with his free hand to bring some drinks over. He needed something to distract himself with. It was this feeling again, and he didn't know how to deal with it.

When the glasses and bottle were set on the table, he poured himself one and lifted it to his lips.

Mikasa gripped his hand and stopped him from drinking it. "Are you sure you want to do that? I don't think you can take liquor. Don't you remember what happened when you stole some of it from dad's room to try when you were young?"

He paused. Was Mikasa belittling his abilities? He couldn't let her think that way, that would make him appear lousy in front of her. "Don't look down on me. That was five years ago, I'm actually a really good drinker, I just don't show it." He downed the wine. "See? I'm good."

"Your cheeks are really red, I think you should stop. It's a bad idea."

Mikasa was still looking down on him. He finished off another glass of wine. "E-easy." His body was now warm and fuzzy. "I-I can h-handle this. P-piece of cake."

She snatched the bottle away from the table. "No, you are getting drunk. St-"

He helped himself to another glass, swallowing it in its entirety. "I-I a-am o-okay." Then he wrestled the bottle from her hands, letting a mouthful of wine run down his throat until it was searing hot, and slammed it back on the table. "S-see-e-e?"

A sense of weightlessness struck him and he collapsed on the floor, his back leaning against a leg of the table.

"Eren!"

Amidst the blurring vision, he clenched his teeth; his heart was still beating so fast.

A/N: 2.5k words