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Eren glanced down at the woman kneeling at the foot of the throne. His brother had mentioned her a few times—Yelena. But Eren's mind replayed what Pieck had told him: Yelena was Zeke's most fervent believer, and under no circumstances should she ever be left alone with him.
"Lady Yelena, welcome to Paradis Island—the Island of Devils," Eren announced, his voice ringing with authority. Yelena chuckled softly, her lips curling into a smile as she looked up at him, seemingly pleased by his words.
"You must be King Eren Yeager. While driving here, I heard a lot about you." Yelena said, her gaze lingering on him before shifting briefly to the Queen.
"My name is Historia Reiss-Yeager, Queen of Paradis Island," Historia interjected, her tone sharp and unyielding. "Now that the introductions are out of the way, let's get to business."
"Of course, Your Grace. I'm at your service," Yelena replied with an air of devotion, but her sincerity was impossible to gauge. She knelt, lowering her head in a gesture of submission, though her eyes were fixed on the floor, avoiding theirs.
"Zeke Yeager has claimed that he can make contanct with other countries out there. Introduce us to those countries and in the future to make alliances with them. Lady Yelena, is there any way you can help Zeke to prove to us all that he was telling the truth." Eren said with a calm voice, looking down at Yelena. The moment Yelena realized that Zeke's life was on the line, they all noticed the subtle shift her body made.
"Of course, your grace. Zeke Yeager has contact with many countries out there, and I know how to make contact with them." Yelena said eagerly right away, and this time, it sounded more genuine.
"Of course, Your Grace," Yelena responded quickly, this time with a more genuine tone. "Zeke Yeager has connections with several nations, and I know how to reach them."
"Which countries, exactly, are you referring to?" Historia asked, her voice cutting through the tension. "We would like to know a little about their history to know how high the chances of them becoming our allies are."
Yelena nodded eagerly. "Your Grace, there are many nations that despise Marley, ever since the Great Titan War. Many wish to break free from Marley's grip, but they fear the Nine Titans, particularly the Colossal Titan. He's the one they dread most. If you're looking to form alliances, I would recommend reaching out to Hizuru."
"Hizuru?" Erwin questioned; he remembered hearing that name from Grisha's Diary. Only a few people knew all the information in the books. Some of the things found in those three books were kept secret for now.
"Yes. Out of all the countries out there. Hizuru is the only place that tolerates Eldians. Just like every country out there. Eldians exist in Hizuru but unlike in other countries. In Hizuru, they are treated like human beings. Some countries even call them 'Eldian Sympthaziers.' In Marley they were cases of Eldians who tried to run away, and go to Hizuru in hopes of having a better life, but there were also cases of them being caught, and...Marley wasn't really kind to them your grace." Yelena explained grimly at the end.
The thought of this country treating Eldians like human beings sounded like the best news they had received for a very long time. Even someone like Levi appeared to be a little shocked by the news, in a good way.
Especially Historia, who smiled brightly at the thought of this country; she didn't know yet if Yelena was telling the truth, but she reminded herself that Zeke's life was on the line, and if they were lying, she would cut their heads herself as Eren did with those filthy soldiers who attacked the Marley soldiers.
"Annie Leonhart," Erwin turned his attention to the quiet warrior who had remained in the hall with them, "did you know about Hizuru?"
Annie responded casually, "I've heard of it, but I never knew it was a safe haven for Eldians."
Her words made the room tense, and everyone's eyes shifted suspiciously toward Yelena. Sensing the mounting distrust, Annie continued, "But then again, Marley controls the flow of information inside Liberio. It's possible they ensured we never heard anything positive about Hizuru. I only heard of its existence after I became a Warrior."
This softened the group's suspicion somewhat, easing the harsh glares directed at Yelena.
"That sounds promising," Commander Pyxis commented thoughtfully, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied Yelena before turning to Eren. "I think we should make contact with this country."
Before anyone else could speak, Commander Nile opened his mouth to protest, but Eren raised a hand, silencing the room.
"We'll discuss that later," Eren said firmly. He shifted his posture, knitting his hands together in front of his chest and resting his chin on them. "Lady Yelena, is there anything else you wish to share with us?"
"There are many countries I could speak about, Your Grace," Yelena replied with a glint in her eye, "but I would appreciate a good rest first." Her request, though reasonable, caused Nile to glare at her, clearly feeling that a prisoner was asking for too much.
"That's to be expected," Historia interjected before any tension could escalate. Eren nodded in agreement with his queen.
"We are good hosts, after all," Historia continued. "A room has been prepared for you, complete with a bath and food. You may rest there, and you are free to explore the castle grounds. However, two soldiers will accompany you at all times, and you are not allowed to speak with Zeke Yeager in private unless Captain Levi Ackerman or Mikasa Ackerman is present. Lady Yelena, do you accept these conditions?"
Though Yelena seemed briefly unsettled by the strict conditions and opened her mouth to protest, she quickly closed it, nodding slowly in defeat. "Of course, Your Grace. I accept your conditions."
Eren watched as Yelena exited the room. The door shut with a heavy thud, and once it was closed, he cleared his throat to gather everyone's attention.
"We'll have a meeting immediately," Eren declared, descending the steps from the throne alongside Historia. He then turned to William Andre, the Head of the Royal Guards. Unlike Kenny, who served as their personal spy and bodyguard, William oversaw all the guards in the Royal Capital, ensuring the security of the entire palace.
"William, I need you to inform Commander Zackly that this meeting is happening in ten minutes, and I expect him here," Eren ordered, his tone firm. William saluted sharply, acknowledging the command.
William was a man with long, flowing blond hair that framed his face. He was clad in the royal guard's uniform. "Of course, Your Grace," he replied before swiftly exiting the room to carry out his orders.
As the door closed behind him, Eren gently linked his arm with Historia's, leading her toward the council chamber.
Within minutes, the Military Council began to gather in the small council room, ready for the urgent meeting.
They entered a grand and opulent chamber, its vast space illuminated by golden sunlight streaming through tall, vaulted windows. The light casts long, warm rays across the room.
At the center stands a high-backed chair, richly upholstered with deep golden fabric and adorned with intricate carvings along its edges. The chair sits elevated on a dais. Behind the chair, the walls rise tall, framed by enormous pillars that stretch upward into shadow, their surfaces decorated with ornate carvings.
In front of the throne-like chair, a long, rectangular table stretches toward the foreground. Several smaller chairs surround the table, simpler and less ornate than the one at the head. The table is polished wood, gleaming in the sunlight, with faint scratches.
The chamber's floor is a checkerboard of light and shadow, with the sun highlighting the rich, polished marble beneath the table. Along the sides of the room, tall plants in decorative pots add a touch of color. The walls, lined with more detailed carvings and tapestries—show scenes of great Titans marching through a city.
Eren sat in the grand chair at the head of the table, with Historia seated opposite him. The commanders took their places around the table. Soon, the door creaked open, and Zackly entered, followed by William, who closed the door behind him.
"Your Grace, I apologize for the delay. I came as quickly as I could," Zackly said, settling into the chair next to Commander Erwin. The remaining commanders sat on the opposite side.
"No need to apologize, Mister Zackly. The meeting has just begun. Are you aware of what this meeting is about?" Eren asked, his voice calm but direct.
The older man nodded as he placed a thick stack of papers on the table, turning to face Eren.
"Yes, Your Grace. William informed me that Lady Yelena claims a place called Hizuru is a safe haven for Eldians, and that they may be willing to form an alliance with us."
"That's correct," Eren replied. "But this isn't a decision I want to make without seeking advice first." He turned his attention to Commander Nile.
"What are your thoughts?" Eren asked. Despite the recent issues surrounding the Prison's Warden, he still valued Nile's counsel. The commander seemed relieved that the King sought his input.
"I believe this is an opportunity for us, but we must be careful. We still can't trust her words—she is an ally of Zeke Yeager, the man responsible for turning three of our villages into Titans. That alone is proof enough that he cannot be trusted. Even his former allies—Annie Leonhart and Pieck Finger—warned us about him. Their message was clear: Zeke is not to be trusted. And I believe that mistrust should extend to his allies as well."
Nile paused, scanning the room before continuing, "We don't know much about Hizuru, but without risk, there's no reward. My recommendation is to make contact with Hizuru alone for now. We should wait until we gather more information about other countries before considering alliances with them."
Eren listened intently, offering no immediate response. He simply nodded and turned his gaze to Commander Pyxis, who was preoccupied with pouring himself a glass of wine.
"Commander Pyxis?" Eren prompted.
Pyxis took a sip of his wine before speaking. "I remember when Erwin first told me he had people who could turn into Titans. I thought he'd finally lost his mind. But when he explained it all, I believed him. Anyone else would have reported him to the King, but sometimes, I think, you have to go to extremes for the future. I've never seen the outside world, and I'll probably die without ever seeing it. But I believe Paradis is far behind the rest of the world. We're not in a position to be choosy. If we reject this opportunity, what was the point of fighting against Marley's soldiers?" Pyxis cast a long look at Eren before turning back to his glass of wine. "I'm in favor of making contact with Hizuru, Your Grace."
Eren nodded, acknowledging his stance, before turning to Commander Erwin. "What about you, Commander Erwin?"
Erwin smiled faintly. Even now, as King, Eren still addressed him by his title. "I agree with Commander Pyxis, but unlike the others, I don't think we should stop with Hizuru. I believe we should contact anyone willing to listen. Time is gold, and we must use it now before it runs out. We should make contact with as many countries as we can." Erwin said.
Nile frowned. "Erwin, hold on. That's not wise. You heard what everyone's said about the outside world. Even Annie Leonhart mentioned how much everyone hates Eldians. We should only contact Hizuru for now."
"There's no point in waiting, Nile. Yelena said the world is growing tired of Marley."
Nile scoffed. "Are you relying on her now?"
"I'm not relying on her," Erwin responded calmly. "But even Leonhart reported that her first battle was against a nation called Dolsan, in the south of the continent. Marley sent their new generation of warriors to test them, to conquer more land. This shows the rest of the world doesn't have a favorable opinion of Marley either."
"I've spoken more with Commander Magath. The man's like a puzzle, but I'm getting closer to understanding him."
Nile smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "Anything you'd like to share with the rest of the class?"
"Not much, I'm afraid," Erwin said, his tone growing more serious. "But I have reason to believe that the Tybur family, the holders of the War Hammer Titan, are the ones truly in charge of Marley."
Eren's eyes widened at the revelation. "The Tybur family?"
"Well, that's ironic," Historia said, her voice laced with disgust. "The Tybur family allowing their own people to suffer."
Pyxis set his wine down, sharing Historia's sentiment with a grim look.
"While I believe Commander Erwin is right," Zackly interjected, clearing his throat and scratching his beard thoughtfully, "we should remember that Marley has been using Eldians in their wars. For over a century since the Great Titan War, the world still hates and fears Eldians, largely because Marley has weaponized us and the Titans for their own gain."
"What's your point, Zackly?" Nile asked impatiently, arms crossed as he leaned forward.
"I'm saying our first step should be to distance ourselves from Marley as much as possible. We need to show the world that we're not part of the Marleyan—the one that's attacked nations for the past century—but rather, we are their victims," Zackly explained, and his words quickly drew the full attention of both Eren and Historia.
"And how do you suggest we do that, General?" Historia asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"News here spreads through newspapers, and from what we've learned from our allies within Marley, it's the same over there. I see no reason why Hizuru would be different. My suggestion is that we form an alliance with Hizuru, then use their newspaper networks to spread our story."
"Our story?" Historia echoed.
"Yes," Zackly continued. "While it won't erase all the hatred towards Eldians, it will help. It'll make other nations think twice about engaging with us, and it'll further tarnish Marley's reputation—making them appear even worse than they already do."
Eren's expression softened as he listened, relief washing over him. "Mister Zackly raises a good point," Historia agreed, and the other commanders nodded in approval, clearly satisfied with the proposal.
"So, it seems the decision is made," Historia said, a small but genuine smile spreading across her face. "We will make contact with Hizuru, earn their trust, and then spread our story to the world." For the first time, she felt a sense of true hope for the future—a future without endless wars, a future where their children could live in peace, free from the constant threat of Marley or any other nation.
"Yes, we're in agreement," Eren acknowledged, though his expression suddenly grew more serious. "But there's something else I need to address."
"What would that be, Your Grace?" Zackly asked, his tone shifting to match Eren's gravity.
"Yelena mentioned that the other countries live in fear of Marley because of their Titans, and Annie Leonhart and Pieck Finger confirmed that the rest of the world is evolving more than Marley in terms of technology. We don't know yet how much more advanced they are, but whatever the case, if Marley was suddenly with only one Titan left. I think the other countries will want to take back their stolen land." Eren said, a sly smirk curling on his lips. The commanders, along with Zackly and Historia, quickly grasped his meaning.
"You're suggesting we leak information to the other nations—that Marley has no Titans left, aside from the Pure Titans, which are easily dealt with?" Nile asked, though he already knew the answer. A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth; he liked where this was going.
"Marley still controls the War Hammer Titan," Historia interjected, always quick to ground the conversation in reality. "We don't know how powerful it is, considering it hasn't been used for over a century. But I agree—we could use this to incite conflict between Marley and the other countries. It would buy us time, and who knows? Marley might lose significant territory, and in doing so, no longer pose a threat to us." She smiled slightly, her mind already turning over the possibilities.
"True, we don't know the full strength of the War Hammer," Eren acknowledged, "but right now, we have three of the Blessed Titans here on this island. I hold the Blessed Attack Titan, Ymir controls the Blessed Jaw Titan, and Marlowe Freudenberg wields the Blessed Colossal Titan. Whoever holds the War Hammer cannot be a Blessed Titan, and there won't be any new Blessed Titans for at least eighty years. So, even if the War Hammer is the second most powerful, we're safe to assume that one or two Blessed Titan would be enough to counter it."
Eren's eyes gleamed with a cold logic. "The War Hammer may be the second strongest Titan, but it hasn't seen battle in over a century. The last time it was used, armies were still using muskets and cannons—artillery that couldn't even scratch the Armored Titan. The world has changed, and I think we can use that to our advantage. When the time is right, we could leak this information, trigger a war between Marley and the other nations. It would buy us more time, and if we play our cards right, we could use that war to secure peace for ourselves once it's over."
Peace sounded strange to him, but he was sure he could achieve it: his children would live in a free world, whatever it took to achieve that.
"I agree with this plan," Erwin said, breaking the moment of silence. The others nodded in unison
Later
"Your Grace, this is a new prototype—our first pistol with a magazine that holds seven bullets," Hange explained, beaming as she handed the new weapon to Eren.
Eren took the gun from her, inspecting it briefly before passing it back. "Good job, all of you," he said, his tone warm but professional. "Any issues so far? I know prototypes can have their fair share of problems." Even though it looked promising, Eren knew it could take months before they'd be ready for mass production.
"No, Your Grace," Urh, an elderly engineer, chimed in, practically glowing with excitement. "The Titan Hardening material is a miracle. It's easier to work with, and it greatly reduces the chances of the gun overheating or exploding in the user's hand."
Eren chuckled at the old man's enthusiasm. "Very well. I want mass production to begin as soon as possible. Speak with the minister of coins—he'll provide whatever resources you need."
Hange gave a mock salute and turned to leave, ready to get started on the grenade prototype. But Eren's voice stopped her. "Hange, can you stay for a moment?"
She paused mid-step, turning back to face him with a curious tilt of her head. Once the door closed behind the others, her expression lit up with a mischievous grin. "What can I do for you, Great King Yeager? Or should I call you Yeager King? No, wait—" she dramatically cleared her throat and gave a mock bow. "Your Grace," she added with a smirk.
Eren laughed at her antics. "Just 'Eren' is fine, Hange. The last thing I need is people calling me 'Your Grace' more than they already do." His smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. "Where's Armin? You told Mikasa two days ago he'd be coming with you."
He tried to mask his disappointment, but it seeped into his voice. It had been two months since he last spoke to Armin, and he couldn't help feeling left out. Eren knew things had changed—childhood days of playing together had long passed—but he had been looking forward to this, hoping they could talk and laugh like old times before the fall of the Wall.
Hange flinched slightly at the question, her smile faltering. She shifted uncomfortably, and Eren immediately noticed her hesitation. "Is something wrong?" he asked, his tone tinged with suspicion.
"...No," Hange blurted quickly, but Eren's sharp gaze told her he wasn't convinced. She sighed, realizing there was no point in hiding it. "Eren... Armin's been busy with the grenade prototype. He said he wanted to finish it before coming here. That's all he told me."
Eren frowned, trying to make sense of it. Why would Armin be avoiding him? Was he more wrapped up in his work than Eren had realized? But no, that didn't feel right. Something was off, and Eren couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at him.
"Hange," he said after a long pause, "I need you to keep an eye on him. Don't let him overwork himself. He may be a shifter, but he's not invincible. I'll be free in two weeks—if he hasn't come by then, I'll visit him myself."
"Roger that, Great King of Eldians!" Hange shouted with exaggerated enthusiasm, saluting once again before sprinting out of the room. Eren chuckled as she left, but the weight of his responsibilities quickly returned, and he turned his attention back to the work that awaited him.
For the rest of the day, Eren spent his time with the Minister of Coins, talking about the income and where the people needed those coins to be spent.
Once again, Eren chose food over weapons. He knew the farms were almost ready thanks to Historia's work on the territory that used to belong to the Five Lords of the previous King.
For this reason, Eren was hoping that from now on, there wouldn't be a problem with food anymore, and he could start focusing on other things to give the money to. Commander Niel and a few captains had complained they needed to produce more Thunderspears, and the budget didn't allow that to happen, but Eren had reassured them that once the new farms were made. They would have more coin to spend on weapons and other things the island needed.
Soon, he had another meeting with Yelena.
"I will need someone to drive me to the harbor. The ships you have...confiscated have radios that I need." Yelena requested, and Eren nodded without much thought.
"Very well. Captain Mike will drive you there tomorrow morning, miss Yelena," Eren said with courtesy. The meeting wasn't long, and once it was done, he thought now would be the perfect time to rest. It was nine in the evening, and his eyes felt a little heavy from working all day. He wondered if Historia was resting or if she was still working at the farms; sometimes, she didn't return until late at night.
As Eren walked through the long corridor, he was headed toward his bedchamber, with Mikasa quietly trailing behind. Just as they neared the door, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. The Minister of Coins rushed up to him, slightly out of breath, clutching a bundle of papers under his arm.
"Your Grace," the minister called out, his voice tinged with urgency. Eren paused, turning to face the man as he skidded to a halt in front of him.
"I'm terribly sorry to disturb you, Your Grace," the minister began, his eyes flicking nervously between Eren and the papers, "but I've just received a letter from someone claiming to be Mister Jakov, son of the late Lord Aurille."
He handed Eren the letter, his hand trembling slightly. Eren sighed, taking the letter and scanning its contents. As he read, his green eyes narrowed, hardening with each line. He finished and handed it back, a sharp edge in his gaze.
"They want their inheritance?" Eren asked, his voice low yet brimming with authority.
The minister swallowed, nodding quickly. "Yes, Your Grace. They claim the lands have been in their family for over a century, and... that you stole them. They demand the lands be returned and the farms destroyed."
Eren's jaw tightened, and his patience was wearing thin. "Tell them," he said, his tone cold and resolute, "that those lands now belong to the King of Paradis. They were granted to their family in exchange for their silence about the outside world, nothing more. The lands will remain as farms."
The minister's eyes widened, his discomfort growing as Eren continued. "Offer him a house on the northern side of Wall Rose, a modest piece of land, and compensation. But the lands his father once held are now under government control."
Eren's gaze pierced through the minister, who almost seemed to shrink under the weight of it. Mikasa stood silently at Eren's side, her presence steady and watchful.
"Of course, my King," the minister stammered, bowing slightly before hurrying away, his pace quickening as if trying to escape from Eren.
Eren stormed back to his chamber, his bad mood palpable in every step. He shoved the door open with more force than necessary, crossing the threshold with heavy, almost stomping footsteps. His frustration radiated off him in waves, but just as he reached the center of the room, Mikasa's soft voice cut through the tension.
"Eren, are you alright?"
For a brief moment, Eren felt the urge to snap, to release the frustration boiling inside him. His mind flashed back to how he had raised his voice at Historia the other night, and that memory alone was enough to stop him. He halted, exhaling deeply, forcing himself to calm down. When he finally turned to face Mikasa, his voice was much softer.
"I'm fine, Mikasa," he said, though his tone carried the weight of his exhaustion. "It's just... today, I had to make a tough choice, and the captains, along with Commander Niel, weren't exactly pleased with it." He ran a hand through his hair, the frustration still clinging to him like a second skin. "Sometimes I wish I didn't have to make these kinds of decisions." He sighed heavily, sitting on the edge of the royal bed, shoulders slumped.
Mikasa remained silent for a moment, watching him with her steady gaze. She quietly closed the door behind her, then walked over and sat beside him. Without saying a word, her hand found its way into his hair, gently combing through the strands. Eren instinctively leaned into her touch, his tension slowly unraveling.
Her fingers traced down to his cheek, gently turning his face toward hers. "The fact that you struggle with your decisions shows everyone that you're a king who cares, Eren," she whispered, her voice warm and soothing.
Before he could respond, Mikasa closed the distance, her lips meeting his in a tender kiss. The weight on Eren's shoulders seemed to melt away as he kissed her back, the exhaustion and frustration fading into the background, replaced by the warmth of her presence. At that moment, the world outside didn't matter—only Mikasa.
Two Months Later
King Eren and Queen Historia stood side by side on the docks of Paradis, the salty sea breeze tugging at their clothes. It had taken time, but Yelena had finally made contact with Hizuru. After much deliberation, Hizuru had agreed to send an envoy to Paradis Island. Today marked the moment they might secure an alliance that could change the future of their people.
Eren's eyes fixed on the distant horizon, where a ship slowly emerged, its dark silhouette growing larger by the minute. Behind him stood a significant portion of Paradis' military, including Captain Levi, Mikasa, and Kenny, who, curiously, seemed more animated than usual about this particular meeting—though he had kept his reasons to himself.
Eren's pulse quickened as the ship drew closer. He couldn't afford any missteps. I have to be ready, he reminded himself, knowing this was the first of many delicate conversations about alliances, about the future. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, but he squared his shoulders, determined not to falter.
"Eren." Historia's soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. She slid her arm around his, their fingers intertwining. He turned to look at her, meeting her steady gaze.
"We will make a better future for our children," she whispered, her voice laced with quiet conviction. She smiled up at him, her expression gentle.
Eren's chest swelled with emotion. Her words anchored him, reminding him why they were fighting so hard. He smiled back at her, a bright, genuine smile that made his heart race, almost beating out of his chest.
"Yes," he said, his eyes drifting back to the approaching ship, his voice steady and resolute. "We will."
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