"Hey! Sasha! What are you doing?! You can't! Stop it! Don't!" Jean grabbed Sasha with a face full of terror.
Looking again at Sasha—her eyes were bloodshot, a terrifying growl coming from her throat. In front of her, on a long table covered with an exquisite tablecloth, were dish after dish of mouthwatering delicacies: all kinds of finely roasted meats, fruits, cakes and desserts, and fine wine.
To Sasha, that plate of roasted meat was emitting a fatal temptation. At this moment, she had already lost her rationality.
A bead of cold sweat appeared on Jean's forehead. Sasha struggled harder and harder, and he was almost unable to hold her anymore. With no other choice, Jean shouted toward Connie not far away, "Connie! Come help! Sasha's about to go crazy after seeing meat!"
Realizing what was happening, Connie hurried over and, together with Jean, restrained Sasha.
"Sasha! Calm down! This is Historia's succession ceremony! The banquet hasn't even started yet—if you do this, you'll be beaten to death by the guards!"
...
Inside this magnificently gilded royal palace, many people were busy with their tasks: attendants setting up the banquet, craftsmen placing various small ornaments, Wall Church believers dressed in ceremonial robes, and quite a few Military Police standing on guard in secret.
Ever since the previous Claude family kidnapping incident, the number of guards around Historia had directly doubled, and the protective measures had become varied and elaborate.
At the very top floor of the palace, Historia was tidying her appearance. The original Historia was already very pretty and cute, but after the work of the court makeup artist, her beauty was simply beyond words.
Just from Ymir's lovestruck expression at the side—so dazzled she was almost drooling—you could tell just how beautiful Historia had become.
"Your Majesty, you are truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," even the court makeup artist couldn't help but praise Historia's beauty.
This sparked some thoughts among the other girls present. Annie silently glanced at Historia—she really was beautiful. Wait. Annie suddenly remembered that Yago had always treated Historia quite well; during the snow mountain training, he had even accompanied Historia alone back to the camp.
That guy Yago wouldn't… Thinking of this, Annie raised her eyebrow. If Yago dared to show any improper expression later, Annie decided she would let him taste what was called the fist of love.
Mikasa, on the other hand, started imagining: if the court makeup artist were to do her makeup, would Eren praise her as pretty too? And then… The Mikasa lost in her daydream gradually blushed, no one knew what she was imagining.
...
Below the palace, by a window, Yago and Eren, who were chatting, suddenly both shivered.
Yago muttered, "Why do I feel like something bad is about to happen?"
Eren scratched his head. "Feels like someone's thinking about me?"
The two exchanged a look.
"By the way, Eren, have you gone back recently to see Aunt Carla? Come to think of it, you haven't visited Aunt Carla in a long time, have you?"
Eren froze for a moment, then knocked his head with some self-reproach and regret.
"Yeah… I haven't gone back to see Mom in a long time. I really shouldn't have done that. I don't even know how she's doing now."
Yago patted Eren on the shoulder. The Eren before him was no longer the older Eren from his memories, and Aunt Carla was still alive and well. Hopefully, Eren wouldn't have to suffer those troubles anymore.
Speaking of which, the nobles would all attend the queen's succession ceremony. It would be the perfect chance to talk with Lisa and arrange to bring his mother and Aunt Carla out—there was no way they could keep living at the Wald estate forever.
Yago tugged at his collar. He was no longer wearing the Survey Corps combat uniform, but a more exquisite ceremonial military dress: a dark green coat, white trousers, and tall leather boots. On the back of the coat was printed the blue-and-white Wings of Freedom emblem of the Survey Corps, and on his chest was pinned a golden medal—the symbol of an honorary soldier, responsible for accompanying the queen during her ascension.
Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Annie, Ymir, and the three who were roughhousing below were also wearing ceremonial military uniforms. All of them held the status of honorary soldiers—this counted as Historia's trust in her companions.
"After the ceremony, come back with us to take a look. Aunt Carla must really miss you too."
Eren nodded heavily.
At that moment, someone walked past the two of them, and Yago instinctively called out.
"Instructor Keith! Long time no see."
Keith stopped in his tracks. The insignia on the back of his ceremonial uniform was still the crossed swords of the Training Corps.
Keith looked at the two of them, his gaze lingering more on Eren.
"Top graduate Norman of the 104th and sixth place Yeager."
Yago knew clearly that the instructor in front of them seemed to know quite a lot. Moreover, Eren's father, Grisha Yeager, had been brought back by this very man—Keith Shadis, the former commander of the Survey Corps.
And that damaged belt device had also been the work of this instructor, intended to force Eren out of the corps so he wouldn't become a soldier.
However, thinking of this, Yago's expression turned a bit strange—he couldn't figure out how Eren's damaged device had ended up on him instead. (See Chapter 15 for details.)
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the instructor, Keith took his leave. Before leaving, he gave Eren a long, deep look, making Eren feel uneasy.
"Yago, I always feel like Instructor Keith is hiding something from me."
Yago said, "Maybe. Eren, you could also find some time to have a proper talk with Instructor Keith."
Some things were for Eren to face himself.
Just then, two people walked toward them.
Those trademark dead-fish eyes and the cold, oppressive aura—Yago didn't even need to look to know it was Captain Levi. But the person beside the captain made Yago somewhat surprised.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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