"Levi..." Mother's voice echoed in my head as I tried to slumber. But when I opened my eyes... I saw her, staring down at me with her gray cloudy eyes. She kisses my cheek and I started to complain.

"Mother... stop it..."

She chuckles softly as she kept kissing my cheeks. "You're a cute prince, Levi... I can't wait to see the king you'll be when you grow up..."

"But I don't want to be king..."

Mother looked down in sadness, "I know... and I didn't want to be Queen... but I know that one day, you'll find someone you loved and you can live a happy life..." Once more, she kissed my cheek before tucking the blankets. "Now, you'll get some rest, understand?"

Nodding my head, she blew the candle out and I fell asleep. Not knowing that this moment was the last time I ever saw Mother... she carried a sickness, and killed her quick in her sleep. Now, the true person who ever loved me almost faded away from my dreams...

*   *   *

"Levi." Groaning, I looked at Erwin, full of hatred. Telling me that I should have time to grieve and shit. Not like I care or anything like that. He disowned me, ever since Mother died. Saying how I was the one who had her killed... but people knew that it wasn't true.

Mother had absolute power over the kingdom, as she is an Ackerman by blood. But since I was too young to inherit the throne, my father took control, until he dies. Attempting to marry another woman, it wasn't allowed, as I was still alive. 

As long as there's an Ackerman living, the heir goes straight to them. And apparently, there's an Ackerman far away, but as I heard, she's an infant. So, I am the only true heir... the one to control the lands and control the throne. But something didn't feel right... as if a piece of me was missing.

"I'm not having one of your little shit talks, Erwin." I say, walking away from him. "My father was a terrible person, and I never wanted to rule..."

Erwin sighs, "Alright then... then tell me... what are you gonna do?"

"I don't know... carry on trades or something... I dunno..."

He chuckles, catching up to my pace. "First of all... you need to have an heir ready to take the throne-"

"Like that Ackerman overseas? I think we're good." Walking away, he grabs onto my arm, sternly. Not even I can break his grip unless I ripped my arm off and kept running. "Oi, let me go, Eyebrows."

His eyes gently looked at me. "I'm not saying that the infant Ackerman takes the throne when you pass... I'm talking about real flesh and blood. Your heirs... your children-"

"No. I'm not having kids."

"You must though... you must, at least." His blue eyes threatened me. "Your heirs are important to this kingdom, Levi. Now, I'm not rushing you, but if I was you, I'll be on the streets and looking for someone. It's just as a precaution. After all, we don't want anyone to be involved with our affairs... so choose someone you would love and care. We won't force you to choose."

*   *   *

Changing into regular pants and a white long sleeved shirt, I pulled a cape over my, pulling the hood to hide my face. Though the sun burns, I wanted to keep my identity hidden. So I walked down to the city, looking around. It's not that I truly care, but if it's the rules... I have to obey them. I just hope I don't make a wrong choice...

*   *   *

Hanji's POV

A group of ladies walked up to me, to tease me the usual stuff. The lady wearing a pink frilly dress and a matching bonnet walks close to me, snickering. Preparing my ears to hear the harsh words, she knocks over a bowl of warm tomato soup on my pale orange skirt.

Ignoring that, she snickers. "Oh no... that doesn't work well with a peasant clothes! Ha-ha! Maybe you should work more in the dirt to cover up that stain!"

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed rags and attempted to clean up the mess. I've earned the title as a peasant, and not a lady because my mother worked in the castle as a maid. There was this little boy I played with... he was always shorter than me, and when I first saw him, he was grumpy...

But after so so many attempts of trying to get him to play... he finally gave in. We played from dawn to dusk... I don't remember who son he was... I always assumed another maid or a butler... but once Queen Ackerman died, well, we were forced out and I always wanted to see him... but I never did.

The lady snickers once more, grabbing a jar of peeled peaches. "Hm... I wonder how this would look like on your muddy clothes."

As soon as she prepares herself to throw it, I raised my hands in defense. "Oi. Why the hell are you doing this?" Looking up, I see someone, most likely a male, holding the lady's wrist. The lady stared at him as if the man was crazy.

"I'm teaching a peasant a lesson!"

The man's grip was iron and forced the jar to fall to the ground. It never spilled onto him, but it fell on the ladies' dresses, staining them forever. "So, you're teaching this woman how to be filthy?" With those words, the ladies picked up their dresses and ran, crying. The man turned to see me, and I saw those striking blue-gray eyes... "Are you okay?"

He advanced onto me, kneeling on the ground, wincing as if it pained him. Nodding, his voice was so powerful... and so commanding. "Yes... I'm okay." The more I looked at him, the more it reminded me of that boy I used to play with. His name wasn't completely faded away... if I heard it once more, I would remember.

Under his breath, I heard those words clearly. "I should've had them executed..."

"What?"

The man looked at me, "What?"

Rolling my eyes, I see him grabbing a clean rag, dumping water on it and attempting to wash the stain out. "Sir... it's not gonna work-"

"Levi."

"Hm?" Hearing that name, I faintly remember it. With my eyes growing wide, the man looked at me with fear. "You're that boy..."

"W-What boy?!" His voice became panicky as I tried to tell. "I'm a no one-"

"From the castle, back when we were 6 years old... I'm Hanji Zoe, remember? I'm the one who bothered you from day to night to play."

"Oh..." Levi tilts his head. "That's right... I remember you, brat." His eyes soften to clouds but only for a moment. "It was after... Mo- the queen died... I never saw you again, why was that?"

Sighing, I didn't know the answer as well. "I-I don't know... Mother said the king fired and replaced everyone... and he gave all of us titles as peasants... what about you, Levi? What happened to you? Day after day, I waited to see you, but you never did come..."

"Well... my dad... he is- was a part of the castle's members..."

Perking up, I took his hand. "I'm sorry for your loss, Levi... he must've been a great father for you-" 

"No, he wasn't." Levi sighed, but his eyes were warm to look at for hours. "But... I appreciate the thought. I was... forbidden to go out of the castle grounds, as my father wanted to keep a close eye on me. As much as I wanted to go out and find you to play, I was instructed to stay here... and be taught multiple lessons..."

*   *   *

Levi's POV

I wonder how such a woman like her could never be a lady... though her title is a peasant, she had the courtesy as a lady. What the hell am I thinking?! A childhood friend... and I'm falling for her. Leave her here or take care of her?! Gah... my heart or mind?

Hanji smiles, which just warmed my heart... I hope she doesn't marry anyone... "Putting all that aside, what can I do for you? There should be a reason why you're here, isn't that right?"

"Oh... um..." Looking around, I tried to find an excuse to use. But for every item I found, the more pathetic it became.

Her giggles were so warm, happy, and full of life. "If you're just browsing, that's fine... no one actually buys things from us..."

"Oh..." The bells chimed, signalling that it was already noon. And the burial of my dad would commence soon. Looking up, I would give up anything if I can spend more time with her. Sighing, I couldn't be late... no only was a prince. "Dammit..."

Looking back to her, she nods, understanding why I said it. But within her eyes... they were full of sadness. "If you gotta go, go. I'll stay here, where I will forever grow up in."

Quickly, I slipped her 20 small coins, kissing her hand before racing off.

*   *   *

Hanji's POV

Seeing him once more, how much he has grown. Though, I am still taller than him. Seeing those small silver coins, they would've been a fortune to a peasant like me... so why would he do that? Besides, I have no talent except helping my friends and small stuff like experimenting new ways to can peaches...

Maybe... I can see him again. Naw... it's a lady's dream. Not worthy of a person like me...