Hanji's POV

Waking up, I was greeted by his blue-gray eyes. They softened to soft gray clouds... Levi pulled me for a kiss, "Morning... princess..." When he said those words... he forced them out of his mouth, especially that 'princess' part.

Kissing him deeply, I smiled, "Morning Levi..."

"Need anything?" Upon hearing my stomach grumbled, he chuckles. "Go down to the kitchens... say it's on me, okay? They'll serve you breakfast and whatever you need."

"Clothes?" I asked, leaning close to him. "I only have the dress from last night... but remembering back when we were young, you was a clean-freak... I bet you'll teach me a lesson about that kind of stuff... am I right?"

Leaning to the point where my breasts were on his chest, he groaned as he went to knead them. "I'll let it slide... just this once."

Giggling softly, I kissed him before dressing myself back. "I'll be back once my hunger has been satisfied..."

"Don't bother heading back up." He groans as he turns over, watching me leave. "I'll be down soon enough. Would be a waste of energy if you walked back here and not find me."

"Alright..."

*   *   *

Heading down, I got lost multiple times... I wonder if it's just a matter of time where my memory kicks in. Funny thing is that I remember small parts of it as I wandered. Seeing glimpses of me and Levi running and playing in the halls. Many servants were angered by our playfulness... but some didn't care.

Finally finding the kitchen, I went down seeing a man who was making plates of meat from pigs and eggs from chickens. Clearing my throat, he turns around. His eyes widen as he saw me. "Ah... I know you..."

"Y-You do?"

He chuckles softly, "It may have been some years, but you must remember me. Am I right, Hyper Bun?" His smirk made it better for my memory to jog.

"Oh! I remember you! Cook Dandi."

Dandi rolled his eyes, "Technically, since you're all grown up, it's Daniel. But, if Dandi still works, I'm all good with it." He examines me with his bright pale green eyes. "I see... you're hungry? I always remember when you were always hungry."

Taking a seat, I chuckled softly. "And you were never wrong."

He quickly makes a place, popping eggs and meat on it. He hands me a fork with the plate, clapping his hands together. "Well, I hope your preference is the same as before. Loved all the meat, but hardly any eggs. So I adapted it to make sure you're fully fed this morning."

Smiling, I remember how good he was. Whenever he made sweets for Levi and I, well, I was always hyper. Where I got my nickname, 'Hyper Bun.' He stuck with it, as I stuck with his nickname, Dandi. "Thanks. Really, I forgotten how good of a cook you were..." I say, eating the food hungrily.

Surprisingly, I ate more than I usually did... which wasn't usual for me. Dandi sat across from me, "If ya want, I can make some good pastries for you again. Strawberry?"

"As always, Dandi." I say with a chuckle. 

"Coming right up, Hyper Bun." He says as he reaches for his ingredients.

After finishing breakfast, I walked to the sink to wash my dish... and Dandi almost stopped me. "Washing dishes? I see... you did grow up."

"Living as a peasant does change people... but I will never forget the fun memories I had here..."

"Memories?" An unfamiliar voice floated into the kitchen. Turning around, I see a young woman, almost my age. Long, dirty blonde hair and her pale blue eyes sparkled. Her dress was sky blue, flowing down to the ground. "You lived here?"

Nodding, I realized she must've been a lady. Of course, I could never match up to her natural beauty. "I mean... I used to. That was before the queen died..."

"Ah." She looks at me with pity. "I got a wardrobe of gowns, would you like to wear one of them?" She offers to me. "I wouldn't love to see a lady like you in such peasant clothes."

"B-But, I am-"

"No excuses~" She says, pulling on my arm and towards her room.

*   *   *

I soon found myself in her room. She opens her wardrobe, searching for a perfect gown for me. After a few light groans, she pulls out a pale yellow dress that would drape down to the ground. She hands it to me, smiling gently. "I would think that yellow would match you."

Taking it graciously, I walked towards the changing area. Feeling the soft silk against my skin, it made me feel naked... almost how Levi treated me last night... I couldn't forget that feeling, never. Spinning around, the dress billowed up and I giggled when that happened. I may be an adult, but I am still a child at heart.

The lady starts to walk towards me, "How beautiful... Lady..."

"I'm Hanji, Hanji Zoe."

She smiles. "Well, Lady Hanji, it's beautiful on you. If you want more dresses like that, call for my seamstress. She will make dresses in different colors and styles. Honestly, yellow fits you more than any other color."

"Thank you, Lady..."

"Pelina. From Sealian." Sealian... a strange land up in the mountains, where their rivers reached the ocean. They controlled that kind of area... while Silver Lake... the sea and the lake which shone like silver.

"What brings you here, Lady Pelina?"

She laughs, "I'm hoping I can talk to the future king about a steady truce... perhaps settled by marriage." Chuckling softly, I thought about it. It was all that ladies wanted. To be married into royalty and pass their bloodline on. "I just hope Levi would be up for it..."

"L-Levi?" Hearing his name, I wanted to fall. Could I... why wouldn't he tell me about it? I gave myself to him, and he never told me about him being royal. Come to think of it... Dandi is still here, after the queen died. His orders were to have all servants and maids fired and sent as peasants. He never moved onto the streets. Forced to stay at home, Levi being groomed... how could I be so foolish to not see it? All these hints he gave, I just never pieced them together. Oh, how stupid it was...

Lady Pelina smiles, playing with her hair. "Yes, Levi. If he wants a steady truce between Sealian and Silver Lake, he must take my requests. After all-"

"I don't want it." Turning to see Levi, I couldn't feel uplifted after hearing it. I trusted him, and he broke that feeling. "You hear me, Pelina? I don't want it."

The lady scoffs in anger. "Ugh! You do need to marry soon, Levi. Royalty rules. And you haven't found anyone to-"

Levi walks next to me, holding my hand and lifting me up. "I have chosen someone... my childhood friend and hopefully my future queen." He looks at me, and saw no signs of him lying. I guess... he was telling the truth... at least, for this time. His blue-gray eyes swirled around in a storm, "So... instead of waiting and you already know about me... will you be my queen?"

*   *   *

Levi's POV

I knew that I couldn't keep it away... but I wanted it all over right now. So why not? I loved her, and that's what matters the most to me. I didn't want her to find out like this way... but I guess this was the path that was chosen to be.

She looks down with pain, and I know why. I lied to her about who I was... but I wanted to make it up to her. Lifting her chin, my thumb brushed against her cheek. "Please, Hanji. I do love you, I'm not lying about that. I mean it..."

A tear starts to slip down her face, and wiping it away, she mutters under her breath. "L-Levi... h-how could you say that to me?"

Kissing her cheek, regret started to fill my mind. Afraid of this outcome... why must fear conquer the heart of a lover? "Please. I'll prove it to you... I already did last night, so why not now? Trust me, Hanji..."

Pelina scoffs, "She's not gonna say yes, Levi-"

"Shut up." I say, being filled with anger. "Let her make her own choice. Unlike you, you come with greed for only your kingdom. I want to see what Hanji says... and I'll act on it."

"I'll be... your queen..." Hanji's voice was stiff with her cries. It sounded like she didn't want this... but I'll do anything I can to make her comfortable.

"Do you want to go and rest?" She nods in reply as I carried her up to my room. I truly do love her... I just hope she can see that... but of course, I clouded her mind. From the depths of my heart, I'm sorry I kept this secret away from you. Never wanted you to be burden by these tasks. I just... how am I meant to say this? I didn't want to be Pelina's lover... but seeing you again, I wanted to be yours...