Chapter Text
For all that Wilhelmina has known, she has always had eyes on Erwin.
It wasn’t one of those cliché love at first sight situations, because Wilhelmina was so sure she hated Erwin when she first met him.
It was a summer’s evening, and her eldest sister has come home for the week after her graduation at the cadet corps. After the week, she will be deciding which regiment to join. Wilhelmina already knew that she would choose the Survey Corps.
“Do you think it’s wise?” Wilhelmina asks as the two sisters walk together down the courtyard of their family home. Eve is wearing her uniform, while Wilhelmina wears a light blue dress reaching the floor, with a shawl laced around her arms.
“Mina, you have nothing to worry about.” Eve chuckles. “I’m a big girl, I can handle it.”
“By it, you mean titans beyond the wall?” Mina asks with worry. “You would do well there, but you’re safer within Sina.”
“Trust me. I’ll be fine.” Eve sighs, turning to face her. “I won’t be alone when I get there. Help will always be an arm’s reach in the corps.”
Mina still looks worried.
“Speaking of… I invited two of my friends from the cadet corps over. I wanted them to stay for the week.” Eve smiles. “They’re a little… intense, so I hope you tell the other girls to behave themselves. Our sisters become rather judgmental when it comes to people that come from the other walls.”
Mina sighs, nodding. “Fine. And why did you invite them to stay here? Don’t they have their own families to go home to?”
Eve hesitates, but lets out a soft laugh. “Well, not exactly… that’s partially the reason why I invited them in the first place.”
Mina glances at her. “If it pleases you, I’ll show them around. To be polite.”
Eve grins, wrapping an arm around Mina’s. “You truly are the best, sister.”
“Remove the comma, and I will give you the world.” Mina deadpans, and Eve just laughs.
When the two cadets that Eve invited arrive later that night, Mina was prepared.
The first person to arrive was Hange Zoë, and their personality was so lively, that Mina had to take a few pauses just to keep up with their energy. They also kept talking, and it felt like it wouldn’t end. It wasn’t a nuisance, though. Mina grew up with eleven sisters. Hange’s energy could be at the level of the eleven sisters combined.
Shortly after Hange arrived, another one came, and he was someone she never thought would try to be friends with her sister. Usually, Eve goes for the odd ones. The outcasts who seem to be eccentric in their own ways.
Meeting Hange wasn’t something that surprised Mina at all. It was meeting Erwin.
He came up to her in full formal dark green uniform, and his blonde hair is swept to the side perfectly. Erwin offers a kind boyish smile. “You must be Wilhelmina.”
Mina just blinks, nodding once. “Yes. And you are?”
“Erwin Smith. I am Eve’s friend. She gave me this address, and I have to admit,” he glances around the grand mansion. “I was not expecting this.”
Mina furrows her brows, crossing her arms. “Are you suggesting that my sister has given the impression of someone financially challenged? Or that financially challenged individuals look a certain way?”
The smile on Erwin’s face fades. “Oh, no! No, of course not—”
“Then what were you implying, Sir Erwin?”
“I was not implying anything, Miss Zackly.”
Mina’s face remains blank, and she just stares at Erwin. It was different because she wasn’t staring down at him. Instead, she can look directly at Erwin’s eye since he was slightly taller than her. That almost never happens to Mina.
Erwin’s face remains kind, and it makes Mina want to grimace. She has never seen a man look this relaxed, and she already has a feeling that he would charm her sisters to death later.
“Your other friend is waiting for you inside. Eve won’t be giving the tour since she’s with our other sisters on a different part of town. I’ll be accompanying you both for now.” Mina begins walking, and Erwin follows next to her. “I’ll also be showing you to your rooms later.”
“Wonderful.”
Mina spares him a glance, and he was looking ahead of himself with a faint smile on his face. Mina’s impassive expression never faltered, and when Hange sees them enter the mansion, they jump on their feet to greet Erwin.
Compared to Hange, Erwin was relatively calm. There is an occasional chuckle here and there, but he was never over the top nor loud. He wasn’t quiet though, and he always had something to say about anything. Mina found it a bit annoying.
Once Mina showed them their quarters, she asked some of the maids to have their luggage fetched from the carriage and delivered to their rooms already. As Hange goes into their room from across Erwin’s, he turns to Mina.
“I see that you control the household.” Erwin says as a fact, smiling at her. “It’s impressive.”
Mina doesn’t react. In fact, her face didn’t even change at all. She simply looks at him and says, “And do you believe that managing a household is all a woman’s good for?”
Erwin’s face falls once again, and he looked slightly panicked. “That is not… that’s not what I was insinuating, Miss Zackly.”
“Just Mina is fine. Miss Zackly applies to every sister, it’ll be too confusing,” she sighs, looking towards the paper in her hand to view her list of tasks. It seems that she’s finished, so she looks at Erwin. “Eve will come see you shortly. Dinner is in an hour. Our family always eats together. You’ll meet the other sisters.”
Erwin nods, offering another smile. “Thank you, Mina.”
She doesn’t respond, but she remains standing in her place as she reviews her list.
Erwin watches her, eyes going from the top of her perfectly straight short brown hair tied by a ribbon, and to her sophisticated dress. Her hands are gloved, and her neck is covered by the cloth of her dress. She looked incredibly elegant and poised, it was hard to believe that she was related to the wildness that is Eve.
“Eve mentioned that she has a lot of sisters.” Erwin begins. “Are you the youngest?”
“No. I am the third. Out of twelve.”
Mina can definitely say that each of her sister has something to offer. Eve, with her determination of being an army doctor. Xyra, with her singing. The twins being great managers of their farm at such a young age. Valeria, being a fashionista. Sloane, with her painting. The triplets, with their talent in writing. And little Narcissa, with her astounding wit when it comes to intelligent games.
Although, Mina isn’t so sure what she herself can offer.
Erwin’s eyes slightly widen, but a smile forms. “Goodness. Twelve? Eve failed to mention such a number.”
“It’s an intimidating number.”
Erwin chuckles. “Not really. I have a feeling all of you are close.”
She meets his eyes. “Yes. We are.”
They watch one another for a moment until Hange exits their room with a grin. “Everything here looks so fancy! I’ve never stayed in a rich family’s house before!”
Erwin looks amused. “There was never a need to, Hange.”
Hange laughs, nodding before approaching Mina. “My God, you are tall. Are the rest of you just as tall, or is Eve the shortest?”
Mina shakes her head. “No. I’m the tallest one among twelve.”
Hange’s eyes almost bulged out. “Twelve?!”
The guests meet the sisters during dinner, and Erwin has taken a particular liking towards the youngest girls.
“How old are you, Narcissa?” Erwin is on one knee to be slightly in level with the little girl, who was still shorter than him despite how he is kneeling.
“I’m six!” She raises six fingers, and Erwin chuckles. “Sir, you are so tall! Like Min-Min! Can you pick me up?”
Erwin smiles, amused to hear that little nickname given to the most serious Zackly sister. “Of course.”
Erwin takes the child into his arms and lifts her, making Narcissa squeal. Upon seeing this, the other youngest girls ran to him and demanded to be lifted as well, and they giggle around Erwin who lifts them one by one.
From the other side of the room, the four eldest Zackly’s are gathered by the fire.
Valeria was watching Erwin for a few seconds before looking back at Eve, who is now wearing a formal dress instead of a cadet uniform. “Your friend is seriously hot.”
Eve snorts. “I guess he is.”
“You guess?” Xyra scoffs playfully. “I’ve never met a boy like him. Good-looking, good with kids, well-mannered, strong as a soldier. Is he single?”
“He’s very single.” Eve gives Xyra a smirk. “You, on the other hand, are not.”
“Oh, Turner won’t find out,” Xyra waves off and makes the sisters laugh.
Mina is quiet, still thinking about what else could be missing for their celebration. It was Eve’s graduation day, and Mina wanted everything to be perfect, down to the last minute detail. It was the least she could do, since once Eve officially joins the military, she won’t be able to visit Mitras as often as Mina would like. And Mina doubts that Eve will receive the same treatment she does as a noblewoman once she becomes a scout. Once she becomes one, she is equal to the rest of them regardless of her upbringing.
“Mina?” Eve places a hand on her arm. “Are you alright?”
She looks at Eve with worry again. Mina decides to excuse them from the other sisters, and pulls her to a different corner, disguising it as her asking Eve for help with something. “Have you told papa which regiment you’ll be joining?”
Eve frowns. “I don’t think that’s a discussion made for dinner, Min.”
“So you haven’t told him. Have you told anyone in the family?”
“…No. Just you.” Eve quietly answers. “But Dr. Jaeger knows.”
“He has always known even before you joined the cadet corps,” Mina gives her a look. “What about your guests? Are they joining the scouts as well?”
“Yeah,” she nods. “Especially Erwin. He’s been determined to join even before the cadet corps.”
That surprises Mina again. One look at Erwin, and you would assume he would want a prestigious job such as joining the kings’ guard. She never thought he would join the scouts, where an astounding number of soldiers die every month.
“I see,” Mina nods. “Well, tell me once you’ve informed papa. I’d like to know what he thinks.”
“What about you? What do you think?”
“You already know my opinion on this, Eve,” Mina sighs, shaking her head. “I think it’s incredibly stupid to risk your life every day for something so mythical. There is nothing beyond the walls.”
“We don’t know that.”
Mina definitely didn’t want to argue here. “Despite my views, I will support you, since this is what you think will make you happy.”
Eve musters a small smile, reaching for Mina’s hand to hold. A wordless thanks.
They finally have dinner and Premier Zackly sits at the end of the table. He would ask Erwin and Hange questions about the military and they would reply with many stories already. The whole table was at the edge of their seats, listening to Erwin mostly.
All the girls were charmed by him, and Mina was distracted by the nagging information in the back of her head. She couldn’t focus very well, knowing that her sister is joining the scouts.
“So, Erwin. Is there a lucky lady waiting for you back home?” The premier asks as they eat.
The Zackly daughters close to his age immediately turn to him with attention. Erwin chuckles. “No. However, I’ve had my eye on one for a while now.”
“Oh? Tell us about her.” Eve’s stepmother, Lydia asks, interested to hear.
Mina finally lifts her gaze, glancing at Erwin. Somehow, her eyes go to Eve, who appears so interested with her food. Mina’s lips part, sensing the sudden sleight in the air.
“She is wonderful. I met her during the cadet corps.”
“That’s… most unusual.” Zackly comments. “And which regiment is she aiming for?”
“Hm…” he blinks for a few times, and Mina feels her stomach fill with dread. Erwin turns to Eve, a gentle smile on his face. “You’re aiming for the scout regiment, yes?”
The entire table gapes.
Eve stammers, and that was the moment Erwin realized his mistake. Zackly’s frown deepens. “The Survey Corps?”
“Uh… yes, papa. I’m thinking of joining the scouts.”
“That’s nonsense!” Lydia immediately scolds. “The death rate for that regiment is staggeringly high!”
Eve winces. “I know that, but this is something I want to do.”
“It’s dangerous,” Xyra frowns. “Not to mention the fact that you have to face those awful titans beyond the walls.”
“Yes, Eve,” Mina says. “The walls are made to keep us safe, we are not meant to leave them.”
“And who told you that? The stuck-up academy here in Mitras?”
“Eve!” Lydia scolds again. “You do not speak to your sister that way.”
“You are all being so dramatic. I’ll be fine!” Eve offers a small smile. “Really. I will be. I’m not deciding this on a whim.”
“If I may,” Erwin begins, and everyone looks towards him. “Eve ranked first during the training at the cadet corps, and her skills surpass everyone else. Given a few years, she’ll be able to secure a high position in the chain of command. She could even become commander one day. Many of us in the cadet corps have faith that Eve will reach far,” he glances at Eve, smiling fondly. “Me especially.”
Eve returns the smile, and her cheeks are slightly flushed. The rest of the girls coo to swoon over Erwin’s treatment of Eve, once they realized that Erwin was courting her.
Mina was unfazed. “Your kind words do not change the fact that it is dangerous out there, Sir Erwin. Skilled or not, beyond the walls, you become titan food.”
The table is silent once again, and everyone exchanges hesitant glances, unsure who to side with here—which was slightly offensive, considering how Mina is their sister and Erwin was a new boy they have only met today.
Erwin looks towards her. “I do not aim for my words to change that, Mina. All I would like you to know is that Eve can handle herself. I can tell that you all trust her, and believe that she can do whatever she sets her heart on.”
The girls look completely charmed by his words, and Mina sees some of them placing a hand over their chest as if they were touched by what Erwin said.
The premier finally speaks. “I see that you have already decided, Eve. We have no choice but to respect your decision and support you.”
Eve smiles. “Thank you, papa. I won’t let you down.”
Zackly subtly sends her a wink without a smile, and Eve chuckles.
Later that evening, Mina stands by the tall tree in the courtyard. Her silk shawl is draped around her arms, and her hair is tied formally. Her periwinkle-colored dress appears lighter under the moonlight, and she just stares at the tree bark.
“I have a feeling that you don’t like me very much.”
Mina turns around, only to see Erwin slowly approaching her with his arms behind his back, a slightly amused and genuine smile on his chiseled face. Mina’s expression doesn’t change, and remains impassive.
She looks back at the tree bark, arms crossed elegantly. “I don’t like how you’re enabling Eve’s behavior. I have nothing against you as a person.”
“So you like me then?”
Mina blinks. “No, I—”
“You can’t take it back.” Erwin says, smiling with charm.
She frowns at him, unsure what to say without sounding offensive. He is truly getting on her nerves now. “I don’t think you are a good match for my sister.”
Erwin still looks amused. Unbothered. “I knew as much. Your sister would be inclined to agree. It must be why she has not given me an answer.”
“And she is allowed to. You are the one choosing to court her. The final decision rests in her hands.”
“I agree.” Erwin nods. “As such, I’m determined to make her mine.”
Mina’s eyes narrow a bit. “If, and I mean if, she does answer yes, she will not be yours to own, Sir Erwin.”
“I did not mean—”
“You clearly have no way of speaking well. Words are mightier weapons than your blades.” Mina is unfazed. “It will not bode well, if you are clueless on how to express yourself.”
“I’ll be a soldier. I don’t think soldiers need words. Only strength and perseverance. Courage to slay titans.”
“And words can inspire others to join the cause.” Mina tells him. “If you are to be a leader, words will be wielded more often than weapons.”
Erwin stares at her, and there is a sort of unrecognizable emotion behind his eyes the longer Mina stares back at him. His lips slowly quirk into a smile. “Then, I shall learn how to speak better, as you suggest.”
“Good. Maybe in the future, when you’re making speeches, you may remember me and my intellect.” Mina speaks with sarcasm, and swiftly turns around to begin walking away, but she pauses. Mina looks at Erwin over her shoulder, and sees that Erwin was already curiously watching her. “Perhaps you can meet me back here tomorrow evening. I have a book you can borrow. I’ve read it thousands of times already, and memorized it like the back of my hand.”
“You’d like me to read a book?” Erwin asks, his tone is a bit unbalanced, as he is smiling while looking confused.
“It seems like you need to.”
A surprised chuckle leaves his mouth, and Erwin stares at Mina with disbelief. As if he has never been spoken to that way. “From how Eve spoke about you, I never imagined you to be so…”
Mina raises a brow. “So what? Blunt?”
“Honest.”
The two of them lock gazes again, and Mina contemplates for a moment.
“Rest, Sir Erwin. My sister will be accompanying you and Hange around Mitras.” Mina tells him before turning to leave, the clacking of her shoes echo in his ears.
Erwin remains standing there, a bit dumbfounded as he looks back at the tree in the middle of the courtyard. A smile then grows on Erwin’s face, and he chuckles.
The very next morning, Erwin barely saw Mina around. He asked Eve about this, and Eve tells him that Mina is being courted by a nobleman’s handsome son, and that he was walking around town with Mina for the day.
“Are they to be married soon?” Erwin asks as he glances around the city of Mitras.
“Only if Mina allows it. There isn’t exactly a line of men for her,” she smiles in an apologetic way. “She believes it’s because of her height. But I think it’s because boys are easily intimidated by her elegance and formal personality. All the boys here are snobby. They prefer submissive girls in a way,” she sighs. “Mina is anything but. She always feels the need to control the situation, which isn’t really as bad as it sounds. You would not believe how dramatic she can be when it comes to all of our sisters’ health. She is very independent.”
“It sounds like she cares very deeply for each of you.”
She nods, snorting softly. “Sometimes, I feel like she was supposed to be the eldest daughter, not me.”
Erwin turns to her, and she stops walking as well to face him. “I apologize for last night. It was not my intention to put you on the spot that way. I assumed your family already knew of your chosen regiment.”
Eve waves him off. “It’s fine. The outcome wasn’t so bad. I think I would’ve been mad at you if my whole family disapproved,” she smirks.
Erwin chuckles, and he looks at the time on his pocket watch. “Hm. It seems that I have another appointment.”
Eve raises a brow. “Who else do you know in Mitras?”
Erwin smiles. “No one you need to worry about, Yvonne.”
He steps forward to place a kiss on her head, and Eve just smiles at him. There is great affection in her eyes, and Erwin pulls away.
“It just so happens I have matters to attend to tonight in the city, I trust that you’ll find your way back to the mansion?”
Erwin nods, and he watches Eve walk away. He returns to the mansion, and goes straight for the courtyard, where Mina is once again looking fascinated by the tree.
“Is the tree truly that beautiful, for you to be always seen staring at it?” Erwin asks, announcing his arrival.
“You’re four minutes late.”
“I wasn’t aware there was a specific time.”
Mina turns to face him, and her entire outfit is once again elegant and poised. Her hair is tied, and Erwin realizes that he has never see her with her hair down before. He wonders how long her hair would be. She approaches him and offers a small book, and pulls her hand back once Erwin took it.
“This is a novel, but you can consider this as a guide for speeches.”
“Do you recite speeches a lot?”
“Who do you think represents the Zackly family name during gatherings? Eve may have the charm, but she does not possess the ability of having a silver tongue.” Mina sighs.
Erwin chuckles, opening the book but is unable to clearly read it under the dim moonlight. “Oh, believe me. Eve can definitely say her most unfiltered thoughts, too.”
“She says them to make others uncomfortable. What I do is different.”
“How so?”
“I make others believe they have the upper hand. When in reality, I control the entire room. It’s power of words, Sir Erwin. You say them, and you match them with actions. Afterwards, people will know you are trustworthy and reliable. That is how you build connections all over the country.” Mina begins to slowly walk around Erwin, head tilted up to view the sky. “That is how everyone can belong to you, while you belong to no one. You just have to know what to say.”
Erwin watches her, and somehow, his curiosity over Mina increases. She is by far Eve’s most interesting sister. Not to mention that she is thinking like a grown woman even though Erwin is sure that Mina is way younger than him and Eve.
“Who knows. Maybe once you’ve practiced enough, you can even convince people to die for you.” Mina shrugs, and her words is slightly laced with sarcasm.
Erwin lets out a soft snort. “Sounds unattainable.”
“You’d be surprised how much weight words can carry.”
As she begins to walks away again, Erwin stops her by speaking. “You’re so…”
Mina turns to look at him again, expression never faltering. Erwin has never seen any sort of emotion flash on her face. Not even once. It occurs to him that he has never seen her smile at all. She was like a blank canvas, and it was intriguing.
“I’m what, Sir Erwin?”
“You’re… very different from the rest of your sisters.”
“As I am ceaselessly reminded.” Mina looks back at the tree.
“I didn’t mean it in a bad way.” Erwin clarifies. “You may not be as loud or talkative as your other sisters, but the words you say are always eloquent. Meaningful,” he offers a sheepish smile. “I find myself hanging onto your every word.”
Mina stares at him, face unchanging, but for some reason, she could hear her heartbeat clearer than before. She slowly looks away, training her eyes back on the tree. “That’s not what most people would say.”
“And what would most people say?”
Mina looks back at him, giving nothing away from her expression. Erwin is so impressed by her ability to never show a sliver of emotion, it was as if she trained herself to do that. She merely watches him for a moment before taking a step back. “Good night, Sir Erwin. I hope you read the book. Or if you don’t, return it to me tomorrow morning.”
Erwin watches as she walks past him to retreat inside the mansion.
The next morning, Erwin does return the book, and not for the reason Mina gave him.
“You… finished it?” Mina reluctantly takes the book back.
Erwin nods. “It may come as a surprise to you, but I’m actually well-read.”
“You’re right. It does come as a surprise.”
His smile widens.
Mina looks down at the book. “What did you think of it?”
“I think the hero in the story is very well-spoken. I see why you chose this book for me.” Erwin tells her, and he begins to walk. Mina finds herself walking next to him. “But is there another reason why you chose this book?”
Mina looks at him, contemplating whether she should admit it. Although, she sees no harm in doing so. “I think you have potential, Sir Erwin.”
“What, to be a hero?” Erwin is amused.
“No. To be a leader.” Mina’s hands are laced elegantly together as she faces him. Erwin’s smile slowly fades, sensing the solemn air surrounding them. “I think you have the ability to become a fierce soldier with a high position in the Survey Corps. If you ever choose to achieve it.”
“And what gave you that impression?”
“The way you carry yourself. I’m very good at reading body language. There’s an untapped capability in you, and I sense it.”
Erwin furrows his brows, but he remains smiling. “What exactly do you do, Mina? Are you some sort of psychologist?”
“I’m a student at the academy, majoring in language and communications. When I graduate, I aim to be a professor.”
“That certainly explains a lot.”
After he says his words, Erwin was shocked to his core. For the first time ever, he hears Mina make a sound that is a little close to a brief chuckle. It was more of a huff, really, but the mirth was there.
Erwin glances at her, and there it is. Amusement. He felt like he was hallucinating it, but he wasn’t. It was right there. Brief and short-lived, but it was present. Erwin is unsure of what he felt in the pit of his stomach, but it urged him to want to hear it again.
“None of my other sisters chose the path of education. They’re all very adamant to marry rich. No shame in that, of course. Women like us are all expected to marry rich,” Mina tells him, and she is beginning to be comfortable around Erwin now. “But I just want to impart knowledge. Teach what I know. I have a lot of useless knowledge in the back of my head. If I impart them, maybe other people will find them useful.”
The words sink into Erwin. It was clear that Mina is intelligent beyond Erwin’s own capabilities. It’s impressive, not because she is a woman, but because in a society where she was only expected to marry, she still achieved all of this at such a young age.
“But you are getting married, yes?” He asks.
A simple shrug as a response. “I assume so. Not that there are any other choices. Only one boy has decided to court me, and only because if we marry, he’ll be able to secure a portion of the Zackly family fortune,” Mina bluntly states. “He believes I’m not aware of his schemes, but it’s better that he thinks I’m clueless. That way, I’m still in control.”
Erwin frowns, but hesitantly smiles. “You do love controlling everything.” That wasn’t what he wanted to say. What Erwin wish he said was, ‘you shouldn’t marry someone you do not love’.
“It’s the only way to ensure that no one will take advantage of you.”
“It’s a lonely way to live, though.”
Mina stops walking, facing him with another blank yet cold expression. “Are you accusing me of being lonely?”
“Do you feel lonely?”
“Loneliness is the absence of a lamp in a dark room.” Mina answers. “I know how to light my own match.”
“And you’ve never preferred it to be lit by someone else?”
Mina stays quiet, staring back at Erwin’s blue eyes. Their gazes on one another felt incredibly intense, Mina is not sure what to make of it. She can hear the pounding of her heart, and the way her fingers trembled. In a slow manner, she places her arms behind herself, in an attempt to hide the state of her hands.
“Is that the cure for loneliness? Someone else?”
Erwin shrugs. “Isn’t loneliness the absence of another soul to share everything with?”
Mina blinks, and her lips part. A smile slowly grows on Erwin’s face.
“Ah, that was my favorite line. Did you truly assume that I didn’t read the book?”
“I had my doubts.”
Erwin chuckles, and Mina just watches him. There is a strange feeling in her stomach that she is beginning to dislike.
“When are you going to marry your suitor, then?”
“Once I turn seventeen.”
“Hm. How old are you?”
“I’m twelve. And you?”
“I’m seventeen. Your sister’s age.” Erwin raises a brow. “Though you seem to be more mature than I am.”
Mina shrugs. “It’s the height.”
“No.” Erwin shakes his head. “I think it’s your intelligence and ability to read people. At your young age, you already know how adults should act, and most adults these days don’t even act the way you do. It’s quite rare.”
Mina raises a brow at him. He made it sound so intellectual, and Mina finds herself quite impressed by how Erwin is not only managing to say the right words, but also managing to say them to her. Usually, Mina isn’t so easily impressed.
“I suppose it is.”
Erwin offers a smile. “Whoever marries you will be a fortunate man.”
“Of course he will be. I’m a prized woman.” Mina bluntly says, and Erwin suppresses an even wider and fonder smile. “But no man has the guts.”
“What about your current suitor?”
“Like I said. He only puts up with me because I belong to the Zackly family. The Zackly name will be a good addition to his already wealthy family.” Mina tells him. “I’m not entirely bothered by it. I’ve always known that marriage is a political contract.”
Erwin frowns. “It shouldn’t be.”
“It is. Most people don’t see it for how it is, because it’s always colored with romance and love. I believe people have control over who they love and who they don’t. People wouldn’t admit to it, but it is the truth.”
Erwin stops walking, and she turns to face him with furrowed brows.
“I think that may be the first time I’ll disagree with you.”
“Oh?”
“People don’t have control in who they fall in love with, Mina.”
“I suppose you would say that. Given how you love Eve.” Mina nods. “But you are choosing to continue loving her. You are choosing to court her. That is your choice.”
“But what led me to those choices were beyond my control.”
Mina shakes her head. “That doesn’t matter.”
Erwin lets out a surprised chuckle. “Yes, it does! Have you never fallen in love with someone out of your control?”
“I can’t say I have a similar experience, no.”
“Then, you should rely on someone who has. And I will tell you; people don’t have control over who they love, but you are right, we have a choice on what to do with it. We still have some semblance of control, but once you’ve fallen, you’ve fallen.”
Mina scans his chiseled face, seeing the way his cheeks are slightly flustered with a boyish look, smiling at her as if this was the most enlightening conversation he ever had. And it was. Erwin has never spoken to anyone this freely before, not even Eve.
With Eve, Erwin does most of the listening, and Eve does most of the talking. Erwin is always so starstruck with Eve, so he always ends up just listening to her.
With Mina, it was as if Erwin can say anything and she would challenge his thoughts and ideas to a degree where Erwin will end up thinking harder than he ever did during the time he still went to school.
Mina stays quiet for a moment, but she turns to resume walking again. “I suppose you may be right.”
“Oh? Say that again?” Erwin places a finger beside his ear, as if to widen it in a mocking way.
“I said that you may be right.”
“I can’t hear you.” Erwin leans forward again, and cups his ear, mocking her once more.
Then, a sweet sound fills his ears instead. Mina lets out a soft chuckle, and a smile graces her lips. Erwin stares at her, feeling the sudden slowing of his heartbeat. Mina’s smile is small, it wasn’t as wide or wild like Eve’s, as if Mina’s smile was always so minimal. As if Mina never smiles and this was as wide as it could get.
And her laugh is sweet and fleeting, almost torturing Erwin for its briefness. Mina’s smile remains, but it was small. Erwin wanted it to grow bigger.
Mina sighs, realizing she has never had someone turn her own words around on her. She gives him an approving nod. “Nicely done.”
Erwin’s chest fills with warmth, and he mistakes it for something else as usual. “Does that mean I have the approval of Eve’s most intelligent sister?”
Mina’s expression goes back to normal, and she gives him a look. “You still won’t get my approval even if I’m watching Eve walk down the aisle.”
Erwin smirks. “I know. No man deserves your sister.”
“And no man ever will.”
Once Mina realizes that she has feelings for Erwin, she hated every minute after it.
Not because she hated Erwin, but dear God, it felt so humiliating having feelings for someone. All her sense of control completely vanishes once Erwin was around her. He and Hange hasn’t even stayed with them for a complete week, and Mina is already stupidly smitten. She hated it.
Mina is a rational person. Rational enough to know that emotions are real and even as emotionless as she may be, she is still prone to feeling them. It was one of the functions of human beings after all; to long for companionship. She wasn’t stupid to think that the love she feels for Erwin did not exist. Because it certainly made itself known quite often.
Today, Mina and the other sisters will be having a picnic together with their guests at the farm that Tatiana and Ursula were being trained to manage. Hange is very affectionate with Mina. It doesn’t make Mina uncomfortable, it’s just that she isn’t used to being touched. Now, Mina lets Hange hold onto their arm as they walk. The youngest sisters play around the field while the teenagers set up their picnic.
Mina can see Erwin assist Eve with the food, and they would occasionally laugh together.
Hange taps her shoulder. “Hey, you okay?”
Mina just blinks. “Yes. I’m sorry. Tell me more about these titans.”
Hange grins and goes on to narrate how excited they are to see one, and there was no judgement in Mina’s eyes. Although, deep down, Mina does wonder where this fascination comes from. It certainly did not come from the academy where Mina studies. They were very adamant that the students know—there are nothing useful beyond the walls.
The more Hange talks, the more Mina is questioning the academy. Hange has high hopes that there is something beyond the wall. Hange’s passion moves Mina, and she is beginning to understand why Eve would want to venture outside.
“I do hope Hange isn’t talking your ear off.”
They both look to the left, and sees Erwin approaching them with cups of water. Hange grabs for a cup and pats Erwin’s back, and he reaches the other cup to Mina and she takes it.
But she does her best to avoid his touch, so she takes it with her fingertips, since his large hand practically engulfs the cup. “Hange is a better conversationalist than you are.”
Hange cackles and Erwin frowns, mocking hurt. “You truly prefer her company over mine?”
“Hange makes joining the scouts sound beautiful. Enough to almost convince me to join the cadet corps myself.” Mina says, but there is amusement in her tone despite the straight face.
Erwin smiles. “I would love to see you out of your fancy dress and thrown into the horrors of the cadet corps.”
“Are you saying you’d like to see me disrobed?”
Hange spits out the water they were drinking and Erwin’s eyes widen, pink dusting his cheeks and ears. “That’s not… that… that is not what I said.”
“You said you’d looooove to see her out of her fancy dress,” Hange smirks.
“It was a figure of speech.”
Mina hums, coolly drinking her water. Erwin now averts his eyes, feeling a bit inappropriate now, because since she brought it up, he realizes that the only skin he has ever seen of hers are her face. She always wore gloves, and her sleeved dresses reach her neck and ankles.
“I didn’t peg you as a naughty boy, Erwin!” Hange teases, not exactly to tease him about Mina, but to tease his hormones due to puberty. Erwin grimaces, not entirely enjoying to be teased by Hange about a literal twelve-year-old.
Hange definitely doesn’t think that there was something between Mina and Erwin. How could they? Erwin was much too in love with Eve.
Speaking of Eve, Erwin barely got to defend himself when Eve came running to them, free in every sense of the word. Her face is flushed and a wide smile spreads on her face. She grabs Erwin’s hand to tug him forward, and Mina watches the way Erwin fondly smiles at Eve.
“Come on, big guy! The girls want you to spin them around!” Eve laughs, and pulls Erwin with her. He just chuckles and lets himself be dragged to the field.
Mina just watches them play with the youngest girls, while the elder ones join her and Hange at the table to eat. Later on, when the little girls got tired, they retreat to their picnic base, and Narcissa sits on Erwin’s lap just so she can teach him how to play chess (after Erwin lied to her and said he had no idea how the game works).
“Hey, Mina. How’s the academy going?” Xyra asks as she picks apart a piece of bread.
“It’s going fine.”
“And how’s Olyvar?” Valeria asks.
Mina’s eyes falter for a brief moment. “He’s fine.”
Xyra gives her a frown. “Just fine? Didn’t he introduce you to his parents the other day? How did that go?”
It was uncomfortable to talk about her romantic life with her sisters, knowing that all of them who were of age already have lines of suitors, and some were even engaged now. It was even more uncomfortable knowing that Erwin was listening. And it seems that the idea of Mina’s suitor introducing her to his parents caught Erwin’s attention.
“It was fine.”
Valeria pouts. “Don’t you study communications or something? Why can’t you just hold a conversation with us?”
“Because the conversation is clearly about myself. I have nothing to say, dear sister.” Mina responds calmly, pouring herself a glass of grape juice. “If it’s about anything else, I can assure you, you’ll get tired of my voice.”
Erwin doubts that.
“Oh, just tell us about Olyvar. Isn’t he the most handsome man from the academy?” Valeria sighs, smiling, and turns to Hange and Erwin. “A perfect match for Mina. He’s even slightly shorter than her.”
“Val, you are quite shallow,” Tatiana rolls her eyes, and turns to Erwin and Hange. “Olyvar studies history. Incredibly smart. Not as smart as our Mina here, though, but to be fair, who is?” Tati smiles at Mina.
Valeria huffs. “Mina is lucky that Olyvar is courting her, yet she never expresses her gratitude.”
“And why should I be grateful that a man is settling for me because of our rich family?” Mina asks, tilting her head. This silences Valeria, eyes casting downwards to the table. “I’m not blind, dear sisters, I am aware that Sir Olyvar only wants me because I am the only Zackly who isn’t taken yet, and is nearly thirteen.”
Valeria pouts, fiddling with the handle of her cup. “It’s because you’re so uptight, Min. Can’t you be a little looser and casual for once? Not only that, but your height as well. Not to mention that you don’t even smile very often, that we don’t even know if your smile fits you! You always scare men away.”
Erwin frowns, and he opens his mouth to defend her, but…
“I scare boys away. Real men wouldn’t be intimidated by shallow things such as an intelligent tall woman who can handle herself.”
Erwin closes his mouth, his lips curling upwards. Well, she proves herself correct. Mina doesn’t need Erwin to defend her, since she can manage that by herself. At age twelve, too.
Although, Hange didn’t quite get that message. They just frown. “Hey, you shouldn’t talk to your sister like that!” They point at Valeria, who is surprised that someone from Wall Rose would speak to her that way. “You may be all pretty and gorgeous and have… legs for days, but that doesn’t mean you get to talk to someone like that!”
Mina is in disbelief that Hange came to her defense, and she parts her mouth to speak, but Hange doesn’t let her.
“How would you feel if someone talked to you that way, huh?! What if I tell you that I think you should cover up more because it’s cold outside and you shouldn’t freeze your tits just to catch Erwin’s attention, huh?!” Hange rants, and the sisters gape at them. Erwin’s eyes widen, and Eve watches with relaxed, amused and excited eyes. “What if I say that Mina is actually very attractive, and that I think her intelligence is hot!”
“H-Hange,” Mina softly says in disbelief.
“It also matches her height since she is way above all of you! Isn’t she the only one who preferred becoming a professor over just marrying rich? Isn’t she only letting this Olyvar guy marry her because people in this stuck-up family is expected to marry? I think Mina is really cool and beautiful, even if you all think she’s way too tall to be courted by the men you usually have as suitors! You know what else I think?!”
Mina reaches over to gently grab Hange’s arm. “Hange—”
“I think all of you are so mean to Mina!” Hange’s frown deepens, and a few gasps were heard from the other sisters. “Yeah! I said it! I know I look like I’m stupid and everything and I know I’m from Wall Rose, but I’m actually pretty smart and I have ears! All of you have something to say about Mina sometimes and it gets on my nerve! I’ve only been here for three days, and I already saw the way you all treat your own sister! You’re all a bunch of… a bunch of—!” Hange looks like they’re straining and everyone at the table anticipate their next words. Hange explodes. “A bunch of bitches!”
Then, chaos ensues. Everyone is now arguing over the table. Erwin places both his hands on Narcissa’s ears while the girls’ voices overlap. The only ones not speaking were Mina and Erwin. He glances at Mina, who just eyes her other sisters as they argue and somehow yell at one another. Hange was being scolded by Eve faintly in the background, but laced with giggles.
Then, the unexpected happens.
They all slowly grew silent when another sound is heard. Erwin wasn’t sure if he heard it, but he still turns to his left to witness. It was Mina, laughing.
And it wasn’t like the previous laugh he heard, it was a full laugh coming from her stomach. Her eyes are narrowed to slits by her cheeks, due to her wide smile. Her face is slightly flushed as her shoulders shake along with the delightful sound of her laughter. She continues to laugh brightly, and the others just watch her in surprise.
After a few moments, she settles down, a smile gracing her lips. That was when Erwin found out that she has dimples adorning her lower cheeks. Her cheeks are pink with a blush, and her green eyes are twinkling as she looks at everyone at the table.
“I adore you all,” she says, a rare affection in her eyes. “Truly.”
They were all starstruck by the display, and Erwin assumes it is because it wasn’t every day for them to hear Mina laugh.
Her smile remains on her face. “Let’s eat.”
She starts munching on her cookies, and everyone looks at her reluctantly. They all exchange glances, and shrug before following Mina. The tension in the air vanishes, and they all return to lively chatter. Erwin looks at Mina again, and she was watching her family with happiness in her eyes, the first real emotion he has seen on her.
Their eyes meet, and she slows down her movements. Then, she smiles at Erwin, glancing away to drink some juice. Erwin feels warmth in the pit of his stomach, and he looks away, directing his attention back to the little Narcissa, who is telling him about chess pieces.
Later that evening as Erwin lays in bed, and he couldn’t sleep. He contemplates for a moment before he reaches into his luggage to take his pencils and a small sketchpad. He lets his mind be taken over by the inspiration that never left his thoughts, and it was as if he had no control over the strokes of his pencil over the sheet.