Two weeks passed you in seconds. Your e/c eyes stared into the reflection of your mirror, your fingers tracing down the smooth fabric of your gown.

The sky was a deep black with highlights from the stars glaring against the windows of your bedroom. You sighed with anxiety, unable to shake off your nervousness for the awaiting night.

You heard as the door opened to the girls dormitory.

You slipped the light sleeves of your dress over your arms, feeling the material drag behind you whenever you walked. Your corset had been tightened around your waist with the help of Mikasa, clearly outlining your figure.

You heard a pair of footsteps enter as a silhouette appeared behind you: Reiner's amber eyes widened, his smooth lips parting as his pupils dropped to your heels, slowly steering up each inch of your body.

He ran his long, slender fingers through his blonde locks, forcing a confident smile as his body melted at the sight of you in that dress.

"You-.."

"Yes.. Reiner?" You teased, watching his face in the mirror infront of you.

"You look- I can't believe how.. gorgeous you look.. Y/N." Reiner's figure loomed beside you as he carefully adjusted your necklace, "Thanks for letting me come tonight."

Reiner Braun's hair was in its usual style. He had a natural glow against his supple skin and a hue of blush on his cheekbones. His golden eyes glistened with rays of joy as his smile widened to his cheeks.

He wore a sophisticated suit, with a tight, fitted shirt hugging at his large chest and the muscles on his broad shoulders and back. He wore a dark, night-sky jacket that was hanging over his shoulders, as well as a tie that perfectly matched your dress.

Your eyes were entranced by the boy you once passionately loathed: "I guess you don't look too bad."

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?" His husky voice softened.

You scoffed, "You look handsome."

"Eren is already at the palace, and Erwin is readying his horse outside to leave." Reiner shook his head dismissively with a faint smirk against his lips, "The ball's tonight, how are you feeling?"

You turned your head back to Reiner Braun, "Scared. Nervous. Excited. Scared."

"You said scared twice."

"Exactly."

Reiner Braun softly chuckled, adjusting his ebony suit jacket that was tight around his shoulders, "I'm scared, too - I've never been to anything like this before."

"I went to a gala with my father when I was about six," Your cheeks ached from smiling, "But, other than that, me neither. I'm just so nervous."

You stood from your seat, dusting off your dress as you readjusted your jewellery.

"You look beautiful in that dress, you know. Truly.. remarkable." Reiner eyes widened a little once more, his expression softening, "You're giving Aphrodite herself a run for her money."

"I think you've complemented me about a thousand times since you first saw me in this dress," You forced a sarcastic gasp, "Are you insinuating that I don't look beautiful all the time?"

"You do," The golden-haired soldier scoffed, "You really make it difficult to dislike you by looking this good."

Some of the biggest names within the walls would be attending the event, this even including politicians, Lords and members of the Court. Erwin had explained to you just how exclusive this event was, and that you needed to be on your best behaviour as to not humiliate your family name.

Reiner leaned closer to you, his fingertips running down the sensitive skin of your arm.
"You still promising me a dance tonight?" He whispered against you as his breaths tickled your neck.

"Of course.. Reiner."

He replied with a gentle smirk.

Reiner linked his arm with yours, leading you out of the building and to the nearest carriage with your father and Hange already inside. You felt your leg shake the entirety of the way there, unable to calm your nerves.

You were greeted with a curtsey from royal servants and waiters as you entered the ballroom. 

The golden lights were dim with chandeliers creating picturesque patterns against the expensive, wallpapered walls. An orchestra was playing exquisite music gently, with many couples slow dancing to the hum of the piano.

Hange quickly excused themselves to go search around the area for drinks and food; Erwin claimed he had important business to attend to, and that he wanted you to meet some of his Comrades; Reiner decided to go find Eren and give him some company.

Your eyes glanced at each area of the ballroom, your fingers curling together as you attempted to depict who each person was. Your eyes skimmed over the room before landing on a table of your father's Comrades, all of whom wearing such formal attire that you struggled to recognise them.

Erwin led you towards them.

"Y/N, I haven't seen you since you were just a toddler!" One of his Comrades cooed in a low voice, "I'm glad you could make it, I was a little worried that your nerves would get the better of you. Erwin told me that you were nervous about this evening."

You sat besides your father on a large table, "Of course, I wouldn't miss a Royal ball for the world."

The edges of his lips curled up, "I'm glad. You look lovely."

You glanced away with bashful eyes, "Thankyou, sir."

A few hours passed you, yet it felt like an eternity. You sat on a cushioned chair at the crook of the ballroom, still sipping from the empty glass a few inches away from you.

Many couples were dancing together, having romantic moments and drinking cheerfully.

Your eyes kept staring at the large, golden clock, ever so often hearing one of the people on your table laugh uncontrollably at a joke you didn't understand.

You prayed that Eren or Reiner would whisk you away from the excruciatingly boring evening.

Many people were dancing, enjoying their evening: meanwhile, you had been forced to sit under the careful eye of your father whilst he spoke to other Comrades and friends.

Pixis gestured towards you with furrowed brows, "So, what about you, Y/N?"

You shook yourself out of your own thoughts, "What?"

Erwin gave you a short cold glare that you hadn't been paying attention to anything being said at the table.

Another man gave you an awkward smile, "Your opinion on what happened to the Wall two months ago? You were apart of the battle of Trost, were you not?"

Erwin answered before you had chance to reply: "She fought, indeed, and did me proud. She even been allocated a placed in the special operations Squad following the mission."

"Impressive!"

You leaned a little further back, yawning boredly as you carried on adjusting your dress.You flicked your nails against the glass, creating a rhythmic tune as you struggled to stay awake due to your own boredom. 

You watched as Erwin turned his neck to something behind you, his attention caught. You copied his movements, craving for some sort of distraction as you observed what he was looking at.

Your stare softened as you leant your jaw on your knuckle, gazing at a stern-faced Reiner Braun.

Reiner's large figure was perched against a wall, his long fingers clasped around a small glass. He swirled a golden liquid in a crystal-clear glass, a small whirlpool forming in the drink.

His beady eyes were focused steadily on Eren Yaeger with a bitter frown against his lips, both men seeming agitated by the conversation: or at least that was until his eyes caught onto you.

The edge of Reiner's soft lips curled into a smirk; he raised their hand as if to dismiss Eren, his mind now immediately on you. Reiner walked towards as you felt your heart skip a sudden beat. Your eyes slowly ran up his silhouette just a few meters away from you. You swallowed, clenching your jaw as you nervously fidgeted with your dress.

You guiltily looked away, feeling a peculiar and unfamiliar feeling form in the bottom of your stomach as his eyes gazed into yours.

"Excuse me." The older boy spoke, his hand extending towards you with the same smirk as earlier.

You offered a faint smile, "Yes?"

"May I have this dance?"