Chapter Text
Wild lily of the valley grew around the small stream that broke off the main where Jean was by. The rather tall man sat under an old weeping willow out in his family’s rather large garden. This section had been almost completely abandoned as it was deep in the center of the extravagant garden. It did also help there were hedges on the outer part of this slice of heaven hiding it. Although the stone bench which Jean laid on had vines grown on the legs and had seen better days.
Jean had escaped here from preparations for the ball his mother threw him. He’d come here whenever she’d do anything to tick Jean off ever since he was a child. Whether it was balls or simply being a good mother who had the sense to chew Jean out when he needed it, Jean would come here. He’d discovered it by accident when throwing a tantrum and running off to the garden. Since then he did do a bit of work to nice it up. Nothing that’d get him dirty as not to annoy his mother again.
Being nineteen now Jean was already a year ready for marriage. It wasn’t like he wanted to be late, but the heiress he’d been arranged to marry declined his hand when they finally met in person. Since then to let him heal from the heartbreak Jean’s mother let him a year’s time to recover. It was exactly a year though so now on the anniversary date of being rejected by the girl he’d dreamed of his whole life the ball was thrown on. Many families from around the continent came as everyone wanted in on his future kingdom.
Which made him question, what in the gods' names was so horrible about him that’d turn Mikasa Ackerman away from being the queen of the second biggest kingdom in the land? Was it his ill manners towards his mother? Or maybe it was what her jerky brother described as his horse face. Regardless this rejection had taken its toll on Jean’s self esteem. Luckily he’d been cursed with a rather large ego, so there was much room to be knocked down a few pegs.
It hadn’t been the first rejection Jean had faced. His best friend and former lover, Marco Bodt, had rejected his hand in marriage. Marco was a simple knight, not even in charge of a squad; he was terrified of how the queen. Even as better as it was to have Marco as a close companion, Jean still had a beating heart for him.
Now he was going to have to find a maiden who wasn’t just after his kingdom, but also his mother had to approve of. Regardless of her true intentions Jean was worried any woman he picked would be not good enough for his mother. He’d probably end up with some random girl with lots of money or land or both. Just as long as mother could talk to her about Jean and find ways in his word to ‘micro manage every goddamn thing in my life’.
Jean sat up from his nap and pulled from under the bench his sketchbook. Once he had it he grabbed for his supplies which consisted of charcoal, water colors, a few pencils, and a rather large eraser. Sitting with the best posture possible for an artist, which wasn’t amazing, Jean began to sketch out the blissful scene. While he was rather skilled with portraits Jean had convinced himself it was about time he’d learn how to draw scenery.
As Jean finished up his sketch he’d noticed the sun was rather low in the sky which alerted him to make his way back to his room. Jean ran over the stream to observe his reflection for any dirt he might’ve accumulated from his stay. After rubbing some off his cheek Jean was ready to go back inside.
With a few minutes to sunset Jean arrived back inside undetected with the help of Marco. He swung open the door to his room and inside awaited his mother. The first thought to run through his head was ‘crap’ and ‘I’m done for’. On his bed she looked him dead in the eyes. Queen Kirstein’s first words to Jean simply consisted of,
“Jeanbo if you don’t close that door right now-”
“Mom! Who gave you the permission to-” Jean yelled before being cut off.
“I have every right to be here. Not were you missing on one the biggest nights of your life, but I am the queen.”
“Sorry mom.” Jean apologized with the sincerity of a weasel. He closed the door and just stood in front of it. After a moment and a long sigh from his mother she asked,
“Where in heaven's name were you off to?”
“Just a walk.”
“A walk? With no guards? That’s dangerous-”
“With the knight of the Bodt family!”
“How funny! Cause I was just waiting with the only Bodt knight I knew we had till about half an hour ago. When did we get another?” Jean sheepishly rubbed his head as he tried to find his way out of this one. “Jeanbo don’t lie to me. And don’t make that poor knight lie for you. I know the boy is your friend, but he still serves me. Now just be ready before the ball starts.”
Jean’s mother left his room and as the door closed Jean ran to his bed. He threw the first pillow he grabbed at the door. Jean knew his mother was right, but still, she had no right to be in his room. The outfit Jean was going to wear was already premade special for this event. It was mostly golden colored with some hints of orange in the design, the shirt sleeves ended with snow-white lace, and his collar was adorned with a purple cravat. Jean felt like a tool in this outfit that probably cost more than a hundred peasant lives.
The next thing Jean had to address was his hair. Even though he usually wore it down this was an important night. Besides he’d been wanting to change up his style for a while. So Jean stared into his large mirror before looking down at his vanity table. A pair of scissors grabbed his eyes and with the impulse control of a mad man Jean cut part of his sides short. He then trimmed his side burns a bit before finishing. A mullet for the ages. Now he wouldn’t have to tuck his hair in any fancy way. If Jean wasn’t her son, the queen would have beheaded him on sight.
Before heading out, Jean readied his shoes and took one last look at himself in his large mirror. Jean took a deep inhale in while eyeing himself and a rather swift exhale. Nothing could be more humiliating than being rejected by his lifelong fiancée so at least tonight won’t be a new low. With that he left his room and went to the staircase. Before he could head down there stood Mikasa at the bottom of the stairs smiling brightly and waving. Never mind, somehow fate managed to give Jean the finger already.
With Mikasa stood her parents, her three brothers, her handmaiden, four royal looking women each with their own unique look, and a rather short blonde bodyguard he hadn’t seen before. Jean rubbed his eyes to see if they were playing tricks, but indeed they weren’t lying. He’d recognised the girls from other kingdoms as two were the Queens of a rather isolated, but wealthy island nation. Jean also could recognize the angry glares of Mikasa’s month younger step brother from anywhere, the distant unamused look of her older step brother, and the shy smile from her younger brother.
But the ice eyed distant blonde and the brunette who’s attention was on eating all the finger food on a platter she was offered he didn’t know. As for the blonde knight he hadn’t the slightest clue who he was. He looked familiar, but in all honesty Jean could not place him for his own life. Although it was no matter now as Jean’s attention was focused on why the thirteen people were here in the first place or more specifically why Mikasa was here.
Before he could process the situation Jean waved back at Mikasa as though he was on autopilot. He walked down the grand polished stone staircase with a plastered smile. Jean knew he could be a pain in ass to his mom, but was this some sort of sick revenge she’d taken on him for being disrespectful all these years? Jean arrived at the bottom of the stairs, but before he could get a word in, the brunette had caused a commotion by practically attacking the server when asking for more food.
“Armin get off me! I need mooooore!” The girl yelped to the poor bodyguard.
“Sasha! We shouldn’t be causing a mess! What if the host shows up?” Armin replied as he restrained her. Jean looked a bit confused as how the guard didn’t deduce this was his place.
“Too late for that…” The ice eyed blonde said under breath. Mikasa grabbed Sasha by her ponytail.
“Sasha, you're making a fool of yourself. We haven’t even been here for five minutes.” Sasha sighed. “Annie, can you take care of her? I want to talk to Jean in private. I don’t want to burden Armin.” As Annie nodded, Jean now knew all their names and he was rushed off by Mikasa. He looked behind himself to see queen Ymir laughing hard while holding an embarrassed queen Historia’s waist before Mina cut off his sight as she followed the pair.
Mikasa and Jean stood together in a separate hallway. Mina was around the corner simply observing. There was an awkward silence as neither spoke to one another while walking to their current spot. Mikasa looked down into her red scarf while Jean looked around desperately for an out to this conversation. Breaking the silence Mikasa went first to apologize,
“Jean I’m sorry I couldn’t marry you. It’s not your fault… I just-” The roles reversed as Jean tried hiding the tears forming in his eyes while Mikasa looked around checking if anyone was around. “I’m gay.” Jean looked up quickly. “I’ve always known. I just thought I’d meet you and give you a shot, but I couldn’t do it… And when I came out to my parents they were fine with it and that’s why our marriage was called off.”
There was this look of shock that you’d only see in a blue moon on Jean’s face. Dumbstruck Jean just had his mouth open like a cod fish looking at Mikasa. Thinking about it Jean wasn’t too sure what he was himself. Sure girls were so pretty, but he had been into Marco since they’d met. All of this needless to say overwhelmed Jean, but what was a surprise was Jean losing all verbal functions. Words tried to escape his mouth. They tried their hardest, but nothing left.
Regardless Mina made it a point to just attend to the situation. The handmaiden rushed over to the royals, curtseyed, and quickly whispered in Mikasa’s ear. A bit of concern came over her for a moment which was then smoothed over with an eye roll and sigh. Mikasa looked back into Jean’s eyes and with a bit of caution and asked,
“I know this is a lot, but could you keep it a secret? I’m engaged again, but unlike Ymir and Historia I want a bit of time before I let the public know…” Jean finally came back to earth to reply,
“I will but-” Jean gathered his words, “Is that even allowed in your land? I know you’re people have a weird traditional poly-” Jean got bonked on the head, “Okay I deserved that. But to be fair to myself most royals who have many lovers are more private than your family.”
“He is right Mikasa.” Mina chimed in with a nervous smile. Mikasa gave her a look.
“Thank you!” Mikasa turned her attention to Jean with the same look, “Either way! Is it allowed? The only nation I know of that allows such marriages is Historia’s.”
“Times are changing Jean.” Mikasa replied.
“It also helps that if anyone had an issue it’s not like they could do anything about it. I mean Historia has the best military in all of the world.” Mikasa giggled which put Jean a bit more at ease.
“So, are there any ladies who you have your eyes on tonight?” Mikasa asked as she grabbed Jean by the arm to walk back.
“Well I don’t really know…” Jean sheepishly looked at Mikasa, “If we’re being honest here I kinda did cheat on you with one of my knights… But he has no interest in marrying me.” A slight glimmer ran through Mikasa’s face. A soft smile remained and the two kept chatting till they returned to Mikasa’s entourage. Mikasa and Mina parted from Jean. While waving goodbye Jean took notice again of the blonde named Armin. While the group waved joining the incoming early guests, Armin’s eyes made Jean’s heart race.
After a moment Jean found his mother and wanted to give her a few words. But before the could discuss inviting his ex fiancée to the ball to find another, the queen decided to make Jean attend to guests. It wasn’t exactly the most fun thing talking to complete strangers, but Jean did what was needed. There were many families attending. Some had daughters to offer others just there to have a fun night.
The night was only starting, but Jean found himself being overwhelmed again. He couldn’t complain about the pretty ladies who were all over him. It just all felt like such a rushed process. There had to be more than more than a hundred girls here to even be considered for the courtship process. Most were rather wealthy families, a lot were nobles, and a handful of heirs to other nations.
Right after Jean finished dancing with one the myriad of girls another one approached him. It was the girl named Sasha that came with Mikasa. She had a plate that had seen better days in hand and her dress had a few stains. But something was calming about her presence in the sense Jean could just have casual conversation with her. They danced, but in a friendly manner and talked about many ridiculous things. It was a relief to finally rest a bit mentally that night. So taking advantage of this Jean enquired about her and Mikasa.
“So how do you and Mikasa know each other?”
“Well one day when I was out hunting I almost shot her with an arrow!” Sasha replied. Jean had a slight look of fear enter his face. “Don’t worry though! No arrows entered her. But I did end up not catching much since I spent hours talking to her. She offered to let me come to her ‘abode’ for dinner! And ever since then I was in love.”
“Oh-” Sasha in that moment realized maybe she could’ve worded her thoughts a bit better.
“Sorry about stealing you girl by the way! But also finders keepers. No takesies backsies.” Armin could see and hear the conversation slowly going down hill. It wasn't like Sasha was trying to rub a wound with lemon, but she wasn’t reading the room. Only if Connie had been there maybe the two’s lack of common social etiquette would’ve cancelled each other out. Or it could have been even more chaotic, but who knows.
“May I butt in?” Jean and Sasha turned to face Armin, “I’d like a dance with the gentleman.” He said with a smile. Jean actively felt his face get hot while Sasha elbowed Armin with a grin.
“Smooooth one Armin.” Sasha remarked. “I’ll leave you two to it.” Sasha gave one last large wink before heading back to the food. Armin positioned his arms ready in the air to dance,
“Shall we?” Jean chuckled and shrugged,
“It’s the least I could do to thank you for saving me from that conversation.” Jean positioned himself with Armin and the pair started dancing. “Should I be concerned about her eating all the food we have?”
“I think Mikasa will take notice before she can. In fact I’ll bet you’ll get to see Mikasa pull her by the hair at some point again tonight.”
“Is that something she just does?”
“Mikasa only really does it with Sasha since it’s only really Sasha who needs… let’s call it guidance.”
“Whatever works works! So, how do you know Mikasa?”
“Well I’ve known Eren since I was born and then I met Mikasa once their families became one! Ever since then the three of us have been attached by the hips.”
“Hmmm maybe that’s where I’ve seen you before… Don’t take this the wrong way, but I feel like we’ve met before.”
“None taken. I’ve felt the same way this whole night.