At Your Service || 𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕚 𝕩 𝕡𝕝𝕦𝕤 𝕤𝕚𝕫𝕖 𝕙𝕚𝕤𝕡𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕔 𝕠𝕔

Chapter Twelve

"Those scouts are hiding something" a elderly woman hissed as she gossiped to some Garrison soldiers

I pushed past the crowd of faces as I walked down the familiar streets of Karanes. The air filled with the gossip of what happening in Stonhess as I strolled down the cobblestone roads. I couldn't imagine how the townspeople will act when the Scouts returned.

It seems that Eren kid was to be turned in. I guess that's why Ewrin didn't call on me for tea or why Levi didn't share too much information. Then again, he rarely shared anything at all.

I stopped at a small outdoor shop, looking at the soaps and other toiletries. A singular red rose was propped on the square blocks of the pink tinted soaps. I smiled as I thought about Miche. It had been less that 12 hours yet I missed him terribly.

My smile quickly faded as I thought about Nanaba and the kiss we shared. My face began to feel warm as I sighed, almost feeling her lips gently pressed against mine.

What spell had she cast over me? Part of me wished it would stop. Yet, some of me longed for it to continue and even go further.

I turned over my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts as I heard the sound of boots walk by, seeing a group of older Garrison soldiers. I studied their faces as each one walked when I noticed a familiar face from the past that I really needed to see.

"Tobias!" I called

I ran to him, my heart pounding with each step, trying my best to avoid running into people.

"Mariana!" Tobias called out

He held his arms out, noticing I was almost lunging in for a hug. He let out a grunt as I fell into him, hugging him tight. He was the closest person I had to my own father, as if Tobias was the only family I had left.

"Well!" Tobias laughed, embracing me back "You never seemed like a hugger before"

"I've missed you" I sighed, looking up at him

"Me?" He laughed once more "The old drunk? I'm flattered"

His voice was deep with a baritone and raspy sound from all the alcohol and cigars he would smoke. His laugh always sounded like he was going to start coughing.

"Of course! You're the only one I knew all those years I was here" I smiled

"Speaking of!" Tobias scratched his face "Where have you been? I haven't seen you leave for your walks in almost 2 months"

"Guess what" I leaned in and whispered "I got a job"

"Congratulations! But where?"

"I'm a handmaiden" I murmured "for the Scouts"

"The Scouts?!" Tobias exclaimed "They have the money for a maid?"

"Well" I rubbed the back of my neck "I'm not exactly being paid"

"You're not being paid?"

"In exchange, I get a room of my own and food" I shrugged "so it all works out"

"That's it?" Tobias questioned

"Better than living on the streets"

"You lived on the streets?" Tobias exclaimed "Why didn't you tell me? You could have lived with me and my ol' lady. She always wanted a daughter"

"You didn't ask" I sighed

"Now why would I ask someone that?" Tobias fussed, his brow raised as his arms crossed over his chest "Nevermid!"

Tobias scratched his graying beard stubble, then continued

"That doesn't sound like much of an exchange. What if you became the Garrison maid in Trost! At least you'll get paid"