That evening, Zeke entered the princess's chambers with a bouquet of fresh red roses. Red roses—symbols of love.
But Anna didn't even look at them. With a scowl, she snatched the flowers from his hands and hurled them away in anger.
He didn't need to guess why. She was still furious at him for refusing her plea that morning—to use his Titan power to crush Marley.
Everyone wanted the power of the Titans. Everyone imagined it was theirs to command. But no one ever asked what the Titans themselves thought, or what burdens their wielders carried.
Quietly, Zeke bent to retrieve the roses. With patient care, he placed them in a vase by the princess's bedside.
It puzzled him.
He had never been this patient with anyone in his life. He had never bought flowers, never thought to give them to anyone. And yet, for this ill-tempered princess, he found himself doing it without hesitation.
When the recorder arrived, Anna and Zeke took their positions at opposite ends of the bed. Their "duties" resumed, the routine unchanged.
The next day, Zeke carried out his military assignments as usual. The whispers of the servants spread through the palace—stories of how he had brought roses to the princess, embroidered with every imaginable twist.
That evening, he returned again to her room. This time, he carried not flowers, but a small cake.
To his surprise, when he entered, the princess was staring at the roses he had left behind.
"I thought you would throw them away once I was gone," Zeke said quietly.
She blinked, startled out of her thoughts, then noticed him. Her face hardened instantly, returning to its mask of indifference.
Zeke only smiled faintly. To him, she was still a partner bound to him by duty. He had no expectations of affection.
He offered the cake.
The princess tilted her head, suspicious.
"I gave you flowers yesterday," Zeke explained, "but you didn't seem to care for them. So I asked around. They said you've always liked cake."
Her eyes flickered, but she scoffed coldly. "No. I don't like it." She turned away.
"Just take one bite," Zeke said gently. "If not, you'll only break it into pieces later and eat it in secret."
Her cheeks flushed instantly. "Who would do that!?" she snapped.
Zeke said nothing, only watched her calmly.
The silence stretched. At last, she huffed, grabbed the cake, and began to eat.
But after two small bites, her eyes filled with tears.
Zeke froze. "Hey! Did I hurt you somehow? Why are you crying?"
Her sobs came suddenly, deeper than anything he had expected. She wept harder than she had even in bed, unable to stop.
And then, between choking breaths, she spoke.
"On my fourth birthday… I told my mother I wanted cake. She went to the kitchen, made one with her own hands. But when she carried it to me, she tripped and dropped it on the floor…"
Her lips trembled.
"…The Queen's men beat her to death. Right there. For ruining the gift."
Zeke's chest tightened.
"That day, I lay on the ground, eating the broken cake. The blood on it made it bitter, but also… sweet. Ha… haha…"
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she smiled faintly, eating the cake he had given her now.
Zeke's heart ached at the sight. He had no idea what to do.
"I—should I hug you? Wipe your tears? Tell me what to do…"
But Anna only shook her head.
When the last crumb was gone, she wiped her eyes and looked at him. Her voice was soft.
"This is the first gift I've ever received."
She smiled weakly. "The flowers… they're beautiful."
Then, after a pause, she whispered, "Thank you, Zeke."
That night, for the first time, they shared a bond beyond duty. Their bodies moved in tacit understanding, and the silence between them was no longer filled with resentment.
…
Day 3.
The daily reports and duties went as usual. Miss Lala, who had grown up treated as nothing more than a servant, was suddenly promoted to sergeant. She was flustered as soldiers saluted her, stumbling over protocol. Watching her, Zeke thought again of the absurd hierarchies of Marley's palace.
Meanwhile, from Yelena's side, no news came.
That evening, Zeke entered Anna's chambers with a larger gift: a grand bouquet of flowers and a finely tailored dress.
The princess's eyes lit up. When she held the gown against her, her smile was radiant, unguarded. For the first time, Zeke thought her beauty was not hidden by sorrow or rage.
…
Day 4.
Zeke was summoned by the King of Marley. The monarch praised his progress, his obedience, his results.
Zeke bowed respectfully—and seized the chance.
"Your Majesty, I request permission to depart for Paradis Island early."
The king's smile vanished. His face darkened with irritation. "What did you say? You want to leave early? Why!? I am finally satisfied with you, and you wish to abandon your duty here?"
Zeke met his glare steadily. "I wish to bring the Founding Titan back to Marley as quickly as possible. And when I return, I humbly ask Your Majesty to grant me permission… to marry Princess Anna."
The king blinked. His fury dissolved in an instant.
"Oh? So that's it. For Anna, is it?"
His voice grew warm, almost jovial. He clapped his hands, laughter shaking his chest. He was more pleased than before—as though Zeke's supposed "weakness" had been revealed, and it amused him to see it.
Moments later, he issued the order. Zeke was to lead a team of four aboard a ship to Paradis Island the next day. Each soldier was given leave to bid farewell to their families before departure.
For Zeke, this was the moment he had longed for. Even a single day gained was a chance.
If they reached Paradis Island early, just a little earlier, there might still be time—time to prevent Grisha from devouring the Founding Titan.
Time to change everything.