Chapter Text
Year 853
Cameras flashed everywhere, bright and sharp, flickering like a sky full of stars. The crowd shouted your name, hands lifted, faces glowing with admiration. Gold balloons drifted overhead, mixing with falling confetti. You stood at the center, waving, smiling, soaking in the perfect moment.
The engagement ring on your finger caught the spotlights, scattering them in dazzling white sparks. Beside you, your fiancé stood tall and handsome, the kind of man everyone expected you to end up with. Together, you were Marley's vision of the future.
At the edge of the stage, your father watched you. His posture was straight, his uniform sharp, his expression reserved as always. And yet...pride flickered in his eyes. A flicker that made your heart swell.
You had everything you ever wanted.
Everything you thought would make you happy.
And... you were happy.
Weren't you?
As the crowd cheered louder, the moment began to blur. Your mind drifted backward through every choice that had led you here.
Back to the night that changed everything.
Year 845
The car ride to the Howard mansion hummed with anticipation. Not the usual stiff silence you were used to, but a charged, expectant quiet. In the backseat, your eyes were fixed on the passing streets of Liberio as you glided your fingers over the pale fabric of your dress every few seconds, unable to still yourself.
Tonight was the night you would get engaged.
You could feel it.
You'd met Julian Howard at a charity outing a few months earlier. He was tall, blonde, and effortlessly handsome, with a smile that made your heart stumble. And you didn't live under a rock, you knew exactly who he was the moment you saw him. Julian was the President's son, part of a family whose wealth and influence stretched across the world.
You were known only because your father, Commander Magath, over saw the Warrior Unit. This was enough to keep your family in the public eye, but nothing compared to Julian's pedigree. Still, as time passed, it wasn't your father people talked about anymore. It was you. The public had christened you "Marley's Sweetheart," endlessly fixated on your appearance, your wardrobe, and your love life. In fact, they'd spent months "shipping" you with Julian, and they got their wish when he invited you to dinner after your first meeting.
The past few months had been like a dream: dinners at elegant restaurants, peaceful strolls through Liberio, and attending major events on the arm of the most handsome man in Marley. But, recently, Julian had started acting strange, leaving you to worry over every possible reason why. You had spent countless nights staring at your ceiling, wondering if you'd somehow ruined everything without meaning to.
Then the invitation arrived for a formal dinner at the Howard mansion. Every important name in Marley would be there.
To anyone else it would have seemed ordinary. But to you, it meant everything. Their eldest son had proposed to his girlfriend the night after she received her dinner party invitation. The President spoke with her father privately, and the following week she was planning her wedding and becoming part of one of Marley's most influential families.
And now it was your turn.
You'd been told to dress elegantly. Naturally, you went all out. A pale blue gown hugged your curves before flaring softly at the hem, its daring slit running along your leg and its open back revealing just enough. Your hair was curled and flowed softly over your shoulders past the diamond necklace that glimmered at your collarbone. Your makeup was flawless, from your shimmering eyeshadow to the soft blush on your cheeks and the luminous sheen on your lips.
Everything was perfect.
You were perfect.
Your father sat rigidly in the driver's seat, eyes locked on the road. Beside him, your brother Teddy held the same stiff posture. Both were broad-shouldered, disciplined, and dressed in their Marleyan uniforms. They spoke in low voices, discussing troop movements and training schedules as if you weren't there at all.
Being left out of their conversations usually hurt your feelings. But tonight? You were too distracted to care.
Your eyes drifted to the back of Teddy's head. His collar was sticking up, stubborn as always. You leaned in and tugged it back into place.
"Your collar's crooked," you murmured, smoothing the fabric over his shoulders.
He flicked his eyes toward you in the mirror. The corner of his mouth twitched. "Thanks, Viv."
"We can't have Marley's newest captain looking anything less than perfect," you teased, giving him a soft smile.
The car slowed, turning up the long stone drive toward the Howard mansion. Light spilled from the open windows as music drifted into the night. The crystal chandeliers glowed through the tall front window panes, casting warm light across the polished marble beams that framed the doorway.
Your brother opened your door and extended his hand, helping you out of your car. You moved carefully in your heels, which were wildly impractical but undeniably flattering. You took your father's arm as the three of you stepped inside. The effect was immediate: heads snapped around, conversations stopped mid-sentence, eyes widened, and hushed gasps spread through the room.
"Well," you said with a bright smile, "it's good to see me, isn't it?"
A ripple of laughter and admiring murmurs spread through the room. Several men straightened instinctively and a number of women watched with admiration edged in envy. You continued gracefully strolling inside, your hands gliding lightly at your sides like you were floating through the air.
This is where you shined. Where charm became currency, and you were rich.
You greeted the first cluster of guests. You complimented a general's wife on her beautiful dress, complimented a young officer on his promotion, and hugged an old family friend. They hung on your every word as if it were their only source of oxygen. It felt so good to be adored.
But your father broke the spell with a single announcement.
"Did you know Theodore has been promoted to Captain?" he said loudly, "The youngest in the entire army." Teddy straightened instantly, offering polite nods to the crowd as they congratulated him. Just like that, you were swallowed by your brother's shadow yet again.
Then President Howard approached.
"Commander Magath, Captain Magath," he greeted your father and brother with measured respect, "and the lovely Vivienne."
You dipped your head gracefully. "President Howard! Thank you for welcoming us so graciously into your home. We are truly honored."
A warm smile spread across his face. "Oh, Vivienne," he said, "you're outshining even the stars tonight."
You let out a playful laugh. "I sincerely doubt that... though they do have some competition," you added, giving him a teasing wink. The crowd laughed, and you found yourself in the spotlight once more.
Just then, Julian found you. "I apologize for not greeting you at the door, darling," he said, sliding an arm around your waist. "I was explaining to the staff the difference between a table wine and something actually worth serving." He scoffed lightly. Before you could respond, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to your cheek, sending a delighted shiver through you.
He looked especially handsome tonight in a custom navy-blue suit that made his blue eyes stand out, with a tie chosen to match your dress. His hair was slicked back neatly and the faint scent of his expensive cologne drifted around you.
President Howard gestured toward your father. "Commander Mcgath. A moment, if you will."
This was it.
He led your father to his office, and the heavy door shut behind them. Teddy was quickly absorbed into a circle of officers, animatedly recounting a recent mission.
You returned your attention to Julian. "You look incredible in that dress," he murmured, his eyes exploring every curve of your body.
You arched a brow, tilting your head. "This old thing?" you said letting your hand sweep over the fabric of your gown.
He smirked, leaning in ever so slightly closer. "I should be mingling with the guests, but you're far too distracting for me to concentrate on anything else."
"Oh?" You fluttered your lashes with exaggerated innocence. "I had no intention of distracting you."
"I'm tempted to take you upstairs and show you just how distracting you are," he whispered, voice low. His lips brushed your neck in a soft kiss.
You knew exactly what he wanted. The two of you had never gone past a quick kiss, a restraint that only deepened the tension between you. "Well," you whispered, "disappearing from dinner like that would be dreadfully scandalous, wouldn't it? People would surely notice our absence."
His smirk deepened. "Maybe that's a risk I'm willing to take..."
Any other night, you might have considered his offer, but not tonight. Tonight, everything had to be perfect. You took a steadying breath, pivoting from the teasing tension to sincerity. "Julian, I'm really glad you invited us tonight. Truly. I just know this is the start of something amazing."
Before he could respond, the subtle click of the door signaled that your father and the president exiting the room, pulling your attention away from him.
Your father, normally unshakable, looked pale as a ghost. You wanted to find out what they discussed, but it was too late.
Dinner was being served.
The clinking of fine china and silverware mingled with the murmur of polite conversation. Candles flickered in crystal holders, casting soft pools of golden light over the polished marble table. Steam drifted up from the plates, carrying the lemon pasta, tender chicken, fresh herbs, and a hint of garlic. You picked delicately at your meal, your attention quietly scanning the shifting currents of conversation around the table.
You sat between your brother and Julian, keeping up a conversation with both. Across from you, your father sat beside President Howard, his posture rigid and his hands clasped neatly. He looked more tense than usual.
Finally, President Howard rose.
"It is time we address a delicate matter," he said, his voice carrying an authority to silence the room instantly. "As many of you already know, we will be sending a select group of Warriors to Paradis to reclaim the Founding Titan."
Your eyes widened as a ripple of whispers moved down the table. Your father rarely shared sensitive information with you, so this was the first you'd heard of it. You'd heard of Paradis, of course. Everyone had. Stories of the "island devils," walled in and dangerous. But it had always been talk. The sort of thing men discussed over brandy. But tonight, hearing it laid out as a real operation with real soldiers... it sent a chill down your spine.
"The Warriors are loyal," President Howard continued, "but they are young and vulnerable to outside influence. We cannot risk them being swayed by the island devils, especially given that they share the same bloodline."
A lieutenant from the center of the table cleared his throat. "Sir, if I may... these children have trained their whole lives for this. Their families are here. They are well aware of the consequences of betrayal."
"We have no way to predict how they'll behave," Howard cut in smoothly. "It would be irresponsible not to prepare for every possibility."
It made sense. Once the Warriors were that far from home, Marley would have no real way of knowing what they were doing or who might be influencing them.
"I have decided to send someone with them to keep an eye on their activities," President Howard continued. "A Marleyan."
The reaction was instant.
Chairs scraped violently against the floor. Several officers lurched to their feet. Shocked voices burst across the table all at once.
"A Marleyan? Out there?"
"With those devils?"
"You can't be serious, Mr. President!"
"That's a death sentence!"
Hands slammed against the polished wood. Faces flushed red. One woman clutched her collar as if she couldn't breathe.
You stayed composed on the outside, but shock rippled through you. Sending Eldian Warriors was already unconventional but sending one of your own people onto that island was unthinkable.
"I know it may seem unusual," the president said smoothly, "but this is the only way to ensure the Warriors are properly supervised. And beyond that, this individual will serve as an asset, someone who can support the mission. Being chosen for this is a great honor. "
The group settled immediately.
"When will you choose this individual?" a general asked, voice cautious.
"We already have." Howard's gaze swept the table before settling in your direction. "In fact, this dinner is to honor them."
A polite smile formed on your lips, though a thin thread of disappointment pulled tight in your chest. You weren't getting engaged. It was obvious now. Of course, this was about your brother. He was the one being chosen for this special mission. You glanced at him. Surprise crossed his features. Compassion warmed your chest; he clearly hadn't known either. You reached for his hand and gave it a light squeeze. He deserved this. He was everything a soldier should be. Your father would be-
"Vivienne Magath."
The sound of your name cracked through the room like lightning.
The silence that followed was deafening.
You let out a laugh, others soon following your lead. "Mr. President, your humor is delightful. Please, tell us who the real candidate is."
"I have selected you, Vivienne," he repeated, utterly matter-of-fact.
Your smile stayed frozen in place as you turned to your father. He said nothing and refused to look at you. Your heartbeat thudded painfully. This couldn't be happening.
The table erupted in outrage again, and your brother tore his hand from yours.
Rising, his voice rang with outrage. "Sir, what are you talking about?"
Your father's command cut through the chaos. "Theodore. Sit down."
His tone was so firm, so cold, that your brother froze mid-breath. Anger burned in Teddy's eyes, but obedience won out. He sank back into his chair, jaw clenched tight.
You reached for his hand again in an attempt to comfort him but he snatched it away before you could touch him.
"Ms. Magath isn't even a soldier," a voice protested.
President Howard didn't flinch. "We don't need another soldier. We are already sending four. They will protect her, and she will monitor them. Vivienne is the perfect fit. She is composed, perceptive, and unlikely to attract attention."
"With all due respect, she attracts plenty of attention everywhere she goes," someone shouted from farther down the table.
"Social attention," Howard corrected sharply. "Not suspicion. Though, her social skills will only aid the search. She can move through Paradis unnoticed, charm those around her, and gather information the Warriors cannot. And best of all, no one would ever suspect her of espionage."
A murmur of disbelief rippled through the table. You felt like you might faint. How could they even consider sending you across the sea?
"Besides," Howard said smoothly, "she is 'Marley's sweetheart'. When she returns and shares her experience with the public, they'll rally behind her completely. With the Founding Titan in our hands and her as the face of our campaign, we can eliminate Paradis once and for all."
One daring general ventured, "Would you not say her brother is better suited for this role?"
Heads nodded subtly, a silent plea for reason to prevail.
"Captain Magath is strong, but we don't need another fighter," President Howard said calmly.
"We need someone who can observe and influence. Those are skills Vivienne possesses, not her brother. I've already discussed the details with Commander Magath, and we are in agreement."
You stared at your father in disbelief. He had agreed to this? He was essentially sending you to your death.
"If that's all the questions, let's hear from the woman of the hour, shall we? Vivienne, please say a few words," the president prompted.
A hush fell instantly over the table. Every face turned toward you. You rose slowly and walked toward the head of the table, where the president waited for you.
You wanted to run. You had walked in tonight expecting a ring, not a death sentence. You forced your breathing to steady, though your pulse was a frantic drum beneath your skin. What was he expecting you to say? You couldn't refuse... could you?
You cleared your throat, lifted your chin.
"If this is what Marley requires of me," you said, your voice steady and strong, "then I humbly accept this mission."
Applause swelled around you like a rising tide. You extended your hand to President Howard with flawless elegance, even as the pounding of your pulse thundered in your ears, nearly drowning out whatever he said next.
Your eyes drifted to Julian, hoping to find the same shock you felt. But didn't look surprised. Not even a little bit. He must have known all along.
The rest of dinner passed in a blur, and the moment it ended, your brother stood and headed straight for the door. You tried to follow, but a tide of well-wishers closed in around you, blocking your path.
Through the crowd, you caught a glimpse of your his eyes. He gave you one last look before slipping out of the mansion, leaving a swirl guilt in the pit of your stomach.
You needed a moment alone.
Slipping into the nearest empty room, you eased the door shut behind you. The muffled laughter and clinking glasses faded into silence. You pressed a hand to your chest, trying to calm your racing heart. You couldn't do this. You had never even left Liberio, let alone faced something so dangerous. How were you supposed to survive a mission like this?
"Vivienne."
The voice made you jump.
"Mr. President," you breathed, forcing your hands to your sides. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize anyone was in here."
He was nursing a glass of bourbon, white hair sharp against his black suit. His presence alone was enough to intimidate you.
"I should be the one apologizing for blindsiding you," he replied.
You shook your head, swallowing hard. "No, it's fine. I just... I thought Julian was going to propose tonight. I wasn't expecting any of this. And honestly, I still don't understand why you chose me." The words spilled out before you could stop them.
President Howard set down his drink. "Vivienne, you and my son have fun, truly. But I cannot allow him to marry you."
You were taken aback by his harsh words.
"Not yet," he amended, but no less cutting.
"My children marry powerful, successful, and well-respected people." His eyes skimmed your gown, the diamonds on your neck, the perfect arrangement of your curls. "And I had simply assumed you were a vain little girl my son spent time with until a proper match could be arranged for him."
Well... that was rude. Julian didn't feel that way, did he? Heat flared across your cheeks in pure embarrassment.
"Don't get me wrong, Vivienne, the public adores you," he said. "But being 'Marley's sweetheart' isn't the same as being respected."
"Then why choose me?" you demanded. "Do you just want me out of Julian's life? Because there are simpler ways to do that than sending me off to die."
Your voice rose, sharper than you intended.
President Howard was caught off guard. He clearly hadn't expected you to push back. You were always obedient, always charming. But right now, you weren't interested in being pleasant for his benefit.
"Three weeks ago," Howard began, swirling the bourbon in his glass, "I witnessed something from you that I never had before." His pale eyes lifted to yours, sharp and almost amused. "The ability to manipulate."
"I don't know what you're talking about," you replied confused.
"Oh, Vivienne, come now." He chuckled. "You remember. At the Governor's gathering? When you singlehandedly secured your brother's promotion to captain?"
"I didn't do that. He earned it on—"
"Merit," he finished for you, dismissing the word. "Please. I heard your father clinging to that excuse all evening. Let's be honest with each other, both of us know it was you."
You turned toward the side table and poured yourself wine simply to have something in your hands. Anything to keep from shaking.
"Theodore had been denied the captaincy twice. And from the sound of the council chamber that day, he was very likely to be denied again." Howard took a sip. "But that night at the governor's mansion... you drifted through the room like a ghost. Silent. Intentional. And I watched your every move."
Your pulse thudded.
"You approached General Soren's wife," he continued. "You praised her husband's steadiness under pressure. A trait you conveniently mentioned Teddy developed as well. She repeated your exact phrasing to the general less than an hour later."
"That doesn't mean anything," you murmured, swallowing half your glass too fast. Julian had been right; the wine was exquisite and well worth offering, though it did little to settle your nerves.
"But that wasn't all," Howard continued, sounding almost delighted. "While speaking to Commander Finch about his commendation, you casually mentioned that your brother had become far less impulsive, one of the council's primary concerns about him." He leaned in slightly, eyes bright with calculation. "And then, my favorite part, you approached Councilman Reeves. The man who's been desperate to play a larger role in the Warrior Unit." He chuckled to himself. "You joked that whoever made Theodore captain would be in your father's debt forever." Howard's smile sharpened. "It seemed like a throwaway comment, but he thought about it. And recognized the truth beneath it."
You hadn't realized what you were doing, not then. You had been doing it your whole life without ever naming it. Manipulation? Guidance? You weren't sure anymore. But now, thinking back, the pieces fit too neatly to ignore. You knew General Soren hung on his wife's every word like a dog waiting for its master's signal. You had overheard Commander Finch complaining about Theodore's impulsive nature while you delivered documents to your father's office. And you'd seen how Councilman Reeves trailed after your father, desperate for favor.
Maybe you hadn't meant to do it consciously. Or maybe...maybe a part of you had known exactly what you were doing all along.
"The next morning," Howard continued, spreading his hands, "all three of them came into my office praising your brother as if it were their own revelation." His smile widened. "They repeated your words almost exactly. And they never even realized it."
A heavy silence filled the room, tightening around you like a grip.
"You were ," he said softly, "remarkable."
It was startling how quickly he went from dismissing you as just a pretty face to praising you as some hidden strategist. And yet... you found yourself hanging on every word.
"Your talents are wasted in luncheons and banquets. I am offering you a chance to be great."
"Teddy makes more sense," you whispered, voice breaking. "He's the one you want for this."
"He's obvious," Howard said. "And obvious is the first to be spotted and to die. You aren't what anyone would suspect. Besides... aren't you exhausted from living in Theodore's shadow? Watching him take the praise while you stand behind him?"
Your stomach twisted. You wanted to argue. But a small, aching part of you knew the truth. Yes, you were tired.
He stepped closer than was appropriate and you shrunk under his towering frame.
"It's your choice," he said. "If you'd prefer, I'll return to the party and inform everyone that I misjudged you. That you're not ready." His gaze drifted down your gown, the diamonds at your collarbone. "That you're simply a beautiful girl with nothing more to offer."
Something inside you cracked. Anger? Shame? Fear? It was impossible to separate them.
"Or," Howard continued softly, "you accept this mission and bring me back a Titan. And when you return, alive and successful, Marley will see you for who you truly are. Not a just pretty face. But a woman worthy of respect. You will marry Julian. You will shape the future. You will finally be more than adored, you will be revered."
All your life you had been watched, admired, and paraded around. But never taken seriously.
This mission could change that. But that it came with a sharp, undeniable cost. You could die. And if you did, you wouldn't get anything you wanted.
The thought of being surrounded by the island devils made your stomach twist. Every story you had ever heard about Paradis painted them as monsters in human skin, violent and unpredictable. The idea of living among them felt like stepping into a nightmare.
Yet beneath the fear, something else stirred.
If you survived, if you infiltrated their walls, captured the Founding Titan, and returned home, everything would change. You would not be the girl people praised for her smile or her dresses. You would be the woman who walked into the heart of an enemy nation and brought back its greatest weapon. The woman who secured Marley's future. The woman the entire country would rally behind. And you would finally earn what your heart wanted most: the chance to marry Julian Howard.
You steadied your breathing, lifted your chin, and forced your heartbeat into silence.
"I'll do it," you said finally, voice firm despite the tremor beneath it. "I'll take the mission."
Howard's smile was small, satisfied, a man who had already known your answer, who had simply waited for you to catch up.
He raised his glass in a silent toast.
"To Marley's newest weapon."