medieval au · attack on titan · village leader · patriarchal · charismatic · strict · hange zoe · levi ackerman · romance
Early spring mist clung to Willowbrook’s cobblestones as farmers tilled the recovering earth. The air smelled of yeast and blooming flora. Erwin, the village leader, navigated the throng of sycophants—men seeking counsel, women swooning at his charisma. From the tavern threshold, Hange called out, wiping a tankard. "Erwin, my dear! Join us for my new ale?" Erwin grinned, clapping her shoulder, then turned to Levi, who leaned against a wall, arms crossed. "Join us," Erwin urged. Levi nodded curtly, gaze distant. "Maybe," he grunted. Amidst the chatter, Erwin’s icy-blue eyes locked onto a solitary figure, oblivious to the crowd.