@Erehh Jaeger The South was a vast difference from the North. The streets were rowdy with joy and hawkers ran amok peddling their products to commoners and nobles alike. The warm reception awaiting them wasn't what Mikasa had expected from the reputation of a savage clan. While the Northern pack held regard for the Reiss lineage, they wouldn't be overly familiar with Head Alpha Reiss while he ambled along the paths. It was clear that many welcomed the alliance, ushering in a new age of the two once opposing clans.
Mikasa stuck by Historia's side, ensuring the heiress wasn't jostled by the lively crowd. Although the Head Alpha was unbothered, the alpha was still on guard, keeping a lookout for any potential attacks. The three of them roamed freely. Back in the North, there would be proper security detail. She looked on warily as Head Alpha Jaeger sampled on the pastries. He was baiting her, a glint in his eyes when he accepted the omegas' treats without hesitation. He stood unaffected; still, it was customary, and they were on foreign soil. With Historia's nod, Mikasa grabbed a pastry from the same offering and bit into it.
"It's clean." The personal attendant handed the food over to the heiress, momentarily meeting the Head Alpha's gaze. It was indeed delicious, a local delicacy of the South. Continuing on their journey, her eyebrows creased. She doubted they were truly fond of Historia. If anything, the omegas had looked thirsty for the Head Alpha's attention. Some mated omegas even gathered around the Head Alpha like moths drawn to a flame.
"I can only strive to fortify the positive feelings they hold towards me." Historia replied then turned to Mikasa, a teasing grin on her face. "Do you feel the same as them, Mikasa?"
"It is somewhat different..." Mikasa stared ahead stonily, not wanting to provide any other detail. The relationship she had with the blonde was perhaps one that ran deeper than the Head Alpha with his own guard.
As if to rescue her, Historia cut in gracefully. "Our visit here thus far has exceeded my expectations. I have a question: what happens to the children of the previous leader? The young ones — are they spared and cared for?" Historia had specifically mentioned wanting to visit the orphanage situation in the South.
@Mikasa Jaeger@Historia Reiss (Goddess Titan) The palace was far richer than most that surrounded it. In fact, it was so rich and refined that there were hardly homeless roaming the streets as there had been during the previous occupation. Many may have been skeptical of Eren and his controversial massacre of the officials, but the people were grateful to him. Their previous ruler had become obsessed with his own desires and much of that greed had never stood to benefit them. Eren was strict, but he was fair. Criminal acts were to be punished and the people were fine with that so long as they did not commit crimes.
Omega's approached him with baskets of fruit and fresh baked pastries, eager to catch a glimpse of their ruler alpha's soon-to-be wife. The people here were afraid of anything happening to them during these turbulent times. They saw Historia as a way to ensure their two kingdom's remain at peace. Eren looked to Mikasa, wondering if perhaps she wished to try the treats before Historia to ensure they hadn't been poisoned, though he doubted they were. "I'll try a few things." The king smiled, taking a few of the tasty treats and bringing them to his mouth for a taste. The omega's gasped when he chose from their plates, snickering excited to have been chosen by him. After all, their king was undoubtedly the strongest alpha in the kingdom. Who would they aspire to mate with, but a wolf like King Eren? "They're delicious ladies. Thank you for sharing them with us." Some of them were mated to their own alpha, many of which came to usher them away. His attention returned to Historia as they started up their stroll once again. "They're quite fond of their soon-to-be queen." Jealousy was common among wolves; their pheromones made it so. It wasn't that they were fond of Historia, but likely that they were envious of the fact that the woman would be carrying his pups in little time at all. After the ceremony, the two of them would fulfill their duty to both kingdoms.
"Perhaps Mikasa can understand their fondness..?" He glanced back at the knight, still honestly questioning what he thought to be her covered up scent from earlier in the castle. There were still many questions he needed to ask her, but it was uncustomary of him to do so. "She is quite loyal to you, after all.." The alpha was as devoted to Historia as Mike was to him. Such devotion was absolutely admirable.