The news had spread quickly among the wives of the bureaucrats. A boy training to work in the survey corps had the ability to transform into a titan. Fascinating news. Annabelle's husband was a top-ranking officer in the military police, and she said that there was rumors that this boy was being held under the courthouse in the capital. They talked of how dangerous he was… like they'd ever seen a titan. One thing I knew for certain…

I had to see him in person.

The moment Annabelle let his location slip after one too many glasses of wine, I had begun to formulate my plan to justify my early return to the capital. It became much easier when I heard that my fiancé was there for the looming trial. No one would question me arriving a few days early to see him.

My biggest problem would be arriving unnoticed. If Levi found out that I had come to the capital four whole days before I was meant to return, I have no doubt that he would disapprove immediately. I needed at least two days to gather information.

The best route would take a full two days to get Stohess District, but there were no military police regimen stops this far out, but I would have to take a carriage, which I dreaded. Nobility was excepted to travel in that manner. Once upon a time, I had enjoyed carriages. Levi had changed that. He'd taught me how to ride a horse, and, against my father's wishes, it had become my favorite way to travel.

I'd forgotten how slow and bumpy carriages were. All I could think about was the reason I'd left the capital in the first place. The social group that I associated with wanted to take a trip outside of Wall Sheena for some relaxation. I hated relaxation. The Scouts Regiment needed funding and I had so much work to do in order to obtain those funds. But I'd come along. Because everyone knows that the way to the higher ups is through their wives.

Levi had sent word that Titans had been seen near Trost district and now we had been stuck in that village because travel into the royal capital had been suspended the way we had come out. These socialites never ceased to amaze me at how oblivious they were to the titan threat.

The journey took as long as I expected and the military police almost didn't let us through, but my family name was too high for them to refuse. Thankfully, I stepped out of the carriage without too many people noticing. Word travels quickly in the capital. Instead of going home, I went straight to the courthouse.

At first, I had no trouble getting in and through most of the building. If my family name didn't scare them, my fiancé's did. The guards at the bottom of the final staircase did question my visit. "We are under strict orders, ma'am."

I straightened my back, like my father had taught me. Authority is a state of being. "Do you want Captain Levi to hear that you didn't allow me entry? I can assure you that he will be most displeased if he has to come down here during his busy schedule."

The two guards shared a terrified look and let me pass. One followed me to the cell that Eren was being held in. This poor kid. Being chained up and locked away… like an animal. He didn't look up until I spoke to the guard. "Open the door."

"M-miss Sinclair, you can't be serious."

Folding my arms, I narrowed my eyes at him. "I am quite serious. Unlock the door, solider."

He shook his head. "T-there's regulations about leaving the door unlocked…"

"Then lock the door behind me." I couldn't believe how scared this solider was acting. Eren was just a kid. Thankfully, he did let me inside, locking the cell door behind me.

Eren's wide eyes told me that no one else had come this close to him since he'd been arrested. "Aren't you afraid of me?" His voice cracking meant that he wasn't being fed the right nutrients or enough water.

Sitting on the side of the bed, I took out the key that I'd swiped from upstairs. Unlocking his arms, I smiled. "Should I be?" The military police weren't the most considerate and pleasant people.

He rubbed his wrists. "Who are you?"

With a laugh, I answered, "My name is Kerstin Sinclair."

"Whoa! Like THE Sinclair's? The family that practically runs the capital finances?" Eren asked.

"Yes, that's my family."

"Then," He blinked, "What are you doing down here with me?"

I opened my bag and took out a homemade sandwich, which he happily unwrapped and started to eat, and a bottle of water. "I came to see you. All these rumors about a boy who could transform into a titan. I had to check it out for myself."

With a mouthful of sandwich, Eren said, "I'm a monster." His eyes dropped to his lap.

"Let's not go labeling you just yet, okay?" I smiled again and patted his head. As far as I knew, he didn't know that he was about to be put on trial to decide whether he would live or be killed in only two days' time. "Your name is Eren Yaeger, right? Can I call you Eren?"

The confusion in his eyes made me sad. They'd been treating him as less than human. "Y-yeah, that's fine, miss."

"Kerstin. I'd like to leave out my family name when I'm here." He nodded, continuing to devour the sandwich. I talked to him about my work as a doctor. Eren listened intently and even talked about his own interests, his friends, and his family. When it came time for me to leave, I had to put the cuffs back on. "Would you mind if took a sample of your blood tomorrow?"

"N-not at all! Whatever you need!" Eren said. The quiver in his voice nearly broke my heart. They'd labeled him a monster… but I didn't see that. I saw a terrified boy who wanted just one person to be on his side.

I leaned down and kissed his head. "I'll be back tomorrow afternoon. Try not to worry too much, okay?" He needs an adult to believe in him.

The next afternoon, I returned around the same time, having no trouble getting in. I'd brought him real food again, unlike the watered-down soup and day old bread that they considered to be edible. He asked my job and why I needed the blood sample. I'd learned that he was a smart kid, but he soaked up information like a sponge.

"I used work with only people. I thought the best good I could do for mankind was to heal them. I'm not a fighter, and I never will be. I was born to heal the wounds caused by the Titans. It wasn't until I after I'd visited the Underground City for the first time—"

"You've been to the Underground City?" Eren asked, like I said that I'd flown to the moon. My status should have kept me away from that place. "Why?"

I smiled. "That's a story for another time. But while I was down there, I learned about experimental medicine and it intrigued me. When I heard that you had the ability to regenerate your limbs, I knew it was what I was meant to study next. Can you imagine, what good that healing ability could do?"

"You really think that's possible?"

"I do. And I need your help." I pulled out a syringe to take the sample.

Eren held his arm out and let my wrap the rubber band around his upper arm. "Aren't you afraid that I'll transform?"

Cleaning the spot where his vein stuck up the most, I shook my head. "Not in the slightest."

He squeezed his eyes shut while I stuck him and drew the blood. I couldn't be sure if the tremble in his arm was because of his fear of transforming or his fear of needles. "All done," I said, putting the sample away into a case.

Eren smiled back this time, the first time I'd ever seen. There was no doubt in my mind that he wasn't a titan. He's a boy with an ability that shouldn't solely define who he is. The sound of footsteps running down the hallway caught our attention. A boy, panting, said, "C-Commander Erwin and Captain Levi are here to see the prisoner."

Oh… great.