Levi entered his room and shut the door, let out a low growl of anger and flopped onto the bed. He was utterly exhausted and irritated, that had been five seconds of perfection and then Erwin had to go and laugh about it. Would everyone else laugh at him? No of course not, no one else knew he was in drag. At least Armin had carried on, really it was his fault for letting Erwin's reaction get to him. Sitting up he looked at himself in the mirror; it was honestly scary, he hadn't expected to look so feminine. Madam Mikasa had down a brilliant job on his face; he hadn't recognised himself when they'd shown him the mirror. But he knew the hardest part was yet to come; he needed to get close to Lord Yeager, without being suspicious. He wasn't comfortable with the idea but it had to be done, and after the night Pixis died, he was sure it was him. A knock came from the door and Levi turned to see Armin poking his head in,

"May I?" he asked and Levi shrugged saying, "if you have something useful to say then yes, otherwise I'm not really interested."

Smiling he came in holding a folder, "I've found more information on Yeager, here" and he handed the folder to Levi who began scanning through it as Armin explained, "I've been thinking over what Pixis could have meant by spelling mistakes but I just don't get it. Didn't he also say especially with German words?"

Levi nodded not bothering to look up; it seemed that when the lord's parents had been executed he'd been looked after by his butler until he became of age, over that time he'd adopted three children of his age; Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Fubar and Annie Leonhardt, all orphans due to murder. It seemed that Eren had had to take medication for most of his teenage life to control his anger issues, but as he was studying medicine he tested a lot of his prototype medicines on himself. There was nothing in the report of this having caused any mental damage, but knowing the records that had somehow been kept a family secret.

"I think the three he adopted do his dirty work for him, from all the murders that we have seen the past weeks have all been killed in three different ways. The first is mainly hand to hand, brute strength if you will, the second way is by being shot in the head, neck or heart, and finally the last, dagger to the back or chest, but quite a few also have bruises to the legs and back."

"I see, well once I get in with Yeager we can see if your hypothesis is true. Thanks Armin; oh and could you punch Erwin for me? He's deserves it." Levi asked, glaring at the folder. Armin let out a small laugh before leaving Levi to think. So this Lord has his own swat team? Well it would make sense, he is always in the public eye, any suspicious signs and the police would be on him like a mosquito to flame.

Lord Yeager walked up the steps of the Agency, his eyes cast down. It was sad the Pixis had died, but there were reasons for it, he knew that. Pulling the charming smile on as he got to reception desk he showed Petra the appointment slip and went upstairs. Erwin had called him the previous evening, saying he'd discovered the thief's identity. Opening the door he smiled pleasantly,

"Good morning Mr Smith, I trust you have the information I want?" Erwin nodded gravely, motioning to Eren to sit down.

Erwin Smith was an expert at hiding his expressions and thoughts when faced with a possible suspect, or anyone for that matter. He explained what had happened and sadly they hadn't found any information about him using his accounts. The young Lord wasn't best pleased and he tapped the head of his cane.

"But it's still a large sum of money Mr Smith, is there no way for you to recover it?" The flash in the man's eyes was off putting to Erwin as he explained without legitimate proof, nothing could be done, and it would be even harder now that Pixis' was dead.

"This is an outrage!" Yeager yelled, but stopped himself from going any further, hurriedly apologising and opening a small pill box and taking some of the contents inside.

"I'm sorry for that outburst, Mr Smith, I have been under a lot of stress recently and my anger issues are not complying with me." This sudden change in persona was now even more unnerving, Erwin thought as Eren sat back down, his bright eyes dulling slightly.
It wasn't long before he had left, leaving a cheque on Erwin's desk as payment for the now closed case. So the young Lord has anger issues, that is something to consider, maybe he has a two way personality, it could be possible with having his parent's killed at such a young age. Or it could just be normal as a gentleman must have many faces to please everyone he meets.


Today was the day; the day of the Autumn Eve Ball. It was a very prestigious occasion, many debutants came out at this Ball and all the highest members of society were invited, including Erwin Smith and Madam Mikasa, as she had trained many of the young ladies that would be attending.

Levi was not excited, in fact he was utterly terrified, and also rather grumpy. He'd been woken up at the ungodly hour of 5 am, not that he wasn't used to this but it was simply for the reason; to have an ice bath. Levi hated the cold, he hated how it made his hands and feet numb, he hated how it made his face sting. So it took a lot of 'gentle' persuasion on Mikasa's part, to get him into the bath tub.
With his teeth chattering, Levi scrubbed his skin, trying to ignore his nether regions as they shrivelled back into his body. He practically screamed as Mikasa doused him in more ice water right over his head.

"Why the fuck is the necessary" Levi hissed now trying to conserve what little warmth he had left in his body. A sharp flick to his ear reminded him that a lady shouldn't swear in such a disgusting manner. Finally he was allowed about, his skin now blue with cold and wrapped in a warm towel.

"Right, now that we 'ave woken up, we shall eat; don't glare Madeline, it makes you 35." Mikasa smiled before leaving Levi to dry himself and put on a bath robe. He was still trembling as he sat down at the small table in his room where toast and tea sat waiting for him. He let out a hiss and the hot tea ran down his throat, warming up his insides pleasantly.
"Tell me Madeline, why did you come to England?" Mikasa asked placing her hands on her lap, looking at Levi. So Levi explained in his delicate sweet voice, how his mother was to give birth and that it would be too much stress to have her in the house as she came out; and her father wanted her English to improve.
Smiling Madam Mikasa nodded, closing her little note book.


Erwin arrived back at his home that afternoon, with Armin in tow. The younger blonde wasn't going to come with them as it would be suspicious for someone Eren knew wasn't upper to be there. He was to keep finding possible motives Eren had to kill those people.

"If you require anything my butler Nile will attend to you, now if you'll excuse me, I must get ready for this evening." Erwin smiled gravely, before heading upwards to his own room.

At exactly 7 o'clock Erwin, Madam Mikasa and Madeline left the Smith house, heading for the Zackery Mansion where the Autumn Eve Ball was to take place. Both Madeline and her aunt wore traveling cloaks concealing their dresses for the big reveal at the Ball.
Excitement and fear ran through Madeline's body as she peered out the window at the nightlife of London's Upper class streets. Her hands were trembling around her fan quite significantly, so Mikasa took them gently and kissed them, as if saying everything was going to be alright. They arrived at the venue all too soon for Madeline's liking and before she knew it she was taking Erwin's hand and stepping out of the carriage. Other Lords and Ladies were walking up the stairs with them, she recognised none of them; but how could she? She had only arrived in France three days before.

"Madeline" Mikasa spoke in French, "do not be afraid, you shall glide down the stairs like an angel from above."

Madeline could only pray it would happen, as she allowed the doorman to remove her cloak. Several people stared at her dress in awe, including a few fellow debutants who glared behind their fans. But then she saw her aunt and host leaving her with the other girls, "Aunty" she called, nerves consuming her again and Mikasa simply waved before entering the ball room with Erwin, where Madeline heard their names being announced.

"I haven't seen you before" a posh voice said, breaking Madeline's thought process and making her jump. A small girl with wild looking eyes smiled brightly at him, her red hair clashing horribly with her pink dress. "Are you from France?" she asked and Madeline nodded, smiling shyly.
"I thought so, you were speaking in French to Madam Mikasa; wait, are you her niece that everyone's been talking about? I must say you're far prettier than she described you; she said you were rather plain"

Mikasa had described him as plain had she? Levi felt his brow lower but he quickly trained it back into Madeline's innocent little face.
"Well oui" Madeline said, "I 'ave not seen her since I was" she looked around the room as if trying to find the word she was looking for, "petit"

Before she could get the red heads name, the doors were opened and all the other debutants walk graciously forwards towards the door, lining up, heads held high, backs straight and small charming smiles on all their faces.

Lord Yeager was thoroughly bored; he was never a fan of this Ball, mainly because he was one of the main targets as it were for the debutants. They all knew how rich he was, they knew he could provide for them; but he had no interest in women, especially those who only wanted him for money. Scanning the grand room he saw the doors opening and the door man revealing a list, here we go. The first five girls were all the same, nothing special about them, nothing interesting or exciting, just dumb woman looking for a rich husband. But then the sixth was called, and his eyes widened.
She was utterly stunning; she had raven black hair that was elegantly twisted up onto her head, her skin was as pale as the marble she walked down. Her gown was a midnight blue, contrasting with the other oranges and reds. Her cheeks were tinted with pink; clearly the poor thing was embarrassed to be under such attention.

"Mademoiselle Madeline Ackerman" so that was her name he thought as Madeline reached the bottom of the stairs, taking Madam Mikasa's arm, leading her away from the stairs to thank the host. Eren was utterly fascinated by her; she looked so different yet, slightly familiar.

Erwin watched the young Lord from the other side of the hall. He was surprised at Yeager's reaction, he had seen him hear before and had always been keen to avoid any hopeful young women, but now he was practically stalking Levi, his eyes never leaving him. Levi did look utterly beautiful but the plan couldn't be working so well already could it?


Madeline smiled charmingly at all those she was introduced to, answering their questions and laughing at their god awful jokes. She didn't know how much more of this she could take and it wasn't even past nine o'clock. How was she going to survive this? As if luck would have it, her aunt saw a dear old friend of hers and she left Madeline to her own devises, firmly telling her to stay put. So she did, her grey eyes scanning the area for anyone she could talk to, maybe that friendly red haired girl.

Eren watched at the Madam walked across the room, leaving her debutant behind; the perfect time to meet this girl. Slowly, casually, he made his way over; and simply nudged her, as if by accident. She let out a little gasp and immediately began to apologised, until her grey eyes locked with his.

Levi nearly swore; there he was, Eren Yeager was smiling down at him, and though he hated to admit it, he looked utterly gorgeous in that suit. But in his current attire and persona, Levi felt incredibly vulnerable.

"Please mademoiselle," he said kindly, "do not apologise for my clumsiness, I was foolish not to see a creature as beautiful as you." Oh how smooth his voice was, his eyes were so earnest and bright and his face, all of him, was utterly stunning.
Madeline found it hard to keep her blush down as she covered her face with her fan replying, "Thank you for your charm Lord Yeager" her voice was delicate, but had a deadly sharpness to it that made the young lord even more curious to know the girl.

"May have the honour of a dance? I wish to talk to you some more."

Puzzlement filled her grey orbs as she lowered the fan, "Surely" she said, "it would be easier to talk here, I have heard English men struggle with multitasking."

Her bluntness made him chuckle before extending his hand, "why don't I show you?" he purred.