Thank you to those who left a review, favorited, or followed! Honestly, I love hearing that people actually enjoy what I write! Let me know what you think of this chapter~

Warning: This chapter has a lot more sexual content in it than the last few chapters.

Anyway, enjoy!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty, are you awake?"

A soft voice broke through the haze of sleep like a knife, and Celeste shot up in a flash. Her head collided with the maid's, and she couldn't contain a groan of pain as her hand rubbed against the spot.

Great, the last thing I need is another lump on my head.

"I… I am so, so, so sorry, Your Majesty! I promise, I never meant to hurt you! I'll take whatever punishment you see fit!"

Celeste finally turned to look at the maid, her bleary eyes glancing down at the young girl. She couldn't have been much older than Historia, and Celeste sighed deeply.

"What's your name?" She asked, running a hand through her tangled hair tiredly.

"M-my name is Anna, Your Majesty." Anna was still in a deep bow, not daring to look at what she expected to be a wrathful noble.

"My name is Celeste. If we're in private like this, I would prefer you to call me that." Celeste said, yawning as she stretched and started to pull herself out of bed. "And you don't need to apologize, I'm the one who hit you. Sorry about that, by the way."

The girl's eyes were wide as she finally pulled herself up. "I- um, I… are you sure?" She asked, confusion quickly coming over her features. The confusion was quickly replaced by regret, and Anna was back to bowing deeply as Celeste finally stepped onto the ground. "Not to question your will, Your Majesty! I am loyal to the Crown, and will do as you ask!"

"Very good, and it's Celeste. So just what did Erwin think I needed to do before the coronation this afternoon?" Celeste asked, staring at the younger woman curiously. Anna was in a modest maid's uniform, the royal crest of the Reiss family emblazoned on the bodice. She had long brown hair, tied back in a braid much like Celeste's, but her eyes were somewhat hidden behind long bangs.

"His Highness the King has asked that we arrange your hair, hide your imperfections with some powder and rouge- N…not that you have any, Your Majesty, your beauty is without parallel- and sew you into your coronation gown before reviewing the ceremony with you."

Anna spoke quickly, her cheeks heating up with a blush as she noticed the crease in Celeste's brow.

"I-is there something wrong?"

"Sew me into a dress? I've never even heard of that." Celeste exclaimed, her eyes narrowing with confusion as she gazed at Anna. "Doesn't the dress have laces, the way a normal one would?"

"It's the latest style, Your Majesty, all of the noble women are doing it. If you are against it, of course, I can always notify His Highness King Erwin-"

Celeste's nose wrinkled at the name, and she quickly cut her off. "No, it's fine." She responded, already feeling the annoyance she harbored towards Erwin increase.

"Oi, Anna, look what you've done. The princess is uncomfortable now."

The crass voice quickly drew Celeste's attention, and her eyes narrowed as she spotted Levi leaning impassively against the far wall. Much of the color had returned to his cheeks, and the older man's voice was much steadier than it was the day before. He wore the uniform of the Survey Corps, complete with the 3DMG and his cravat. She didn't miss the gun holster hanging at his side, and her eyes narrowed in recognition.

"What are you doing in here, Levi?" Celeste asked, her voice thin as she looked at him. "You're a guard, not a handmaiden. Wait outside."

She could see the dark flash of anger pass across his gray eyes met her gaze, but Levi hide it almost as quickly as it came. "I'm here to make sure your maid isn't an assassin and offs you before you even spend a day as royalty." He says offhandedly, and Celeste can see the corner of his lip pull up. "Besides, it's not like I'll be seeing anything I haven't seen before."

Anna turned beat red, glancing between the two with wide eyes. "Mr. Ackerman, you can't be serious!" She squeaked, and had Celeste not been giving the captain a death stare she might have laughed at the girl's odd choice of title for Levi.

"I've seen the Princess naked on more than one occasion-"

"Levi, that's enough." Celeste interjected, placing a hand on Anna's shoulder. "Don't listen to a word he says." She said reassuringly, and the young girl nodded quickly.

"Y-Yes, Your Highness." Anna replied, not looking up from the ground. Celeste sighed, impulsively rubbing the sore part of her head as she considered her options.

"But my…guard… makes a good point. I do need him close at hand in case anything bad should happen." She said, hating every word as she turned back to Levi with a fake smile plastered to her face. "But before we start, I'll have a word with him about his behavior. We'll be back in a few moments, Anna." Celeste strode up to Levi, her eyes betraying just how angry she truly was.

"Follow me." She ordered as she grabbed Levi's hand and pulled him back towards her closet, making sure to close the door behind her.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

As soon as Celeste closed the door, she dropped her smile and looked at Levi critically. "What do you think you're doing, Levi?" She whispered darkly, her brows creased together as she stared at him. The light in the closet was dim, the only source of light coming from the few brave rays of sun that got past the thick curtains on the window.

"Oi, I was just telling the truth." Levi responded, not bothering to lower his voice. He stepped closer to her, and instinctually Celeste took a step back. She swallowed, leaning against the closed door as she tried to ignore how close Levi was.

"Outside of a handful of people, all of Humanity thinks Erwin and I are married. You can't just say things like that-"

"Don't tell me what to do, Celeste." Levi said, his even words masking the dangerous edge Celeste knew was there. The older man rested his hands against her hips, drawing her close before she had a chance to pull away.

"Levi, let go of me." To Celeste's dismay, her voice sounded more like a plea than a command. She cleared her throat, and braced a hand against his chest. "You don't have me locked up in that cabin anymore. Things are different now."

"Nothing will ever change between you and me, little dove." Levi replied calmly, tightening his grip on her. "You belong to me, and no other. I own all of you, even if you're some kind of princess or queen." His words were low, and Celeste could feel his fingers roaming lower on her hips. "Last night was supposed to be ours, darling. Do you remember?"

"Levi…" Celeste's voice was chastising, and she grabbed one of his hands and struggled in vain to pull it away from her.

To her surprise, the soldier released his grip on her. She breathed a sigh of relief, turning towards the door with the resolve to get out as soon as possible.

This was a bad idea. Celeste knew that Levi didn't respond well to being told what to do, and she should have never tried cornering him like this. Her hand grasped the metal door handle, and just as she resolved to never being in Levi's presence alone she felt him grasp her from behind and push her against the adjacent wall.

"I was going to have you for the first time last night, darling." Levi's words were a low growl in her ear, and Celeste fought in vain to control the panic rising within her. "For your sake I waited for months. No more, dove."

Celeste shivered as she felt him kiss her neck aggressively, trying not to wince as his teeth dug into her skin. "L-Levi, stop-" She gasped, but he made indication that he heard her.

"What do you think Erwin will do when word goes around that his new bride was caught screwing her guard, Celeste?" Levi asked darkly, flipping her around to face him. Tears pooled in Celeste's wide blue eyes as she caught the hungry look in Levi's expression, and she couldn't help put shake as he snatched the end of her braid and unraveled it with impatience. As soon as her long hair fell down her shoulders again, Levi's lips pulled up into a dark smile as he wound a hand in the golden curls.

"He'll be forced to drop you, Celeste. As soon as he's crowned this afternoon, you'll have outlived your usefulness to him." Levi's voice was hardly above a whisper as he pulled her closer to him by her hair, his lips just barely touching brushing against her own as he hastily untucked her shirt and slipped his hand underneath it. Cold fingers ran across the bare skin of her sides, pausing only to grab at her breast.

Celeste couldn't contain a moan, which only served to encourage Levi's actions more. He deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth hungrily.

Celeste felt like she was on fire, and struggled in vain to shove Levi back. She could feel his own arousal pressed against her, and the panic inside her increased with every second that passed. Acting in a moment of rash impulse, Celeste bite down Levi's tongue. The older man's eyes shot open as he pulled away hastily, looking at her in surprise and anger.

"Just… just stop, Levi." She pleaded, her chest heaving as she quickly took in air. Levi wiped his mouth abrasively, anger in his eyes as he stared back at her.

"I don't like being told what to do, Celeste." He said, his gray eyes filled with darkness. "And I'll make you regret ever trying to run away from me, I swear it. Once Erwin divorces you for being a whore, I'll hide you in the darkest, most closed off part of this damn castle until the war with the titans is finally over." Levi's hand wrapped around her chin, and a demented smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. "No one will be able to hear your screams, darling Celeste. On the bright side, I'll make sure it doesn't take long for you to be begotten with my child. Wouldn't you like that?"

Celeste's eyes narrowed, and she steeled her nerve as she gave her former captor the fiercest look she could manage. "It would be wonderful, Levi." She drawled, her blue eyes never faltering as she fought down the fear inside. "I've already figured out what I'll name them, too."

A flash of confusion went across Levi's face, her reaction not one he had foreseen. "Do tell." He replied, curiosity peaking. Celeste was supposed to be quivering in fear, her spirit broken to his will- on the contrary, however, she seemed calm.

"Kuchel. If it's a girl, anyway." As soon as the words left Celeste's lips, Levi drew back as if he was stung. His grey eyes were wide, and a range of emotions ran through them. Long buried memories flashed before his eyes, and for a moment the dark passion inside him evaporated.

"How did you find out?" He demanded, the suffocating aurora around him dissipating, replaced with something much more raw and painful. Celeste steeled her nerves, her chin lifting and her shoulders square. "Aren't you curious about what our son's name would be?"

"Celeste, I-"

"Kenny. I'm thinking Kenny. It has a nice ring to it, right? Kenny Ackerman." Celeste continued, as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. She pressed a hand against Levi's chest, her expression unreadable as she watched him. "I think it would fit. If I'm to be a whore, Levi, then what better name for my daughter than that of a prostitute?"

"Shut up, Celeste!" Levi snarled, slamming the young women into the far door. Celeste gasped for air as she hit the heavy wood hard, but her resolve stayed strong. "And maybe if I name my son after a man who abandoned you, maybe you'll finally do the same for me!" She choked out, watching as rage unlike any she had ever seen came across his face.

"I won't ask again, Celeste. How did you find out?" He demanded, shaking her roughly. Celeste grabbed his hands, digging her nails harshly into the bare skin. "You should be more careful where you leave your journal, Levi." She shot back harshly, getting a small amount of satisfaction as she spotted a faint trickle of blood sprouting from the cuts her nails left as Levi pulled his hands away.

"What made you think it was okay to read it?" Levi snapped, and for a second Celeste spotted what almost looked like a hint of betrayal in his eyes. Celeste scoffed, disbelief that he had the gall to act upset after what he just threatened to do to her.

"You know what, Levi? Maybe it's a good thing your mother died! She didn't have to live to see you become a monster, just like the ones she had to sleep with every day!"

"Shut up, you bitch!" Levi snapped, fury clear in his eyes. Just as he raised a hand to strike her, however, the door flew open and Celeste fell back into the main chamber's floor.

"I-I heard Her Majesty fall," Anna stammered, quickly pulling Celeste up to her feet. Her fearful gaze never left Levi for a second, and she carefully took a few steps back. "It's treason to s-strike royalty, Mr. Ackerman." The mousy girl said, her voice surprisingly firm as she not-so-subtly shoved Celeste behind her. The maid adjusted her uniform nervously, her hands shaking as Levi slowly walked forward.

"It's a good thing you stopped me before I did, then." Levi intoned, a blank mask once again washing over his face. He strode towards the doorway, his movements stiff as he sprawled out on one of the chairs. "You'd better keep a watchful eye on your mistress, Anna. She has a way of getting herself into trouble."

Anna didn't respond, only grabbing Celeste's arm gently and pulling the former medic towards the bathroom. Celeste followed wordlessly, the adrenaline that kept her going during her encounter with Levi quickly draining from her system and leaving her empty.

Anna seemed to sense this, and pulled her along a little faster. "More maids will be coming soon to help with preparations, Your Highness." She said loudly, before shutting the door with a clang.

For a moment, Celeste could see a flash of pity in Anna's eyes as the younger girl hastily sat her down in a chair.

"What did you hear, Anna?" Celeste finally asked, glancing at the maid with a sharp look in her eyes. Sensing the point behind her mistress's words, Anna wrung her hands and looked at the ground.

"Nothing, Your Highness. Just your guard being disrespectful towards his betters."

"Good. And it's Celeste, okay?"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"You look wonderful, Your Highness!"

"Completely breathtaking!"

"The picture of loveliness and grace!"

Celeste stared at herself in the mirror, the cheery words of her handmaidens causing her to smile despite herself. It had taken hours for the handful of women to "prepare" her for the coronation that afternoon, and Celeste had never been poked and prodded as much as she had been that morning.

Anna hadn't been kidding when she said that Celeste was to be sewn into her dress. It was the tightest dress she had ever worn, and was so heavy with lace and gems that Celeste was sure it would leave bruises on her hips.

The dress was a bright blue, with detailing in white, red, and gold. Pearls, rubies, and sapphires all accented the design, and a think golden lace lined the fabric. A thick cloak, lined with some kind of animal fur, was wrapped around her shoulders. Her hair was twisted in an elaborate mess of braids and curls, and heavy powder and makeup made her almost unrecognizable.

"His Majesty King Erwin will be very pleased when he sees you, Your Highness." Anna exclaimed, although Celeste suspected the outburst was more for Levi's benefit than for her own.

Sure enough, she could spot Levi's eye twitch at the comment in the reflection of her mirror. After the incident that morning, her former fiancé had shadowed the two of them wordlessly. The morning was so busy, with countless people coming in to help Celeste with her hair or makeup, that she could almost forget his threatening presence.

Try as she might to forget that morning, however, Celeste was stuck having it occupy her thoughts. She was trapped in a loop of what-ifs, each scenario scaring her more than the one before it. What if Anna hadn't heard her hit the wall, and Levi did have his way with her? Or what if Anna had come in too early, and caught Levi when he was in the middle of feeling her up? Celeste was certain that the maid would have told 'His Majesty King Erwin', and she would be looking at a fate of being locked up below the castle as Levi's possession.

And the rest of Humanity? They would be crushed under whatever Rod Reiss's schemes were, Celeste was sure of it.

But that didn't happen, did it? All you have to do now is to be around people at all times, it can't be that hard in a palace this populated.

"It's time to go, Highness!"

The maid's interjection snapped Celeste out of her thoughts, and with a nod she soon followed them out of the door.

In an instant, Levi stood by her side (At least, as close as the dress would allow him to stand. For once, Celeste was glad that the skirt and train extended so far out). She felt his gray eyes run over her body critically, and could sense both his pleasure and distaste at the low cut of the bodice.

"You are… quite a sight, Your Highness." Levi said, and she could hear the mockery in his voice as he said her title. She could still feel the dark fury seething inside him, and Celeste couldn't deny that part of her was still afraid of him.

Celeste didn't so much as look at him, however, and instead followed Anna through the corridors in a brisk pace. Before long, she arrived at the entrance of the palace.

She sighed in happiness when the warm sunlight hit her, and for a moment she paused to simply soak it in. Had it really only been two days since she was freed from that cabin?

"Your Highness, the carriage is waiting for you." A nameless palace guard informed her, and Celeste nodded in response. She strode up to it as slowly as she could, savoring the outside air for as long as she could before being helped into the gilded carriage. In the corner of her eye, Celeste spotted Levi swinging onto his horse behind them.

"Celeste."

Erwin's cold greeting caught her attention, and Celeste turned to face her former commander. Like her, he had obviously gone through a lot of preparation that morning. He wore elegant blue robes, the same hue as her dress, and was decorated in finery. His hair had been freshly cut, and Celeste could he had shaved that morning.

That is not what caused her jaw to drop, however.

"Erwin… your eyebrows." She gasped, and the older man looked vaguely annoyed.

"What happened to them?" She asked, sure that she had never seen such a strange sight as Erwin with tweezed eyebrows. "They look… well, normal."

Erwin snorted, and she could tell that he felt self-conscious as he impulsively rubbed them. "My manservant insisted that they be 'fixed' before the ceremony."

Celeste nodded, trying hard to stifle the giggles she felt rising at how ridiculous the notion of Erwin getting is eyebrows plucked was.

"They look better, you know." She tried to say with a straight face, before bursting out laughing. Erwin's cheeks were dusted pink with embarrassment and annoyance, and he crossed his arms in front of him.

"I don't see why you're laughing. You're wearing so much makeup that you look like a clown." Erwin snapped, and Celeste's giggles trailed off. "I suppose you're right, Erwin." She sighed, glancing out the window of the carriage. The world passed in a blur of blue and green, and Celeste found comfort in it.

"Do you have any family left?" She asked, glancing back at the man with a curious expression. Erwin's brow was knitted together, confusion on his features.

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. Just curious, I suppose." Celeste said, sighing as she gazed back outside the window. "Do you know what it's like to have a father?"

"…Yes. He's dead, now."

"Titans?"

"No, the Military Police." Erwin answered, his eyes narrow as he stared at Celeste's back. She turned to face him once more, a flash of pity in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Erwin."

"Why? It was many years ago, and it has absolutely nothing to do with you." Erwin said, leaning back on the soft cushioned bench. He watched her critically, trying to figure out her motive. Celeste shot him a lopsided smile instead, resting her head against the window.

"Losing a parent always hurts, Erwin. And you don't seem like the kind of person who deserves it." She said, a flash of sadness crossing her eyes as she thought of her own mother. Celeste tried ignored the lump that rose in her throat when she remembered what she had told Levi- "Maybe it's a good thing your mother is dead!"-

No, he deserved it. She shouldn't feel guilty, not after what he threatened her with.

Celeste cleared her throat, continuing her conversation with Erwin. "You always do what's best for Humanity, even if it means sacrificing people you care about. I can respect that, even if I'm one of the people who got caught on your chopping block."

She sighed once more, her eyes closing in weariness. "The war with the Titans will be over soon, I suppose. I hope things settle in our favor. Too many people died for us to lose now."

"Of course we'll win. We have the powers of the Founding Titan now." Erwin replied, his voice sounding more automated than an attempt at reassuring her. Celeste cracked an eye open, concern and sharp intelligence shining in her bright blue iris.

"Do you? You know Rod Reiss doesn't have it, right?" Celeste questioned, gauging Erwin's cool expression critically. The Commander didn't so much as blink, as if she hadn't asked such a heavy question.

"How am I supposed to trust you, Celeste?" Erwin asked, leaning forward towards her. "You want me to tell you things that I wouldn't even tell those closest to me, after you so brazenly betrayed my trust not even a day ago."

Celeste dropped her weary façade, sitting straight up to meet his eyes. "Because I want what's best for Humanity, too. Why do you think I didn't just outright kill Levi, and blame it on some nameless assassin?"

"Because you love him-"

"You like to act like you know everything, Erwin." Celeste said sharply, a strange look passing her eyes. "So tell me: Do you know what Levi did to me?"

Erwin's eyes narrowed, looking entirely unconcerned. "I don't see how it's relevant."

"How can you determine that without knowing what the information is first?" Celeste questioned, and Erwin sighed and glanced out of the window.

"We still have a while to go, I suppose I'll entertain this madness." He said, crossing his arms across his chest. "So tell me, Celeste, what oh-so-horrible things Levi did that still resulted in you falling for him?"

Celeste bristled, anger at his complete lack of concern for her almost making her snap. Still, she controlled it.

"He drugged me on several occasions, Erwin. I spent weeks either in a haze of confusion or in a coma. I can't really speak for what he did then, because I don't really know. But I can tell you that I would wake up tied, or in different clothes, or with wet hair." She said, her voice calm as her eyes never left Erwin's own. "When I was awake, it was different. Levi never stopped touching me. I had to do exactly as he said, or he would do horrible things. The only part of me that he didn't bruise was my face, because he didn't want to ruin his dove's pretty face."

Celeste held her hands up, both of which bore red lines still lined with scar tissue. "My hands were cut open with glass, and the only reason they took so long to heal was because Levi would tear open the scabs. I went hungry on more than one occasion, and when Levi was in the hospital after the encounter with the Female Titan I went ten days without food. I thought I knew hunger before that, Erwin, but I promise you that after that time I never appreciated daily meals more."

Frustration rose in her as she watched Erwin's lack of reaction. The Commander hadn't even commented, and looked almost bored with her. Celeste wanted to scream at him, and shake him until he understood.

"I hadn't seen the sky for months until yesterday, Erwin. I could barely feel the sun, being stuck inside the same little room with a boarded up window, and I almost cried when Levi finally let me out and I felt it's burn against my skin."

"And yet you still love Levi." Erwin intoned, looking at her with annoyance. "If anything, I would say you have terrible taste in men. Either that or you're some kind of masochist, which would explain how you fit so well with Levi."

"It's not that simple, Erwin!" Celeste snapped, fire igniting in her gaze. "I was stuck seeing only Levi for months, and I quickly learned that there were two sides to the man. I lived in fear of the dark, sadistic Levi for so long that whenever his kinder side emerged I would cling to it. I became emotionally dependent on the Levi that would rather kiss me than hit me, nothing more, and the longer I stay away from him the clearer that becomes." She glanced down for a second, forcing down the tears of anger and frustration that wanted to desperately to spill over.

"You said that you found someone who knows my father better than I do, Erwin. Well, I know Levi better than anyone else does." Celeste said, looking back at Erwin with renewed calmness. "I know what makes him tick, what makes him angry, what annoys him. I know because I've done all of those things and faced the consequences of it. But I also can calm him down sometimes, Erwin. I know what he dreams about, and what he is scared of. I know about his past, and how it drives him to make the choices he does. I know Levi, Erwin, and I promise you that he would have set all of Humanity ablaze if you let him be king."

She sighed, a wave of tiredness washing over her features making her look much older than she was. "Poisoning Levi wasn't about me escaping from under his thumb, Erwin. The decision broke my heart in a way you can't possibly understand. The part of me who wanted him dead for what he did was angry that I didn't finish him off when I could, and the part of me who loved him was torn up because I nearly did kill him. But all of me agreed that it was best for Humanity."

Celeste finished speaking, watching the evaluate look in Erwin's eyes as he watched her.

It was all up to Erwin, now.

Celeste was resigned, knowing she had spoken all she could to convince him that they shared the same goal.

"Perhaps you aren't as simple as I imagined you to be." Erwin finally said, an unreadable expression on his face. Celeste tilted her head, her eyes narrowed as she tried to gauge his reaction.

"And?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Are you going to trust me?"

"You're right, Celeste. Rod Reiss doesn't have the Founding Titan." Erwin replied, watching Celeste's eyes go wide. "But I know who does."

Celeste's eyes were wide with disbelief, never actually thinking Erwin would admit to the truth. She stood with a start, a range of emotions running through her.

"Then who- umph!"

Just as Celeste was about to interrogate her former commander, the carriage lurched to a stop and send her sprawling against him.

Erwin attempted to move her, but the sheer amount of dress in his way made it a challenge. When the footman opened the door, the welcoming party saw the older man with his hands around her as she stood in the carriage's aisle, blushing heavily.

Erwin hastily removed his grip on her, following the former medic out to the church steps while trying to ignore the knowing smirks and comments about "newlyweds" as he took her arm and approached the church he was at just a day ago.

He didn't miss the deadly look Levi was pinning him with, either, and was resolved to explaining himself to his subordinate that night.

The damn girl makes a mess of everything she touches.

Erwin thought to himself, glancing at the small woman who stood beside him.

Trusting her is a gamble. It'll either be my greatest mistake or my greatest fortune.

Either way, Erwin was set on his path now. He made a choice, and he would have no regrets.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Celeste found herself sitting at the head of the banquet hall impatiently, ready for the coronation party to be over. Atop her head was a fancy golden crown, placed there by the same preacher who married Erwin and herself just a day prior.

Erwin had, of course, refused to talk about her father until they returned to their chambers for the night. And, given the way the party was going, Celeste suspected that it would be well past midnight before that would happen.

So here she was, watching a room full of nobles and soldiers get drunk and dance to the minsters cheery fiddle as she sat uncomfortably in her impossibly tight dress.

"My Queen, would you like any wine?" A server asked her, and Celeste gave him a forced smile. "No thanks. But if you could find me some tea or coffee, I would greatly appreciate it."

The server's eyes widened at the polite way she spoke to him, and he quickly nodded. "Of course, my Queen, I will bring you some immediately!"

Celeste nodded at him, and the man scampered off. She sighed, staring dejectedly at her plate as she waited for the hours to pass by. She had long since finished eating (As it happened, having your ribs squeezed together made the consumption of good food much more difficult than it should have been), and was left to do nothing more than watch as Erwin mingled with the noteworthy people gathered in the great hall.

"Your Majesty, the tea you requested." The server interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to him in surprise. "That was quick." She noted, before taking the drink with a small thank you. The server nodded once, and scampered off quickly. Celeste's eyes narrowed at his odd behavior, sipping the drink as she watched him disappear behind the sea of people.

"Ugh, what is this?" Celeste's face twisted as the tea hit her tongue, and she examined the contents critically.

"I doubt there is any nightshade in there, dove. I know from experience that you feel it's effects rather quickly, should you be poisoned." The soft voice in her ear made Celeste's hair stand on edge, but she quickly reassured herself that she was surrounded by people.

"Don't speak to me, Levi." She said harshly, not even turning to see the man she knew stood just inches behind her. "Do you really think I would forgive you after trying to force yourself on me?"

She felt Levi's touch linger on her shoulder, and she fought the urge to swat it away.

"I suppose that makes us even. You nearly kill me, I nearly have my way with you. Although neither of us would have been hurt if we did things my way."

Celeste's eyes lingered on Erwin as he talked to Pixis, and she willed that he look back this way at her.

"I don't believe that for a second. The minute you had me locked up in some dirty little cell, you would have beaten me bloody. Don't even try to deny it."

A dark snort. "Well, I did say that my promise not to cause you physical harm was suspended for the entire time we were away from our home."

"My cage, you mean. And that still doesn't make assault any less wrong, Levi."

"It wouldn't have lasted forever." Levi reasoned, his hand tightening possessively on her shoulder. "The fight with the titans will be over soon, and I would take you and our baby somewhere far away from all this. Maybe even beside that ocean thing that brat Armin always blabs about."

"You can't threaten to rape me and then try to woo me with a pretty picture of the future. It doesn't work like that, Levi." Celeste snapped, the annoyance she felt clear even if her voice was low. She took another sip of the tea, hardly noticing the slight burn as it hit her stomach, and yanked her shoulder out of Levi's grasp. "You belong in that cell for what you've done. I shouldn't have been stupid enough to fall back under your spell then, but I promise you I won't do it again."

"But you think living with me and starting a family would be a nice future?" Levi asked, leaning close to her ear. His warm breath tickled her neck, and Celeste felt a shiver run down her spine as she felt him rest his hand on her back. "You look beautiful tonight, darling."

He spoke in a low whisper, but Celeste's cheeks still turned pink at his proximity. With a start, she stood from her chair and drained the rest of her tea.

"I'm going to go dance, Levi." She said tensely, trying to clear the haze in her mind. "And unless you want to be caught dancing in public, I suggest you stay far away from me."

Celeste could practically feel Levi's gaze burn into her as she pulled away from the table, but he stayed where he was. Plastering a benevolent smile back on her face, Celeste pushed through the crowd towards the dance floor.

Her entire body tingled with heat, and Celeste figured that the tea she was served must have been spiked. She hadn't drank too much, but it was enough to give her a good buzz and Celeste was grateful for the relief that came with it.

"May I have this dance, Queen Celeste?" Some faceless noble asked her, and Celeste nodded obligingly.

She spent the rest of the night twirling around the banquet hall, mingling with the various people of importance. Celeste knew that persuasion was more of Erwin's forte, but she could tell by the smiles and laughs of the people that they liked her well enough.

Every now and again, she would spot the dark, calculating look in the eyes of high ranking member of the MP or the unfettered ambition in the face of a nobleman. These were the people she would go to first, all smiles and thinly-veiled threats as they twirled her around the dance floor. Each she would evaluate critically, trying to find their weaknesses and strengths.

But mostly, Celeste was on the hunt for anyone who knew about her father. Celeste suspected that Erwin's mystery source was someone inside the palace, and she would be damned if she wouldn't at least try to find the person on her own.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Are…are you sure you need another glass, my queen?"

The nervous voice of a server caused Celeste to giggle madly, and she patted his shoulder heavily. "Of course I'm s..sure." She answered, giving the man a wink and thumbs up before snatching a glass of wine.

"As you say, Majesty." The server bowed, looking at her with concern as he made his way as far away from her as he could. Celeste took a large sip from the glass, not bothering to stifle the burp that came up.

She wasn't drunk. Celeste was sure she would know if she was drunk, and she definitely wasn't. She…she was good. Yeah, she was good.

The party had mostly died down, and Celeste suspected that it was past midnight. She took another deep swig, and wobbled over to where she saw Erwin standing.

Before she could reach him, a gentle grasp on her arm caused her to pause. Celeste turned, her features almost comically shocked as she met Levi's concerned look.

"Levi, didn't I tell you to l-leave me alone?" Celeste asked, hiccupping as she tried to glare at the man. Levi looked vaguely annoyed, and started to gently pull her towards the door.

"You're drunk, Celeste. I'm taking you back to your room before you do anything stupid." Levi said, looking like he might have a headache as she dug her heels in.

"I'm… I'm not intoxicated." Celeste whined, pulling her arm back and turning on her heels. "I need to tell Erwin something important, you jerk." She said, only to make a noise of frustration when Levi grabbed her hand and pulled her closer towards the door.

"I need to tell him 'bout… 'bout Father." Celeste whispered, her voice just as loud as if she was speaking. Levi gave her an indulgent nod, finally dragging her out of the banquet hall and into a smaller corridor.

"You can tell him later, Celeste. For now you need some rest, and likely some water." Levi intoned, snatching Celeste and throwing her over his shoulder as she tried to pull him back to the party.

"Put me down, Levi!" She demanded, wiggling around fruitlessly as Levi walked briskly back to the royal chambers. The guards gave him a knowing look as they saw the bright red flush in Celeste's cheeks and the unmistakable smell of alcohol lingering in the air. "I h-hate you!"

"I don't know who thought it was a good idea to get you intoxicated." Levi said, more to himself than the girl he was carrying. Celeste stuck her tongue out at him, unaware that he wasn't able to see her do it from behind his shoulder.

"I told you I'm not int-intox…. I'm not drunk, Levi."

"That's exactly what a drunk person would say." Levi replied, before his eyes went wide. "Oi, don't touch that!"

Celeste, who had been picking at the harnesses of Levi's 3DMG, dropped it like it was on fire.

"Why, is it… poisonous?" She asked, wiping her hands vigorously on his jacket. Levi struggled to keep stable with her crazed movements, his brow creased together with effort as he attempted to get a better grip on Celeste.

"Stop moving so much!"

"I do what I want, Levi!"

Levi's eye twitched at her belligerence, but as he continued forward he soon spotted her room. He couldn't contain a sigh of relief as he finally shoved open the door, setting Celeste down a lot less gently than he had to.

"Leviiiiiii," Celeste drawled as soon as he let her go, twirling around like she was still on the dance floor. "Let's dance, my love."

Levi, who had already grabbed the door knob to leave, froze at the endearment. He turned to face her, confusion and some unknown emotion lingering on his face. She had gone from hating him to calling him "my love" in the course of a few minutes, but Levi wasn't going to complain.

Celeste was smiling brightly at him, her hair starting to fall out of its ridiculously elaborate twist and her cheeks flushed pink. She held her arms out to him, and Levi had a light blush of his own when he hesitantly pulled her into his arms and started to lead her into a simple waltz.

"La da da, la da da, two and three and four," Celeste sang happily as he spun her around the room. Levi, who had been apprehensive at first, unknowingly let a small smile pull at his lips as he stared down at her.

"Five and six, seven, eight- umph!" Celeste tripped on her own feet, crashing into Levi's chest as the older man quickly caught her. For a moment, Celeste's bright blue eyes gazed at him with a light in them that brought a blush to Levi's own cheeks.

For a moment, as Levi stared at her shining form in the moonlight, his hard edges softened.

"Celeste," He murmured softly, pouring so much emotion into one single name that he thought his heart would burst. "I love you. More than words can say."

"I l-love you too, Levi." Celeste's words were slurred as she pressed her lips against his, and Levi tightened his grip on her as he responded in kind.

He could taste the alcohol on her as they kissed, Celeste wrapping her arms around his neck and running her hands through his raven hair.

To his surprise, the former medic began to clumsily shove off his jacket and unbutton his shirt. Her lips trailed down his neck, and Levi sighed in contentment as he felt her hands on his chest.

"Celeste." He bit out her name, his eyes shutting on impulse as she kissed him hard once more. Levi picked her up, enjoying the sensation of her wrapping her legs around him as he pressed her against the wall.

Their bodies were flush against each other, and Levi had never wanted anything as much as he wanted her in that moment.

"I w-want you, Levi." Celeste's soft voice, full of desire, echoed in his ear when they finally pulled apart for air. Levi kissed her in response, happier than he thought her could be as he relished in finally being able to have her.

"I've waited months to here you say that, darling." Levi's words were a low growl in her ear, and trailed kisses down her neck.

With a gentleness he didn't think he was capable of, Levi laid her down on the soft mattress.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Owwwww.

A splitting headache was the first thing Celeste was aware of, and the former medic groaned in pain as she pressed her hand against her head. The room was bright, and Celeste turned to the window with distaste.

She was sure that the window blinds had been shut the day before.

"My Queen, I brought you some water."

The cheerful, loud voice of Anna felt like a knife repeatedly stabbing Celeste's brain, and she turned to give the younger girl a pointed glare before she realized just how underdressed she was.

Her mind raced, trying to figure out just how she had gotten- Shit.

She had… last night… with Levi.

Her cheeks turned bright red just as Anna approached the bedside, a robe and a glass of water in her hand. Celeste's blue eyes widened as she caught the knowing look in the younger girl's eyes, and Celeste quickly held her hands up defensively.

"It's not what it looks like-" She said hurriedly, but Anna's giggle cut her off. The maid's cheeks were dusted pink as she handed Celeste the fluffy white robe, making a point to look away as she set the water down on the nightstand.

"You and His Majesty are newlyweds, such things are expected." The maid interjected politely, although the smirk never left her face.

Celeste laughed awkwardly, rubbing her head as she slipped into the robe and out of the large bed. "Yes, I suppose so." She said, noticing that the coronation dress was gone- Levi had ripped it off, unconcerned with carefully designed needlework- and looked back at Anna sheepishly.

"I can fix the dress, if you want. It was removed rather, um, hastily." She said, her fingers attempting to run through the mess of her hair. Anna quickly shook her head, looking almost appalled at the idea.

"Oh no, Your Highness, we would never expect you to do that!" She exclaimed loudly, causing Celeste to wince.

"Yes, my dear wife. We wouldn't want you pricking your finger on a needle, would we?"

Celeste's heart dropped to her stomach as she turned to see Erwin sitting on one of the armchairs casually, wearing nothing more than a loose white shirt and black pants. A fake smile graced his face, likely for Anna's sake, as he met her gaze.

"Now-Anna, was it?- I would like to speak with the queen alone."