Chapter 14: The Game Changer
(Eren and Connor)
After the duo found outfits to blend in with the locals, they walked around town to hear any information about the commanders. It was becoming hopeless, until when they were having a drink at a bar at night.
A group of random men were chatting and drinking with joy as they were celebrating something.
"Tomorrow men. I will be a married man." The groom raised his mug of ale to give a toast. His friends toasted after him.
"For your future!" They cheered. One of the men whispered next to the other. "Hey, so what happened to all of the military regiments?"
"I heard they all got killed in action." Another man joined in the conversation.
"Hey isn't a cousin of yours in the Survey Corps?" The other said.
"Yeah, but my family believes he and the Commander Hange and the rest probably escaped before getting hunted down. I mean the new king had their faces as bounty. This isn't the first time the Survey Corps were being hunted." One of them said.
"What do you think of the new king? Our graceful queen had chosen him as her husband." the other continues.
"Pfft, he looks like a fucking pansy cunt. Our good queen would have picked someone better to rule beside her." The same man scoffed at the thought of the new king. Many people of all three walls were not pleased with the marriage except the noble families who weren't thrown into prison.
"Shhh not so loud. There's eyes everywhere." the groom to be hushed his friend. On the other table, Eren sipped his ale. Connor was about to lose interest in the conversation as it was about to go nowhere.
"I don't believe Queen Historia had a choice. Look at the massacre in the capital. At what cost will our beloved queen let blood shed happen? I say that snake caused a de coup. This is injustice!" The same man frowned.
"I understand your frustration, my friend. I heard from an old woman that the queen gave birth to a prince but poor lad, he didn't get to live. I saw two or three men with the garrison uniform today morning. I'm surprised they are still alive." The groom to be said.
Connor perked up when the groom mentioned the garrison soldiers. "We'll question him once he's alone." He told Eren which the Eldian nodded in agreement.
As a couple hours passed, they watched the groom get up and leave the bar alone. Now, both assassin and titan shifter made their move to follow the other. The streets were dark and cold. The soon married man felt someone following him. He turned his back to see no one. Huh? Maybe walking home drunk was not a smart idea. Paranoia gets the best of him.
He was about to turn around to resume walking when he felt two hands grabbed him to drag to the alley and pinned to the wall. "Please please don't hurt me. Take my money. I got to be there for my girl at our wedding in the morning." the man whimpered from the fear.
"Quiet, we just want to ask a few questions and you'll walk away free." Eren said.
"Huh? What kind of questions, sirs?" The groom was wary.
"Important ones like are you sure those soldiers were the garrison regiment?" Connor begins to question him.
"Yes, yes they are. They had the rose symbol on their back jackets. T-they were talking to a woman with platinum blonde but short hair. She had glasses." He gave some details. Eren figured who he just described. Rico Brzenska. The current Commander of the Garrison Regiment.
"Where did you see them?" Eren asked.
"I saw them at the meat shop. They walked into the shop then later came out. My boos usually say they go into the shop everyday around 9 in the morning." Finally, he was let go. His body was shaken from thinking he would not make it home.
"Go home, but you will not tell anyone about seeing us. I suggest you forget what you saw." Before the man can say anything. Eren placed his hand on the man's head to erase his memories including seeing Rico and her soldiers on that day. Both Eren and Connor left the man alone as they walked into the dark streets.
"In the morning, we'll go to that meat shop." Connor said while Eren nodded.
The following morning, Eren and Connor were waiting by a flower stand where they could see the meat shop in front. They got here earlier to check if they will see Rico and her garrison soldiers entering the shop across the street. The green eyed man leaned against the cart, but saw a particular flower that reminded him of Eve. He stared at the fresh plucked of lavender and blue winter roses.
(Flashback)
Eren was walking the busy streets of Trost District with his girlfriend. He smiles seeing her looking around the area. He looked away to see a man hold flowers.
The flower man caught Eren and smiled. "Ah, you good sir! Care to buy a flower for your pretty lady?"
The titan shifter stopped to look at so many kinds of flowers. Eve looked at him then at the flowers. Eren nodded at the man and paid to get one. He was about to get the lavender, but Eren got the winter rose instead.
"Here Eve, for you." He gave the rose to her which she took and smiled.
"Winter rose…" She said softly. Carefully, her eyes stared at the blue flower.
"They are supposed to bloom only in winter or in the icy mountains. My dad used to get them for my mom everyday. When he laid his eyes on her, he would give one. He had stopped when he passed away. Mom had always loved them, so she grew them in a mini greenhouse back home as a memorial for my dad and the love they shared with each other." She inhaled the scent as it remembered her.
"I didn't know...but they are rare here like you." He blushed as Eren trying to be romantic. The emerald green eyes man noticed her smirk. "What?"
"Aww baby, you're blushing; it's cute." She coos at him which Eren playfully rolled his eyes at her. She chuckled then pecked his lips. "Thank you. I'll keep this rose forever."
"Good because it's the only one you'll get." Eren plays it off cool. Eve punched his arm playfully. "Meanie."
The flower man gave another flower to Eve. "Here, miss. This one is on me."
Eve smiled happily as she grabbed the lavender flower. "Now this is my favorite. Thank you sir!"
"No probably young lady. Both of you have a lovely day." The old man smiled at them. Both Eren and Eve had left to continue walking.
"That old man likes you too much." Eren scoffed, which his girlfriend can sense a hint of jealousy.
"Really Eren? Really? He is just an old man who's kind and appreciates a beautiful lady like me." She teasingly grinned.
"Humph, I'm not jealous if that's what you're thinking?" He looked away as trying to hide his obvious expression.
The titan shifter smirked and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He leaned to her ear and whispered. "But I'll show you, why you're mine; babe?" His voice made a husky tone.
Eve is now the one blushing from his action. "E-eren, people are watching."
"Perfect, so they can know you're my girl." his tone hasn't changed.
"Well, if you want this gorgeous face then you have to catch me first." Eve said with mischievousness. She began to run from him. Eren chuckled as her playful mood showed. He went after her to play her little game.
(End Flashback)
Eren looked away as the memories were becoming painful. Connor tapped his shoulder to get his attention. Eren glanced at his ally to follow the other's finger where he was pointing to.
They noticed three familiar figures. One of them was Rico Brzenska, Commander of the Garrison. Both Connor and Eren ran across the street to reach the meat shop as the three figures entered. Once they entered the meat shop, no one was here. Connor looked at the over the counter to see some figures below the shop by using his eagle's vision.
"There's a small entrance on the floor that has an underground room or something." He said. Already Eren goes around the counter to pull the string cord as the lid lifts open. Connor jumped into the hole then Eren followed along.
It was dark but there was a mumbling sound. They walked to where the sounds were. Right around the corner, a huge open space where several figures discuss things. Both Connor and Eren found the missing Commanders of the Garrison and Military Police, Rico Brzenska and Nile Dok.
(Levi)
London, England
March 16, 1535
What the fuck? Where am I? Why is it dark again? Levi was questioning to himself. A brightness appeared to see tiny hands and a loud wailing coming from him. Is he a baby?
"Your Majesty. It's a boy. Congratulations, England finally has a prince!" the midwife said.
The mother cried with joy from seeing the baby crying loudly. Once the midwife and the helpers cleaned and wrapped around the baby with a blanket, the baby was placed on his mother's arms. The infant opens to show his blue-grey eyes to his mother. His mother smiled with warmth and pride. She did it. Her king has a male heir.
"Anne, he looks like you, but he has Henry's handsome face structure." A woman next to the queen cooed at her nephew.
The doors opened suddenly as the notorious King Henry VIII barged in. "Is it true? Did you give birth to a son?" He stand next to his queen to see a baby boy in her arms.
"Yes, my love. I've given you the son that I promised you." Anne smiled as she presented the child to her husband. Henry carefully held the baby to admire it.
"My son, how I long waited for you. You shall be….sweetheart, what name do you have in mind? Since you have kept your promise, I will allow you to pick a name." He said.
Anne contemplated for a bit until she found a perfect name. "Arthur, after your beloved deceased older brother and the legendary warrior king Arthur."
Henry nodded. "Arthur it is."
April 2,1556
Little Arthur was playing his toys on a cool spring. He had a curious mind by observing the bocks. Suddenly, a ruckus noise was heard which made him whimper frighteningly. Now the one year old glanced at a figure wearing in black. The figure picked him up then quickly took him away. Prince Arthur cried hoping one of his nannies would come save him. It was too late. The news of the kidnapping of the crowned prince had reached the king and queen. This led to the downfall of the Boleyns.
Eldia Empire
January 15, 1557
Ever since the kidnapping, Arthur had been transporting different locations from horses to boats. He saw many landmarks until his kidnappers reached a port in an unknown world. The men who took him away from his home, got off to walk into a busy area where merchants, slave traders, and farmers came to sell their goods.
The blue-grey eyed infant was in his cage crying while being carried on the top hard surface. Already a seller began the auction. A man and woman frown looking at the poor child.
"Husband, how could they put a baby into the slave market?" The woman said to her spouse. The husband glanced at his wife.
"It's just a cruel world, my dear." He sighed. The disgust he saw the slave traders promoting.
"How much do you have with you? I want to save him." The blonde haired woman felt eager to rescue the infant.
At first, the husband was reluctant since they were here buying materials for their farm on the outskirts of this busy village. He took out his pouch of coins. His wife couldn't stop staring at the poor little thing. He knew she had a strong desire to be a mother, but both couples had struggled to have children. Maybe buying this baby to raise as their own will help satisfy his wife's desire to have kids. On the other hand, he doesn't mind not to have kids, but he loves her and that in some way he'll make it happen.
"Enough to make you a mother." He said that she felt tears forming in her eyes. Maybe for once the gods had answered her prayers and led them here on this day. The little boy in the cage was gorgeous and crave for love and safety from a mother and father. The woman wondered if his real mother grieved the loss of her baby somewhere in this big world.
"Oh my love, thank you. Thank you." She hugged him with gratitude.
The man hugged back his wife then went towards the slave traders and asked to buy the crying infant.
"Sir, my wife and I want to buy the baby. How much?" He said to a random slave trader.
"Hm, usually I would sell 5 gold, but the brat is scaring the customers away. For you, I'll lower to 3 gold?" The slave trader said with a grin.
"How about 10 silvers and 1 gold?" The husband began to negotiate.
"2 golds and 5 silvers. That's my final price." The other man said.
The husband sighed then took a glimpse at his wife. "I'm sorry but that's all I have."
"Then I can't sell the brat to you." Just as the husband was about to turn to give his wife the bad news, the baby started to wail which the customers started to leave. The other slave traders tried to convince them to stay. Another man marched to the two men.
"You sir, you want the crying kid? Take him please. He won't shut up. You can give us whether you have." the slave trader who was negotiating the husband scoffed. "We can just sell the brat almost free?!"
The other slave trader glared at the other. "Do you want to be the one explaining to our boss why we weren't making our usual amount of money because you didn't want to get rid of this brat who's scaring our customers away?"
The other grumbled annoyingly. "Fine! Sir, just give me the money you have and you can take that little runt with you. Good luck in shutting him up." The husband smiled and gave the money to the slave trader. Then he went to open the cage to grab the crying baby. As the little boy cried, he realized a different man held him but gently.
"Shhh it's ok. You're safe now. Come, you will meet your new mother." The husband gently cradles the baby while walking towards his wife. When the wife saw her husband with the baby, she felt overjoyed and went to them.
"My darling, oh he looks so precious." She gently caressed his little chubby cheek then wiping his tears.
"Come my sweet child. You have nothing to fear. We will be your family. You'll grow up with love and happiness." When the baby listened to the soft voice of the woman, he slowly stopped crying.
It didn't take long for the infant to finally go to her. She smiled as the child became comfortable towards her.
He holds on to the woman with his dear life. The baby was scared they would change their minds and leave him here alone and cold. He missed his nannies and governess who showered him with love and praise, but the most important being showered with love by his mother and father and sisters.
"Let's use my shawl to warm you up." The woman gestured to her husband to take off her shawl to wrap the baby so he could be warm. Once the baby was wrapped with the shawl, the little one yawned and nuzzled on her chest as he drifted to sleep.
"What name should we give him?" The husband whispers while walking beside his wife to go back home.
The wife looked at the baby with surprise. This is truly a blessing from the gods. Maybe this is the reason why she was barren for many years because this little boy will need a loving mother and father to give the best unconditional love he deserves.
"Arne Ackerman." She said. The Ackerman couples continue walking on the dirt road to go back to their farmland.
The lights started to get bright again. Levi opened his eyes to see the same shit face with excitement.
"This is a historical ground breaking!" Dr. Andersen started writing down on his notepad.
"What do you mean?" Levi grumbled annoyingly. His ancestor was born a prince so what. He doesn't care at all.
"Of course you don't understand. You grew up here without the knowledge of learning history. I will happily explain it to you. You see Levi. In history books, Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII only had a daughter, the Queen Elizabeth I of England. They say Anne had many miscarriages but it looks like she managed to give a prince to the king, but I guess after the kidnapping of Prince Arthur, things went south between them that led the king to behead her." He then grabbed a tablet to show a general biography of both historical icons. Levi barely can understand English but learns enough to read what the tablet said.
Levi frowned at what he read. This fat ass king was a shitty father and husband to not just with Anne but most of all his wives and his two daughters. The image of Anne Boleyn shows some resemblances to his mother. The eyes are what bring him back to those days as a little boy in the brothel. He had been cradled and loved by his mother, Kuchel. He can see from the memories of his ancestor embracing the love his mother gave when she visited him. Her eyes are the same exacted shade.
He wanted to give his own son the love he deserved. Alright the women in his bloodline had dealt shitty things and paid the price. He needs to get his own wife out of here. Hw doesn't want history to repeat itself. For now he'll "cooperate" to know more of Arne Ackerman that changed their bloodline destiny. What surprised him was that his ancestor was not Eldian that started the Ackerman clan.
"Put me back in. I want to know more of this brat. Tch." He said. The scientist nodded eagerly and resumed the machine to continue. Slowly, Levi goes back into reliving Arthur Tudor/Arne Ackerman's life.
(Sasha and Atticus)
The strange flying object finally landed on the ground. The brown haired soldier was holding the baby. Luckily, Atticus was a quiet one. He rarely cries unless he's hungry, tired or pooped/peeped his diaper. As Sasha got off the plane, she looked around with wide eyes to see tall building structures that reached so high to the sky. She heard loud noises which Sasha preferred the sounds of the mountains than the cities.
It still amazed her that this place looked so advanced that not even Marley cities couldn't impress her anymore. It's a good thing Sasha was good with babies. Back at her village in the mountains, she helped babysit small kids and babies when the mothers needed to go to a nearby town to get more supplies.
"Miss Blouse, welcome to New York City. I'm your coordinator for your stay. My name is Melissa Hawthrone" A woman with blonde hair but with pink colored on the tips of her hair. Her personality was bubbly.
"Oh you can call me just Sasha." Her thick Eldian accent was showing as she spoke in English. Yes, those months of training all her squad members were educated in a few languages like English, Spanish, Arabic and Italian. Those days were hell since she wasn't strong in academics, but when she learned a new language; she was grasping better than few of her friends did.
"Alright, Sasha it is." Melissa nodded.
They walked to enter the airport building. Sasha became jumpy when the doors slid open automatically. "Woah! The door opens like magic." She forgot that Atticus was a bit sensitive since he's not used to the outside world. He began to whimper. "Oh sorry Princey, don't cry. We'll go somewhere quiet."
Just as they reached where the food court, Sasha stopped and sniffed the delicious aroma of food. Then her stomach growled. "Can we stop by to get meat? I'm so hungry." She drooled from thinking of food like meat. Melissa nodded and led her to the food court. To Sasha this is heaven. There are so many options but these kinds of food are foreign to the food she usually eats.
"What would you like to eat?" Melissa said.
"Oh wow, is it possible to try it all?" She grinned as Melissa didn't know what to say.
Sometime later after trying all the chain restaurants in the airport, Melissa was driving to the new home where Sasha and baby Atticus will reside temporarily. Alright the infant prince was wide awake which Sasha played peek-a-boo to entertain him. The car was filled with his giggles.
"Is your stomach a video or something? I never met someone who can devour cheeseburgers like you." Melissa said while driving.
Sasha chuckled awkwardly. "I appreciate food too much. I got in trouble a lot back in my cadet years. Heck, even when I joined the Survey Corps."
Atticus stares at Sasha then begins to make a concentrated face. Next thing you know, the car started to stink.
"Oh god! What did you feed him?" Melissa's nose wrinkle from the awful scent from the baby. Sasha carefully lifted him up to sniff his bottom and made a disgusted face. "Seriously, this little guy can make titans smell like floras."
"How far are we to the house? He's gonna need a bath when we get there." Sasha is still wrinkling her nose from the smell.
"We're already here." The other woman parked by the curb of the street. Beside them, there's a row of similar style buildings. Melissa turned off the car then unlocked the doors so Sasha can open the passenger's door. Sasha held on to baby Atticus to get out of the car then closed it.
"They all look the same." Sasha said as she glanced at the row of buildings. They all have reddish-brown colored. There's stairs that lead to the front door.
Once Melissa got out and locked the doors of the car, she walked to the building with a golden number 333 on the blue-green door. The pixie haired woman took out the keys ro unlock the door and opened them so they could enter the building. When Sasha entered the place, the interior looked very cozy. The walls were painted with cream yellow. The floor had wooden tiles with shine. On top the floor, a black and light grey pattern pathway rug contrasts the hallway. On the left side, an open wide space where the living room was located. The sunlight shined to make the room bright and aesthetic.
"This place is sooo pretty! Are you sure it's ok for us to stay here? I'm worried I'll break some of the place or the baby when he begins to crawl. It just looks so fancy." She said while looking around the living room.
"You'll be fine, Sasha. This room is the living room and I can show you Atticus' room so we can get rid of that awful smell." Melissa led Sasha to the baby room.
When they reached Atticus' room, the interior design looked like a jungle theme with silver colored walls. The crib was placed next to a wall. The animal stickers were attached to most of the walls except where the crib was placed. Instead animals on that wall, a big tree that reminds Sasha of the Path.
"It's so pretty. Oh if only Historia was here to see this room for her son…" Sasha frowned from thinking of her friend. She hopes her friend is alright, but knowing what she heard of her, it was hell what Historia is going through.
"I assume that's Atticus' mother? What had happened to her? Did she die?" Melissa said.
"No, she's still alive. She's in a situation where political schemes are lethal. She had her own son to be sent away to protect him because a certain nobleman wanted to kill his father's bloodline for good." The Eldian soldier explained to the New Yorker woman.
"Will didn't explain much about what had been happening over there. I'm sorry what your friend is going through. I hope our allies rescue her before it's too late. This cutie deserves to have a mother. So what happened to the father?" Melissa already holds the baby to place him on the changing table.
"Captain Levi had to stay there since he is our trump card. We called him Humanity's Strongest. He low key hates that title. Sometimes, he mumbles at us when we say it." Sasha chuckled at remembering those good old days when their squad were relaxing at the Mess hall eating and talking in the Headquarters of Mitras.
Melissa helped out changing Atticus' diaper. Sasha throws away the stinking diaper into the dispenser. "Levi Ackerman? I heard a little bit of the Mentor's grandson. Is he really that short?" She said.
Sasha nodded to respond to her question. "Yeah, but don't mention or say anything about his height unless you want a good beating or make you clean every inch of a building everyday. He's just plainly scary."
"I'll keep in mind not to pissed him off. You know what they say about short people? They are hella scary when they're pissed especially if they are sweet and kind." Melissa said. "Anyways, let's get this cutie a nice warm bath."
"Yeah, I don't think he got a bath when we left from Paradis." Sasha said. Both women went to the bathroom to take Atticus a warm bath.
(Nathaniel)
What a disaster the evening was? Luckily, he and the templars had caught Historia and Levi from escaping. Damn that street rat Ackerman! It would be easier to just execute him. What so special about him and the Ackermans bloodline? All they are the true devils that obey and serve to royals like him. That's all they were meant to do. Since their purpose had been unless; it's best to eradicate them from their existence.
Nathaniel walked to go to his chamber. When he opened the doors, Gilbert was waiting for him on the bed in a very seducing position. His lover was laying naked. The silky bed sheet only wrapped around his waist and some of his legs, but everything else was exposed for the king to see. The king sighed. He would love to give his precious lover the attention he deserves. With dealing of almost losing his wife and capturing the peasant, Nathaniel didn't have the energy to give his all to Gilly.
"My darling, I'm sorry but I'm not in the mood. A lot happened in one day. I'm too tired." The King sat on his bed beside his lover.
"But you had time for that whore, right?" Gilbert frowned as he sat up.
"It's not like that...you know that." Nathaniel tried to explain.
"Then please don't neglect me, my love. I missed you. I haven't spent time with you since you married her. It kills me seeing you with her. I feel like you're changing your heart slowly and don't deny it. I noticed the way your eyes stared whenever she roamed around the castle." Gilbert said with anger.
"Don't be ridiculous, Gilbert. She's just a mare to be bred so my bloodline can remain on the throne. I love you. Nothing will change us. I'm too exhausted. Can we talk about this later?" Nathaniel was not having it right now. He understands that Gilly was jealous and feeling insecure about their relationship, but he doesn't need to worry about it. Right? What is there to fall for that bastard? Beside her golden hair flows like a silky river of gold as the sunlight shined on her. The way her pink lips becomes a smile when she's happy. Her blue eyes spark with life. The crazy thing was all that happened whenever she looked at Levi Ackerman. Their relationship had been a secret right under everybody's noses. Probably, they were together before she became queen. Just like her mother, she took into a similar path.
"Maybe for now, but I warn you. The more you get closer to her, the more you'll walk on dangerous waters especially Levi Ackerman is still in her heart." Gilbert gets up as he begins to put on his clothes. "Just remember, she will always love him but not you." Before Nathaniel could say anything, Gilbert stormed out of the room.
Love is beginning to get complicated. Nathaniel had always dreamt to be a king. Long ago he was supposed to marry Historia's older sister, the late Queen Freida Reiss. Now that woman was a true royal. Her pedigree matches with his. Both their parents made the betrothal agreement. When Wall Maria had fallen by Titans, everything that Nathaniel had dreamt of in the fairytale had died. Zeke Jaeger's father Grisha had killed his fiancée and her entire family expected that fat coward father of hers and the hidden bastard child, Historia. He had wished it was Historia who was killed and not Freida. Freida was perfect. She was kind and caring. She was so ladylike. It's a shame that she had to hide her position as queen that time.
Yes, Frieda was his first love. Nathaniel may be into men, but he had made an exception because to him Frieda was a goddess that hasn't had the chance to shine publicly. He remembered his last conversation with her before she died.
(Flashback)
It was night. Nathaniel was looking for Frieda in the palace until he spotted her in the private garden that only the royal family are allowed unless they invited guests.
"There you are. I was looking for you everywhere Freida." Nathaniel smiled as he walked towards her. The raven haired woman turned around to see her fiancé. She gave a warm smile at him. His heart made a jump whenever she gave a smile at him. He sits beside her.
"Everyone was looking for you. Are you alright?" He said in a concerning tone.
"Hm not really. I'm just admiring the stars one last time before something that will change our history even though there will be deaths." She mumbled.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I'm sure there's nothing to be worry about. Beside, our wedding will be tomorrow. We're finally going to be together as husband and wife." He tried to cheer her up.
"I wish it was that simple, but being the holder of the Founding Titan; you just learned secrets that nobody here knows about. These secrets are my burden now. Is this what my uncle had to get used to it when he inherited the Founding Titan? Would you still love me if I wasn't a royal?" Frieda glanced up to Nathaniel. This got his attention from what she said.
"Frieda, my love. I love you for who you are. I don't care anymore if you're royal or not. If you want to live in peace, say the word and by tomorrow after our wedding; we'll live in the countryside of my family's estates where no politics or royal duties determine how we should live." He meant it. He'll do anything for her.
Frieda smiled and placed her hand on his cheek to caressed. "You're one of the kind, Nathaniel. Please don't ever change. I love you so much."
Nathaniel embraced her affection and smiled back. "I love you so much too."
"Can you make a promise to me?" Frieda said. Nathaniel nodded. Yes, he will keep whatever the promise was.
"I have a little half sister. Her name is Historia. She's the natural child of my father, but she's such a cutie. Promise me you will look after her. No matter what, can I trust you to have her under your protection? She's my light. I won't forgive myself if anything happens to her." Her eyes looked pleading.
The young lord was shocked from finding out his fiancée has a half sister, a bastard. Yet Frieda doesn't care. She loves her little sister no matter what. Usually, Nathaniel would scoff at anything related to bastards. After all, his father had sired a few of his own which broke his mother's heart. The infidelity his father had committed. His father brought his bastard children to be raised along with him. This had made his mother throw a fit. His father didn't tolerate her behavior and punished her. As a boy, he was scared for his mother whenever he watched her being punished by the late Lord Evans.
He had begun to hate his father and especially his half siblings. His poor sweet mother died when she got an infection from the slashes she got on her back from being misbehaving. Of course, Nathaniel blamed his father and those bastards for his mother's death.
Once he got a bit older, Nathaniel did the unthinkable by making his father die in an "accident". As his heir, he became the new lord of the Evans family. His siblings were scared for their lives when he became lord. Only one actually did escape when he killed his siblings. Nathaniel didn't feel remorse. In his view, they are low beings that destroyed his happy family. When he met Frieda, he felt like a monster because a sweet lovable Frieda doesn't deserve a man like him. She was his light to his sins.
"I will promise you that your half sister will be under my protection, my love. Historia will be safe. You and I will raise her if that's what you wish." He said.
Frieda felt tears falling from her eyes. She hugged the man she loves. "I know you don't like people like my sister, but it's not her fault for her existence nor your half siblings…"
He knows where this is going. When they were a few months into courting, he told her his dark secrets. At first, she was horrified. Later, she rant of what he did was inexcusable. How his half siblings shouldn't be punished for his father's sins. His mother, if she was alive, would not agree what he did to his siblings and his father. In the end, Frieda slowly begins to warm up to him again.
He sighed. "I'm only doing this because it sounds like she's very important to you and you're important to me so in a way she's important to me now. You have nothing to worry about. Everything will turn out fine as we planned."
She nodded and gave him a tender kiss. The following day, he heard his Frieda died and his heart grew darker.
(End Flashback)
The thought of missing Freida still pains him. He may love Gilbert but Frieda will always have his heart. In a twisted way, he did keep his promise to Frieda. Historia is under his protection. When he met Historia, something in him hasn't shown in years since being with Frieda. The girl reminded him of Frieda. Like her, she's caring and sweet. She is kinda ladylike but with a spunk. Historia is very passionate and fair. His now wife can be a bit aggressive when she gets pushed to her limit. He can see how compatible she is with the criminal Levi. They both don't take shit from others.
In a way, he does feel something for his wife. Gilly is right….he is changing. That's what angers him the most. A girl who reminded of his first love is capable of taming his cruel heart. Just like her older sister once did. The Reiss girls do have a way taming monsters. It is in their blood. He had been trying not to acknowledge. When his first night with Historia happened, a part of him died for committing an awful act. He can accept him as a cold blooded murderer but a rapist? All he had heard after the act was her voice screaming at him.
You promise. You promise that you will protect her. Why my love? Why?
She's my light. You're tainting my light…
Tears fell from his eyes. Her voice had haunted him since then. He couldn't fall asleep from seeing Frieda in his dream accusing him. Fuck, he really is a monster.
Maybe he should go check on Historia? Slowly, he gets up to wipe his tears then goes to open his door to leave his chamber to go to his wife's.
(Gilbert)
Gilly knocked on the doors. He waited for Alexander to answer.
"Come in." The Italian man granted permission to whoever entered his room.
"Grandmaster Di Lorenzo, I'm sorry for disturbing you. I just need someone to listen." He said shyly.
"Ah, sweet Gilbert. No, you're not disturbing me at all. Please make yourself comfortable." The templar guided the other man to the couch. He poured two glasses of wine then handed one to Gilbert.
"Tell me what does it seem to bother you?" He said while sipping his wine.
"I think Nathaniel is falling for that whore- I mean the queen. I don't understand what makes her so irresistible? The king is into men, the only reason he married her because she has royal blood and will give heirs." Gilbert mumbled but his tone gave off a venomous feeling.
"Mio caro angelo, don't let jealousy ruin your beauty face. If he is falling for her then he's a foolish king to let that happen. He should be lucky that a man like you still loves him. If I was in your situation, I would have left him." Alexander sat next to him a bit too close.
"I can't leave him...even if I did; I can't. I'm his servant in the end." He looked down as disliking his birth status.
"You don't need to be anyone's servant. You have so much potential in you. All you need is to have someone from not holding you back." The foreign man let his silky words enchant the younger man.
"What are you saying? Nathaniel does bring out my potential. We have been through so much together." Gilbert was getting defensive.
"If he does, he would have long ago or as now released you from your servitude status and ranked you a bit closer to him. A person who claimed they loved would not hesitate to do so. So what's your excuse to not find what you truly deserved?" Alexander pointed out.
Gilbert was contemplating what his new friend had said. Yes, his king would have freed him to be more like a true lover not a slave to pleasure and love because they have too. Instead, he still hasn't made his first promise to Gilly. Maybe he needs to consider what makes him happy. What does he truly desire?
"I- I get I have been too comfortable with him that nothing would come between my position as his interest. I adore the affection and being worshipped by a deity. I always had the craving to be someone important...someone with influential power." Gilbert felt the epiphany of the desire to be important.
"You can have all of it if you join me, mio caro." Alexander holds Gilbert's hand to have his complete attention.
"But aren't I already part of your group?" Gilbert said. The grandmaster templar chuckled the way the younger man naively sounded.
"Not as part of my inner circle yet. I can give you what you desire. Power, importance, and freedom." He whispered to Gilbert's ear.
Gilbert couldn't help it but blushed from how close the other man is towards him. He could imagine being part of something big and important.
"If I accept your offer, what do you want in return?" He said cautiously.
"You." The man said in a huskily tone.
Gilbert knew what he really wanted. Before being in a relationship with Nathaniel, he had so many offers from other men to be their nightly companion. The young man was worried that if he did accept it, he would break his current lover's heart. What the little voice in his head whispered was: It won't matter if you do break it. Nathaniel will never keep his promise as long that slut is still alive. Take it. All your dreams are right in front of you.
That's true. What's the difference? In both, he still will be pleasuring one of them, but the differences: one of them will make him feel important and powerful. The other, still a shadow...being hidden. Gilbert is tired of the constant heartache of not being open to be showered by someone. He tried to see Nathaniel's point of view. He did, but at the wedding feast, he just wants to yell and cry.
"Will I be the only person to you and not have other lovers or a wife just to have a family?" Gilbert uses this as an ultimatum. He doesn't want to make a decision that in the other promise had not kept.
"Oh mio caro, you don't ever need to worry about anyone else but you. I have no desire to have children. I prefer a life long partner instead. So will you accept my offer?" Alexander said.
Gilbert placed his glass of wine on a table stand. He took a shallow deep breath as he made his decision. He made way to unbutton his shirt and let it slide off from him. Of course, Alexander smirked as the other had accepted his offer. Gilbert had already stripped down exposing all of him. He goes to straddle on the grandmaster's lap which Alexander gladly accepted by wrapping his arms around the other's waist.
"I accept your offer." Gilbert said in a soft tone.
"I'm pleased to hear that you did. Just imagine, once the war is over; we'll have half of the world in our palms. Soon the rest of the world. Everyone will bow to us as their rulers. You have jewels, riches, and power. Mio caro angelo." Alexander whispered with sweet words that drove Gilly into a bliss of ecstasy.
"Mmmm y-yes I want all of that and you." Gilbert panting harder as he felt the other's lips brushing on his skin like a tease. He gasped when his nipples were being pinched and played with.
"What a gorgeous sound you make, mio angelo." Alexander chuckled. He begins to leave kisses on the other's neck. Now Gilbert began to buck down his hips to press on the older man's cock then started to grind on him.
"And you're teasing me.." He whimpered. Gilbert moaned softly from the new sensation he was receiving.
"Don't you mean you are the tease?" Alexander groaned then he pinned Gilbert on the couch. He began to undo his pants to pull down enough for his cock to be free. Once Gilbert felt the other's cock pressed on his entrance.
Alexander watched how Gilbert squirmed underneath him. "Please I want you inside me." Gilly begged. The grandmaster grinned then slowly entered into him. He began to thrust slow and steady to put the other over the edge. Gilbert let the guilt and shame be buried deep as he wanted to once make a decision for himself even if there's a chance he's going to hurt the person he cared for.
(Historia)
Historia for the rest of the night, she screamed and cried on the other side of the guarded doors. The queen was scared for Levi's life. She can't lose him. She needed him. Their son needed his father. Of course, no one listened to her, especially when she almost escaped earlier or was it yesterday? Historia doesn't know. Her curtains were covering the windows for her not to know if its alright this morning.
For once the blonde woman prayed to any deity listening to protect the man she loves and her son. She prayed to have the strength in order to defeat her enemies. All they do take everything that she holds dear to. SHe tried to be strong not just as a queen but as a mother, wife, and friend. Oh Walls, Nathaniel better not come for wanting to perform his duty. The thought of him doing it again made her sick. Most of the time, she hears whispers in her head from her old demons the queen used to bury them when she had met Ymir long ago.
"Y-ymir….I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry for being unable to keep your promise." She said while sobbing.
As she stared at a wall when her sobbing had calmed down, the petite woman heard a familiar voice in her head.
Stop crying. Krista or show I now call you Historia? Remember what I told you that day. Live for yourself. Don't be afraid to fight for what you want. I know you are capable of showing your fury to anyone that is across your path. Underneath that angel face, you're similar like Captain Hobbit. Fight or Fly, Historia. Fight to survive.
"Y-Ymir? Is that you?" Historia whispered confusedly.
It's me. See, did I tell you I would always be with you no matter what. By the way, I forgive for crawling into his pants after I left with those two dumbasses. How would have thought Captain Levi would fall for someone.
Historia's eyes widened in shock. Ymir is in her head. She can feel her presence in her. When her old flame mentioned about that day when she lost her virginity to Levi, her face became red with embarrassment and shame at the same time. After all the things Ymir did for her, Historia slept with Levi right after coming back from the betrayal of Reiner and Bertholdt. Maybe she is her mother's daughter.
Oh for fuck's sake stop with your pity bullshit. Where's that badass girl I fell in love with when you told your dad to fuck off? Now, that's the real you. The Historia I admired. Levi also fell in love with that girl too. So, don't hide your true self. Show the world who you really are?
Historia got up then glanced at the reflection of herself. Her hair was messy. Her face had tear stains, but she saw the fire in her blue eyes. Ymir was right. She needed to stop getting pity and crying since it's not doing nothing for her.
"What should I do now?" She said with determination.
Like what the assassin man said. Pretend you will behave like a good girl but not too obvious. He's not stupid. Play your part if you want to save Levi. This time you're the hero and he's your damsel in distress.
Historia let a small smirk. She will play the act.
A/N: So what do you guys think about Nathaniel's background? I decided to give him what made him to be like this. Just to be clear, he's bi but more lean towards men. He was groomed to one day be married with a wife and have kids but with what had happened to Frieda, a part of him died. When he met Gilly, buried all his feelings and painful memories of his first love as Gilly did motivated him to rise to power to be king for not the bright reasons. Now, Gilly. He's something else. He reminded me of how Historia's mother would be if Rod Reiss continued the affair after the birth of Historia.
So, I don't know much about how their relationship was or ended but let's be safe in this AU, Lord Rod stopped favoring her when their daughter was born. This is one of the reasons Alma, which I think that's her name, despises Historia. To her she's just a mistake that didn't get her to where she wanted to be, her Lord's paramour. Also, we finally get to see the birth of the Ackermans and where they came from. Yes, I added very familiar historical icons. Remember this is an AU. So, imagine if Anne Boylen did give birth to a son, but things still didn't turn out the way she had hoped for and got executed. Don't worry, you'll see more of Arne's life through Levi's genetic memories. But I'll let you guys think how you see these characters. I mean that's the beauty of it!lol
Thank you guys for the reviews and kudos. I appreciated them. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Have the rest a wonderful week. Until next time, see ya!