Chapter 3: In this time with no answer

The politics of secrecy.

Nobody would suspect a fool.

Dancing, merry, drunken on wine fool.

Nobody would suspect a fool because they often forgot that there was a man behind that mask.

Falco evaded the crowd as agile as if wings grew on his back, making his way twice around a familiar corner to lose the company behind him. The fat kids at the marketplace heaved their stomach's content on the paving stone as they tried to catch him. Realizing the dust trails had been long gone before they even glimpse at the blond boy, the kids reported back to their master and returned home with red tendrils on their back.

The shifter smoothened the creases on his jacket and slowly peeled off the false pocket inside it. It was a nice trick his brother Colt taught him. Nobody could be too sure about the random inspections they had been having lately.

He banged the metal door as hard as he could, the chains around it rattling loudly and making goosebumps on his arms tickly.

"Fuckin' hell, kid."

"Hurry up, I'm freezing!"

Connie stuck out his head, saw his shivering apprentice, and let him in. They couldn't really call it a home because it was not, it was a sewer. Captain Levi would have an immediate heart attack stepping inside. Or a field day trying to clean it. God knew that man had some anger issues that can only be resolved by getting elbow deep into some chemicals.

"Whatcha got me?"

Falco handed him a letter. It was written on burnt parchment and unsealed. Falco tried to peek and read from behind Connie's shoulder.

"Hey! Gimme some space. You're too short to reach anyway."

"No fair! Do you know how long I had to run to lose those fat kids? My shoes all worn out now."

"I just bought ya' a new pair last week!"

"An old pair. Not the same. You've been corrupting our money, haven't you, Mr. Connie? I knew some basic math, you know. We should've been able to afford at least a small house outskirt town with how much money we gathered."

"Eh… They kinda suspect me already…"

"No way. You told me yourself that nobody would suspect a fool."

"This is a small town! There are only enough wallets around to pick!"

"I'll go next time. I'm not staying in this sewer forever."

"Atta boy. Now lemme read this letter in peace."

They both peered down to read.

Whoever received this letter,

The Alliance or the loyalists, new or old,

By chance, I happen upon an aged forest man.

We talk and laugh.

Not returning—for we have time.

- A

"…"

"…"

"Mr. Connie?"

"Is this what I think it is?"

"I believe this is it. Took them long enough."

"Kid. We need to go."

"…"

"Like fucking right now."

"… and that concludes the weekly report from the 4th Regiment stationed at Karanese District. Reporting time ends, 0934 hours."

"Thank you, major. At ease."

"Do you know something about this, Colonel Yezeko?"

"No, sir. This news is as shocking to me as it is to you. I never thought it'd be this quick for the old loyalists to gather a few dozen men for a rebellion."

General Floch rubbed his chin, agitated beyond measure. The Yeagerists and the new MP had already launched a nationwide campaign of abolishing old military strongholds and baiting out their enemies. It wasn't enough. Those scums. Reiss loyalists. Marleyan refugees and sympathizers. Alliance soldiers. Those bloody fucking scums. How dare they threatened this newfound peace he and his fellow comrades had worked tirelessly to accomplish. How dare they tainted the great banner of the Yeager Dynasty.

"Only months since the Rumbling and a new rebellion is brewing," Floch seethed.

"A small-scale rebellion. It was bound to happen sooner or later," the new MP commander said.

Floch glared at him. "A small rat nest that can grow to infect a whole sewage system and poisons millions."

"We'll burn it down immediately, sir."

"No, no, that will work effectively, but not efficiently." A tall man in a fedora hat stood up. He swept his gaze through all the officers in the council and chuckled. "You will only kill the little mice that are purposedly left behind in the nest. Why not wait for the mother to return? For the whole colony to return?"

All eyes turned to him. "And who may you be, sir?"

The man smirked, "Bodi Anton. I come at the commendation of one Mr. Armin Arlert."

The room shuffled in uneasiness.

"Armin Arlert?"

"What the fuck does Arlert got to do with all of this?"

"You a spy for him, Anton?"

"Of course not, general," Bodi answered. "Mr. Armin Arlert was greatly honoured to receive a position in the governing council, but due to some unfinished circumstances, he won't arrive at the capital until next week. He sent me in his place to give his utmost regard and to prepare his transition."

"Somebody give him a position?" A soldier whispered.

"Lord Yeager ordered it. I'm shocked he accepted it though," his friend whispered back.

Floch regarded the man coldly. Lord Yeager didn't tell him that his friend would be joining the advisory council.

"So, Bodi, you're saying we should wait until the rebellion grow in number and garnered enough support from the people before we make a move?"

"Exactly, sir."

"And why do tell, if you are really a representative of Armin Arlert, would you suggest a better way to eradicate the very rebellion group your employer may have participated in?"

"Mr. Armin is a man of principles, gentlemen. He may have played a role in the opposition side during the last battle, but he is a pacifist at heart. He wouldn't want another bloodshed on this island, especially those concerning of his comrades. He wants the rebellion to be eliminated as swiftly and painless as possible. As his proof of allegiance to his best friend, Lord Eren Yeager."

"Are this not another clever ploy of his to disturb the government and return the throne to the Reiss? Mr. Anton, do you have any concrete evidence to support your claim of Armin Arlert's viewpoint in all of this?

Bodi Anton smiled. It was wide and unnerving. "In exchange for the military following his bloodless plan and appointing him Master Advisor to the throne, Mr. Armin is willing to disclose the current positions of Levi Ackerman and the rest of the missing alliance soldiers. Also, a proof of Hizuru's involvement in funding the rebellion that you've mentioned."

"Hizuru?!"

"Do you think they are helping you out and sending their technicians here out of the goodness of their hearts? The Rumbling destroyed their nation too. All they seek is profit. If the rebellion succeeded, their contributions will be awarded in limitless resources. Debts paid in exchange for a whole island. And also… the Hizuran seeks revenge."

"For the Rumbling?"

"For their mistress you imprisoned here."

Anyone who had seen Eren Yeager and lived to tell the tales were either two of these reactions. The first was fear. For common folks, the fear of how a single man can have that tremendous power that was beyond anything comprehensible. For philosophers, the fear of how a single man can cause so much death and still had the will to live. For refugees, the fear of how a single man had the power to kill them at any time he wanted. For Eren's former friends, the fear of how a kind boy they used to know had to resort to such monstrosity to ensure their survival.

The next reaction that undoubtedly had more followers was amazement. The Yeagerists and the new military forces had a glimmer of awe in their eyes every time they salute their saviour. For them, Eren was a harbinger of peace and justice. Victors standing on top of their fallen comrades where the sun arose in a new era.

He was not crowned King as he didn't want to hold sole authority, instead he separated the power between three government branches under his name. The Senate, elected into office, who represented the people. The Royal Council, consisting of him and his advisors, and the Military Court, seats for the new military branches of Paradis and his own Yeagerists supporters. They called him Lord Yeager now, and the man answered. Objectively it was a better government system that almost everyone agreed on, loyalists and rebels alike. Paradis was their utmost priority, and they delivered every decrees and law justly.

Those admirers, however, never had many chances to see him up close outside official meetings. Their Lord had an enigmatic air that veiled him from prying eyes. And even then, all they saw during those rare opportunities, was a cold man with turbulent eyes who didn't seem he wanted to be there. Adding to the fact that he only wore his usual coat and messy hair certainly didn't glorify his image. But they didn't mind.

For them, Eren Yeager was their god. And what better god than the one who acted like a he was one of them?

But they soon learned that despite all his righteousness, he was still a rageful man.

"We… believed that Lady Mikasa Ackerman is a trading chip between Hizuru and the rebellion. She, after all, is a royal-blooded member of the Azumabito clan. As part of their deal, the Hizuru will supply the rebels with weapons, and the rebels will return the lady to them," Colonel Yezeko announced nervously. They had decided randomly who was going to speak before. They didn't want to be the receiving end of their Lord's anger if anything went south.

"Our spies also notified us of a secret communication channel between Mikasa Ackerman and her aunt Kiyomi Azumabito through the medium of servants and merchants going in and out of the capital," another continued.

Being in the same room as Eren Yeager, the officers felt like they were trapped inside a spider's nest. With each information or rather, accusation,that came from their mouth, a string of web appeared, further confining them. And the web had thickened considerably in the last hour.

"Mr. Anton is not sure about Lady Mikasa's stance in this conflict, as he believed that although she is loyal to the empire, her loyalty to family may be much stronger. So the best course of action that we recommended now is to transfer the lady to the castle in Ashopp until we can have enough information to plan for the future. The castle is best suited for protection."

"Her loyalty to family…?"

Eren's voice sent a shiver down their spines.

"The Azumabito has been trying to reach her since months ago, milord. And… and seeing the development of their relationship from the letters exchanged, it seemed that Lady Mikasa is quite fond of her aunt. Currently we are closely monitoring the Azumabitos for any suspicious activities."

"Did your spies read those letters, colonel?"

"N-no. But it is predictable."

"Unless I see the contents of said letters myself, I won't issue any statement regarding the nature of their relationship and therefore will not send her to Ashopp. Her family is me." Eren growled. "She will stay here in this palace where she belongs."

"H-how about the letters, milord?"

"Restrict the servants that tend to her. Even the Braun girl. Everything that goes to her will have to go through me first. Everything she does will be reported. Everything, you hear me? Every single thing."

"At once, Lord Yeager."

"Now, where is she?"

The officers glanced at each other.

"Where?" Eren snapped.

"At the infirmary, milord. She… The Lady Mikasa fell down while fighting back against… two guards who attacked Gabi Braun. She re-opened her wounds. The doctor is now tending her."

Their skin crawled with anxiety of their Lord's reaction after hearing the news.

"Milord?"

"Send those guards to the labour camp."

Eren left. The officers released a breath in relief. Their god still had mercy.

One wrong step and she would fall to her death. Mikasa fired her hook and launched herself around a protruding bone structure atop the Founding Titan's mass of cartilage. She needed to get Armin from that damn okapi. Annie was right behind her, kicking away smaller titans that cramped around them.

Eren. Where are you?

No, no, now was not the time, Mikasa reminded herself. Jean would blast his neck and pulled him from the head in time. If he failed, then Reiner could grab him. If that too, failed, Falco and Captain Levi would swing by and caught him.

Until it truly ended, there was no end.

Just like Annie said. She just had to focus on saving Armin first.

"Mikasa!"

At the same time, above her, the Captain shouted, "Ackerman!"

Mikasa looked up, and she heard the ringing of a thousand bells at a distance. It rang, and rang, and didn't stop until she realized the vibration came from within.

Two huge gaping claw marks on the place where the skin of her abdomen used to be. It tore from the underside of her left breast to her right hipbones. Mikasa watched the scarf she was keeping inside her shirt slowly dampened with blood, making the colour red more vivid than before. The soaked material became heavy and slipped down. Mikasa instinctively reached to it.

The scarf did fall. The whole world did, Mikasa hazily thought. She fell, bringing the whole world with her.

When all was done and the Rumbling orbited to the end of everything, they found her lying in a pile of smoking bones. Fluttering heartbeat. Shattered body. Empty eyes.

"Mikasa, dear?"

Mikasa slowly folded the letter she was holding. "Doctor."

"Did Gabi bring you your dinner and medicine?"

"Yes, she just left to help out in the kitchen. That girl. Always running around," Mikasa chuckled. She propped herself up in the infirmary's bed and pulled the covers to her lap.

"Well, just like someone I know," the doctor teased.

Mikasa blushed. "I didn't run around all day. It just happened that I got unlucky on my day out."

"Unlucky?" the doctor, Vanessa, chided. "You tore your stitches for the second time this month. I told you not to stay in bed at least until we can remove the bandages."

"I don't know why it's not healing as fast as it used to be," Mikasa whispered as she traced the bandage's outline beneath her nightgown.

Vanessa stared at the girl in pity.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm supposed to follow your orders to not make it any worse. I just… I'm just tired of staying in my room doing nothing. This palace is always bustling, and I know they are short-staffed. I just want to help. I'm good at doing labours."

Vanessa gently pulled the raven's head to her chest. "You can help as much as you want after you healed properly, okay? I'm sorry too I couldn't treat you better. I don't know why the wounds are slow to close. I guess it's just because of how deep it is."

"There's nothing to be sorry about, doctor. You did everything you can and I'm alive because of you. It's my fault. I'm reckless."

"Well, let's just do better together, okay? You need total bedrest after this, Mikasa. There has been some internal bleeding near your intestine area. I tried to suture it close, but the tissues around that part are easy to rupture. It's best if you limit your movements so we can avoid another infection, alright dear?"

"Okay."

"Good girl. Your hair is getting pretty long too. You're growing it out?"

"Yeah. I… I want to remember my mother by having her hair."

"That's nice, Mikasa. I'm sure she'll be happy seeing how beautiful her daughter is. Her beautiful, strong, and gentle daughter."

Mikasa ducked her head shyly.

"Oh! I got another letter for you. From Armin."

Mikasa accepted the white envelope with an Iris seal on it.

"He also sent me one. He told me to be more careful in sending your letters to him. Our old way doesn't work anymore it seems. He thinks there are spies of different sides lurking in the palace. You'll find out more about that in your letter."

"There are always spies everywhere."

"True. I'll get more water for you, okay?"

The doctor turned to leave and Mikasa inhaled the rustic aroma of Armin's letter. The smell of paper always comforted her.

The door opened.

"Doctor? When did Armin send th—"

"Mikasa."

Flanked by his Royal Guards was Eren.

"Should I just lock you in your room from now on?"

There was a stinging coil of wave sloshing inside Mikasa's head as she stared at the bitter eyes of her estranged beloved.

Author Note:

Boy oh boy. I wrote this on April 8 after reading the ending leaks of chap 139 and I finished after reading the whole chap. Holy shit you guys. So. Fuckin. Bittersweet. Imma drown myself in tears. My sweet boi Eren. And now I have to write him as an evil man hahaha

Anyway. What a chapter. A bit unsatisfied with how this chapter turns out. I tried to introduce the conflict (the rebellion the hizuru blabla) and I feel like it'll come back to bite me in the ass lol.

Connie the conman. And my baby bird Falco. I love their dynamic and I hope you guys do too. And the poem. Awesome. It's an old Korean poem, comment if you know where it is from!

For you guys who've been waiting for Eren and Mikasa's convo, IM SORRY. Next chapter. I figured I need to set the tone for Eren first before going into their interaction. Does he sound like a bastard in the last sentence? I hope he does.

I want to write Eren as this cold serious man, but I think I failed and write him as a jerk instead HAHA sorry Eren. I'm sorry for many OCs. Everyone I knew is dead.

Again, I can't write a good battle scene SORRY I TRIED MY BEST AGHHH. And also the medical part. God. Just pretend it's medically correct for now HAHA.