Character ages: Levi - 32/33; Natalie - 27/28; Erwin - 37/38; Hange - 29/30; Eren & 104th - 16/17
Another week gone, my sweets! I can't believe it's already been almost eight full months since I started publishing this story. And It's been a whole year since I started writing it, can you believe that? A whole year of my life has been dedicated to this story and to Levi, and it has been one of the best years of my life. I've met a lot of amazing people through this story and I couldn't be more grateful for that. But before I get too emotional, I'll stop rambling and let you darlings get on with reading. We're finally starting the Marley arc and I'm really excited for what's coming!
As always my lovelies, go ahead and enjoy this chapter and don't forget to toss me a little review, to let me know what you think~ ;)
P.S. All Attack on Titan characters belong to Isayama Hajime. I only own my OCs.
34. Agreement
~ 851 ~
"Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice, Lady Kiyomi. I sincerely apologize for the less than proper quarters."
Offering a respectful bow to the woman, Zeke took up the seat in front of her when she gestured for him to do so. The grimy, rundown warehouse and the tattered armchairs were probably considered an offense, but it was the best he could do if they wanted any privacy.
"I must say you drive a very convincing conversation, Zeke Jaeger." she replied after what seemed like forever, her expression as emotionless as a puppet's porcelain face. "However, do you truly expect me to believe what you said in your letter? You are just another Marley dog, like the rest of your Warriors... are you not?"
"What I am about to tell you, Lady Kiyomi, is something no one else knows – not even Marley. But I hope it will be proof of my sincerity." he replied while ignoring the acidic jab, clasping his hands together before continuing. "My mother was the last surviving member of the Fritz royal family on the Continent. As you may surmise, that means royal blood flows through my veins as well. I have kept this hidden from Marley to this day while acting as Captain of their Warrior Unit."
At last, he could see her expression changing subtly, especially the gleam of surprise that flooded her gaze.
"For as long as I can remember, I have been the one to inherit my father's feelings; I am the true Eldian Restorationist!" he went on, knowing he had her full attention now.
"But you..."
"Yes... I sold my parents to Marley when I was seven years old." he sighed, looking genuinely regretful as he recalled that day. "Even at that age, I understood that the search led by the military was closing in on the group headed by my father. I knew that I had to do something; otherwise not only would my parents be sent to paradise, so would my grandparents and I. That was when I decided to turn them in. My parents were right in their goals, Lady Kiyomi... but they were naïve. Though they were sincere in their desire to restore Eldia, the people surrounding them had contented themselves with just playing around. Such people could never bring about a true restoration of the great Eldian Empire!"
Pausing as the fire in his eyes died, he lowered his gaze to the flames burning between them and for once his expression turned to sorrow.
"Not only did I discard my parents... I rose through the ranks of the Marleyan army. I trampled the lands of Paradis Island – the place I should have been saving – and killed dozens of my own people. I held onto my belief that the only way to save them was to make Marley's plan of retaking the Founding Titan a success. Because Marley didn't know I had royal blood in me."
Again he paused just long enough to turn his eyes back upon the woman who was now watching him with clear intrigue.
"They have no clue what would happen when a Titan with royal blood and the Founding Titan make contact. Your nation too... you're still searching, aren't you?"
He still wasn't entirely sure that his intel was correct, however, the sudden display of emotion on Kiyomi's face confirmed it even before she deemed him worthy of an answer.
"As you seem to already know... we do seek the descendant of our shogun clan. However, if the restoration of Eldia would threaten the rest of the world, I am afraid we could not overlook that. We may have to inform Marley about this secret meeting."
"I understand, of course, Lady Kiyomi. However, trust that I would never have done this if it did not benefit not only the Azumabito but Hizuru as a nation. But first, please take a look at this." he stated reassuringly, reaching into the bag at his side.
For but a moment, as his eyes fell upon the gear glinting in the dancing flames that lit up the room, he felt a pang of guilt at the memory of how he had acquired it. True, he had never been in a situation where he could show it, but sometimes it did weigh on him that he had killed so many of his people on that island. Sometimes he did wonder if there really was no other way to stop that wheel of hatred which allowed each generation to soar, only to crush them beneath it as it turned again and again.
"That's..." Kiyomi gasped, putting an end to his trail of thought.
"Have you seen this before, Lady Kiyomi?" he asked, doing his best to keep as surprised of an expression on his face as possible. "This is considered a state secret in Marley, but fear not... this one I procured on my own."
Going by Kiyomi's reactions, he surmised what he had already been suspecting for a while; the Azumabito did have moles in their military ranks, perhaps even in the government.
"It is called omnidirectional maneuvering gear, an anti-Titan weapon made on Paradis Island, and it uses a special kind of fuel. The people there call it iceburst stone." he went on to explain. "It is a rare and mysterious mineral that has never been mined outside of Paradis Island. However, there have been whispers and stories about it for a very long time. They say that since antiquity, the Titans dug giant holes in Paradis and filled them with burning and glowing treasures, born from the power of the Titans. Please, consider this a gift..."
Holding out the gear he handed it to one of the bodyguards after Kiyomi had nodded her agreement.
"The people of Paradis have no way of knowing the true value of this mineral, however, your nation surely does. This fact should tie Hizuru and Paradis together. There is also another problem... my term is nearing its end. I only have a few years left and I wish to dedicate them to helping Paradis and its inhabitants, as I should have done until now. However, that means that time is of the essence... I cannot leave Marley on my own, I need your help to get back to that island."
"Are we to believe you are truly meaning to betray your masters?"
"I have no masters. Being forced into service is not the same as being loyal. But I am sure you already know that very well, Lady Kiyomi." he retorted, casting a fleeting glance to her bodyguards.
He had recently caught wind of a crazy rumor, that her personal bodyguards were remnants of the Ackerman clan. If that was so, they were about to have quite the surprise on that island; if he could just convince her to get her ass over there!
"And what about this curse that lies on you and your fellow Warriors?" the woman at last spoke after a long, tense silence. "What can you do in just a few more years?"
"I have thought about this long and hard, I assure you. I have a plan, however, it absolutely requires your aid to work."
"Oh? Very well... let's hear this plan."
=0=0=
Knock-knock
"Come in." Zeke called out, taking his last sip of coffee and standing.
"You wanted to see me, War Chief?"
"Ah, Reiner... just the man I needed." he smiled, walking over and patting the man on the back. "Come, take a walk with me. If I have to put up with Galliard for another hour, I'll go insane."
"R-right..." the younger soldier blinked, clearly caught off guard by Zeke's friendly demeanor.
For a while, they trekked the busy streets in silence, before Zeke suggested they take to the back alleys for some peace and quiet.
"So how are you recovering after the island?"
Immediately he felt the shift in the air when Reiner's body clenched up. He didn't blame the boy for being traumatized, even if his trauma had nothing to do with the reasons his family believed.
"I'm... getting better, but it's a slow process. I keep thinking that if I hadn't underestimated the Survey Corps, I could have saved Bertholdt."
"Bertholdt's loss was a tragedy, just like Annie. I'm sorry I couldn't take him back as well, but he knew the risks. He was prepared to do what needed to be done."
"It's not like we didn't deserve it... they were only defending themselves in a battle we started." Reiner muttered, before stopping in his tracks with a look of horror on his face as he processed what he had blurted out. "I-I... I mean..."
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"I..."
For a moment Reiner couldn't understand what the man was going on about, until at last – with a wave of relief – he realized that the War Chief had no plans to snitch on him. And yet it still caught him off guard when Zeke threw an arm about his shoulders to pull him along.
"Relax, Reiner... you're right. We did start this battle... and we should be the ones to finish it as well. My term is coming closer day by day; we need to finish our mission before that. Get better quickly, Reiner... when I go back to that island for the Founder, I'll need you to be my shield."
"The brass is sending us back?!" he inquired, a look of terror and relief mixing in his eyes.
"Well... they haven't made any plans for it yet. But it's only a matter of time, as soon as this war with the Mid-East Allied Forces is won. There's no way they can give up on getting the Founder back."
~ oOo ~
~ 852 ~
"So who are we meeting?" Eren inquired, as he and the others waited with Erwin in a room of the Shiganshina HQ.
"Kiyomi Azumabito." the Commander replied. "She is an ambassador from the eastern country of Hizuru, the one nation who seems to harbor friendly sentiments for our people."
"Lady Kiyomi is the head of the Azumabito family. I heard from Yelena that her family has significant influence over her country's foreign affairs, due to their strong diplomatic ties to other nations." Armin chimed in, sounding like he could barely contain his excitement. "Imagine if we could actually come to an agreement with them and work together towards peace!"
"Is that really why they're here?" Levi chimed in, sounding less than impressed.
"Not quite." Yelena spoke up casually from where she was standing at the door. "You see, the Hizuru nation lost the heir of their ruling family a hundred years ago, here on Paradis. They have come to discuss an alliance with you, while also looking for the lost descendant of that clan."
"You don't think I could possibly be..." Mikasa frowned when Natalie's eyes turned to her. "No... there's no way!"
"Wasn't your mother Oriental, though?" Armin chimed in.
"B-but... there's no way...!" she gasped.
"She could be one hell of a bargaining chip if that's true." Hange pondered.
"Are we sure they came here for a peace treaty?" Levi inquired again, now sounding actually suspicious. "That they didn't just come here to take the brat and make off with her in secret, then leave us to keep struggling alone?"
Having quietly mulled things over, Erwin at last lowered his hands from his chin gaining everyone's attention.
"I believe we can ascertain their intentions first. Mikasa, you'll wait here until we send someone to call you in. Give us time to talk to this ambassador and see if she truly is here to help our people, or to help only her own."
"Understood." the girl nodded.
"Fret not..." Yelena chimed in again, as they were preparing to leave the room. "The Azumabito are renowned for smelling money very easily. The negotiations today should go smoothly."
=0=0=
"Remember... just keep your head cool and try not to draw too much attention to yourself, until we see what they're really about."
Eren had just opened his mouth to protest at Natalie's warning, when he realized they had arrived at the hall where the Hizuru envoy was waiting to meet with them. With Historia approaching from the other side of the corridor along with Zackley, Nile, and Pyxis, he followed Erwin's lead and bowed to her before following everyone inside. But as they were taking their seats, he could swear he saw a flicker of recognition on the woman's face as her eyes found the redhead seated between Erwin and Levi.
"We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to once again ally ourselves with the Eldian people." she began, her kind smile earning a cautious look from Natalie. "However, this day would never have come to be without the man who strived to bring us together again. We had heard of our shogun's descendant living on Paradis, and met in secret with the source of that information – Zeke Jaeger."
The silence following her opening statement could not have been any deeper. Yelena had after all, upon their arrival, confirmed Zeke's information that the last descendant of their clan was indeed on that island. And now the woman he had told them to look for was also there in front of them. That assured Kiyomi that Zeke could be trusted – at least partially. In the stretching silence, everyone at their table found themselves sneaking glances at Natalie who looked less than comfortable under Kiyomi's scrutinizing stare.
"There is one more thing, Lady Kiyomi..." she heard Zeke's voice playing in her memory as she examined the redhead. "There is someone I must ask you to speak with while you are there. I'm not entirely sure if she survived our last encounter, but if she did... tell her I need her help to get away from Marley and that I wish to talk to her and Eren in person. She is the one I know I can rely on; you will know her easily by her red hair. Her name is..."
'Natalie Dietrich.' Kiyomi mused, once again her eyes summing up the young woman. 'Zeke was so tight-lipped when I asked him why he believes you to be trustworthy towards an enemy. Why are you special?'
'Does she believe Natalie is their family's descendant?' Hange pondered, trying to make sense of the woman's creepy stare. 'But they look nothing alike... in fact, she looks so much like Mikasa, I have no doubt now that they are related.'
"But on to our reason for this visit." Kiyomi at last said, looking back to Erwin sitting across from her. "We would be greatly indebted to your nation, should you help us find our shogun's lost descendant."
"And what would you do, should you find this descendant?" Erwin at last spoke, and Natalie had to bite back a smile when his deep voice startled the small woman before him.
"We would do what our shogun did a hundred years ago." she replied with barely any hesitation. "We would stand behind Eldia and use the utmost extent of our diplomacy to help your nation broker a lasting peace with others. Our nation of Hizuru is very highly regarded in most other countries. I am certain we can help one another, as we did before the fall of the Eldian Empire."
Her words immediately eased the tension in the room and Natalie cast a subtle glance at the others. Armin looked beside himself with joy, as she had expected him to, while Erwin and the others were eyeing Kiyomi with varying degrees of caution and scrutiny. But then Historia caught her gaze, and in the Queen's eyes she read her plea for advice.
'Whether they're entirely truthful or not... we can't afford to drive off the only ally we have so far.' she pondered, before making her decision and nodding subtly to the blonde.
"Then..." Historia spoke up, drawing all eyes in the room to her. "I believe we share a common goal, Miss Kiyomi. As proof of our good faith, we will aid you in your search. Eren... would you bring Mikasa in?"
Nodding the boy stood and made his way out of the hall, into the room next door where Mikasa stood immediately upon seeing him.
"What did they say?"
Taking a moment to look her over, and take in how frazzled and nervous she was, he first stepped close enough to wrap his arms around her. Though at first she stiffened at the unexpected gesture, in that same breath he felt her melting in his embrace. And yet he could tell she was scared, he had seen it in her eyes as soon as he'd entered the room.
"Listen to me... you don't have to do this, alright? Only if you want to..." he spoke in her ear barely louder than a whisper, before leaning back to cup her cheeks and keep her gaze trained on him. "Just know that no matter what you choose, I'll be there for you every step of the way. Just like you were always there for me, even when I tried to push you away; this time I'll be there for you."
Understanding from his words that they had agreed to present her to Kiyomi, the brunette nodded while trying to swallow the knot in her throat. And then her mind blanked when Eren leaned forth to press his lips to her forehead, barely giving her enough time to realize he had then grasped her hand to lead her to the meeting hall. The shift in the air was almost instant when they approached the table, as Kiyomi stood from her seat with her shocked gaze fixed onto Mikasa.
"You... could it really be...?!"
At the same time, Mikasa's own consternated expression at how much Kiyomi looked like her mother, left them staring at each other in utter silence. It was when one of her bodyguards stepped forth with a small suitcase, that everyone seemed to come back to life and Natalie's own eyes widened as she took in that eerily familiar face she had finally taken a proper look at.
"Lenz..." she whispered, unable to suppress a soft gasp.
"What is it?"
Levi's whisper from next to her and the hand he weighed on her shoulder, had her clenching her jaw to hold back from screaming in fright. But she only shook her head, hoping he would understand that she would tell him after the meeting. For his part, when Lenz met her gaze he seemed unperturbed; and in truth, the man wasn't looking at her so much as he was looking at Levi leaning protectively towards the redhead's left side, a feeling of déjà-vu overtaking him for a moment. Had he met that man before? No, it was impossible...
"Lady Kiyomi... please..." he at last said, opening the suitcase and offering its contents to the woman.
Retrieving what looked at first like a piece of black silk, the woman unfurled it to reveal it was a banner bearing an unfamiliar crest.
"Do you... recognize this family crest?" Kiyomi inquired, presenting it to Mikasa whose expression could not have been any more shocked while she instinctively grabbed her right wrist.
"I..." she began, clearly conflicted as she squeezed her wrist in a vice-like grip.
But then her eyes subconsciously went to Eren standing at her side, just when the boy reached out to grasp her shoulder reassuringly.
"Only if you want to." he repeated. "It's your choice to make."
For a moment she hesitated, as if searching for something in his gaze; then when she appeared to find it she turned back to Kiyomi with a deep breath. Reaching back to her wrist she unwrapped the bandage around it to reveal that same crest marked into her skin.
"This mark has been passed down through my mother's family. I was told to give it to my own child as well."
At first the silence coating the room was almost suffocating, until Kiyomi could no longer hold back her tears.
"What a noble act..." she sobbed.
At last, with Historia suggesting for Mikasa to join them around the table, the atmosphere seemed to ease to a degree.
"More than a hundred years ago, our nation of Hizuru was an ally to the Eldian Empire." Kiyomi explained again for Mikasa's sake, having once more regained her calm demeanor. "The son and heir of our shogun clan, which we Azumabito are descended from, had a close relationship with the Fritz royal family and once stayed here on Paradis Island. Then, after the Great Titan War, Hizuru's standing was called into question as a nation that had lost the war. During that time of confusion, some people from our shogun clan were left behind on this island... including the heir."
Again her gaze found Mikasa and for a moment she looked like she would cry again.
"You are Hizuru's hope! The descendant of our shogun clan!"
Again the silence stretched on, in light of the news that Mikasa herself was something akin to royalty, before Historia requested a moment for everyone on Paradis' side to convene in private.
'Great... I hope we don't offend her with this.' Natalie sighed internally while casting a subtle glance to Kiyomi who only smiled kindly and nodded.
However, she moved to stand along with Erwin and the others; the downside of being subject to a Queen was that they couldn't disobey a direct order from her. But just as she was about to follow the Commander, Kiyomi spoke up again, silencing all the murmurs which were already buzzing on the air.
"Miss... might I have a word with you?"
At first, the redhead glanced around to make sure Kiyomi was addressing her, but when the woman nodded her heart started pounding. Not only was she unsure of what exactly they wanted from her, but her having a private meeting with a foreign dignitary could have been seen as treason on her part.
"I'll stay with her." she heard Levi speaking next to her and turned to find him looking at Erwin who merely nodded his approval.
Sitting back down, Natalie took a deep breath and had to admit to herself that she felt much better with Levi there, the Captain now standing protectively behind her chair as if to mirror Kiyomi and her bodyguards. So much so, that she was unable to hold back from casting a subtle glance at the hand he was resting on her shoulder, failing to see the shadow of a smile on Kiyomi's lips.
"I appreciate your willingness to speak with me, Miss Natalie." she began, startling the girl into looking back at her.
"You... know who I am?"
"Zeke Jaeger told us to seek you out. That out of everyone you are the one who can help us the most, to bring him back to this island."
Her words left a deathly silence behind while she sipped her tea and Natalie felt Levi's grasp involuntarily tightening into her flesh. She knew he was still angry that he had failed to kill Zeke for what he had done to her, that he was still worried about losing her one day, that he wanted her to stay as far away from that man as possible.
"We have come to an agreement with Zeke, as he was the one who mediated between us and Miss Mikasa. He would like to meet you in person, if possible... you and his brother."
"And why should we care what deals you made with that piece of shit, behind our backs?" Levi replied, unable to fully withhold the wrath from his tone.
Natalie herself would have probably been more shocked at the woman's words, if not for the pain in her shoulder when his grip tightened further; so much so, that she had to reach up and cover his hand with her own to get him to relax.
"Let's first hear them out, Captain..." she said, speaking again just when Kiyomi had opened her mouth to continue. "...When everyone returns, Miss Kiyomi. I appreciate your sincerity, however, this isn't a matter to be discussed in private. We are trying to agree on an alliance with your nation, and this issue is far too important to keep secret. The decision to meet with Zeke doesn't belong only to me, or to Eren. I trust you will understand."
"Of course, yes..." the woman replied with a well-practiced smile. "I apologize for overstepping any boundaries. You are, of course, right that these things should not be hidden away."
=0=0=
"Simply having the opportunity to see you alive and healthy, is enough to fill me with gratitude." Kiyomi stated after everyone had returned to their seats, her eyes once again trained on Mikasa. "But, whatever the future may bring... please remember this: the people of Hizuru will always be waiting for you. You will always have a home with us."
Not knowing what to say to such a heartfelt offer, Mikasa only nodded awkwardly. Offering her a warm smile, Kiyomi turned her gaze back onto Natalie and sighed softly.
"As I have stated earlier to Miss Natalie... we have agreed to Zeke Jaeger's plan, as he was the one who made it possible for us to find our shogun's lost descendant."
For the following minutes, everyone listened intently as Kiyomi recounted her meeting with Zeke and everything they had discussed; from his royal lineage to the gear he had given to them, to even him asking them to find Natalie and how she could help them rescue him from Marley.
"If we helped with his plan to betray Marley and return to this island as your ally, he promised we could work together to gain a powerful industry which would make our fallen nation bloom again into a prosperous one. That was his proposal."
'Ah... there it is. The real reason they're here; the resources, of course.' Erwin mused, his eyes never leaving Kiyomi whose smile had morphed into something ravenous. 'All this empty talk about family and descendants is only an excuse to get us to let our guard down.'
Still, he remained quiet, allowing the woman to finish her speech.
"It's not as though he'd even measured the reserves, of course!" she continued, a glistening drop of drool trailing down her chin at the thought of the riches to be gained from Paradis. "However, if this is true, the resources that lie under these lands are priceless in this era of modernization. Oh... but of course, this and our conglomerate's recent expansion have nothing to do with one another."
"Lady Kiyomi... please use this." Lenz spoke quietly, offering her a handkerchief.
"Oh my goodness, how unseemly of me!" she smiled, accepting it and wiping her mouth.
'Of course, they wouldn't come here without some benefit to themselves. The same greedy pigs everywhere...' Levi contemplated in disgust.
"So what exactly is this arrangement you made with Zeke Jaeger?" Historia at last spoke up in the awkward silence.
"As I have said earlier, we agreed to Zeke Jaeger's plan; a plan he claims will save all Eldians along with the rest of the world. For this plan to succeed, Hizuru's mediation is indispensable. That is one of the three courses of action Zeke Jaeger feels are necessary to ensure the protection of this island. The first is the Titans' Rumbling; as he said, Paradis must show the rest of the world the destructive potential of this Rumbling. He believes that by using a fraction of this power, the island of Paradis would be safeguarded from any outside attacks, as Karl Fritz warned when he first retreated within these walls."
Pausing for a moment to let them process that information, Kiyomi sipped at her tea before continuing.
"The second part is Hizuru's mediation. The goal of this will be to raise your nation's military potential to a global level, which would result in not needing to rely on the Rumbling any longer. Introducing the latest weapons and technology is not the issue, however. But establishing a powerful army requires a firm base of national power. That means education, economy, diplomacy, and... population. This island is a century behind the rest of the world; it will not take a century for it to catch up. But it will surely take at least fifty years. In other words, the ability to use this Rumbling must be able to protect Paradis for the next half-century. One with the Founding Titan and one possessing a Titan with royal blood must be maintained for this duration of time. This is the third and last part of the process: Zeke Jaeger will pass down the Beast Titan to one with royal blood, and then that person must spend the remainder of their thirteen years bearing as many children as possible."
"But that's—!" Armin gasped in the suffocating silence.
"Out of the question, as far as I'm concerned." Erwin cut him off just when Eren looked like he was about to blurt out who knew what. "While I partially agree with the first two points, you're asking us to sacrifice our Queen for a plan that has little chance of success. However, regardless of our sentiments, at the end of the day it is Queen Historia's decision to make. We are but her subjects."
"If I may interject before the Queen decides...?" Natalie spoke up, catching Historia's gaze while the girl struggled to make a choice.
With Historia nodding, looking more than relieved, the redhead turned back to Kiyomi and clasped her hands together until her knuckles started bleeding white. What she was about to say left her disgusted to her very core, but Kiyomi and Zeke seemed to have no qualms about sacrificing any of them... why should she, then?
"You mentioned earlier that Zeke Jaeger confessed to having royal blood himself, yes?" she began, speaking again after the woman nodded with an intrigued expression. "Then why can he not perpetuate a royal bloodline? Surely, if he wishes to work with us and defect to our side, we could find ways of ensuring his blood is passed on."
"Do... do you truly believe it would be that easy?!" Kiyomi nearly gasped in the face of the young woman's wrathful delivery of her statement. "That he would not have done it already, if it was?"
She knew she should have stopped; that being so disrespectful to Kiyomi could leave their island without its only ally. But at the same time, it was like someone was driving her from behind, almost forcing her to keep talking, that for a moment she even wondered if those were truly her own thoughts or not.
"And why would it be any easier for Queen Historia than for him? Why do we need to breed our Queen like livestock, when it would be so much easier for him to do it? I'm certain that we could help him flee Marley and come here... and we could find several women willing to bear his children, for the noble purpose of saving all of us. Would that not be a much better option, with far higher chances of success, than putting all our bets on just one person?"
"You...!" the woman at last did gasp, for a moment looking like she was truly seeing how inhumane that suggestion was. "You would spare one and use several others, instead?"
"I am simply offering a much better alternative." Natalie replied, nearly cutting her off; she felt like the worst monster for saying all those horrible things, but if it served to delay the decision and spare Historia, it was worth it. "Say in theory that the Queen did get pregnant, but was unable to carry her child to term or died giving birth as so many others have before. What would happen then? She is the only one on this island with royal blood. Whereas Zeke could so easily pass on his bloodline through several women, increasing the chances that at least some of the children would survive. Why should any other woman be regarded more highly than Queen Historia? Or are you suggesting the Queen is not viewed as a human being who has the right to decide what to do with her own body?"
"I didn't mean to imply anything of the sort, of course."
"Then I am sure you'll agree... we have far more pressing matters to handle at this moment than childbirth."
At that, she turned her gaze back to Historia who understood that she had to finally make her choice. But Natalie was right... they didn't need to hurry to a decision, especially given that the curse had turned out to be fake. She and Erwin and Eren wouldn't die for many years to come; which meant Zeke also wouldn't die anytime soon if they managed to bring him to Paradis to keep him safe. The Founder issue wasn't the most pressing one just yet.
"You may tell Zeke Jaeger that we agree in theory to the first two points of his plan, though even those require further discussion." she at last spoke, her tone having lost any trace of hesitation. "As for the third, however, I wish to discuss it with him face to face before I make my final decision. If he truly wishes for us to help him flee Marley and return here as our ally, he shouldn't have any problem with my request. And we will gladly help him reach the island if he truly wishes for us to work together for the sake of our people."
'What... what is this?' Kiyomi pondered, her gaze going from Historia back to Natalie and then back to the Queen. 'Based on Zeke's words, they should have been more desperate than this. I knew it... he didn't tell me the whole truth, the scheming scum.'
Masking the clenching of her jaw with a sip of tea, she then plastered her practiced smile on her expression yet again.
"Of course, there is no need to rush to a decision just yet. We will continue to mediate between Paradis and Zeke Jaeger, and I will pass your message on to him as you wish."
=0=0=
"What were you thinking, Dietrich?! Do you know how disrespectful that was to our guest? What even was going through your head when you suggested something as inhumane as that?"
"Wait, Nile..." Erwin interjected as the Military Police Commander was berating the redhead in the hall where now only a handful of people were still gathered. "I'm certain Natalie had her reasons."
The look in his eyes told the redhead that he did support her decision to speak up in front of Kiyomi and that perhaps he was even aware that she had been bluffing.
"Of course, I wasn't being serious." she at last replied, looking over to Nile with a scrutinizing stare. "You don't honestly believe I would ever agree to something as horrible as that?! I wanted Kiyomi to see for herself how inhumane and monstrous she and Zeke were when they proposed we do that to Historia. And considering none of you had any better argument against it, I simply took the opportunity to set her straight. If Historia is ever to make a decision about this, I will not have her pressured into deciding one way or another; it should be her choice and hers alone!"
"You..." Nile almost growled, still looking incensed.
"Natalie did nothing wrong." Historia spoke up, silencing everyone. "In fact, she and Commander Erwin spared us from looking weak in front of our foreign guests, where Armin and I clenched up and were unable to speak. Now they not only know that we are not silly children who can be made fools of, they also know that we are not pushovers who will bend to their every whim. We may desire peace, but gaining that at the cost of our own beliefs and morals would only make us a joke in the eyes of the world."
"You spoil her too much, Your Highness." the Military Police Commander sighed in defeat.
"Perhaps..." Historia agreed with a light smile, despite the forlorn stare Natalie was offering to the table in front of her. "But I know she only has our people's best interest at heart, regardless of what course of action she chooses. Don't you, Natalie?"
It was when the redhead failed to reply as though she hadn't heard the question, that Historia's expression shifted towards concern.
"Natalie...?" she called again, this time startling the woman back to reality.
"Yes, of course." the redhead nodded reassuringly, though that did nothing to ease Historia's worries.
"Maybe she just needs some rest." Mikasa intervened, and the look in her eyes told Natalie that the girl was aware of her desire to leave that room. "This was a very important meeting and I'm sure we all have much to think about."
"You're right." Historia nodded, standing and dismissing everyone. "We're all too wound up after learning so much today. We can discuss things later."
With her being the first to leave, the others followed suit until only the Survey Corps remained, gathered around Natalie who hadn't moved from her seat.
"What is it?" Levi goaded her. "Shouldn't you be happy that the Queen stood up for your recklessness?"
When her only answer as she again stared at the table was her chin trembling as tears overflowed down her cheeks, the last bits of ease in the air vanished.
"Nat..." the young Captain called again, reaching to cover her hand with his own.
"It wasn't me..." she whispered, plunging the room into a deathly silence. "It wasn't... it wasn't me..."
"Natalie!"
The concern in Levi's raised voice as he again called her name visibly made her jolt with a gasp as though she had been holding in a breath. And in the way she took in her surroundings, they all realized she had been having a vision.
"What did you see?" Eren asked before anyone could speak.
"I... don't know... what... what was I saying?"
"You said 'it wasn't me' over and over..." Armin replied, looking very concerned. "What does that mean?"
"What I said to Kiyomi..." she began, drawing in a shaky breath. "I... don't think that was entirely my thought. It... it felt like... like I'd seen that done somewhere, before..."
"Was it one of the other hosts?" Erwin inquired, making her realize she had his full attention.
"I don't know... maybe? It didn't... really feel like that; more like this... overwhelming will that wanted me to say that. And I can't... can't shake this horrible feeling... that one day I'll have to actually agree to that."
"Calm down... take a deep breath."
Levi's words at last made her realize she was starting to hyperventilate and she did as he told her, though it helped little to soothe the fear that had overtaken her.
"What are you a slave to?" she again heard Kenny's voice in her head as she often had since that day.
"Am I... being controlled by someone?"
It was a thought she had sometimes found herself pondering, though she was afraid to say it aloud; because acknowledging it would make it an inescapable reality, she felt. But then, hearing Armin's gasp made her realize she had indeed spoken it aloud and she raised her gaze to find everyone staring at her in silence. It was such a strange experience, as for once she felt that none of them could actually understand her fears and what she was feeling at that moment, no matter how much they tried. And for once she felt so overwhelmingly alone, with such an impossible task ahead of her, that she contemplated whether death would not be the easier choice.
"No... of course you're not!"
But then Eren spoke up, his voice and the way he squeezed her hand pulling her back into their midst, and she again gasped as though she had just remembered how to breathe.
"No one can ever control you; you're far too strong for that!" he assured her. "And even if they try... I won't let them!"
~ oOo ~
"I apologize, as always, for asking you to meet me in such unsavory circumstances Lady Kiyomi."
"That is the least of our problems, I assure you, Zeke Jaeger." the woman replied, gesturing for him to sit.
"Oh? I was hoping your visit to Paradis would have gone well..."
"It was certainly a... enlightening meeting. As you told us, our shogun's descendant lives there; she is healthy and well. I thank you for ensuring that I would meet her."
"Yet you do not seem too pleased, if I may point out."
"That is because you have been withholding information from me."
"What?" Zeke gasped, caught off guard. "I have been forthcoming with all I have told you, Lady Kiyomi. I have told you things that could get me killed."
"I met the woman you told me to seek; she is alive and healthy, as you hoped. She was... intense, particularly when speaking about you. As was Levi."
"Well... I can't blame them, can I? We didn't exactly start out on the friendliest of terms. But I am relieved she at least was willing to talk about me."
"According to her, you seem to have no time limit on your life."
In wake of her words, there was a prolonged silence broken only by the crackling wood as it burned away.
"I... what? What do you mean with that?" he gasped, for once looking utterly sincere in his surprise.
'So you didn't know; very well then.' she pondered, before offering an answer. "I presented your suggestions to them, as you requested. The idea of having their Queen inherit your Titan and then breed royal blooded children was received less than poorly. Natalie in particular was quite ruthless in her assessment of this option. She suggested that once you reach the island they could have you do that in place of their Queen. I must admit, as inhumane as it sounds, it is a logical solution. However, what seemed most curious to me is that none of them seemed to be as desperate as you assured me they would be. For ones who would be pressed for time, with only a few years left, they were oddly unconcerned with that issue."
"I-I..." he stammered, before catching himself and huffing a breath. "What about my request to meet her and Eren?"
"Their Queen stated she would like to discuss that third plan with you face to face, as well as that they are willing to help you flee Marley. And though they haven't given a definitive answer when I mentioned you wished to meet her and Eren, Natalie at least did not seem entirely adverse to the option."
"Then, Lady Kiyomi... I would ask one further favor of you."
"To bring her and Eren here?" she inquired before he could finish his statement. "It will not be easy in the least, especially with the war going on and people becoming more paranoid by the day. We would be putting our family at great risk for this... but we will see what we can do."
"I am forever grateful to you for all of your help. Please, it must happen as soon as possible!"
Sooo today's replies for my lovely reviewers :D
1. aLeexheaven - To be honest, I hope so too! But I still can't tell how the story will end, because no matter how much I plan head the story will grow in its own way and how it wants. But I'm really happy that you enjoyed the ride so far, I hope you'll enjoy future chapters just as much :D
2. MordredVisor - As always love, thank you so much for taking the time to leave feedback!
(ch. 34) - Yes, they REALLY needed a break from the military life. And I figured Sasha's family farm was the best place for the entire team to unwind for a few days. They've all been so stressed for so long, that I felt like they were kind of losing touch with civilian life. So I wanted to do an "episode" of just plain, daily life without any Titans, or battles, or strategy meetings or anything of the sort. And yeah, I'd teased the dance thing before at Karl's engagement party. I don't see Levi as being averse to this kind of thing, if he can do it on his own terms. And again, with how stressful their usual life is, I wanted to give them a moment of just being a couple.
And yes, we're finally starting the Marley arc! I'm honestly very excited for what's coming in the next few chapters, I really hope you'll enjoy it!
So these are my replies for today. Cheers, lovelies~ ( ˘ ³˘)❤