Stars shining bright above you, night breezes seem to whisper I love you
Bird singing in the sycamore tree, dream a little dream of me
The "radio" was playing. This was an old tune, something recovered from generations ago before the "dark ages" as Kiyomi had called them. Hard to believe there was a time before titans. The radio played, and Petra looked at it nervously. Every time Petra touched the knob, she felt a little thrill of fear. What if it electrocuted her? For several days now, she'd been surrounded by appliances that ran on electricity. For three days she and the men had stayed on Hizuru—Kiyomi had decided to test them to make sure they knew what they were about before going to Marley. She'd learned how to use a radio, what a refrigerator was, what it felt like to ride in a car. Levi had clung to the edge of the vehicle the whole time, grim-faced and dead-eyed. He didn't like cars. 'You can understand horses. Machines are their own thing' he'd said.
Yesterday, they'd embarked on their trip to Marley. Yelena and Onyankopon had met them on the ship, and were escorting them to the dock to ensure their papers were good before vanishing into the crowd.
She was in a first class cabin. The radio played as afternoon sunlight streamed through the round windows. Petra stood before the floor length mirror in her underwear, heart hammering as she made sure every detail was in place. The brassiere was formed from some kind of hard wire, and it hurt. It did lift her breasts nicely, but Petra preferred comfort to beauty. The underwear was silken, with a little frill. She wore garters, holding up her sheer nylon stockings. She slipped into her heeled shoes. Levi had liked seeing her in only her underwear and high heels. But Levi hadn't had a first class ticket. Kiyomi, understandably, had booked him second class. It was expected since he was an "employee", but that meant Petra sleeping with Erwin. Of course, the commander had been good about it. Last night, he'd immediately gone into their sitting room and slept on the couch. But soon they'd be in Marley. When they were around high society, she'd have to play the part of a new and blissful bride.
Petra forced herself to calm down as she pulled her slip over her head. The silk was so soft against her skin. She adjusted it, admired how the cream color make her look like she was glowing. She went over to the "vanity" and flipped on the lights with a wince. Bulbs shone brightly all around the mirror, highlighting her face. Petra put on the finishing touches of make up. Kiyomi had given her several tubes of "lipstick" to try out. Gone were the waxy jars of lip color they'd used on Paradis. Nifa would have been in heaven with all these different shades: Peach Kiss, Scarlet Night, Blush of Dawn.
The tremor overtook her once: I can't do this. I'm going to fail. But she mastered herself and finished doing her makeup. She put in her earrings and headed to the wardrobe to pick out her skirt and blouse. She was halfway across the room when the cabin door opened and Erwin entered. Petra made a noise as she dashed to the wardrobe, throwing open the door to hide herself. Erwin immediately turned away.
"Sorry," he said.
"It's fine." She yanked out her skirt and stepped into it, nearly falling over in her haste. "Is Le—Kenny ready yet?"
They'd gotten a message to Zeke that they would be on the continent soon. He'd written back stating very dryly that this was an ill-advised mission; Levi had said many filthy things Erwin couldn't put in the reply. Once Zeke understood this mission would happen, he reminded them that Reiner and Bertholdt had made reports on important people in the Paradisian military. Petra could use her name since there'd been 'no mention of her', but Erwin and Levi had to change their identities further since the Marleyan authorities were well aware of Erwin Smith and Captain Levi. Smith was a common surname, so Erwin could keep it, but he was now Karl Smith, using his father's name. Levi was going by Kenny Ral.
She smiled at the surname, though had forced herself to make peace with 'Kenny.'
"I'm sure he'll be on the top deck by the time we arrive."
"I'm decent." Petra looked around the room; the first class had maid service, and the women would be in soon to pack up the last of her belongings. She took a hat from the top of the armoire and put it on, adjusted it. Erwin smiled when he saw her.
"Strange. It's you, but I feel like I wouldn't recognize you if we passed on the street."
"How do Marleyan women avoid headaches? All the electric lighting and chemical scents make me sick." She'd tried a spritz of perfume, and discovered that it wasn't nearly as nice as the rose oils on Paradis. Everything she wore or touched was artificial in some way. The food she ate had "preservatives" in it, her clothing hadn't been made by human hands. She felt fake.
"From now on, you are a Marleyan woman," Erwin said. He was kind but also a bit stern. His brows furrowed. "By nationality if not by nature."
Yes. Petra Smith. She'd been born to a family on the continent's interior, normal people with normal, bland, commonplace pasts.
"All right, Karl." She adjusted her hat one more time. "Ready to escort me?"
She made her voice a little lighter, a little quieter. She wasn't Petra Ackerman or Petra Ral now, but Petra Smith. Erwin smiled, and extended his arm.
"Let's see this brave new world," he said.
Fuck, those Marleyans knew how to dress. Levi hadn't liked taking the second class cabin—he'd tried sleeping in the Smith cabin as "protection" but apparently ship stewards pitched bitchy little fits about people in the wrong class cabin at night. No, he didn't like the food or the accommodations, but he liked these clothes. "Kenny Ral" was a man who'd grown up in the poorer sections of Liberio. No organized criminal activity, as that'd be a way to trace him, but he'd had a hardscrabble life. He'd met Karl Smith at a gambling den one night when the merchant was slumming. Kenny'd knocked out a prick that was cheating, and Karl had hired the man as muscle on the spot.
Not too far from how Erwin and him had met, actually.
Kenny had upgraded his wardrobe to go with his new job. Levi was a man who liked dressing well. He liked good fabrics in good cuts. This type of swank living he could get used to.
The fabric was a pinstripe in deep blue. The trousers were just loose enough, the shirt crisp and white. The vest was cerulean, the jacket tailored beautifully. Normally he had a bitch of a time with sleeve length, but these were perfect. He put in the cufflinks Kiyomi had given him, mother of pearl. He fluffed his dark tie, and selected which silk handkerchief he'd put in his pocket. He almost went with the sky blue, but then picked the 'canary yellow' instead. A little flash let them know you had some life in you.
He decided to forego his silk-lined camelhair coat, and plucked his hat from the corner of his armoire. It was a "fedora" he'd never remember all these stupid words. It was seal gray, and when he tilted it just so over his eye he looked in the mirror and thought for an instant it was Kenny looking back at him. He and his uncle didn't really look alike—Kenny had been tall and lantern-jawed, while Levi took after his slight, elfin mother. But there was some similarity between the two men in the eyes. Always had been. When Levi was ready for trouble, there was a gleam in the blue-gray depths that was all Kenny Ackerman.
Look how far yah've come. My boy.
He heard the murderer's voice. Fuck only knew how Kenny would've dealt with the knowledge of Marley and all the rest of the shit.
Levi walked out of his room and climbed to the upper deck. Men and women in summer outfits drifted past him. He'd never get used to the salt smell of ocean air. Overhead, gulls wheeled and cried. In the distant haze, he saw a coastline. Marley. Valle, to be exact. They'd taken a ship from Hizuru and headed west for a full day. They were hundreds of miles south of Liberio, where the major Eldian internment camp was. Northern Marley was supposed to be drier, more like a desert. The south, especially the eastern coast, was more densely tropical. That was a new word Levi had learned: tropical. It meant spindly "palm trees" and colorful birds. Fuck, good thing Kiyomi had given him some linen suits as well; he was already sweating. He wouldn't fan himself with his hat, though. He was a man of class.
He strolled across the deck, looking for Petra and Erwin. A nice breeze sighed through his jacket, and he inhaled deeply. Fuck, this sea thing made you feel different. He liked it. He wanted a world where he could take Kuchel on a ship like this when she was older. Where she could wear pink and white little dresses and ribboned knee socks like the other girls, and play and laugh without anyone caring that she was Eldian.
In truth, Levi'd had his doubts when Erwin announced this mission. But after a taste of the outside world, he wanted it for his daughter. He wanted her to have every good thing life could offer. He'd kill for her to have it.
His grim mood vanished when he caught sight of his wife.
She was haloed against the blue of the sea, standing there in a peach skirt and white blouse, holding a straw hat to her head. Her red-gold hair gleamed in the afternoon sun as she stood against the railing and stared at the approaching land. Fuck. He'd thought lines like 'I fell in love with her all over again' were just smooth lies found in Petra's gooey romance books, but it was true now. Without her turning around, Levi lost his heart all over again.
God, he wanted her. And she was now the one thing he couldn't have. He was her husband, but he couldn't put his arms around her. Couldn't kiss her. Couldn't sleep with her. The last one bothered the shit out of him. But he could go to her and stand alongside her at least. Yeah. He started walking her way.
Erwin beat him to it. The commander sidled up to Petra. They talked. Levi couldn't read Petra's expression, since she had her back to him, but Erwin appeared to be smiling as they discussed something. Together, they looked out to sea. He laid a hand upon Petra's lower back, and she let him. She even inched closer.
They'd agreed that they had to pretend affection in public, even when it 'didn't count,' meaning no one important was near. That way it wouldn't feel like a spontaneous performance in front of Willy Tybur. They wouldn't make mistakes. And Erwin had sworn to both of them that it would not progress beyond a touch, or a caress. He wouldn't kiss her. Such a display would be awkward in public anyway.
But Levi still saw a haze of red.
Heh. Look atcha. Pinin' over yer own wife. How much of a weak fuck did I raise yah to be, Levi?
"Shut up, Kenny."
Yeah. Shut up to the Kenny that had been, and the Kenny that now was. Fuck his feelings. He had a job to do.
Levi walked over to the married couple, cleared his throat. They turned. Petra's eyes lit up briefly when she saw him, and tracked along his body. Nice. Her approval and delight calmed him right away.
"Mr. Smith. We're docking in five minutes. Better get your papers ready."
Erwin grinned. "Thank you, Kenny."
The ship docked. People were waving handkerchiefs below, excited to see their weary travelers. Levi walked behind Petra and Erwin, and when they hit the dock he immediately saw who they were looking for. A young Hizuran man in his thirties with slick black hair and a sharp suit waved at them. They walked over.
"Mr. Smith? Welcome. Kanada Azumabito." He shook hands with Erwin. "My aunt tells me I'm to host you at our summer house."
"Thank you. That's very gracious."
Petra said nothing, as did Levi. He hailed a porter and got their luggage sorted out while Kanada showed Mr. and Mrs. Smith to their car. It was a shiny thing, chrome and steel, black and white. A chauffeur opened the back door for Petra, then Erwin slid in. Kanada got in as well. It was a stretch car, meaning there'd be plenty of room for Levi, but as the "help" he had to ride in front. Not that he minded.
Once the luggage was packed, he got in and they pulled away from the dock. It took a few minutes to get away from all the foot traffic, but then they were moving fast. They sped away from the seaport and wound along a coastal highway. Levi was so stunned by the speed and the sights around him that he almost forgot to listen to Erwin and Kanada.
"We are scheduled to attend a party tonight in Willy Tybur's honor," Kanada said. "My aunt says he is an especial contact you wish to make."
"I recognize that Marley's lagging behind the world a bit in certain technologies," Erwin said easily. "They say Willy Tybur sets all trends for Marleyan society and policy. My business could make him a wealthy man. It wouldn't hurt Marley any, either."
"Too true."
Kanada knew who they really were, but all of Kiyomi's servants were Marleyan. Even if some would be okay with hosting Eldians, others would be frightened. All it took was one person going to the police and they were done for. As such, they had to pretend even when it was just them with the Azumabito guy. Just in case.
They took a right and drove down a short hill, all the way to a cliff along the coast. On that cliff was a white-painted house with expansive gardens and a round driveway. The car pulled up, and servants rushed out to get the luggage. Levi smirked. Kiyomi had said the Azumabito were diminished now as a clan. If having summer houses and tons of servants was diminished, what'd fat and happy look like?
Levi kept at Erwin's back as Kanada led them to a comfortable sitting area. Levi'd seen enough to know that this was Marleyan furniture, plush and overstuffed, but with Hizuran designs. The fabric was muted, the walls painted light green. Hizurans liked elegant simplicity and clean lines. Privately, Levi thought they had a better handle on what looked good than Marley. This place was all flashy colors and tacky frills.
Servants brought some tea, which Levi didn't drink. He hung in the background, hands clasped, observing his "boss" and the wife. Hard to look at Petra hang on another man's arm, smile at another man like he was her husband. Weird too for her to be so quiet and docile. She took the cup of ginger tea she was offered and sipped, but watched the men speak. His Petra was bold and vibrant, but here she needed to be an acceptable Marleyan lady. Pretty, polite, and pointless. He hated it.
The ceremonial greeting over, the shallow pleasantries exchanged, Kanada rose. The Smiths did, too. "Rooms are prepared for you, with an adjacent chamber for your man." His eyes flicked to Levi, who nodded. Good. Adjoining rooms. He liked that for multiple reasons. "The party starts at seven, which means an eight o'clock entrance will be fashionable. The servants have unpacked while we had tea, and a maid has been appointed for Mrs. Smith."
"Oh." She startled. "I don't need a—"
"My wife is only a few weeks out of a convent." Erwin chuckled. "I'll have to get her used to a different style of living."
Erwin was pretending. It was a performance for the servants more than for Kanada. But Levi felt the overwhelming urge to slug the man for being so condescending to his wife—
Not your wife. For the next ten days, she's not your wife. Get your head out of the fucking clouds unless you want to get everyone killed.
"Quite," Kanada said. "The car will be ready at half past seven. Until then, please freshen up and relax."
The Smiths thanked him, then were shown to their rooms. Levi followed silently, glaring at Erwin's back as they climbed the stairs and walked down a long, plush hallway. The servant bowed them into their room, and Levi shut the door behind them.
The Smiths had a bedroom the size of most people's houses. It was like any Marleyan bedroom, only instead of oil paintings on the walls there were decorated bolts of silk. Hizuran design. Beautiful. Levi took off his hat while Petra collapsed onto the bed. She exhaled deeply.
"Sorry. I thought I gave us away," she murmured. Erwin put a finger to his lips. Right. Never knew who was listening.
"Mrs. Smith," Levi said pointedly. "Let me go take off my jacket. Then we'll talk about strategy for tonight." He glanced at Erwin. "You want me shadowing her?"
"Thank you, Kenny. I'll be in hot pursuit of Willy Tybur, so I'd like to know she's safe and occupied."
And that we're both doing our best to snoop around.
"Sure."
Levi opened the adjoining door. His own room wasn't much smaller than this one; damn, what it'd be to have money. He glanced at Erwin and Petra as he shut the door. She was sprawled out on the bed. He stood over her, beaming at something she said.
He felt a knife twist in his gut.
Idiot. Fucking idiot. If you fuck this up, you'll never see Kuchel again. Do better.
Levi sighed and shut the door.
Levi would give his soul to own this shower. Multiple jets cleaned his body from every possible angle. He scrubbed himself with white soap, lathered up until he didn't think he could get any cleaner. He toweled dry and combed his hair in the mirror, then shaved. He hadn't had an opportunity this morning, and he was getting stubbly. He didn't like Marleyan colognes, but he liked the aftershave. It had a woodsy smell, made him think of the forests back home. He dressed in a dark gray suit. It was summer, so people would be in lighter colors, but he was the bodyguard. Had to stick to the shadows.
Levi knocked, then entered Erwin's room. Petra was with her maid in the "powder room". Erwin was finishing up his bow tie. Levi thought Marleyan men looked like stupid monkeys in their dumb high-collared starched clothes, but Erwin Smith made it look regal. He lifted an eyebrow as he slipped into his coat.
"Thoughts?"
"You look like a dick."
Erwin laughed. Levi put a shoulder to the wall and gazed at the bathroom door, waiting for Petra.
"Remember. You'll take Mrs. Smith after we're received. Watch over her."
Yeah. He was gonna observe Petra with the rich bitches, see who was who. Report later.
"Yeah. Got it."
The door opened. The maid came out, a pretty young dark-haired woman. She wore the same sedate black as the other servants, and beamed as Petra walked in.
He gripped his thigh to keep from going over there and kissing her. From throwing her over his shoulder and escorting her roughly to his bedroom.
"Oh." Erwin looked taken aback. He cleared his throat. "Yes. It's important we make a good first impression."
The dress was cream colored, a floor length slip with a layer of beading over it. Crystals glittered in starbursts down her body. Diamond pendants dangled from her ears. The maid had used an iron on her; Petra's hair was a riot of red-gold curls that framed her face. As a finishing touch, Kiyomi had given her a crescent moon-shaped hair ornament. The diamonds were blue and yellow, with bursts of crystal raining down like falling stars. Her face was painted pretty as a doll's. She had a gauzy wrap draped around her elbows, meant more for beauty than use.
Petra looked at him for one moment, and he saw she wanted to go to him as badly as he wanted to go to her. But it lasted only a heartbeat. Then she had eyes for her husband. Erwin cleared his throat again as he took her hand in his. A diamond bracelet glittered on her wrist. She looked like a queen.
Mine. She's mine, you bastard.
Shut up, Levi.
"Kenny. Would you go see about the car?" Erwin asked.
Took a second for him to remember that as security detail it was important for him to be seen inspecting cars, restaurants, and the like. But he didn't want to leave this woman alone, especially not with Erwin who couldn't help staring at her like she was some kind of goddess.
"Yeah," Levi croaked. He forced himself not to look at Petra as he left the room.
He waited near the car for five minutes, the longest five minutes of his life. When Petra came down on Erwin's arm, he wanted to jump out of his skin. He closed his eyes.
If you fuck this up, she dies. Or gets turned into a titan. Be a goddamn man.
Erwin helped Petra into the car, where Kanada waited. Levi sat up front, and they were off through the night to this party for Willy Tybur.
Levi hoped the man would prove worth the trip.
Erwin hadn't thought of her in a while. Since finding Marie again, his hunger for Petra had subsided. He still found her desirable, of course, but his appetite was sated. He felt no urge to reach for her any longer. Sharing close quarters with her for a couple of weeks would be only the mildest discomfort.
When she emerged in that dress, diamonds in her hair, the hunger returned with a vengeance, and there was no Marie around to satisfy his urge. Ah, fuck. She was intoxicating, and the way she clung to him and beamed at him with those large, sweet eyes and those delicate lips…
He knew it was an act. As Levi had said once, Petra was a fine actress. If she hadn't been a soldier, she could have gone on the stage. Erwin had to remember that she was a soldier on a mission. But she smelled of flowers, and when she slid her hand into the crook of his arm he nearly forgot himself. He realized grimly that he was going to have to sleep beside her tonight in low-grade agony.
And Levi was watching.
Erwin realized Kanada was speaking. Damn.
"I'm sorry?"
"I said that the party is being held at the governor's mansion. DeLuca is one of the most important men in southern Marley. You should make his acquaintance as well." The young Hizuran looked extremely smart in a well-tailored dark suit. His hair was slicked back, and he regarded Petra with an interest that seemed more academic than lustful. Well, Erwin wasn't sure how many Eldian women Kanada had met.
"Thank you. I'll be sure to take advantage." Erwin took Petra's hand, enjoying the sensation of her delicate skin against his.
She took her hand away and gave him a mildly annoyed glance.
Ah. Yes. They were in the back of the car, visible only to Kanada. No need for physical intimacy.
Erwin studied the back of Levi's head. He swore that somehow the man was glaring at him.
The car made a right past some guarded gates, and wended along a twisting road until they came upon a house lit so spectacularly that it emerged from the dark like a beacon floating on the sea. Petra gasped. He wished he could put an arm around her, but no. She was his for show, but not really his. The driveway was round, with cars pulling up ahead of them in a line. When theirs stopped and a doorman let them out, Kanada whispered.
"Good luck."
Erwin emerged, then handed out Petra. Side by side, they looked upon the place.
"Oh. Wow," she breathed.
The house was entirely white, about three stories tall. A marble colonnade upheld the front porch, and every single window blazed with bright electric light. Electric lights hung from trees in beautiful spheres of red and blue glass. The people entering the house were richly dressed, the women in sequins and gossamer, the men smart as Kanada. Erwin heard the merry ebb and flow of conversation, with a band playing some kind of fast-paced dance music (a rumba, yes?)
Overhead, fireworks exploded against the sky in bursts of blue and white. Nice touch.
"Oi. Mr. Smith." Levi stood alongside Petra. "Better get moving."
Yes. Petra had the part of the winsome naïf; Erwin needed to seem accustomed to Marleyan grandeur. As they walked to the steps and up to the front door, Erwin felt light-headed. Not with fear, but with pleasure. All of these extraordinary sights and sounds, things he could never have dreamed were his to examine and enjoy. He would relish these opportunities, only sorry that Hange couldn't see. She'd love it all.
"Mr. Kanada Azumabito." A servant announced Kanada when they reached the door. A well-dressed middle-aged woman greeted him. She was attractive, with tanned skin and well-coiffed dark hair. Beside her stood a man in a light colored suit, a swarthy, heavy man with thinning black hair and an enormous grin. He shook hands and patted backs as he received his guests. Clearly this was DeLuca. Kanada gave a short bow to Mrs. DeLuca, which seemed to thrill her. Erwin recalled how Kanada had shaken hands with him at the dock. Bowing was a Hizuran custom, one he'd happily foregone for the comfort of his new friends. This bow felt a bit like a performance; Kanada was playing a part the way Erwin was, the "exotic" foreigner, competing in a secret game with an unknown prize.
Clever young man. Erwin smiled.
"Hello, Kandy!" DeLuca chortled as he slapped Kanada on the back. The young man wavered, but never seemed in danger of losing his balance. Kandy. The way Kanada gave DeLuca the most studiously polite smile told Erwin he humored the boorish man for the sake of some goal, not for friendship. "How's your aunt? Shame she couldn't make it."
"Kiyomi sends regrets. In her place, however, she sends Mr. Karl Smith, an importer of some renown in Hizuru, and his lovely wife, Petra." Kanada gestured to Erwin, who took Mrs. DeLuca's hand and smiled. She flushed beneath her tan.
"Pleasure, Madame. Thank you for having us."
"Smith, eh? Imports?" DeLuca looked curious.
"I'm in the silk trade, though now I'm expanding my business into far more lucrative waters. My father always said there was something about arms dealing that made for an inherently adventurous life."
"Ah, really?" He honed in with interest. Kiyomi had said that Marley's military technology was behind the rest of the world; they'd relied on the power of the titans for far too long. "Well, then you're just the sort of man I like to see here. Bet you're hoping for a military contract." The governor was sizing Erwin up.
"I confess it would be good for my pocketbook, but it's more than that. I deal with Hizuru because Lady Kiyomi was a benefactor of mine when I was young and hungry. But I always hoped to bring power one day to Marley." Erwin told his lies well; it was what he was good at. "My father was a missionary in the Mid-East. I grew up near Fort Slava, but my father told me of our great heritage as Marleyans. I was raised amongst Mid-Easterners, but always felt separate from them. When I first stepped foot on Marleyan soil, I knew I was home."
Mrs. DeLuca's eyes glowed. The governor seemed pleased.
"You're welcome, Mr. Smith. And your lovely wife." He grinned wolfishly at Petra. Erwin could feel Levi radiating fury behind him. "Thought she might've been your daughter at first. Good man." He winked at Erwin. Yes, having a much younger wife would make Erwin a target for compliments and envy both.
"Thank you," Petra said quietly, and they entered the party. Erwin felt Levi shadowing him, and placed a hand on the small of Petra's back. The dress was nearly backless, and he felt how soft her skin was. He'd take his hand away in a moment. It was all part of the act. That's all it was.
"Isn't arms dealing…complicated?" Petra whispered. He knew what she meant. It was a lie that would gain much interest, and be harder to maintain because of it.
"Kiyomi assured me that Willy Tybur would only be interested in someone who could directly benefit Marley in her wars. All right, my dear." He stopped and kissed her hand for show, tried not to hold her for too long. Petra smiled lovingly, but he saw caution in her eyes. "Why don't you make the rounds? I need to find Tybur."
She smiled and ducked off into the crowd, Levi trailing her. Erwin wandered the front hall, passing potted plants and framed works of art. His shoes clicked on the black and white tile. The noise reached a crescendo as he approached the party.
The roof of this room was made of glass, allowing the guests to see the night sky. On the floor, women in gaily-colored frocks danced, laughing with their gentlemen. The band played another fast number, a "Charleston". Older people milled around at the corners of the room, sipping bubbling wine or "cocktails". Erwin had sampled a martini at Kiyomi's and liked it. He plucked one from a waiter's tray and took a long sip. A little 'liquid courage' as Kiyomi had called it.
It did not take long to find Willy Tybur. He was the inescapable force that seemed to pull every person in the room gradually towards him. Erwin approached carefully, listening. Observing
Willy Tybur was a young man, five to ten years younger than Erwin. His hair was quite blond and shoulder length, his face sculpted as if by a master's hand. He'd high cheekbones, a tapering jaw, and the slightest beard. Most would see him as an almost beautiful young man and be enchanted. Erwin saw shrewdness in the dark eyes, though. Best to be cautious.
Kanada was at his side. Good. Time for an introduction.
"Kanada!" Willy beamed when the young Hizuran appeared, and waved for some space in his circle of admirers. "I'm so glad you could make it. A party without you is always a little bit dull."
"Please, my aunt is the true loss. She sends her regrets." Kanada's warm smile was unforced. He likes Willy. This friendship is genuine. Erwin got the idea right away that if he in any way endangered Willy Tybur, Kanada would dislike him. That would put aunt and nephew at loggerheads. He wanted to avoid that, but he'd use it if necessary. I'm a true monster, aren't I? "May I introduce Karl Smith? He's an importer of luxury goods who's made quite a name and fortune for himself in Hizuru."
"Pleasure." Willy shook with Erwin. He smiled, only politely interested. Erwin had one shot.
"The honor's mine. A true honor."
"Indeed?" Willy appeared bemused. "Why?"
"I was telling the governor outside that I grew in the Mid-East, raised by Marleyan missionaries. I felt an especial hunger to see my motherland. And," he said, gesturing to Willy, "to meet the scion of one of the two men who saved her. And the world."
Willy Tybur gave a small bow. "Please. My ancestor deserves all credit. I'm only the keeper of his legacy."
There was a slight note of exasperation in his voice. He saw Erwin as another devotee of the Tybur legend, the story of Helos. Just another idealistic idiot from a foreign backwater. Willy's attention was shifting to another member of the circle. Two seconds and Erwin's window would close forever.
He smiled.
"And I confess, I'm disappointed by the end result."
Someone in the circle gasped. Kanada went rigid beside Erwin. Willy turned, his expression soft with shock. Perhaps this was the first time in the man's life someone hadn't fawned all over him.
"How dare you?" a man in the group spluttered. He was drinking some vibrantly green cocktail, and nearly sloshed it all over his white suit jacket. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
"A man who controls the greatest Eldian family in the world. The only good Eldians alive." Erwin looked Willy directly in the eyes. An Eldian who lives free while his brethren sit in prison. An Eldian who laps up the world's praise for the sake of a lie. But he said, "And yet a man who sits by and allows his country to grow fat and complacent using the power of the titans. A man who allows Marley to fall behind the world in matters of martial technology. A man who truly loves this, the greatest nation on earth, would want to protect her as he would his own wife. So a man with power, who knows the depravity of the Eldian race, who sits by and allows this country to fall out of competition with the rest of the world? To open herself up to hostilities?" Erwin's voice was icy. "Perhaps the proper word for such a man is 'traitor.'"
"Karl." Kanada sounded like he was ready to strangle Erwin, but Willy lifted a hand. Wait.
"You say you were raised outside of Marley, Mr. Smith?"
"It is my biggest regret."
"You're a nationalist, then?"
Erwin thought of Paradis, of the men and women who had suffered for one hundred years behind her walls. Until two years ago, Erwin had not thought of it as a nation, but as home. Humanity. The last of the human race. When he discovered it was a single state in a vast world, a nation, his love had changed. He did not love humanity, then. At least, not unreservedly. He loved Eldians. Paradisians. And while he would do what he could to safeguard Eldians and non-Eldians alike, to allow them to live in peace with one another, his loyalty forever lay with his people. The people who shared his blood, who had been made miserable by an uncaring world.
It was a dangerous way of thinking, and he would tread carefully.
"Nationalist has bad connotations. I consider myself a patriot."
"You love your home? Your country?"
He thought of Paradis, of Hange in her workshop, of Marie at home.
"With every drop of blood in my body," Erwin said. Deadly serious. His conviction unsettled those who'd been in firm opposition to him only seconds before. "I've moved into arms dealing especially to provide my country with the best means to defend herself."
"And to enrich yourself as well? It's a lucrative business."
Erwin smiled. "A man interested solely in wealth wouldn't have spoken to you like this, Mr. Tybur. Would he?"
Willy's eyebrows lifted. He seemed genuinely amused. "No. I suppose not."
"Willy," Kanada began, but Tybur put a hand on Erwin's shoulder. The men looked in one another's eyes, sized each other up.
"You're very naïve, my friend, about how our world works. A lifetime spent in the Mid-East and Hizuru hasn't allowed you to understand Marleyan social graces." He was cold. Then, Willy Tybur smiled. "In this country, we don't insult one another until after dinner."
A ripple of laughter moved through the circle. They did not find Erwin amusing, but were desperate to please Willy.
"I doubt you've seen DeLuca's gardens. Even at night, they're incredible. Come along." Willy Tybur led Erwin away, leaving a mass of stunned people, including Kanada, behind. "Let's talk."
Erwin felt a fishing pole in his hands, a tug on the line. He'd hooked the catch. Now to reel him in.
Petra had grown up on faerie tales, and felt like she was now living her own personal one. She wandered through one fantastic room after the next, filled with beautiful people who dripped jewels, music everywhere. Levi was at her back. Holding him and kissing him in this almost enchanted palace would have been the culmination of her fantasy…but she couldn't. It was the one thing she couldn't have.
She'd always thought him a handsome man, but in his well-tailored Marleyan suits he'd taken her desire to a previously unexplored level. This was a faerie tale, and he was the glowering beast, the prince, both at once. Just the thought of his hands on her, lifting her dress made her feverish. He was her husband, but she couldn't touch him. It had been only one full day of living apart from him, sleeping without him, and already she felt herself going crazy. She wished for a dark corner, private bedroom, but no. She had a duty. She was a soldier; her uniform these days was just very, very different.
"Who're you looking for?" Levi asked.
"Mrs. Tybur. Karl said she'd be here." Giulia Tyber was a southern Marleyan woman from a good Marleyan family. She had no Eldian blood whatsoever, but she'd married Willy, an Eldian, and given him Eldian children. Four little boys, one right after the other. The eldest was seven. Petra imagined she must be tired.
"Know what she looks like?" They stopped at the edge of the dance floor. Petra smelled the clean woodsy scent of his aftershave, and it almost drove her out of her mind. Were you supposed to still crave your husband after years together? And the way he'd looked at her tonight when she emerged in her dress…he'd looked like he wanted to devour her. She felt her body getting heavy just remembering.
Focus.
"Karl says the Tyburs dress modestly." Like proper Eldians. It was considered good for them to wear old Eldian robes and high-necked collars to show that they were staid and complacent. The right sort of Eldian. But Petra only saw women in vivid pinks and low-cut purple frocks. Nothing modest.
"You all right, Mrs. Smith?"
He couldn't help the gargled way he spoke her name. She knew he wanted to call her Petra. She wanted him to.
"I'm nervous." That was true to Petra Smith and Petra Ral Ackerman. She shivered. "I…I need a moment."
She turned and walked out of the big party room, jostling past servers in white tuxedoes until she found her way to a small, out of the way parlor. It was dimly lit here; perfect. She snuck inside, and Levi shut the door.
"I think Mr. Smith's doing all right. Saw him with Tybur on our way in." Levi leaned against the wall, his arm so near hers. Distractingly near. She closed her eyes, luxuriating in the warmth of his presence. "You want to go back out?"
He had to ask like that. He had to play being her employee. She couldn't help it; no one else was here. She touched his arm. He flinched, but didn't pull away.
"There's no one here but us," she breathed, barely a whisper. She drew near to him. His breathing hitched. "I'm scared." She only mouthed the words. Then, "I miss you."
He exhaled deeply, looked at her. His eyes were dead and flat, but the tension in his mouth gave him away.
"I've got a job to do. Gotta do it."
"I know." She licked her lips, remembered she was wearing lipstick. If she kissed even his cheek, people would be able to tell. Levi seemed to understand, because he took her wrist, the one with the diamond bracelet. He lifted it to his lips, and kissed her very delicately. She fought the urge to whimper. At the touch of his mouth, she was getting flustered. Sore between her legs with wanting. Even after more than two years, she couldn't get enough of him.
He let her go at once, cursing. Shook his head. "No. Sorry."
Petra sighed.
"H'lo?"
The voice came from inside the room, but no one was there. Petra nearly jumped a foot. One sofa had its back to them, and a woman sat up, visible over the top. She had short blonde hair, rumpled, and a pretty heart-shaped face. She gave a lazy, obviously drunken smile as she fumbled to stand. Despite her prettiness and youth, she wore a black dress with a high, starched white collar. The woman put a hand to her head.
"Oooh whee, I'm so sorry. I believe I've made a mess of myself." She had a classic 'south Marleyan' accent; her 'I's sounded like 'Ah's. She stumbled over to them, her hand out to shake. "Mmm, so so drunk. Sorry, sorry—ah!"
She tripped over a footstool and nearly tumbled to the ground. Lightning quick, Levi caught her. He helped her regain balance.
"Oh, my. Sorry! Sorry. My husband always says he—hic—can't take me anywhere." She giggled, tugging at Levi's lapel. He looked massively uncomfortable. "Oh, but you are a li'l cutie. Is, sorry, is my drunk, or are you a real li'l cutie?"
Levi looked like he wanted to kick open the door and leave. Petra jumped in.
"Sorry. This is my first time at a big party like this. I needed a break." She shook the woman's proffered hand. "Petra Smith."
"An' is this Mr. Smith?" The woman grinned devilishly at Levi.
"No. The bodyguard," he said. She wrinkled her nose with glee.
"Wonderful. I love a single gen'leman."
"Thought you were married." Levi looked ready to drop her and go. She pinched his cheek and whispered.
"Only when I'm on good behavior."
"What's your name?" Petra wanted this lady to stop pawing her husband. The woman giggled, finally releasing Levi.
"I am Mrs. Giulia. Tyber." She gave a showy bow after that, and burst into another flurry of giggles like it was some great joke. She fell against Petra, who caught and held her. She and Levi exchanged shocked glances.
"Oh. That's…wonderful."
"Mmm. My li'l darlin' boys are home wi—hic their auntie. So I come alllll the way with Mr. Tybur for some fun." She frowned and looked around the room. "Where'd he go?"
"I think my husband might be talking to him." This was a prime opportunity, though it was hard to believe this was one of the leading women in Marleyan society. "We just arrived in Valle, and we don't know anybody."
"You don't?" Her eyes widened like this was the worst thing she'd ever heard. She stroked Petra's cheek. Well, better Petra than her husband. "Oh, you poor li'l thing. You know, you are so soft. How old're you?"
"Twenty."
"Aren'cha gonna ask me how old I am? Is polite."
"Sorry. How old—"
"Never ask a woman her age!" She burst into frenzied, drunken laughter and hugged Petra. Levi shook his head, looking ready to throw this woman off his…boss's wife. "Sorry, sorry. I had a few sips of port wine. Jus' a few. I'm normally soooooo good, but my Willy's off with all his many many friends and I'm boooored." Giulia hugged Petra tight. "You smell nice."
"Why don't we go have some coffee? And then you can tell me all about your—"
"Husband? The Eldian?" For a moment, something sinister flashed across Giulia's face. "The Devil?" Then it passed. She beamed. "Jus' kidding! I mean, my boys are beautiful boys. Not their fault their blood's…" She put a hand to her forehead. "Oooh. I drank too much. Mmm, sorry. It's so nice to get away from the house and that nasty old spinster with her sour…" Giulia stopped talking. "Sorry. Forgot what I was saying."
Levi shook his head. Disgusted. But Petra started to feel something like pity. She took Giulia's arm.
"Let's have some coffee and talk about anything you want."
"Oh." Giulia's eyes filled with tears. She took Petra's face in her hands. "You sweet, sweet li'l girl. No one ever asks me to do anything I want. If they had," she said, yanking Petra behind her by the wrist, "I wouldn't be Mrs. Tybur. Oops! Forget I said that, lamb, just forget eeeeeverything."
Petra filed away every last detail. Levi stayed close behind the women.
The gardens were lit beautifully. Willy guided him around some particularly inspired topiary animals. They passed an elephant dancing on a ball, then made their way to a tiger crouched and ready to pounce.
Erwin had lost track of time. He was genuinely enjoying this man's company, and Willy seemed to enjoy his. There'd been almost no discussion of business since Erwin had broached the subject of opera.
"Everyone else thinks Beneventi's Love's Lament is his greatest work, but I've never met someone who thought Cronus was his masterpiece."
"I'm happy to stand alone in that opinion," Erwin said.
"No. I agree. It's not as lushly romantic, but that idea of the rise and fall of a god makes for a much more dramatic subject. The only issue is, in my opinion, that no one can 'relate' to it."
"When people say they want to relate to something, they often mean they want to see their exact aches and pains, their mundane joys replicated onstage." Erwin stopped before the tiger. "But the story of colossal destruction is the story of mankind itself."
"Exactly." Willy smiled. "That line 'For what would the world ask of me—'"
"—that would prove greater sacrifice than flesh and blood?'" Erwin quoted with ease. "'The answer, thus: the dreams of youth.'"
He had gone through all the records on the 'phonograph' Kiyomi had sent at his request. He had devoured the works of Beneventi the composer in particular. And Cronus especially.
"Anyone who can't relate to that," Willy said quietly, "has no soul."
"I'd say they're ruled by fear." Erwin gazed up at the stars, but couldn't find them. The lights were too bright. "The realization that not only will we die, but our dreams will never be completely fulfilled is a heavy one."
"You're not like any arms dealer I've met," Willy drawled.
"Well. You're unlike any Eldian I've met. Not that I've met any." Erwin smiled. Willy laughed.
"Fair enough. Ah, I tell you, Karl." He wore a haunted look now. "If I could scrub my blood clean of the Eldian taint, I'd do it this instant."
Erwin smiled, even though he wanted to break this man's arm. You left us to suffer and die in ignorance, you pig.
Instead, he nodded in sympathy.
"I tell myself our blood doesn't determine who we truly are. But in the case of Eldians…" He shook his head. "Maybe I pity the wretches, but I want them cloistered away."
"In their little paradise." Willy tsked. "I wish King Fritz had brought every last one of them to that island and wiped them off the face of the earth."
How wretched to despise one's own people. It was like despising one's own body.
"Better not to rely on such devils to maintain the nation," Erwin said.
"No. Marley should rely on men like you. Men with vision." Willy clapped Erwin on the arm, and grinned. "And guns to sell."
"Name any time you'd like to discuss terms."
"I don't sell military contracts." He said it too quickly.
"Of course not. But you talk to men like DeLuca."
Willy grinned. He looked positively delighted. Perhaps he was a lonely little boy after all, even with all his supplicants.
"Yoo hoo! Willy darlin'!"
Willy Tybur's smile melted when he heard a woman's shrill call. Erwin found Petra half-carrying a drunken blonde woman, Levi tailing them with a sour look.
"Sorry. She's had some coffee, but a lot of wine," Petra whispered. Giulia broke from the woman and flung herself into her apparent husband's arms. Willy sighed deeply.
"Hello, Giulia. You broke your promise, sweetheart." He sounded tired.
"Jus' a little champagne. A tiny, tiny sip. I only forgot to eat a proper dinner." She pouted, hanging from around his neck. "This's my new friend, Petra. She's soooo pretty."
"Hello, my dear." Erwin took Petra's hand, pulled her against him. He pushed it as far as decorum allowed, wrapping an arm around her waist. She beamed at him.
"And this is your wife?" Willy smiled and nodded. "Pleasure, Mrs. Smith."
"Oh! Mr. Tybur."
"Please, Willy is fine."
"Then Petra. Please."
"Oi. Boss." Levi was at his other shoulder; Erwin felt how much the man wanted him to let Petra go. "Kanada's looking for you. Seems kinda pissy."
"Yes. I may have gone rogue on his watch. My fault."
"Not at all." Willy laughed even as Giulia slumped in his embrace. "We should continue this conversation."
"Of course." Erwin turned with his soldiers to leave.
"Wait. I know it's not our favorite, but Love's Lament is playing at the Valle Opera tomorrow evening. We have a box that we like to fill with friends. Why not come along? Both of you?"
"Thank you. Would it be all right if…?" He gestured to Levi. "Given my profession, I like a handler, shall we say, with me at all times."
"Of course. You're all welcome." Willy grimaced when Giulia began to nod off. "I think I should make our excuses to the DeLucas. Well. Good night." He shook with Erwin, kissed Petra's hand. Giulia grinned at the girl and made a kissy face.
"Tomorrow."
"Curtain's at seven," Willy said as he half-dragged, half-carried his wife. When they were alone, Petra clapped her hands over her mouth and giggled. She looked amazed, delighted. Erwin felt the same.
"Seemed to go okay," Levi said.
"Better than that. You did brilliantly. Both of you." Erwin nodded to the house. "Now we'd better find our host. I think he might be annoyed with me."
"If what I saw's right, he wants to kick your damn ass." Levi grunted as he tailed Erwin and Petra. She seemed to buzz with excitement as she walked through the night on his arm. For a moment he nearly forgot himself and kissed her, but she was not his wife. Their relationship was as carefully rehearsed as an opera, and as artificial.
Erwin told himself he didn't mind.
Petra lay beside her "husband" and listened to him breathe. Sharing a bed with Erwin was not uncomfortable, but it was strange. She was used to a smaller shape beside her, and to curling up beside him in the dark. Kissing him. Falling asleep in his arms.
When they'd gone to bed, she'd pretended to fall asleep right away. He had not done anything, had even turned his back to her, but she'd felt him very aware of her presence. It didn't help that all of the night things Kiyomi had given her were silk and clingy.
She'd seen how he looked at her tonight. She'd felt how he'd touched her. She knew he wouldn't try anything, but that fire had rekindled in his gaze. They both knew it.
She sat up and stared at the connecting doorway. She slipped out of bed and padded over, standing before the door. She pressed her hands and forehead against the cool wood, closed her eyes, and imagined entering Levi's room. Climbing into his bed. Waking him with a kiss, feeling his grumpiness change to wariness then to lust. Trying to be quiet as they made frantic love. She wanted to feel his hands and mouth on her body so badly.
Petra touched the doorknob…
This mission is more important.
She released it, and sadly went back to bed. He must be asleep by now, anyway. Even he needed his rest.
Levi stood before the door, his forehead pressed against the cool wood. His skin felt feverish. He heard her walk away. If she'd opened the door, he wanted to believe he'd have been strong enough to resist.
He went back to bed, and didn't sleep.