Chapter 2 – And for This You Shall Receive No Thanks
One Year Later, Marley –
Summer was the best season of the year, in Evelyn's opinion. Bright blue skies and a cooling breeze from the ocean, what more could she want? Ever since she was a little girl, her mother would always call Evelyn her sweet summer child.
Evelyn's gentle mother always called her that, thought her a sweet and indulgent girl – even on her Mother's death bed, she still had these gentle notions despite Evelyn already having a decade of warrior training under her belt.
Yes, summer was the best season of the year, but it also brought stinging memories as well.
Evelyn shook her head, now was not the time to let her mind wonder. Her mother's death was already many years into the past. A dull ache in her heart, squished to the corner of her mind now that she had more consuming thoughts and worries that plaguing her.
Bang, bang, bang
Birds sharply flew from the trimmed trees that lined the family training field once the shooting started.
The routine, at this point, had been ingrained into Evelyn's mind since she was five years old: Wake. Eat. Study. Practise. Sleep.
The monotony of this cycle only broken by the occasional familial responsibility and public gathering. Though, really Evelyn was lucky in that she was a 'hidden warrior' and her identity as the Warhammer inheritor was unknown to men like Magath. She was sure there would be even more tedium in her life if the military was directly involved. At least here, her family name shielded her somewhat.
While her day-to-day life was frustratingly predictable, a smile could still be seen stretched across Evelyn's face. Shooting practice, was her favorite part of the day.
"You need to work harder on your marksmanship, dear niece."
Evelyn rolled her eyes at her aunt's words while loading more rounds into the rifle. Cocking the gun, she pointed it at the furthest dummy, "And why should I do that? It's not like I will ever be sent to the front lines. Also –," Evelyn rested the butt of her gun snuggly in her shoulder, "who would ever attack one of the Tybur's daughters?" the rest of her sarcasm was washed away by the blast of a shotgun.
Squinting, Evelyn raised her hand to shield her eyes against the glaring sun, "Let's go see how I did Aunty." Both women slowly walked across the manicured lawn, dew from the morning clinging to their black boots.
Sybille sighed as they came within viewing distance of the practice dummy, "Pulling left again, I see".
Evelyn winced at the slight reprimand. Many of the bullet holes were in the furthest ring away from the centre…and yes, they were too far to the left. A quirk in her shooting that had persisted in her training since she was a small girl.
Her Aunt's voice was tinged with old exasperation, "Evelyn, I don't know why you have such a lack of drive to better yourself." Sybille's sharp eyes' narrowed, "Honestly girl, I can see your joy when shooting practice begins. Your face practically lights up." Sybille turned to her with a frown, "but why don't you push yourself harder to fix this habit?"
Well, Evelyn thought, it may have something to do with all my free time now being taken up with going through brother's correspondences and having secret meetings with a traitor.
Those thoughts, though, were best unsaid.
Instead, Evelyn murmured with a frown, "What's the point in pushing so hard – I will be essentially a secret chess piece in the government's pocket. So secret in fact, that they will never even know who I am and will never know my performance history." Evelyn motioned for her aunt to follow her back to the main veranda, "Not like anyone else will ever see me shoot".
Their footsteps echoed as they walked along the white stone path. Sybille looked at her in confusion, "But you love to shoot – why such indifference to your performance?"
Evelyn motioned to the whole place, the auspiciousness of the manicured shrubs and exotic flowers – everything so contained and precisely arranged. Beautiful in its rigidity. "That is the whole point! It's freeing to shoot, but the joy comes from the strength in my hands and not from how well I meet expectations."
A certain coldness (rare as it was) entered Sybille's eyes, "And when Marley is attacked, will you just shrug your shoulders when people die because of your incompetence?"
Where was this attitude coming from?
Sybille hardly ever showed emotions, and despite her best efforts, a shocked chuckle left Evelyn's mouth, "No one would ever dare to attack Marley – they would have to be crazy!" Evelyn continued to guffaw at the thought – who it their right mind would ever make a full-frontal attack on the strongest nation?
Weathered hands grabbed the collar of Evelyn's pressed shirt, "You don't know that!" Sybille roughly shook her and yanked her further down as she screeched "You DON'T KNOW THAT!"
It was eerily quiet after Sybille's outburst.
The family guards which stood sentry a respectful distance away turned their heads at the heated words, their red uniforms bright against the green backdrop. It was so unlike her aunt to even raise her voice, yet alone man-handle a family member.
Very much aware of their scrutinizing eyes, Evelyn gently uncurled her aunt's hands from her collar – quickly straightening the fabric and trying to hide her shock. In a detached sort-of-way, she noticed Sybille's boney hands were shaking.
A new development in the last month.
Evelyn did not like seeing her aunt so aggrieved, "You're right aunty, I am sorry." And with some shame, she realized she was. Evelyn was sorry that she had added stress to the situation. Sybille may be discrete, but Evelyn had noticed the woman's weight loss, the huffing breaths, and sunken eyes.
Sybille had been struggling lately.
Whatever else Evelyn had planned to say was cut short by a very odd sight. Her brother, the current head of house Tybur was escorting his youngest daughter across the gardens, heading towards the more private family homes. No guards in sight, no family advisors, or his other children in attendance. Her brother had a tight hand on little Romilly's shoulder as they passed under the light wooden gates and wove through the rose garden.
Evelyn frowned at the sight, "Well this is odd."
Evelyn had never seen her brother willingly interact with any of his children beyond the necessary scope of his responsibilities. That is to say, the responsibility to make sure Willy would know how to handle their affairs and not run the family into the ground. His daughters though, well there was little affection to be had there. Mayhap that was why Evelyn doted on those three children so much, loved them like she wished her brother would. Especially quiet little Romilly – the forgotten third child that didn't seem to have a place anywhere in her older siblings close-knit bond.
Another sigh this time, so weary that even Evelyn chanced a glance back at her aunt. Sybille's eyes looked haunted as she watched Evelyn's brother and Romilly disappear into the small cottage tucked away behind old, twisted trees.
About to ask what was wrong, Evelyn was interrupted by Sybille, "Let us head back inside dear – it's time for tea."
Time for tea….
Those three words sunk like stones to the pit of Evelyn's stomach. Tea was the vehicle of disappointment in her life, as the hardest conversations always followed. Teatime was when she was told that she was to inherit the Warhammer titan in 13 years, teatime was also when her father sat her and her brother down to tell them their mother had died. Judging by her aunt's stooped and downtrodden appearance, the impending conversation would be equally as unpleasant.
A warm and comforting hand gently steered Evelyn to a sitting room adjacent to the training hall. The grey paneled walls of this small room were dark compared the bright blue of the outside and it took a minute for Evelyn's eyes to adjust to the abrupt change in lighting.
It was very quiet in this room, the fireplace empty and the candles unlit. Evelyn had spent many evenings here as it was their special place to unwind from busy days and a place where they went over the more studious aspects of her training requirements. Evelyn had learned to read here when she was a little girl, and she had always found the room to be a comfort to her.
The effect was lost on her now.
Sybille landed heavily onto the embroidered settee which was angled in front of the defining feature of the room. It was a massive window – with more that thirty pieces of hand soldered glass panels which stretched from floor to ceiling. It afforded a person an unparalleled view of the Tybur family gardens (something that had been the source of her mother's pride for many years). She motioned for Evelyn to sit across from her on the matching wing-back armchair. A ring of a bell later and the house servants had dropped a full tea service, small, iced cakes and sandwiches included, onto the table between the two tense women.
Evelyn bounced her leg in impatience as she waited for the tea to steep and then be served. There was no point in rushing her aunt – the woman could be as immovable as a mountain and as sharp as the rocks as well. Instead, Evelyn found her thoughts going back to the scene she just left – her aunt's rare display of short temper, the unusual and sombre walk she had seen her brother and niece take to the private cottage – secluded from everyone else.
What was going on?
The air was heavy and still between the two women. Deep in thought, Sybille took a dainty sip of tea before gently clinking the cup down on its accompanying saucer. She seemed to be contemplating something, weighing her words as she gazed into the dark liquid. Slowly, Sybille said, "You must have realized by now that I have not been feeling well, yes?"
She was correct, for Evelyn had certainly noticed her aunt's slow deterioration over the last two months. There were suddenly longer breaks between training sessions and missed practice dates. The coughs and her overall general fatigue was also very much apparent. Being forty did not make her aunt and old woman chronologically, but her aunt certainly looked haggard beyond her years.
Evelyn startled as cold hands suddenly gripped her own, as her aunt continued, "You must have known this time would come, darling." The grip on Evelyn's hands became bruising, "My time as the Warhammer Titan's host is almost done." Sybille's voice cracked as she looked down, tears falling from her eyes, "I fear, at most, I have one year left before you have to take over this duty."
And Evelyn knew, deep in her heart, that her aunt's words were not some fatalistic utterance of a tired woman. She could see it in Sybille's eyes that she had come peace with her impending end and that what Evelyn had always feared (and hated with such a fervor that it scared her sometimes) was now right around the corner.
But still, the words 'duty' brought forth a disdainful sneer as Evelyn said, "I will have no part in this, what they are asking me to do is no better than murder!" Evelyn drew her hands away from her aunt, "how can you ask me to do this?"
Any of the previous fragility which had been in her aunt's eyes was erased by a sudden sharpness, "I'm not asking you to do anything. I am simply telling you what will soon be happening, and the next steps which await you." Angrily, Sybille jabbed a pointed finger at Evelyn, "YOU were warned early into your training what would be expected of you when your time came. You have no choice in the matter, stop being so childish."
"I have to do nothing" Evelyn hissed.
Sybille reared as if struck, "You can't be serious Evelyn, where is this sudden attitude coming from? I don't understand it - you would walk away from your responsibilities. Turn your back on your duty and diminish the sacrifice of all the other women who came before you?" Sybille's voices deepened in anger, "You would ignore my sacrifice, then too?"
Evelyn's mouth felt dry, like all her saliva had suddenly disappeared. Words wanted to come out of her mouth, but in the face of her aunt's shocked anger, Evelyn found she could not get them out, could not explain her reasonings. More than anything, Evelyn wanted to disclose her clandestine dealings with Kruger, tell her aunt every little thing she had been doing to fight against the Eldian's people's plight. Maybe then Sybille would understand her rage against the system, would help her make the changes that needed to be made.
But nothing came out of Evelyn's mouth – her own cowardice preventing her from sharing anything. Not only that, but Kruger's reminders from all those previous meetings still rang clearly in her mind - trust no one, it's the only way to stay alive.
Evelyn had been quiet for too long, so Sybille continued, "I will die no matter what happens, it is inevitable." Sybille's eyes softened just a fraction, "I am asking you to be there for me at the time when I will need you the most. Please honor my death and my wishes for you to be the next inheritor…because, I am telling you girl, that if you run from this family, they will pass on my titan to that –," and here Sybille aggressively pointed to the family cottage, "poor girl out there, and Romilly won't even get to see twenty."
A sudden and profound dread overwhelmed Evelyn; her hands went ice cold and she couldn't feel her face. No, it couldn't be, "What do you mean….?"
Sybille's eyes darted to the side, a look of shame crossing her face, "You know exactly what I meant Evelyn."
"NO!" Evelyn jumped up from the chair and ran her hands through her hair, "not little Romilly, they can't do that to her!"
Sybille signed, "Romilly is not the delicate little flower you think her to be. Even at her age, I can see a seriousness to her that would fit her future position well."
Evelyn sharply turned to her aunt. "But Romilly is the younger sister, the Warhammer always goes to the eldest female family member and should rightfully go to Lara!" she argued.
"Sit down and listen to me Evelyn. There is still much you need to learn about your future titan, the transference and who you are to become. Please – give me a chance to explain." Sybille asked.
Evelyn took a deep breath and sat back down into her chair, arms tightly crossed in an effort to remain composed. She motioned for her aunt to continue.
Sybille explained, "It has been found that relationships between the prior host and the future one effects how the transference is handled. Love, affection, and camaraderie can make the transfer easier for the new host as it helps them fit into their new role easier. While certainly not a prerequisite, it has been noted that those favored by the prior holders had an easier time controlling their emotions and controlling their shifts."
That did make a sick sort of sense. Evelyn's thoughts went back to the party last year when she had heard Zeke had become one favorites to inherit the Beast Titan. At the time it had shocked Evelyn as she had heard the rumors about the boy. Bottom of the pile in physical performance, everyone expected his parents to pull him out of the warrior program out of shame (though they never did, and Evelyn thought their insistence rather odd). Now it made sense why Zeke's position had been so elevated, why he was even still in the running to inherit the Beat Titan – it was his close friendship with Tom Ksaver which pushed the boy the top of the list rather than just his academic results as Evelyn had previously (and incorrectly) guessed.
Evelyn asked, "Does by brother know this information?"
"He does." Sybille continued, "and you and I both know he would take any advantage, no matter how slight, to raise the position of this family. The strength of the Warhammer reflects the strength the Tyburs, this is something you have always known."
Sybille reached down for her tea, the cup rattling in her shaking hands, "I don't say this to be cruel, but you have not been subtle in your preference between Willy, Lara and Romilly."
"Are you saying my love for Romilly has put her in this position?" Evelyn whispered in dread.
Sybille shot her a dead-eyed look, "Yes. I am."
Shattering glass broke the serene quiet of the room as Evelyn shot to her feet and thew her cup at the wall. The satisfaction of shattered porcelain hardly a balm against the rage in her chest. Evelyn went to grab the plate of sandwiches to throw those as well when her aunt's firm grip stopped her.
Her aunt's tone was the coldest Evelyn had ever heard as the woman said, "You can rage all you want, but my nephew has made his choice. From what I understand, even the head of the Warrior Program has been notified that an inheritor has been chosen." Sybille waved a dismissive hand at the mess Evelyn made, "This tantrum of yours will change nothing."
How could Evelyn have missed this? Months of riffling through her brother's paperwork at the dead of night. Nights of tense fright as she scoured through personal files and correspondences to find any information on the family's political actions. And what had it amounted to? Nothing but scrapes of information to send to Eren, but absolutely nothing that could have allowed her to save her own niece.
"You've known about this for awhile, haven't you?" Evelyn accused.
Sybille shook her head, "Known…no. But, as I said, your relationship with Romilly was clear to anyone with eyes. I had a strong feeling that your brother would choose Romilly rather than Lara but could say nothing until the choice was finalized."
Sybille took a breath and gave Evelyn such a look of pity, it made her want to puke, "All you can do now is guide Romilly the best you can. She has at least fourteen more years until she will need to become the Warhammer Titan. And, while you may hate that Romilly was chosen as the new host, you have been given a unique position with the girl. One of both a mother, friend, and teacher; you will have full control over her education, her training, her childhood. And I know you can provide her more care and love than your brother ever could."
Clearing her throat, Sybille's fingers tightened to white around Evelyn's own, "I too detested it when I found out you would be my protégé Evelyn, but I would never give up my time with you. The days we spent together, they will always be treasured memories to me. You were the child I was never permitted to have, and it brings me peace that my last moments will be with you – that a part of me will always be with you.
"You can't change anything here. Not the fate of yourself, nor the future that awaits Romilly. Even the fate of all the future women of this family are set in stone. There is nothing you can do."
Evelyn sat back in her chair and let her aunt's words wash over her. So, Sybille thought there was nothing she could do, did she?
Well, Evelyn would prove her family wrong, and she knew just who to go to.
-Welcome back for Chapter two, thank you for reading. As this story progresses, I will be taking some liberties with the Titan history and powers which will cause some minor changes to canon (though, at this time, not enough to be an AU yet). So, if there is anything different in here, that is deliberate -