REWRITE THE STARS
BY: Camille
Chapter 2
"Screw That Door"
Historia
After Christa Lens joined the Survey corps, she already participated in a lot of expeditions, where she witnessed the devastating destructions caused by the Titans. She learned that her life will never be normal again even if she hide herself under Christa Lens Name. So many things had happend now, she have to face her new chosen fate, as her real name were being announce. .
She just felt how burden she became to the world. How many lives had been put in the line to place her in this position.
She's devastated.
"Your Majesty, its time." a soldier spoke beside her.
Yes. It's time.
Historia gathered her strength, she breathed heavily as She climbed on the red carpeted stairs. She meet with the six high officials at the top of the platform. She kneels in front of them and face all the people, her red robes touched the wooden floors, her hair, fixed neatly behind her head, Dhalis Zachary, the premier of the three Regiments, crowned her as their new Royal Queen.
The True Ruler of the Walls.
She stood in front of her people. she heard them talking about her. They all witnessed how she killed the largest titan ever recorded from the history. She did the final blow.
A blow to end her father's life. A blow to show these people that she is worthy for the crown.
She heard the people shout for her name.
"Queen Historia!!!!"
Her heart tense. Everybody is looking up to her like they've just seen hope and it just made her heart braver. She realized that Christa Lenz will forever be remembered while Historia Reiss will reign and lead these people.
How in the world will she fit for this role?
Thanks to Commander Erwin, Section Commander Hange, Captain Levi, and to all her friends. Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Connie, Sasha and Jean, they supported her to put her in this position.
As they say that these is all necessary. She will not try to hold back, for it will only make things more complex.
There were still so many things that are still unclear. Still unexpalined situations and unanswered questions. Mysterious existence. Strange phenomenon. The humanity is still hanging on to reach the truth.
Let there be truth.
It's late at night and Historia is lying down on her bed. It's been hours since she returned here from the event of her coronation. She feels exhausted today because she had to deal with a lot of things. Her head aches so much.
She closed her eyes and bared with the softness of her white sheets. Large fluffy pillows brushed her cheeks and her hair was finally freed from those tight braids. Her body melts against the soft garment of the bed and she just feels good by how quiet her place is. She felt physically ease wearing this white night dress.
She breathes hard, her chest rise and fall as she inhaled all the air she needed to wipe away the exhaustion on her body. She relaxed. Her legs dig down to the softness of the mattress.
She wanted to sleep.
As she closed her eyes, she waited for a moment to get lost in a wilderness, it's so quiet and dark in the room, and she take a deep breath and emptied her mind
Go to sleep Historia.
While enjoying the calmness in her body, she slowly felt uncomfortable. The air becomes thinner and she didn't feel coziness of the place anymore. She winced and tried to calm her mind and body so that she can continue to relax.
But she failed again because her heart is pounding.
What is it now?
Why did the air suddenly change?
Her body suddenly felt stirred by the strange feeling. She opened her eyes and got up. She sits at the side of her bed, rubbing her temples. There's no air. Her heart is beating fast, she can't stop herself from breathing so fast like her chest going to explode.
She felt that she's starting to sweat, so she stand and goes for the huge windows; it's a five meters big. When she opens it, she expected to feel the cold breezy air on her face. But to her disappointment, it never happen. There's no wind. She can now feel the tightness of her chest and shortness of breath.
This is bad.
She wiped her face as strands of her hair starts covering her face again.
She's sweating.
Now she went for the door and checked if there are guards at the hallway. Luckily,
She's clear.
Without wasting her time, she ran at the dark hallway, away from her quarters. She's wondering if where the guards did went. She recalled that the MP's were not allowed to leave their positions. She didn't hear the loud music from the Dining Hall from the 1st floor of the building since her quarters were located at the 3rd floor or her location is far enough to hear the music from the fancy celebration where she last attended.
Is everybody in this place asleep?
She asked herself and thought that this is the right time for her to sneak out.
It doesn't matter anyway. She will deal with them later, when she feel better. For now, she have to search for a fresh air. Going down to the garden would only caught the MP's attention.
There's a lime light coming from the windows. She don't know where to go as she step at the dark hallway.
Her foot is dragging herself to nowhere, like she's searching for something that she cannot identify. She slowed her steps down, to rest chest. She's breathing fast now, she felt like she's going to faint if she cn't catch for a fresh air.
Goodness, this place sucks.
She thought. She just walked until her attention stopped at a half open door. As she stands in front of the half opened entrance, she can feel a little cold breeze coming out from there..
Fresh air.
She inhaled the air coming out from the door way, it freshens up her face. As she realizes that it wasn't enough to relieve the tightness of her chest. Her skin longed to feel more of it, so she stepped inside the door and discovered that this is all leading to a staircase.
It's a tower.
Upon looking above, she can see a curve forming a series of circles to the top. She wiped the sweat on her forehead and again she rash as she climbed the dark spiral staircase carefully until she reached to the top.
She can't breathe anymore and she definitely needs to. There must be an opening up here.
Her feet got tired after climbing those steps in circles. It's making her vision dizzy. Her vision is getting blurrier on her sight as the tightness on her chest are getting worst. She reached the peak, she saw another wooden door.
Oh not this piece of wood again. .
She still have little strength inside her so she gathered her energy, she tried to balance herself even at the trembling state. She formed her hand into fist, digging every finger on her palms and kick the door open. She let out a small "yeah" to blow the door from the opposite side. When finally, its wide open, a strong wind ran straight on her face . She felt like she's been resurrected from the dead, and felt that fresh air for the first time.
"Shit!!!! What the heck-" a voice snarled as she saw the door slammed open in front of her.
She froze.
Someone was hit by the door when she knocked it open. She looked outside; she can see that these tower were connected to another building. While she felt that her heart is startimg to calm nd sh felt relievd, she can spot a figure standing outside, facing her direction. Basing from the dull light of the moon, he is wearing a military uniform. The one with the green coat with their respective regiments printed at their shoulders and back. Just like what the militaries wore this day during her coronation. His figure is merely like a shadow in the dark.
While recovering herself, she manage to talk to the stranger.
Who are you?" she ask while her body stayed from where she stand. She gave the guy an examining look.
"You're Majesty."
The guy speaks with a low decent tone. His voice was familiar to her. Her bones go anxious.
She does still don't recognize him, But she can tell that he's just an inches taller than her. She stares at his coat to determine what regiment he belonged. Then she felt more relieved to see the symbol of hsi coat, as her eyes began to adjust in the amount of light that the moon has given him.
The Wings of Freedom.
Another thing that catches her attention is the fabric that were worn by men around their neck and tucked inside the collars.
His Cravat.
"Historia, it's me." He said.
Her muscles tense as she recognizes the person in front of her. As always, she began to feel the stare that this person is giving her every time they see each other.
"C-Captain Levi? Is that you?" she wondered.
"Yes" he answered her with assurance.
She sighed. She realise how reckless she became when she's in the middle of choking and she just can't blame herself from getting anxious because she knows that it's dangerous for a royal queen to walk around during in the midnight.
It's good to hear that she's with the Captain. He can protect her more than anyone else anyway. and besides, How many times did he saved her life before?
"Oh, D-did I hit you when the door opened? I'm sorry, I- didn't know- " she said with an apologetic voice. She's certain that she heard him yelp.
"I'm ok. You just startled me." he said. Historia can't get enough look on his face. As everything she sees are dull in her eyes. Including the Captain.
"Again, Captain, I'm sorry, but I'm glad I didn't hit you by the door.." she replied worriedly. Now, she felt inclined not to move forward.
"I see you're not yet through with your revenge, Your Majesty." he replied to her.
Now that the door is open, she can feel the fresh air slamming on her skin. She gasp, she felt relieved when her chest relaxed. Her heart's not pounding anymore, like she's being dragged in this place for some reason.
"No. I'm really sorry. "She said.
"Tch." she heard him.
Understanding that the Captain is not pissed by being hit by the door, and that he accepted her presence, She stepped outside and move towards the Captain. The heat she felt inside faded away as a frigid air flows through her.
It feels great.
She looks at the dark, clear blue sky with a hazy band of lights. It's shining down on them and the clouds were forming small figures from afar. the midnight glow of the moon is giving a dim light to all the small houses below. . She closed her eyes to feel the calm ambiance of the place.
Finally. Her lips formed a little smile as the cold midnight wind passes her body, down to her neck and to her back. She can feel that her dress were blown by the gentle wind and her hair flies around her head. She locked some strands of her hair on her nape, to avoid them from covering her face.
Good thing that the garment she wore is loose to her body... It brushes her knees softly.
"It's cold out here, why didn't you bring your coat?" the captain asked her. He is standing two steps beside her., arms crossed. . Looking at her.
"I just need air." she replied while not taking her gaze away from the stars above. When it's completely dark, you can see every details that is written from the sky.
"By kicking the door like that" He just moved his head and looked at the door pass her.
She turned to face the door, and to her surprise the door is still attached in the door way but it's . . .
"It's hanging on its side now, Your Majesty"
"Oh. I -" she gathered air to fill her lungs, anxious about what to answer to defend herself from his piercing gaze. It's like he is asking her how she would explain this sudden violent habit of her. From Historia's imagination, He's not mad, but he looks disappointed.
"I'm desperate to catch some air. That's why, I came up here. "She responded.
"Desperate? Don't tell me you forgot how to breathe?" now he's starting to ask sarcastic questions.
Screw that door.
"It's a long story. N-Never mind. "She said. She rolled her eyes. She will not try to explain herself because the Captain might not understand her situation. She's been like that when she feels exhausted and it's not like a normal thing to share to him since they are not that close. She usually talks to Sasha when she felt like she's struggling to breath. But with him? She will not share to him that easily when this guy starts throwing sarcastic questions. He's been like this to eveyone when he is bored talking about nonsense stuff. . She just can't remember how she ended here in the balcony with Captain Levi when she's avoiding him this entire afternoon because of that embarassing punching scene.
"I see. I understand that I'm not the only one bothered by the room's climate. Useless windows "he said.
Historia looked at him.
She remembered how she desperately rash for the windows to breath.
She wondered if he has been here for a long time before she arrived. How did he find this place? And why of all the places he can go, he chose to come here?
"Yeah." she said. She's out of words to say and it's not like she's not fond of talking to him. She just don't know how to start this conversation in a lively way. he is different from all her friends in the squad, he was rude to everyone. She's just afraid that she will end up being insulted sarcastically. Just how did Hange and Erwin deal with this ill-tempered man? They are the only one who can understand his mood swings. That's why, she chose to stay away from him. He's a grumpy guy.
she thought that there are just no certain things that they can talk about tonight? There's no way that a kid like her could relate to someone like this man. She's gentle and he's personality is rough as a rock. But she notice that the Captain loves her tea, she made tea for everyone when she's still a member of the Survey Corps. After she made the tea, Connie will bring the pot to the Captain.
Well that was old times.
The wind blows between them, she can't ignore that there is an awkward silence all over the place. The Captain leaned at the balcony, crossing his arms. She cannot see much of his glaring eyes in the dark.
She felt comfortable while standing here with the Captain. His silence were enough to make herself think that she's not alone.
She hugged herself as she began to regret why she didn't brought her coat, the surroundings are getting cold. The sound of the wind is the only noise that disturbs the tranquility of the night.
"Are you cold?" he asks out of nowhere. She almost jumped. She did not expect the captain to ask her.
She just nods.
With a stiff movement, he took off his green military coat and give it to her. revealing his white collared shirt and black trousers.
"You'll get a cold on your first day as a Queen. Here, wear this." He said.
She took the coat and put it on immediately. It's a bit large for her size but the thickness of the garment will help her warm. It just made her remind how small she is in this Coat. It smelled tea and cologn. Just like how he usually smell in her nose everytime he pass by in front of her. The wierd thing is that she can sense his smell wnhenever he is around near her. Whether he's at her side, at her back.
He's scent is peculiar to her nose.
"Thank You for the Coat Captain." she felt her face warmed since she did not expect to be treated this way.
"Tch." she heard him make that small sound as if he had no choice but to act as a gentleman on her presence.
Now, they are back with this silent air.
"Your Majesty, I would like to ask you something." he said while looking up the sky. She turned to him, She can see how the air blows away the black hair strands that cover the captain's forehead. Revealing his pointy nose and his frowning eyes.
"What is it?" she replied while stepping closer to the opposite concrete balcony and she place her hand on the top of the stone. She leaned there a sideways.
"Have you thought about your first priority as a Queen? The first General Royal Conference will take place next week and I'm sure that they will bring that up." he said while looking deep into the wilderness of the night..
"Oh. The officials from the dining hall were asking me about that too. I don't know how to answer them, honestly. You all know I'm new to the crown. Shame on me." she looked at the floor. She's terrified about making plans for the sake of this huge nation. She recalled how the high ministers and officials asked her awhile ago at the coronation party. And when she tell them that she doesnt have any ideas yet, they just stare at eachother. She felt their silent discrimination.
"Hmm. . .That's normal. I know you're not ready for this Historia, I don't want to rush you but you have to make up your mind quickly. In this world of politics, It's normal to make hard decisions on the spot, especially at your stake; you will have bigger decisions to make in the future. A decision that you will not regret for the rest of your life. We are all counting on you, i that adds to the pressure you felt today." he said
Shes sighed.
"But I'm not use to it. I'm only Fifteen." - Historia
"Shut up. You have to get use to it." he snarled
"honestly, I still need time to think about my first priority. I don't even know where to start." she said, turning away from the Captain . They are talking about this again, just like how he pushed her to agree in becoming a queen. She recall the time when he choked her. It's still there, she can still feel his rough hands wrapping around his neck, and he lifted her, while she's looking at his enraged eyes.
"You will get there in no time. I'll stop choking you, since you can now order everyone to cut off my head." he said in a calm voice.
she smiled at the thought while her eyes were roaming around the square tiled grey floor at their feets. but when she thought about her first priority as a Queen, her smiled fade. It's too much for her.
"I just grew up from a farm; I don't even have proper education. My mother didn't teach me anything before she died. Only Frieda came to taught me about how to be kind and how to read. "Her both hands clasp together as she faced him, confronting his shadowy figure.
"Captain, How are you so sure that your nation is in a good hands? Your Queen just came from nowhere, an illegitimate child of Rod Reiss? I can't--"
"I didn't say that I am sure about you. But Erwin know that we can find ways to get through this. Let's trust him." he placed his hands on his pocket.
"I trust all of you but I don't trust myself. I don't even have any idea about how to run a nation "She said flatly.
"Listen kid, just think about how you managed to survive? Like what came up to your mind that you chose to live in this world of dirt despite of . . . being. . Abandoned." he looked away and sighed. The captain already knows about her life story, she shared her life experience with his squad.
"A purpose." she asked. The captain put his hand on his forehead.
"Yeah, and it would be good if you have some in your blonde little brain..." he mocked.
"Honestly, I joined the scouts because I thought it is the only way to find a reason to kill myself but I realize that I'm also helping the humanity. I think that is the only purpose I know to go on." she confessed her deepest thought.
Even if it's dark, she knew that the Captain looked at her, from head to toe. She wanted to see his reaction, but because of the absence of the light, she can only picture of his face staring at the emptiness of the night. There's no way she can know about his expressions tonight.
Now, she remembered just how he stares at her before. Like he's whispering hundreds of words through his dark misty eyes. Like the real sympathizing words were stock in his eyes and all he can only spout out is sarcastic swearing words to cover up his soft heart. She knew that the Captain cares for all of them. He always say mean words to them but at the end of the day, they found themselves being saved by this man.
"Yeah, you're childhood memory sucked. But I will remind you that not all lucky kids end up being in a lucky spot all their life, some of them screwed up, they lived miserable because of their poor choices. And there are also unfortunate kids or even orphaned kids like you, who end up living in a convenient way after struggling; they used their life experience to strive for a well living. Unlucky for others, who just die in a worst possible way? Just think how they tried to survive in this cruel world? Just like how we struggled to keep ourselves alive. Think about those people who can't fight for themselves. Do you think you can help them "He preached.
"I- . . ." she don't know how to carry on this one. The Captain is talking too much by picking up ideas from her past. She thought that the calmness of the night helped her to steady down the temper of this man.
"You should be thankful that despite of being an orphan, look who you've become now. You're a Queen. Rod Reiss must have regretted keeping you alive, because you end up cutting his fat ass. You deserve the crown. Now, how about the people that will be living under your crown? Do they deserve to live a miserable life? How can you be sure that they will end up like you and me? I mean. I came from the underground, it's a shitty place to live, but I chose not to drown myself with shit and moved forward, and for walls sake, I became a soldier." he said.
For a moment, Historia were still sinking the words to her mind. The Captain is starting to make sense to her ears. They never have this conversation before. Then, she thought about what he said.
He's an orphan?
"W- Wait! You came from the underground?" she asks in a surprise and turned to the Captain.
"Hmm. . ." he confirmed.
"I can't believe there's a place like that. H-how is it possible? You grew up there?" she's interested to talkimg to him now. So there are children living at the underground.
The captain looked up to the sky like he's imagining his past life from the underground. Historia longs to hear about his life, how he became the Humanity' strongest.
"Yes. Living in the underground is hell. That's where notorious thugs live and that's the reason why the economy there never rises. People there kill each other. Prostitutes, canal made of shits and the residents are dying. Including the children. Seeing the sun means you have to pay for a good price or. . You should be one of a big time notorious thug who had connections from the upper land. There's so many dickhead there that I still want to hunt but--" he paused for a moment. Like he is hesitating to share more of what he knew. "Never mind." he shook.
Historia wants to hear more about the underground world. She can't imagine that there's more hellish place than where she lived. She thought that living here in the upper land is the only hell she can describe. Fighting against the extinction of humanity and poverty is just like hell to everyone. But she can't bring herself to picture out the people in the underground, the people who dies without seeing the ray of the sun.
"But how? I mean, how you came up here?" she can't believe that the Captain manage to survive the underground. That place is cruel.
"It's a long damn story. But I'm glad I got out of that crappy place. Erwin pulled me from there "he said. She knows that there's a back story about how he came up here. She can see in the Captain's eyes, how he's been suffering for along time. A pain that is trapped inside his heart, that it stops the tears from coming out.
"How about the children? How do They live?" she's worried.
"Of course, in a worst case scenario, most of them die because of starvation. Malnutrition, unhealthy living. The number of children increases because of prostitution. The girls who worked there gave birth to children. Some of the prostitutes start to work in an early age and get pregnant from an early age. Child trafficking occurs and--" he said without an expression.
"That's absurd. That children needs to be rescued. "She burst in anger, Captain Levi looked at her.
"That's why, you should be thankful of how lucky you are. And think about just how others suffer. Give them the help that you can afford, you can't feed the people about your life story as an orphaned brat." he pointed out.
"I - I know. I'm sorry. How I wish to help" for a moment Historia thought about those children. . It's so painful to hear that innocent children die.
"Why not? You're already a Queen, you can have all the power to save those children." the captain muttered.
"By giving them a home." she smiled at him even he looks like a dark figure in her eyes.
"Yes. Show them your kindness without anything in return." he agreed.
For a moment, Historia's heart warmed
"I didn't expect that you're much kinder than me Captain." she looked at him harder until she can spot his black orbs staring back at her.
When she thought that he notices her gaze, He didn't reply. Instead he cast his eyes away from her. The wind tussled his hair, his cravat tips side to side as he is standing in front of her. For some reason, she felt that they are things that bring them together. Her new role as a Queen will keep them in touch. She i starting to like him. But not in a romantic way, ofcourse.
An admiration out of mutual respect.
Then wind blows to her body, her hair flies around to her face as she crumples her hand to the coat on her chest. It's really getting cold, it's already dawn. .
"Now, it's up to you, the chance is all in your hands. You can open up doors for the needy if you want to. The officials will not try to defy you when the Survey Corps are around. I will makr sure of that."
"I know what you wanted to tell me Captain." she smiled at him.
"hmm. I hope you get it right this time kid. You're giving me migraine." he said.
She giggled.
She never thought that the Captain will help her to reach out in her inner thoughts. He is really smart. His heart is not made of stone. He really cares for those helpless people.
"Yes Captain. You want me to build an orphanage for this children and a place for other people in need." she sighted out
"No. I want US to build an orphanage for these brats; you'll have my full support. And besides it is a good start for your image in the Monarchy." he corrected her.
For a moment, she caught the Captain's eyes though it's so dark.
"Ok Captain. A farm and the children will live there with me. It will be a good place for everyone." She said
"That sounds good." He replied in a flat tone.
Then the Captain raised his head to look at her direction.
And her heart warmed with his youthful face. The smile that he gave to them yesterday. The smile on his face makes him look 10 years younger. She blushed for sure. Good thing, it's dark out here.
"I'll talk to Erwin first thing in the morning. I'll send you the updates. Now, let's go. You breathed too much air, I' will deal with the injured door later" he said and walked towards the door. He waited for her to follow.
"Ok." she showed him his genuine smile. Her heart is filled with joy. She walks towards the Captain.
As They both head down the stairs he spoke.
"please watch your step." He said without looking at her. His hands were on his pocket.
Historia take off the coat.
They both walked quietly until they reach the door step of her quarters. The Captain is standing across her room.
"I will check the MP's. I'll send guards immediately.." he said in a mild tone.
She returned his coat and she can see that there is no expression on his cold face.
But at least, this night has a progress. A good progress.
"Ok. Thank you Captain. You can go on now." She replied with gloomy smile. She's sleepy now and for the second time, she can spot the corners of his lips extending to his ears.
That Smile
" Go to sleep, Historia."
She heard him whispered and walked away.
