REWRITETHESTARS

BY: Camille

Chapter4

"What a Disaster"

Historia

Historia was on top of her former Captain.

The shock was still on her nerves as she felt that her body lined up on the Captain's chest, and their head lies on top of each other. She strived to turn her head on the side but she was dazed as his thin-lined lips met her eyes. She quickly looked away, as her cheeks warmed by the close gesture.

She bit her lip and closed her eyes for a moment, silently scolding herself for letting her stupidity rule her mind. She needs to get rid of herself for being reckless. As a Queen, being this dumb wounded her pride, she just humiliated the Captain.

While time freezes in her thoughts, she felt something strange inside her. Suddenly, she just heard an echoing sound from her ears, her vision turned white, and the blue sky turned into a complete blankness in her sight. She smelled the Captain's usual cologne mixed with the smell of dirt mud and it stayed on her nose then her heart stopped beating that she felt her body was so cold like ice, her hands were freezing. She felt an electric current rise from deep within her, like a lightning bolt, it strikes her nerves, heart, and brain.

She gasped

As the electricity spread on her body, she can hear the drumming beat of her heart

"Our Queen. . ."

She heard strange voices. A voice that is so deep like it came from below the ground; something was off and not normal.

"Our dear Queen, we're so glad you finally summoned us. We're awake all these years and waited for a royal bloodline to rule us again" The voices continued to talk, it spread out all over the place, she realized that the voice has consisted of several voices. Her stomach twisted as she hears a voice from a woman, man, kid, and an elder, they spoke together as one.

"W-what?" It's the only word that came out of her mouth. She can't see anything but whiteness; she tried to hold her breath to control the panic that was flowing on her body.

"Hey, kid. For wall's sake, get the fuck up." She frowned as she heard another person talked, to her relief, it was Captain Levi's voice, it gave her a little strength to build herself within this strange scenario.

"C-Captain, I can't see anything." She declared to him, she can still feel the Captain lying below her. His warm hand was resting on top of her belly; involuntarily she placed her hands on top of his hand and hold on to it so tight in horror. He slightly flinched when her palm touched his hand, she knows that this may feel a little bit awkward but it's the only thing that she can hold on to. She felt powerless in this state.

"What do you mean you can't see anything? Get off me." Levi snarled below her angrily, removing his hand on her belly to get away from her grasp. He shoved her away; He tipped his body top to the side sending Historia roll to the ground. She used her elbow to support her body.

"Oh!" She yelped as she tried to lift her head from the mud.

"Your blood has been awakened.". The strange voices continued to talk in her mind, she doesn't know if the Captain heard the voice, but it seems they are talking to her alone.

"W-who are you?!" she tried to ask the voices, she turned her head, following the source of the sound. But it was everywhere, it was impossible to locate.

"Who are you talking to?" She heard the Captain's confused voice. She can tell that he got up on his feet; his voice was just right above her head.

"C-Captain, can you hear them?" she had nothing else to say, she was dumbfounded looking at the bright light.

"I don't see anybody here, it's just the two of us." Levi sarcastically reminded her.

"We can only talk to people who had the same bloodline as you; the only difference is that you don't possess the Founding Titan. The nine connections will appear once you had a connection with the founding titan." it's so loud that it almost broke her eardrums.

"The founding what? What do you mean?!!" she could not understand what the voice was referring to. What does her blood have to do with what is happening now?

"Historia." the Captain's voice inserted. His voice was the only one who sounds normal...unlike these voices, it sounds like they came from a cave, their voices echoed.

"We were watching you, Historia Reiss. You opened a door that was never intended for you since you don't possess the Founding Titan. Your hands were stained by your own blood and turned you into the true ruler of the walls. The path allows you to access selected doors; that doors will open once you wished to be relocated into another path." . It delivered the message like a warning on her ears.

Then her vision suddenly turned black, like someone just turned off a light. The blackness slowly faded away as she was able to see the earth again. . .

She gasps in horror. What did just happen? What does Founding Titan mean? What's going on with her?

"Historia." when her eyesight returned, she met his steel grey orbs, there was a hint of astonishment and doubt on his face.

She let out a sigh of relief as she realized that what she was seeing was not her imagination. That she was with a real person and was not trapped in a dream.

To answer her questions, she stroked his cheek to feel his warmness, even though her hand was still shaking. They both looked at each other when she suddenly threw herself to the Captain. She does not care what the Captain says. Luckily, the Captain did not say a word. He just let her do what she wanted, so she tightened her grip on him. Her head against his shoulders. She didn't felt him hugging her back, but its ok. She doesn't need his arms around her; she just wants to feel the real world. She couldn't understand, but his embrace seemed to help steady the strong pulse of her heart. She breathed fast to let out her fear and to ease her mind.

Will she tell him? Will he believe her?

Her body slowly calmed down while she squeezed him in her arms. When she was satisfied and lost her anxiety, she immediately let go of the man. Now she feels ashamed, she didn't want to give him the wrong impression but he remained silent as she moved slightly to avert her gaze.

Why didn't she realize that this is so intimidating? What is she thinking?

"I- I uhh I didn't mean to --."She tried to speak but that was all that came out of her lips.

"You're crying." He said in a calm soothing voice.

She's not unaware that tears were coming out of her eyes.

"I- I heard voices, it's all over the place--" her voice cracked as she started to explain. But Captain Levi cut her words

"Shhhh, you need to calm down first. Let's. . Just talk about this next time. We will talk in some other place. . "His tone was reassuring, giving her comfort. She can't help but stare at him, she's confused why all of sudden, he's so mild to her. There's no trace of anger in his voice.

"But--"

"I will listen to you, but not now. Pull yourself together, we have to move on. . "He removed his green cloak; the back part of the garment was dirty. But some part of it was still dry and clean; he tries to fold it and used the clean part to wipe the mud on her cheeks down to her neck. She followed his eyes as he traveled the cloak down to her neck, his eyelashes moved while glancing down to her without even blinking. She's speechless; he never did this before to her.

"I- I need to talk to you and Commander. It has something to do with titans. "She spoke as she tensed on the pressure of his strokes while wiping her neck. Her stomach suddenly burns while glancing at his strong arms.

"No. Tell me about it later. The Commander doesn't have to know about it yet. Let me hear it first before we let the others know." Now he folds the cloak and chose the clean part of it to wipe her left arm.

"What? Why? By any chance, did you hear it too?" She curiously asked him.

"I heard nothing. . ." he pointed out to her. He stopped from wiping away the mud on her hands and gave her the cloak. "Return my cloak once it's clean."

"b-but I think its viral information, it came from some -"

"I said not now. We have to move, your Majesty." he emphasized his tone to let her understand that she should stop talking.

Now she's confused about why he's acting this way. He witnessed her awhile ago, and now he's telling her to not say a word to others?

Out of nowhere, he came forward, kneeling on one knee to the ground, and positioned himself to lift her. His other hand went under her legs and the other went to the back of her shoulders in a princess carry style.

"W-what are you doing?" She protested as the Captain lifted her from the ground.

"I'll carry you since you're already slowing us down."

Then the next thing she knew, the Captain held her against his chest, she quickly snaked her arms around his neck. She noticed now that they are both stained with mud, he carried her as if he was not bothered by her weight. Well, considering the size of her body, she will be weightless to those people who have perfect body built.

The incident a while ago was still disturbing her, her enthusiasm about attending this lunch faded away; it was replaced with fear and confusion. Now she wants to return to the castle and stay in her room to over think again.

Now, Historia's mind is mixing up, giving her a slight headache.

She turned her glance to the Captain whose face was just an inch away from her, she can spot the pale texture of his skin, he already had a few wrinkles under his eyes, but it was not that obvious. She noticed the lump of his mouth; it was pinkish brown and thin lips. The double eyelids curved between his confused eyebrows and eyes. His bangs hang on his forehead, as it had the same color as his eyes. His undercut was well maintained, as he had proper haircut every four weeks. She remembered that the Captain mentioned it to her at the library, when Erwin left them alone.

"Stop staring, there's nothing wrong with my face." he spoke without looking at her.

She came out to her senses; how long have she been staring at him?

Oh no. her cheeks are warming, she's blushing again.

"I'm just staring. There's no harm upon doing that right?" She bit her lip, regretting it right away.

She suddenly poured out those words from her mouth defensively.

What a brave mouth she has. He just gave her his cold steady look by turning his eyeball to her while making another step on the muddy ground.

"Not unless there's something that you wanted to tell me. I know that look."

Historia frozen as she stared at the Captain's nose and chin from her position. It was carved perfectly.

But the thought about it faded away as she noticed the curves of his face. He's not that old for a thirty-plus guy, but his lip was so blush pink that she wondered if anyone has tasted it. Her stomach lurched with the thought. Have anyone kissed the Captain?

The thought of kissing the Captain. . How would it feel like? Will his mouth be cold or warm? Is it soft against hers? Will his eyes stare back at her if she-

"You're not paying attention, my Queen." Her heart skipped.

My Queen.

His voice was stern and sent some butterflies down to her stomach. Now she felt her face red and the Captain just glanced at her.

"I'm sorry. I'm distracted. What-- what did you say?" Did she try to ask?

"Tch, Distracted about what?" He asked with a trace of impatience in his tone.

For an answer, she just looked at him steadily as she whispered in her mind.

You, idiot

Then she realized it, her thoughts were killing her at the moment. Is she insane? He's fifteen times older than her, how can she say that?

"Tch" he made a low sound.

This is ridiculous, Historia felt funny inside that she wants to laugh it out loud. Fantasizing the Captain at this hour? How pathetic.

"I think I'm just overwhelmed by the mud." She quickly shallowly reasoned out.

"Hmm. . . I'm particularly anxious that we should not get a wrong impression about things here. "He said flatly.

"We're both not." She stared at the Captain, giving him her piercing eyes.

"Well, I am." He growled in a deep voice as they cross the muddy footpath.

She's about to say something in return but they finally catch up with the other pair. They're near the house now. Hange turned to them and was stunned by the sight of them.

"Oh, what a disaster." She commented in surprise

"Disaster it is." Captain Levi murmured.

She just curled her body against his chest, trying to calm herself so that she will not say another word.

_

Levi

A few moments later, they were standing in front of the farmhouse. Erwin just gave his flat gaze to him and the Queen who's in his arms. Hange was talking to an old man who came to meet them. Historia's silent in his arms while clinging to his neck. Her dashing outfit was ruined. Her face was now grayish peach and only his blue eyes were left to standout.

Not just long ago, the Queen was having an episode. He heard her speak while she claimed that she can't see anything. But Levi sensed something; they should discuss this in a private matter as he also felt something strange when she lost her eyesight. The feeling of being hit by lightning, his body gone numb as the next thing he heard is the Queen talking in a confused tone while looking in the middle of the air, like a blind woman.

Her face was not faking it. He can feel that there's something mysterious was happening between them. She hugged him so tight and he just felt right about it. How come her tiny arms warmed his cold mood for the day? He doesn't want to hurt her again by simply shoving her away, just like a while ago. He can't stand the hurt in her face. Good thing they never had a chance to deepen their conversation, he's afraid that something inside him might build up as he engages himself to the Queen's presence. He started to feel something and he doesn't want it to develop. He's aware of it, that he's attached to the kid's charm, but he doesn't want to lose his resolve. He wants to minimize getting alone with the Queen, but he always end being alone with her like he doesn't have a choice.

Another man and woman came to approach the two of them. They both look familiar to him in a distance, and to his surprise. . They're not just random people; he really recognized one of them.

"Y-your Majesty!! What happened?! You're covered with mud, goodness gracious!" the woman in her mid-forties said came looked so worried. Her hazelnut colored hair just reminded him of someone as the resemblance was undeniable.

He immediately put Historia down. The guy in his fifties approached from the back of the lady.

"Your Majesty, you have to clean up before you eat your lunch. You too, Sir--" the man didn't finish his words when he met his eyes. His mouth just hanged open for a moment but later disguised his shock by simply glancing at Erwin and Hange.

Levi gestured sideways, looking at the ground to avoid meeting his eyes; it did take for the man a couple of seconds to recognize him since he's covered with crappy dirt. He remembered him so well but he does not have the guts yet to face them again. After all, what happened, He forgot that they'd been transferred here as caretakers and his mind's not processing properly, unable to identify how to react in this awkward situation, there's no way that he can make things right with this guy. Levi just stared at them blankly to show his usual mood around people. Stopping him from showing any remorse to cover up what he truly felt around these people.

"Levi-- I mean, Captain Levi, it's - it's you." The man looked at him with disbelief.

Levi's name. . No one called him that way when civilians talk to him, they usually call him Captain. But this man was supposed to call him by his name alone. It's the first time that he heard it from this man and he assumed that he already learned the truth.

Tension's coming.

Levi greeted him with a nod, keeping himself neutral as possible. The woman beside the guy dropped her jaw when she recognized him and glanced at her partner.

"Of course, you knew each other, right?" The young Queen asked them, the lady beside the man looked at Levi and her expression changed. Her mouth dropped as if she saw someone who wasn't supposed to exist. Her face turned gloomy and with a trace of anger.

"Y-es. He's the--" the lady spoke but Levi intervened.

"Can we do the talking after we clean ourselves?" He asked desperately to make an excuse so that he can avoid a conversation in front of the Queen. He looked at Erwin, giving him a confronting look.

Bad timing.

"Y-yes. Let us introduce ourselves first, I am Pedro and this is my wife Wena. It's our first week living as one of the residents in the garden and we want to give our great gratitude to you, Your Majesty. It's a great privilege to be chosen as one of your trusted servants. We finally have a place that we can call home, for a while." Pedro offered a handshake to the Queen, he gestured politely at them trying to cover his true reaction from seeing Levi's face.

Of course, he's a deal here.

"Uhm, y-yes, it's nice to meet you both. But I'm sorry, I can't shake my hands with you, I'm covered with dirt." Historia's acting shy in front of them. Her face looks sorry while she rubs her hands together, "But I'm so happy that you're here finally, you should also thank Captain Levi because he picked your family as the new permanent residents here before Commander Erwin finalized and filtered all the documents. He made sure that you deserved to be here." she turned to him and smiled at them.

The couple's reactions were again awed by the information. Pedro just let out a sigh while glancing at Levi and was forced to fake a smile at him; he can see that Pedro's face flattened sideways.

Not a word in front of the Queen, please. He eyed the old man.

They're not supposed to know about how he arranged to put them here. How embarrassing.

"Hmm. . . I guess, thanks a lot for that, Captain." Pedro faltered. Levi wants to roll his eyes upon hearing that.

The couple went silent for a while; the blonde kid beside Levi just stared at them, confused as if why there's dead air in the place.

"Pedro and Wena, can you please assist the two of them. Give them some extra clothes if you have one." Erwin came next to them. He glanced at Historia and gave his gentle smile. He winked at her.

Levi looked at Erwin and he's not surprised about the Commander's behavior.

Something's up.

He sighed, feeling a little bit distressed about the situation, just what are they trying to do here?

Shit. It's a set-up for him, and the Queen's not aware of it.

"Ok Commander. We can lead you to the well. Wena, find some clothes for the Queen and for . . . this guy, while we head at the back." Pedro instructed his wife.

For some time, Levi had difficulty swallowing when he noticed the hesitation to call his name.

"Ok. Please excuse me." Wena quickly moved towards the house, while Hange came to join them.

"The table's ready." She announced excitedly.

"I'm sorry, but I think I have to head back to the Headquarters, I'm calling it a day. I have to change clothes; I guess I'll see you at the orphanage soon, your Majesty." He declared to everyone as their heads turned to him. Wena stopped walking and gave him a disappointed look.

"What? But we just got here? We haven't eaten lunch yet." Historia spoke in protest.

Levi noticed the look on Hange and Erwin's faces. They were talking through eye indications which smokes his anger, The Commander glanced sideways looking at Levi, Hange raised her eyebrow as she crossed her arms.

Levi wants to slice them up with his knives. How can they set him up, what benefit would they get if they dig up this issue within the Queen's presence? This is too personal.

"I'm not hungry anyway. I have my ration bar." he started to move and walk to the muddy path. He wants to leave the place as soon as possible. Quickly he strode away heading for the muddy path when a small hand gripped his arms.

"I-I'm sorry for dragging you in the mu--" Historia's talking fast and desperate.

"That's not the reason why I want to leave." He stopped and eyed her dirty hands that were gripping his arm. She's so pale today.

"No one will leave this place, not until we have our lunch with the Queen. You came here so it means that there's nothing urgent in the Headquarters." Erwin spoke in a calm tone, but for Levi, it's a warning gesture.

"Please," Historia begged.

If only she had any idea what was happening in front of her.

Pedro turned away unable to look in his direction. Levi clenched his jaw, as he found the situation unacceptable to his discretion. He's unprepared. How can he not realize what they were plotting to do?

So Hange and Erwin found out. Who leaked the information? The Fuck.

"Please Levi. You don't want to disrespect the Queen and the residence who prepared to cook a meal for us right?" Hange added.

He just wants to punch her face.

He paused as he was facing on his back at them. The Queen's not pulling her hand away from his arm. Somehow it made his hair follicles stand on its end. He let out a heavy sigh before facing them again in defeat.

"Where's that damn well, I want to clean up." He blurted it out to Pedro who was surprised by his change of mind. Then he heard sighs. From Hange, Wena, and Historia.

"Tch. Let go" he snapped at the Queen. She just smiled as she pulled her hands away.

"This way, Captain." Pedro moved on his feet, as the Queen and he followed, they walked beside the house, they passed by a window and he can see the set up inside the house. There were pots inside, sacks of soil, and a little sink at the corner. It's a storage room. When they passed the second window, he can tell that this is the kitchen. Maids we're working inside, the smell of food flew in the air and the clinging of glasses. They were all busy. He glanced up ward and saw another window on the second floor, they lived up there. Now at the outdoor, where they are walking, colorful plants were aligned as a fence. When they turned right, he can see the back part of the house. A well, an outdoor table, and chair made of wood chopped on the sides, and their white blankets Hanged outside to dry.

Pedro stopped in front of the well, Historia stood beside Levi as they waited for the man to say something.

"You're Majesty, you will use the bathroom, we had filled it with water, you just have to walk inside the back door of the farmhouse and you will see another door that will lead you to the bathroom, we placed a clean towel inside for you. My wife will wait for you outside the bath door. Captain Levi will wash here outside." he laid his hands on the middle air to gesture where the backdoor is located.

" Uhm y-yeah. Thanks, Mr. Pedro." The Queen quickly walked towards the back door.

He followed her with his gaze, as she strode towards the door. Now, he turned to the man who is standing quietly beside the well, glancing down the water hole. Levi hesitated to approach him.

"Mr--" he was cut out immediately when the man spoke.

"I will get you a clean towel, maybe there's something that I can let you wear just for this moment. That soap is clean, you can use it, it's your choice." The man spoke without an expression.

Compared to the very first time he met him, he talked to him politely and in a very welcoming way. But that was very bad timing, until the second time he faced them, he doesn't even have his proper goodbye when he left their house. They never got a chance to talk properly again. Until now. . .

The man headed inside the house, leaving him alone.

He just leaned beside the well and scraped his soiled head with his hands. He remembered how this all began. He let out a long sigh.

He started to clean himself by simply taking off his straps and his boots. After a couple of minutes, he was naked from the upper part, with his pants on. He started to clean himself.

"Does freshwater help?"

Levi heard the Commander spoke behind him.

"If you're here to ask, my answer's No." he didn't bother to face Erwin. He just continued to pull out a bucket of water and poured it on his head harshly. Covering up his anger as the water covers his face. "You got to be kidding about dragging us here." He rubbed his palms on his bicep until his skin turned red, it will not only remove the dirt on his skin but it almost peels his skin due to his disbelief and anger.

"I know you're angry. But so am I." Erwin added.

Levi throws the bucket harshly on the well, hearing a splash at the bottom, he faced Erwin this time with his confronting eyes.

"Since when? You'll earn nothing by digging this up." his eyes burned, staring at Erwin.

"I'm not. But good thing they sent the letter to me and not to the Premier, or you'll be dismissed. It's too late to take action about it but what you're facing today is the undesirable effect of your decisions." Erwin added.

"I will not deny anything. But we have to leave them out of this." He lowered his face, he shut his eyes.

"I'm not digging personal matters here, Levi. I would have done it before if only you told me what the real catch before the expedition is. The kid might have lived if you're just honest to us."

"It's not like I had the choice for the brat..." He turned to the well and pulled the rope to get another bucket of water.

"That's not just a brat, Levi and besides, they said that they want to settle things. I don't know what that is all about." Erwin replied.

"Stay out of this." Now it's Levi's time to give him warnings.

"I Am." the Commander replied.

He continued to rub some dirt on his shoulders.

"Settle things today, while we're here. Do you understand?" The Commander did not budge; he crossed his arms, looking at him. "I'm joining Hange at the table. Don't worry about the Queen; we will keep her busy while you talk with them." Erwin started to walk away from him.

"Suit yourselves." He growled.

Then Erwin walked away.

A few moments later, he finished cleaning himself and Pedro came back with a towel. He handed it to him giving him an examining look. Levi just continued to clean himself, as the two of them were still quiet together. He waited for him to speak.

"I assume that you're doing fine Captain Levi." Pedro finally talked.

"I'm fine. Thanks for asking Mr. Ral."

"I thought I'll never see you again. I understand that you're avoiding us." Mr. Ral stared at the ground while sadness filled the expression on his face.

Levi was speechless, pangs of guilt made him regret for coming here.

Dang it!!

"I'm sorry. I bet that there are things that I have to settle with you about Petra and –"

"That brat. I see that, Captain, I heard you and Erwin."

Levi can't hold his breath that long; he felt discomfort from his chest down to his stomach. He can't stop the feeling of shame and hate to himself. Like this was the most difficult expedition that he had face from his entire life. He can't look at him. How he wish to leave him but that's not the case here.

The consequences of his stupidity.