Historia
After she gave a secret shoe tap to the Captain under the table, Historia can't help but felt disappointed when he refused to acknowledge her.
Instead, he stood up and invited Mr. Pedro for a private talk. She was slightly offended because he never set an eye on her from the moment she sat beside him at the table. She was not comfortable because the Captain wouldn't look at her as they used to at the muddy pathway.
His mood suddenly shifted and he looked dangerously unapproachable ever since they changed into clean clothes.
While she was listening to Hange and Gideon's lively conversation, Gideon seems to know how to make herbal drinks for health maintenance, and he has ongoing experiments to make different herbal intakes for some sort of human strength and many more, no wonder he became one of the Reiss volunteers because he has a unique skill. He was currently planting some useful herbs in the garden and Hange wants to see them herself because she's interested in his experiments. Gideon offered to walk them around the farm later after the Captain and Mr. Pedro return from their private talk.
While listening to Hange and Gideon's conversation, Historia sets her eyes on the food in front of her. Her fingertips hold on to the teaspoon and lazily tapped on her plate of sliced pie, smashing each bread of the food that reminded everyone about Petra.
Petra, how does she looklike?
Her thoughts about Petra Ral played on her mind. The girl seems impressive in the eyes of Section Commander Hange and Captain Levi. They seemed to be much fond of the girl way back when she was still alive. Erwin was not saying much about the girl, but he was listening to them.
Historia glanced at her blue dress. It seems that this dress was made for a special occasion, but what could it be? What occasion did the scouts attend to wear such elegant and noble dresses? Or where did she wear this special dress?
Her thoughts were cut out by a sudden loud and desperate pleading voice of Mr. Ral. She turned and saw Captain Levi storming away from Pedro. His hand-formed into a fist while glaring at the path. His eyes wore those dangerous flaring gaze again.
He's angry. Historia tries to catch his eyes but it seemed that he is avoiding hers too.
Pedro was begging him about something. She heard him say about "it's just my name."
Historia frowned and glanced at her dress. Did they fight?
She saw Hange shifted on her seat and Wena turned her gaze to her husband and the Captain. The unsettling feeling she felt ever since they arrived here seems to grow much in an obvious way. Her tapping on the Captain's shoe didn't help her get many clues about what's happening.
The Commander didn't move his head from his table but his eyeballs were examining the flow of the current situation. Silently observing everyone,
Historia found it creepy.
The Captain told her that he will bring her friends to the orphanage, days from now then he left the place and didn't give them a chance to stop him from leaving, and he was in a hurry.
After he walked out, the silence was deafening her ears while looking at the people around her. She stays down on her chair, her shoulders low. Gideon excused himself as if he understood that he doesn't want to be involved in the heated situation while Historia was just sitting on her chair feeling a little bit sandwiched. She wanted to excuse herself from the table too but where will she go if she does?
She rubs the fabrics between her fingers and when she noticed something was hard between her digits, she looked at it, and gets confused; she saw the ring on her fingers. How did she forget about it? She was supposed to return it in its place. How come she didn't notice that she's still wearing it when they eat. Did Mr. Ral and Wena saw it on her hand?
Oh no, the letter. She felt the paper inside her chest. She remembered she placed it there before she left the room.
Oh, walls. What is she thinking? How will she return all of this to the room? She stared at the couple and thought what they would say if they knew that she touched their things.
She's so naive about the situation; Historia wants to poke her head.
The Commander stood and convinced the couple to talk in a private place, Historia was seating on her chair feeling a little bit heavy inside, and she felt that somehow she has something to do with the tension like it all happened because something was linked to her. She can't stop rubbing her thumbs together while staring at the blue fabrics of her dress.
But no one opened up to her. Not even Hange who was just eating her food, hiding her eyes behind her glasses. Historia felt a little bit awkward being left with Hange at the table because the brunette haired woman was not making a sound or comment about the scenario. She didn't bother to talk about what's happening. Historia felt extremely out of place like she's a stranger in the scene.
When the Commander and the Rals came back from a private discussion, Historia immediately stood up and told them that she will leave first. At the same time, she saw three MP's in their uniform was walking towards her location. Levi sent them.
Meanwhile, Gideon promised Historia that he will visit the orphanage and bring some useful herbal for the kids. She wished to know them more since they will be working for her for the next decades. But she wanted to leave as well to over think things again. She had so much for this day already.
After saying her goodbyes to the couple, Gideon and to the two scout officers, Historia left the garden. Thank The Walls they didn't argue with her.
Now, she's right on top of her white mare and was saddling towards the Capital along with her guards. The people beside the streets recognized her presence and waved for her to glance at them. But she was too occupied with her thoughts.
The Captain, the dress, the ring, the letter, Petra and her Parents
Well, if walking out in the garden was the best option for Captain Levi, then she doesn't have to worry herself. He can handle whatever problem he is facing right now
Now, she remembered Nile instructed her to return to the Capital's stable after she's done with her meeting at the garden because a new group of MPs is waiting for her there to escort her back to the orphanage.
She felt dissatisfied remembering that she didn't get some important updates about their plans. The Commander didn't reveal the information of their preparation. Even Captain Levi and Hange didn't bother to tell much further about their plans on retaking the wall.
As obvious it may seem Historia was expecting news about her friends. To hear about Reiner, Bertholt, and Ymir if they already had news from these three or are there plans on what will they do if they capture them she heard nothing. The Captain snapped her away from asking, so she just gave it up.
Then she thought about what happened in the garden, the strange voices that she heard when she lost her eyesight for a few minutes, well she hopes she will never hear them again. And there was this thing about this girl named Petra Ral.
She's dying to know about her.
Why does the Captain have this look on his face that Petra was something else? It was not that visible, but if you know the Captain's usual expression, you can say that his expression on hearing Petra's name was different.
Is this girl somehow different in the Captain's eyes? She can sense him flinched and disturbed. His eyes were hurting and his grasp on his tea cup was shaking. It's unusual
The Captain never gave Historia this kind of look whenever they're together in subtle times.
She remembered being alone in the library with the Captain for the first time, Levi was introducing the history of the Underground City through the books. Historia can't deny noticing how different the Captain looks that time. It was like witnessing the other side of him. He looked so calm and relaxed when he's sitting inside the library wearing his black suit; he looked so formal even without his cravat. She also noticed how his hands moved around, the lightness of his strong calloused digits turning those thin pages of the book.
She tightened her hold at the reigns while balancing her body from the movement of the white mare. She just looked forward while listening to the thudding sound of the horses behind her, the MPs were saddling as well as they strode their way back to the Capital's stables.
Hange
Hange and the Commander went back to the headquarters, Erwin's seating at his desk with a collected expression on his face. Hange sat on the sofa that was facing towards the Commander's direction. Four hours ago, the Queen left them with a troubled look on her face. Hange can feel how Historia stiffed on her seat while Erwin was dealing with the matter. She felt sorry for the Queen to be caught in a complicated situation.
And as expected, Levi walked away and refused to face Petra's parents. At first, she can't believe that Levi and Petra's relationship was really that intimate. She never knew they would go this far. The girl's family felt great lost about their pregnant daughter.
That kid, she was still eighteen years old, but seeing Levi roam around with his squad made him look like young, and has same age as them.
Hange wants to confront Levi, about how it did come into this, but she was also being considerate about his feelings. There must be a good reason why it all happened. Levi was a caring person and placing Petra in the front line must be just a miscalculation. There's got to be a reason behind it.
"So what are we going do with him? He will not give them up that easily as I see. The Rals will not stop if they don't get what they want. Levi won't simply do it either."Hange cocks an eyebrow while looking at the Commander who was leaning forward and his palm on his chin.
The way his eyes move was a hint that his thoughts were currently brainstorming about the issue. She can see that the Commander was troubled about the matter."Our friend refused to stop helping them."
If only they knew that Petra was pregnant, their problem would not reach this point.
In their regiment, Erwin doesn't mind romantic relationship as long as their judgments are not clouded by any personal matters.
"Well about the matter, I already told them to try another time, if they want to cut their name in Levi's Beneficiary list, then they have to talk to him more eagerly and at a slow pace since Levi was always on his edge of anger," Erwin said and tapping his fingers on the desk.
"So how can we do that while avoiding the higher-ups? You know once Levi agrees to that, people will know about it and spread the news until high officials get notified. They will dig up the issue and use it to hunt Levi down and worst, they can use the issue against us."
"There's nothing to worry about that since the girl is already dead. They won't stir the case, and no harm will come to the scouts. "
"As Levi's friend, I feel sorry for him. We don't even know that he would have formed a family if Petra hadn't died. We would have had a little Levi here in the scout regiment. It's just sad to think that all that happened during the expedition. If we only knew Petra's condition right away, she would probably be spared."Hange sighed.
"We are just human Hange, not because Levi's personality is cold he can no longer feel affection from other people. In our line of work, we can say that our remaining time is short, so I can't blame him if he wants to be happy. We have our own needs even if we are serious about our work. That's why I feel guilty about what happened to these two, maybe I influenced Levi with my principles. If I could just take it all back, I would have done it. But what should have happened has happened, we are here and a lot has changed in two months, so we need to move on. I will help correct his mistake, even though I know he will refuse my help. As your commander, I will not stop you from anything that will make you happy, as long as you can fulfill your job properly and help me achieve my goals for humanity." The commander was seriously engaged in his words, Hange understands the guilt Erwin feels.
As his friend, they could see the mourning in Levi's eyes when Petra died, but they ignored it, as if nothing had happened, as if they were not hurt by the death of their companions. as if they were just tools to achieve their goal. But they did not want it.
"The Queen?" Hange asked whether it will be a good thing if she brings Her Majesty involve in the issue.
Erwin paused for a moment and stared at the table, his face in a blank expression as always but something inside him has been lurking and she's dying to know his opinion about Levi's issue. Hange can barely read his mind since this man was unpredictable at tough times, but she's trying hard to figure it out all this time. He's a stern man but at the same time, he won't ignore the feelings of other people. He's also supportive of Levi's fondness for the young Historia.
"Did you see her face when he walked out?" he asked Hange.
Hange expected the look on the young Queen's face. The look of being concerned and intrigued, and at the same time, her attachment to Levi was visible by the way she looked at him. The young queen was hesitating to ask them about what's going on.
"She's confused. I didn't tell her anything about what happened."
"Just let her be. She'll catch up soon. Or let Levi tell her."
Back in the garden, Hange can't stop glancing at the two; they slipped in the mud and seemed to have a deeper conversation while on the ground. What makes her more curious was when she saw the young blonde kid wrapped her arms around the Captain and he didn't seem to mind. It looks like their attachment was getting deeper as time goes by. But then, she's dying to know what they've been whispering behind her, she can hear them talk in a low voice while Historia was cradling her arms around Levi's nape. There were more in their eyes that seems to build up.
Hange never slips every detail about how these two moves around.
Looks like he's making all up with her Majesty, since she remembered how he choked her to decide, but he changed, or is it just the things that Hange never thought he is capable of? The look in his eyes was different ever since he engaged himself around that kid. He may be badass when hunting down a titan since he came from the underground, that was all he's been doing before he met Petra and Historia. But Hange realized that Levi developed a passionate personality and his fondness for the children was new to the eyes of his colleagues. It was good development though.
But she felt sad about what happened to Petra. Levi would have decided to settle with her and their child. He would be happy. Who knew that the two had an affair? Hange never expected that Levi kept it all to them, that no one even reported about their relationship.
She already suspected Petra Ral of having an affair with Levi, but the two keep on denying it, they kept their relationship to the public and acted as an ordinary Captain and subordinates. Then she was even pregnant when she died.
Now it was Historia. The Captain doesn't say a word about his feelings, but he was certain about giving out a helping hand to the Queen. He's affectionate towards her sometimes and, he's too stupid to be aware of it, but when he noticed that Hange's eyes were on him, he would rudely leave the Queen and tries not to see her for days. But after that, Hange knew that Levi was sending letters to Historia. Moblit was a good stalker for some other reasons. It doesn't matter how he found out but for Hange it's enough to prove that he's strangely attached to the Queen.
STRANGE. . . they were just strangely closed after she became the Queen of the walls.
"She will be a big help to save Levi's name if the Rals will raise the issue to the higher-ups which are not impossible..." Hange anticipated it. The Commander wouldn't allow the Queen to be around if she has nothing to do with it. Erwin always has a plan ahead of time and he's already utilizing his relationship with the Queen.
"She will when the time comes. As for now, let Levi handle the situation. We can't force him at the moment but he will get a hold of himself in no time about the issue. It's a matter of acceptance and understanding between the parties. They were all grieving at the same time and Levi was denying the loss of his woman and child. No needs to worry about letting the higher-ups know. Petra's already dead with her baby but I know that the officials will question the Captain's judgment towards his subordinates. They will be terrified that humanity's strongest soldier was already planting seeds while battling. Only those who have ill desires towards Levi would attempt to hunt him down once they knew the ruckus."
"W-well, at least we know that he's not that stone for a man, sad to say that he's keeping it to himself."
"If you can stop making a report about his daily behaviour then maybe you can gain his trust again. Your reports and hypothesis are too narrow for the time being."
"I guess I have to give this up since I'm not making any results."Hange sighed and shook her head. She's trying to prove that Levi was not an ordinary man since his stature was extremely unique. He developed well as years go by and she never expected him to develop such an attitude towards Petra.
"I'm not saying that you have to give up. Keep your papers and so on; you will need them again someday. I have a feeling about this one and I'm afraid that you have to prepare yourselves once I'm not around."
Hange snorted. She hates to hear that kind of topic, especially when it came from their wounded commander. "You have to stop talking like that. You know that's not helping. "
Erwin smirked. "Glad you won't do it in his place."
"I can get rid of your vocal cords. So that you can shut your mouth and quit being such a suicidal creep, you know."Hange snarled in his presence.
"Right, I understand. Thank you." Erwin switched his gaze to the window and Hange knew that he can see Levi from that view.
"Hange, there's something else I wanted to discuss with you," Erwin said in a more thoughtful tone. "I may not live that long, and I already engaged myself from being too focused on my goals and beliefs." Hange can see that there's a tone of doubt in his voice "so I want you to prepare yourself as the next Commanding officer in the lead"
Hange stares at Erwin's eyes, searching for a hint that he's just saying these in such a shallow thought for the future. But his expressions were even and steady as he nods at her bewilderment.
"Hange" Erwin looked at her with a serious and stern look from his calculating blue eyes. It sent chills to her spine that she can't stand and her voice was curling at the corners of her tongue."Promise me, that you will open the basement once we retake the wall."
Hange snaps her fingers and cut through the shady ambiance. "Gosh Erwin I thought we're through about this-"
"I can't die without leaving a word. t's an order" He cut her out switched his attention to his desk, abandoning her words that are hanged on the tip of her tongue. "You're dismissed Hange." He said in a serious soft tone. It may sound so calm but it like a strong wind passes through Hange's yard of thoughts. She's still not sure about the next commander-in-line thingy with this thick eye browed bastard.
Hange silence herself as she understands the message. She lowered her face and fixed her eyeglasses that were seemed to be slipping on her nose again. She never thought that he's deadly serious about this.
She stood and saluted Erwin.
"Noted Commander, Sir."
Historia
Historia was in the kitchen, the children are already in their seats while waiting for the dinner to be served, she's preparing the plates; Diana and Anna were serving the dishes. The room was very noisy and lively as the children play and had small fights at the sides of the table. Their voices reached all over the corners of the orphanage building, and it made the air very much lively on Historia's part.
The big table was enough to cater to all fifteen orphaned children and their faces were very much brighter than the first day when they arrived here. It was difficult at first since she had to deal and talk with them one by one to study their behavior. Six of them came from the underground city, and the rest came from the upper ground, Historia decided to treat them equally and always remind them that they were loved no matter which part of the nation they came from.
"Thirdie, I told you already that you can't use that plate. It's for her Majesty!" Anna immediately grabbed the golden plate and put it back from the cabinet.
"Hey, Historia gave that to me." The five years old chubby boy with chubby cheeks pouted his mouth when Anna replaced his plate with an ordinary one.
"Now you hush young man, you are not allowed to call her by her name," Anna whispered at him so Historia won't hear them. But she was hearing it.
The children's eyes sparkled as they see the food on the table, they were all so hungry after messing around the orphanage all day and the meals were always special since they had a good amount of suppliers.
Vegetable from the garden and meats
The three of them did the house works and tend to the children's needs. Since it's Saturday, the children help clean the orphanage, and they will all spend much time playing in the whole afternoon. Historia hired an exclusive teacher to come to the orphanage so that the children don't have to travel to go to school. Everyone in the room began eating; Historia thought that she's thankful for these two women who stayed beside her since day one. Anna and Diana.
These two women are her helpers inside the orphanage, they will come in the daytime and goes home after dinner. One of them should stay in the orphanage to watch over the children. Historia doesn't want to get more people to help her in the orphanage since she wanted to put her hands on the children. The royal counsels advised her to get personal securities if she wants to stay in the orphanage. They say that they can't afford their queen to be left behind unguarded. But as a matter of fact, she demanded them to provide her two maids to live with her at the orphanage, if not; she will let the orphans stay at the castle where she will reside.
It may sound ridiculous but she insisted on them to meet her demands. She doesn't know how the counsels sort things out but days after that they sent Anna and Diana. After that, they never talked about providing MPs or personal guards since she told them that she can protect herself. Levi and Erwin also stood by her side and help her convince them. The two guys promised to ensure safety in the orphanage.
"I'll stay for the night Anna; you can go home after dinner."Historia heard Diana. Historia was just standing at the corner of the kitchen and observed the little kids devouring their meals. It made her happy. The two girls were standing beside the table to guide the kids and so that they will not have that much mess.
"Ok." Anna, the red-haired woman in her twenties smiled at the black-haired woman whose age was in her early thirties. They were both older than her, but Historia doesn't mind. She treats them as her older sisters anyway. Maybe having two old sisters was not bad at all.
Well, Ymir didn't treat her with sister-like gestures. What kind of a sister would always tell her to marry Ymir?
And touched her in so many ways
"Your Majesty, you can take your leave and rest. We will wrap up the things after the kids are done eating." Diana turned to her; she always has this stern gesture that made her look more respectable in the eyes of other people. She's a woman with good taste in fashion when Historia wears something for an event; she criticizes her matches and chooses better clothes that will see fit Historia. She decorates the orange with good pleasant colored curtains and flowers. She managed the color of the walls in every room, especially the classroom and the children's bedrooms. She's great at crowd control when it comes to children, and as one of her caretakers, Historia can tell that she's devoted to her job and that is to help the Queen watch over the orphans.
While Anna has this slightly impulsive behavior towards the children, she will act on the spot to discipline the kids; she does not tolerate incorrect behavior when one of the children starts to bully another kid. She does more nagging than the dark-haired Diana. But Anna was easily influenced by Diana about prolonging her patience. They're a great match when it talks about caring for the children. Historia needed them inside the orphanage and how she wishes that these two will last on serving her.
"Then I believe that it's ok to leave you here. I have to go to my office."Historia gently said to the two girls.
"Yes your Majesty, you can take your rest for tonight." Anna smiled at her.
"Ok."Historia smiled back and turn away from them. She marched towards her quarters on the third floor. As she marched away, the voices in the kitchen began to fade, by every step she makes, reminds her of how quiet it was to be alone. She reached her office; it was located beside her quarters. She will spend her time at her mini office before she goes to her quarters to sleep.
As she entered her working place, she can see the papers piled on top of her desk. Well, it's a never-ending paper signing. Just for small cases, reports, and plans for the next six months. Well, she never realized that the big occasions that were held at the Capital would go through her for approval. Even variety shows must get through her pen. It's the main tradition that she remembered most of the people would get excited about. Festivals, parades, and health programs, weddings... Her head hurts already from reading each paper. Sometimes she put her signature in the papers without reading them, and before she can sign for the final piece of paper, another pile of documents will arrive from the Capital.
And there's more, she has to read all the books that are displayed on her bookshelf, Diana told her to read the books since it will help her understand things in the monarchy. It's more like self-study. She doesn't have to go attend classes in the capital. But up until now, she never picked one of the books to read. She prefers to read novels than studying economics and statistics. But she will have to read them as soon as possible since she will have a weekly exam with one of the top officials.
For a fifteen years old girl, Isn't it exhausting?
But tonight, she will not do any signature works or reading. She sat on her chair and opened the compartment under her desk. She grabbed the crumpled paper and slowly flattened it on her desk so that she can read the content.
It was the letter that she found in the room way back in the garden. She keeps on staring at the strokes of the letters and found it so familiar.
Where did she saw this kind of hand strokes?
Then she noticed something sparkled at the corners of her eyes. The ring was on the compartment as well. Historia stared at the small ring, she thought that it would be better if she returns it to the garden, but how the hell will she do it?
She placed her palm on her head. It's been two days since that day, the Captain's dark and guilty expression still lingered on her thoughts.
Do these objects have something to do with the Captain and Petra?
While Historia's mind was exploring, the Captain's strong calloused hand flashed on her mind. She winced and frowned on her seat, then as she blinks her eyes again, the memories of the Captain writing in a letter flashes on her mind again. This time, she's certain that she saw something.
Then she remembered the Captain writing his initials way back in the library when he's making a letter in front of her. She remembered that she stopped reading her books that time and chose to observe how the Captain writes the letters.
C.A
Wait. That's right. She remembers it now.
Historia suddenly remembered that she kept the letters that the Captain had sent her before.
She moved her chair and started to search in her desk's compartments.
Where did she put all the Captain's mails?
Then she remembered that she kept all of them on her quarters dressing cabinet.
She stood and ran towards the door inside her office that connects to her quarters. She entered her quarters and went to her wardrobe. She found a brown wooden box at the bottom of the cabinet and she felt relieved as she opened it.
All the Captain's mails were there.
She carried the box back to her office and placed it on the table. As she looked at the letters, her suspicions have been confirmed. She dragged the crumpled letter beside the Captain's mail letters and there it is.
She stared at every single detail in the letters and compared it to the letters on the other paper until she reached the bottom of the paper.
Both of the letters had the same initials written at the bottom.
C.A
Is that so? How come she did not remember?
Historia felt uncomfortable as she realized it all. The letter that she found at the Reiss garden could belong to Petra and they have the same recipient.
Captain Ackerman.
So it is very likely that the Captain sent the letter to Petra. Petra may be the owner of the letter. So there is also a great possibility that something was happening between the two. Based on the letter, it refers to personal intent and it is not about their work.
Based on what she saw there in the garden, there was a misunderstanding between the Captain and the Ral family. She thinks, there was a deeper reason why the Captain left at that time. She did not want to know, but she could not stop herself from thinking why that all happened.
But was it possible that the Captain was having a personal affair with this girl named Petra? What is she to him?
Then suddenly someone whispered in her ears.
So what if they dated before Historia, what is it to you?
She put down the letters and placed her fist on her chest.
She sighed.
"All I can do for now is to wait for him to come."
Mandy
It's been a week, and she just got back from the Capital.
She grasps on the fence to keep herself upright, she can hardly open her eyes as her eyebrows just got swollen. She tastes and smells her blood, it dried on her nose and her mouth tasted metallic. It's been days and her gums were still bleeding. She smelled shit, it mixed with her stinking body odor. Walking and crawling for days without taking a bath would make you look like a homeless bitch, and people would only look at her as if she was just an ordinary dying beggar on the gutter.
She can now see her house from afar. She can smell the fresh air and the stinky scent from her grandfather's pigpen.
Even though she hates the smell of the place, she still wants to run all the way there. But unfortunately, she couldn't even make a normal step forward since she was struggling to lift her feet. But at least she can move her other leg already, unlike yesterday, she dragged her whole body for almost a mile because she can't stand up. . She's desperate to survive.
Now, she just made little steps towards the front yard even though her body wants to fall to the ground. Due to physical pain and fatigue, she wanted to ask herself if he was already dead. Because of the severity of the wounds she sustained, she did never thought that she could go home alive. But she's thankful; she could still feel all the wounds and pulses in her body.
It's their mistake to let her live. it will be their lost.
She also thought that she would lose her breath on her way home, which would live if your body crawled for two kilometers and no one helped you to get up on your feet
People were playing blind in front of her dying soul.
Night and day, without rest, leading her own body just to move away from the place where she was beaten by a group.
She was starving and weak without anything to eat, to stay at night. She didn't beg for food so that she wouldn't waste her time to reach her considered home for almost two years.
After the long journey from the Capital, now, at last, she came back. Even though her body wants to fall on the ground and take a rest, she wouldn't waste any time reaching her house.
Someone was waiting for her there and she can't imagine how her grandfather would look like since she left.
Did he eat, drink water, and bath?
Oh, that's impossible. The old man must be dead by now. He couldn't live without her. He's bedridden and almost forgets anything.
A tear on her eyes fell as she looked at the house not just far away from her.
Just a few steps Mandy and you're home.
She whispered to herself.
All the muscles of her body were now weak, even making another step on the ground sent headache, and muscle aches on Mandy's body.
The bruises were visible on her arms, the hit of a paddle brought out blood on her nose and discoloration of her skin. She must have a broken bone on her left arm.
She took another step, but she couldn't lift her foot.
She cried, tears were now falling from her eyes as she tried to run towards the door that is now five steps away from her.
"Wait for me grandfather." She whispered in a trembled and weak voice.
This is your entire fault. I will find you and kill you no matter what. After you left and gained wealth, you forgot about your family. You self-centered devil, drowning yourself in gold and silver won't make you a better ruler. You forgot about him? This is your fault.
Her heart ached so much. It's already one week and her grandfather was all alone in the house.
As she reached the door, she leaned there for a second. She gathered all her breath to build strength in herself, strength to face the situation on the other side of this wooden door.
Strength to face what's waiting for her when she opens
She opened the door and fell on the floor. Her body went weaker as she entered the house entrance. Across her, she can see bed, white sheets turned into grey sheets; she sees a figure lying down on the bed.
"G- Grandfather," she whispered.
Her stomach lurched and she felt the pain from her heart as she stood on her knees and throw herself at the side of the bed. Her head hit the wooden frame, but not too hard.
She can manage the pain that it brought to her. She lifted her head and looked at the thin steady figure on the bed. The blanket covered the body of an old man up to his chest; Mandy looked at the old man's wrinkled and thin face. His thin and grey, his mouth was half open and his eyes half-open.
Mandy's breath cracked as she placed her gaze on the old man. She's praying for him to breathe or even lift an eyebrow. She prayed to the walls that this dearest grandfather of her was not a dead cold corpse.
Without her in the house, no one would bring food and water to this old man. She's been taking care of him for five months now. They can't afford physician expenses because of their poor state that was why she stayed at the old man's side until his body deteriorated due to his illness.
Mandy just cried her tears out. She didn't mean to do this. She knows how delicate his grandfather was. She moaned her feelings loudly while weeping at the side of the bed. She didn't touch him.
He must be dead.
Then out of nowhere, Mandy freeze as she saw he suddenly blinked his eyes.
Her heart stopped.
"G-, grandfather?" She blurted above him.
Then she noticed his chest rise and fall against the bed.
Mandy's body suddenly doesn't feel any weakness from her muscles. She sat properly and observed her grandfather tilting his head.
"Y-you're alive?! Grandfather?!" She wept in front of him like a child. Her voice was all over the house, she doesn't care anymore. No one will hear them.
She cried all her suffering from these past few days. Getting out alive from that situation was impossible, but she managed to fight her say and came back home.
"But how?! Grandfather, I'm sorry I left you like that! Please forgive me!" She let go a cry of regret and pain beside the old man's body. She cried until her throat hurts.
She cried out of happiness and worry. What a big miracle that his only friend and family in life was still struggling to live. All her efforts to crawl back here were worth it. She came back just right in time.
"My grandchild" She heard the old man's low weakening voice.
She struggled to lift her body to sit at the side of the bed and looked at her grandfather. His white hair was crumpled and she missed combing the old man's hair to keep him neat. He was weak and only had low strength. He looks like he was about going to die at any moment...
"I'm okay. I won't die, you know." the old man made a toothless weak smile.
Mandy cried again, her heart was full of happiness to see him make that kind of expression. Who would have thought that a bedridden old man would survive without food and water for a week?
She smiled at him. His smile was so warm and it calmed Mandy's weakening nerves.
"Did you eat? Do you want water? I c-can make soup, we still have spices in the kitchen. I ca-"
"All I need right now is to see you taking a rest," he said and placed his thin hands on her head. It moved so weakly.
Again, she felt hurt, and she burst into tears.
"Now, now, I might feel hungry but I can still manage. Sleep helps me a lot," he added.
Mandy shifted her position, she gazed at his face. This is impossible. How did he make it?
"You take a rest now. Don't be bothered by me. I can wait if you ever feel like giving me food once you regain your strength." Mandy nodded and knelt beside the bed. She reached her hand below and pulled a wooden box to get some clothes. She can't clean herself for now since she can't stand it anymore. All her strength was now drained.
She changed into clean clothes even though her body's not that clean. She lay on the floor immediately without grabbing a sheet to use as a bed cover.
She didn't bother to glance at his grandfather. At any moment she felt that he may die in this condition and her as well. She can feel her body was slowly deteriorating. Her eyelids were heavy.
"Grandfather, I'll take a quick nap and make soup later ok?" She said while lying on the dusty floor carelessly.
She heard sheets swift on the bed beside her. She's glad that the old man can still move even at a weak pace.
She slowly closed her eyes.
"Welcome back, Alma" his grandfather whispered.
She felt a small punch on her guts as she heard that name again. She made a small smile as she finally gave up on the darkness.
"Grandfather, It's Mandy."
The old man made a low laugh. "Just when did you dye your hair black, Historia"
This silly old man is really killing her sometimes.
"Grandfather, I am Historia"
"Liar"
he whispered back in the air.
