CHAPTER 13
Mandy
She already prepared the table for breakfast, it was filled with good bread and well hot soup made up of spices that she plucked from their little garden.
She was glad that there are still spices there, she left the place and got away for almost a week and returned with a half-dead body.
It's been a week since it happened. In an attempt to introduce herself to the Queen as her cousin, the military police were not that open-minded to be convinced that she told them the truth.
But in return, they beat the hell out of her and left her half-dead. They said that the Queen doesn't have relatives anymore, so they told her that she was a liar a thief, and even worse, they named her a whore.
If she was truly the Queen's first cousin, why didn't the Queen came to her personally and take her in? Why did he do that she grew up alone? They asked her that, and it made her hate Historia even more.
Well, why didn't that brat come for them?
Mandy wants to ask her personally. Why didn't she remember about them? Did she completely forgotten about the family who once took her in?
Mandy was there, creeping at the half-opened door of her bedroom, looking at Historia as she tries to eat that delicious meal that her grandparents cooked for her. Though they taught Historia about doing the house chores, they were treating her in a special way than Mandy, and she just got frustrated because Historia has special things in possess than Mandy.
Mandy wished if only she got blonde streaks and blue eyes, maybe they will treat her special too. She hates her black hair and tanned skin. Historia's skin was lighter than hers.
She felt jealous that Historia even kept a book with her. Mandy never held a book before and she felt annoyed to know that Historia was gaining things better than her.
Historia also managed to read on her own. No one ever taught her how to read. She was always alone so that's why it made Historia an outcast from the start. Mandy's dad always reminded her that she will not get herself close to that kid, because she is different.
Why is she different?
Even though their grandparents were cold to Historia, Mandy still can't understand why they treated her so special. She would eat alone at the table like she was a princess, with that delicious meal that she never tasted before.
She never talked to Historia even if they were in the same residence. She just stared from afar as the kids threw rocks at her.
She deserves it anyway.
Mandy was the true culprit why those kids threw rocks at her in the first place; she told them that Historia's an outcast and an illegitimate member of the family. Her mother was a whore and she will grow up just like her mother, a whore that would always go to the capital and sell herself to the pigs.
But the worlds turned upside down and look at them now.
Mandy's life got torn out of the picture when they killed Alma and sent Historia away.
Their grandparents cried when they knew about the news on the same night, and her grandmother stormed outside to see Rod Reiss and they killed her as well.
Historia was not there to witness the situation. She was already inside the carriage when their grandmother came out and just like Alma, her throat was sliced.
And it tore her grandfather's heart so much. They were both strong at the lifeless body of her Aunt and grandmother while the carriage was heading away.
She even wondered why no one ever spoke about it. Like killing her grandmother was not part of the back story.
Mandy and her grandfather stayed inside the house while their whole body was shaking. Thanking all their lives that Kenny didn't take their life. Then suddenly a group of men came inside the house, throwing and breaking all their things. Flipping the tables upside down and Kenny's men threw them outside the premises. They said that the house belonged to Rod Reiss and he did not need them there anymore.
Mandy was now confused. Who the hell is Historia and why do they kill her mother and her grandmother just to spare her life.
Then out of the blue, they let Historia lived.
That butthead.
With a heavy heart, they left the residence and returned here to the land where they truly came from. Where Alma and Mandy's father grew up.
And as years passed by, their grandfather wanted to see Historia so bad, he even went to search Kenny Ackerman to ask him where did they put Historia, but Kenny warned him to stay out of the way.
Mandy's father was killed in n attempt to search for the kid. But days went by and her father never went home to them. Then the MPs said that her father was killed by a thug. It was not Kenny, but a man visited them in their house, telling them that they should stop interfering with their business.
Business? What kind of business are they talking about?
But his grandfather never gave up despite the danger, then his health deteriorated with only Mandy taking care of him. Because of that, she was forced to search for Historia until she was announced as the new Queen.
Her jaw dropped out. Then now, no one believed her. For fuck sake! The MPs were overprotective to let her talk to the Queen.
If so, the MPs should think again. They have to remember that the brat still had relatives on her mother's side.
After she was crowned, she didn't have all the intention to check on her grandfather. Historia was not that young when they took her. So Historia was not innocent by how she has completely forgotten about them.
"Alma, you're overthinking again, child?"
Mandy waked up from her deep thought that time when her grandfather came to sit across her at the table.
Thank goodness he recovered after she left him bedridden for a week. It was strange, because suddenly, her old man can stand properly, and he had enough strength to talk to her.
She thought he would die.
"Grandpa, you need to eat." She took bread and gave it to the skinny man across her, his cheeks were swollen, and his eyes were weak. He had wrinkles and small brown spots on his wrinkled arms.
Compared to that day, when grandma was still alive, her grandpa had a healthy body, he was not skinny and he has a bloated tummy. He was energetic at that time. And he looked nothing like that anymore.
"Thank you. I'll be out for today dear, I already know where to find Historia." The old man murmured as he devours the bread with a little bite.
Mandy just rolled her eyes and poured her cup with the cheap tea that they stored in the cabinet.
"Grandpa, we already searched for her right? And look what it got me after I stood in front of the Headquarters, just to tell everyone that I am her cousin." She explained to him even if she knew that the old man wouldn't understand. He's not in his proper mind already, maybe due to his age.
"Alma, we need to protect that kid. She's the daughter of Rod Reiss... What would he say if he finds out that her daughter ran away?" he said as he stares blankly at the table.
"Rod Reiss already can't open his mouth grandpa, because Historia killed him already. Your Historia is already the Queen of the walls. And it won't be easy to get near that brat." She shook her head trying to explain even if it's hopeless.
"I can promise you that I will be okay, Alma. Historia recognized me a lot. We have the same height and eyes." The old man just smiled while eating that piece of bread. His eyes looked a little lifeless staring at the midair as he showed that toothless grin.
Mandy just grunts and nods.
"Believe me, grandpa, there's no point talking about this stuff right now. I still have to go and clean the pen and feed the pigs. After you eat, you may sit outside; I already placed your rocking chair there, so you can breathe fresh air." She stood up and brought her little plate to the sink.
"Just when did you sound like Mandy? She hated Historia so much."
Mandy froze and it took her breath away for a while. She was stunned as his grandpa started to mention her name. So he saw her as Alma all the time and not Mandy.
"Grandpa--"
"Young lady, I repeat, Historia is a family, and she needs us right now. So we have to find her. I will find her, I already knew where she was." the old man murmured.
Mandy just let her shoulders fall and rolled her eyes. She has to get used to this old man.
"Okay, whatever. I need to go outside to work on the farm grandpa. We need to get our business back." She mumbled and kissed her grandpa on his cheek.
"Don't let the MPs beat you like that. Your father will be disappointed."
And suddenly Mandy's heart lightens up for a moment. His grandfather now was already catching with the main true events. Even if he sometimes responds on the wrong way off the topic, there was this point when he points things out like he was still guiding Mandy. Like he was still him during the sober days and not crooked.
She just smiled bitterly as she walks to the door.
"I'm already disappointed with my father. I won't pray that my faith is different from his."
Frigoz
The room was narrow, painted in dark army green with white curtains on the two windows. three oversized portraits are hanging across the windows, framed with golden borders with floral carvings. A desk made of an expensive tree vanished so it would look elegant. There are portraits of his family inside the office, and most of the room was his bookshelves.
Frigoz was standing in front of the Queen's portraits that were hanged on the wall. In one portrait, The Queen was sitting on her royal chair with the Commander in Chief Darius Zackly standing on her side. The second picture was the Queen itself, standing with her fist on her chest.
The third frame was still empty and Frigoz was still thinking of an idea of what to fill on the picture.
"Excuse me, Mr. Frigoz, Rengar is here to see you." The maid tilts her head to sneak on him from the door outside... Frigoz let out a cloud of smoke on his nose as he held the improvise cigarette beside his shoulders.
"Let him in." He ordered. But before the maid could turn away, Frigoz calls out to her. "Farrah, have you sent the letter to the Queen? It's been a while and I haven't received any reply."
The maid was wearing her white underdress with that black apron, the usual uniform of the maids here in the Capitol.
"Yes Sir. I just received the return mail from Her Majesty and I was going to give them to you, right now." The black-haired young woman in her thirties pulled out a piece of an envelope from her pocket.
The old man can't help but lift a brow from the sudden news. The Queen had replied to his letter request and now he was wondering if she ever agreed on the request that he sent.
After what happened when he tried to visit the Queen in her quarters, it turned out that he ruined his impression of the Queen and it also affected her trust towards him. Despite being the human resource manager of the monarchy, she still didn't like him.
He immediately took the letter from Farrah and placed it behind his blazer. He'll do the reading later.
"Great. Now get Rengar for me."
A few minutes after, a man entered the room, in his brown coat and brown hat. His black hair was a little curly on his shoulder-length, he has this tan but flawless complexion, his little beard on the chin was well maintained, keeping it sharp at its tips. Frigoz always sees it as an inch long.
As the door closed behind the young man, he stayed there silently and just stared past through Frigoz's sight. . He's waiting to be invited to sit.
"You looked more like him boy," Frigoz commented to the boy across him, then brought his two legs on the top of his desk.
"Tsk, I'm giving my best to look nothing like him." the boy responded.
"I can't see the effort kid. I can't blame you if you ever copy that man's look. You owe him your life." Frigoz gave him his crooked smile; he's always fascinated that the boy always took it seriously.
"Am I still here for some reason? Or should I leave?" he gradually dismissed Frigoz and placed his hands on his pockets. He lifted his face a little to make eye contact with Frigoz, and again, Frigoz wanted to comment how he looked like that man.
"Just put your guard down, I know what I'm doing." he was fascinated by this short-tempered guy. He's quite the opposite of what Frigoz expected it to be.
"You have three minutes. Or I will go my own way." Rengar stepped towards the window with that well-built body. He's not an MP, and not part of the monarchy's broad staff members, but Frigoz always obliged Rengar to at least wear formal clothes so that he will not look so shady in the eyes of the sharp eyes around them.
"Okay. Might I ask if you already confirmed the girl's identity?"
"No, she escaped." Rengar flatly replied.
"That's so lame." Frigoz shook his head, for a man like Rengar, only fast witted person can get out of his hands. "I thought she'll be handled well according to the price that I paid you?" Frigoz shot him with a sharp look of disappointment.
"Thanks to your pets, they tortured her. She's half-dead for four days, I have to fix her jaw so she could only answer me. Your mindless maggots nearly wasted my effort to initiate the plan." Rengar just gave him a half glance of his face with those frowning brows.
"Then, get your hunting dogs. Give me at least two well-done tasks from that whore. First her relationship with the Queen, second, I want her and everyone in the family dead."
"What if she's right? She's the niece of Alma?"
"Just the right reason you have to pursue your task. Leave no mark." Frigoz calmly ordered.
"Alright. I'll leave no trace."
"Okay. Now, what do you think should the next portrait be?" Frigoz playfully asked the serious man who was looking right at the window. His imagination went through the air wondering why will he tell the artist about his next portrait.
"You, with her Majesty's headless naked body," Rengar smirked taking out a stick of smoke from his jacket.
Frigoz doesn't mind if someone else was smoking here in his office. Rengar's not a stranger to him anyway.
Now his room was filled with smoke.
"That's my boy." Frigoz laughed at the idea, and soon, the young man laughed too.
"She's hot, I want her." Rengar simply said.
"Yes, I know that. You should prepare yourself today. She's waiting for t the or manages, I want you to come and gr her for me.."
"Today?" Rengar glanced at him while he allowed a smoke on the air.
"Yes. Just be early. She's waiting before sunrise."
"Affirmative. " Rengar said then blew a cloud of smoke in the air.
They were enjoying the paused moment when the door flew open beside them, and Farrah showed up with a shocked face. Both of them looked at her.
"What the--, don't you have manners?!" Frigoz almost drops his smoke because of the surprise.
Farrah was panting like she ran miles away to reach them.
"Sir, the Queen just arrived without the MPs." She blurted out while chasing her breath.
Then Frigoz stood up, surprised by the news. Rengar looked at him with a disturbed expression.
They didn't expect her to come this early.
"Good heavens!"
Frigoz murmured and rash to the door.
Levi
"Shit"
Levi swung his eyes open after his vision went black. His heart was pounding like the thudding steps of horses because of his terrifying dream in which he was having sex with Historia.
He was breathing so hard that his voice was muffled when he exhaled. He was drenched in sweat as he sat up in his bed. His hair was a mess, and wetness caused some of the streaks to stick across his face.
He was still aware of the shocking dream, glancing around suspiciously. Fuck, it's already morning.
He slept in.
His mind immediately went to his squad, who were undoubtedly awake at this hour, and it seemed strange for him to claim that he had overslept in bed.
Bollocks! How could that have happened? He'd never slept so soundly before. He remembered that he wanted to sleep in his clothes so that if anything unexpected happened, he would be prepared.
He stood up and yanked the fucking blanket off his body. And, much to his surprise,
He discovered himself naked.
His brows drew together in disbelief. He even noticed his clothes on the floor, and they weren't just scattered. They were hurled at him as if he were not like himself.
He used to fold his clothes properly, not this way.
Levi's mind wandered back to when he was stripped naked with Historia the night before. Part of him still believes it was a dream, while the other does not. Yeah, how could he have been naked and thrown his clothes like this? How could he be sure it was Historia?
Levi sighed as he ran his hand to his hair in confusion. He was completely baffled by the thought that Historia came and fucked with him last night. His manhood was still sticky by. . .
You know. . Their fluids.
And imagining the scenario just brought him back by the time that he heard Historia's small moaning, bouncing, and sliding his manhood from her hole.
His body went numb again and for the fuck sake.
His morning wood started.
Levi gritted his teeth as he picked up his clothes one by one, despising the sight of its crumpled fabric. Every piece of it reminded him of how Historia could look like if were naked.
Levi was now having a hard time determining the gravity of his fuckup situation. He was not sure if it happened. What if not? How will he go out from this four-cornered room and face the Queen?
Questions were flooding Levi's mind and all he can ask was how? How did it come up to this?
Of all the worst things that could happen, why did it have to be like this? Why didn't he stop? Why did he lose his mind?
He was not drunk. He was fully sane when he went out from the study of Historia.
Right now, he was fully dressed up in the same clothes. And he wished to know if it was her.
He went out of the room and went downstairs only to find his squad gathered in the living room, Kirstein was standing in front of the rest with his hands on his hips.
Levi passed as to why are they gathered, supposedly they were preparing breakfast for the children.
"What do you think should we say to the Captain if he finds out?" Jean asked in a disoriented voice.
Levi's brows creased and he continued to stride down to reveal himself from the steps.
"Find out what?" Levi immediately interfered with Jean.
What did they do this time?
Levi already knew that this group will always gather together when they think there's something urgent.
Jean looked at him with a nervous emotion, as one of his reliable persons, Levi felt like something is going on right now. Everyone here was seemed uncomfortable in meeting his eyes. They were tense.
The rest of the squad just glanced away from his direction while Arlelt bit his lip anxious, Eren was squaring his jaw as he argued with Jean before he arrived.
Mikasa was level-headed as always while the rest was just looking at the floor.
The Squad stood up in the form to pay him some attention.
"Kirsten," He asked them again. "What the fuck happened today?" He walked towards them and stop in front of Jean. He crossed his arms and waited for Kirstein to respond.
Jean sighed in frustration hesitating to tell him about what's the current fuzz.
"The Queen left the orphanage without an escort. It was still dark at that time."
With that sudden news Levi's heartfelt like being pricked, his gut turned upside down and he drew with a slow heavy breath. His eyes widened a bit with the information, recalling how did Historia pinned him to the headboard.
Then if she's gone without knowing her whereabouts, he will b blamed. He promised Anna and Diana that nothing will happen while they're away.
"Where did she go?" He calmly asked.
"To the Capital. She said that we don't have to follow her." Sasha spoke while standing erect.
Levi tightened his jaw with the news. He wondered if she left because of him. He already told Historia about his feuds and had sex with him.
And now she was running away for no reason.
Tch. She's a pain in the ass. Now he have to follow her location before anything could happen to her.
"And not even one of you went to stop her?" He glared at them.
"I- I tried to stop her."
Levi turned to Arlelt who was standing behind Mikasa. He was shaking and nervous.
"And?"
Arlelt swallowed before he spoke again.
"But it's too late for me to run after her. She locked the barn where we mounted our horses. So I have to make a sprint after her but she went too fast and I can't keep up." the smart kid was looking at her with a worried and questioning face. He stared at him and immediately looks away like he's afraid of something.
He was keeping something.
"What did she say?" Levi asked although he's afraid to know the answer.
"I can't hear her. She was murmuring something and I can't keep up while running." Armin replied jolting a little.
"Come on Armin. You ran that far and didn't have anything to give us a clue why she ran away?" Connie was intrigued.
But Armin just glanced at the floor with a wary face.
"Ye-yeah. I'm sorry, I'm too weak to run that fast."
"Whatever," Levi spoke and turned to the door. "Now we have to divide ourselves to handle the remaining tasks. Jean, Eren, Connie, and Sasha, you will stay here and prepare breakfast for the kids. Armin, come with me. Let's find if Historia went to the Capital." Levi calmly walked towards the door and looked at the broad field with a bluish filter. "After you all prepared for breakfast, the two maids will arrive later, so you can leave here and meet me and Armin at the Capital. "
"But Captain, how sure are you that Historia went to the Capital safely?" Jean asked.
"Did you fought yesterday?" Eren asked him.
Levi looks at the titan shifter and all he could see was the concern in his green eyes.
"No." He answered flatly. Levi stiffed uncomfortably. But Yeah, of course, they were worried about her safety. "We will trace the way and identify her location. If you won't find us in the capital, then you can proceed to the quarters without us. We will return when we found Historia. Jean, guide the rest of the squad. I'm heading out with Armin. Armin, let's move." He eyed Arlelt and opened the door. The kid followed him immediately.
"Yes Sir.!" Everyone responded to him.
Well, Levi needs to clarify things with Armin. His eyes were telling him that there was more to what he knows.
Historia, why are you torturing me like this?
Levi thought to himself.
