Chapter Thirteen
"What did those bastards want?" Levi asks, marching into the Commander's office with an annoyed glower. It takes Commander Ervin Smith a few seconds to figure that he was referring to the representatives of the industrial guild he had been entertaining moments before the Captain's arrival.
"I saw them at Commander Pixis' office yesterday evening and invited them over for some tea," Commander Ervin replies, lowering his gaze to the map laid out in front of him. He lifts his pencil to mark a supply checkpoint along the route to Shingashina. When he feels the foul-tempered Captain shoot him an annoyed glance, he shrugs without looking up. "Sorry I would have invited you but I didn't think you'd be in the mood for it."
"A little too early for tea." Captain Levi observes quietly crossing his arms in disapproval, leaning against the large window. Half-lidded grayish-blue eyes watch the steady downpour outside as another fork of lightning rips through the overcast early morning sky. "Did they at least lower their asking price?" When the taller man shakes his head, the Captain's features harden.
"Opportunistic pigs," the Captain growls. "The nerve to demand an arm and a leg in exchange for supplying the expedition. You'd think that after what happened at Orvud, those pigs would be clamoring to fund the expedition to reclaim Wall Maria."
"Human greed can't be helped, I'm afraid." The Commander returns with a shrug. "You know this better than anyone else, Levi."
"Doesn't mean that I don't like to forget every once in a while." Thunder booms loudly, rattling the office windows as lightning illuminates the room once more.
"Why are you really here, Levi?" Commander Ervin sighs rising from his seat to join his friend by the window with a tired sigh.
"I'm here because that Four-Eyed freak's in my office," Captain Levi shoots the blond an angry look when the taller man's shoulders shake with amusement. "Whose brilliant idea was it to stick me in the same office with that fucking aberrant?"
"Mine," Commander Ervin returns with an amused smile. Captain Levi watches him unamused. "You work well together."
"And even better apart," Levi shoots back causing Commander Ervin to chuckle once more.
"No matter." The Commander sighs as he returns his desk. "The queen-to-be has proposed a solution we think might just work."
"Oh?" Levi arches an eyebrow expectantly. Although it had only been two days since the successful defense of Orvud, it felt like it had been ages since he had seen the members of the new Special Operations Squad. While Eren, Mikasa, Jean, and Sasha were busy assisting Hange and Moblit with their titan-hardening experiments, Armin, Sasha, and Connie had been helping Historia plan and prepare for her coronation ceremony. Between Kenny's death and his duties as Captain, he had been far too preoccupied to check in on any of them.
"A few nobles offered to host coronation banquets in her honor," the Commander explains. "She has agreed to attend and has invited a few delegates of the Survey Corps to accompany her. We plan to show the attendees my plans to reclaim Wall Maria—"
"Is that really wise?" Levi's eyes narrow suspiciously as he interrupts him. "Given how easily our enemies have been able to thwart and sabotage our operations in the past with very little to no information, is it really smart to broadcast our plans so recklessly?"
"Which is why I'm having Armin Arlert draft a second set of plans completely independent of my operation." He smiles as he watches his friend nod in approval. "He's under the impression that his plans are to be unveiled at the gala so he's working tirelessly on them as we speak. They should be ready before the end of the day."
"I see. That just might work." Levi leans back as the one-armed man pulls out a folded parchment which he holds out to him. He crosses the room and accepts the paper, blinking slightly in confusion when he unfolds it to find a series of boxes surrounding a seemingly nonsensical jumble of letters and symbols. "What is this shit?"
"That is the complete guest list and seating chart for the first banquet," the Commander replies. "Hange and Moblit are working on the others as we speak."
"Fuck, how many banquets is she planning on attending?" Levi asks shooting the taller man an incredulous look.
"As many as it takes." A shadow crosses Commander Ervin's features, casting them in an ominous light.
"What's seven mean?" Levi asks pointing towards the character scribbled beside the poorly drawn crown symbol. The blond moves to inspect the character over the Captain's shoulder before reaching out to turn it upside-down forming an "L" instead.
"L is for 'Levi'." The smaller man scowls as their eyes meet.
"Your handwriting is shit," Captain Levi informs him bluntly. The Commander shrugs prompting the Captain to cast him an appraising look. "When was the last time you slept?"
"Quit stalling, Levi," Commander Ervin says returning to his desk. "The coronation is tomorrow."
"You and I both know that there are other people better—"
"She asked for you." The blond informs him.
"And why the fuck would she do that?" The Commander pauses as he reaches for his pencil, arching a blond eyebrow somewhat incredulously.
"Why would the soon-to-be queen request the protection and companionship of the man responsible for rescuing her and helping her rise to power?" Levi's sighs irritably at the blond's rhetorical question.
"You and Jaeger had more to do with that than I did." Commander Ervin returns his gaze to his map with a small sigh.
"The less that is seen of Eren Jaeger these days, the better for us." Levi shifts to face the Commander as he traces a protractor over the map. "The public still hasn't forgotten his involvement in the Stohess Operation. I'm afraid it will take resealing Wall Maria to convince them of his value."
"Ungrateful pigs," the Captain spits out beneath his breath.
"Surely this doesn't surprise you." When the Captain doesn't respond, the Commander decides to steer the conversation back to the original topic. "So, what will it be, Levi?"
"There are better things I could be doing with my time," Captain Levi replies tersely. "Besides, you of all people know better than to stick me in a room full of entitled nobles with sticks up their asses."
"I do?" Captain Levi shoots the blond an annoyed glare at this.
"Why are you so hell-bent on me guarding her?" The Commander leans forward to study his friend with a knowing smile.
"If I was hell-bent on you guarding her I would have ordered you to do it." The Commander chuckles. "Why are you so hell-bent on not doing it? Did you two have a falling out?"
"She's annoying." The Captain offers tersely.
"More annoying than the others?" Commander Ervin scoffs. "And just when I was beginning to think that they were starting to grow on you."
"I think…" the Captain trails off. "Never mind." Levi runs a hand through his hair with a tired sigh.
"If there's something wrong—"
"I said I'd fucking handle it!" He snaps.
Fucking Petra! What the fuck did she put in that fucking diary? He clenches his fists tightly as he resumes his post by the window, glaring at the falling sheets of rain.
"I just don't like it," the Captain admits after some time. He shifts his gaze to watch the Commander slide a ruler over the map. Crossing the room in soft, measured steps, he reaches out a hand, holding down the ruler for the one-armed Commander who gives him a grateful smile before sliding his pencil against the ruler's edge. When the Captain is sure that the Commander is finished with the ruler, he settles down unto the chair directly opposite him with a small sigh. "The same people that supported Rod Reiss and his cronies are expected to fund the expedition to reclaim the wall?"
"Premier Zachary and Historia have floated the idea of pardoning any violator arrested or otherwise implicated in violating Clause Six of the Charter of Humanity who donates to the expedition." The blond explains.
"Tsk. Fucking figures. At the end of the day, money can buy you a different set of rules to play by." The Captain scoffs, his tone laced with anger and indignation.
"I don't like it either, but it's our best option," Ervin Smith admits with a small sigh. "Right now, our biggest priority is recovering whatever Eren Jaeger's father left behind for him in that basement."
"Why can't the Queen just requisition the supplies we need from those greedy industrialists?" Captain Levi suggests with a dark scowl. "They've got more money than they know what to do with as it is, and I can't stand the thought of fattening their coffers. Even if it's with the gold of those traitorous pigs."
"We both know that doing that will turn the industrialists against her and we can't afford to take any actions that might alienate the people," the Commander explains. "Think about it, if we did that, the industrial guild would simply slash their workers' wages and terminate excess staff to make up for their lost profits. When the people lash out, they will cast the blame on Historia's orders, painting her as nothing more than a puppet for a tyrannical military regime drunk on its own newly-acquired power."
Although the Captain agrees with his friend's logic, he purses his thin lips in obvious annoyance as he turns to pace the room.
"Still…the banquet of nobles is too fucking dangerous."
"Which is why I imagine she asked for you." The Commander smiles as the short man's hands fall to his sides with an exasperated sigh. "Besides I don't think the nobles would risk assassinating such a beloved and popular queen who has been gracious enough to allow them to save face and vindicate their names."
"I guess…" the Captain trails off not bothering to finish his sentence as he heaves a resigned sigh. "As long as no one expects me to say anything nice to anyone."
"Levi—" Commander Ervin's tone is low and firm.
"I can't do it."
"Can't? Or won't?"
"Tsk! Whatever you like. All I know is that I'm not fucking dancing though." The Captain grumbles with a glare. The blond arches an eyebrow in mild amusement as he leans back to study the shorter man quietly. "I'm fucking serious." Captain Levi insists firmly crossing his arms in defiance.
"Did someone say dancing?!" Section Commander Hange Zoe asks cheerily as she and her long-suffering assistant enter the room carrying a thick brown envelope. She hands the envelope to the Commander who instantly slides it across the table for the Captain.
"Levi and I were just talking about protecting the queen during her engagements following tomorrow's ceremony," the Commander explains, leaning his back against the wall as he turns his attention outside.
"Are you going to dance, Captain Levi?" Moblit Berner asks mildly alarmed.
"Fuck no."
"Aww, you really should try it." The Section Commander pouts grabbing her lieutenant by the waist. She spins the flustered brunet around wildly before returning her gaze to her surly colleague. "There's really nothing to it. I could teach you if you'd like. I'm an excellent dancer."
"I don't dance with men." The Section Commander gives the Captain a confused frown as the blond rubs his eyebrows in exasperation.
"You and I both know that Section Commander Hange is female!" Moblit Berner huffs beside himself with indignation.
"Fine, then I don't dance with women."
"You danced with Petra at the—" Section Commander Hange scratches her head in confusion.
"I don't dance with lunatics," the Captain qualifies with a petulant scowl snatching the envelope off the table as he prepares to leave.
"Good, then you should have no problem waltzing with the Queen," Commander Ervin states with a firm nod.
"I refuse." The Commander taps his pencil eraser against the edge of the table in frustration as he meets the shorter man's gaze.
"This is much bigger than you, Levi. We cannot afford to embarrass the Queen."
"Then fucking have her dance with someone who knows how." Captain Levi snaps back stubbornly.
"Are you telling me that if she asks—"
"Fuck right I would." Levi interrupts, snapping his fingers for emphasis. "I don't see why I can't fucking protect her without fucking touching her."
"Fine, then at least think up a way to turn her down politely." The Commander settles for, bending to retrieve a fallen pencil from beneath his desk. Hange Zoe's shoulders fall at this.
"What the fuck is this?" Captain Levi asks abruptly changing the subject as his attention falls to the envelope the Section Commander had brought it.
"The program for the Queen's appearances tomorrow evening along with the complete guest list—"
"Don't worry, I already vetted all the attendees." Moblit Berner offers with an assuring nod.
"And the staff?" The Captain asks arching an eyebrow.
"All in there. Got sketches and everything." The Captain nods in satisfaction as he cracks the envelope open, peeking down at the sizeable stack of documents.
"I also included the blueprints of the venues with some quick escape routes and shortcuts—you know, in case you guys need to make a hasty retreat." Section Commander Zoe continues. "Everything you need to protect our fearless leader is in there." She lets out an exaggerated sigh before turning to the Commander, hands clasped together imploringly. "Can I pwease go play—I mean—study Eren now?"
No sooner had the Commander waved her away did the eccentric scout dash out of the room with a jubilant cry.
"Section Commander! For heaven's sake! Are you trying to pull your stitches?!" Moblit Berner calls, sprinting after his superior with a frantic shout.
"Get some sleep," Levi calls as he moves to follow them, pausing at the door to watch the Commander. Ervin Smith looks up at him with a sad smile prompting the foul-mouthed Captain to stop in his tracks. "What?"
"Nothing. I just wish…Mike and the others could have been here." Ervin Smith sighs sadly. "They deserved this too."
"No one said they didn't," Levi replies. The Commander shakes his head quietly as he squeezes his eyes shut with a small yawn.
"I know, it's just…sometimes it's hard not to feel like you've survived so long because…I'm going to turn in for a few hours." He announces with a small stretch shaking his head. "You should do the same." Captain Levi nods as he moves to settle down unto a nearby couch. "Are you sleeping here?"
"I need to go through this first," Levi replies, crossing his leg as he reaches for his letter opener.
"Good night, then." The door shuts quietly as the Commander retreats to his sleeping quarters.
The steady tick of the grandfather clock punctuates the muffled patter of rainfall outside as the Captain rips the envelope open, pulling out the stack of documents Hange and Moblit had prepared for him. He heaves a weary sigh as he settles into a comfortable position, his gaze straying to the crackling blaze on the hearth. Grayish-blue eyes narrow as he recalls that morning days ago when he had stormed into the smoke-filled kitchen seething at the trembling blonde.
He had nearly ridden his poor horse into the ground after he had noticed the ominous clouds of smoke rising from their hideout in the hills. Fearing the worst, he had burst into the kitchen, flesh-paring blades drawn only to find a wheezing Sean and Richard struggling to put out the burning pot. He sighs as he remembers how badly the poor blonde's shoulders had trembled when he had confronted her about the burnt pot, angrily backing her into a corner. Till this day, he will never know what had inspired such an asinine decision.
Shifting slightly in his seat, he slips his hand into his inner pocket, pulling out a torn envelope. The royal seal seems to glimmer in the amber glow of the roaring flame. Long fingers easily slide out the ornately designed invitation card. Printed at the front of the card is a large black and white portrait of a beautiful blonde seated upon a splendid throne. Grayish-blue eyes narrow in concentration as he struggles to reconcile the majestic figure before him with the earnest soldier he remembered.
She's changed so much. A proud smile tugs the corner of his lips as he stares quietly at the picture. They all have. I suppose the trauma of captivity can do that someone.
He recalls how she had scolded Eren in the cavern for whining about how hopeless their chances had seemed as rubble crumbled all around them. When he had been prepared to honor Eren's wish of sacrificing him for the chance of restoring the Founding Titan's abilities to its rightful place, it had been Historia Reiss who had resisted his idea pointing out the flaws in his reasoning while offering a better solution and explanation, not flinching even when Hange Zoe had pointed out the necessity of killing her father.
She even insisted on participating in the fight against her own father knowing full well how it must turn out. Even landed the killing blow to boot. Long fingers tug his dark bangs back as he recalls his final battle in the cavern with Kenny. In the moment he had powered through Kenny's attack, slicing the murderous fiend's side with a vicious slash, he had pulled back somewhat allowing him to escape with his life.
Heh. When it came down to it I couldn't even finish him off myself when I had the means, opportunity, and every fucking reason to.
The soft chime of the grandfather clock gently reminds him of the stack of documents in his hand begging for his attention. Returning the invitation card and its envelope into his pocket, he shifts his attention to study the complete guest list. When he catches himself rereading the first page for the eighth time in less than thirty minutes, he decides to return to his quarters for a quick shower.
"P-please, don't shut me out!" She had begged him in the cavern, pale eyes wide with longing and desire. "Don't walk away."
He clenches his fist against the wall as he empties the bucket of water over his head. Although he couldn't remember his exact response, he knew it hadn't been kind or remotely polite. Few words that passed his lips ever really were. A product of his rough upbringing and dismal life experiences.
Like that's a fucking excuse. He sneers as he reaches for a cloth to dry himself.
She grew up hated, neglected, and ignored. Fucking saw her bitch of a mother die. Yeah, but she didn't have to live with the nightmare that was Kenny.
His eyes narrow as he remembers the fiend's final moments by the tree. Lifting the cloth to dry his head, he wipes away the tears of relief and frustration threatening to fall down his cheeks. The sun's rays are streaming into his bedroom window when he returns to retrieve a fresh set of clothes from his closet. Wincing slightly from his still-healing injuries, he slides his button-up shirt up his shoulders, securing it around his frame with trembling fingers before running a comb through his damp hair.
A shudder runs down his spine as he remembers the procession of goosebumps her small fingers raised as they stroked the back of his neck affectionately. He recalls the softness of her flesh pressed flush against his hard chest, sky blue eyes half-lidded with wanton desire as his long digits penetrated her mercilessly. He recalls her cry of ecstatic release as she dissolved against the tree, muttering incoherent syllables to no one.
What the fuck…does she see in me? He wonders leaning forward to inspect his reflection in the mirror. A lifelong battle with insomnia had left deep, unsightly creases around his eyes, while his severe haircut, short stature, and vicious scowl only emphasized his austere features. He had never deluded himself into believing that any woman would desire him at all let alone enough to pursue him romantically without some hidden motive or agenda.
"Power," Kenny Ackermann had once drawled with a sinister chuckle. "Draws women in like flies to a big, steaming pile o' horseshit."
"You said it yourself," Historia had told him quietly that evening in the forest, pressed between him and a large tree. "The time might come when you'll have to choose between protecting me and Eren. Judging by your train of thought so far, it'd be safe to say that you're leaning more towards protecting Eren, right?"
That's right. He scoffs wrapping his cravat around his neck with practiced ease. She only came on to me because she was afraid I would choose Eren over her. Even Ervin said that she only requested me to guard her because she was afraid of an assassination attempt. But still…
He recalls how tightly she had clung to him as the cavern collapsed around them, how she had wrapped her legs around him with the audacious intimacy of one accustomed to such contact. The way her eyes always seemed to seek him out, searching frantically until they found him. Shaking his head angrily, he returns to his office, intent on distracting himself with the mountain of paperwork waiting for him.
"Oh, Levi!" Section Commander Zoe greets with an impressed gasp as she enters their shared office sometime before dinner. "Were you working all day?!"
"Something like that?" He shrugs pouring himself a cup of steaming black tea as he settles down on the couch with a lazy stretch. Grayish-blue eyes appraise the weary Section Commander as she stumbles toward her desk, plopping gracelessly unto her seat with a tired groan."Rough day?"
She nods, rubbing the back of her neck groggily.
"Remind me to never let Moblit dress my wound." She winces slightly as she lifts her sling off her shoulder, gingerly lowering her arm to inspect her lieutenant's handiwork. "Honestly, the only reason I even let him is because his parents are both surgeons." He finishes his tea wordlessly, rising to his feet. "Hey, where are ya going?!"
"Out." He shoots back curtly.
There's nothing to be worried about. He assures himself pacing back and forth in the courtyard, hands planted deep within his coat pockets. You'll just attend the ball and watch over her. If she tries to ask you to dance just let her down easy…if that's even what she has in mind. What else would she have in mind? Perhaps she really wants to just thank me. But then she would have invited the others too—this is fucking insane!
"Don't ya want to hear about my experiments with Jaeger?!" He pauses biting the corner of his lips with a conflicted frown as he lifts his gaze towards a nearby window. Although he is genuinely curious to learn any new discoveries his colleague might have made, part of him knew better than to expect a direct or even relevant response from Hange Zoe.
"Fucking write it in a report or something." He sighs continuing along his way before the eccentric scout could protest.
His eyes trail the blonde from his vantage point on a nearby balcony as she lowers her petite frame unto her knees, arms clasped meekly before her as she leans towards the official holding her ceremonial crown. He releases the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding with a long, shuddering gasp as the jeweled diadem touches her elegant, golden coif.
"Now presenting," the hairs on the back of his neck rise suddenly as he watches her gracefully rise to her feet pausing to courtesy at the man holding her royal scepter. "Her Royal Majesty, Queen Historia Reiss, the true Ruler of the World within the Walls!" The sea of heads gathered in the square bows reverently in unison as the young queen presses her clenched fist to her breast. Although he was too far to see her features he could imagine the somber expression she was wearing. He clenches his fist to his chest, eyebrows drawn attentively as he studies her.
"Long live Queen Historia!" The crowd bellows causing the ground beneath him to quake. Thunderous applause and deafening cheers fill the square below as confetti falls all around them. He brushes off some stray confetti with a small sigh before returning his gaze to the Queen below. An official has handed her her scepter and staff which she clasps in her tiny hands. His eyes narrow ever so slightly as he notices her golden coif shifting ever so slightly from side to side.
Is she looking for something? He wonders, leaning forward to scan the crowd gathered below his balcony. His breath hitches when a thought suddenly occurs to him. Fuck! No way! Can't be! Is she fucking looking for me? He moves back until his back touches the door leading out unto the balcony, concealing his small frame beneath the dark shadow of the ceiling and surrounding buildings.
When she finally abandons her mysterious quest, turning to follow the officials off the podium and into a waiting carriage, he heaves a sigh of relief before moving to tail her. Hands firmly planted in his coat pockets, he trails the open carriage's steady progress through the packed square.
"That girl defeated the titan bigger than the walls!" A reveler informs a nearby bystander with a breathless sigh. A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips as he passes by.
"No way!" The bystander protests in disbelief.
"Yes way. I was there in Orvud District. We all saw it with our own eyes!" A third spectator insists, joining the conversation. "There was a mighty explosion and she fell from the sky, landed on a cart and didn't sustain a single scratch!"
"She's a goddess!" The skeptic gasps clamoring to bow at the waving queen as she passes by.
"To have killed such a mighty beast, with such a tiny body…" the first reveler trails off wiping the corner of his eyes with a breathless sigh.
"She freed us from her father's tyranny and saved us from the titans!" A woman yells from atop a stack of crates on the other side of the street. "Long live Queen Historia!"
"Queen Historia! The true Ruler of the Walls!"
He is standing in the hallway eyes trained on the ground beneath him as he studies the shadows dancing in the late afternoon rays. Her gasp is the first thing he hears prompting him to lift his head ever so slightly. She is dressed in a simple, flowing white robe, similar to the one she had worn back in the cavern when he and the others had rescued her. She holds his gaze as he moves to plant himself directly in front of her. At first, he doesn't notice the other cadets gathered behind her, watching her expectantly.
She braves a tiny step towards him, small shoulders trembling madly as she bites back a nervous whimper. At first, he considers backing away or at least moving from her path in case she decides to kiss him once more. Deciding against it, he stands his ground, watching her mutely as she struggles to muster the courage to confront him. When she finally snaps and charges at him with a loud, drawn-out roar, he is understandably taken aback. Removing his hands from his pockets, he shifts in time to block her punch with his left side.
The cadets roar in shock behind her. From the corner of his eye, he notes the hint of a triumphant smirk playing at Mikasa Ackermann's lips.
"H-how'd you like that?!" Historia beams lifting her arms with a giddy chuckle. "I'm the freaking queen now! If you've got a problem—" A shocked gasp escapes her as he lets out a low, restrained chuckle in response.
"Thanks…" he murmurs with a relieved smile. "…all of you…for putting up with me and my shit."
"Uh…Captain," Jean Kirchstein steps forward, concern evident on his elongated features. "Are you alright? Do you need to lie down or something."
"I'm quite fine, Jean." Captain Levi replies before shifting his attention to the petite Queen. Lowering his head in deference, he extends his right palm towards her expectantly. "Shall we, your Majesty?"
There is another thunderous round of shocked gasps and disbelieving cries as the cadets watch the scene play out before them. He feels her small, warm hand gently slip between his long, calloused fingers and lifts his gaze. The sheen of unshed tears is evident in her sky blue eyes as she follows him. He turns to address the others briefly before leading her away.
"See you later."
"You came," she murmurs to herself in disbelief as soon as the others are safely out of earshot. "I can't believe it but you—I didn't think you'd come."
"For a second there," Levi pauses, shaking his head. "I thought you were going to kiss me." Her small hands cover her lips as she chuckles quietly.
"The thought did cross my mind," she admits with a sheepish shrug.
Author's Note: I was supposed to post this chapter on Sunday but got distracted with chores and other stuff. I'm very glad I waited to post it though because it allowed me to take out some things I was struggling with and move some dialogue and events around. Hope to see you all on Friday. :)