Chapter Eighteen
Queen Historia sits in a bathtub of steaming water, small knees pressed meekly against her bare breasts as a pair of maids gently spread generous amounts of lather over her body. Normally, the thought of someone other than the Captain or Ymir scrubbing her so intimately would have embarrassed her. Today is different. Her mind is elsewhere. Bright blue eyes flutter shut as she steadies the butterflies dancing in her stomach with a deep, calming breath.
It's going to be alright. It's going to be alright. Everything will be fine. Think of something else…
She leans back, waiting for her body to adjust to the water's temperature with a wistful sigh. The memory of the Captain's rough ministrations earlier that day returns to her, prompting the return of a familiar tingle in her nether regions. Biting her lower lip, she desperately tries to keep from imagining her lover's hands caressing her flesh as her maids begin to clean and rinse her body.
"All done, my queen," the first maid announces rising to retrieve a cloth to dry the blonde's body. The petite queen slowly rises to her feet, pausing long enough for the first maid to dry her off. They throw a silky robe over her naked form before leading her back into the bedroom to get dressed.
Queen Historia shifts to examine her reflection in the mirror. Growing up she had never had the luxury of owning a mirror, only ever glimpsing her reflection in window panes and water surfaces. And yet it hadn't taken her nearly as much effort to recognize her own reflection as it takes now. An unnervingly routine feeling of unfamiliarity strikes her as she sits blinking back at her wide blue eyes. She lifts a small hand as she studies her reflection intently, desperately trying to confirm it belonged to her.
"What did you think of the braid I styled for your coronation ceremony?" The first maid asks as she returns into the room. Her kind hazel eyes earnestly watch the blonde's reflection in the mirror expectantly. It is clear that she has been dying to receive some sort of feedback from the blonde but hadn't dared to broach the subject until now.
"I loved it," Queen Historia sighs breathlessly turning to address her with a beaming smile that somehow doesn't quite reach her eyes. Tears of joy gleam in the woman's eyes catching the blonde queen off guard. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to—"
"Not at all, your grace! It's just that we—the former queen never acknowledged our efforts or complimented us for any reason," the woman explains, sheepishly dabbing the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief her colleague had given her. "It was tough to know what exactly she liked or disliked. It was awful and quite tedious."
"Well, I know exactly how that feels." A sheen of sympathy flashes over her pale blue eyes as they fall to her lap. She is reminded of her own childish yearning to please and be acknowledged by her beautiful mother."Which is exactly why I will always go out of my way to commend those who do good and speak up when others do wrong. People take so much for granted, forgetting just how unsure and unpredictable life is. How precious each moment could very easily end up being."
"Wow," the second maid exclaims with an impressed sigh. "You look so young but your eyes and words…they betray a maturity of someone far beyond your years, your Majesty." Queen Historia turns to acknowledge her with a kind nod, flushing ever so slightly.
She suddenly jumps as she remembers the Captain waiting for her. Straightening up in her seat, she jumps once more as the maids reach to strip off her robe, flushing furiously as she calms down.
"Sorry," she mutters meekly. "I'm still not used to being dressed by someone else."
"That's alright, your Majesty," the first maid smiles back kindly. "You'll get used to it. Just give it time."
"Was it hard being a soldier?" When the Queen nods both maids gasp in excitement. "Sorry, it's just hard to believe that you were a soldier—one of humanity's protectors."
"How come?" Queen Historia asks arching an eyebrow.
"Forgive me your grace but your frame is a little softer and frailer than most other female soldiers I've seen," the second maid explains before adding. "My cousin's married to a female Garrison officer and when I helped her get ready for her wedding, she had trouble fitting her arms into the sleeves because they were so muscular."
"Besides, you're way prettier than any other officer I've ever seen."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Historia asks blinking blankly. She was still years away from understanding the dated and simplistic views of the upper-class and their attendants.
"Don't most women enlist because they are homely and have no promising marriage prospects?" The Queen balks at this, shaking her head slowly with a bemused frown. "Apologies, your grace." The blonde waves away her apology with an amused smile as they continue their work.
"What was she like?" Historia wonders as they help her into her night slip. "Queen Portia?"
"She was polite enough, but seemed rather cold and aloof," the first maid recalls with a shrug. "She rarely entertained or socialized herself, preferring her garden and books to the company of others."
"I remember her reading and writing a lot of letters, though," the second maid recalls. "I didn't think much of it but now it all makes sense. To think, she might have been communicating with her conspirators all those years."
"I wonder how much longer until they find her," the first maid sighs shaking her head with a disapproving frown. "I mean, honestly, she ought to just turn herself in to save face. I hear most of the nobles who cooperated with the investigation only got fines and placed on house arrest."
"That's true. If she keeps dragging this out by hiding she's only going to end up getting herself killed. Right, my lady?"
"Are some of her letters still here?" Historia wonders abruptly steering the conversation back to her predecessor's correspondence.
"She fled in such a hurry, barely had enough time to collect her things. Some of her letters are still here. I think she locked them in a drawer somewhere," the first maid replies after some thought.
"No," the second maid dissents shaking her head. "Some officers came for her the day her husband was arrested. When they couldn't find her, they took the letters instead. As evidence I imagine." Historia's eyes narrow at this.
"Where did they take them?" She wonders pretending to watch the first maid filing her dainty nails. "The letters I mean."
"Who knows?" The second maid shrugs. "With all the allegations of corruption and conspiracy flying around, I'm sure they took them somewhere safe and secure. Probably the Premier's personal vault in the Chancellery Headquarters. Best not to leave anything to chance."
Historia pretends to be distracted by the vibrant collection of ribbons and hair ties assembled within a nearby drawer as she listens intently, hanging on to her attendants' every word. In her mind's eye, she desperately tries to recall the path leading to Premier Zachary's office suite.
I wonder if Premier Zachary would let me see them if I asked.
"All done, your grace," the first maid exclaims with a breathless sigh as she and her colleague finally take a step back to admire their handiwork. "No matter how many times I see it, your beauty never fails to take my breath away."
"You're the queen now. Everyone will shower you with attention and affection for one reason or another. Power, influence, wealth, control, information…just a few of the things you have to offer."
She stiffens somewhat as she meets the maid's fawning gaze. Feigning a bashful smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes, she studies the woman suspiciously. Although part of her hoped that the Captain was wrong, deep down inside she sensed that he was right.
"Magnificent, your majesty!" The second agrees with a proud clap of her hands. The blonde queen graciously thanks them as she rises to walk toward her four-poster.
"Nelly, could you lock the door after you?" Queen Historia asks addressing the second maid as they lift the covers for her.
"Of course, your majesty." They lower the covers over her petite frame, tucking the edges snugly around her before departing.
"Good night, your grace." They bow in unison as Historia turns to acknowledge them once more.
Blue eyes watch intently as the door swings shut behind them with a firm click. The blonde waits patiently, straining her ears as she listens to the telltale rattle of keys followed by the grind of the locks sliding into place. She continues listening following the muffled sounds of their retreating footsteps as they walk down the hall. Once she is satisfied that she is alone, she slides out of bed, ripping the covers off her body as she falls to her knees and retrieves her uniform and omnidirectional gear harnesses from beneath her mattress.
Her fingers are fastening the last button of her shirt by the time she hears the faint tap on her bedroom window she had been expecting. Securing her harness loosely around her frame, she pads quietly towards the window to let Armin in. Her doppelganger greets her with a stilted nod as he lands softly on the carpet beside her. He follows her as she points to her nightdress lying on the bed.
"Thank you," she murmurs tapping his shoulder with an appreciative nod as she lifts a leg to climb unto her window ledge. He swallows audibly around a large lump in his throat as he reaches out to lift the flimsy nightgown. Blue eyes narrow hesitantly as he appraises his disguise, regret evident in his small shoulders.
The Queen scans the area around the window ledge carefully before hopping out as she finishes securing her harnesses. Satisfied with the familiar snug pull of her equipment, she aims her anchor at the rooftop and leaps. The cool night air whips the hood of her dark green cloak down, exposing her heart-shaped visage as she glides and swings towards the rendezvous spot.
The gentle trickle of a nearby fountain barely manages to drown the soft fussing of their horses as she lands beside her lover. As she straightens up, she feels him scan the heavens intently. She moves to mount her horse, raising her hood as he finally turns away, content that she wasn't followed. Their eyes meet briefly and she can barely contain her excitement as they finally take off.
She is twelve again riding through a vast open field, blonde hair flying wildly in her loose ponytail, listening to the steady din of hoof beats as she and her classmates whoop and call out in youthful exhilaration. It is the freest she had ever felt in her young life. The moment she had been truly reborn as Christa Lenz—darling of the 104th. She closes her eyes as she recalls the amusingly daring antics of Rainer, Connie, and Sasha on horseback.
"We're here," the Captain announces interrupting her thoughts. She slows her horse to a stop beside his, blinking up at a pair of imposing wrought iron gates. There is a soft rattling sound as a bleary-eyed watchman ambles toward the gate, lifting a lantern high above his head as he studies them with a small scowl.
He jumps back when he recognizes Captain Levi's austere features glaring down at him, hastily saluting him as he frantically unlocks the gate. They gallop past him and quickly reach the front steps of the stately manor where a pair of footmen greet them with salutes before ushering them indoors.
"Judge Schaeffer will be with you shortly," one of the footmen informs them as they enter the drawing room ahead of him. "Shall I get you anything to drink while you wait?" Historia shakes her head shyly, holding her hood closely to her face.
"We're fine," the Captain replies tersely.
"What a shame. And I had taken the liberty of calling for some tea." Historia jumps visibly as a vaguely familiar voice slowly approaches the drawing room. They turn to find Judge Schaeffer smiling at them from the doorway. "I have it on good authority that you are somewhat partial to black tea, Captain Levi."
"Good authority?" The Captain repeats with a listless frown.
"Lord Nicholas Lovof," Judge Schaeffer supplies as the footmen shut the door behind her. A small smirk tugs at the corner of her lips as she notices a subtle shift in the Captain's demeanor.
"Friend of yours?" He asks arching an eyebrow. The Judge shakes her head with a chuckle.
"Hardly. He was a former client of mine I helped with a spot of trouble some years back," she alludes with a smarmy smile. "Perhaps you'd heard?"
"Shall we get down to business?" Captain Levi sighs blinking sluggishly as he crosses his arms.
"Right." Historia watches as the Judge moves to settle down on a nearby couch, beckoning them to join her on the opposing chairs. "When will Commander Smith be joining us?"
"He's busy," Levi offers impatiently without further elaboration.
"I see. Well, then that simply won't do." She shakes her head with a soft chuckle. "I was quite certain that he understood the sensitive nature of this information. While I'm sure you are quite trustworthy in your own right, I was painfully clear that I would divulge Queen Portia's location to him and only him. Do send him my regards along with my apologies."
"Good evening," Judge Schaeffer's eyes narrow as Historia lowers her hood, greeting her with a small bow.
"Y-your grace?!" The Judge stutters rising to her feet. The blonde gently coaxes her back unto her seat with a timid smile as she settles down beside her. "I'm sorry I did not recognize you."
"That's alright. I'm sorry to barge in on you like this but I'm afraid I need your help."
"Anything, your grace." Historia's smile falters as the Judge leans forward to clasp her small hands. "Is something the matter?" The blonde shakes her head, casting an uncertain glance in the Captain's direction before looking away.
"I understand what I'm asking. Believe me, no one is more aware of the danger the former queen is in," Historia assures her softly squeezing the older woman's hand. "I myself having experienced something similar not so long ago." She twists her lips awkwardly into a pained grimace before shaking her head, dispelling unpleasant memories of her mother's death.
"Then forget about her. Ignore her and your subjects will follow. Acknowledge her, and the people will begin to harbor doubts, articulate suspicions—some might even act on them if they're so inclined." Stubby fingers squeeze the Queen's hands beseechingly as their eyes meet.
"Captain, could you excuse us for a moment?" When she doesn't hear him move, Historia turns to flash him a forced smile. "Please." He glances from her to the Judge, casting her an annoyed scowl before marching out of the room.
"What a scary individual," Judge Schaeffer mutters with an exaggerated shudder. "I suppose that's why you keep him as a bodyguard. A disagreeable face like that must come in handy." Historia's smile falters as she nods distractedly.
"I only keep him around for Commander Ervin's peace of mind." Historia is stunned at how easy the lie falls from her lips.
"I see." The Judge's features soften as she bites her lower lip ever so slightly. "How is Commander Ervin these days? I was quite aggrieved when I first saw that he had lost one of his arms. You know we were quite close as kids—before his father died that is. Everything changed after that. He became hard, distant and cold. Almost like a statue."
"I'm not very close to him. With the exception of Captain Levi and Section Commander Zoe, I don't think he is close to anyone." Historia admits with a shrug.
"He had a friend Mike Zacharias I believe was his name. Strange fellow. I haven't seen or heard much of him these days." The blonde's shoulders sink as a heavy sigh escapes her.
"He's missing in action. We think he might be…"
"I'm sorry to hear that," Judge Schaeffer offers quietly. "He seemed like a good man. Ervin was very fond of him. They were almost inseparable as cadets."
"How did you know his father?" Historia wonders with a bemused smile.
"Mr. Smith was a brilliant teacher. Back then my arithmetic skills were lamentable—still are—but at least not so much as to warrant remedial classes and a private tutor."
"He was your tutor?" The Judge nods with a wistful smile. "Was he as intense as his son?"
"Heavens no. I think Ervin inherited that from his mother. She was a reclusive and aloof woman. I met her once at her son's birthday party. She was fiercely protective of him and flew into fits of rage when she heard the other children teasing him about his eyebrows. Come to think of it, Ervin used to be very sensitive and outgoing before her death. I think they were close. After she died he became studious and reclusive like her, hiding himself in his father's study, only coming out to play if we stole his books."
"How did she die?" Historia asks softly.
"Smoke inhalation. She was a member of the Military Police and she got trapped during a fire. Ervin and his father moved away not long afterward but Mr. Smith continued visiting my family's estate to check in on me. When he died, I lost all contact with Ervin and only managed to get in touch with him after he became a scout."
The Queen's eyes soften as she folds her hands neatly unto her lap, pink lips drawn attentively as she studies the Judge's features and body movements. She instantly picks up on the fond sheen her brown eyes adopt whenever the Commander's name comes up and the delicate lilt of her voice whenever she refers to him.
Is this an act? Could she really have a thing for Commander Ervin? The blonde wonders quietly. Judging by her insistence on only entrusting the Commander with Queen Portia's location, she clearly trusts and respects him. But is it a sign of something deeper? No. Who cares if it is? Even if she does have a crush on him, she's much too smart to fall for such an obvious trick.
"Are you sure I can't tempt you with a tasty beverage to drink?" The blonde begins to shake her head flushing slightly. "Some wine perhaps? Or maybe some berry juice?"
"Actually, some berry juice sounds lovely." Historia smiles watching the older woman rise to her feet. With the Judge temporarily occupied, she seizes the opportunity to glean as much information as she can about her host. Thick, handsome legal treatises and tomes adorn every corner of the shelves lining the study's walls. A few gleaming plaques and award statues are prominently displayed throughout the room, chronicling the Judge's illustrious career.
"Who is Nicholas Lovof?" Historia asks catching the Judge off guard as she rejoins her with two glasses of berry juice. "I'm sorry, it's just that earlier when you mentioned his name, the Captain seemed familiar with him and I just wondered…" The Judge watches her with a sympathetic smile as she shrugs her shoulders meekly.
"Oh, so you noticed that too, didn't you?" Dana Schaeffer smiles. "Honestly, I'm not at all surprised by his reaction to Lord Lovof's name. Considering how badly their association ended."
"Association?" Blonde eyebrows rise in confusion.
"Tell me, how much do you know about Captain Levi. I mean about his life before becoming a scout."
"I know that he was an orphan and was a criminal for quite some time before Commander Ervin convinced him to join the Survey Corps." The Judge chuckles at this, shaking her head slightly as she lifts her glass to take a sip. Historia pretends to mimic her.
"'Convinced,'" she repeats with an acerbic smile. "What a conveniently sanitized euphemism for blackmail." When the Queen's eyes widen in shock, the Judge chuckles once more. "Between us both, I've represented some despicable human beings throughout my career. Murderers, arsonists, rapists…none of them make my skin crawl as much as Lord Lovof did. And that is saying something. He had been arrested on corruption charges when he hired me to represent him and he was also being investigated by the military police for the drowning of a young transient by the name of Yan."
"Was he guilty? Did he kill the man?" The Judge shakes her head, brown eyes narrowing intensely as they fall to the rim of her wine glass with a cynical smile.
"Not directly of course. He had his henchmen do it."
"Petty theft, grand larceny, arson, assassinations, kidnappings—back then, I did it all for the right price. No reasons needed so no questions asked. Why so surprised? Killing and maiming have always been like second nature to me. It's probably why I' so fucking good at killing titans."
"Was the Captain one of his henchmen?" The blonde asks silently dreading the answer as the Captain's words return to her.
"At a time he was, but only for a brief assignment. You see Lord Lovof had hired Levi and his goons to assassinate Commander Ervin. When the plot failed, Lord Lovof had killed Yan and the other members of Levi's gang who were privy to his involvement. He even tried to kill Levi at a time, before I finally convinced him to give up and focus his efforts elsewhere."
"I see. Was he ever punished for attempting to kill the Commander?" Historia wonders. The Judge shakes her head with a rueful frown.
"The Commander himself snuffed out any hope of that ever happening when he recruited Levi," Judge Schaeffer replies. "Think about it, how could we prosecute a man for hiring an assassin while ignoring the would-be assassin himself?" Although Historia disagrees, she pretends to nod in understanding as the Judge concludes her tale.
"Is that why you don't trust him with Queen Portia's location?"
"It's not so much that I don't trust him. It's that I really only trust Commander Ervin with this information." Their eyes meet once more. "You've served under him, so you must have experienced his unrivaled ability to make rational decisions even under the direst circumstances firsthand." Historia assents with a silent nod as she heaves a resigned sigh.
"Well, thank you for your time." She feels the Judge's gaze follow her as she slowly rises to her feet, pausing briefly to set her untouched glass down on the table before her. "I've really enjoyed our talk." As she moves to lift her hood, the Judge's hand snatches hers, prompting her to meet her gaze.
"She's not an evil person. This entire ordeal has really shaken her to her core." The blonde blinks silently as she explains. "Deep down inside she's just as frightened and confused like the rest of us."
"Do you think she can be reasoned with?" The Queen asks quietly.
"I believe so. But it will take time and a patient touch." The blonde blinks. "A touch I sense within you."
Checkmate.
"Will you arrange it, a meeting between us?" Historia murmurs earnestly reclaiming her seat with a conspiratorial glance over her shoulder. "In secret of course."
"I'm not sure about—"
"What if I came alone? All by myself. No guards. No weapons. Completely unarmed." The Judge searches her eyes considering her words carefully before nodding with a resigned sigh.
"It won't be easy but I'm sure I can manage that."
"How quickly do you think you can arrange it?" Historia asks narrowing her eyes.
"I'm not sure. A week or so…maybe two. Why?"
"I was just wondering. We don't exactly have a lot of time on our side." She bites her lips conscious of the older woman's gaze as she considers her next words carefully. "Commander Ervin originally gave this assignment to Captain Levi. I only convinced him to allow me to participate by promising him that I would get him quick results."
"Isn't there any way you can buy more time?" Historia shakes her head grimly.
"They'll know if I try to stall and they will freeze me out."
"Alright. I'll see what I can do. Can you give me four days?"
"I can't make any promises." The Judge nods in understanding as the Queen rises to take her leave.
"How shall I reach you?"
"I'll be participating in a tour very soon. A few of the nobles have offered to see me off in two days."
"I'll be sure to be amongst them." They exchange a secretive smile as the Judge bows her head, pressing her lips gently against the Queen's knuckles before releasing them. "Take care, your grace."
The sleeves of the Captain's dark jacket billow gently in the breeze as he leans against the wall, watching her descend the front steps with an inscrutable expression. She turns once more to shake the Judge's hand before moving to follow him as he marches to mount his horse.
"Well?" He asks dully the moment they are completely out of the Judge's estate.
"No luck," Historia lies shaking her head. "It seems she has a crush on the Commander and will only tell him."
"Then we have a problem," he informs her bluntly.
"Not really. We can just get the Commander—"
"No. I'll do it myself." He interrupts curtly cutting her off. She turns to regard him with a suspicious frown.
"Why don't you want the Commander to get involved?" She wonders arching an eyebrow.
"Think about it. If the Commander had time to deal with this shit he would have taken care of it himself. Even then, he would never have assigned me to do this in the first place if he felt I couldn't handle it."
Supervising Eren. Luring the Female Titan. Protecting Eren and I…Commander Ervin always gives him the toughest assignments because he knows and trusts in his abilities. Captain Levi knows that. He takes pride in it and fiercely protects it at all costs. He will not rest until he has accomplished his mission. He will cut down anything that threatens his comrades or his objective no matter how near and dear they might have been to him.
"So you don't want to involve him because you don't want to let him down." He ignores her, urging his horse further ahead instead leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Why am I crying? She wonders furiously blinking away her tears as she turns to study her lover's back. Guilt gnaws away at her as she imagines the deep frown lines creasing his deceptively youthful features as he urges his horses forward, grayish-blue eyes trained ahead in determination. More importantly, why did I lie to him? He's my comrade, my partner…my lover. And yet…
"I'm the man who raised him. That's right. Taught him everything he knows. Won't lie, it warmed my cold, dead heart to watch his reputation grow over the years, to watch him finally use them tricks I learned him to squirm out of my grasp. Levi Ackermann will come through them doors tonight. I know because I raised him to hunt down anyone who threatens his existence."
"Wassamatter? Ya don't see the resemblance? Ah, so shallow. Ya need to learn to look below the surface."
She recalls that dreadful night years ago when her mother's tearful pleas for her life had fallen on deaf ears. A shudder runs down her spine as she remembers the blur of Kenny's blade sliding across her mother's slender throat. Her lips tremble as she imagines Levi's austere features glowering sinisterly instead from beneath the brim of Kenny Ackermann's hat. Imagines his strong calloused hands holding her crying mother's head back as his other hand slashes by. She imagines herself kneeling in her mother's place tears streaming down her cheeks as she pleads and screams desperately for her life.
It could have easily been me. That could have easily been him. All it takes is one different decision. If Kenny hadn't abandoned him as a child or even if he had gotten to him before the Commander had, Levi would have been standing right there with him in front of my grandparents' farm, twisting my mother's arm behind her before forcing her to her knees.
A fierce scowl twists her features as she tightens her grip around her horse's reins. The sting of anger inexplicably rips through her as she watches the Captain's bangs billowing wildly around him.
For all her faults and eccentricities, Queen Portia is just as lost and helpless as I had been that dreadful night. Even now in light of that hateful letter, she doesn't deserve to die like my mother had. No one does. She deserves to be heard out. To be reasoned and negotiated with. Not killed and washed away like some inconvenient secret. She got into this mess mostly through no fault of her own.
"When it comes to people like Dana Schaeffer, you have to be a sheep amongst wolves wise as a serpent yet as innocent as a dove."
I'm just being foolish. She chuckles quietly rubbing the corner of her eyes as she shakes her head. She could have been lying. Trying to manipulate me and get inside my head the same way I was trying to get inside hers. Still…I have to know. I deserve to know.
"What's wrong?" He is watching her carefully as she alights from her horse. She begins to shake her head before catching herself, turning instead to meet his gaze.
"We need to talk."