Eren Jaeger couldn't help but hum softly to himself as he worked; dusting the huge bookshelves that occupied his master's study was no easy task, but the soft tune was enough to keep him motivated. Armin used to sing this song all the time… I wonder how he's doing? Eren couldn't help but frown at the thought. Armin had been his best friend during his time on the streets. They would combine money to pay for food, hatch plans to steal if they couldn't, even sleep next to each other for protection and warmth. The fact that he had no idea where Armin was, let alone if he was alive, made his stomach churn.

"Oi, Jaeger. I thought I told you to get done quickly." The familiar voice of Levi Heichou rang through the air, nearly causing Eren to fall off the ladder which he was working from.

"S-sorry sir!" He said as he stepped down from the ladder. "There was a lot more work than I thought…" He turned towards Lord Heichou to see another man standing next to him. He was tall, muscular, and blonde; too well dressed to be a servant. "Um…?"

"Hm? And who's this? A new servant?" The blonde raised a thick eyebrow in Levi's direction, "Awfully young to be doing all this work, Rivaille." Levi ignored his comments and instead kept his gaze on Eren, who was analyzing the two of them.

"Mind your manners, Eren. Don't stare." Levi said in an annoyed, motherly tone. "This is Erwin Smith. He's a friend of mine as well as my business partner. Now we have some work to get done so if you wouldn't mind taking your leave, I'm sure Reiner could use your help in the kitchen."

"Now, now, Rivaille, it's never too early for a boy his age to understand a bit of politics and business." Erwin said, giving a charming smile towards Eren. "Besides, you weren't much older than him when you were given your family's business. Let the boy learn." Levi gave a small sigh of defeat, running his fingers through his hair irritably.

"Fine. You can stay, Jeager. Make yourself useful and serve us some tea while you're at it."

"Yes sir!"

"So," Erwin said, leaning back in one of the large armchairs and taking a sip of tea, "How has Petra been?"

Levi made an annoyed "Tch", "We're not here to discuss my personal life, Erwin. How is the situation in America looking?"

"Hostilities are growing. They're assuming a war will break out soon enough. A better question is… Which side are you going to throw your support behind?"

"Don't be so daft… I don't support either one. The one who can pay the most will get the firearms, if that's what you're referring to; I assume it'll be the Union. They have more industry than the south, but that also means they can make their own wares if they think my demands are too high."

After listening to their conversation go on for a few minutes, Eren's curiosity got the best of him and he spoke up, "Sir Levi, why do you care so much about a war in America?"

Levi couldn't help but appreciate the boy's attentiveness and innocence when it came to such topics.

"Because I, like many others, make money off of other country's misfortunes. In fact, I help start conflicts by supplying my firearms to rebel groups, military leaders; whoever pays the highest. I don't try to dwell on what cause I'm supporting because I honestly don't want to know, nor do I care. I refuse to let my feelings interfere with an investment." Levi said coldly, taking a sip of his tea.

Eren looked down, processing what he had said. "That's… that…" He trailed off, his eyebrows furrowing together.

"What was that, Jeager?" Levi raised a brow, glancing at the boy in front of him.

"That's wrong, Levi!" He shouted, blue eyes staring into grey ones, "You shouldn't just give away guns that could kill people for money; especially when you don't even know what for! It's just wrong!"

Silence.

After his outburst, the room, no, the entire manor was quiet enough Eren could only hear the sound of his own breathing. That's it. He thought to himself, I'm done for. Levi's going to kill me for talking back like that. Shit.

After a long pause, Levi sighed, "You're right, Jeager. It is wrong… but in a world like this you don't have time to stop and let your emotions interfere." He gestured his hand towards the door, "A brat like you wouldn't be able to understand. Why don't you go help prepare lunch?"

Without a word, Eren gave a small nod before walking out of the room. He stopped a few steps down the hall, his attention captured by a soft laugh that came from the study.

"Where on Earth…?" He could hear Erwin laugh, "Is that the boy you wrote about? I can see what you mean. He has fire in his eyes, that's for certain. If you don't mind my asking, why did you choose to save him when you did? It's not like you to just pluck common folk off the street to become servants. What's so different about this boy?"

Eren listened intently; finally the answer he had been waiting for.

"Tch. Helping filthy brats like him make for good publicity in the eyes of the people." Eren heard Levi say, "It's nothing more than a coincidence that it was a brat like him."

Eren couldn't help but feel disappointed. The few months he had spent in the manor had been some of the best since his mother passed away. A part of him wanted to believe Levi saw something in him that no one else did; though he knew now it was childish to think that way. Eren, his heart suddenly heavy, turned to go check on lunch like he was told, not wanting to hear any more.

"Although…" Levi added, taking a sip of tea, "His passion, however annoying as it may be, is quite admirable…"

"Sounds like you respect the boy."

"Respect? He's a servant, Erwin, don't be stupid. The most I do is enjoy his company. In fact, I may make him head butler… if he learns how to hold his tongue."

"Hm… I believe you're just lucky it was me and not her highness."

"Shit. Don't even joke about that."

((It's finally done. Uhg. I need to stop making such short chapters, but ya'know, school comes first. I decided to introduce Erwin before Petra because honestly I like him more. Eventually she'll show up, trust me. She's crucial to the plot and needed if we ever want to see Eren and Levi together. Also, thanks to all the reviewers. You really make me smile and keep me motivated. :'3 Hopefully school won't be a bitch next month so I can get the chapter up quicker. See you all next time!))