Chapter Eleven:

The workshop buzzed with the sound of tools and machinery. Tiana was in her element,

her hands moving deftly as she adjusted the valves on a piece of ODM gear, her eyes

focused, her mind sharp. Demetri stood beside her, his sensors scanning the

equipment, providing precise feedback as she worked. Across the room, Isaac watched

her closely, his gaze filled with admiration and a hint of concern. He was always near,

always ready to assist, though today he seemed more vigilant than usual.

Levi, on the other hand, was a silent presence, leaning against the wall near the door.

His arms were crossed over his chest, his gaze sharp and unyielding as he watched

over the workshop like a hawk. His eyes missed nothing; every movement, every

sound, every slight change in the room was noted and analyzed. He was always on

high alert, especially when it came to Tiana. She was, after all, a valuable asset, and

they couldn't afford to let their guard down.

Tiana adjusted a final screw on the valve, wiping her brow with the back of her hand.

"Alright, Demetri," she said, her voice calm but focused. "Run the diagnostic. Let's see if

we've improved the gas efficiency."

Demetri nodded, his eyes glowing as he initiated the diagnostic sequence. "Running

diagnostic now, Dr. Belrose," he replied, his voice steady. "Calculating optimal gas flow

efficiency…"

Isaac stepped closer, leaning over her shoulder to get a better look at the gear. "You're

really something, Tiana," he said with a grin. "I don't know how you keep all these

calculations straight in your head."

Tiana chuckled softly, glancing up at him. "It's just practice," she replied modestly. "And

a lot of late nights with equations and coffee."

Isaac was about to respond when Levi's posture suddenly shifted. His body tensed, and

his hand moved to the hilt of one of his blades, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the

room. Tiana noticed the change immediately, her heart rate quickening. "Captain?" she

asked, her voice filled with concern. "What is it?"

But Levi didn't answer. His senses were on high alert, every muscle in his body ready to

spring into action. He felt it—a faint, almost imperceptible shift in the air, a presence that

didn't belong. He drew his blades with a swift, practiced motion, the sound of metal

ringing out sharply in the enclosed space.

"Get down!" Levi barked, his voice cold and commanding.

Before anyone could react, the door to the workshop burst open, and three figures in

dark clothing lunged into the room. Marleyan spies—Levi recognized them immediately.

Everything happened in a blur. The first spy made a move toward Tiana, but Levi was

faster. He closed the distance in an instant, his blades slicing through the air with lethal

precision. The spy barely had time to react before Levi's blade cut through his neck, a

clean, efficient kill.

The second spy was on Levi's left, aiming to flank him. Levi spun on his heel, his

movements a fluid blur of speed and precision. He slashed downward, cutting through

the second spy's arm, severing it at the elbow. The spy screamed, but Levi didn't

hesitate—he followed through with a swift, merciless thrust, driving his blade through

the spy's chest. Blood spattered across the floor as the spy crumpled to the ground.

Isaac, reacting to Levi's shout, had immediately pulled Tiana behind him, his eyes wide

with shock. "Stay behind me!" he ordered, his voice tense.

Tiana's heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. She had

never seen violence like this before—never seen someone killed right in front of her.

The blood, the screams, the sudden, brutal efficiency of Levi's actions—it was terrifying,

overwhelming. She clutched Isaac's arm, her knuckles white, her mind struggling to

process what was happening.

The third spy, seeing his comrades fall, hesitated, his eyes wide with fear. But before he

could even think of retreating, Levi was on him. He knocked the spy's weapon from his

hand with a swift kick and followed it up with a brutal knee to the gut. The spy doubled

over, gasping for air, and Levi grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the wall

with bone-jarring force.

"Who sent you?" Levi demanded, his voice low and deadly calm.

The spy coughed, blood trickling from his mouth, but he didn't answer. Levi's eyes

narrowed, and without hesitation, he brought one of his blades to the man's thigh,

pressing the cold steel against his skin. "I won't ask again," Levi said, his tone icy. "Who

sent you?"

When the spy still didn't respond, Levi's patience snapped. With a swift, controlled

motion, he drew his blade across the man's thigh, a shallow but painful cut. The spy

screamed, his body jerking against the wall. Tiana's eyes widened, her breath catching

in her throat. She had never seen this side of Levi—the ruthless, uncompromising

soldier who would do whatever it took to get answers.

"Talk," Levi ordered, his voice like steel. "Or the next cut will be deeper."

The spy, his face pale with pain and fear, finally broke. "Alright, alright!" he gasped, his

voice ragged. "I'll talk, I'll talk! We… we were sent by Marley. They wanted us to take

her—take Dr. Belrose."

"Why?" Levi pressed, his blade still poised for another strike.

"Because… because they know she's valuable," the spy stammered. "They know she's

smart—too smart. They think… they think she'll create something dangerous,

something that could be a threat to Marley. They wanted to take her before she could…

before she could—"

Levi's eyes were cold as he stared down at the spy, processing the information. He

nodded once, then glanced back at Tiana and Isaac. Isaac's face was a mask of shock

and anger, his hands still protectively in front of Tiana, but his eyes were wide, his

breath unsteady. Tiana, meanwhile, looked pale, her expression a mix of fear and

disbelief.

Levi turned back to the spy, his gaze narrowing. "Is there anyone else?" he demanded.

"Any more of you?"

The spy shook his head frantically. "No, no, it's just us—just the three of us. I swear!"

Levi studied the man for a moment longer, then nodded again. "Good," he said quietly.

Without warning, he slammed the spy's head against the wall, knocking him out cold.

The spy slumped to the ground, unconscious but alive.

Levi turned to face Tiana and Isaac, his expression serious. "Are you both alright?" he

asked, his voice steady.

Tiana nodded slowly, though her hands were still trembling. "I… I think so," she

whispered, her eyes still wide with shock. "I've just… never seen anything like that

before."

Isaac, his protective stance still rigid, looked at Levi with a mix of resentment and

begrudging respect. "I didn't even sense them," he admitted, his voice low. "But you

did."

Levi sheathed his blades, his expression remaining stoic. "That's why I'm here," he said

simply. "To keep her safe."

Tiana swallowed hard, trying to calm her racing heart. She looked at Levi, her mind still

reeling from the violence, from the swift, brutal efficiency with which he had handled the

situation. "Thank you, Captain," she said softly, her voice still shaking. "I… I don't know

what would have happened if you hadn't been here."

Levi nodded, his gaze softening just a fraction. "That's my job," he said. "To protect you,

no matter what."

Isaac's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He knew Levi was right, knew that without

him, things could have gone very differently. But it didn't make it any easier to accept.

Tiana glanced between the two men, sensing the tension, the unspoken challenge

between them. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Let's… let's secure the

workshop," she said finally, trying to regain some sense of control. "And figure out what

to do next."

Levi nodded, his expression serious. "Agreed," he said. "We need to make sure this

place is secure. We can't take any more chances."

As they moved to secure the workshop, Tiana couldn't help but feel a strange mix of

emotions—fear, relief, and a new, profound respect for the man who had just saved her

life. She wasn't sure what the future held, but one thing was clear: with Levi by her side,

she knew she was in good hands.

….

The tension in the room was palpable as Levi pushed open the heavy wooden doors to

the debriefing room. The scouts were already gathered inside, their faces a mix of

concern and curiosity. Commander Erwin stood at the head of the room, his expression

calm but alert, his sharp blue eyes fixed on Levi as he entered, Tiana close behind him.

She was still shaken, her face pale, but she held her head high, trying to maintain her

composure.

"Levi," Erwin greeted, his tone serious. "What happened?"

Levi wasted no time. "Marleyan spies," he said bluntly, his voice steady and cold. "Three

of them tried to infiltrate the workshop and kidnap Dr. Belrose. Two are dead. The third

is unconscious."

A ripple of shock passed through the room. Eren, sitting near the front, leaned forward,

his eyes wide with intensity. "Marleyan spies?" he repeated. "Here? Inside the Scout

Headquarters?"

Levi nodded. "They were after Dr. Belrose," he continued, glancing at Tiana, who stood

beside him. "Marley knows she's valuable. They think she'll create something

dangerous to them. They wanted to take her before she could do that."

Mikasa's eyes flicked to Tiana, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Are you

okay?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a rare gentleness.

Tiana nodded, though her hands were still trembling slightly. "I… I'm fine," she replied,

trying to keep her voice steady. "Thanks to Captain Levi."

Erwin's gaze shifted to Isaac, who was standing a few steps behind Tiana, his face still

pale with shock and anger. "Isaac," Erwin said, his voice commanding, "take the

unconscious spy to a prison cell. Make sure he's secured. We'll interrogate him further

once he wakes up."

Isaac nodded, his jaw clenched, his eyes still burning with frustration. "Understood,

Commander," he replied. He moved forward, giving Tiana a brief, concerned glance. "I'll

be back soon," he said softly, trying to offer her some comfort before turning to leave.

Levi watched him go, his expression unreadable. "We need to tighten security," he said,

turning back to Erwin. "If they got this close, they could try again. We can't take any

chances."

Erwin nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Agreed," he said. "I'll issue orders to increase

patrols around the perimeter. We need to know how they got in and if there are any

more of them lurking nearby."

Hange, who had been standing near the back, stepped forward, her eyes alight with a

mix of curiosity and concern. "Marley's getting bolder," she said. "Sending spies directly

into our headquarters… they must be getting desperate. Or they know something we

don't."

Armin, seated beside Eren, nodded, his expression serious. "They're scared," he said

quietly. "Scared of what we might be capable of. And of what Tiana might create."

Jean crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in thought. "What kind of thing do they think

she'd make?" he asked, looking directly at Tiana. "Do they really think one person could

change the tide of this war?"

Tiana shifted uncomfortably, aware of all the eyes on her. "I'm… not sure," she admitted,

her voice soft. "I've developed some advanced technologies back in Androsia, but I

haven't shared everything with them yet. They might be worried I could do the same

here."

Levi's eyes never left Tiana, his gaze steady and protective. "Whatever they think," he

said firmly, "they're not getting their hands on her. Not while I'm around."

Eren nodded in agreement, his expression intense. "We won't let them take you, Tiana,"

he said, his voice filled with determination. "You're one of us now."

Erwin looked between Tiana and Levi, his expression thoughtful. "Dr. Belrose," he said,

his voice calm but commanding, "you're going to stay with Captain Levi at all times for

now. He'll keep you safe. We can't risk you being alone, not with the threat of more

spies. Is that understood?"

Tiana nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. "Understood, Commander," she

replied, glancing at Levi. She felt safer with him, despite the cold, calculating efficiency

with which he had handled the situation earlier. She knew he would do whatever it took

to protect her, even if it meant being ruthless.

Erwin turned back to the rest of the scouts. "We need to be on high alert," he said, his

tone firm. "Everyone needs to be vigilant. If you see anything suspicious, report it

immediately. We can't afford any more surprises."

The scouts nodded, their faces set with determination. Levi turned back to Tiana, his

expression softer now, though still focused. "Stay close," he said quietly. "Don't wander

off."

Tiana nodded again, feeling the weight of the situation settle over her. She wasn't used

to feeling this vulnerable, this exposed. But with Levi by her side, she felt a little more

grounded, a little more secure.

Isaac returned then, his face tight with frustration but his posture firm. "The spy's

secured, Commander," he reported. "He won't be going anywhere."

Erwin nodded in approval. "Good," he said. "We'll need to question him thoroughly. Find

out how they got in, who else might be involved."

Isaac's eyes flicked to Tiana, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "I'm sorry, Tiana," he

said softly, his voice filled with regret. "I should have been more alert. I should have

seen them coming."

Tiana shook her head, offering him a small, reassuring smile. "It's okay, Isaac," she said

gently. "You couldn't have known. And we're safe now. That's what matters."

Isaac nodded, though his expression remained troubled. He looked over at Levi, a

mixture of respect and resentment in his gaze. "Thank you, Captain," he said, his tone

begrudging but sincere. "For protecting her."

Levi nodded, his expression calm. "Just doing my job," he replied. "But we all need to be

better prepared next time."

Tiana glanced between the two men, sensing the underlying tension. She took a deep

breath, trying to steady herself. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice carrying a weight

of sincerity. "Both of you. I… I know this isn't easy, but I appreciate everything you're

doing."

Erwin stepped forward, his expression firm but encouraging. "We're all in this together,"

he said. "And we'll get through it together. Stay alert, stay focused. And most

importantly, stay safe."

The scouts nodded, their resolve clear in their faces. Levi glanced at Tiana, his gaze

softening just a bit. "Come on," he said quietly. "Let's get you out of here."

Tiana nodded, following him as he led her out of the room. She could feel the weight of

their eyes on her, the concern, the curiosity, the unspoken questions. But she knew one

thing for certain: with Levi by her side, she felt a little stronger, a little more prepared to

face whatever came next. And perhaps, just perhaps, she was beginning to understand

the man behind the stoic mask—a man who was more than just a soldier, but a

protector, a guardian, and maybe even… a friend.

….

As Levi and Tiana left the room, a heavy silence settled over the scouts. For a moment,

no one spoke, the weight of what had just happened hanging in the air. The reality of

Marleyan spies infiltrating their headquarters was a stark reminder of the danger they

were all in—a reminder that no place was truly safe, not even within their own walls.

Finally, Jean broke the silence, his voice low and tense. "So, Marley's coming after our

allies now," he said, shaking his head. "They must be desperate."

Eren, still seated near the front, nodded, his expression grim. "Desperate or smart," he

replied. "They know how valuable Tiana is. They know what she could do. They're

scared of what we might accomplish with her help."

Mikasa crossed her arms, her gaze focused on the door through which Levi and Tiana

had just exited. "They won't stop coming," she said quietly. "Not as long as they see her

as a threat."

Hange, leaning against the wall, tapped her chin thoughtfully. "And she is a threat," she

mused. "A brilliant mind like hers, with the right resources behind her… she could

change the game. I can see why Marley's worried."

Armin, always the strategist, nodded in agreement. "We have to be smarter," he said.

"We need to protect our assets—Tiana, our technology, everything. If Marley thinks they

can just walk in and take what they want, we need to show them they're wrong."

As the conversation continued, Isaac stood near the back of the room, his face tight with

frustration. He was furious, a deep, simmering anger that he was struggling to contain.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles white, his jaw set in a hard line. He couldn't shake

the image of Levi cutting down those spies with ruthless efficiency, the way he had

stepped in and protected Tiana without hesitation.

He hated to admit it, but Levi had proven himself. He had done exactly what Isaac had

failed to do—sense the danger, act swiftly, and protect Tiana without a second thought.

Isaac's heart burned with jealousy, a mix of resentment and inadequacy swirling in his

chest.

"I should have been the one to protect her," Isaac muttered under his breath, his voice

low but filled with frustration.

Jean, overhearing him, glanced over with a frown. "What are you talking about, Isaac?"

he asked. "You didn't even see them coming. Captain did. He's the reason Tiana's safe

right now."

Isaac's scowl deepened, and he shot Jean a glare. "I know that," he snapped. "I just… I

should have been more alert. I should have been the one to step in, not him."

Connie, standing nearby, shook his head, his expression serious. "Look, Isaac, I get it,"

he said. "You care about Tiana. But Captain Levi's the best at what he does. We all

know that. You should be glad he was there. I mean, he saved her life."

Isaac gritted his teeth, his frustration only growing. "I know," he repeated, his voice tight.

"But… it doesn't mean I have to like it."

Sasha, ever the peacemaker, tried to offer some comfort. "Hey, you did your best," she

said gently. "And you did protect her, in your own way. You pulled her back, kept her out

of harm's way."

Isaac glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. "Yeah, I guess," he muttered.

"But it doesn't feel like enough."

Eren, always direct, spoke up, his tone firm. "Captain Levi's not doing this because he

wants to show off or make anyone look bad," he said. "He's doing it because it's his job.

Because he's the best at it. And right now, we need the best."

Mikasa nodded in agreement. "We need to focus on what's important," she said.

"Keeping Tiana safe, keeping ourselves safe. Captain's proven he can do that. We

should be grateful."

Isaac let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing a hand over his face. He knew they were right.

He knew Levi was the best person to protect Tiana, that he had done exactly what

needed to be done. But it didn't make it any easier to accept. He cared about Tiana

deeply—more than he cared to admit—and seeing someone else step in, someone else

be the hero, it stung.

Armin, noticing Isaac's turmoil, approached him with a calm, understanding expression.

"Isaac," he said gently, "we're all on the same side here. We all want to protect Tiana, to

protect each other. Levi's not your enemy. He's just doing what he's always done—what

he's best at. And right now, that's what we need."

Isaac nodded slowly, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "I know,"

he said quietly. "I know he's not the enemy. I just… I just wish I could do more. Be

more."

Jean clapped Isaac on the back, offering a reassuring smile. "Hey, we all do," he said.

"But you're doing fine, Isaac. We're all in this together. And right now, that means

trusting Levi to do what he does best."

Isaac managed a small nod, though the frustration still lingered in his eyes. He glanced

at the door again, his thoughts turning back to Tiana, to the way she had looked at Levi,

the way she had relied on him, trusted him. He wanted to be that for her, to be the one

she turned to, the one she trusted most. But maybe, for now, it was enough just to be by

her side, to support her in any way he could.

As the scouts continued to discuss their next steps, Isaac took a deep breath, trying to

push his jealousy aside. He knew he had a role to play, just like everyone else. And

maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to prove himself, to show that he was just as

capable, just as dedicated as Levi.

For now, he would wait. He would watch. And he would be ready, just like the rest of

them, for whatever came next.

…

Levi escorted Tiana through the corridors back toward her room, his eyes constantly

scanning their surroundings. The events in the workshop had put him on high alert, and

he wasn't about to let his guard down. Not with Marleyan spies sneaking into their

headquarters. Not with Tiana as their target.

Tiana walked beside him, still trying to process everything that had happened. The

sudden attack, the swift, brutal efficiency with which Levi had dispatched the spies—it

was all so overwhelming. And now, as she followed Levi back to her quarters, she felt a

mix of emotions: gratitude for his protection, a lingering fear of what might happen next,

and a strange, nervous anticipation.

When they reached her door, Levi stopped and turned to her, his expression serious.

"Wait here," he said, his voice low but firm. "I need to check your room. Make sure it's

secure."

Tiana nodded, understanding his concern. "Okay," she agreed softly, stepping aside to

let him enter first.

Levi pushed the door open and stepped inside, his eyes immediately scanning the

space for any signs of intrusion or danger. The room was as he expected—small, with

just a bed, a desk, a few shelves and Tiana's personal decorations. But as his gaze

moved over the room, he noticed something that made him pause.

Tiana's room was… messy. Her bed was unmade, the blankets tangled in a heap. Her

makeup was sprawled out across her desk, tubes and brushes scattered haphazardly.

Blueprints were strewn across the floor, a chaotic mess of papers and sketches. And on

her nightstand, glaringly obvious, was a book with a rather provocative cover—a spicy

romance novel with a title that left little to the imagination.

Tiana, following Levi into the room, saw his eyes land on the book, and her heart sank.

Her face flushed with embarrassment as she realized what he was looking at. "Oh, no,"

she muttered under her breath, feeling mortified. She had been in such a rush that

morning, she hadn't even thought about tidying up, and now Levi—Captain Levi, the

cleanest, most fastidious person she'd ever met—was seeing her room in this state.

Levi's expression remained neutral, but Tiana could see the slight twitch in his eye, the

way his hand flexed at his side. His gaze moved from the book to the makeup on the

desk, then to the blueprints on the floor. She could practically see the gears turning in

his head, his instinctual need for order and cleanliness kicking into overdrive.

Without a word, Levi moved to the desk, starting to tidy up the scattered makeup. He

picked up a tube of mascara, carefully placing it back in its spot, then moved on to the

brushes, lining them up neatly. Tiana stood frozen, watching him with a mix of disbelief

and horror.

"Captain, you don't have to—" she began, but Levi cut her off with a quick, efficient

motion.

"It's fine," he said curtly, his tone brooking no argument. "I can't focus if things are out of

order."

Tiana blinked, still flabbergasted. "But… this is my room," she said, trying to sound

reasonable. "I mean, it doesn't have to be perfect…"

Levi glanced at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "A clean environment is a safe

environment," he said firmly. "We don't know how they got in, or if there's more of them.

I need to be sure there's no place for anything—or anyone—to hide."

He moved to the blueprints on the floor, kneeling down to gather them into a neat stack.

Tiana's cheeks burned with embarrassment. She couldn't believe this was happening.

Not only had Levi seen her room in this state, but he was actually cleaning it for her.

And then there was the book…

She glanced at the romance novel on her nightstand, feeling a fresh wave of

mortification. The cover was bold, depicting a shirtless man holding a swooning woman

in a rather dramatic pose. The title, "Passions of the Midnight Marquis," was

emblazoned in a flamboyant script, leaving no doubt about the book's contents.

Tiana hurried over, snatching the book off the nightstand and trying to hide it behind her

back. "I, um… I didn't have time to put things away this morning," she said quickly, her

voice a bit higher than usual. "I was in a rush."

Levi looked up from the floor, his eyes briefly flicking to the book she was trying to hide,

then back to her face. "You should make time," he said, his tone calm but firm. "A

cluttered room is a distraction."

Tiana swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure. "Right, of course," she murmured,

feeling like a chastised child. She could feel her face burning, and she wished she could

just disappear.

Levi stood, the blueprints now neatly stacked in his hand. He placed them on her desk,

then turned to face her fully. "Anything that could cause a distraction should be put

away," he said, his eyes briefly glancing at the book she was still clutching behind her

back.

Tiana nodded quickly, desperate to change the subject. "I'll… I'll take care of it," she

promised, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Captain."

Levi nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. "I'll be outside," he said. "Make

sure you lock the door when you're inside. And if you need anything, call me. I'll be right

here."

Tiana nodded again, grateful for his concern, even if it was wrapped in his usual blunt,

no-nonsense manner. "I will," she said softly. "Thank you, Captain."

Levi gave her a final nod, then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Tiana let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her heart still racing. She

looked around her now-tidy room, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and relief.

She glanced down at the book in her hand, the cover now half-creased from her tight

grip. She sighed, placing it back on the nightstand, this time face down. "Well," she

muttered to herself, "that was… something."

She moved to the desk, straightening the remaining items Levi hadn't gotten to, her

mind still buzzing with the events of the day. Levi had been so focused, so intense, yet

there had been a softness in his eyes when he'd looked at her, a hint of something she

couldn't quite name.

As she began to tidy up the last of her things, she couldn't help but wonder what it was

that made Levi so protective, so driven to keep her safe. She wasn't used to someone

being so… attentive. And while it was sometimes overwhelming, there was also a

comfort in knowing he was there, watching over her.

She glanced at the door, half-expecting him to burst back in with another order or

observation. But the hallway remained quiet, the heavy wood door firmly closed. She

took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Whatever else happened, she

knew one thing for certain: Captain Levi Ackerman was unlike anyone she had ever

met. And that, more than anything, left her feeling both intrigued and oddly reassured.

…

Tiana lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, the events of the day playing over and

over in her mind like a relentless reel. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a

lantern on her desk, casting faint, flickering shadows across the walls. She had pulled

the blankets up to her chin, trying to find some comfort in their warmth, but her thoughts

were too chaotic, too tangled to allow her any real rest.

She had seen death before—the aftermath of battles, the injuries of soldiers—but today

had been different. Today, she had seen Levi kill two people right in front of her. It had

happened so quickly, so efficiently, that she barely had time to register it until it was

over. The memory was vivid in her mind: the swift arc of Levi's blades, the sudden spray

of blood, the sharp, finality of the two spies crumpling to the ground.

She should have been horrified. She should have been terrified. But instead, she

couldn't stop thinking about how… hot Levi had looked. The intensity in his eyes, the

precision of his movements, the way he seemed so completely in control of everything

around him—it was both terrifying and undeniably attractive. She felt a blush creeping

up her cheeks just thinking about it.

"What is wrong with me?" she whispered to herself, rolling over onto her side, her face

half-buried in her pillow. Here she was, lying in bed, after one of the most intense,

dangerous days of her life, and all she could think about was how good Levi had looked

while fighting. How his muscles had tensed under his shirt, how his eyes had burned

with a fierce determination that sent shivers down her spine.

She was down so bad for him. It was embarrassing. He probably didn't even see her as

a woman. To him, she was just a mission—someone he had to protect, like a child who

needed babysitting. She could almost hear his voice in her head, calm and

commanding: *"Stay close. Don't wander off. Keep yourself safe."*

She sighed, rolling onto her back again, staring up at the ceiling. "He probably sees me

as some little girl he has to look after," she muttered. "Someone who needs protecting,

not… not someone he could actually be interested in."

But the truth was, Tiana had never felt more alive than when Levi was near. He made

her feel… something. She wasn't even sure what it was. A strange mix of safety and

excitement, a thrill that coursed through her whenever he was around. She had always

been focused on her work, on her inventions, her ideas. Romance had been a distant

thought, something she'd read about in her books but never really experienced herself.

She had a few short flings here and there but never anything serious. But now… now

she found herself thinking about it more and more.

She couldn't help but wonder what Levi thought of her. Did he see her as just another

person he had to protect? Or was there something more? She had seen a hint of

softness in his eyes today, a brief moment where his usual stoic expression seemed to

soften, to become almost… tender. But maybe she was just imagining it. Maybe it was

just wishful thinking.

She sighed again, closing her eyes, trying to push the thoughts away. "I need to stop

thinking about this," she told herself firmly. "He's my bodyguard. That's all. Nothing

more."

But even as she said it, she couldn't quite convince herself. There was something about

him that drew her in, something that made her heart race and her thoughts whirl. She

wasn't sure what it was, but she knew one thing for certain: Captain Levi was more than

just a guard. He was a mystery, a challenge, and perhaps, just perhaps, something

more.

As she drifted between wakefulness and sleep, her thoughts kept returning to him, to

the way he had looked at her, the way he had moved, the way he had fought. She

couldn't help but smile, a small, secret smile, as she finally began to drift off to sleep,

her last thought a quiet, hopeful whisper in the back of her mind: Maybe, just maybe…

he sees me too.