ɪɴᴛᴇɴꜱɪᴛʏ [ᴇᴅɪᴛɪɴɢ]

——————

"I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing.
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing.
Be my mirror, my sword, my shield.
My missionaries in a foreign field."

——————

Levi and I were finally face to face. We were in his office, somewhere I haven't been for years. His face was blank, but with Levi, you could never tell what he was thinking.

"Want some tea?"

"No." I bluntly murmured, my tone hostile as I planned.

"Where are you taking the monkey, Levi." I asked, folding my hands over each other as Levi maintained eye contact with me, leaning back slightly as he did so.

"That's not what we're here to discuss. You decide to leave us for months, only to come back and expect no repercussions? Still an absolute fucking idiot, I see." He insulted, yet my face stayed tame, not depicting a sliver of emotion.

"Y'know, you're just like him. A more ruthless variant, but still just like him..." Levi continued, squinting slightly as his eyes were foxed on the oak desk.

My eyes widened and I understood the man he was referring to.

Erwin Smith, the devil incarnate.

"Just like him, huh?" My eyes softened at what I couldn't interpret to be an insult or compliment, just the fond memories of him made me feel safe.

Levi didn't bother to respond to my statement, so changed the topic. He didn't like to dwell on the dead.

"You and Eren are just as stupid as each other. Tell me, what the hell are you both planning?" Levi inquired, leaning over to get closer to my stoic face.

My expression remained unmoving.

"Nothing that matters."

Levi let out a quick "Huh..." and sat back in his seat.

Now, it was my turn to ask questions.

"What did you want to tell me before I left?" I folded my arms and hoped that his response would be anything that makes me want to stay.

"Nothing...forget it." He avoided eye contact and I accepted the fact he wouldn't tell me anything.

So we sat in silence.

A silence that was broken by another question from the ravenette.

"You and Jean?" he rested his head on his fists and just watched me, causing me to undeniably shake in my own skin.

I felt my body heat up as I relieved the memory.

But I didn't show any emotional response.

I had mastered the art of stoicism.

"Something like that." I stretched my legs, blatantly ignoring the elephant in the room.

"What can I do to make you stay? Did I do something?" His sudden outburst caused me to widen my eyes. I felt tears brim the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away before Levi caught them.

His eyes were narrowed and focused on me, as if he was reading me like a book.

But it wasn't his fault.

"I decide to move forward on my own accord. If I want to fight, then so be it. I'm not that little girl you used to protect, Levi."

No, Y/N, just stop talking.

But then I remembered the wise words of my older sister: Kiara.

"Remember this, Y/N: You are a Kingsman and you're of royal blood. You have enough power to live your life the way you find fit and stay true to whatever your heart's values are. No matter how much effort or sacrifices it may take. Never forget who you are."

That's right.

And I strive to protect everyone else.

I want to protect Levi.

So I'll have to push him away.

I stood up, and he mimicked my actions with wide eyes.

"There's nothing you can do. You're useless to me now. You're a slave, Levi. Unlike the Kingsman's, you Ackerman's are so emotionally bonded to the person you swore to protect, so much so that it takes a toll on your physical health. And don't think I don't know. Your frequent headaches, your sleep issues. They're all depictions of what makes your freedom limited. You've always been on my ass. Kinda like a thorn that won't go away. I hate you, Levi. So just leave me alone."

I lied.

Whatever bullshit I had just spouted out of my mouth was a lie.

It wasn't true.

I loved him.

That's right.

From the day I met Levi Ackerman, I felt somewhat romantically attracted to him. And if anything bad were to happen to him, I'd never forgive myself.

I shut my eyes and turned around. I wouldn't be able to look him in the eyes. I didn't have the strength to look at him.

It was silent.

"Turn around. Say that whilst you look me in the eyes..."

And I could've sworn I had heard his voice break slightly. If this was 4 years ago, I would've rushed to hug him. I'm just not the same person anymore.

"What? Mr. High and Mighty can't accept that I don't like him? Pathetic. Just shut up and leave me alone." I turned around to face the male, and at the mere sight of his expression, I could've sworn I would break.

His eyes were wide and glossy, his beautiful pink lips parted and his face devoid of colour. He put a firm hand to his forehead and spoke in a shaken tone.

"I...you...no. You're lying to me. This isn't funny, so snap the hell out of it." He returned to his stoic tone, yet I still detected multiple unwanted emotions.

Hope.

Fear.

Regret.

All of them imbued in Levi's seemingly cold voice. And they were emotions that only I could spot.

"You've always been on my case, Ackerman. I couldn't help but feel annoyed at the mere sight of you. I've always hated the hell out of you, Levi."

And that was all I needed to almost be brought to tears.

Levi stumbled back slightly and sat back in his seat.

I watched as he buried his face in his hands and decided to leave before I was rendered to nothing but waterworks.

"Wait...don't leave me..." I heard him whisper, it was virtually silent, yet I still felt my heart ache.

The guilt that enshrouded me as I left the room was incomparable. My heart felt as though multiple chains surrounded it, weighing it down.

But I still left.

Only because I had faith in Eren.

And I pray that his plan results in the long lives of everyone else.

1 HOUR LATER

I let out a disgruntled sigh as I went down the stairs to the jail that Eren was confined in. I vividly recall Eren being here that one day all those years ago when he was revealed to be a Titan.

I had managed to avoid everyone.

Hange, Jean, Connie, Mikasa, Armin, Levi (who was now escorting Zeke to wherever the hell he's being restrained in) and even Sasha. I knew the girl was feeling guilty.

Using my status, I was able to get myself down here. However, I was certain that this privilege wouldn't last forever.

As we speak, Premier Zachary was signing papers to get my Vice Premiership title removed. However, I left it in the hands of Jaegerists to stall the process so that I'd be able to deal him his last blow. On the other hand, Historia was due to give birth soon. I also knew that Hange was planning to get her to strip me of my royal title.

If that happens, I have no government authority.

But like I always do, I have it under control.

I'm hiding Historia somewhere in Wall Sina. And without her, who would take control over Paradis?

And that's where I come in.

I'll take the throne and free Eren.

I'll become Queen.

I remembered how hesitant I was to do it all those years ago.

But I've changed.

I once asked myself: who would ever wanna be queen?

But now I do.

And soon enough, I'll be the most influential person within the walls.

All I need is to execute this perfectly.

"Get out. I'll deal with it from here. And make sure no one comes in." I pointed my finger behind me to symbolise to the MP's on guard that I wanted them gone. They saluted, and without another word, scrambled away.

But not before I sneakily slid my fingers into one of their pockets...

I approached Eren's cell, finally getting a good glance at the man I felt like I've never spoken to before.

There he was, Eren Jaeger in all his glory.

His skin was bare, clearly missing a shirt to cover his well sculpted body. His sharp gaze was fixed on a mirror and his long, brunette hair falling messily onto his shoulders.

I felt my cheeks grow warm and before I could say anything, the brunette beat me to it.

"You ate the Warhammer without even telling me." He spoke as more of a statement than a question.

"I knew that if I would've told you, you wouldn't let me."

Eren turned to look at me before walking over to the cell door, towering over me as I looked up at him.

"Yeah, you're right. I wouldn't have let you." He huskily replied, leaning his arms against his cell bars, his emerald green eyes piercing into my own.

I felt almost frozen, my heart erratically beating.

Eren probably detected it.

"Come in. I saw you steal that key from the MP." Eren spoke, causing my eyes to widen before I began searching my trench coat pocket for the key I had stolen.

As I was opening the cell door, I heard Eren's voice.

"Why'd you kiss Jean?"

My eyes widened at the question, two people asking me the same thing now.

But then I remembered what Reiner had said.

"Even the coldest of men fell in love with her. Eren Jaeger included."

My breath hitched.

Was it true?

Did Eren like me?

"Spur of the moment, I guess." I pushed open the cell door before shutting it behind me again.

Eren turned his whole body to me, simultaneously tying his hair up into a manbun.

"Sit on the bed, Y/N."

And I sat.

My face was flushed red as I watched him approach me. I had no idea what he was about to say or do.

But I knew one thing: I felt a weird shade of comfort.

"I want to talk to you about something, Y/N."

——————

"For some reason I can't explain.
Once you go there was never, never an honest word, and that was when I ruled the world."

——————