𝑰𝑵 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑵𝑫 - Levi Ackerman [2]

ten

10|two years prior

Lillian stood beside her husband on the newly built port, watching the group in front of her cautiously. Her white medical coat stuck out from the Scouts dressed in their military coats.

"Eren, I haven't seen you since you lifted our ship a whole year ago." Yelena said excitedly when she saw the Titan Shifter, lifting her hand to shake his. "I'm honoured to work with you."

"No, you won't be working together. You're lucky enough to see his face." Levi stepped in front of the boy protectively.

"Plenty enough for me. Today will be a joyous day." The woman replied with a wide smile. The port is complete and we're welcoming our first outside visitor. From Paradis Island's sole friendly nation, Hizuru. Special Envoy, Kiyomi Azumabito."

The group moved to the assembly hall, Historia joining them. Mikasa and Eren stood before them, greeting Kiyomi Azumabito while Levi, Hange, Lillian and Historia stood behind them.

"Do you recognise this family crest?" Kiyomi Azumabito presented a cloth with a small crest on it. Lillian instantly recognised it, her eyes darting to Mikasa.

"That's..." Mikasa trailed off, holding her wrist where the scar rested.

"Show it Mikasa." Eren whispered to the girl.

"But my mum said to keep it a secret." She mumbled back, glancing at Lilly who nodded encouragingly at her.

"You showed it to me when we were little. It's a secret meant for today." He continued to encourage her causing her to reluctantly cave. "Go on."

"Before she died, this symbol was passed down to me from my mother." Mikasa revealed the scar on her wrist. "She said I should pass it on to my child."

"What an admirable deed!" Kiyomi cried, grabbing the girls shoulders. "Over a century ago, the shogun we Azumabitos descended from a son. He was on friendly terms with King Fritz and often came to Paradis. After the Great Titan War, Hizuru was defeated and in disarray. In the confusion, a child of the shogunate was left behind on the island. You're the lost descendent of our nation's ruler! You're the hope of Hizuru."

The military moved out into the halls, letting the Hizuru settle down on to the tables.

"Wow, I've had to babysit two sets of royalty." Lillian chuckled, nudging Hange with a grin. "I must be special."

"One thing is for certain: the sea has joined us to the world, but we're still just a child learning to walk." Pixis spoke up after overhearing some Garrisons talk amongst themselves. "We should sit quiet and hear what others have to say."

The doors opened, everyone re-entering the room. Lillian sat beside her husband and Historia, sending funny looks to Historia even if they were in an important meeting.

"It's a historic day for both our nation's." Kiyomi Azumabito began the meeting. "Today is only possible thanks to the one who brought us together, Zeke Jaeger. After meeting with him in secret, we agreed to an arrangement under the condition we were able to meet Lady Mikasa. Zeke Jaeger said if we cooperate with him, our nation may just helm an industry that restores it to it's former glory. And yet, he hasn't even prospected your reserves. But a resource like that in this age of modernisation would be worth its weight in jewels and treasure."

"And? What exactly is the arrangement you have with Zeke Jaeger?" Historia questioned from her position at the head of the table.

"As you know, Zeke Jaeger has a secret plan in mind." The woman continued to explain. "To achieve it, Hizuru's cooperation is needed. Here are his three points to protect Paradis with the rumbling. The first is a test run of the rumbling to release a sample of its power and show the world it's devastation. Next is Hizuru's cooperation. Your military must be strengthened until use of the rumbling isn't necessary. Lastly, the Founding Titan and a Titan with royal blood must be passed down. That's the third point. Zeke will pass on the Beast Titan to someone of royal blood. Until their thirteen year term ends, they must bear as many children as possible."

"Very well. I will inherit the Beast Titan." Historia agreed much to Lillian's dismay. Levi held his wife down before she did or said anything that could jeopardise the plan. "As long as the rumbling is tied to our survival."

"After years of getting trampled on, now we've gotta breed like livestock?" Eren seethed as he stood up. "If that is the price of getting to live, Zeke Jaeger can take his damn plan and shove it! It's too dangerous to gamble on having the rumbling. We need to spend our time exploring what other options are available to us."