𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 | 𝐀𝐎𝐓

Chapter 20

Three weeks have passed since Historia's coronation, and on a tranquil night after I finished bathing I found an envelope on my pillow. There were no signs of entry and I didn't hear the door opening or shutting, maybe they came through the window. I opened the small packet and averted my eyes as I stared at Margaret's necklace, there was no letter and no name and I glanced to the window to look at the moon, hoping that someday, soon, I can see her again and as an ally.

I put on her necklace and got changed into something comfortable to rest. Sighing in relief, I stared at the ceiling and got lost in thought. Historia has proven to be independent and responsible, Levi and I found ourselves being asked by the queen to aid in many rules she wanted to investigate and, if possible, eliminate. Grandpa requested me to become a captain for a new team of scouts, and although it would be an honor, I still had to think about it.

He spoke loud and clear, and I quote: 'with all that you've been achieving recently, it would be dumb to let this opportunity pass'. Grandpa still said that if I didn't accept that duty, he would place me as Official Regiment's Support, basically a step closer to Hange and just under grandpa's rank. I would keep an eye on the Scouts, Garrison, and Military Police in case they needed any help, provide plans, aid with any weapon or missions, or simply pass a message to Commanders or Captains. Needless to say, I didn't have a choice, and everyone was very happy for me for going so far, but not everyone wanted me in that position in the Walls, I am still a monster.

Putting that aside, Yadhi and Acay were busy bringing young orphans from the Undergrounds, and because of the military purge, humanity lost forces, but discovering the cavern beneath that chapel demonstrated to be useful because of the material. With Eren's hardening ability, a certain anti-Titan weapon was born to defend the Wall, and on my behalf, I tried to improve my Titan's ability to also work while not transformed like I did in the chapel to call Eren, but it resulted in me having breakdowns and bloody eyes. Levi and Eren quarreled many times because of this, and Hange had to send me to bed to stop them from striking each other, the last thing I want is for them to have problems because of me. After the rejection, Eren's been awfully gloomy and I tried to stay away from him with work.

Grandpa led us to the cemetery two days ago and surprised us with a tomb made for our grandfather. When I was young I remember him saying he wanted his family to not wear black at his funeral, so instead, I wore a long, white dress and cut a blossoming olive branch to leave on his grave, he loved these. That was the day Levi told me I'm beautiful and my shyness around him dissipated almost instantly, I was pretty sure he didn't mean to say it out loud, his expression said it all. There are moments in which I wondered 'when, how, and why', when did Levi start seeing me as something more than a monster? How did he arrive to that conclusion? Why me?

I heard a knock on my door and, with a groan, I stood and stepped towards it to open it. Speaking of the devil. "Don't open the door until you've checked who it is." Levi is as overprotective as ever, he just doesn't stop. The captain stares at me before letting his eyes gaze down and up. "And don't wander around with only a shirt and underwear." The weather wasn't unpleasant today so I decided to dress in something very comfortable while sleeping. "It's the middle of the night and I'm in my room, I don't think anyone will stalk me while knowing who I am." I flashed him a small smile and let him in, shutting the door once he walked in. It's nice being alone with him on nights like these, drinking tea and babbling about random things along with important scout stuff, but sometimes I just stare at him and ask myself if he wants to talk about... Kenny, or anyone in particular, I don't bring it up in case I overstep my limit. "That necklace, you've never had it with you." Levi said, and I took the cross of the long chain to stare at it.

"It's... A gift. From someone I haven't seen in a long time." I explained, glancing at Levi to find his eyes penetrating through mine with a dark aura around him. I shook my hands and panicked slightly. "I-It's not what you think...! It's not like that at all...! This necklace belonged to a woman I met while being persecuted by Kenny!"