Imperial Affairs (Levi X Reader) AU

55. Out Of Your Mind

Reader's POV

I was woken up by a nightmare which was to be expected. I thought that because I drank so much last night, the consciousness of my brain wouldn't torment me.

...But it did.

I woke up gasping for breath because in the story that had played out in my dream, I was being choked by Levi who had a knife in his hand, trying to kill me with the Empress's murder mark. I just laid there, helpless and he stood there, merciless. In my nightmare, everyone in my palace left me because of what happened, thinking that I wasn't worthy of their respect and that my unstable future made their lives unstable as well. The North was invaded and taken over by the Empire's troops and I was sentenced to execution for smuggling people. I was hidden somehow but then, Levi found me.

"Shh," Erwin comforted my shaking figure by immediately getting up from the couch he was sitting on and coming to my bed, "It's alright."

"What...happened?"

"Your fever is worse than ever," Erwin said, ignoring my question.

"Please...tell me," I begged, "Is it all over? I don't remember...right now but...I just have that feeling."

"Marlowe checked you over," Erwin didn't answer me, "And he said that he found some strange substance in your blood that could be causing your fever to last longer. He is currently trying to find out what it is. Do you have any knowledge of it?"

"Must be the poison," I muttered, trying to recall last night's events.

"What poison?" Erwin's eyes widened.

"The poison I had to build my immunity to. I asked Reiner for it on the way to the North and I took some of it."

"Without consulting Marlowe? Seriously. What did I expect? How much did you take?"

"Can't remember."

"Alright, I'll ask Marlowe to stop with that test now-."

"Ah, right. I was publicly humiliated with my head being stepped on. Why the fuck am I still alive?" I finally remembered.

"Your Highness!"

"Just kill me already," Tears welled into my eyes.

"Calm down," Annie rushed in toward me as I guessed that she was standing somewhere in my chambers two seconds ago.

"What is there to live about anymore?!"

"You talked about a solution. How you could still be Emperor," Annie sat down on my bed as she held my hand.

"I will not be respected even if I do become Emperor," Tears started leaking from my eyes now, "I will be looked at as a power hungry usurper."

"You can't have everything," Annie squeezed my hand in a comforting manner, "For now."

"What does that mean?!"

"I will make sure that you have everything you need and want, soon."

"Lady Leonhart?" Erwin was confused.

"For now, just go back to sleep," Annie said in a soothing voice, "The world will be harsh to you for a while but for a while only. I will make sure that this nightmare of yours doesn't last forever. You should try to carry out your plan and I will fix your reputation, hmm?"

"O...kay," I muttered before falling asleep again.

I assume I was asleep for a few more hours before I finally woke up to the feeling of my head splitting apart.

"My head hurts," I murmured out to Erwin who was still in my chambers, sitting on the couch beside my bed.

"Your Highness was wasted when you came home last night. This was expected."