Imperial Affairs (Levi X Reader) AU

57. A Secret Hidden...

Reader's POV

"Shh," I heard a gentle voice as I recognised the owner but didn't understand why her voice was so soft at this moment, "It's alright."

"Y...mir?" I croaked.

"Yeah, it's me. Now, don't cry. I'm here, okay?" Ymir was surprisingly gentle as she sat on my bed, my head down to my torso in her lap and arms.

"What...happened? What...now?"

"It's nothing," Ymir reassured me but I could hear the hesitance behind her answer, "You just have another small fever, that's all."

"It hurts. Everything hurts. My bones feel hollow. My muscles can't keep me warm. My heart is hurting. My head is hurting. My windpipe feels like it's covered in thorns."

"Must be your smoking, then."

"It's not," Tears brimmed in the corner of my eyes as I called for the person who was more of an actual parent to me than my real ones, "Where's...Erwin?"

"He's...busy."

"Please Ymir," I choked out, "Tell me. What happened? Where's Erwin? Marlowe? Niccolo?"

"Why do you always make it so difficult for me? Ugh, he asked me to not tell you and you're making me break my promise now. I'm telling you, if there are consequences for me answering your question then you have to protect me," Ymir sighed.

"Okay," I agreed, "Now, please tell me."

"We don't know what happened to you," I could feel that Ymir was telling the truth now, "When Erwin was making a round at night because he couldn't sleep, he heard screaming from your chambers and you were having nightmares and burning up. It could just be the effect of all the alcohol when you are already sick because of your trip back from the North and the poison that you took without permission but we weren't sure because your condition right now is very bad so Marlowe took some more of your blood to test it," Ymir showed me the swollen area near the front side of my elbow, "And now that you are describing how you're feeling, it seems like it's anything but a simple fever."

"What?" I couldn't believe what was happening.

"Marlowe is testing your blood and Niccolo is trying to help him while Erwin...well...you'd rather not hear about him...."

"What happened to Erwin?" I was shaking.

"He's uh...well...he's furiously doing paperwork to bring the Smith Marchy back into power so he can help you do a rebellion because he believes that you'll face nothing but misfortune until you come back in power. He has gone insane, locking himself in his office and making servants send a new letter every five minutes."

"But...Marlowe...and Niccolo," My mind was elsewhere.

"Like I said, they're testing your blood-. Hey! Where are you going?!"

I quickly jerked my weak body up and rolled out of my bed, nearly falling when I tried to stand up. I staggered to the door of my chambers, trying to stop the test because I was scared, so scared but Ymir, who was well, managed to catch up to me in no time.

"Where do you think you're going?! Lay back down! You're in no condition to leave!" Ymir tried to pull me back and normally, my extremely weakened condition would be no match for her but it was a completely different story when a great deal of adrenaline was pumping through my veins.

"I-I have...to go," I unlocked the door of my chambers and stepped outside, failing Ymir in her attempts at taking me back to my bed to rest.

"Clear the hallway!" Ymir yelled loudly, making me flinch but not stop my actions, "If I see anyone lurking around here then they will face consequences!"