THE WILLOW AND THE DEVILS HEART | E.JAEGER

CHAPTER NINETEEN

I hope you enjoy this chapter!!! As always comments and votes are always appreciated ❁

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The morning light was still soft, casting long shadows across the stone floors of the castle as Eren walked down the narrow corridor, his boots echoing faintly against the walls. He had been awake before dawn, his mind already turning over the details of their plan as he finished his morning chores. He was returning to his room as the letter he had written late last night, was tucked securely beneath his cloak.

As he rounded the corner near the castle's wing, he spotted a young boy—blonde hair tousled, a satchel slung over his shoulder—moving through the hallways with purposeful steps. He was placing and collecting letters, one from each door, with the efficiency of someone who had performed this task a hundred times over.

Eren paused, watching the boy for a moment. He had seen him before, but hadn't paid much attention until now. He wasn't sure who the boy was—perhaps a servant or a messenger—but the young man seemed to know the castle well.

Falco turned to face Eren as he approached, offering a shy smile when their eyes met.

"Good morning," The boy said cheerfully, despite knowing about the man's past he still offered a friendly greeting.

"Morning", Eren nodded casually as Falco passed by him. The brunette immediately turned, calling out to him, causing the boy to falter his steps as he looked back, "I actually had a question", He started, "I'm not sure if you'd have the answer but..."

His voice trailed off as the blonde nodded along slowly, before stepping toward him again, "You're the Queen's champion, right?"

The title hit Eren like a sudden gust of wind. The Queen's Champion. It was the first time anyone had addressed him that way. He felt the weight of the words settle on his shoulders, heavier than he expected.

"Well, that's a new one," He murmured, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Taking a steadying breath, he let the moment sink in before meeting the boy's gaze with a quiet confidence. "I suppose I am."

"Cool", The boy smiled, "So what can I help you with?"

"I was wondering if you deliver mail outside the walls?" Eren asked, his tone casual but carrying the weight of something deeper.

Falco paused mid-step, his eyes narrowing for the briefest of moments. "We can," he replied with a nod. "I mostly deliver to the rooms, then collect any replies or new orders. But we have workers that are able to send it to the city."

Eren smiled faintly, but there was something guarded in his expression. "Ah, good," He said, pulling the letter from beneath his cloak. "I have something to send. A small note, to some old friends."

The boy raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. It was clear he wasn't entirely convinced by the man's casual tone. Falco had seen enough of the castle's politics to understand that the Queen was a trusting individual—even going as far to keep a Warrior in the castle grounds despite the outcry to kill him. He kept his curiosity in check, but his eyes flickered briefly to the letter in Eren's hand.

"What's in the letter?" He asked, his voice soft but hinting at a slight wariness.

Eren's expression hardened for a moment, but then he offered a casual shrug, his eyes softening as he looked at the boy. "Just a note to let them know I survived. I don't want them worrying about me."

The sincerity in his voice was convincing enough for the young boy. "Alright," He said slowly, taking a step forward. "I'll make sure it gets to where it needs to go."