Because Of You

Chapter 62

The ceremony felt like a trance, Carmen's mind was elsewhere throughout its entirety, only briefly paying attention when Historia held out her royal hand to be kissed. A sentiment that managed to leave Eren in a confused, almost fearful state that he couldn't explain to the others. Frankly, she didn't care what was going through his head, she only cared about the crowds behind her, eyeing her like prey - something she wasn't fond of at all.

In her weakened state, her foe's caution dispersed, replaced by a sense of both security and power. All the leverage she held over them had been relinquished in a single blow. Carmen wasn't scared per se, however she certainly felt challenged, weak against potential attacks.

Applauses erupted within the ceremony hall, claps of thunder quaked her out of her daydreaming. Shakily, she got to her feet, following her comrades up the aisle and out of the hall. The follow-up of the ceremony created what she hated most - a social atmosphere that demanded her to talk to those she detested.

She eyed the waiters, carrying trays of drinks. One wouldn't hurt, right? She scooped one from the tray, drinking it as she awaited the inevitable conversations that would follow.

"My, my, is that you?" A man gained her attention, she looked him up and down, his name immediately sprung into her mind. It was Becket, of course it was. He'd made the highest contributions to the scouts and their missions, it was naive to think they'd lock him up after that. His stature was still the same, he hadn't aged in the few months since she'd last seen him - likely because he was already withered to begin with. "How the mighty have fallen, am I right?" He chuckled as though he hadn't directly insulted her.

The woman downed the rest of her drink, she figured she'd need it if she were to deal with idiots like him for the rest of the night. His words offended her immensely, it was a calculated move declaring his own power. Antagonising and demeaning, he knew exactly how angry he was making her.

"Keep talking and you'll find out just how wrong you are." She said lowly, making sure none of her comrades or other guests at the venue could hear her. It was an empty threat - she'd hear a mouthful from Levi and the others if she actually went through with it - but Becket didn't know that.

"Oh-ho." He chuckled boisterously, not taking her threat seriously at all. "You dolls and your dry humour, always a treat." She scowled at him. Of course he'd assume she was joking. "Anywho, I was actually looking for you, I wanted to introduce my daughter to you. She's ever so grateful for your work - well she would be if she actually knew about the whole assassination." Becket rambled, oblivious to Carmen's disinterest and discomfort.

She didn't need to know this - she didn't want to know.

"She's expecting, in just a few months there'll be a mini-Becket running around in that new estate the scouts promised us. I do hope it's a boy, he'll go far. I suppose we could marry of a daughter but a son is where the real profit lies, am I right?" He bellowed again, it made Carmen's stomach twist. His laugh felt as though it echoed through her, pounding inside her skull and begging to be let out. Where was Levi? Where were the rest of her comrades when she needed them most?

"She married a lovely gentleman, only 15 years or so older than her. He's a doctor you know? I heard he work closely with your colleagues - gave them all the doses - did a lovely job with that girl, what was her name again? I simply can't remember, though that's beside the point-"

His ramblings irked her more and more, white noise to the voice in her head begging her to snap at him, to punch him straight in the gut and ship him off into a cell. However, something struck out to her, something important. "My colleagues?" She questioned, surely the scouts weren't using supplements, she would've known.