Levi returned alone, offering nothing but a brief explanation: in a few hours, Erwin would arrive with Armin and others to discuss the matter. No further details.
It wasn't hard to piece together what this was about. Levi didn't say it outright, but I could feel it in my gut. I knew Armin well, his sharp mind could connect the smallest clues into startling revelations. If he had went to erwin, it could only mean one thing: he had figured out who the female titan was.
Still, I couldn't shake the gnawing fear in the back of my mind. I kept hoping, foolishly, that it wasn't someone close to us. Because if it was, the betrayal would cut deep.
The room was unbearably quiet except for the occasional clink of Levi's teacup against the wooden table. The three of us were seated around it, eren sat beside me silently, his hands fidgeting on the tabletop as if he was trying to burn off nervous energy. Levi, on the other hand, looked composed casually sipping his tea.
Levi broke the silence first. "What's the hold up? Erwin's never late... They should be here by now. At this rate, the damn MPs'll show up first."
I shifted in my chair, glancing toward the door. "Do you think... something happened?" I asked hesitantly
Levi raised an eyebrow, "Who can say? Maybe they're all takin' a shit. Duty calls, right?"
I leaned back slightly, folding my arms. "All of them? Together? What, did they coordinate or something?"
Levi's lips twitched with the faintest smirk. "Maybe it's a new tactic. Keeps 'em united, I guess."
I shook my head, letting a small smile slip through. "United in the worst way possible."
Eren gave a quiet huff that might have been a laugh, though he still looked more uneasy than amused.
Levi set his teacup down with a soft clink and winced, his hand instinctively going to his leg. His brows furrowed, though he said nothing about it.
I frowned, leaning forward. "I told you to see a doctor. Now it's worse, isn't it?"
Before Levi could retort, eren broke in, his voice low and filled with guilt. "It's my fault, sir. If I'd thought this through... none of this would've happened..."
Levi turned his gaze to eren, "You made a judgment call," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Look, no one expects you to be clairvoyant."
