Tale of Two Tails

Chapter 23

The rest of the week, Levi and Eren continued lying together, in both of Eren's forms. By the end of the week, they were indeed exhausted, but also sated and happy, though Eren showed it more than Levi. Until Eren realized she had to stay in female form when out and about. She wasn't pleased, but at least she could be male when it was only her and Levi, or when she was alone in her and Levi's wing.

Everything returned to 'normal' to some sense. Eren returned to her lessons, Levi to his. The only difference being that Eren would return to Levi at night, and they stopped their weekly outings for the time being, waiting to see if Eren had, infact, conceived.

Not even a month after the wedding, Eren was walking in the courtyard with one of her teachers, when she passed by Armin. The Kitsune smiled politely, ignoring the instructor's disgusted face, when his smile faltered before coming back full force.

"Congratulations, Lady Eren." Armin said with a small bow.

"What do you mean, demon?" The instructor asked bitterly.

"Lady Eren is with child." Armin said with a smile. "Her scent has changed, if only slightly." Eren quickly looked to her belly with a smile. She had noticed the change, but was unable to voice this with anyone. She had told Levi, but had asked him to wait. They had asked Armin if he would confirm it for the rest of the palace.

"I see. I am so happy." Eren said as she gently rubbed her belly, feeling the kit's heartbeat thanks to her heightened demon senses. Word was quickly sent to the emperor and Levi. Eren was sent to her and Levi's chambers to have the palace doctor look her over, to see if the Kitsune was correct.

After proving Eren with child, she was told that her lessons would change, once again. She was to be taught how to care for her 'human' child, and how to raise the heir 'correctly'. Eren had issues with that. Her 'baby' was going to be a kit. She would have a fox, and her's and Levi's offspring would stay as such for a hundred years, fifty at the least since they will be hanyous. And Eren's demon instincts would teach her how to raise the kit properly. And Eren, being Eren, had a problem being told how to care for her child.

"Lady Eren, if you don't listen to what I have to say, how do you ever plan on raising this chi-"

"I don't need your help." Eren spat, rubbing her belly gently. "My mother taught me enough on how to be a mother when I was with her. I do not need you to tell me how to care for my child."

"Lady Eren." Her instructor sounded insulted. "A peasant child is raised very differently than a royal one. There are mannerisms that your child must take and when an infant, only certain foods may be-"

"I know how to feed my baby." Eren growled, turning her stomach away. "I do not need to be told!"

"Lady Eren, if you do not listen to me, we will have no choice but to have someone else raise your child." The look on Eren's face could only be described as heartbroken and enraged. "Now that I have gotten your attention-" Eren stood, leaving her room and looking for Levi. She was borderline hysterical, as well as completely furious.

Eren found him training with the soldiers and hunters. One of the soldiers saw her, and quickly stopped his sparring to hurry over to her. He had a long face and two toned hair, and was taller then Eren, probably also so if Eren was in her male form.

"L-Lady Eren. You shouldn't be here. What is the matter?"

"I need to speak with Levi." Eren said.

"I'm sorry, my lady, but Prince Levi-" Eren turned to the man, making him flinch.

"It was not a question. It was not a request. It was a demand. An order. This is urgent." Eren growled. "I hate taking my husband away from his work, and I would not be here if it was not necessary." Eren finally allowed her distress to show on her face, tears biting the sides of her eyes. The soldier nodded with a slight bow.

"I will fetch him for you then, my lady." Eren smiled lightly.

"Thank you. Forgive me for my earlier actions."

"There is no reason to apologize." And the soldier went to get Levi, who was training with his katana with Commander Erwin. Levi looked less than pleased to be interrupted, but soon looked to Eren. He may not have shown his concern, but Eren could just see the small glisten in the emotionless eyes.

"Eren." Levi said as he came up to her, kissing her cheek lightly. "What did your instructors do this time?" Levi asked, slightly irritated. Eren finally let the dams break and she cried, wrapping her arms around Levi's shoulders, burying her face in Levi's neck.

"You never told me that they would take my baby if I didn't raise them to palace standards." Eren cried, shoulders shaking as did her voice. Levi sighed as he gently, and awkwardly, pet her back.

"I will be speaking with your instructor. She shouldn't be saying such things to you at this stage. It's not good to stress you out, it's not good for the baby." Levi said. He walked Eren back to their room and sent the instructor from the room, decided that Eren needed him first.

Once the instructor was gone, Eren shifted back into his male form, which would do nothing to his pregnancy. The Kitsune was laid down on his side, head pillowed by Levi's lap.

"Is it true?" Eren asked. "If I don't listen to the lessons to raise our baby, they'll take them away and give them to another woman to raise?" Levi sighed.

"If they are born a fox like you and Armin say, they will be killed, not taken away." Levi said. Eren cried harder, rubbing his stomach. Levi knew this was not what Eren wanted to hear, but he couldn't lie to the pregnant Kitsune. It was the truth. And after they killed the kit, they'd kill Eren. And that thought nearly enraged Levi. They may not look human, but they would still be his children. And he would fight with Izanami, Goddess of Life and Death, than allow anyone to harm his family.