Daisy | Levi Ackerman

Chapter 35 - The Difference

A/N: I can feel my tears. You?

[Naomi]

Soon, as I was just turning back towards the entrance of my house to prepare for my courtesy call with Historia, the gates opened once more. In the distance, I saw Vita and Leila coming for their afternoon shift that Sunday.

They approached me with the same bubbly warmth and courtesy, at the mansion steps, giving me a low curtsey. I smiled at the two of them with all that I could muster, wiping away the streaks of tears left on my face.

"Good morning, Your Grace." The two of them chorused with their cheerful faces, which suddenly changed when they saw my grieving countenance.

"Good morning." I greeted them both, meeting their deeply concerned expressions.

"My lady, your eyes are red..." Vita pointed out. Leila looked at her and back at me.

"And watery." Leila replied. "Have you been crying, ma'am?"

I smiled softly at the two of them, unable to give a proper answer. I opened the door and in came the three of us to the dark wood and white marble interior of the mansion.

"We saw Captain Levi on our way here, my lady." Leila remarked again, as they both followed me towards the kitchen. I walked slowly, so Vita was able to gain up on me and come towards the faucet to get me a glass of water.

"He doesn't seem very pleased to leave, too. I mean he doesn't seem pleased to do anything at all but..." Leila said, her voice softening in caution. "This time it is really concerning."

"The scouts are leaving for Maria today." I replied, as Vita gave me the glass of water. I smiled at her. "Thank you, Vita."

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Your Grace." Leila replied. "I didn't mean to assume anything."

"It's alright. I... I just don't know why it feels the way it should had your assumption been correct." I replied, sitting down on the dining table by the light of the eleven 'o clock sun. "But I'll be alright, you girls need not worry of me. We have to prepare for the courtesy call with the Queen."

I rose back up, retrieving sense of myself and strength within my bones. If I could only contribute from here, I thought; I must do all that I can.

"We pray for the best for the Scout Regiment, my lady." Vita said considerately, as the two of them followed me in genuine concern out into the main hallway. "I hope they all come back safe and sound."

"I hope too." I answered as we all trudged towards my dressing room just after the left turn of the glossy, oak wood hallway. "Thank you, girls."

"By the way, my lady," Leila added softly, taking out an envelope from her pocket, "The postman approached me in town this morning, asking if I worked in the Austerlitz Mansion. When I said yes, he gave me this. He said it was especially for Lady Naomi Smith Austerlitz."

"What is that?" I asked, receiving the envelope in my hand. My mind was too frayed up and scattered to focus on my curiosity of the letter. The paper was old and brownish, and there were no salutations. "It has no address, and no sender name."

"It confused me too, my lady. The postman seemed like a new employee." Leila added. "Before I could ask, he was gone."

"That's peculiar." Vita replied.

I sighed, giving it back to Leila. "If it was from the Scouts, the Wings of Freedom seal would be there. If it was from Uncle Erwin, he'd write his name. I have too much to think about right now to read this letter. Will you put it in my desk so that I could read it tonight, Leila?"