*

A DAY LATER - AT THE CELLS

"What's that all about?"

Moments before, we entered the cells to release Eren and Mikasa from their reckless acts, Eren began mumbling and going on about something. It was inhuman or something, his eyes drawn to the wall in deep thought, lips recalling some memory that he once forgotten or something.

Eren glances over with confusion, as Hanji leans against the wall with imitation shifting her voice deeper, "It's called the Attack Titan," before glancing back to him, while I stifled a laugh. "That's what you just did, remember?"

"No....?" Eren was in confusion, as if he wasn't control of his consciousness.

I began unlocking the cell with Levi and Armin standing behind, waiting for Eren to be released.

"Huh?! Come on! He did!" Hanji exclaims, assuming that's what she's heard. Turning to us three she searches if we heard him in disbelief, "Am I the only one who saw him?"

Armin shifts his gaze away, "No, but.....I think he was just--"

"Just what?!" Hanji demands, turning to Eren again who seemed out of it with a tired look in his eyes. "Who the hell were you talking to?!

"No one, it's nothing,"

"You said the name of your titan, right?" Hanji continues on, urging him to elaborate while I fiddled with the keys. "Are ya practicing ways to introduce him, or--?"

"Let it go Hanji," Levi dismisses her, trying to stop anything that could rile up the boy. "He's fifteen years old, we all go through a phase like this."

"A phase where we mutter weird crape while posing?"

Armin grimaces, "Hanji, I'll explain it to you later," tries to lay off the scientist. "It's not right with him in here."

"Huh? Oh, it's that kinda phase,"

Suddenly Eren bursts out with frustration, "What the hell do you want?!" causing me to be slightly startled for a moment.

Unlocking the cell door I nudge my head to leave, "Come on, get out...."

Eren glances towards me in confusion, then to Levi.

"What?" He meets my eyes for a moment. "But I'm not done. I still have ten full days left."

Levi sighs, "I'm satisfied, Hanji just gave you ten days worth of pain,"

I nod, "We talked it all over with Premier Zachary, so don't worry," assuring him with a warm smile, which also goes for Mikasa as well. "Besides.....if we keep the valiant heroes who toppled the Armoured and Colossal Titans jailed..."

"Yeah, it would just send a bad message, ya know!" Hanji adds, while I step out of the cell. "Plus, you were only defying the morons who had the Beast and Armoured at their mercy, but let them get away!"

Walking to Mikasa's cell I unlock hers, noticing how thin she's gotten and dishevelled she looked. My eyes linger upon her form for a bit, her body slumped forward and looking drained with how quiet and subtle her steps were. Stepping back to give her some space, I lean slightly against the wall to support my dizziness again. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I felt a hand settle on my shoulder.

"You tired?"

I nod, "Hmm........I guess I am...." trying to keep myself composed. Despite the news, I still didn't have the heart to reveal the news yet. With our current situation, I didn't want to place more burdens or worries on him.

"Did you lose some weight?" Eren asks, realising he was concerned with Mikasa. "That's odd. We had plenty to eat."

She grew hesitant to reply back, running her fingers through her messy locks, "You look.....well enough," She croaks out, judging by how nourished Eren looked.

"Yeah...I guess,"

Levi sighs deeply, "Let's go, get dressed already," ushering them to prepare themselves, as I realised we haven't explained fully on what's happening today.

"Wait, where we going Captain?"

"A state meeting, her majesty has come to Trost,"

*

AT THE MEETING

Waiting for the two get themselves dressed properly, and prepared to face the Queen, I felt sick in my stomach. Not a nausea feeling, just nervousness. Despite the miracle with the heavy wounds, being with child brought more anxiety upon myself, and what Levi's reaction would be.

I'm acting like a child, selfishly avoiding a scolding....

Gently knocking we were welcomed in by Historia, as the three cadets followed behind dressed in their forest green cloaks. Standing beside Levi, the three stood in a respectful line and straightened backs before her, noticing Jean wearing a sling and Hanji already sitting at the table with papers scattered across the wooden table.

Historia seems to have settled on the role a bit better, her eyes hasn't lost their glow, but I knew she is still slowly adjusting. She gracefully steps forth to her comrades she once trained with.

They all bow one by one, "Your grace,"

"--Your grace,"

"--Your Grace,"

Historia shortly chuckles waving her hands casually, "Oh stop it, please," she smiles softly, grimacing at the title. "I'm not actually ruling yet......." she looks at the three, with a tender expression. "....but wow, you've been through so much. Meanwhile, I've done nothing but watch the South sky and wait."

Her voice was deep and hoarse, filled with guilt and reluctance.

"It's an important duty of yours, just to keep safe and well," Armin assures her, casually yet so formally with concern.

Eren nods in agreement, "Yeah, he's right,"

"Yeah,"

Historia sighs, "It's good to see that you're still acting like yourselves," she spoke with relief, but my eyes shift upon the three knowing you can change, by a single battle up close. Though it may seem simple, they're trying to mask it all by putting up a front of assurance.

I, myself, haven't gotten over the cost of the lives we lost. My shoulders felt heavier, as if life will only add weight on me from now.

"Well, that might just be that it hasn't sunk in for us yet," Eren replies, his voice hesitant to speak as if unsure what to feel. Was it a win? Or a defeat?

Hanji taps the crisp white papers together, "Why don't we get the ball rolling?" suggesting to move to the council meeting, led by Premier Zachary.

*

COUNCIL MEETING

"The early life of Grisha Yeager, the extent of our knowledge of titans and their history," Zachary announces, addressing the topic of our meeting. "Information about the world beyond the walls...the only people who know about the existence of these books, are those here in this very room......"

Sitting between Hanji and Levi, my eyes remain forward on the Premier. Though so much was on my mind, I couldn't help let my mind wander a bit on the notebook of my mothers.

Was it worth bringing it up to the Premier? Or should I figure it out first, before announcing to him?

".....these texts were obtained by the efforts of ten living scouts and the hundred and ninety nine others who are not here today," Zachary continues on. "Today, and in the Queen's presence, I would like to assess our situation....and establish an agreement in terms of our course of action. Scout regiment commander Hanji Zoe."

Hanji pushes her seat back, "Sir," calmly approaching his command."The scouts have lost a great deal, including Erwin Smith. But in exchange for the many heroes that we lost, we have retaken Wall Maria and stolen the colossal titan powers. However, humanity that lives within the walls remains in a precarious situation. It would be a relief were titans the only monsters we had for enemies--However, the true identity of the enemies we've been fighting are humans......"

Feeling my face flush warm from the temperature in the room, my body was feeling a little bit heavier. Grimacing slightly, my eyebrows hike a little as I tried not to make it obvious around.

".....A civilisation you could even say...the world. According to these, we're a special race called subjects of Ymir who can turn into titans. There's also a belief that we may rule the world again...thats why the world wishes to eradicate us subjects of Ymir for good. Mr Yeager later achieved his mission and entrusted the founding titan to his son Eren," Hanji continues on. "In order to wield the founding titans full power, it must be possessed by someone with royal blood. However, even if that person possesses the founding titan, they're enslaved by the king's ideals which only leads them down the path to humanity's downfall. That is the vow renouncing war. However, Eren was able to control Pure Titans in the past to escape a dire situation. So it may be possible even without royal blood for Eren to wield that power as well."

Suddenly without warning Eren shot up from his seat, "There's no way!!!!"

The room falls to an uncomfortable silence, his voice slightly echoing against the walls of the room.

Glancing over my shoulder to meet Eren's panicked and surprised eyes, causing me to be startled a little. "You scared me....." Hanji calmly says. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Eren comes back to reality, "Oh, uh.....I just....."

He stammers over his words, choking on what to say or not while the Premier sighs heavily waiting for Eren to speak up.

"If you've something to say, we would be glad to hear it," He spoke blatantly, pardoning him to say anything that would give us any information of the outside world. Despite how serious this was, anything about the world out there or even about the titans would give us the leverage we need.

Eren was hesitant glancing to Mikasa for a moment, before lowering his eyes, "Actually, it's nothing," before sitting back down, pushing his seat back in. "Sorry for interrupting, Commander."

Hanji's eyes narrow down, "Oh....I get it now, that's right...." before turning back to the Premier. "....It would appear that Yeager here, is going through an awkward phase...he speaks out of turn and often makes a nuisance of himself."

"Ah....I see," Zachary nods, with discernment. "That's rather unfortunate....but he is at that age.

"Our foe is the world,"

"That information should stay in this room," Gustav adds. "If it became public knowledge, there'd be chaos."

"Yes, I concur," Carsten agrees, strenuously. "Regrettably, we can't let this get out till we full grasp the situation."

"Shall we deceive the people once more?!" Pyxis spoke up, speaking his own mind as he stood up from his seat, while resting his hands behind his back. "That's what you're suggesting, right? That we keep our citizens complacent and blind, as the late King did? If we do that, then by what ideals did we oppose King Reiss? What right did we have to seize his crown?"

This causes a few of the men who were against this to grimace, knowing full well that the Garrison Commander has point. I myself agrees full heartedly that we shouldn't keep this s secret, or we will lose the trust of our own people. Not for our sake, but for theirs.

After a heavy amount of silence, Historia lifts her head.

"Then let's announce it," He declares firmly, earning the room to echo with gasps of shock. "It's only fair, this is information that the people once knew. before my predecessor stole it from them. As the people of the walls, all of us will share the same fate. Which is why we must now unite as one and work together."

*

~ Ame Futte Chikatamaru ~

My fingertips trail along the different language, on the first page of the notebook, assuming it was clans language that I've managed to learn for a few years, but never got to learn completely. This was a proverb, I've learnt from mother from when I was younger.

"When it rains, earth hardens" or it meant "Adversity builds character"

To summarise it to a normal person it means 'What doesn't kill you, makes you you stronger" which my mother believed. She was also a patient and elegant woman, always wise who had the right words to say with assurance. Her voice, her gentle face, everything about her defined her into the woman I admired.

Flipping the page the crisp brown tattered note falls, but quickly I caught it against my leg before unfolded it carefully.

*

Year 828 ~ September

To my daughter (If this ever gets to you)

You probably are young or you might be older when you receive this, so wherever you are I'm proud of you. The truth will soon be uncovered, and i knew that one day it has to be said because the truth will always come out in the end......

We are from a family known as the Yamasaki Clan, a branch to the nation of Hizuru like the Ackerman's and Orientals like Mikasa and Mrs Ackerman were.

Each clan held a special symbol, each had a part for the shogun. We were the known to have military soldiers, stronger than a normal person. Strength so strong, we could wipe out many nations beyond us as we were direct warriors for the Emperor of Hizuru.

However, it all fell apart the moment Marley, the enemy captured us and threatened our lives to do their bidding and forced an alliance for thirty two years and so forth, but now at this time it's been fifty-five years.

You were meant to be the inheritor for the Female Titan, which is a power of the late King Fritz and Ymir the Founder of of the nine titans. You were meant to become the strength of our clan, possessing a power that would gain stability for the clans survival. Your grandfather forced it upon you the moment you were born, swearing to make you the inheritor as soon as you're twelve years old, because you have both Eldian and Yamasaki blood running through you.

However I refused to place such a burden on a child, that I escaped Marley with you and your father to keep you from harms way, especially your uncle Ronin, who attempted to kill you in many ways possible....

I'm sorry you had to find this out however you found this, whether you are thirteen, fifteen, your late twenties or later on. Just know, I never intended to keep a secret, and those two tattoos you wear on your back, once your sixteen or you have them now, symbolise your new journey as a Yamasaki warrior.

Yukan......meaning Brave......勇敢

Ryuu or tatsu.......meaning Dragon.....

Those two symbolise in what you will become, whether a normal woman or a soldier. You will become someone greater than myself, and I wish that I could've told you in person.

Here these words.....I'm so proud of you my daughter, you will accomplish your goals, you will find Love and I will always watch you no matter if I'm here or up in the sky.....

You are my pride and joy, and I never regretted saving you from our clans heavy burdens.....

~ Love Mom ~

*

*

"

Droplets sunk into the thin paper as it shook in my hands, forgetting how to breath while I reread over it again and again.

It was all true, it wasn't false information. No words could comprehend how I felt, despite knowing most of it from my Uncle. My heart grew heavy the more I read over her cursive writing, before flipping the note to see if there was more, but that was everything she explained.

.....what hurts more.........is learning the truth from her...

"What am I doing?" dropping the letter, I cover my face with my hands as my body felt overwhelmed. "god what am I doing?"

Tears blur my vision, closing my eyes

Suddenly I hear boots shuffle towards me, hearing the paper being picked up, when the bed dips beside me. His arms circled around my plush waist, drawing me closer resting my head onto his shoulder. The silence filled the musty and dim room, feeling my stomach churning nervously. There was so much happening all at once in my head, and even my Uncle's mocking face still imprinted in my head, the moment I swung my blade without hesitation.

I have my own families blood on my hand now, and I can't go back.......

Feeling Levi glancing over the note I couldn't bare to look at him, worried about what he would think about my family. How I'm not one with the walls, or I wouldn't understand the pain they're all been through. I'm ashamed of what my family has become, and that's on me for years to come.

His breathing was deep but very gentle, focused on the writing on the note.

"Tch.......the female titan as a tool? What the hell," He grimaces darkly for a moment, before noticing expression softens with a heavy sigh. Closing his eyes, he folds the paper neatly and straight before placing it beside the notebook. "All that is just bullshit, and you know it...........your clan doesn't sound honourable. Not to offend you, love, but it sickens me..."

He spoke so bitterly about it, that it brought me assurance that we were on the same page.

"He told me........he wished I was never born, or I will be a threat," my voice cracks, before clearing my throat. His grip slightly tightens on my good shoulder firmly, as if he was affected by those words himself. "To know my life was only a mere stepping stone to my families chance in survival and strength, what am I doing now--?"

He suddenly turns me around, cupping my cheeks squishing them a little.

His steel blue eyes pierce into mine, "You are Akira Yamasaki, humanities strongest soldier and my wife to be......"my heart swells, though he never proposed yet. He was being sincere and serious, the way his voice never dripped with bitterness or sarcasm. "......you're Section Commander of the Scouts, my comrade, a kind and strong woman that I love......so don't you dare tell yourself that you agree with him, don't you fucking say that."

The built up emotions crash down, as tears began flowing down.

His thumbs wipes away he flowing tears, "You're a different woman, you have made a legend of yourself......." his tone softens, mellow and tender with a small smirk. "...I'm proud of how far you've come, and I will always be there to support you.....no matter what....."

My heart pounds heavily against my chest, wondering if this is the time I tell him. Is this appropriate? Right now?

"Y-You mean it?"

He nods, "Every word,"

Parting my lips hesitantly and dryly, my eyes never left his, "Levi...there's something you need to know........" my voice grew shaky, feeling my throat grow dry. He seems to wait patiently, his thumbs still caressing my cheeks softly. "......I........."

Why can't I say it? Why am I so afraid?

"Is everything okay, hun?" concern lacing his comforting voice, shifting closer to support me.

Words doesn't even comprehend how I should tell him, deciding to show by actions instead. Taking his warm calloused hand, I slowly lower it to my slightly plush stomach as his hand settles there for a moment. His eyes flicker down, trailing back up to meet my eyes with confusion.

"Are you feeling unwell--" he slowly registers, before his breath hitched in his throat sharply. His breath shook while his eyes trails down to my belly, before meeting mine for a moment. ".....are you........how? Didn't you..........you were...."

He couldn't process it, knowing he's speechless I was still pregnant after the heavy stab wound I received.

"......I'm sorry you have to find out this soon, especia--"

His tone shifts a little, "How long have you known?" his brow visibly deepens in response, not knowing what's going in that head of his.

Lowering my eyes, "Only found out two days ago, when I had my procedure...."

Shit, I screwed up didn't I? I should've been more prepared about this!

Glancing up I soon notice a different expression i rarely got to see, as his eyes were wide with shock written in them. He stares at me with disbelief, before he lowers his eyes to where his hands still