She slides it towards me, soon recognising my mother dressed in eastern clothing, I assume as a Kimono. Her hair neatly pulled back, and her face filled with a deep sadness. My uncle looked far different without his scar and age, and I assumed behind the two stood my grandparents. 

"Your clan remains respected by the nation of Hizuru, and when I heard there was a possibility that there was a Yamasaki....I had to see for myself," She continues on. "Many complications with money, power and grief consumed your clan, and after Ronin's betrayal against the will of Hizuru, murdering an entire army, he was a liability to us.........he was long gone......he brought dishonour, and I no longer welcomed him once we gained an opening into Marley at the time....."

Her tone brought chills the moment she spoke of my Uncle again, as he was a deadly man. A force to be reckoned with. 

"So I assume you've heard how I ended his life, after his attempt to kill me," I assume, my brow arch a little while keeping my gaze steady. Taking another glance to the photo, it gave me clarity to see mother's face again. 

"Yes, word gets around now," She nods, confirming my suspicion. "I was very surprised, judging by how strong he was, that a woman like yourself ended his life.....Karma sure does bite you back......you're truly a Yamasaki warrior."

I haven't heard that surname in a while since I've been married, as I lower my gaze staring at the old photograph.

"So......is that everything you desired? Or are you dissatisfied with my answers?" She asks, her voice softening up again. 

"No, that is all," I reply, hesitantly wondering if I missed anything important. My clan's history was clear, my uncle's actions were clear, my mother's reason for fleeing was finally cleared. I may at least relax and thank that I found someone, who knew me as a child once.

Pushing my seat out I politely bow my front half towards her, before turning on heel towards the door and exiting the room. The heavy doors open and soon close behind me, as I was greeted with Hanji and Levi on the side from where I stood.

"Were you two eavesdropping?" I scoff lightly, with a chuckle.

Hanji shook her head, "Nope, it's too noisy in here to hear," She looks away, while I turn to face my husband.

"You?"

Before he could reply Lena came forth and passed me Luka, who was getting very wriggly in her arms. Taking him into my arms he nestled right away against my chest, realising how precious he was to me. Levi sighs deeply, "I did hear a bit, okay......." he mutters under his breath, while I rub Luka's back gently. "Just.....don't get yourself tangled with that woman, I just can't read her motives......yet.."

"Perhaps we should ask Yelena's opinion?" One of the garrison brass spoke in the background, while I rock little Luka to sleep. 

"No! That's exactly what they want us to do!" A Garrison soldier raises his voice, arguing back making me cover Luka's ears for a moment.

"We're sure of one thing at least," Pyxis spoke up, closing his eyes for a moment and then opening them with a calm nature to the situation. "In this world that our new Port has connected us to, we may as well be a tottering child, learning to walk....so for now, let's keep quiet and learn what we can from our guests..."

Pyxis walks over to the wooden doors again, his back facing us with his garrison rose emblem emblazoned on his cloak.

Taking that for a moment we're gonna be discussing further, Luka was on the verge of sleep. Which meant he'll be quiet during the meeting, as I needed to be there as well as Lena. Finally getting him to sleep, I pass him back to Lena. "Thank you, he's a quiet sleeper.....so you'll be alright during the meeting,"

"Right,"

Taking my leave back into the meeting hall, Levi pulled a seat out for me as I gladly took and sat down between him and Hanji. Pieces of paper laid before each of us on the opposite side of Lady Kiyomi. Historia takes her seat at the far end of the table, to represent our country.

"This is a historic day for both our nations, and it's worth noting that this day would never have come " Lady Kiyomi exclaims, her eyes meeting ours. "And it's worth noting that this day would never have come if not for the man who brought us together. I'm speaking, of course of Zeke Yeager......we conversed him in secret, and before he would agree to facilitate this meeting, he negotiated with us on behalf of your island.....we discussed more than Lady Mikasa and Lady Akira...."

She explained about how she was given one of our omni-directional mobility gear, which she was shared information in how we equiped such a piece. What was more strange is how he managed to procured it himself, if not for Marley. Zeke continued to explain how it's operated by a special kind fuel, that we use 'iceburst stone' which must been only mined in Paradis.

"....Zeke yeager's proposal was that we ally with and assist Paradis in exchange for access to a resource that could return our nation to its former glory," She continues, before noticing the change of her expression. Tilting her head her inner self was beginning to shine, "It's a rather tempting offer. Thus, while we're aware that he made this offer without surveying your reserves, we suspect that in this modern era, a treasure like iceburst stone could change the world and generate a fortune in the process," licking her lips greedily.

"Miss Kioymi, please," one of her men, scowls at her informal behaviour.

"My goodness, how unseemly of me," She sheepishly spoke, clearing her throat. I swear by the minute, you see their true intentions merging to the surface. It's disgusting.

My face subtly darkens along with jaw tightening, remembering that Yelena mentioned that the negotiations would go well because the Azumbitos are money grubbers. Such honour they have, if all they think about is money than their own lives.

"Hold on, so Zeke Yeager asked you to assist us?" Historia spoke up, breaking the bitter silence that lingered for a moment. "What would you assist us with?"

Kiyomi shifts her attention towards the Queen, "As I'm sure you're aware, he's concocted a plan to protect Eldia and the world. We're here because this plan can only succeed with Hizuru's assistance," She replies, before gesturing to the papers that were presented to us each. "It calls for a three-point course of action which would allow you to defend yourselves, with your so-called 'Rumbling'. This would begin with a test run of the Rumbling. You would unleash a fraction of the titans in your walls. Enough to display their destructive potential for all the world to see. That will buy you time which to modernise and strengthen your army, so as to render the Rumbling unnecessary. You're a hundred years behind the rest of the world. Hizuru will help you catch up....."

Hearing a subtle breath shaking nearby, I side glance over to Eren and Mikasa's shocked expressions.

"......Until then, you must be able to shake the earth by maintaining the founding titan, and having a titan of royal blood. That's the third point of this plan. Zeke will pass on the Beast titan to an individual who has royal blood," She states, causing my skin to crawl in response. "...and that person must spend the thirteen years they'll have left bearing as many children as possible."

With the advanced weapons we'll be trading and gaining, would that be enough to stop needing the rumbling? If we choose to rely on it, we'll have to continue the practice of titan inheritance for generations...like I understand it could protect us for time being, but is that enough for excuse for us to push this issue onto our own descendants? of course it is....but...

"I understand....and I'm ready," Historia breaks the heavy silence, that weighed against my chest. "If the Rumbling is essential to our survival, I'll do my part. I'm willing to inherit the Beast titan from Zeke Yeager."

Kiyomi held a solemn expression, as everyone recognised the heavy issue. I can't allow Historia to be some kind of tool, a breeding machine just for this power to continue that it will ruin her. She's so young....

Eren suddenly pushed himself to his feed abruptly, "If Zeke's plan is to buy our salvation at the price of broken walls, trampled lands, and children bred to be slaughtered like livestock, then I say he can go to hell and take his sick little plan with him!" He seethes through his teeth, his brows creased with fury within his darkened gaze. 

"Eren...."

"Staking our survival on the threat of the Rumbling is a dangerous move," Eren continues, turning his attention to Lady Kiyomi who sat in silence. "So before we commit to it, we should try to find another way. Let's use what time we have to look at our options....."

For a moment and the first time I agreed with Eren, knowing better to assess further to the situation than to jump into action.

Slowly as the meeting came to an end I remained seated, while in deep though while everyone began to be dismissed. Footsteps approach me before hearing cooing sounds, seeing my son reaching his arms towards me. Lena shares a concerned look after that intense meeting, that left us to dwell in our thoughts. How risky our situation is, if we have to rely on the rumbling.

Standing up I tuck Luka to my side, while nuzzling my nose with his.

"Thanks Lena, the conversation was a bit heavy to soak in," I apologise softly, sharing her an apologetic expression. "You know......if I was in Historia's position, I couldn't bear to see my son suffer with my own problems. All I wish for him is to have a life I couldn't, a proper start and future with no expectation in regards to the future of Paradis....."

"It's fine to think on those things, it shows you care for the next generation," She assures me, gentle rubbing her thumb across Luka's chubby cheek. "I want the same for your son, and maybe when I have children.......life is unpredictable. So, we must steer our paths to make way for our children's future...."

Chuckling in response I nod in agreement, "I agree...."

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