When you step out of your quarters that afternoon, you 're still a bit confused and conflicted about your feelings regarding many things.

You don 't know why, but you feel a sense of annoyance towards your brother. You haven 't replied to his letter, and you figured you 'd wait until your feelings of irritation have passed. You know he 's right, but something about the way he talked to you rubs you the wrong way.

It 's odd because you 've always gotten along with your brother. Then again, you never tried to participate in politics up until now. A venture everyone seems to be against.

Except for Levi. He said he trusts you can do it. His encouraging words, more than anything, are what 's made you resume reading

Song of Steel

. While it 's mostly just a recap of Varsiko 's military achievements, you find small nuggets of information here and there that capture your interest.

Like the fact that ethnically, Varsikovians are closer to East-Nortish people such as Ljudelians rather than Novarynians. Or that the first Varsikovian people wandered to Varsiko thanks to a horrible flood in the East a few thousand years ago.

Or that war and military conflicts have always been a part of Varsikovian history, even before Novaryn attacked, and they 've seen more than one ruthless dictator and loads of civil unrest. Thanks to the harsh climate and limited resources, there has always been a bit of a brawl going on to control the little they have.

Alchemy was brought to Varsiko around five hundred years ago by former Novarynian Creator worshippers, who found the science in a bunch of sacred yet forbidden texts that described the rituals. Varsikovians, never a religious people, discarded the parts where the texts blatantly forbade anyone from using it should they wish to retain the Creator 's favour, and enthusiastically started practising the Dark Science.

Until Ymir found the formulas and compounds that were useful for the military, Alchemy was mainly practised to provide military leaders and the royalty with gold, silver and expensive gemstones for their luxuries. Few knew how to do it.

Around 120 years ago, the public interest in Alchemy spread as a way to produce sturdier buildings and improve medicine. Thus, schools were built to teach the art to a much wider audience. Novaryn, who had looked at the small fringe groups of alchemists through its fingers, got alarmed and put its foot down, telling Varsiko they would not tolerate widespread alchemy in their immediate surroundings.

Varsiko, seeing Novaryn as an old, sleeping giant who hadn 't been to war in a millennia after swallowing most of its neighbouring nations, discarded the warnings as biteless barking.

Obviously, the Novarynian invasion came as a nasty shock, but Varsiko quickly took a position of non-compliance. They struggled immensely at first, but once Ymir introduced Alchemy as a way to enhance military technology and the Wing of Science was established, things got a lot more even.

Thus, here you are, a century later. On your way to meet the Head Alchemist of the military because she sent you a cryptic message about

'needing to talk to you '.

As you walk through the hallways, Levi following close behind, as usual, you 're fairly distracted, sorting through information in your head.

You would have missed Zeke completely had the sudden movement you see from the corner of your eye not caught your interest.

You pause just as you 're passing by a window and look out, just to see Zeke outside in the less frequently used backyard. Standing in the shadows close to the castle, he 's conversing with a woman you don 't recall seeing before. She 's dressed in a very ordinary outfit of a simple cotton dress with her brunette hair pulled back on a ponytail.

When your eyes land on her freckled face, you frown. It 's oddly familiar, yet you can 't place where you might have seen her.

Zeke hands her a scroll of paper and then swiftly walks back inside. You quickly pull away from the window before he can see you watching and lick your lips nervously.

The woman looks oddly familiar. Where have you seen her before?

Levi gives you an inquisitive look, and you quickly shake your head and keep walking. For now, you 'll just have to store the encounter somewhere in your brain and keep your eyes open. It could truly well be that it 's nothing, but you 're not going to give Zeke the benefit of the doubt with anything, that 's how little you trust him.

As soon as you open the door that takes you to the corridor belonging to the Wing of Science, you 're met with a thick, foul-smelling cloud of smoke.

Immediately, Levi coils in disgust at the smell. It 's a weird combination of metal and gas, and you have a faint clue you know who 's behind it even before the door to Hange 's study flings open and she and Moblit run out coughing viciously.

Moblit goes straight for the window and opens it to let the smoke out while Hange goes back in and comes out a few seconds later, holding something with heavy iron thongs.

You can see it 's some kind of metal, but you can 't name it. It 's steaming viciously as if it 's evaporating.

'What '? What is that? ' you ask, mouth agape.

Hange raises her head and when she notices you and Levi, her mouth turns upwards into a smile.

'Oh. Hey! ' She turns her eyes to the steaming lump of metal.

'This is a bronze ore that 's halfway turning into bromine, we were experimenting on fusion elements, ' she explains. Moblit hurries off to another room down the corridor and comes out with a small yet heavy-looking chest. He places it down and has to use both hands to open the lid.

Hange puts the metal in, and Moblit seals it away. The top is probably not completely airtight, but it at least holds the odour off.

'We 'll later attempt a three-way fusion, ' Hange explains, 'so, we can 't dispose of that one just yet. '

You frown. You still don 't quite understand how Alchemy works, and you contemplate asking. Before you can, however, Hange has sprung to Levi and grabbed his arm.

'Levi! I was hoping you 'd come if I invited the princess! It 's time for your annual check-up, ' she announces.

'You invited me just to check up on Levi? ' you ask, only a little surprised. Hange gives you an apologetic wince.

'Sorry. But he never comes of his own volition and if you don 't check regularly, the parts are more prone to malfunction. '

Levi glares at Hange, but when you shrug and gesture towards her study, he doesn 't put up too much of a fight. At first, you 're thinking of staying outside, but Hange gives you a grin.

'Want to observe? '

'Observe? '

'You looked curious. '

Levi wanders in the dim room and hops to sit on the stone table in the middle. He removes his shirt, and you admittedly struggle with keeping your eyes appropriate. He 's very toned and you 've never been in male company a lot, let alone in half-naked one.

Hange grabs Levi 's arm and starts yanking it in different positions.

'Joint mobility is still good, ' she remarks. You watch her work. She checks Levi 's legs as well before sinking her hand in a bowl of liquid and placing it on one of the symbols on the table. Immediately, it lights bright purple.

In the dim light, you can see Levi 's body start gleaming in a variety of colours, muffled by his skin but underneath, you can see at least a dozen different tones, each brighter and more brilliant than the last.

'No composition decay either, ' Hange says after looking over Levi 's body. Obviously, the colours tell her something that goes right over your head. Levi himself looks a little bored, he 's clearly been through this procedure before.

'So, what exactly

is

Alchemy? ' you ask. You know what it 's capable of, but you don 't know the principles with which it operates.

'At the base of it all, it 's changing the molecular blueprint of something, ' Hange explains despite Moblit 's horrified expression. He must be wary of you still.

'Blueprint? '

'Everything in existence has a blueprint inside it that stores information on what it is, what it 's made of and how to build another one of itself. It 's the very same blueprint that makes children resemble their parents, that makes animals be able to breed, it 's nature 's way of storing information. '

You nod as Hange unceremoniously opens Levi 's mouth to check something inside, despite his annoyed growl.

'What we do is we re-arrange that blueprint to be the blueprint of something else and thus change its composition. It then becomes that something else, ' Hange explains as she enthusiastically checks Levi 's teeth.

'So, when you augment, you change the human body into metal? ' you ask. Hange chuckles.

'That would be extremely risky and complex. We change the composition just a teeny tiny bit, just enough to not reject metals and then replace various bones with them and coat organs with them. '

That sounds extremely unpleasant.

'Is it painful? '

'Not after the operation, ' Levi replies dully once Hange is finally done checking his mouth. 'During, however ' '

'It 's a small price to pay to have such a beautiful, perfect body, ' Hange sighs wistfully. You wonder why she doesn 't just augment herself, then.

Levi 's check-up comes to a close, and he pulls his shirt and cape back on. You look around the study curiously, but nothing has changed since last time. It still looks just as disorderly, with books and vials everywhere and the lighting so dim you have trouble seeing around.

You feel a sense of curiosity about Alchemy. It 's a forbidden art, and you 've only recently found out that it was actually discovered by Novarynians.

As you step outside to the corridor, Levi seems to be a bit irritated, especially as Hange hurries after him and knocks his head just in case to make sure the metal underneath makes a chiming sound, indicating the coating around Levi 's skull is still intact.

That explains why slapping Levi hurt so damn much.

Stepping out of the Wing of Science, you stumble upon three familiar people who are standing next to the window, talking to each other animatedly.

Obviously, you noticed Armin wasn 't present with Hange and Moblit, but when you see him with Eren and Mikasa of all people, you feel a bit confused.

You watch them, and for the first time, you see Eren looking enthusiastic about anything. He 's smiling, looking over a book of sorts that Armin has opened to show the two of them.

You can 't hear what Armin is presenting, but he looks to be complete enamoured. Eren 's eyes have a longing hue to them as well, and Mikasa, while quiet as usual, looks at the book as well with clear intrigue.

Eventually, Armin notices you approaching, and he closes the book before you can see what it is they 're looking at. You can 't recognise the book, it has a warm brown cover with some blue text engraved on the leather spelling out a name you 're not familiar with.

'Your grace, ' Armin bows. Eren, as soon as his eyes land on you, loses his excitement and turns sullen. His eyes pause on the purple necklace hanging from your neck, the one he gave you, but he makes no comment on it.

'Armin, Eren, ' you greet them with a nod. You glance at Mikasa, but she 's never as much as spoken a word to you. You don 't think you 've ever even heard her speak.

'You were visiting the Wing of Science? ' Armin asks, hardly containing his curiosity.

'Hange invited us. Levi needed his annual check-up, ' you explain and gesture to Levi, who looks mildly annoyed.

'I see. ' Armin nods.

Eren 's mouth is pursed unhappily, and eventually, he can 't keep his dissatisfaction to himself. He points at the necklace.

'You don 't have to wear that, ' he states bluntly. You notice Mikasa 's uneasy eyes flickering to the piece of jewellery as well. You really have a hunch these two have something going on.

'I 'm aware, ' you respond, polite but nonapologetic.

'It doesn 't match with the rest of your outfit, ' he then points out.

'That is not something I am concerned with, ' you hum. Eren frowns, a little irritated, and suddenly extends his hand as if he 's going to yank the necklace off. He changes his mind halfway and pauses. Then, he drops his hand and turns his head away with a bothered sigh.

'Fine. Do whatever you want. '

'Thank you, your grace, ' you curtsey with a dull edge to your tone. Eren glances at you.

'Don 't call me

your grace

. It 's annoying. '

'Then, what should I call you? ' you ask curiously.

'Eren 's fine. '

'Alright. Then you may call me Cora, ' you return the favour. He looks like he wants to argue but decides to bite his tongue last minute.

'Whatever, ' he huffs and marches off. Mikasa follows him without a word. Armin, clutching the book to his chest, looks after them with a faint smile.

'Don 't mind him, ' he tells you earnestly. 'He 's just not very good at expressing himself. '

'Do you know him well? '

'I grew up here in the castle as well, so we became friends as kids. ' Armin smiles fondly and you can instantly tell these two share a deep bond.

'What about Mikasa? '

'She also grew up in the castle. At first, they were going to raise her to be a chambermaid, but she showed an excellent aptitude for fighting, so they ended up training her to be a soldier instead. Now, she 's an Ackerman. '

'Ackerman? ' You turn to Levi, connecting the dots between their shared last name.

'Oh, it 's a little complicated, let me explain, ' Armin says with a smile. 'Orphans are treated a bit different in this country. An orphan is raised in an orphanage until age eight and then redirected to an institution that will train them for their future occupation. Orphans, by default, don 't have a last name. They must earn one by completing their education and acquiring a role. A soldier gets the last name

Bauer

, but an augmented one gets to carry the rare and valuable

Ackerman

, reserved solely for them and their descendants. '

'Why would they leave orphans without a last name? ' you ask, perplexed. It doesn 't make sense to you. Armin looks a bit uncomfortable.

'It 's because Varsikovian culture values strength above all else, ' Levi cuts in, deadpan. 'If your parents died, they must have been weak, and their last name doesn 't deserve to be preserved through you. The orphan must earn back the status their parents lost. '

It sounds all sorts of messed up, but you know better than expressing outrage outwards. Thus, you just nod slowly.

'A small society like ours really needs extraordinary talent to succeed against the much larger nations around us, and thus we push for harsh competition, ' Armin explains. 'The concept of earning everything you have starting from your name and the roof over your head is embedded into the culture. '

You quietly think to the government-funded orphanages in Novaryn, where priests and other Enlightened raise children to respect the ways of the Creator. They grow up fed and happy.

Then again, you 're starting to see things from a different perspective. To Varsikovians, it probably looks like Novaryn is brainwashing children into religion from birth. Two opposing cultures. Two points of view. None necessarily better than the other.

Still, that doesn 't mean that the Varsikovian way doesn 't sound weird to you.

You feel a strong urge to ask Armin more about Eren in an attempt to find out if there 's anything you two have in common, but you decide against it. You don 't want to be invasive towards your future husband.

That doesn 't mean you won 't snoop about other things now that you have a chance.

'Armin, can I ask you something? '

'What is it? '

'Why does the older

czarevich

hate Novaryn so much? '

Armin blinks, taken aback, and thinks it over. He 's clearly not sure how much of the information he 's allowed to disclose. Finally, he leans in.

'I don 't feel comfortable telling you, but I can tell you where to find that information. In the library, look for a black bookcase. It has contemporary history. Look for a large, red book that 's half-empty. It depicts the current Czar 's regime, updated yearly. You 'll find what you 're looking for there. '

You nod gratefully.

'Thank you, Armin. '

He offers a small smile and starts walking back towards the Wing of Science. You glance at the book in his hands curiously but eventually let it go. You know to limit your prying.

You set course towards the library, Levi quiet behind you as always. You 've gotten to the point where you 're used to his presence. Most of the time. Sometimes, you suddenly become hyper-aware of it and your pulse quickens on its own.

The library is just as bright, stacked and empty as always. You rarely see people there. Looking around, you locate the single, black bookshelf in the middle of the oak-coloured ones.

You look around for the book and finally locate it at your eye-level. It 's rather thick, and a large part of it has already been filled. You glance at Levi, who 's leaning against the wall with a blatantly uninterested look in his eyes.

'Going to give me any hints as for where to start looking? '

Levi gives you a long, bland look. Lately, he hasn 't been as quiet and neutral as before. He 's actually given you information. Discussed with you. Even encouraged you.

It doesn 't take him long to relent. He shrugs to himself in resignation.

'You might want to read through the records from sixteen years back, ' he enlightens you. You sit down on the floor without minding the dust getting on your dress, cross your legs and open the book, expertly ignoring Levi 's disapproving looks.

You find the right page and start reading.

'And what a tragedy the Lunar year of 1062 was turning out to be! Not only would Varsiko suffer gravely in the hands of the Nambalan barbarians with their savage warfare, targeting the honourable Varsikovian settlements, where brave men and women defended Varsiko 's justly acquired bounties- '

You wonder if Historia is aware of these records.

'-but the Czar was about to face a devastating loss of a personal calibre. The beloved Czarina, noble and brave, was to become the victim of the Novarynian dogs. Sailing home from a routine visit to her family in the Eastern Kingdom of Ljudel, her vessel got seized and abducted by Novaryn. A lowly trick the upright Varsikovian army would never engage in, for they have honour and dignity- '

You skip the half a page dedicated to praising the Varsikovian army and the all-powerful Admiral Zackly.

'Novaryn, ever the cowardly kind, denied any responsibility for the abduction, blaming pirates for the attack and claiming they have no knowledge of the fate of our beloved

Czarina

. She went missing, perhaps forever leaving us with our sorrow and longing. The Czar, even amid his intense grief, raising his son now alone, was able to push aside his feelings and think of what 's best for Varsiko. Marrying again the next year, he relentlessly continued his quest for a solution to the war between the oppressed Varsiko and the foul Novaryn ' '

You close the book. You got what you needed already.

So, Zeke 's mother, the first Czarina, got abducted by what people assumed to be Novarynian navy. Novaryn denied responsibility and the Czar let it go because he was desperate to end the war. You knew the first Czarina was not in the picture, but you never knew what happened to her.

You hum to yourself.

'Levi. '

'What? '

'Even if we manage to keep the peace for the foreseeable future, is there not a legitimate concern that the

czarevich

will resume warfare the second he ascends to the throne. '

'There is. '

'Is my father aware of this? '

'Who knows. '

You bite your lower lip. A part of you thinks this is something your father should know, that the Czar 's heir apparent is not as eager for peace as his old man.

Then again, even though you 've never met your father, you can imagine he 's the kind of man to ruthlessly bring that to the negotiation table and use that as a way to leverage Eren on the throne, with his own blood as the Czarina. Having a puppet queen could be appealing to him.

And the more time you spend here, the less you know who you should be loyal to. Your country, Novaryn, who abandoned you and sent you here like a pig for slaughter. Or this country, Varsiko, who deeply resents you and wishes you never set foot on its soil.

Novaryn, the aggressor who attacked a small nation because of duty to religion, or Varsiko, the defendant who owns colonies and worships black magic.

For now, staying neutral seems like the best thing you can do. Keep your eyes open, your mind ready to take in information and nuance. Hopefully, at the end of this all, you 'll have an informed opinion. But for now, you know far too little to be meddling with things.

Maybe, just maybe, you 're learning. Getting a hang of politics.

'Levi, ' you add with a playful twinkle after a minute of idle silence.

'What? '

'Why was Hange looking into your mouth when she was doing the check-up? '

'When she augmented me, she was so excited for her first augmentation that she accidentally knocked one of my teeth off. She replaced it with a golden one and whenever she manages to corner me for a check-up, she checks it 's still nice and shiny. '

'So, you have a gold tooth? ' you ask, a little amused. He nods nonchalantly. Somehow, the small piece of information makes you happy.

You 're realising you rather like Levi. In more ways than you 're ready to admit, but at this stage, you 're alright with wanting to know more about him.

You put the book back in the shelf and just as you 're about to walk to the door, a glimmer of something very shiny suddenly hits your eyes. You look up and see the back of a golden book at the very top of one of the shelves. Instantly, your curiosity is piqued.

You look around for a ladder and move to prop one against the shelf. Before you can climb up, however, Levi steps in.

'I 'm doing it this time. '

'I can fetch a book by myself, ' you argue, but Levi doesn 't let up.

'Last time, you fell, ' he reminds you and starts climbing. He retrieves the book and hands it to you, and to your disappointment, you notice there 's a heavy padlock closed over the cover, sealing away the text within.

Advanced Alchemy ' The Complete Teachings of Ymir

So, this is one of the books that you can only open by either taking a bar exam or being a royal.

'Are you ever curious about what secrets there are sealed in these books? ' you ask. Levi looks disengaged.

'Not really. '

'Why not? '

'I have already reaped the benefits. The details of how they came to be don 't interest me. '

Levi. Always so practical. With a small chuckle, you put the book aside and start making your way to the dining hall for lunch.

Maybe one of these days, you 'll be in on the secrets.

-

When you 're violently hauled out of sleep, it takes you a moment to gather your surroundings. You were dreaming of rustling grass, Levi 's hand in your hair and the nickers of your horse when he pastures in the fields.

The first thing you register once you wake up from your slumber is that it 's still dark around you.

The second is that there 's a silhouette above you, huffing and grunting.

The third is that you can 't breathe.

Instantly, you go in full panic mode. You feel his large hands wrapped around your delicate neck, squeezing down with unprecedented force.

You want to cough but there 's no air left in your lungs. You claw at his hands futilely.

Once your eyes get used to the darkness a little, you recognise the person. The glaring eyes and poorly shaved face; it 's one of your guards. The one who reported for duty tonight.

A dreadful thought flashes in your mind, that Levi is somehow involved with this, the mastermind behind this, but you don 't have the time to entertain the notion right now.

You try to kick and punch, but he 's much larger than you and he has a chokehold on you. You 're already dizzy and on the verge of losing consciousness.

It takes you a few seconds more to remember the knife. Instantly, you reach your hand under the pillows. Your fingers wrap around the wooden handle. It takes you a panic-filled moment to open it with one hand, but the second you do, you slash your assailant with it.

He senses something coming and pulls his head back so that you miss his neck and instead nick his cheek. Instantly, a few droplets of blood fall on your chin.

Whereas the injury is not great, the guard immediately grows angry nonetheless. With a swift movement, he slaps your cheek.

'Think you can scratch me, Novarynian whore? ' he hisses. Suddenly, he lets go of your throat and grabs your hair instead.

Immediately, you start hacking as air once again enters your lungs. Still dizzy but no longer dying, you focus on getting as much oxygen to your brain as possible. If you want to survive, you need to be able to think. You gasp for air despite the burning pain on your throat, caused by the prolonged pressure.

All the while, the man seems to be trying to decide what to do with you, mind going on angry loops as he aches to punish you for fighting back. You clutch the knife in your hand, eyes wide as you try to think. He thought you used your nail to slash him. He hasn 't noticed the knife yet. That might just be the only shot you have at surviving this.

The guard pulls you off the bed and starts dragging you by your hair. The ripping sound sends a shudder down your spine even though there 's too much adrenaline in your system for you to register the pain. You dig your heels in the floor and open your mouth to scream for help, but he quickly places his hand over your mouth.

'Keep your mouth shut. No one 's going to come to your aid. Everyone in this castle wishes you were dead, ' he hisses. He stops in the middle of the room just to grab your throat again. You feel your airways getting clenched shut once more, your eyes fill with tears as he easily raises you off the ground.

You look at the man in the darkness, his angry eyes and gritted teeth.

What are you waiting for? Slice him!

The thought is crystal clear, screaming at you, but you can 't move. You 're frozen in terror. He starts carrying you to the balcony, probably to throw you right off it, and the adrenaline is instead replaced with dizzy dreaminess. In an instant, as you realise you 're doomed, you grow sluggish. Passive. A mere observer to your final moments.

Are

you going to die?

Probably.

Everything seems to be in slow motion. The walk, your thoughts.

You think of your mother and feel remorse about the fact that you can never talk to her again. She 'll be left with nothing left in the world. Her afternoon tea will forever taste stale and no novel will bring a smile on her face.

You think of your brother and feel anger towards yourself. Why did your last encounter with him have to be such a negative one? You shouldn 't have asked for such a childish thing.

You think of Eren. You wonder if he 'll now end up marrying someone he loves. Like his guard, they seem to be getting along.

You think of Levi.

You wonder if he was in on this. You wonder why he encouraged you, told that you have what it takes to survive when you 're this helpless. You want to apologise for slapping him.

Then something changes. You feel a jolt at the thought of him.

An impulse. A call to action.

You see his face in your mind, the determination and ruthlessness he displayed when protecting you against both Zeke and the old man, and suddenly you know what to do. You can 't give up.

You need to fight and survive, just so you can return to him and the rest once more.

Your fingers twitch around the blade handle, and before the guard can open the doors to the balcony, you move quickly.

It only takes you one slash. You hit him right in the artery and immediately, his face turns to a wince of pain, then confusion as he struggles to understand where the sudden sharp feeling originates from.

He feels his throat with the hand not holding you by the neck, and when he feels the blood, his expression turns to anger for a brief second.

He lets go of you and you fall down on the floor, coughing.

Before you can crawl away, he slumps down on top of you.

You find yourself face to face with his draining eyes. You hear the sickening gurgling noise of his death rattle, the sound of flowing liquids as his blood escapes him.

It 's warm.

With that thought, you see him pass.

As the adrenaline wears off and your brain works properly again, you realise what 's happened. You 've just killed someone.

Your eyes turn wide and glossy as you look at the lifeless eyes of the guard, fixated on your face. You try to push him off, but the weight of a large, grown man with all his equipment is far too much for you to lift.

Dead. He 's dead.

You try to push him away again. You need to escape those eyes. The smell of blood. The warmth of it all over your nightgown.

You want to scream but your brain is in a fog. You don 't even know what you would scream for? Ask for help? Wish for death?

Scream Levi 's name.

Why Levi? For all you know, he could be a part of this attempt.

You look at the guard again. Still dead. Still your fault.

Murderer.

Something breaks inside you irrevocably. The na 've Cora is gone, the one who came to this kingdom sheltered and clinging to childish hopes of happiness.

For in the midst of the chaos in your mind, obsessively rewinding the last two minutes on a masochistic loop, only one thought prevails.

This world is a cruel place.

With that, you shut down. You turn your gaze from the lifeless, glaring eyes of the body to the ceiling, and wait.

Your brain closes off, and without making a noise, you slowly lose your mind as the hours tick away. You 're left alone to spiral to the darkest of places, the castle quiet and lifeless and the body growing cold and stiff on top of you.

It 's okay.

When Levi comes to work in the morning, he immediately notes that the guard isn 't where he 's supposed to be outside the door.

An ominous feeling takes over him, and he hurries the last few steps to your quarters. Without knocking, he yanks the door open.

The sun has already risen, and thus Levi can immediately see the lifeless slump on the floor.

'What in Damnation happened here? ' he remarks out loud, on full alert, and hurries to the body. It 's the guard. He seems to be dead. Someone must have come in the middle of the night and kidnapped you.

He doesn 't see you at first as the guard's body covers the entirety of yours, but as he starts rolling him over to his back, he notices something underneath.

When his eyes land on you, he immediately shoves the guard aside. He looks over your glossy eyes, awake but distant. Broken. He looks at the blood all over your body, your nightgown stained, hands sticky, face painted crimson and your hair tangled with clots of it.

He recognises the unresponsive look on your face. He 's seen it before, on the faces of his soldiers when they 're rescued from enemy camps or come back from their first battles. When they see entire villages burnt alive, civilians tortured, chained and brought back as slave labour.

He sees the deep purple marks around your neck, and instantly knows what happened. The knife is still in your hand, though you clutch it only loosely. He reaches for it and takes it off you without facing any resistance.

He loops his arms around you and picks you up. You 're limp and lifeless, unresponsive to his touch.

You don 't register it when Levi holds you against his chest and presses the tiniest kiss on your forehead to comfort you.

'It 's okay, little miss. I've got you. '