t h a n k y o u r e a d e r s
I ' l l f i n i s h t h i s b o o k !

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Brick-walls provided little shelter from the icy winds travelling throughout the abandoned well. No matter how many times I pleaded for a stale roll or an old apple, Bertholdt refused to offer anything of substance. The hours began to feel painfully traumatic as the blanket of night fell over Levi's Kingdom.

Bertholdt looked even taller from our last encounter at the courthouse, and carried a curved sword; much like my own from my time spent as a palace guard. He wore an old, torn vest and a pair of white trousers. Truly the definition of a Chi thief. He sighed deeply, glancing at the only available exit: a narrow passage that presumably lead to an ocean.

"How long have you been pregnant, (Y/N)?" He asked, adjusting his odd-looking leather straps. The more time that seemed to past, the more he spiralled into a deep pit of despair. Time acted as a bittersweet reminder that his past would eventually catch up with him. Not to mention a rage-fuelled Levi desperate to locate his wife and unborn child.

"Four months..." I muttered, gently patting my burgeoning stomach. Hunger would be temporary in this unfortunate situation. Once my raven-haired husband managed to discover my whereabouts, he would tend to my needs with great care. Any attempt to disarm Bertholdt could potentially cause harm to my unborn baby. For once, my cold-blooded training as a stoic-faced warrior was useless.

"I see..." he muttered, scanning the vicinity for any potential means of escape. Bertholdt occasionally glanced in my direction, but remained relatively silent throughout the evening. His mind appeared to be occupied in preventing strangers from penetrating his lonely fortress. It became increasingly clear he would use deadly force on anyone who desired to foil his plan.

The moon rose high into the stars, flickering into the sanctuary of the abandoned well. Bertholdt seemed to relax as the darkness slowly enveloped him. "You should sleep. Although it doesn't seem like it, I do care about your wellbeing." He lowered his sword into a makeshift leather pouch. The poor stitching implied he made it himself.

"I can't sleep. I'm not where I'm supposed to be."

This experience had highlighted my dependence on Levi for security, safety and care. It became blatantly obvious of his constant fear and justification for acting so aggressively. My pregnancy had only caused more problems for him. Throughout my years training in Chi, not a single lesson on childcare was discussed. I was religiously taught to avoid men and their desires at all costs. Love would destroy my unavoidable destiny as a Chi solider.

Bertholdt glanced upwards for a moment, almost as if he were listening to the ground above. A flurry of panicked footsteps and loud yelling informed him that my alliances were soon to invade his fortress. One of the voices was in a dark, almost vengeful-like state. Unlike a group of eager guards, this voice remained composed despite the mounting pressure. Bertholdt became increasingly aware of his lack of safety, and took ahold of my arm in an attempt to dispel any attackers.

It merely slowed the footsteps, but did not put a stop to them.

"I'll end her life, not to mention the poisonous bloodline she's nurturing inside her!"

An odd glimmer of moonlight revealed a set of striking silver eyes. In all his glory stood King Levi Ackerman, my husband and soon to be father of my child. "Don't touch my wife, scum," he spat, raising his infamous jewelled sword high into the air. As he prepared to swipe into a piece of wood that would gain entry into the well's water system, Bertholdt forced his left elbow around my throat, similar to a marital-arts choke hold. His available right hand pressed his sword onto the most vulnerable, exposed part of my body.

"Levi, don't!"

Bertholdt claimed moments ago that he cared about my wellbeing, but his actions seemed to prove otherwise. It crossed my mind that he was bluffing in an attempt to strike fear into Levi's heart. Upon hearing my voice, my stoic-faced husband hesitated, anxiously checking on the position of Bertholdt's sword. Levi had shown vulnerability, an expression the people of Chi, including Bertholdt, had not seen before.

"Don't..." Levi lowered his head, almost as if the scene was too much for him. "...hurt my wife and child." The sheer pain and anguish within his steely irises evoked a passionate response from those around him. Bertholdt lessened his grip, most likely from shock. After an intense minute of silence, a list of orders began to reveal a twisted mind.

"I was going to kill your wife, and for that, I'm sorry," he angrily raised his hand onto my throat, squeezing for a shocking display of reinforcement. I made a poor attempt at protecting my abdomen, but Bertholdt's sword pierced through several of my fingers. I muffled a sensation of searing hot pain in the hopes it would prolong my safety. Bertholdt was beginning to enjoy his power-trip, fuelling a sadistic high in which he couldn't get enough of.

"Naturally, when I discovered she was pregnant, I no longer wanted to kill (Y/N)..." Bertholdt's voice cracked with emotion. "S-So who is responsible for my best friends death?" It occurred to me that since Eren was a cruel, powerful Prince— a thief like Bertholdt would not be allowed to stand within an inch beside such a prominent figure. The only person that persuaded Reiner to become a warrior in the first place was me. In his mind, perhaps he assumed I was the cause and eventual demise of his best friend's absence.

"Who are you to tell me what do to? Didn't you use an abuse whoever you liked up until it suited you?" Bertholdt furrowed his brows, tossing a small silver object into the air. The metal glimmered beautifully against the moonlight, so much so, it mirrored the complexity of Levi's eyes. It struck me as odd that Bertholdt would throw something at Levi, but a sharp grunt followed shortly after.

It looked as though my husband had sustained an injury of some sorts. Unbelievably, he remained unmoved from his position opposite the gate. Presumably adrenaline was the only chemical keeping him standing. "Don't hurt my wife," he repeated. "She's innocent in this."

Bertholdt scoffed. "(Y/N) is not an innocent woman. You married her, but know little to nothing about her life before she met you. I doubt she's even told you half of it—" I anxiously glanced towards Levi, sensing his urge to distract. Never in all my years of knowing him did he ever make such a horror-stricken expression. His blinding urge to protect was starting to affect his mind. I clutched my abdomen, offering him a reassuring nod. It was the only gesture I could provide under the intense circumstances.

Levi glanced downwards, his cat-like eyes widening as he caught a horrifying glimpse of my bloody hands. Of course, his mind didn't make the link that my injuries were only minor. His concern leaped to the safety of our unborn child. I feared he suspected a wound to my stomach was preventing me from conversing with him.

"I'm fine, Levi. It's just my hands,"

"Shut up," Bertholdt tightened his hold, raising his sword up towards Levi.

"If I let her go, will you let me flee?"

Levi thought for a moment, clearly reluctant to watch my attacker escape unscathed. After a brief minute of consideration, he nodded bluntly. Bertholdt released his talented martial arts hold, angrily shoving me towards a set of metal bars. My stoic-faced husband extended out his hand, desperately reaching out towards me.

"(Y/N)!" he called, wrapping his arms around my waist. His eyes flooded with overwhelming relief, lunging for my chin to assess my face for any injuries. Seconds later, his eyes fell to my abdomen. Once he was satisfied with my overall healthy appearance, he shook with what appeared to be extreme euphoria.

"Move," he demanded, striking several times on a piece of broken wood. The rotten cedar-wood fell apart into several chunks. A small gap, enough to fit a person through, was made available. Levi expertly raised his leather boot, kicking the wall right off its hinges. A barren hole in the cobblestone bricks completely destroyed what was left of the well. It's beauty had been crushed into a mess of debris.

Levi flashed a rare, beautiful smile. His reassuring expression melted away any surfacing anxieties. "(Y/N)," he wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his face into the crook of my neck. I could feel the rapid beating of his heart, mixed with his unpleasant gasps for air. It sounded as though he was hyperventilating, similar to Marco's lung condition.

"I-I'm glad you came, Lev—mmph!" His soul-shattering display of affection did not end. His lips found my own, passionately silencing any attempt of gratitude. It felt as though Levi had lost a part of himself. Without me, he lacked confidence, trust and mental-strength. I could feel the deep, everlasting love behind his actions. Instinctively, his hands grazed my abdomen. I parted my lips to allow him better access, but he seemed content to gently run his hand across my now visible bump.

Speculation had flared across the palace like wildfire, however Levi didn't seem to care. His steely grey eyes sparked to life, completely replacing the void that overtook his senses. It felt as though he had regained his power as King once more. "Tsk, lets go. Forget about that tall piece of shi—oi!"

I flung my arms around Levi's broad shoulders, much to his surprise. He clearly did not expect such a response to his emotional greeting.

I knew he would come for me.

My mind remained relatively at ease knowing he would eventually discover my whereabouts. "Thank you for saving me, Levi." I felt my eyes brim with tears, suddenly becoming emotional over his display of love for me. It was clear his love remained unchanged, and equally as powerful. "Tsk, what are you saying? Of course I would." He made an odd scoffing sound with his mouth.

Levi failed to mention the sound of flurried footsteps disappearing into the darkness. Bertholdt had abducted me with the intent of murder, but changed his mind upon discovering I was pregnant. Not only that, he spared me on his own terms. Levi possessed very little, if not no control over the situation. The fact Bertholdt could return at any moment in time would undoubtedly force Levi over the edge. Bertholdt had fled for now, but the memory remained a little hostile. If he were to change his mind, the same horrendous scenario could repeat itself. "Let's go home, (Y/N). You need to see a medic for your hands. I'll have Hanji check on...Ruby."

My eyes widened. "Ruby? You think it'll be a girl?"

"Who knows..." he muttered, ushering me up a set of spiral stairs leading to the surface of his soundless Kingdom. A beautiful shimmer of moonlight lead the way to an opening within the well. Small thatched houses and a large concrete wall revealed the security of Levi's power. Since he was crowned King, his Kingdom had grown popular amongst neighbouring lands. A tranquil silence fell over the streets as the people of his Kingdom slept until sunrise. "Show me your hands," he demanded. I winced softy, revealing my palms which were now immersed in blood. A few droplets of crimson liquid fell down my fingertips, staining the cobblestone path below.

My silver-eyed husband appeared concerned, wrapping what appeared to be a handkerchief across a particularly nasty section of my fingers. Luckily, my hands remained in tact. A key sign of my safety was the fact I could feel all of my fingers. Injuries involving numbness often lead to amputation, or in some cases, death. If a trained medic did not stitch up my wounds, blood loss would play a cruel part in affecting my unborn baby, who Levi thinks will be a girl. Ruby— the ironic name he had chosen, suits a child born with royal blood. I felt a little distressed over the fact he thought our baby would be a girl. I knew how much he desired to have a boy. If anything, the gender pressure made me feel uneasy.

I want to please Levi. To alleviate his responsibilities as King.

"Oi, (Y/N). Come here," Levi inhaled sharply, twisting his shoulder to the left. What he revealed was a strange-looking piece of metal embedded into his arm. My mind flashed back to the memory of Bertholdt throwing something at Levi. He didn't even flinch at the time, but that adrenaline had started to fade. Levi put on a brave face, no matter how painful his injury became. I carefully linked arms with him, walking together into the night.

A group of guards patrolling the area quickly spotted us; all eight of them calling for a medic immediately after meeting the fiery gaze of their King. Two guards offered physical support to lean on, as well as a poorly-applied set of bandages for Levi's arm. His lavish purple coat was now soaked in blood, and once the castle was in sight, he appeared light-headed.

"Levi!" His silver irises rolled backwards as he promptly lost consciousness. The stress he had endured for almost nine hours as well as blood-loss was far too much for his body. Three guards proceeded to carry him to the safety of his glowing palace. A part of me wished I had been the one to sustain an injury on Levi's behalf, but I knew our unborn baby would not survive. Watching Levi fight tooth and nail for my safety sent my heart into perpetual turmoil. It was evidently clear how important I was to him.

Two guards permitted me to accompany Levi up to his room. No other guests or visitors were allowed entry. He was frantically treated by three highly trained medics. The competence of their skills were highlighted by the fact they wore uniforms. I glanced down at my hands, offering them to a lower-class medic who gingerly began to stitch up a large gash down the middle of my right palm. He remained silent, clearly intimidated by Levi despite the fact he was unconscious.

My husband lay in the middle of our shared bed being given an array of medical treatments. The medics had successfully removed whatever object Bertholdt had thrown at him, and sent the weapon off for analysis. A blond-haired medic expertly stitched up Levi's wound, pouring out a glass of water for him to drink once he awoke. In all honesty, the rest would probably do him some good.

A few minutes of stitching revealed an ugly scar up the centre of my palm. My upper-back was riddled with scars from the horror that was The Great Chi Fire, but this little one seemed to send me over the edge. The pain I endured had only seemed to worsen as each day passed. Levi promised me safety, but I had been the one to constantly endanger his life based on the mistakes of my past. It made me feel as though the suffering would never end. The land of Chi and its inhabitants simply would not leave me alone. My blood, soul, sweat and tears remained etched into Chi's history.

My gory time spent as a warrior refused to let me live out the rest of my life in peace.

Naturally, two guards stood either side of Levi as he recovered from his wounds. No matter what I said, they refused to leave his bedside until he dismissed them from their duties. It remained clear how passionate the guards were when Levi's safety was concerned. No matter how rude or emotionless he was to them, the guards remained loyal to his authority. I had heard rumours that the medics were on an extortionate amount of money, as well as the guards, hence their obedience. But once glance at their expressions proved that was simply not true. They were loyal to Levi out of sheer respect. His reputation and rule as King inspired many others to obey.

Whichever way you looked at it, Levi had a lot on his plate to deal with. A small bump protruding outwards of my stomach increased the pressure ten-folds. The stress of becoming a father— something Levi despised for most of his life, was bound to trouble him. I'm sure Levi wished to be the father his own never was. There was no doubt in my mind how great a father he would be.

The room began to darken, so much so, one of the guards lit a few candles so they could intervene should an intruder break in. They remained silent throughout the evening, not even looking at me while I held Levi's hand throughout the bitter winter's night. I struggled to stay awake, occasionally falling asleep beside him. I frequently awoke after a few hours to see the guards unmoved from their position— as if they were statues. It appeared their training was just as extensive as Chi's.

I did not have the most comfortable rest, but the security Levi provided made me feel safe. His gentle breaths and occasional groans of discomfort implied he was gaining strength. After a day or two, he would be back to his usual self. A soft ray of warmth landed on my cheek, as my eyes squinted from the heat. A beautiful sunrise promised a day of hope for those watching its beauty. The two loyal guards who had stayed awake the whole night switched with another set of males. The whole protection schedule ran like clock-work.

A soft knock at the door alerted several guards. They withdrew their swords and cautiously opened the door. A young woman with strawberry-blond curls and a luxurious pink bow proved to be no threat at all. Lady Petra Ral walked into the room, clearly startled upon seeing me.

"Ah, (Y/N)..." she smiled, nervously sitting down beside me. Her anxiousness was to be expected. Not too long ago she was ordering me to do her bidding and expressing her ever-lasting hatred towards my people. Oh, how the tables have turned. My hurtful title as "foreigner" had been long forgotten. "I wanted to check on Levi...I was worried since he ran off into a well to find you." Petra adjusted a golden necklace which lay across her chest. The cold diamonds glimmered elegantly under the light as she spoke.

"S-Sorry to trouble you...I'll come another time." I reassured her many times that her presence was permitted, but she seemed intent on leaving the room. Perhaps seeing Levi asleep had calmed her anxieties. Not to mention Levi ran into a well and didn't come back for hours on end. Perhaps she thought he had not returned. Petra bowed with the upmost respect, leaving moments later. Two guards merely glanced at each-other, remaining awfully aware of the engagement she once had to Levi.

"(Y/N)..." a deep, masculine voice croaked out beside me. Levi's soft, watery eyes opened slowly. He brushed a few inky strays of hair from his face, eagerly attempting to sit up. I placed my hands on his shoulders, hastily forcing him back down again. The fact Levi possessed enough strength to attempt such a thing startled those who surrounded him. It was an unbelievable achievement to even move his head in such a weak state. His metallic irises landed on my stomach, shakily reaching out his hand. He gently traced his fingertips across my belly, seemingly content with the bump. It was as if feeling our unborn baby grow with each day calmed him down.

"It'll be a girl..." he muttered, closing his eyes to rid his injury from hurting. I smiled gently, wiping a damp cloth across his forehead. "You seem so sure...I want to make you happy, Levi."

His lips curved upwards. "You've made me the happiest I'll ever be, (Y/N)."

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