"Historia?" Eren scoffed at the idea, "what qualifications does she have to rule?"

the very same question can be asked of you

"After all that has happened do, you really expect the Ackerman duchy to back anyone who they don't already recognize as a close ally?" Levi frowned down at Eren. "Tell me what you've done to prove your abilities, what have you done to make yourself trustworthy?"

at every opportunity, eren has made it painfully clear what he'll do to get his way

"I've-"

"At every opportunity you have rejected my goodwill," I cut him off. "When you first came to the ducal estate I welcomed you like family, I even avoided spreading the fact that you had broken into the office as one last shred of my trust in you."

what did you do with that?

"You betrayed her trust, our trust," Levi scowled, pulling me closer to his side. "The only heirs to the throne who have shown anything but indifference or outright dislike for the Duchess are the second and third princess."

"I have no interest in the throne," Annie cut in, addressing the king directly. "Historia is more than capable."

"Historia hasn't even been educated in battle strategy or anything related to leadership- how can you possibly suggest that she would be capable of taking over?" The first princess spoke up, glancing anxiously between us and the king.

if eren takes over she knows that she can recover her position

"Father- I didn't realize you were planning on dying tomorrow," Annie gasped loudly.

"Neither Eren nor I are ready to take over a position as grand as the throne tomorrow- but look at it logically," Historia broke her silence, speaking clearly and confidently. "This country won't last if its leader lacks support and trust from the nobility that governs its many provinces."

SLAY

"I say this not as Levi Ackerman but as the Duke-" Levi paused addressing the gathered nobles. "I am aware that my own personal feelings regarding the prince and princess may be coloring my opinions but can you, as members of nobility trust a leader who has no qualms unearthing your personal business and fabricating lies to manipulate your families?"

it has to be a rude awakening for hitch and eren

the realization that many of the people in this room only align themselves with the two of them due to their positions

the moment you do anything that threatens the personal security of these nobles they will all scatter and find a new person to leech off of

"They're right."

"I heard that the third princess is quite competent in her own right!"

"We've just witnessed how she carries herself in moments of high stress- she was able to think rationally and get us all to evaluate where we stand!"

wow what helpful and insightful comments

"If education is what the third princess needs I fail to see the issue with starting now and fostering a new heir," I paused. "Clearly whatever education the first prince has received has entirely failed him."

historia has amassed everything a strong ruler needs to have

and she's a girlboss so

i'm inclined to support her

"Father," Historia bowed towards the king. "You have many children, if at any point I prove to be an insufficient heir you have every opportunity to educate a new one."

"Eren do you have anything else you want to say for yourself," Erwin rubbed his forehead in irritation at this whole situation. "I believe everyone in this room has made it clear where they stand."

it will undermine erwin's reputation if he reinstates the first prince without a good reason

"Why should I have to explain myself? I haven't done anything wrong," Eren remained stubborn to the end.

i feel bad for mikasa and armin

"We'll escort him back to his chambers, please do what's best for him," Armin knelt in front of the king.

to think that they believe he's best off the throne

there must be more about him that i can't even imagine

i'm glad that they're on our side- their word is much stronger than ours

"Eren, let's go." Mikasa and Armin each took one of his arms, dragging the prince towards the door.

"Historia, the two of us should discuss the rest of this matter in private," Erwin turned to follow Eren and his aides out of the room, pausing halfway to address the gathered nobles. "I had previously intended for the first prince to succeed the throne, seeing as he and the first princess have planted fraudulent evidence on Duke and Duchess Ackerman I will be reconsidering that decision."

it was a crime is what it was

it's hard to punish a member of the royal family- especially someone as powerful as they were

but still- i hope for some kind of punishment

"And the first princess?" Annie asked, looking down at Hitch with pity.

THANK YOU

"As I believe her to be the one that orchestrated this whole plan, she will be confined to her wing of the palace until further notice."

"Father!" She screamed, tears running down her face, "you can't do this to me-"

"You harmed Duke and Duchess Ackerman- you should be thankful that my punishment isn't any harsher," he shook his head, turning to a guard. "Restrict her communications with the outside world and heavily monitor her maternal family."

there's no way for her to get out of this

funny

i thought i would feel a little sorry for her

"I apologize for the commotion and hope you have a prosperous marriage," Erwin nodded to the hosts, before exiting the room, the large doors slamming shut behind him.

is it over?

"Thank god," I muttered a sigh of relief, turning to Levi. "This is real, right?"

"I think so," he nodded, unsure.

"You did it!" Historia and Ymir rushed over to us, Annie close behind. "I was worried for a second when you revealed all that about the contract- you really should've told me beforehand."

sorry

"Some things are best kept secret," Levi murmured, his eyes still trained on mine. "We did it."

"I want to kiss you so bad right now but I-" I suddenly became aware of the crowd of onlookers that had not dispersed.

-don't want you to make that constipated face in front of anyone else

"Levi-" an all too familiar voice ruined our moment of happiness. "Levi- did you-"

"Should we take our leave?" He turned his back on her, taking my hands in his. "Let's go."

"That sounds wonderful."

"Levi did you ever love me?" The first princess's question came out defeated, weak.

where did all that confidence go?

"Oh-" He stopped in his tracks, glancing back once at her before looking to me. "I almost forgot-"

"What?"

do you have anything left to tell her?

"Let's replace that shitty ring- it was beginning to bother me," he reached into his pocket, fishing for something. "Remember when I left you alone for 20 minutes and you decided to scare the shit out of me?"

"Of course I do, it was hilarious."

and i met my favorite kids there

"I was picking this up and you betrayed me," he chuckled, reaching for my left hand. "There was never a good moment to give it to you."

"Is it a duplicate key to your freaky dungeon?"

"Fuck no, the dungeon is for me and me only."

it was worth a shot

"Then- what could possibly be so important that you ignore the desperate plea of a princess?"

"Unfortunately for her, the woman standing in front of me is also a princess," he hummed, slipping a cool metal band onto my finger.

"Levi you-"

"Imagine how awful I felt listening to them use your shit wedding ring as a piece of evidence when I had this sitting in my pocket," he kissed my knuckles, a beautiful sapphire ring decorating my ring finger. "Is this enough proof that I love you?"

"You never had to prove anything."

"Never?"

"Never."

_________________________

IM SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE!! my alarm didn't go off )):

on another note- i have the exciting (and slightly unfortunate) role of letting all of you know that the next chapter of tidal is the last one. it's been a long time coming and i'll definitely get more into it next week. im happy and also sad but i feel like i've accomplished everything i want to with tidal (dw ill probably come back to it for short oneshot like chapters in the future)!

also! i'm going to be publishing the first chapter of my new project next week at the same time as the last chapter- i hope to see you there.

love you to pieces

- AMI