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[SnK - LevixOC] Affairs of the State - Chapter Two

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Chapter Two


Erwin Smith arrived at the Survey Corps headquarters by carriage a month later, bringing with him the results of the blood comparison tests for Luna and Eduardo Castillo’s blood samples.  The brunette squad leader was helping out in cleaning the stables when the man arrived and he was welcomed to the base by Eren Jaeger, who took the former commander’s suitcase from his only remaining hand, and led the man inside to settle down on his room.   Whatever his business is in the HQ, he was not intending to stay long and chat, drink or tell stories about the old days.  Luna’s audience was then requested at Commander Zoe’s office a few hours after the blonde man’s arrival.


Luna was sitting in her own office, reading some reports when her summons came.  The Potato Girl came to her office announcing that Erwin Smith and Hage Zoe is requesting a meeting with her.  Luna nodded and stood up to go to the commander’s office, but not before asking the cadet to double her stable duties for stealing bread from the kitchens, and confiscating the said bread that the cadet tried so hard to conceal behind her.  After making a short side-trip to the kitchen to return the missing bread, Luna stopped in front of the commander’s office, straightening her uniform before knocking at the wooden door.  Hange’s voice was heard inside, giving the squad leader permission to enter.


“Tch, you’re late brat.” Levi greeted her as she made her way to the only spare chair in front of Hange’s desk.  Erwin was standing behind Hange, observing the sight at the training grounds, while Levi sat on Luna’s left side, his legs and were crossed and his arms were folded over his chest with his usual stoic expression on his face.  Luna wondered why the man was present in the room.  Has Hange told him about her theories regarding her past?

“I summoned Levi here as well since I believe he should be enlightened of the situation as well.” Erwin answered Luna’s unvoiced question, averting his gaze from the window and looking at the two people seated in front of the desk.

“So what is it that you needed to enlighten me about?” The corporal asked immediately, raising one thin eyebrow at Hange.  “This better be important.”

“I guess we should start by giving you a little background.  You are aware, of course, that we have been doing our own research and going through the files that were once kept secret by the Central MP.  Well, Erwin here came across this rather curious document about a noble family named ‘Castillo’.  They were ordered to be exterminated by the king thirteen years ago, and only their second child survived.” Hange explained, handing Levi the same set of documents that she has shown Luna a month ago.  

The short man scanned the document, stopping as well at the missing person photo at the end of the file.  He stared at it for some time with a slight hint of surprise graced his features before rearranging themselves back into his usual bored expression.  The corporal then lifted his gaze from the sketch to look at the squad leader sitting across him and looking back at Hange, who was waiting for his reaction.  

“Are you telling me that you have this fucked up theory that this midget here is this missing daughter of some pig sent to be slaughtered by the king?” Levi asked, cocking an eyebrow at the two superiors in front of him.

“You’re not even tall yourself.” Luna muttered under her breath.  It was true that she was shorter than the corporal by an inch or two, and no matter how much milk her father forced her to drink, she just did not grow any taller.  Her mother then blamed her shortness to her lifting heavy things around their shop when she was younger, even if she got scolded for doing so.

“I heard that.” The corporal snapped, making Luna flinch.

“It was actually, Erwin’s theory.  However, we cannot just believe that theory without solid evidence.  A month ago, I took Luna’s blood sample and sent it to Erwin in Sina.  There is this new technology there developed by the scientists which makes it possible to know if people are indeed related as a family.  Since the Central MP has kept blood samples of everyone they have targeted in a closed off laboratory, we were able to run the test between Luna and Eduardo Castillo’s blood sample.  Today, Erwin came with the results of the test.” Hange paused for a while, exchanging looks with Erwin, who merely nodded to urge the commander to continue.  Luna involuntarily clenched her fists resting on her lap, anticipating the news that she had unknowingly been eager to hear about as well.

“Luna, you are indeed Elizabeth Castillo.” Hange said as Luna stared the commander with her mouth slightly agape as she let the news of her real heritage sink in.  So the family she had spent most of her life with was not her family at all?  She was adopted? “Your mother was one of the last noble Oriental families as well which is probably why you are so short.” The commander added as an afterthought.  Luna was so absorbed with her thoughts that she did not notice the corporal studying her, the missing person sketch still in his hand.

“So what do I have to do with this?  She’s a noble.  Big fucking deal.  You did not summon me here just to hear about that, right?” Levi was the first to break the silence.

“Well, I have been busy these past few weeks making arrangements regarding this the moment that the test results have reached me.” It was Erwin’s turn to answer the questions as he walked to the other side of the table, resting his hand on Luna’s shoulder.  “I have informed the royal court that a member of the Castillo family is still alive, and the queen has ordered the crimes this family had committed against the former king to be pardoned.  Long story short, the Castillo family is recognized as a part of the royal court once again, which means that Luna here is now tasked with the duties that her family has taken before they were banished, and also the revival of the Castillo family.  I’m not asking you to get married immediately and start a family, though.  That could come much later when you have settled down in your new position, and when you find a man suitable for you.” Erwin smirked at Levi, making Hange stifle a giggle.  The squad leader and corporal however, did not notice this as both were intently listening to what the former commander had to say.

“For now, you shall be coming with me back to Sina.  The old Castillo manor is still being repaired with the funding from her royal highness, of course, so you will be staying at the castle for the mean time while we work on your papers for the transfer of rights of everything your family owned to you.  Oh, and because you are the daughter of a noble after all, you shall also be presented at court, though that is already many years too late since you’ve reached your legal age.  Levi, I assume that you already know why I am insisting on the revival of her family, correct?” Erwin turned to the short man who gave a sigh before nodding.

“This is all for your shitty plan on gathering more support for the Survey Corps.” the corporal answered in a bored tone.

“I am glad that you are catching my drift.” Erwin smiled.  “..which is why I am assigning Luna under your watch.  You shall be coming with us to Sina and you shall become her advisor.  Help her in any way you can; be her consort for formal functions, advise her on the decisions she has to take for her position.  I know you are the only one who can take on the job with the best interest of the Corps in mind.”

“I am not going to play butler to her!  Why don’t you do that instead?”

“Because I have my own job to attend to.  I know you’ll take pleasure in working her to the bone when you guys get started.”

“And what about the expeditions?”

“You and Luna can still take part in the expeditions aside from the job at the royal court.  Do not worry too much and consider this a change of pace from scolding the cadets every time their cleaning displeases you.  I for one know that the black tea in the palace is top notch compared to what they give us here in the kitchens.”  Levi perked up at the mention of tea, interest now evident on his features.

“Tch, alright.  But I’m riding back here if she ever pisses me off.” The short corporal then stood up and made his way to the door.

“Oi, brat.  Start packing.  We’re heading to fucking Sina to meet those pigs at the royal court.”  Levi said, looking over his shoulder to the brunette who was still sitting there in disbelief.


----------------


Two days had passed since that meeting.  Erwin decided to stay for a week in order for Levi and Luna to be able to gather all their things, and finish whatever remaining work they have before heading to Sina.  It was on that day that a messenger from the Military Police came, looking for Erwin Smith with a somewhat thick and formal-looking envelope with the seal of the palace in the cadet’s hand.  Luna and Levi were once again summoned into the commander’s office a few hours after the commander had locked herself with the blonde man to discuss the contents of the message.


Luna walked along the halls, wondering what it was now that the commanders want with her.  After the last meeting, a trip to the commander’s office was not the most pleasant experience for her anymore, knowing that it could be another one of those discussing her true heritage.  What was she about to find out now?  That she was actually related to those Orientals who built the huge wall that can be seen from the moon?  She has read about it in the library once, when she got curious about the history of Orientals, and now that she knows that she was actually part-Oriental, it’s not a very far-off possibility anymore.



Luna stopped in her tracks when she saw the Lance Corporal leaning on the wall next to Hange’s office.  Levi glanced in her direction upon hearing her footseps, the same bored expression he always wore, plastered on his face.  


“You were called in too, Corporal?” Luna asked, though she already knew the answer to her question.

“No, I want to shit.  That’s why I’m outside shitty-glasses’ office.  Now let’s go.” Levi said, knocking on the wooden door, and opening it, motioning for Luna to enter before him.
Just like two days ago, Hange was seated behind her desk, stacks of paper arranged haphazardly on either side, and Erwin was standing behind her, gazing at the training field through the window.  The furrow on the blonde man’s brow, and the wavering of Hange’s voice as she told the two to take the seats in front of the desk told Luna that something was definitely up.  A part of her was hoping that there was a mess-up and that she was not actually Elizabeth Castillo and that she could return to being just Squad Leader Luna Metzger and forget about the whole situation, but she also knew that this was impossible as she was sure that the former commander would have had the results of her test double even triple checked before coming here and collecting her.


“We just received some news from Sina, particularly, the royal court.” Hange started, the glint of light in her glasses not giving away the look of worry in her eyes.  “They have apparently been reviewing past cases when long-gone noble clans were revived by their remaining descendants, and there is one little thing that they require of us so that the Castillo family can be recognized as a clan again.  You see, since Luna is female and the last surviving member of the clan, they need an assurance that she can indeed revive this clan.”

“So are you saying we have to prove that this brat here is fertile or something?  I’m pretty sure I saw her washing bloody undergarment last week.  Isn’t that proof enough?” Levi asked in his monotone voice, making Luna flustered at the thought of a man seeing her wash her undergarments stained with her monthly blood.

“No, Levi.  And why are you even watching her wash her… her underwear?” Hange stammered.  Levi just shrugged and waited for the commander to continue.  Hange cleared her throat and sat up straighter in her seat before proceeding.  “What they need is for Luna to get married at least a month from now.”  The brunette squad leader brought a hand to cover her mouth.  She never thought that things would turn out this way.  Didn’t Erwin assure her that she can marry later when she’s found the man that she likes?

“I – I’m sorry.  But didn’t you tell me before that I can marry and revive the clan when I see fit?” Luna’s voice was shaking, but she spoke up to find some reason in this.

“That was an error in my part and I’m very, very sorry about that.  I overlooked the fact that there may be a different case for female survivors.” Erwin explained with sincerity in his voice, and his brow furrowed, showing his concern as to how the squad leader will take the news.

“B-but I can’t just marry anybody.  Th-there’s practically no man I’ve ever interacted with outside of the military!” Luna stuttered as she explained the predicament she’s in.

“What we have in mind is to have you married to someone from the military.  It’s much easier to get together with someone you’ve been around a lot, isn’t it?” Hange answered.  She continued with her explanation before the brunette in front of her can open her mouth again to protest.  “You can then separate after a year.  That should be enough time for you to settle down in the royal court.  Erwin says here that it’s perfectly legal.  You can then just remarry with someone you prefer after.” Hange then reached out to the squad leader, holder her hands in hers and looking straight at Luna’s brown orbs, the commander’s eyes begging for her to understand.

“Will you do this for us, Luna?  I’m so sorry, but you know that this is for everybody’s best interests, right?  Can you just suck it up for a year?  I promise I’d set you up in as many dates as I can after all of it is over.”


Luna averted her gaze from the commander who was still holding her hands and mulled things over.  It was true that she did not go on dates or gotten romantically involved with anybody during the whole time she’s been in the military.  In all honesty, she was starting to doubt that she will ever be married seeing as nobody has ever made any advances on her in that sort of manner in her twenty-five years of life.  Little did she know that people did pay attention to her, and a lot of men found her attractive, but she was too focused in honing her skills as a soldier, and way too naïve to notice the advances the men made on her and she passed them off as friendly gestures, because that’s what they were all supposed to be in the military, anyway: brothers in arms.  Her promotion as squad leader did not help as the men found it too intimidating to confess to their superior.


Luna thought about the matter for a few minutes, while everybody awaited her response, the silence only interrupted by Levi shifting in his chair, muttering something about Luna being a slow decision-maker.  Finally, Luna lifted her gaze to meet Hange’s and nodded her head, muttering a small ‘okay’ in the process.  The two commanders visibly sighed in relief at Luna’s decision, both exchanging a small glance and a tiny smile of relief.


“Now, let’s discuss the matter of who you are going to marry.  Do you have anybody in mind?  Eren would probably be a good match for you.  He likes you a lot and I think you both go along well –”

“She’s not marrying Jaeger!” Levi spat out before Hange can continue her musings, catching everyone in the room off-guard.  Luna stared at the man sitting beside her, eyes wide in wonder as to what the raven-haired man had in mind.

“Then, do you have anybody in mind?” Erwin asked, a small and knowing smile playing in his features, which was only noticed by the smaller man who in turn, gave him a piercing glare.

“I’ll do it.” Levi stated, making Luna do a double-take.

“What?”

“You deaf or something?  I said I’ll do it.  Saves Erwin his damn funds as well since he’ll not worry about sending another brat with you to Sina.  And besides, he wants me to keep a close eye on you through this shit he’s putting you through.  I think ‘husband’ is as close as I can get on keeping watch over you.” Levi leaned against his chair as he spoke matter-of-factly, folding his arms across his chest and raising an eyebrow, as if daring anybody else to contest his idea.

“I see.  Very well.” The blonde man nodded.  “The wedding shall be arranged as soon as we get Luna presented in court.  Is that alright with you, Luna?” Erwin nodded into Luna’s direction, as the Squad Leader avoided everybody’s gaze and stared into her hands resting on her legs.

“I-if you say so, commander.”

“Erwin.”

“Y-yes, Erwin.” Luna stammered, the feeling of being in first name terms with her former commander new to her.  The blonde man smiled at the two, and dismissed them.


Hange sighed as she heard the retreating footsteps of her two subordinates fade away, taking off her glasses and setting it down as she rubbed her eyes with her free hand.  The former commander faced Hange and placed a comforting hand on his successor, his eyes showing understanding of what the female was going through.


“You okay?”

“I should be.” Was the reply of the brunette.  She was usually very talkative especially when it comes to her titan research, but after the recent string of events, Hange found herself speechless for the first time in many years.

“You’re usually full of words.”  Erwin pointed out, resuming his idle watch on the training fields through the window of Hange’s office.  “No one can hear us right now.  Talking would do you good.”

“You know that biting feeling telling me that it should have been me?” Hange leaned back on her chair, not bothering to wear her glasses back on as she closed her eyes briefly, collecting her feelings before opening her mouth once again to talk.  

“I know it has been years already.  It was not anyone’s fault that nothing happened between us.  We  - Levi and I – we just knew that there are far more important things than getting into a romantic relationship with your comrade.  If you think about it, we could have been an ideal pair, right?  He knows what my quirks are, and I tolerate and understand that potty mouth of his.  Heck, he even gives the extra effort of making sure that I am actually properly bathed before important meetings.  Then one day, the spark that was there was not there anymore.  I saw him glancing at her more often than before when she was just a cadet.  Did you hear him earlier?  He even watches her wash her underwear.  What a creep!” Hange chuckled, before turning to Erwin’s general direction, her blurred vision from the loss of her glasses, making it impossible for her to actually know where the blonde man is.

“But Levi being who he is, I’m sure he has not yet realized or acknowledged his feelings for Luna.  Him volunteering himself for Luna’s husband was probably just his defensive impulse because Shorty is far too possessive to let anyone, especially Eren lay a hand on what he has already marked in his mind as his.” Hange heaved a great sigh then picked up her glasses putting them back on “You’re right, Erwin.  Talking did make me feel better.”  She offered her former commander a sincere smile.

“Are you sure that you’re alright, though?” The blonde commander asked once again.

“I’ve already moved on, Erwin.  It’s been years ago, after all.  I’m sure this is for the better.” Hange gave a genuine smile, assuring Erwin that he has nothing to worry about.


--------------


“Oi, Luna.” The corporal called after Luna as they exited the commander’s office.

“Yes?” The squad leader turned to face Levi.

“Just so you know.  There’s nothing to this arrangement, got it?  I’m only doing this because Erwin and shitty-glasses needs you to get them funding from those pigs in fucking Sina, and the only way is for you to revive your damn clan.” Levi said, raising an eyebrow at her, waiting for her confirmation that she understood.

Luna was surprised that the corporal felt the need to explain himself to her.  Was he expecting her to read too much into the situation and assume that he actually harbors feelings for her?  Nonetheless, Luna nodded, and gave her confirmation to the corporal.

“Of course, I understand that, corporal.”  Her superior then extended a hand and flicked her on her forehead, causing the spot to redden, and Luna brought a hand up to rub at the area, hissing at the man before her.

“Call me Levi.  It would be weird if we’re engaged and shit and we still call each other by our titles.”  

Fine.”   Luna grumbled.  Levi then turned around and walked off to the opposite direction as Luna glared at his retreating form.


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A/N:  This was longer than I had predicted, because I had to make several edits to make it more cohesive with how royal courts would really work.  


First off, a maiden who is presented at court is a symbol that she is now open for suitors who will then in turn ask her hand for marriage.  Now, since Luna is the only living person in her clan, she would then therefore have to give her hand in marriage to someone soon enough so that her family can be recognized by the royal court once again.  Think of this as something like that law they had in Princess Diaries 2 where the princess has to marry someone to be able to assume the position of queen.


Second, is the implied LeviHan.  I was actually debating a lot on whether to put it there or not but in the end, I inserted that little internal drama that Hange had upon hearing Levi offer himself up to be Luna’s mock husband.  I’m breaking an almost canon pairing after all (let’s not talk about what Erwin feels, though because in my eyes, it’s still the one true canon pairing among the elites and I’d like to think that he’s Levi’s secret affair throughout the marriage that is about to happen xD).  Hange, knowing Levi all too well, knows that the man is in love even before Levi himself knows this and being the very empathic person that Hange is, she gives up because she knows that her love will be happy being with the person he has his eyes on now.
I forgot to post this last week, sorry!  Chapter 3 is in the works, but it's taking a little bit slowly due to all the preparations for Cosplay Mania, where I managed to be part of the finals of the Cosplay Solo Showdown (wish me luck)!  Anyway, this shall be my last con for this year and then I'd probably have more time to write after the cosplay season is over for me :)  Anyway, enjoy!
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Avariah-Chan's avatar
This is turning out to be an amazing story! ;DDD