Coming for your heart

Chapter 96

"Not the Dauper you were supposed to-"

"Yes."

Hanji's expression became more serious than Levi had ever seen them.

"Then may I repeat my question: What the hell are they doing here? You know what the king is going to do-"

"The king?", the boy behind them shrieked and pulled Ida closer to this boy if that was even possible at that point.

"Quiet.", Levi ordered harsher than intended. The child's feelings however weren't the most important thing in the room right now. The boy shrunk back at his unfriendly tone and Hanji sent him a sharp glare.

"What do you expect me to do? The king will notice my absence and he's been tolerant enough with Erwin taking in that child and God knows where he picked Lio up in the first place." They dragged a hand through their messy hair. "Levi, I can't-"

"I won't ask you to keep them forever there with you. But Dauper will prompt a counterattack from the Queen.", Levi tried to reason with them. "And the palace won't be safe for us, not to mention for children."

"What about Lio? He's also-"

"Erwin and Armin will figure out a way to keep him safe but I can't ask them to take care of two more brats. Lio is a stranger to the king but those two,", he nodded in the kid's direction. "are on Grisha's hitlist. Them being children won't stop him from ending this mission in a way he deems proper."

A conflicted shadow ran over Hanji's face. Then they finally relented and closed their eyes in defeat.

"Right. I'll take them out of here. But Levi, don't forget about them. I can't keep them safe forever."

"It won't be. I promise it." He then faced the children and knelt down in front of the boy, who avoided his gaze. No doubt Levi had scared him with his demeanor and Levi gritted his teeth. "Stay with Hanji. They will keep you safe from all harm."

"But I thought you-"

"I'm neither your father nor your guardian of any kind, brat.", he hissed and clenched his eyes, more angry at himself than at the kid, who bristled and pulled his sister behind himself. "It's not my job to watch you or your sister but I won't let you get dragged into this mess. So I want you to stay with Hanji, right?"

The boy pressed his lips together and nodded reluctantly. Levi exhaled and stood back up, nodding at Hanji and they greeted the children with a friendly smile.

"We'll have fun, don't you worry. I'll show you the deer behind the cottage and we can make hot chocolate if you like."

The boy shrugged and then threw them a scared glance as if they were short of slapping him for the gesture. Hanji's smile wavered but they took the siblings with them anyway. The boy glanced at him one last time, fear and helplessness evident in his eyes. Then all three of them were gone.

- - -

It took the king only a few hours until he called for Levi in the early hours of the morning. He took place in front of the throne where the asshat was sitting and knelt on the ground, more than willing to keep his gaze down so he wouldn't have to look at the big asshole.

"I didn't expect you to leave Dauper so soon.", the king stated coldly.

"I carried out your mission, Your Majesty. I didn't deem it necessary to stay there just to watch my soldiers celebrating." The word hurt on his tongue. There was nothing to celebrate after such slaughter and bloodshed. And he knew that many of the soldiers would be busy in the following nights with gagging and throwing up whenever they remembered what they had done.