Unwanted Power: An Armin Arlert Love Story

11. Eren's Trial

"But he did nothing wrong." Lexie told her parents. They had been arguing for about half an hour already. Eren had been imprisoned and kept unconscious, Lexie didn't like it, she even tried to visit, but her parents forbade her to do so since it'd look like she had some arrangement with the boy and they didn't want rumors to fly around.

"He is a potential threat." Duke Julian insisted.

"But Eren doesn't remember anything. He is a loyal soldier. I trained with him. He has always wanted to kill titans. He was in Shinganshina when Wall Maria fell, he lost her mother there, he is just as confused as we are, but he is loyal."

"We don't know that for sure, honey." Lorelei answered.

"If he dies before we know everything, we'll lose the chance to get the needed information that can help us against titans." Lexie insisted.

"You said yourself he didn't remember anything, what information could he give?." Julian pointed out.

"We can study him, he'll do what we ask. I know he will." Lexie was desperate already, grasping at anything to save Eren's life.

"Why do you defend this boy so much, are you romantically involved with him?" Her father asked suspiciously, not liking the idea of his daughter being in a relationship with a titan, or with anyone at all for that matter.

"No. He's my friend. I don't want him to die."

"Lexie, it's not about what you want, as a family in the royal council, we-"

"-live for our subjects." Lexie finished. "I know. That's what I'm trying to do here. And, for the record, Eren is part of our people too." Having said that, her parents shared a look. Lexie was giving good arguments, that meant they had to confess their agenda to her.

"Listen, the crown wants Eren's power for itself. Whoever gets it can gain a lot of favors. We have reasons to believe that, with the correct steps, we can get his power." Her father said.

"What?" Lexie frowned in confusion.

"It is important that you do not repeat this to anyone. But, if the time comes, we might have to ask you to kill him and get his power." Lexie could only stare up at her dad. "I'll have to talk to your uncle Rod, but Eren's trial is tomorrow. The crown cannot have the final say since it's a military matter, but we have to do what we can to keep Eren alive, for now."

The Duke and Duchess left the office, leaving an extremely distressed Lexie, would she be able to kill Eren for her family? It scared her how little time it took for her to come up with an answer. The truth is she would, she'd probably regret it, but she would if it was the best for everyone.

*************

Lexie wore a beautiful red dress, jewelry and her hair was straightened and pulled back with a tiara, she was going with her father to see Eren's trial. They sat in front of the Commander-in-chief's seat, on a second floor to not be seen by everyone. On their right were the Military Police and the Pastors of the Order of the Wall, a group her uncle gave a lot of funds to. On their left were the Survey Corps and the Garrison. Lexie was able to see Armin and Mikasa with the Survey Corps. She looked down. How was she going to face them now? They must think horribly about her.

Commander-in-chief Dhalis Zachary entered the room.

"Well then, let us begin. Eren Jaeger, yes? You are a soldier, sworn to sacrifice your life for the public good. Is that correct?" Dhalis asked.

"Yes, sir." Eren replied.

"This is an exceptional situation. This tribunal will be held under military, not civilian, law. The final decision rests entirely in my hands. Your fate will be decided here. Any objections?"