Author's Note: I'm so sorry this took a while guys! As it gets closer to holidays, I struggle more to balance my writing and my Youtube channel, but don't worry, I'll try and get Chapter 4 out quicker!

Three Days Later...

A soft breeze went through the beautiful garden. The flowers smelled so beautiful, and it was a quiet morning in the kingdom. Some birds sang in the trees of the garden, while villagers began their daily chores.

Some of the village women did laundry while children played with a friendly dog. Husbands chopped wood and some departed to the forest.

"And so like I was saying we work really hard, and are even willing to travel if needed", Armin explained. Eren and himself were trying to get a job, standing on the doorstep of a local pub.

Eren had mostly been quiet through the conversation, Armin requesting he did most of the talking in hopes they'd get the job.

But Eren was also partly silent because he wondered when he would see Princess Mikasa again. She had appeared so tired and frail during their last meeting...ready to give birth at any moment it seemed.

He hadn't heard any news of an heir being born, and he hasn't seen her since. Perhaps she was simply resting for the passed three days.

"Wait a second, aren't you the brats who mouthed up to your last boss?", the pub owner asked then with a frown.

Eren frowned, snapping out of his thoughts for a moment. "Yeah? So what if we are?", he asked. "Eren!", Armin hissed.

The pub owner scoffed. "You'd only cause me trouble, get lost", he then slammed the door in their faces.

Eren glared. "Oh yeah?! How about you come out here and I'll show you! You coward!", he yelled, banging on the door.

"Eren, stop it! That won't do us any good!", Armin insisted, grabbing him. Eren glared, calming down only slightly.

"We'll just have to try somewhere else", Armin sighed.

In the garden not too far from the village, the princess walked slowly and weakly. She had left the castle when no one noticed, needing to be alone.

She wasn't fully healed at all...in fact she was still very sick. She was running a fever, and her infection remained. But..she needed out of that castle. For the passed three days she couldn't stop thinking of her newborns...and how they could have died.

She gripped the side of the tree, staggering weakly before sinking down into a sitting position. Leaning her back against the trunk, she breathed weakly.

In a year's time...she would have to go through this all over again. Bearing a child, using every ounce of her strength...only to birth children who die.

She was so tired...she didn't want this to be her life anymore. She knew she held a great dept to Kiyomi and Hizuru...but...she had enough.

She reached in her pocket, pulling out a small vial of blue liquid. Mikasa looked down at it, biting her lip. It was a deadly poison.

One drop would doom any human who consumes it. The passed three days, her depression and grief for her children grew and grew.

She stopped eating, and took little water. She realized...she could just end it all right here. One sip...and she could be reunited with her babies, in the afterlife.

Her grief had overshadowed her worry for the kingdom and Hizuru...and she felt so tempted to drink the poison.

She took the top off, and lifted it to her lips. But just as they nearly touched it..she hesitated. She even began trembling a bit.

Why...why did she hesitate? She had no real life...no family, no children, not even a real husband...

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the princess froze as her eyes widened slightly. It was him...he was why she was hesitating.

Eren...the kind man she met days ago...the man she...felt such intense feelings for. He was the reason for her hesitation.

She couldn't...erase him from her mind. His kind smile, his gentle eyes, how he held his hand out to her in this garden...

Several feet from the tree, Eren entered the garden with Armin. "I don't know Armin, do you really think they need a gardener?", he asked, doubtful.

"I mean, its a huge garden, they could", Armin pointed out, trying to be optimistic. Eren frowned, but then he stopped.

"What is it Eren..?", Armin started to ask but then he stopped as well, following his friend's gaze. Still sitting against the tree trunk, Mikasa glanced up at them slightly.

"Princess...", Eren came over to her in concern. "Princess Mikasa..!", Armin almost stuttered, having never met her before.

As Eren got closer to her, he noticed she no longer appeared with child, but she looked even sicker than she appeared three days ago.

"Eren...", her voice was small and weak, seeing him again surprised and perplexed her...why? Why did he only show when she needed him?

"You had the baby...are you alright?", Eren asked worriedly, as Armin's expression turned to heavy concern, seeing how ill the Princess looked.

Mikasa's eyes darkened, as she looked back down. Her jet black hair covered some of her face. "They...died...", she said in a very quiet and broken voice.

Eren froze, his expression changing to horror. "They...? Twins?", Armin muttered worriedly. Mikasa didn't respond, she then began to stand.

She struggled greatly, gripping the tree for support. "Princess...", Eren went to offer to help, though she roughly brushed him off.

"I...I don't understand it...how can I lose... four children...it doesn't make sense...!", she shook her head in deep frustration, tears in her eyes, seeming to forget Eren and Armin were there.

As she staggered forward, a sudden wave of dizziness and weakness overtook her. She stumbled slightly, and just as she started to fall, Eren hurried over catching her.

"Princess..!", he caught her just in time, supporting her head as she appeared unconscious, she was panting heavily, dripping in sweat and deathly pale.

The bottle of poison she had been holding but didn't drink had fallen to the ground, as it spilled out on the ground, killing a nearby flower.

"Armin, she's burning up...", Eren said fearfully, feeling her cheek as Armin hurried over. "We have to take her back to the castle, she's really sick...", he said anxiously

Eren glared then, as he protectively held her. "They clearly aren't doing much for her! She looks even worse than when she was with child!", he pointed out.

"So what do you suggest? We're not doctors", Armin shot back calmly but firmly. Eren frowned, he then lifted the princess up into his arms, carrying her. Her head rested between his chest and arm, as she remained limp.

"Eren?", asked Armin, confused. "I know where to take her", Eren said then, beginning to walk towards Hizuru's forest. "Have you gone insane?! If guards see us carrying the Princess away, we'll be executed!", Armin cried, but Eren ignored him.

"Eren!", Armin followed him into the forest, which was dense and most of it the trees covered the sunlight.

Eren moved forward, holding Mikasa close as he passed through several trees, and even some wild Pegasus. Armin followed closely behind, as they ventured deeper and deeper into the woods.

Mikasa panted weakly, as her fever only seemed to become higher. Eren could feel how hot her body was becoming, and he could tell by her shallow breathing she was in trouble.

"Hang in there, Mikasa...", he whispered worriedly, as he picked up the pace a bit. "Eren, where in Heavens name are we going?", Armin asked.

"You'll see soon enough", Eren insisted, keeping his eyes forward. They continued walking through the forest, before finally coming to a bright clearing.

They were in the heart of this specific forest, and there was a large, purified lake. Armin stopped in his tracks as he realized.

"Eren...this is the Lake of Hizuru! Its forbidden!", he said nervously. "I know that...but this water is supposed to have healing properties. If anything can save the Princess, its this lake", Eren replied as he stepped towards the water.

"Have you gone mad?! We have no idea if the rumor of this lake is true! It could be poison!", Armin began to protest but Eren glared back at him.

"She's SUFFERING, Armin!", he snapped back. Armin went quiet, looking shocked. "I can't explain it...but I refuse to let her die! We have to save her...", Eren continued.

Mikasa continued panting weakly as she remained in her feverish state, even wincing slightly in pain. "She's hurting bad...are you going to help me or not?!", Eren asked, urgently.

Armin swallowed hard. But he then sighed, coming over. "She's supposed to drink it, according to rumor", he said, as he helped Eren step into the shallow end of the lake.

Eren knelt down in the shallow, cool water. It wasn't ice cold, but it wasn't warm either. It was a perfect temperature.

Armin got a wooden cup from his bag, and filled it with the water. He handed it to Eren, stepping back. Eren supported the princess's head, and lifted the cup to her lips.

"Sip slowly Princess..", he spoke softly, as Mikasa felt the cool water touch her lips. She began drinking it as Eren helped her, it felt so soothing on her sore throat.

Once she finished drinking, she exhaled weakly for air and Eren gave the empty cup back to Armin, watching her anxiously.

As the water settled in her system, Mikasa suddenly felt less and less light headed. Her body began to cool off, the fever breaking at a rapid pace.

Her infection...started to heal and she began feeling a powerful surge of energy. She opened her eyes slowly, seeing she was in Eren's arms.

"Princess..! Are you alright?", Eren asked urgently. "How are you feeling?", added Armin nervously. Mikasa blinked, and even felt some color reach her cheeks. Eren's eyes widened, seeing the paleness fade visibly.

"Eren...", the princess sat up out of his arms, looking around at her surroundings. "How do you feel?", asked Eren worriedly.

Mikasa got up easily on her own, looking over the large lake. She no longer felt weak or tired...in fact, her body felt...brand new again. Like it hadn't even been through three pregnancies. Like she hadn't even given birth to twins three days ago.

She felt...almost as healthy and strong as a child again. There was even a healthy glow about her. Her hair appeared fuller and healthier, and she even looked like she had put on a normal amount of weight, instead of being so skinny.

"I...I feel...so much better...Eren, is this...The Lake of Hizuru?", Mikasa asked, her voice no longer weak or shaky.

Eren nodded, both him and Armin looked beyond relieved she was recovered. "You collapsed in the garden, so we brought you here", Armin explained.

Mikasa gawked at both of them, in disbelief. "This..isn't possible", she said looking back out at the lake. "Kiyomi told me...she said the lake had been tainted. So no one used it anymore...that's why its forbidden...", she said, not understanding.

"Well, its obvious she hasn't been completely honest with you", Eren said bluntly but softly. Mikasa looked out at the lake...she...couldn't believe it.

It wasn't tainted, it was just as purified as it has been for hundreds if not thousands of years. But as she realized this...she also wondered, why? Why did Kiyomi lie to her about this?

If she could be healed so easily and quickly, why would the woman who raised her..let her suffer? And more so...

Mikasa released a soft gasp, as another thought hit her. "What is it?" asked Eren worriedly. Mikasa knelt down in the shallow end.

"If Kiyomi knew of this beautiful place...after I lost my first child...why didn't she...", the princess cupped the purified water in her hands, gazing down at her reflection.

"Why didn't she bring me here? When I was in labor with my second child...if I would have given birth here...whatever is wrong with my children...it could have saved them...", she said, her voice shaky and horrified.

Armin blinked then. "Forgive me princess but...if there was a problem with your body and that was causing your children to perish...why wouldn't Kiyomi bring you here during your first pregnancy to begin with? To ensure you wouldn't go through such heartache...", he asked, also realizing something here wasn't adding up.

Mikasa stood up slowly...what else had Kiyomi lied to her about? For the first time, Mikasa felt she could no longer trust the woman who raised her. She looked back at Eren and Armin. "You saved my life...", she said, grateful as she walked up to them.

"It was really Eren's idea", Armin said softly, as Eren felt some color reach his cheeks. "I'm just glad you're all right...", he said, gazing into her eyes.

Mikasa blushed slightly, getting lost briefly in his eyes. "I owe you both my very life...Eren, thank you...please, how can I repay you both?", she said softly.

"You don't have to repay us, your highness. You were very sick, it was our honor to bring you relief", Armin assured her. Mikasa shook her head.

"You did much more than that, you've both opened my eyes and showed me...even though I'm the Princess of Hizuru, there's things about this place I was lied to about...", she explained.

"What will you do now, Princess?", asked Eren, as Mikasa looked down. "I cannot let Kiyomi know I'm well now...if she lied to me about this Lake, she did it for a reason...so if she knew I knew...", she swallowed hard.

"I must return to the castle, fake still being ill...and I have to discover the truth. No matter how painful or cruel it may be...", she added.

Her eyes softened, as she placed a hand over her torso. "I owe it...to my children. They mustn't die in vain..", she said.

"Princess Mikasa...", Armin said, amazed at her determination and selflessness. Mikasa looked back towards the woods. She began to walk away but then looked back at them.

"You two need a job right?", she asked. Eren and Armin blinked. "Yes, we do...", Armin answered. Mikasa smiled faintly.

"You're stablemen now, for the castle", she said. "What..?!", Eren said surprised as Armin's face lit up. "Even if Kiyomi is in control, I still can decide on some factors...its the least I can do to repay you both", she explained, giving a smile towards Eren, who blushed.

"Thank you so much Princess", Eren said grateful. Mikasa's eyes softened. "Call me Mikasa", she insisted, as they walked into the forest, leaving the lake behind.

"I do have a question, your highness...how will you fake being sick?", Armin asked as they walked. "You're..really glowing", Eren added with a slight blush.

Mikasa bit her lip at Eren's comment, her heart fluttering a bit. It was a feeling she had never experienced before.

"I'll use this to make myself appear paler", she reached in her pocket, showing what looked like a soft white powder. "But as far as my body temperature...", she started.

Armin walked over to a nearby tree then, which had red fruit. He picked one off the branch. "Is that a...", Eren started to ask, as the princess looked confused. "A Kazan fruit, its known for being extremely hot and when consumed, it raises your body temperature for the next 48 hours", Armin explained. "So it'll still seem like I'll have a fever...", Mikasa realized, impressed.

"Extacly, don't worry, it doesn't burn your mouth or swell your face, it just makes your skin hot to the touch", Armin assured, handing the princess the fruit.

"So then, what's the plan?", asked Eren, as Mikasa took a bite of the fruit. It tasted very bitter, almost like hot peppers, but it wasn't burning her tongue.

The plan was for Eren and Armin to bring Mikasa back to the castle, and tell a fake story in order to convince Kiyomi in letting them work at the stables.

When they arrived, Eren was carrying Mikasa, who was doing a good job at faking being ill, panting and her eyes closed so she appeared weak.

Guards outside the castle doors spotted them. "Princess Mikasa! The princess is back!", they called inside to Kiyomi urgently.

A terrified Kiyomi and worried Rubi hurried out. "Princess!", Rubi reached them first, gently taking Mikasa's hand.

"My dear, what happened?! We've been searching for you!", cried Kiyomi, hurrying over and stroking the girl's hair, fussing over her.

"These...two found me, Kiyomi...they saved my life...", Mikasa explained, her voice sounding weak. Eren couldn't help but be a bit impressed by her acting.

"Really?", Kiyomi raised her eyebrow, studying Eren and Armin. "We found her not too far from the village, she had collapsed", Armin explained.

It wasn't entirely a lie, they just were leaving the part about the Lake out...and the fact Mikasa was healed.

"We can't thank you two enough for this, there must be a way we can repay you", Rubi said, as Eren very carefully handed Mikasa to one of the guards.

"I've...offered them jobs as stablemen, since they're out of work", Mikasa said weakly, as Rubi felt her forehead. The midwife instantly frowned, noticing something about the fever seemed...different from before.

But she decided not to say anything for now. "I see, well we could use some more stablemen. Very well, you can both work here", Kiyomi decided, nodding to them.

Armin exhaled in relief as he and Eren grinned. "Let's get you back into bed, princess", Rubi said worriedly. Eren blinked, watching as they took her back inside the castle and out of sight.

He knew he'd see her again, but being apart from her...was extremely difficult. And Mikasa felt the same way for him, as she watched the doors close on him, as the guard carried her upstairs with Rubi.

After Rubi got Mikasa back into bed, the princess continued her act. She was sure she could trust Rubi, but she didn't want to take any chances, especially with Kiyomi.

But as she went over this in her deep thoughts, Rubi gave her a look as she tucked her in. "So you want to tell me what's going on, Princess?", she asked then.

Mikasa blinked, looking at Rubi. Before she could speak, Rubi went on. "Don't insult my intelligence, Princess...I know the different between a fever and the effects of eating a Kazan Fruit".

Mikasa bit her lip, giving a soft sigh. She then grabbed a cloth, wiping the powder from her face, revealing her healthy complexion. Rubi's eyes widened, looking in between shocked, relieved and confused.

"My Heavens, Mikasa! You're healed..!", cried the midwife, not using formal terms for the first time as she quickly began fussing, examining Mikasa.

Mikasa let her fuss, so she could double confirm it. Rubi starred at the princess, complete disbelief in her eyes.

"How..?!", she asked, lowering her voice a bit. "You had a uterus infection, how is this possible...", she added.

"The Lake of Hizuru, Rubi. It..healed me...", Mikasa went on to tell Rubi everything in a quiet voice, including the fact Eren brought her there.

Rubi's face expressed more confusion once Mikasa finished. "I don't understand...if the Lake still has healing properties, why would Lady Kiyomi...", she started.

"Why indeed...that's why I faked being sick...", Mikasa looked down, her hands in her lap. "Rubi..she lied to me. The woman who raised me as her own...lied to my face all this time. If I had been able to drink the lake's waters sooner...none of my children would have died...", she said, biting her lip.

Rubi frowned worriedly, gently taking the princess's hand. "If they died...", she muttered. Mikasa looked up at her, going slightly pale.

"What do you mean?", she asked nervously. "I'm saying I was never allowed to see the bodies of your twins...and its possible the previous midwives were denied the same thing with your other children...if Kiyomi lied about the lake, what else has she lied about?", Rubi explained.

Mikasa's expression changed to horror, as she looked down for a moment. If...if that was true, if her children had survived...what had Kiyomi done with them? And where were they?

As she collected her thoughts with Rubi, the girls didn't notice or hear Kiyomi standing right outside the opened door, listening in on all of it.