"Vivienne, stop running ahead!"

"You're too slow, Father! Uncle will be waiting for ages!"

Her father always said she had little patience, that she could never wait. As if she were in a hurry. As if… time were running out for her.

The little girl ran, waving her arms.

Vivienne came to a stop, hands on her knees, breathing heavily as strands of golden-blonde hair fell across her face. "Looks like a little gust of wind got stuck in front of me."

Lifting her emerald-green eyes, she beamed. "Uncle Étienne!"

Her uncle swept her up in his arms with a grin. "Looks like the prettiest young lady in the capital has landed right here."

Vivienne giggled happily.

"You still spoil her too much," her father muttered.

"Someone has to. Isn't that right, Edmond?"

Her father stared at them for a moment before nodding. "It's good to see you, brother."

Her uncle had always been an inspiration to her. Unlike other nobles, he travelled beyond the different Walls and met people from all walks of life. Vivienne had never once left Mitras. Stories of the world beyond the capital fascinated her. She would spend hours playing adventure games in the garden, imagining herself beyond the Walls—something few in her family, or those around her, could understand.

The House of D'Aubigne thrived on trade and innovation. Engineering was their obsession, and many in her family dedicated their lives to it. Why would anyone want to leave the comfort of their home? Why bother with the needs of others? They were always told they were building for the future. But what kind of future would that be?

It was late, and Vivienne rubbed her eyes sleepily. All she really wanted was to go to the toilet. But when the sharp sound of something breaking jolted her awake, curiosity took over. She couldn't resist.

"Why...? Why are you still talking about this nonsense as if we were children?!"

"Perhaps because, unlike you, I still believe in wonder—and I keep my promises."

"Étienne!"

Vivienne crept closer, slow and hesitant. Weren’t those her uncle’s and father’s voices? Light spilled through the crack.

She had always complained about the monsters in her head. Every time she closed her eyes, they were there—voices and images of people whose names she didn’t even know.

Screams.

Pain.

Make it stop.

Her father’s arms wrapped tightly around her as she pressed her hands to her head.

"I’m here. You’re here. Together, we’ll make the nightmares stop. Because they’re not real. I’ll always have a free ear for you."

Vivienne peered through the crack.

Why did Uncle Étienne look so upset? Why did Father look so desperate?

"If you won’t tell me the truth, then I’ll take matters into my own hands," Étienne said, clenching his fists.

"What are you talking about?" Edmond asked.

"I'm going to join the Scout Regiment!"

Her father’s voice rang out, sharp and furious. "Are you out of your mind?! Those people have nothing but a death wish!"

"Brother, tell me—when did you stop planning for our future?"

Her father’s eyes widened at Étienne’s words.

"Do you really think that just because our family has wealth and happiness, others won’t suffer? That they won’t still fight for our freedom? You promised to tell us about our father’s legacy. But even now, you remain silent."

The voices blurred.

Her uncle turned his back on her father.

"I have never stopped dreaming."

Vivienne’s eyes widened as she realised her uncle was looking straight at her.

Heart pounding, she spun around and ran back to her room, diving under the covers. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but when the door creaked open, she knew she was in trouble.

Vivienne sat up, ready to apologise—only to find herself pressed up against something.

"I'm sorry, Vivienne."

"Uncle Étienne?"

His arms held her close. Something warm and wet seeped through her clothes.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"We won’t see each other for a long time."

"Huh?" Vivienne looked up at him in confusion. "W-why not? Where are you going?"

"I'm going on an adventure."

Adventure?

"I promise to write letters. As often as I can."

Letters ?

"Until then, be a good girl, okay? Listen to your mother more, study hard, and be someone who follows their heart. Don’t listen to them. Don’t listen to the people who walk blindly through our Walls. I know you can see through them. I know you can see through it all."

There was so much she wanted to say. But why? Why couldn’t she say the words?

Why was her voice gone?

Why was she so motionless?

Her eyes fluttered shut. Darkness enveloped her.

You may not have silenced me. But I will remain your witness forever. I will watch every step you take. I…

Her eyes snapped open, her breathing heavy.

Vivienne ran into the parlour. Her mother’s face was streaked with tears, her older brother held her hand, and her father stood with his back to them, gazing out of the window.

"W-what’s going on? Why is Mother crying?"

"Uncle Étienne has gone off to join the Scout Regiment," her brother said.

Vivienne’s eyes widened.

It… wasn’t all a dream after all?

"I always knew he was an idiot."

Her face flushed red. "Don’t talk about our uncle like that! He would never do something so stupid!"

They didn’t have a good reputation here. The grown-ups all called them a waste of tax money—crazy idiots who couldn’t do anything with their lives. Suicidal puppets who stood no chance against the Titans anyway.

And no one questioned it.

No one wanted to know.

They were blind and refused to see.

"Vivienne," her father said in a serious tone, "your brother is right. Your uncle has joined them."

She didn’t know what to do with this information and sank to the floor.

Why…?

Why hadn’t she managed to say goodbye to him?

Surprisingly, the first letter arrived sooner than expected.

I’m fine. The food will probably never taste as good as it does at home. But what’s an adventure without a few hurdles?

The presents lay unwrapped on her bedside table. Vivienne opened the envelope, and a dried flower slipped out.

Happy Birthday!

I’m sorry I can’t say these words to you in person. I’m also sorry I couldn’t give you a better present. This is a flower I picked from outside the Walls. The others told me it was nothing special, but it reminds me of you.

"Outside the Walls…" Her gaze remained fixed on the daisy. They were everywhere. But knowing this one had come from beyond… changed everything. She hadn’t even realised there were flowers out there.

I hope you’re eating well.

I’m glad to hear you’re getting good grades. I always knew you were clever!

Captain Levi has no fear. He’s gotten us out of plenty of sticky situations.

Vivienne walked through the streets, the taunts from the outer Walls echoing around her.

Why?

Why couldn’t she read any of the stories her uncle wrote to her in the newspaper?

Her emerald eyes widened. At last—an article!

"Tsk, another waste of our taxes. Stupid Scouts."

"Why should we care? It’s not our fault they can’t find anyone to sleep with."

The newspaper crumpled in her hands. "Shut up! Unlike you lazy men, they’re actually fighting for our freedom!"

Both men scowled at her.

"You little brat…"

They stepped towards her, but Vivienne didn’t flinch. Only when they were right in front of her did she dart to the side.

Before anything worse could happen, a firm hand gripped her shoulder.

"Please forgive my daughter… She’s going through a phase."

The men hesitated. But when they recognised her father, they backed off without another word.

No one would dare touch someone from her family. Their status was too high—engineers who shaped the future of humanity.

"Vivienne, your behaviour is getting worse by the day. This is the third time in two weeks that something like this has happened."

"How can you let them talk about Uncle Étienne like that?! The Scouts are out there fighting the Titans! He’s fighting for our freedom, yet all anyone does is insult him and call him an idiot!"

"Vivienne…"

"You can’t even read about it in the papers! And if someone is kind enough to write an article, all people do is complain that it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money!"

"Vivienne."

"Uncle Étienne is a hero, and you—"

"He’s an idiot!"

Her father’s words made her shudder.

Why…?

Why did he speak about his own brother like that? Wasn’t he the one who always told her that Étienne was simply free-spirited?

Was her father… just as blind?

Her face streaked with tears, she ran into the room. Her father sighed, covering his face with his hand.

One of my comrades fell today. The feeling inside me… I don’t know how to describe it. Is it emptiness? But don’t worry about me. I’m stronger than I look! Besides, you only die when you’re forgotten.

And you’ll never forget me, will you, Vivienne?

Above her, the blue sky stretched endlessly. She tried to convince herself that it was just the heat of the sun making her sweat.

"We now begin the enlistment ceremony for the 104th Trainee Corps!" announced an older, balding man in a stern tone. "I am Keith Shadis, and I’ve had the misfortune of being assigned to train you bastards. I am not here to welcome you. Right now, you’re nothing more than cattle, fit for nothing but Titan food! In three years, we’ll take you worthless pieces of crap and turn you into soldiers!"

"In three years, when you stand before a Titan, will you be food? Or will you be a noble wall, shielding the King? Or perhaps, one of humanity’s glorious soldiers, slaying Titans?"

"You will decide!"

Uncle... I will not forget