"How can I tell Eren that it was his brother who devoured his father?" Carla covered her face, her sobs muffled by trembling hands.
"Tell him the truth," Keith said simply.
Carla froze, staring at him in disbelief. "What did you say?"
Keith's expression remained firm. "The trial begins tomorrow. I hope you'll speak for Zeke when you testify. If you believe he's your husband's murderer, then he'll die. But if you believe he's your son's brother, Grisha's son, and perhaps even Eren's savior, then he might live. Zeke's fate is in your hands. I beg you—for humanity's future—let Grisha's son live."
"For the future of mankind…" Carla laughed bitterly, her voice breaking into sobs. "What a cruel joke."
Tears fell again, but she gave no answer—neither acceptance nor refusal.
Keith wanted to press her further, but the raw grief in her face silenced him. With a weary sigh, he stood. "Then I'll speak with Eren. His testimony will be crucial. If he reacts as he did that day—if his rage spreads—it could turn the people against Zeke completely. They'll demand his execution."
He turned to leave, but Erwin, who had been silent till now, stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Madam," he said gently, "please think carefully. You've already lost your husband. Don't let your child lose his brother too."
Carla didn't answer. She simply sat there in the dark cell, her thoughts drifting toward the man she had lost—the warmth of Grisha's smile, the sound of his voice fading into memory.
In the next cell over, Keith stopped at the door and called softly, "Eren."
The space had been converted into something like a children's ward, almost cheerful compared to the gloom outside. It looked absurdly out of place—a few toys, scattered books, the laughter of children who barely understood the world's cruelty.
Eren looked up from his game and ran to the bars. "Uncle Keith? When can we leave? We've been here for a week! Even if the riots outside were bad, things must've settled by now, right? Can't we go home?"
Keith crouched so their eyes met. "You'll be leaving tomorrow."
"Really?" Eren's face lit up. He turned and shouted over his shoulder, "Armin! Mikasa! Did you hear that? We're getting out tomorrow!"
His joy echoed through the cell, but curiosity quickly replaced it. "Wait—why tomorrow? Why not now?"
Keith hesitated. His tone grew heavy. "Because it's time I told you the truth."
"The truth?" Eren blinked, confused.
"That's right," Keith said slowly. "I told you before that the refugees rioted after Shiganshina fell—that it was too dangerous outside, so I brought you here for safety. That… wasn't the full story."
Eren tilted his head. "So what's the real reason?"
Keith sighed. "Your father, Grisha, is suspected of conducting illegal experiments. And your brother…" He stopped, the weight of his words pressing down on him. To destroy the boy's innocence felt unforgivable, but someone had to do it. Better him than Carla.
"Eren," he said solemnly, "you must prepare yourself. Your brother Zeke… is a Titan."
"I know," Eren replied calmly.
Keith froze. "…What?"
"I know," Eren repeated, his tone oddly mature.
"You—you knew?" Keith stammered, taken aback.
Eren nodded. "Since we got here. I overheard some of the soldiers talking. They didn't say much, but it was enough to piece things together."
Keith blinked, utterly bewildered. "…I see." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, I'm… glad you're taking it so well. In that case, could you speak on his behalf during the trial tomorrow? Whatever he's done, he's still your brother."
"No problem," Eren said. "The trial's tomorrow, right?"
"Yes," Keith confirmed.
"Who's on trial?"
"Your brother."
"Oh."
"…Do you understand?"
"Yeah."
"Do you really understand?"
"Yeah."
"Then you know what to do?"
"Mhm."
Keith stared at him, completely thrown off balance. He had braced himself for anger, tears, even violence—but not this eerie calm.
Before coming here, he had rehearsed countless possibilities: how to comfort the boy, how to soften the blow, how to stop him from lashing out. And yet… Eren simply accepted it.
That's it? Keith thought, dumbfounded.
"Alright then…" He straightened, still uneasy. "Since you know what's expected of you, we'll leave it at that. See you tomorrow."
Eren nodded. "See you tomorrow, Uncle Keith."
Keith lingered a moment longer, studying the boy's expression, but Eren's calm never faltered. Finally, with a quiet sigh, Keith turned to go.
As he walked down the corridor, frustration caught up with him. He stopped beside the guard post and snapped, "Didn't I tell you not to discuss Titan experiments around the children? Why can't any of you keep your mouths shut? If you must gossip, do it somewhere else!"
He stormed off before the bewildered soldiers could reply.
The guards looked at each other, wide-eyed.
"I didn't say anything," one muttered.
"Me neither," said another.
They exchanged confused glances.
"…Then who did?"
The question hung in the silence like a ghost.