The ring, once lovingly placed and then hastily removed, now rested on her finger to remind her what she was fighting for. She didn't need any tokens of her love for him. If anything, that ring stood for the future they could, and would, have.
The day's unusual turn of events told a story that brought happiness and pain in equal measures. A simple walk led to a proposal. Every irrational comparison; every unromantic compliment. His anxiety on every word that escaped her lips. The grin on his thrilled face, reaction to her mostly desired acceptance. How did she leave all of that behind? For his safe escape, of course. For the success of their plans. For the sake of their cause. For another day, at least.
The nights would be sleepless without him, innocently slipping on her mattress instead of keeping himself restrained on his bed next to her. Without his "good-night" kiss on the corner of her mouth. His soothing voice, offering assistance while she was tending to her chores only to be with her a little more, would be bitterly missed. And so would be the flowers that he used to give her shyly when no one was looking.
The happier days of her life in a long time, had to come to an end. But if she wanted them to live better days, she had to stay at the castle, with this emerald ring to light up her gray life. Even if it would remain, for the most part, hidden.
Before freedom, there had to be imprisonment. Before winning there had to be a fight. And she would do her part, like she had always done.