A/N:

Hello my lovely readers and thank you for giving this fic a chance! I decided to write/publish this mainly so my writing skills wouldn't die off during the long summer break (they're kind of important for college applications D:). Although I've written fics before, I've never published one before, making this my first! I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing!

Without further ado, happy reading!

843

It was a cold and wet night, the relentless rain pelting into Rosamund's shoulders. Her hand gripped in her father's calloused hand was slick with water and sweat; a betrayal to her nervousness. Her father's shadowed face did nothing to help her fears.

"Father? Where are we?"she asked tentatively, her small voice shaking slightly. Her father did not answer, choosing to ignore her.

The pair had arrived at the doorstep of a large and secluded castle, its tall stone walls standing menacingly under the dark stormy sky. Bright cracks of lightning split the black sky, accompanied by a rolling clap of thunder. Rosamund whimpered slightly and fisted the edges of her drenched skirt tightly, squeezing her ruby eyes shut and edging closer to her father. He brought a hand to her comfortingly, resting it atop her hooded head.

A sharp rap on the door, some hurried footsteps, and a sinister creak to indicate the door was open. Rosamund opened her eyes as welcoming light filtered out, raising her gaze to find a person with reddish-brown hair pulled messily into a ponytail greeting them.

"Hange." The relief in her father's voice was obvious and his form relaxed, his hand previously on Rosamund's head falling down to his side. The door was opened for them further.

"Koen,"the bespeckled stranger acknowledged. They stood aside, allowing the father-daughter pair to enter the castle. In the distance, another crack of thunder sounded and Rosamund jumped slightly.

She was surprised by the warmth offered by the hallway. In contrast to its harsh, cold appearance, the interior of the castle was well lit by flickering lanterns mounted onto the stone walls. Almost trancelike, she swiveled her head around to admire the rest of the enormous entrance hall, staring at its size in awe. Her shabby home in Shiganshina could not begin to compare in size. She jolted slightly as she felt her hand being tugged and quickly moved her feet to avoid being dragged. The large castle door closed shut with a definitive clang.

Rosamund's father spoke to the stranger, Hange, as he had called them, in a hushed voice as they led the pair down the hall and up a flight of stairs. The castle was seemingly empty; Rosamund did not see anyone else.

They arrived in front of an old wooden door, a golden plaque pinned to its front to indicate its importance. Rosamund peered up at it curiously, racking her mind to try and remember the reading lessons she had sat agonizingly through. Her brain cleared and she stood silently but proudly as she deciphered what the plaque stood for. Commander Erwin Smith.

"Erwin should be expecting you,"Hange said quietly. They reached up their arm, and with a curled fist, rapped on the door softly but firmly. Rosamund's father nodded, not daring to speak a word.

"Come in."

Rosamund startled slightly at the voice. It was deep and unforgiving, truly befitting of a commander, she thought. Yet beneath its sharpness, held a certain gentleness that she could not place. She steeled herself as Hange turned the knob to the door, wishing to stand as confidently as she could before the man the voice belonged to.

The door swung open, revealing a tidy and formal office space. A window filtered weak moonlight at the end of the room. A desk, made of dark, sturdy oak, stood in front. Behind it, sat a tall man with striking eyebrows and bold blonde hair. He leveled his piercing blue eyes on the trio as they entered.

"Hange, Koen, welcome,"he said smoothly, rising from his seat. Her father's grip on her hand tightened as they filed into the room, footsteps muffled by the rich green rug beneath.

"Commander." Hange slammed her right fist onto their chest, just above their heart, passionately. Rosamund blinked as her father offered the same motion weakly, lacking enthusiasm.

The commander waved them off, gesturing at the wooden chairs in front of his desk. Her father tugged her along, sinking down into the seat tiredly. Rosamund copied her father, scrambling to sit as the intimidating commander sat across from them. Hange stood behind his right shoulder, diligent.

The man in front of them chuckled slightly, turning his head to address his subordinate. "You're quite subdued tonight, Hange,"he remarked. He clasped his hands in front of him on the desk, relaxed.

Hange tensed slightly, before turning their head to the side, abashed. "The situation calls for it, sir,"they responded quietly. Erwin only nodded in agreement.

Clicking footsteps could be heard outside the room. They were hurried, but also relaxed, carrying an almost lazy effect. Rosamund tipped her head to glance up at her father, still deeply confused by their situation, as they stopped sharply before the office. She counted three seconds before a sharp rap on the door was sounded. She turned her head to look at the commander again, whose expression was unreadable.

"Come in,"he stated.

The door clicked open and Rosamund turned in her seat curiously to meet the gaze of the newcomer. She almost immediately regretted doing so; the cold glare she was met with was enough to make her quake with fear. She turned around swifly, placing her hands in her lap and lowering her head to stare at them. The same footsteps that she heard before rang again, the clicking heels stopping shortly beside her.

"Erwin,"a cold voice sounded.

Rosamund looked up in surprise at the lack of formality the newcomer had offered. He had not saluted either, choosing to lean against the wall with his arms crossed. His cold, steel blue eyes did not move from their glare. Despite his short stature, he maintained a formidable figure and Rosamund was quick to cast her gaze away again.

"Levi, glad you could make it,"the commander said. The newcomer, Levi, scoffed.

"Who's the brat? Don't tell me she's yours, Koen,"he jibed. Rosamund let out a squeak at that. Across, Erwin let a small frown spread across his face.

Her father shifted uncomfortably next to her, fiddling his thumbs uselessly. "Levi, don't do this,"he begged.

Angry footsteps sounded as Levi practically stomped towards her father. She gasped loudly and scrambled to get away as he grabbed her father's collar roughly and lifted his face to his. "This is what it is, then?"he said angrily, grip tight and unrelenting.

"Levi-"

"You left the regiment to pay respects to your dead wife, now what? You're dumping your only child on our laps? Have you any idea how disgusting you are as a man?"Levi hissed. Rosamund flinched hard at the mention of her mother, wrapping her arms around herself and edging away from the two men. Hange stepped forward, reaching an arm out to comfort her as they glanced worriedly between Erwin and the two men.

"Please, Levi-"

"Don't 'Levi' me, you scum,"Levi growled, his fist almost white from his grip, "You don't deserve any pity for throwing your family around like the filth you did. To think I once trusted my life in your hands. Tch Disgusting, what a fool I am."

"Levi, Koen, enough. We are here tonight to discuss the fate of young Rosamund, not Koen's past sins,"Erwin finally cut in. Hange let out a soft sigh of relief.

Looking as if he wished to argue, Levi released his grip on Koen's collar roughly, stepping away with a snarl. He returned to his post on the wall, leaning against it with extreme prejudice and leveling his glare on her father. Her head spinning, Rosamund directed her attention back to Erwin as the commander let out a defeated sigh.

"Koen, do you really want to do this?"he inquired softly.

"Yes." There was no hint of doubt in her father's voice. Hange's grip on her shoulder tightened significantly.

Erwin opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by a cruel voice. "Coward."

Koen lowered his gaze, a bitter smile spreading across his face as his fiery red eyes lost their light. "You really don't have a filter, do you, Levi? I'm just trying to protect my family."

Rosamund watched as Levi scoffed, refusing to turn his glare elsewhere. "I don't recall leaving your wife and unborn child to die falling under the definition of protection,"he sniped. Koen flinched violently. For the first time since three days ago when he appeared seemingly out of nowhere, Rosamund saw that he was angry.

"I had no choice!"he shouted suddenly, bringing his fist down onto Erwin's desk in his rage. "I had no choice,"he repeated, softer this time. Unshed tears glistened in the corners of his eyes and bitter regret took over his aged face. Rosamund, though she barely knew the man she so fondly called her father, shed a single tear as she watched her father unravel.

Levi's expression remained unchanged as he continued his attack. "You left your wife."

"Yes,"came Koen's broken response.

"You left your unborn daughter."

"Yes." A quiver, ever so small, infiltrated his usually soothing voice.

"You left, knowing that your wife was deeply ill and that your child would suffer through her childhood without a father."

"Yes." Tears began gliding down his cheeks. He clenched his jaw, squeezing his fist that still laid on Erwin's desk tightly.

"And now, your wife is dead. You did not visit her, nor her daughter."

Koen did not respond, though a low sob betrayed his reply. Levi gritted his teeth. "Do you not feel remorseful?"he asked sharply.

Rosamund stood frozen to the ground, unable to comprehend her surroundings anymore. She barely felt Hange's comforting hand running through her still damp cinnamon locks. The world spun around her.

Her father raised head finally, the tears having stopped. He met Levi's deathly glare steadily, his ruby eyes hollow and his soft brown hair falling dejectedly on his face. "I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't, Levi."

"Enough."

Both men turned their heads swiftly to their commander, who bore a rigid expression. Levi grunted, turning his head away in defeat. Koen cast his gaze downwards again, staring at the wooden planks in similar defeat.

Erwin cleared his throat, nodding at Hange. "Levi, I understand that given the both of you are former partners, you perhaps hold a certain degree of resentment for him. However, I ask that for my sake… no, for little Rosamund's sake, that you restrain yourself. I must ask the same of you, Koen. Despite no longer having authority over you, I ask that you refrain yourself from speaking too much of the past. Think of your daughter,"he said, not unkindly. The former military partners swiveled their heads to gaze at Rosamund. She was quivering in Hange's protective hold, tear tracks still visible on her pale cheeks.

The commander stood, boots clicking authoritatively against the polished floor as he approached her. He knelt gently before her and offered a kind smile. "Rosamund, how old are you?"he asked gently. His bright blue eyes seemed to pierce through her.

Rosamund stood up straighter, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Eight, sir,"she replied as evenly as she could. The commander straightened, not before smiling at her again.

"Given her young age, I would like to discuss a suitable guardian for her within the Survey Corps tonight,"Erwin declared, gesturing at Hange and Levi. The two straightened, moving to stand in front of his desk and leaving Rosamund alone in her corner.

"Commander, with all due respect, is this really the right decision for her?"Hange asked, glancing back at her. With three pairs of eyes peering scrutinizingly at her, Rosamund felt smaller than she ever had.

"If Koen believes it to be, I've no place to argue,"was Erwin's only response. Hange lowered their gaze, nodding in acceptance.

"Erwin."

All eyes turned to the stoic and cold man, Levi. "I'll take responsibility for her,"he continued, his eyes never leaving Rosamund's. Her wide eyes stared back in shock and surprise.

Erwin let out an audible sigh, closing his eyes in contemplation. "I owe it to her scum of a father anyways,"Levi added, sending yet another glare at Koen.

A low chuckle rumbled from the commander, catching everyone's attention. "I see,"he conceded, a small smile overtaking his face. He opened his brilliant blue eyes again, sending them upwards to his prized soldier. "I'll allow it. If there are no objections, Levi will become Rosamund Amsel's guardian after today."

Koen slumped in his chair from visible relief. He jolted as his chair shook violently from a kick. "I haven't forgiven you,"Levi groused, turning away from his former partner.

A smile spread across Koen's lips. "No, I figured not,"he said softly, "But at least you've offered me a chance at freedom."

Four days ago

Rosamund's small fingers fumbled clumsily with her hair. She bit her lip in concentration as she maneuvered strands of cinnamon brown hair with her inexperienced hands. With a proud smile, she peered into the mirror at her messily weaved braid, admiring her handiwork. Leaping back, she ran from her room and slammed the door to her sick mother's open, beaming widely for all to see. "Mama, look!"

Elliana Amsel looked up from her prone position in bed, offering a weak smile to her eight year old daughter. "Rosamund, be polite. We have a guest,"she scolded her daughter lightly as she climbed onto the bed next to her.

Indeed, the Amsels had a very important guest that day. He had become a regular visitor ever since Elliana had fallen ill eight years ago. To Rosamund, Dr. Jaeger was almost the father she never had.

The very same Dr. Jaeger laughed awkwardly, holding his hands out. "No, no, it's fine, Elliana. It's probably best to spend more time with her now, more than anything,"he said kindly, packing up his medical equipment. His eyes dimmed as he noted her forlorn expression.

Eight years ago, shortly after Elliana had fallen pregnant with Rosamund, the former had fallen ill. The initial prognosis had not been favorable, predicting at most a few years remaining in her lifespan without expensive treatment. The days following the diagnosis had been extremely difficult: daily screenings by the doctor, their home smelling of herbs and medicines, constant worry for their unborn child. The pressure built and built, eventually exploding. Koen returned to the Survey Corps he had so joyfully left previously, refusing to meet with her even after their child was born. He made sure to send ample paychecks home, though, allowing his wife to afford the expensive treatments in Wall Sina. She moved by herself, choosing to leave her young toddler with her parents, and stayed for almost a year. Her lifespan extended by another few years.

Present day Rosamund bounced on her mother's bed excitedly, the drab sheets scrunching messily underneath her small form in her haste. "Look! I braided my hair just like you do!"she beamed, offering a toothy smile.

Elliana smiled sadly, brushing Rosamund's messy bangs out of her eyes. She leaned forward without responding, kissing her gently on the cheek. "It's lovely, dear-"

Elliana jolted suddenly, her body shaking violently as she coughed, each dry hack cutting through Rosamund's heart. On the fifth cough, her hacks turned wet and blood leaked through her fingers, betraying the severity of her illness. Rosamund whimpered, tears springing to her eyes as Dr. Jaeger rushed quickly to aid her mother, helping her lean backwards into bed. Red, shining blood, so similar to Rosamund's eyes, dribbled down her mother's chin.

"Elliana-"

Another cough. A desperate gasp for air. "I know-! I… know… Get Rosamund out of here,"she wheezed, struggling to breathe. Her shaking hands found his, gripping tightly and clinging to him like a lifeline. "Make sure… she has a good… life…"

Rosamund let out a wail, lunging forwards from her knelt position. Her spindly arms found their way around her mother's frail body, wrapping around tightly and refusing to let go. "Mama, don't leave me!"she shrieked, tears streaming down her puffed out cheeks.

Elliana returned the embrace weakly, smiling slightly as she coughed again. "I love you,"she breathed into Rosamund's ear. Clinging to her daughter, she closed her eyes and drew her last breath, all with a smile on her face.

Present day

Rosamund sat perched on a small wooden stool, gazing forlornly through the window at the world outside. She watched as a pair of birds settled onto a particularly large tree branch, tending to a nest full of young chicks. Watching closely, she saw that both carried food in their beaks, feeding their young.

It must be nice to have a family.

She cast her gaze away, turning to the mirror in her room instead. Her fingers stretched up, touching her braid sadly as she thought of her mother. A week had passed since her mother's passing.

A sharp knock on her door rang out. Rosamund stood, smoothing out the edges of her burgundy skirt and wiping away the last of her tears. She marched confidently to the door, twisting the knob firmly and pulling it open gently.

"Rosamund." Narrowed dark eyes glared at her, though notably gentler than the first time she had come across them.

"Captain Levi." She offered a half hearted salute, copying what she remembered.

He entered the room, eyes scanning his surroundings. "There's no need to salute, you're not a soldier." The yet was unsaid, but understood by both. His stormy eyes finally found hers, navy blue meeting ruby red.

"I apologize…"Rosamund said quietly. Her right arm dropped by her side and uncomfortable silence fell between the pair.

She jerked suddenly, as if remembering something, and walked swiftly to the comfortable armchair that took up the corner of her room. Holding her hands out towards it, she looked back at Levi. "Please, sit,"she offered politely, her tone neutral.

He scoffed slightly, obeying her request and sinking down into the offered seat. Rosamund moved quickly to pour him a cup of tea, taking care not to spill the dark liquid onto his white trousers as she brought it to him. "Here,"she said tonelessly.

Wordlessly, Levi accepted his tea, holding it delicately by his calloused fingertips and bringing it to his lips for a sip. Rosamund watched carefully, on edge. He lowered the cup. "You know, you don't have to be so tense,"he remarked as he set the cup down on the carved table next to them. Nodding at the stool by the window, he told her, "Sit."

She obeyed with stiff legs, sitting down and adjusting her long skirt mechanically. Though tempted to gaze out the window, she did not, choosing to sit perched on the edge of the stool with her back straight and her hands clasped neatly in her lap. Levi eyed her uncomfortable position from the velvety armchair, letting out a sigh. "Why do you sit like that?"he asked. He took another sip of his tea, holding it in his unique way. Rosamund lowered her gaze.

"Mama always taught me to have good manners in front of company. I… never really listened…"she trailed off, staring intensely at her pale hands.

"So you're going to start now, to honor her, in a way,"Levi finished for her. She nodded solemnly.

Another sigh. He crossed his legs, leaning back in his seat. "Well, I think that's idiotic."

Rosamund's head shot up, her eyes wide. "Is… Is that so?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Levi closed his eyes, reopening them to cast them to the stone ceiling. Without looking at her, he spoke. "It's natural for humans to feel regret. 'I wish I had done that,' or 'I wish things turned out differently.' I'm sure you're familiar."

She nodded slowly, though she was doubtful he could see. He continued anyway, his grip on his teacup tightening. "So commonly we choose as humans to dedicate our time to the dead. Carrying out their dying wishes, honoring their accomplishments as the living, hosting memorial services; these are just a few examples to name. But tell me, Rosamund, what difference does it make to the dead?"

His cold gaze redirected itself to Rosamund's, who stared back wide-eyed, as if in shock. "You've lost a lot, and you're young. It's natural to feel regretful or even blame yourself. I'll tell you this, though." He uncrossed his legs, leaning forwards to lock gazes. "Don't be."

Rosamund stared back, a million emotions and memories crossing her mind.

"Rosamund, clean after yourself!"

"Don't be."

"Rosamund, don't be rude in front of our guest."

"Don't be."

"Rosamund, be a good girl for your grandmother while I'm gone, will you?"

"Don't be, because if you do regret, you'll lose all hope and your future judgments will be clouded."

Rosamund squeezed her eyes shut, clenched fist tightening around her grip on her skirt.

I won't regret it!

Learning to maneuver this life without regret chaining me to the dead.

A/N:

There you go, the first chapter! I hope that you enjoyed this! I tried my best to edit this, I apologize if there were any errors! Please leave your thoughts in the comments :D

For those that have seen No Regrets, you may have noticed that the year doesn't quite match up with when Levi and co entered the Survey Corps. This is intentional! For now, let's assume that Levi entered at a much younger age and is similar to the trusted and senior officer we know and love today. Isabel and Furlan fans/simps, have no fear! The storyline of No Regrets will still be integrated into this fic, with slight alterations due to Levi already being in the Corps. Hopefully this doesn't offend anyone, I will try my best to not deviate too much from canon.

Also, the last line was somewhat inspired by the ending of every Violet Evergarden anime (which if you haven't seen, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GO WATCH IT!). I plan on continuing that at the end of every chapter, hopefully it will all come together at the end and the title will go with it as well! (Yes I am an avid Violet Evergarden fan and yes Rosamund might've been inspired by Violet)

I will work on chapter two and upload it asap! I haven't thought of a solid uploading schedule yet, but realistically speaking it'll probably be around once every week or two. Future chapters will have more action/be longer in general! I just needed to build a good foundation and unfortunately couldn't think of a way to extend this any further without it clashing with the upcoming plot. If you have any preferences to chapter lengths, please leave them in the comments! I would love to know and cater to readers' preferences.

Until next time!

-earthlingx