"F-fucking- hell-!" Rosa screeched, her hand clutched on her injured eye. "Ow- ow-, why- owwwww...!" She whimpered in pain. "I can't even cry anymore, for fuck's sake!"

Levi was speechless by her sudden breakdown, his own heart clenching at the sight. The tears were rolling down her face, and her whole frame was trembling.

"I can't even cry properly- ahh, dammit!" Rosa hissed, wiping the tears from her cheek. She took a shuddering breath, her shoulders rising and falling as she attempted to calm her ragged breathing.

She was almost startled when Levi took a hold of her arm, leading her away from the crowded street, seeking solace in the quiet sanctuary of an adjacent alley. She didn't object, and he gently led her into the shade, shielding her from the rest of the world.

"Let's sit down for a moment." He said, his voice low and assuring.

Rosa was thankful for the shade— The alley provided a temporary haven, shielding them from prying eyes. Her eye was burning, the wound throbbing. She sank to the ground, letting her back rest against the brick wall.

Levi remained standing, leaning against the wall beside her. "Better?" He asked, glancing down at her.

"I- I don't know… I guess…"

Levi's concern lingered, a silent acknowledgment of the storm raging within her. Yet, respecting her boundaries, he held back from delving into the depths of her pain. He wasn't in a position to inquire about her sensitive personal matters, anyways. But, after a moment of silence, Rosa spoke up.

"Sorry, Captain, for causing a scene." She mumbled apologetically. "It's just that… I didn't expect to see him here." Her voice was low, a bitter tone lacing her words. With a deep sigh, she rested her head against her knees as she divulged a truth that hung in the air like a delicate secret. "I… I was engaged, but because of my injury… the wedding was called off."

The weight of her words settled in the hushed alley, a revelation that spoke volumes about the scars that extended beyond the physical. Levi, typically composed, found himself at a loss for words, watching her vulnerability unfold before him. Rosa kept her gaze down, not daring to look at him; She couldn't stand to see his reaction.

"The union was pretty much arranged by our parents, and I didn't know him too well yet… but I was still pretty upset when I heard that-" Rosa fell silent again, trying to prevent her voice from breaking. Her voice was so quiet, almost as if she was speaking only to herself. But Levi listened, and his heart sunk to the pit of his stomach. She had just revealed something extremely personal to him, and he wasn't sure what to say.

"I'm… sorry to hear that." Was all he could think to say, the words falling flat.

Finally raising her gaze, Rosa took a deep, shaky breath before continuing. "I do get it, though." Her lips curled up into a slight, bittersweet smile. "Can't really blame them; This—" She gestured at her face. "This isn't what they signed up for."

A knot tightened in Levi's chest. His fists clenched, a simmering blend of anger and helplessness bubbling within him as he silently contemplated the unfairness that life had dealt her. The alley seemed to close in, the walls echoing the weight of unspoken struggles. He had never been good with words, especially not in situations like this.

"Rosa, I…" He began, but Rosa was quick to interrupt him.

"It's alright, really." Rosa shook her head, more composed already. Her tears had dried, and the tension was gone from her frame. "It's been almost two months, and... it's been hard, but I'm trying to come to terms with it." With that, she stood up. Her eye was trained on the ground, her gaze distant as she began making her way back towards the main street. Levi pushed himself off from the wall, walking over to join her. The two of them made their way back to the base in silence.

As they arrived at the base, the afternoon had already faded into evening, the golden glow of the sun now giving way to the orange-purple hues of dusk.

"Thank you for your help today, Captain." Rosa broke the silence once they stepped through the gates, offering him a faint smile. "And… Thanks for listening." Levi had no idea about it at the time, but he was the first person that she had confided her story to. Talking about it, as tough as it was to Rosa, it had made her feel a little bit better about her situation. Bawling in front of the captain, though, was something she would've rather avoided, and she still felt terribly embarrassed about the whole ordeal. "I'm sorry that I-"

"I've already lost count on how many times you've been apologizing for your behavior to me." Levi clicked his tongue. Seeing Rosa's sheepish look, a sly grin spread onto his face— He was just teasing her again. "Besides, you have nothing to apologize for." He assured her— His expression softened, and his voice was surprisingly gentle as he continued. "And, well... I'm glad that you trusted me with your story."

"Oh, uh... I'm glad to have a listening ear." Rosa smiled demurely, feeling relieved that her outburst didn't seem to have caused her to lose any of his respect.

"Anytime." Levi gave her a curt nod. The two of them were about to part ways, but Levi halted, turning to look at Rosa. "Actually, one more question..." He spoke up, and Rosa turned her attention back to him. "The man you were supposed to marry… Who was he, exactly?"

"W-what?" Rosa stammered, a bit taken aback by the captain's question. Her cheeks flushed red in embarrassment— Why on earth he'd ask about such a thing? "Umh, he... uh… Christoph Gehring." She finally managed to blurt out his name, still unsure what to think about Captain's inquiries. "Why..?"

"What does his family do?"

"They're jewelers— They have a shop in Stohes district." Rosa furrowed her brow at Levi's blunt way of dismissing her question. "Seriously, why you're asking?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Levi brushed off her question again, waving his hand as he turned away to leave. "I was just curious. Goodnight, then."

"...Goodnight, Captain."

Once back in her room, Rosa dropped her shopping bags on the floor, collapsing to her bed. She felt utterly exhausted. Her head was spinning, and the dull ache in her head had grown stronger. All the pent up emotions, the anxiety and anger, the hurt, the frustration, the sadness, the grief; It had all bubbled up to the surface, and it had taken her every last ounce of her willpower to keep it all inside. With a long, drawn out groan, she buried her face in her pillow. The day had been emotionally taxing, and the throbbing in her eye didn't make it any better.

As she laid there, her mind kept wandering back to her encounter with Christoph, and a fresh wave of bitterness filled her chest. She was so angry, and so frustrated, and so disappointed with the way things had turned out; Her injury hadn't only taken away her dream of starting a family, but also her bright future as a soldier.

Rosa's thoughts kept running wild, the feelings boiling within her. The ache within her chest was so intense, it was as if her heart was being constricted by some sort of invisible force. Her eye was burning, her breathing quick and ragged. But, she had cried enough tears already, and she refused to waste another tear on someone who had so carelessly tossed her aside. Eventually, the pressure eased off, the ache dissipating, until finally, she was able to take a deep, shuddering breath. Her heart still pounded against her ribcage, but her breathing slowly grew more even.

"It's probably for the best, anyways… Me being alone." Rosa thought as she sat up on the edge of her bed. She got up, making her way over to the washstand. "I don't exactly look like a jeweler's wife anymore, do I?" She murmured bitterly, looking at her reflection from the mirror above the washstand as she removed the bandage that covered her wound.

The deep scar that ran across her left eye had healed fairly well, the pink scar tissue now a part of her skin. The color of the scar wasn't the only thing that had changed, though; The injury had left a mark on her eye itself as well. Her eye had once been the same deep green as the other, but now it was almost gray. It was almost as if the color had been drained from her eye, leaving it looking ghastly and unsettling.

There was no need for bandages anymore, but Rosa was adamant to hide her injury from the public eye— She had no desire for anyone else to see the scar. With a deep sigh, she picked up a piece of cloth, tying it over her wounded eye. The dark fabric covered her scar neatly, the soft material hiding her injury.

"I guess this'll do from now on."

Some days later, a bell chimed softly as a customer stepped through the door of a small shop in the Stohess district. The shop was filled with trinkets and jewelry, shelves and tables decorated with necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, rings, and even pocket watches. There were also a few small clocks and mirrors, their elegant frames carved from rosewood.

"Oh, welcome." The shopkeeper greeted his customer, turning his attention away from the glass he was polishing. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Other customers were exchanging hushed whispers as they watched the man approach the counter, their eyes fixated on this unexpected quest.

"Actually, yes." Raven haired man mustered up a slight smile. "I'm looking for a gift."

"Of course. Is it for a special occasion?" The shopkeeper inquired. He looked up at the man, his brow furrowing slightly as he noted the strange attire of his customer. He was dressed in a military uniform, the wings of freedom embroidered on the back of his jacket. The man looked quite intimidating, and the shopkeeper couldn't help but feel a little wary of him. He seemed quite familiar as well— He was sure he had seen him somewhere before.

"I guess you could call it that." The man's voice was calm and collected, his tone almost nonchalant. He glanced around the shop, his eyes scanning the display.

"Well, we have a wide selection of items." The shopkeeper continued. "Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"A ring— A silver ring, preferably."

"Ah, yes, of course. We have a variety of rings to choose from." The shopkeeper smiled, placing the glass aside. "If you would please follow me."

The shopkeeper led his customer to the far end of the store, gesturing at the display in front of him.

"These are our silver rings. Are there any particular styles you're interested in?"

"Not particularly." The man said, and the shopkeeper frowned. The man seemed a bit too disinterested, but he was a customer nonetheless, and his money was good.

"Well, I'm sure we can find something that's to your liking." The shopkeeper assured, his tone polite. "Is the ring for casual wear, or maybe for more formal events..?" He inquired.

"Well, actually…" Levi muttered as he leaned against the counter, his eyes scanning the selection of silver rings in front of him.

"It's an engagement ring."