Your Promise | Shingeki No Kyojin ;; Eren Jaeger |

Chapter Twelve

Rose
The Next Morning

The warmth of the sun softly graces my skin as I wake up to the lively city. I get out of bed and change into day clothes, then head downstairs to start my day. "Mom?" I call out when I reach the kitchen, but there's no sign of her. On the table, however, there's a note by her. "I'm out taking care of errands, there's breakfast on the table. I'll be home soon. - Mom"

I place the note aside and eat breakfast in silence, the townspeople outside filling in as background noise. After, I wash my dishes and head upstairs to read in my room. As I pass my mother's room a ray of light gets into my eyes. I cover my eyes and glance into her room. Underneath her bed, I identify the source of light causing me to stop. The sun's ray reflects on the mirror on top of the dresser facing the window and hits the silver latch of the box, thus blinding me.

"I've never seen this before..."

I approach the box and pull it out from under the bed. It's locked, protected by a keyhole. I begin to search the room for a key to unlock the box, looking in drawers and underneath objects. While at her dresser, I open a jewelry box that is obviously filled with accessories, even her old wedding ring. From under the jewelry, a ribbon peeks from under the bottom of the box and I pull on it. The bottom comes off, revealing the secret compartment and a smooth silver key, cool to the touch as if it hasn't been used in ages.

I go back to the floor where the box is and use it in the box, successfully unlocking it. I set the key aside and open the top of the box.

"Now, what's in here?"

At that moment, the front door opens and a voice echoes throughout the house. "Rose?"

"I'm upstairs, I'm coming!" I lock and slide the box back under the bed, drop the key into my pocket, and head downstairs. "Good morning,"

"Morning, sweetie. Sorry for leaving early, I had to meet with the neighbors for something," She apologizes while setting down bags of groceries.

"It's okay," I hesitate for a moment to ask about the box, but once I open my mouth, a knock is heard. "I'll get it,"

When I open the door, the emerald-eyed boy stands in front of me. "Hey, Rose! Sorry for dropping by unexpectedly, but I went to the cliff and noticed that you left the book that those two guys threw, so I came to give it back," Raeger smiles brightly while handing it back to me.

"Oh, thank you!" I thank him and take the book back. "This is a perfect opportunity for him to help me!" I glance back at my mom who's preoccupied with the groceries, then back at him. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Yeah, of course," I step outside and close the door behind me. "So, what's up?"

"There's a box I found under my mom's bed! It's locked but I found the key and I was about to open it, but then she came home. I want to find out what's in it, but I need your help distracting her in case she catches me. You in?"

He smirks. "Yeah, I'm in! I just thought of a plan. I'll come back in a bit, just wait!" He says and runs off.

I sit in my room reading waiting for Raeger when downstairs someone knocks on the door. Below, I hear a familiar voice. "Hello, Ms. Wes- I mean, Ms. Charlotte! My mom and I were passing by the neighborhood and I wanted to introduce you guys," I tip-toe out of my room and peek down the stairs where he, my mom, and another woman with blonde hair and navy blue eyes stand.

As my mom and his begin to talk, Raeger slips past them and comes up the stairs. "Okay, that'll keep them distracted; once adults start talking to each other, it takes ages for them to stop. Where's the box?"

"I put it back where I found it," We head to my mom's room and I take the box out from its hiding spot. Before unlocking it, Raeger asks, "What do you think is in there?"

I stay quiet. "... I don't know, but something tells me to look," I unlock the box and open the lid. Paintings and drawings of me when I was younger fill the box, nothing strange. However, after going through the papers, I discover a birth certificate in the midst of everything. I take it out and examine the paper.

"Name: Rosalina Wesler

Mother's Name: Charlotte Wesler

Father's Name: Engel Wesler

Date of Birth: September 19, 825"

"... What?!" I exclaim.

Raeger looks at me worriedly and studies my face. "What's wrong?"

I read over the date of birth once again. September 19, 825. "I was born on May 5th, in the year 835..."

"How is that possible?" He inquires. "That would mean you would be 17 years old!"

I scrutinize the pictures of me, then come to a realization. "These pictures... They aren't me. Look," I point to one of a family portrait. "That's my brother, Josef. He's a baby in this, but he's older than me. This means that this girl is someone completely different,"

"But she looks exactly like you?" Raeger refutes.

"I don't understand this at all..." I put all the contents back inside, sliding the box back under and rising to my feet. "I... I shouldn't have looked, now I'm confused as ever,"

"Hey, hey, hey, you'll be okay. If you're confused, you can ask your mom later, okay?" Raeger places his hand on my shoulder to comfort me and I nod.

"Right..."

Soon after, Raeger and his mother take their leave and I'm left alone with my mom.

I breathe in, preparing what I'm about to say. "Hey, mom?"

"Hm?"

"What..." In a moment's hesitation, I quickly change the topic of what I was about to ask. "What did you talk about?"

"I had no right looking through her belongings, if I ask her, she'll get mad at me. And besides, if she hasn't told me, she must have a good reason to keep it to herself and I have to respect that. Even if I never find out..."