The Truth

"..."

Maria paused for a moment, her expression softening as she processed Mira's words. The apology hung in the air between them. It was a rare moment of vulnerability for Mira, who had always been stoic and indifferent to everything.

The last time Maria heard those words from Mira was right after her parents had died. That was the first time Mira had ever apologized. However, rather than saying it because she had truly done something wrong, Maria saw it more as a way to feel better after losing her parents. 

Now, although the words were the same, the meaning behind them was different. 

In a sense, this was the first time she had ever seen Mira look guilty over something she had done. She could torture, kill, plunder, and commit every other atrocity known to man, yet not a speck of emotion would reflect on her face.