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On the steel walls of the dungeon, Maripos observed the childish scribbles and tally marks etched onto them from inside those empty cells. There’s no doubt that it was no normal prisoner that was held inside. They were innocent civilians, families, and even children.
He clenched his teeth, questioning just how he could have let this happen. How they could have let this happen.
Rounding the corner, he was faced with a long hall, lined with more empty cells, the only one occupied being at the very end.
They had opted to put the traitors in different cells, far apart from each other to avoid them conspiring an escape. So for as long as he’s here, they would be the only ones in that vicinity.
Standing in front of the cell bars, he was faced with a cold Sibella, not even a glance spared his way.
He knew she had sensed him, which makes her response all but odd.
“Are you here to mock me?” Her gruff voice reverberated through the hall.
“No.” He responded stiffly.
“Then are you here to convince me to come back?”
There’s no use questioning it. They both know it’s all said and done. Questioning the love that was once there will not bring it back, nor will it help them move on.
But there was one thing he
could
ask. Because no matter how many nights he had contemplated, wondered, and deduced it, he would never know just why she defected.
Behind those prison bars, her figure shifted slightly, turning away from him.
He found himself hesitating, as expected. He craved the truth, he craved her answer, but most importantly, he needs a sort of reason to let go.
“Do you wish to know why I did it?”
He didn’t give a response, but stayed rooted in place.
“You haven’t left, so I assume it’s what you wanted to know,” There was a clink of chains as she moved. Her back is fully facing him, and for a while they stayed like that in silence.
“Why did you do it, then?” He finally found the courage to speak up. She exhaled sharply, her voice lowering.
“Maybe it’s because I only follow the ones who are strong,”
His fists clenching, Maripos retaliates, “You know damn well that’s not it.”
“Oh? Is the answer not to your liking?”
“No, you know better than that,”
Sibella plays with the chains on her wrists. “Then maybe you never knew me at all,”
She had nothing to lose, so there’s no reason to lie. But he didn’t want to believe it was as simple as that.
“Her Highness is no less powerful than Reramos. Had it not been for Retak’ka, she would not be any less worthy. So why did you do it?”
Again, they stayed silent, only surrounded by the sound of dropping water and the distant sound of footsteps from above the underground dungeon.
He looked for a way to discern her emotions, yet it’s evident she’s avoiding his eyes.
Enraged, he gripped the prison bars, “Why did you do it, Sibella?!”
She decided to drag on the silence, so he continued, “You saw what he did to the people. You heard how he had underestimated Her Highness’ authority. You knew - we knew - he had gone down the wrong path the moment he released the decree. So don’t fucking tell me you value strength above all!”
Hands shaking, he composed himself. “You took an oath to protect the people, yet you stood aside and watched them suffer. So who are you protecting?”
He caught her shifting slightly.
“WHO ARE YOU PROTECTING, SIBELLA?!”
“MYSELF! MAYBE I’M PROTECTING MYSELF!” In an instant, she turned around and jammed two of her hands against the bars, the steel vibrating against the walls, and for the first time there they were face to face.
“I’m scared of death, and I’m scared of getting hurt! I’m a coward, Maripos! Is that what you wanted to hear?!”
Breath hitching, she retained eye contact. She maintained a resolute anger in her expression, but her quivering hands gave her away.
There was more to it, and she knows that he knows. But with the way they are now, she could never let her walls down. Not again.
And as quick as it happened, she pulled away, retreating to the shadows.
“I’m not as righteous as you think I am. You’re wasting your time thinking otherwise.”
Maripos lowered his gaze to the ground. He got what he wanted, so he should leave, right?
But he wanted to say something. He wanted to grip onto that small hope that it isn’t that simple. Maybe deep down, he wished to be able to get back what’s lost.
But she had answered, and Maripos wouldn’t get anything else out of her. So with heavy steps, he left the prison cell, and if Sibella had caught him looking back, neither of them would bring it up.
She had told a lie, of course. She could never let him know how his loyalty to Kuputeri would have gotten him killed right then and there, had they not defected. Had she not defected.
She convinced the others to sacrifice their dignity, their will, their oath , just for a chance for Maripos to aid the Princess in retaining her honor, because Sibella knows they would not stand a chance otherwise.
Slumping down on the prison floor, Sibella picked up a flower that had grown between the cracks of the cold metal. The feared General, with her calloused and scarred hands from years of battle, gently rubbed the back of her hands against the soft petals, mimicking that long-lost sensation of a light kiss that once graced her fingers. All while humming a song only known to her heart and another.