I Am The Truth II

Chapter XXXVII: Masked No More

Author's Note: Hello all, I am back. Just wanted to say that my update schedule may be a bit slow, as college has started now. Also, I actually rewrote Chapter XXXIV, as it seemed a bit off that Ria could cheer up so fast after revealing that she's essentially a murderer lol, as well as Val being so quick to accept Ria without taking some time to digest it. And also, next chapter is going to be another extended one, so stay tuned!

In three days, all three of the travelers had come to know of everything that had happened in the rest of the world, picking up bits of news as they went. By the time they reached South Sendaria some time in the afternoon, they knew what had become of both West K' Arthen and Felden. 

And in the context of these shocking revelations, the two girls began to heal their former friendship at last. All that started it all was a small answer, much-needed by the Sendaris.

"I understand now," Val said suddenly.

Ria didn't register it at first, but she soon turned to the other. Val didn't make eye-contact, but she was speaking with deliberation now.

"From my perspective, it was nearly impossible to see the other side of the story," Val said slowly. "And it was my fault too, for I really did think that this story was one-sided, white and black. Rather, it is just a sea of grey instead."

She sighed, gulping in air right after. Ria shook her head.

"I was jealous of you," Ria said. "It does not matter what kind of background you had. I saw that you had family a home, and you had people in the city that cared for you at least. I never had people like that."

Val didn't answer immediately, but what she said next shocked Ria.

"Thing is," Val said softly. "You had people who did care for you. The simple problem was either that fate took them away, or you let fate take them."

Ria stared at Val. 

"Do you... mean that?" Ria forced.

"I do," Val said. "It can either be an insult... or some advice, depending how you perceive it."

Ria could have easily reverted back to the anger she was so accustomed to... except Val was right.

"I will say I was even jealous of you," Val continued. "Rich background, great respect amongst the majority of the Ardoni youth as well as handfuls from the other races, never to show fear from what I had seen... things I desired all my life."

"Jealous huh?" Ria remarked. "I cannot imagine you being anything of the sort."

"But I was," Val said. "Though you chose to live with Uncle Galadar, Uncle Hadion, and myself, there was always a class distinction between you and the three of us. You are an eastern Ardoni after all-"

"That hardly matters for shit, you know that?" Ria interrupted, becoming emotional upon hearing the east versus west topic brought up again. "What, that you speak a language with a completely different alphabet determines where you are in society? I never cared, and I never asked."

Val didn't respond for a minute.

"But others do," She murmured, looking Ria in the eye. "Look at the way Galleous and many of the other Ardoni Knights regard me. They are nice to me, but also patronizing in a very subtle way. You think I am not aware of that?"

In fact, Ria had indeed thought so about Val till now.

"Hubris-?"

"Hubris is our age," Val said, shaking her head. "So are Emmilia, Eryn, Deltheus, and Almrak. I am talking about everyone who is clearly several decades older than us."