𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

Vivere mendacium

As Regan stood there, torn in her thoughts, she sank into a nearby chair and tears flooded her cheeks. She couldn't believe anything she heard. She had never thought about herself like that before. But the fact that she was in his room still, made her flinch.

Overwhelmed, she wiped her tears and tried to ignore the grief in her chest.

She got up from the chair and opened the door quietly. When she stepped out, she came in front with a unknown man, dressed in military attire. That was general Vlad. She remembered him from that forced dinner she had days ago.

His face was confused, "Isn't lord Sirius here?"

"H-he left," Regan stuttered, hating her voice.

"Are you alright?" Vlad asked, noticing her red eyes.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" Regan replied, trying to steady her voice. But she wanted to disappear and cry her heart out.

The general's stoicism lowered a bit as he spoke, "You're crying. If anything's bothering you, you can always address to me. If you don't know already, I'm general Vlad, the lord's second in command."

Regan avoided eye contact and darted her eyes around, trying to ignore him, "Alright."

Vlad persisted, "If there's anything you need or want to discuss, I'm here."

"Fine. Thanks," she muttered, turning away, trying to distance herself as far as possible.

As she walked away, Vlad maintained a respectful distance but kept a watchful eye on her.

Suddenly, the lord emerged from the darkness at the end of the hall, his expression dark and displeased as he noticed Vlad's presence.

"What's the matter, Vlad? Why are you bothering her?" His voice was sharp, a tinge of possessiveness in his tone.

"Nothing, my lord. I asked for any possible disturbance." Vlad calmly replied.

Sirius's eyebrows furrowed, his expression dark, "Let her be. Stick to your duties, general," he ordered, his voice stern.

"As you wish, my lord," the general nodded and left on his way.

Sirius's gaze flickered to Regan, his expression unreadable, "What were you talking with him? You're looking for company?" he asked, his voice sharp in the air's tension.

Regan glared at him with a heated gaze, "I'm looking for you to root in hell," she hissed and walked away in enraged steps.

Sirius caught up with her, grabbing her arm, "You can talk to me if you like."

Regan's eyes widened slightly at his words and at his hold on her arm. She couldn't believe the nerve he had to suggest that she could talk to him.

"I'm not going to talk to a murderer," she retorted, her voice dripping with venom.

Then, she pushed herself away and fled, not looking back once. Sirius watched with an unreadable expression. "As if you'd talk to me if I wasn't a murderer," he muttered under his breath.

As soon as Regan entered her chamber, she locked the door. Amore flinched, she was sitting on the bed. Regan lay there too, and started crying. Amore reached to her and hugged her her, her tiny claws scratching Regan's arm.

She was overwhelmed by the revelations, by the fact that her life had been built on lies. It was now she realized why she felt like she didn't belong, why she felt alone. She had been living a lie with nothing real. She didn't belong anywhere. Her homeland was destroyed and there was nothing to do of that.