The Sacrifice Of Belladonna

II

NINETEEN THIRTY-NINE

In a sleepless night, Belladonna walked down the corridor until she stood before her sister's chambers.

Whether or not Indigo was counting sheep could
not stop the younger sister from entering. Usually, Belladonna took the courtesy to knock, but this time around was different. Too much was on her mind to even consider basic manners.  Surprisingly, Indigo
was sitting at her vanity...staring at herself.

She was comparing her looks to her younger sister's, wondering why Michael didn't choose her as a wife instead. Was she not pretty enough? Young enough?

Free-spirited enough? She assumed her
intrinsic qualities matched with the caliber of man Michael was. Poised, pretty, and noncombative.

Sure, Belladonna was a beautiful young lady,
but she lacked elegance and would argue anyone
down to prove a point. She had mannish ways.

The best way to describe Belladonna was a
beautiful tomboy in a dress. Why would Michael willingly put himself through hell by taming her
when he could easily be with Indigo?

She would be more than eager to listen
to his every command. Shutting the door behind, Belladonna spoke. "I'm surprised you're up so late,
but I'm not surprised you're staring at yourself." She
joked. Usually, Indigo would laugh at her sister's
little snide remarks, but she wasn't feeling amused.

Noticing Indigos's dejected look, Belladonna
decided not to lean into her playful personality.

"I'm sorry, Indigo..."

"Sorry?" Indigo questioned. "What are you sorry for?"

"I'm sorry that your heart is breaking." Vivid images
of her older sister's watering eyes plagued her mind.

So did Michael's despicable words: "I've already had my shares of her purest nature."

It all made sense to her now."W-What are you
talking about?" Indigo played dumb, not wanting
her sister to know about the relationship she shared with Michael. "I saw how you looked at dinner when Michael made the announcement. I always knew you had a crush on him, but what I didn't know was that-"

Belladonna suddenly halted the remainder of
her words. She didn't want to further her sister's
hurt by telling her what Michael had said.

But she also deemed it necessary to make
her sister aware of how vile Michael was.

Of course, Indigo knew Michael wasn't a saint
but she didn't want to believe he cared so little about her that she would be lumped with the rest of the women from his past. She wanted to be different;
she wanted to be the one he chose.

The one he loved.

Indigo turned in her chair to look at
her sister, "Finish your sentence...please." She
requested, curious as ever to know as it involved Michael. Belladonna tried to think of an excellent
way to relay the words in her mind. How can one
tell a sister she was nothing but a plaything to a
man she cared for deeply? This wasn't easy.

"Michael insinuated that he...that he was
involved with you intimately once before."

A small part of Belladonna wanted to believe
that Michael was just a trash bag who would say whatever to upset her. She didn't want this to be true, but from Indigo's horrid look, she knew Michael
was telling the truth. "He...He said that?"