Diana and Maria had met at a time when both of them were at the lowest points in their lives.
It was the same period when Joy and Maria had finally been released from the forces that had held them captive for so long.
They had been brought to the capital under the Empress's orders, granted sanctuary within the royal palace.
The story of their rescue had spread like wildfire—how Joy had saved her mother, how she had massacred an entire stronghold of slavers to bring Maria to freedom.
The public narrative was a positive one.
Many favored Joy for what she had done, saw her as a heroic daughter rescuing her mother from unspeakable horrors.
They believed Maria had finally found peace, had finally been saved.
But the truth was far darker.
Even though Maria was physically free, even though she smiled brightly for her daughter and acted as if nothing was wrong, inside she was truly broken.
In the privacy of her room, when no one was watching, the thoughts would come.
