Mary’s mind raced, trying to reconcile the image of the father she barely knew with the story now unfolding. She glanced at Esmerelda, who seemed paralyzed by the weight of the officer’s words, her face drained of color. Tears welled in Mary’s eyes as the realization of their mother’s torment washed over them both.
The officer continued, revealing that the leader their father had saved had played a crucial role in establishing peace between the two armies. Though their father was released from prison years later, the damage was done. The public still saw him as a traitor, and his reputation remained ruined.