The hall had barely processed Dante’s declaration when someone from the crowd suddenly shouted:
“Did he just say he’s the Dragon General? Emilia’s husband has really gone insane!”
More voices followed immediately.
“He must be delusional!”
“What kind of joke is this?!”
“Poor Emilia… choosing a lunatic over Eric…”
Laughter, doubt, and disbelief rippled across the room. Heads shook. People pointed. Even the orchestra players at the corner paused mid-note.
Emilia felt her face burn with humiliation.
She could feel everyone’s eyes on her—mocking, pitying, judging. Celia looked ready to burst into laughter. Marie smirked. Stefan looked furious enough to explode. Her father’s expression twisted with disgust.
Leonardo clung to her skirt, confused, his small face tilting up at the storm of
