NARA POV
With the room still buzzing in hushed outrage, I knew I couldn’t stay silent. I refused to be the wide-eyed new wife people dismissed as an ornament, or worse — a charity case gifted a title she didn’t earn.
I shoved every flicker of fear into a box, stood slowly, adjusted my jacket like I’d been preparing for this exact moment all my life, and cleared my throat. The room quieted, every pair of eyes snapping to me like predators scenting fresh blood.
Good.
“Thank you, Henry,” I began, my voice steady, cool, smooth as silk but sharp as glass. “I’m honored by the trust you’ve placed in me.”
A few heads turned in surprise — they’d expected me to crumble. Let them.
I let my gaze linger on Robert, then Evelyn. “I may be new to this family by marriage, but I’m no stranger to power
