The silence in the ballroom stretched unbearably as Emilia stood at the front, her hands gripping the sides of her gown as if drawing strength from the fabric itself. The weight of expectation settled over her, an invisible force pressing into her chest. She could see the sea of noble faces watching her, waiting for words she had not yet fully formed.
For a moment, her breath caught. The world blurred at the edges.
Then she inhaled deeply, raising her chin, steadying herself.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she began, her voice softer than she intended. She cleared her throat, forcing the tremor from her words. "I stand before you not just as Emilia Winchester, daughter of Lord and Lady Winchester, but as a woman who has spent her life watching, learning, and understanding the world beyond thes
