Lady Ophelia cleared her throat quickly and turned back to Rosalind. "You may wear your shoes," she said at last.
Rosalind gave a small, restrained smile before moving to retrieve them and slipping them on. Afterward, she was escorted out of her room by the veiled sisters and guards, and the presence of both groups made her feel suffocated, as though she was being paraded like part of an official procession. As she walked, she noticed the servants staring at her with narrowed eyes, and although they bowed respectfully, they could not hide the whispers that followed.
She was led all the way to the throne hall, where the great doors were opened and her name was announced loudly before she entered. Rosalind stepped forward slowly, walking along the long red carpet that stretched toward the throne platform while her escorts followed behind her. With every step, she felt the weight of countless eyes pressing down on her.
