The cold air whipped through the clearing, sending shivers down Rose's spine. She could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on her, their silent anticipation adding to her unease. The only sound that broke the stillness was the soft whinnying of the horses, their restless movements mirroring the turmoil within the group.
Rose swallowed nervously, the dryness of her throat making it difficult to speak. "Why is the Empress Dowager here? I heard she hasn't attended gatherings in years," she thought.
Summoning all her courage, Rose finally gathered the strength to speak. "Y-your Highne—"
"That's Your Excellency for you," the Empress Dowager sharply interjected, her tone laced with thinly veiled disdain. "Are you lacking in education?"
Rose's cheeks burned with embarrassment as she stumbled over her words, her heart pounding in her chest. "I... I was not a noble—"
