Amelia PoV
I took a deep breath as I stared at the dress in my hands. Any decision I made here could determine if I lived or died. It was somehow more nerve-wracking than being on the battlefield. But it was a battle in its own way, a battle of wits, of wills. I had to be strong, I had to be smart. I had to play their game without losing myself.
Amaya walked in, a vision in blue silk. She looked every bit the Grand Duchess she was, her posture perfect, her expression serene.
"You look beautiful," I said, a genuine smile on my face.
She returned the smile. "As do you. That dress suits you."
I looked at the pink and gold silk dress in my hands. It was beautiful, but it felt like a costume. A costume for a role I wasn't sure I wanted to play. The role of a queen who had to beg for help. But I had to play it. For my people. For my kingdom. For the world.
"You don't seem happy about it," Amaya said, her gentle gaze seeing right through me.
