"Presenting."
The herald's voice boomed across the ballroom, sharp and commanding, echoing through the vaulted ceiling.
The sound rattled in Florian's chest, and his heart skipped violently, beating faster than it ever had before.
Instinctively, his grip on Heinz's arm tightened, fingers curling against the silken sleeve as though clinging for dear life.
"Nervous?" Heinz's voice brushed against his ear, low and teasing, the kind of whisper that managed to steady and unnerve him all at once.
They stepped forward in tandem, the grand balcony doors opening to spill a wave of light and music upon them.
"Mhm…" Florian managed a soft hum, nodding quickly, eyes darting toward the sea of people below.
'Too many eyes… far too many eyes…'
"Don't be," Heinz murmured smoothly, the faintest curl of a smile touching his lips as he leaned just a fraction closer. "You are the star of this night. So shine with confidence, Ilúvarei."
