The palace's grand hall gleamed with ornate chandeliers and murmurs of intrigue. I stood alone for a moment, clutching the system's glowing prompt that hovered persistently before me.
System Notification:
Moral Test Quest
Choose your path wisely:
Help the servant girl in secret, risking scandal if discovered.
Publicly defend Anna, drawing the ire of the nobility.
Keep your distance to avoid trouble, focusing on personal strength.
I exhaled slowly. Each choice felt like a thread tied tightly to my fate, pulling me forward or unraveling my new life. The echoes of my past mistakes were loud. But I couldn't let fear dictate my actions.
With steady voice, I made my decision: "I will stand for Anna—even if the court despises me."
A ripple of shock passed through the gathered nobles as I stepped forward, meeting their judgmental glares head-on. Some eyes narrowed, others whispered accusations, but I held firm.
Something inside me hardened like steel. This wasn't a game anymore—it was my redemption story unfolding, chapter by chapter.
And no power in the kingdom would silence my resolve.