I stood frozen, my gaze sweeping over the sea of people kneeling before me as if I were some divine being. The weight of their reverence pressed in from all sides, tightening around my chest like an iron grip. A lump formed in my throat, and I turned to Kenzo. He stood a few steps away, his lips curved into a knowing smirk. When our eyes met, mine pleading for rescue, he merely chuckled and tilted his head toward the crowd, silently urging me to step forward. To speak.

But how could I? ...