I held my breath as we stepped into the grand chamber, my head held high despite the storm of nerves raging within me. Each step felt heavier than the last, but I forced myself to move with purpose, refusing to let a single tremor betray my unease. I didn’t dare meet their eyes. I could already picture their expressions—masks of contempt, disgust, or worse, complete indifference. But I refused to shrink beneath their scrutiny. Instead, I whispered silent affirmations to myself, ...