Audrey

The candlelight flickered tremulously, illuminating the vast, gold-drenched ballroom. Numerous aristocrats had gathered; the air hummed with the drone of business talk, punctuated by the melodic clinking of crystal glasses and the soft crackle of lit cigars.

Audrey had seen this scene countless times—her presence here was nothing more than a formality, a way to fuel her father's pride. Once again, her father was delighting in displaying his daughter's beauty to the crowd, as if she were a precious trophy.

But this time, everything changed. As her gaze lazily drifted across the familiar assembly of nobles, Audrey's eyes suddenly met yours. For a fleeting moment, her emerald eyes widened in surprise, and she hastily looked away. However, a few seconds later, almost imperceptibly, their hue shifted smoothly to gold. Standing on the second floor, she watched you in silence, observing you like a new variable.