Audrey's POV
Trials have always been a necessary evil in royal life, but that doesn't make them any easier to stomach. The weight of future responsibilities presses against my shoulders as I navigate through the palace corridors.
The others have returned to their daily routines, leaving me free to examine every corner of this sprawling estate. Not entirely alone, of course. My shadows move with practiced silence, and Wendy stays within reach, ready to bridge any communication gaps my deafness might create.
Having a family who embraces me completely, deafness and all, feels like a miracle I never expected. They refuse to treat me as fragile, never assuming I cannot handle whatever life throws my way. They make accommodations without making me feel diminished.
