Confidence was her only hope now. If she gave it like it was worthless, it would look like an insult. But if she presented it like it mattered, maybe, just maybe, it would gain weight in the eyes of others.
She stopped before Somto, lifted the pillow gently with both hands, and looked him in the eyes.
"It's all I have on me," she said quietly. "But it's mine. Always with me. Maybe it'll bring you luck."
Somto's gaze didn't move. It stayed fixed on her.
And in that long pause, the audience erupted.
The whispering started from the VIP guests.
"Is that a—handkerchief?"
"You must be joking…"
"That's what she's giving the king?"
"From gems to a piece of cloth?"
Livestream comments flooded in.
"Girl be serious."
"No because what is that?!"
"She EMBROIDERED it tho?"
"Honestly I think it's kinda brave??"
"Somto better not sneeze on that."
"Imagine gifting a scented square in front of the world."
"Well at least she didn't come empty handed."
