Dorothy sat in her office. Outside, chaos reigned, but it was exceptionally quiet here. Her expression was icy, her eyes fixed on the computer screen. Vicious comments from the residents of District 25 about the Federation and Dorothy herself scrolled across it. Every word, every phrase was like a blade plunging deep into her heart.
She could feel every beat of her heart, each one bringing pain. She told herself this was something she had to endure. Every insult, every curse was a consequence of her war.
She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing and heartbeat. She could not fall apart now. She had more important things to do.
Dorothy's office was filled with exquisite ornaments and expensive works of art. Photographs of her with other senior Federation officials hung on the walls, each recording her glory and success. Yet at this moment, she felt that all of it was hollow, utterly meaningless.
She stood and walked to the window. The night sky outside was vast and deep, and the scattered lights reflected the city's splendor and prosperity. But she knew all of it had come at a heavy cost.
...So these were the emotions humans experienced when faced with failure?
Even after imitating them, they still felt insignificant.
The expressions Dorothy had just forced onto her lips, brows, and eyes were much better than before, but they remained stiff. Her eyes were as still as stagnant water. All those insignificant emotions and thoughts that had surfaced a moment ago seemed to have been forcibly cobbled together.
"Lady Dorothy, the senior officials say they would like to see you."
Dorothy withdrew her gaze from the window, her expression returning to its earlier icy composure. She turned to face the assistant at the door. There was not a ripple