Shoutout to Bruh_Vista for beta-reading and providing extensive feedback for this chapter!
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Shuri composed herself, taking a deep breath to steady her trembling legs, before hurriedly opening the door for the Sect Leader. The man she had been trying to avoid had just entered her room. At this point, Shuri didn't care anymore. This was the worst-case scenario— NO, there was an even worse case she didn't want to imagine, fearing that the world would conspire against her just by entertaining such thoughts.
"Um, Sect Leader Larks. Greetings!" Shuri said, bowing low. Her body moved stiffly as fear, uncertainty, and doubt began to overpower her muscles.
