Keleora's heart pounded as she was led by her two maids to the entrance of the grand throne room. The walls seemed to close in on her, and the echoes of her footsteps in the opulent corridor felt like a drumbeat, matching the rhythm of her anxiety.
"What will they say? Will they banish me?"Keleora's thoughts raced as she recalled the events that led to this moment. Losing the family heirloom had been a grave mistake, and though she had already endured her punishment, the real trial seemed to lie ahead – facing her parents' judgment.
As the maids halted before the towering midnight black doors, Keleora took a deep breath, her trembling hands clutching the edges of her gown. She couldn't help but glance at the intricate carvings on the doors, an intricate tapestry of the tribe's history. The irony was not lost on her – her own actions had marred their lineage.
