I sat in the sitting room, my hands folded neatly in my lap, trying to steady the nervous flutter in my chest. The afternoon light filtered through the tall windows, casting a warm glow over the ornate furniture. My father-in-law had insisted that this woman, Salima, would be the perfect guide to help me navigate the complexities of the royal court. I trusted his judgment, but the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on me. I wasn’t just a newcomer to this world; I was an outsider, and every misstep felt like it could cost me dearly.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, and I straightened my posture instinctively. The door opened, and there she was—Salima. She carried herself with an air of quiet confidence, her posture upright but not rigid, her gaze sharp but not unkind. Sh
