She’d always known the palace was vast, but must it be so endless?
Her nerves tightened with each step as she trudged down the seemingly infinite path—until at last, the outer walls of the palace loomed into view.
When she had first arrived in the capital, those towering walls had seemed to rush toward her like a crashing wave.
Now, they stood just a few paces ahead.
As she walked along the lengthy stretch leading to the gates, she found herself tempted—‘What if I just climbed over the wall?’
But one glance at its towering height was enough to crush that idea.
Heart pounding, she resigned herself to the long walk.
At last, a group came into view: three horses and a man standing by the gate.
Elated, she quickened her pace.
As she approached, the court lady murmured something to the gatekeeper in a low voice. He gave a small nod in response.
“Please mount your horse.”
Those four words meant everything was ready.
