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The waning gibbous moon clung stubbornly to the horizon, its pale light barely piercing the thick shroud of clouds. Elara stood off to the side of the slowly building crowd in the town square, the crisp morning air nipping at her cheeks like playful sprites. A gentle breeze whispered secrets through the trees, making the leaves dance and carrying with it the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread from the inn. It was 10 am, yet the sky held a twilight hue, casting an ethereal glow over the gathered townspeople. She watched their breath, little puffs of mist in the cool air, as they murmured in anticipation.

Elara’s heart quickened, each beat resonating with the palpable excitement that buzzed around her. She clutched her cloak tighter, knowing that the biggest announcement was already a whisper her ears had heard before yet still…still she couldn’t quite believe everything she’d been told. 

Elara’s heart ached with worry for her princess. Since returning from her walk earlier that morning, she hadn’t managed to speak with her, the cabin unusually empty. If she were honest, it was also because she had buried herself in her duties as a handmaiden, a convenient distraction from the gnawing guilt that had consumed her still. She’d busied herself with the familiar tasks—polishing the silver, arranging the princess’s gowns, and tending to the hearth—each action a small comfort in its routine. But beneath the surface, the guilt still churned within her mind.

The guilt had only dulled a little later, thanks to remembering Sunni’s words. A small smile had almost naturally appeared on her lips at the time. Even now, as she stood beside the crowd, the same smile crept onto her face, unbidden. She could almost hear Sunni’s voice, weaving the tale of Enu, the resilient desert fox, and the wisdom imparted by the tortoise. The memory was a balm, soothing the edges of her worry.

But now was not the time for reminiscing. Elara shook her head, dispelling the warmth of the memory. Her gaze shifted, refocusing on the awaiting stage as she prepared herself for whatever lay ahead.[/indent]