But the real reason was power.
“Then she must die,” the advisor said. balance of power pure taboo
For one heartbeat, Elara saw him: a man with a small mole on his cheek, rubbing his eyes in exhaustion. No monster. No god. But the real reason was power
In time, the kingdom prospered—not because the taboo was broken, but because it was held in balance . The King retained the mask for public rituals, but behind closed doors, he learned to lead without it. And Elara, the lowly weaver, became the most powerful subject in the land, not by seizing power, but by guarding a secret that could destroy it. but behind closed doors
That night, the King sat with his Chief Advisor. “The weaver knows.”