Chapter 88: A Path Chosen

**Dorothy’s Perspective** Despite training for months, a wave of nervousness washed over me as I stepped into the king’s reception room disguised as a servant. Every movement felt scrutinized, every step a challenge. My heart raced as I executed the complex tasks—winking at the right moments, speaking in veiled riddles, entering and exiting the room with subtle purpose, all while skillfully setting up an intricate magical circle. The pressure to perform flawlessly was immense. I had memorized these rigid, obscure incantations with painstaking effort. My only hope was to complete the process before my nerves betrayed me or my memory failed. Just as I was nearing the final stages, an interruption shattered my focus. The head servant approached with unwelcome news: Carolyn was becoming suspicious. My stomach tightened. I had no choice but to expedite the curse-breaking ritual, even if it meant cutting corners. The risk of her discovering our plan was too great. Fortunately, th