Two guards came to either side of me. Before they could grasp my arms, I told them, “Don’t touch me. I have legs, and I can walk on my own.”

They glanced at the king, and he waved his hand, allowing the guards to respect my request. As a result, one of them nodded to me, showing me the way while the other followed behind, keeping a close watch.

I kept my head down but I constantly shifted my ...