Elena’s POV

The day of the engagement banquet arrived before the sky had even fully awakened, and by the time the first faint light filtered through the windows, my mother was already up, moving through the courtyard with a quiet urgency that made it clear she had no intention of allowing even the smallest mistake to occur.

At five in the morning, she was already reviewing lists, checking arrangements, and going over every ceremonial detail with a level of focus that left no room for ...