I knocked. The stone covered hallway was eerily silent with only the exception of my short, anxious breaths. Anticipation filled me with every second I stood waiting. Silence. Perhaps, there had been a mistake. What if the king was expecting someone else? Or worse, no one at all? The thumping sound of my heart pounded loudly in my ears almost deafening me. Something is not right. I shouldn’t be here.
Suddenly, I could hear the escalating sound of footsteps approaching. My stomach leaped as the closed door before me began to open very slowly. Its creaking noise intensified my fear all the more as I stood motionless.
“Esther...of Susa.”
