I'm interested in the fact that it was critical for her to become a Matriarch, as she'd lose the privileges if she was the third generation in a row to not succeed. It almost feels like that old saying where you the first generation creates the wealth but the successive generation squanders it.

Then again, I also wonder about the selection process - since we're seeing this through one character's eyes, it seems like a purely hereditary thing, but if neither her mother nor grandmother were able to become Matriarchs, there must be a way to attain the title without necessarily having "Matriarch blood," as it were.

I do love this as a stand-alone story, too! Part of the fun is being left with all kinds of questions, in my opinion. :)