Esther 4:16

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day, a very severe fast, accompanied with urgent prayer to God to give success to the plan suggested by Mordecai. I also and my maidens, her servants-in-waiting, who may have been Jewish girls gradually introduced by Esther, will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law, not legally allowed; and if I perish, I perish. Thus she expressed her willing submission to the fate which might be in store for her if she performed what she now considered her duty, the risk being all the greater since she would not only approach the king's throne unannounced, but also intended asking a favor of him which involved the recall of a royal edict and an interference in the business of the empire.