TWENTY-SIX
A week passed, each day much the same as the others. Every night she shared a bed with Prince Yun, who said little to her and didn't touch her at all. Each morning, the maids would serve her breakfast and help her bathe and dress before accompanying her to the pleasure garden for another day of sharing palace gossip.
Mostly, Ava just let their voices wash over her, drowsing in the sweet-scented air like the other wives did. Yet after a week, the endless stream of stories began to irritate her.
"I don't care whose wife is sleeping with which official in order to get her daughter on the list of potential brides for the crown prince!" Ava burst out. "How can you know so much about who shares whose bed when you can't tell me where Lagle is!"
The maids babbled their apologies,
