THIRTY-TWO
Ava didn't hesitate. She strode forward with her eyes downcast before prostrating herself before the King. "Father," she said. "I am Sumi's daughter. She died giving birth to me, and I was brought up in the harem with your other wives and daughters."
"You are my daughter?" he asked, sounding bemused. "You look just like her."
"Of course, Father. I am Ava, the princess you sent with the Queen's daughter, Lagle, to marry into the Emperor's family and form an alliance, so that our peoples may live in peace." Ava did her best to keep her voice steady, so he wouldn't recognise the lie.
"The bodies in the throne room tell me there is little peace here," the King remarked.
So he already knew. The Emperor had been right about there being spies in his court.
"The Emperor would n
