NINETEEN
When Ava woke in the morning, she was still alone in the bed. The same maids from yesterday ushered her to the bath house, but today none of them would meet her eyes. In fact, they seemed hesitant to touch her now.
Finally, she couldn't bear it any longer. "What have I done wrong?" she asked. "Yesterday, you were all happy to help me bathe and dress. Today, you act as though Prince Yun's wife is unclean."
The maids exchanged glances for a long moment, before one of them stepped forward and spoke up.
"A thousand apologies, mistress, but the Emperor's sons are known for their rough use of women, especially their wives. Most new brides in the palace do not wish to be touched the morning after their wedding night, and many of them have ordered us to look away instead of staring a
