When the pavilion door finally opened later that night, Eunuch Jang had fallen asleep deeply enough that a quiet snore escaped him before Lee Yeong stepped into the corridor carrying Yeon Joo securely in his arms.
She was wrapped in a large drying cloth, her wet hair falling around her shoulders while one arm rested lazily around Lee Yeong's neck. The long day, hot spring and everything that had followed had left her far too relaxed to care that she could technically walk on her own, while Lee Yeong appeared perfectly satisfied carrying her back toward the royal chamber.
Min-ah rose immediately, but Eunuch Jang required another moment before waking and then stood so abruptly that he nearly stumbled over the hem of his own robe.
Lee Yeong looked toward him with obvious amusement and asked whether the chief eunuch entrusted with guarding the royal bathing pavilion had actually fallen asleep beside the door.
