The Queen was sitting before a bronze mirror while two maids arranged the ornaments in her hair when her senior court lady quietly delivered the message. She listened without interrupting, then looked at her reflection while a faint, contemptuous smile slowly formed. "A chill from the mountain air? His Majesty can ride through winter rain, inspect military camps until midnight and sit through court after sleeping barely two hours, but apparently one night at the summer palace has made him too delicate to return."
The senior court lady lowered her eyes rather than answer because the Queen was clearly not asking for an explanation.
The Queen reached for one of the hair ornaments and adjusted it herself before continuing. "And Sukbin happens to be there with him. How fortunate that whenever His Majesty suddenly discovers a need for rest, the same mysterious woman is always nearby."
