Chapter 7

The maids practically dragged Merdi to a small, windowless room where not even the faintest starlight could penetrate the gloom. Her first step sent clouds of dust billowing up from the floorboards, catching in her throat and forcing a dry cough. Even so, her expression held no fear, no displeasure. Margaret called this place the Room of Repentance. From the moment Merdi had left the royal palace for the Greenfield estate, her bridal lessons had begun. If she ever talked back or made a mistake, Margaret would lock her in here—sometimes for days, other times for merely half a day.