Not beautiful in the delicate, painted way of court ladies. Beautiful like a sword fresh from the forge. She stood tall, nearly Soyeon's height, with features that seemed carved from ivory and jade. Her skin was flawless, her lips naturally red as pomegranate seeds. Her hair was arranged in an elaborate style Soyeon had never seen before, adorned with hairpins of pure gold set with rubies that caught the light like captured fire.
But it was her robes that truly stunned. Deep crimson silk embroidered with phoenixes in gold thread so fine it seemed to shimmer and move. The cut was different from palace fashion, more elaborate, more regal. And at her waist hung a jade pendant carved with characters Soyeon didn't recognize.
Foreign, Soyeon realized. She's from another kingdom.
"I'm terribly sorry," Soyeon said again, bowing deeply. "Please forgive my clumsiness—"
"Stop."
The woman's voice was cultured, musical, and cold as mountain snow.
