Chapter 61: Habit

The night was nearing a point when the moon was ascending in the sky. The palace was quiet, and besides a few guards, she didn't come across any other people. 

She opened the door of Morava's bedchamber and closed it behind her. She was panting wildly when she heard Morava's harsh voice, "Where were you, dullard? You were supposed to help me change into my nightgown. 

"Princess!" she rasped, her face flushed. "I have something very urgent to tell you!" 

Morava frowned and narrowed her eyes. "What is it?" she asked as she studied the urgency on Ivy's face. 

"The king— the king—" 

"What about him?" she growled, growing impatient."

"He— he—" Ivy panted as she placed her hand on her chest to calm down. "He was with a woman in the courtyard!" And then she gave an account of what she saw and heard while there.