As promised, the Imperial Concubine took Aria to walk around the markets accompanied by an army of servants and her children. While Shareen didn’t hide her boredom, Darren simply followed Aria like a shadow, touching her sometimes as if to reassure her that he was there. The little group observed the many stalls with interest and, to Aria’s surprise, the townspeople didn’t seem alarmed to see the Imperial Concubine wandering among them.

They kneeled as they were supposed ...