"I don't know, my lady," Marissa said, shaking her head. Her voice trembled a little. "I just don't want him to go back to the way he used to be. He's a better man now."
"Nobody liked the old Karl," I said under my breath. I looked toward the window, chewing slowly. I could hear the sound of guards marching outside, but I couldn't see them. The search had already begun.
I gave the apple back to Marissa and stood up from the bed. We were going to wait outside until the search was over.
When we stepped into the courtyard, I saw Queen Fortuna sitting with a group of the king's concubines. She was laughing loudly, throwing her head back as if nothing in the world troubled her. Every now and then, she glanced at me and smiled smugly. I wasn't sure if she was happy that the search was happening or if she was just satisfied that her resignation would no longer be discussed.
