The heavy silence in the courtyard was shattered by a sound that no one expected.
It was laughter.
Marissa stood at the bottom of the steps. She had been listening to the so-called "Master Orion" proclaim Carlos as the chosen one, the bright star of the family. She looked up at Carlos, who was puffing out his chest like a proud rooster. She looked down at the fake holy man in his expensive robes.
She couldn't hold it back. The absurdity of it was too much.
"Pfft," Marissa scoffed.
Then, a short, sharp laugh escaped her lips.
Beatrice turned her head sharply. Her eyes, usually warm toward Marissa, were now confused and slightly stern. Ashlyn glared, her pious mask slipping for a fraction of a second. Even the acolytes stopped swinging their incense burners.
Marissa quickly raised her hand. She covered her mouth, hiding her smile, but her eyes were still dancing with amusement.
