258 Good News

Still in the king's chamber.

After a few seconds of silence, Queen Marianne stepped closer. She touched Karenina's arm. The young woman immediately rose from her father's arms and looked at the queen with puffy eyes.

The queen wiped the tears from Karenina's eyes and cupped her face gently. She looked at the face of the young woman who had stayed by her side for the last five years. 

Was this young woman trying to fool her? 

Ahh... Queen Marianne knew her son wouldn't have really hurt this girl. Nicholas may have hated the betrothal between him and Karenina but surely he wouldn't harm his fiancee at all.

It was true that he ran away and disappeared into the night, but it only meant complications.  The reality of what probably happened scared the queen far more than the accusation of rape that Karenina was throwing at the king.

Perhaps… there was a misunderstanding. Nicholas might scare Karenina because he…