CHAPTER 21
Lady Duxelle knocked on the king’s chamber doors for the fifteenth time.
“Your Majesty, you need to wake up. It is nearly noon. We must pass Dr. Foster’s sentence.”
No response.
She banged on the door again. “If you don’t answer, I’m going to come in.”
Silence.
She leaned her head against the door. “Your Majesty, you can talk to me.”
When there was still no response, she shrank back and began to fear the worst. She opened the door with her spare key.
The room, sumptuously decorated with tapestries, divans, sofas, and ottomans, was empty. The canopy bed was neatly made with green comforters and sheets, and the king’s robes hung color-coded in the closet.
She opened the door to the balcony that overlooked the courtyard, but the king’s wicker furniture was empty, too.
She
