Sometimes he wondered if Mary Ann wanted him to be dead—and yet there was nothing that Ace could do when he saw the young woman looking immensely troubled. She didn't tell him anything but he quickly got the message when she asked him to deliver the tray of roseberry tarts and tea for Her Majesty. And that was the story of how Ace the soldier had arrived outside of the Queen of Heart's chambers and heard the laughter.
The man gulped for a moment and looked around the empty hallway, wondering if this place would serve as his final resting place before he knocked on the door. "Her Majesty of Hearts?"
The laughter died immediately.
The Queen of Heart's voice sounded from beyond the door, her voice was clipped as she gave him permission, "Come in."
