Page 149 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

“If we return Marietta to the Exisotis,” Wyltam continued, placing a hand on her lower back, “we show good faith in an alliance with both the group and Enomenos. We could fight back against Reyila and Chorys Dasi, both of whom used Valeriya to steal information, as we now know.”

“They’ll never agree to such an alliance,” Dyieter spat. “We’ll hand over The Shepherd’s daughter, and then they’ll turn on us.”

“It’s worth the negotiation,” Wyltam countered, his voice hardening.

“We don’t have time—”

“I have a proposal.” The room fell silent as Marietta turned to the ministers.

“I have spent my life working in Enomenos, and I know the cities and its citizens better than most. My love for my home and its people reaches no limit. I have made myself well-known through aiding the people of my city-state.” She nodded to Adryan.

“If you doubt my notoriety, you can ask Minister Adryan, who knew of my business. You could even ask Chef Emynuel in the kitchens who knew of my bakery.”

She paused, waiting to see if anyone would question, but the room remained quiet. Marietta continued, “I am no politician, but I have made myself a staple of my community. Learning the truth of my father only solidifies my standing in Enomenos.”

Marietta took a breath, looking each minister in the eye.

When she got to Keyain, he broke her stare, staring at the floor.

“Each day, the citizens of Satiros riot at your gates, but not for me—for what I symbolize.

I am the first pilinos ever to receive a title at court, and I am the first noble to become an Iros.

“So, I stand before you, the Ministers of Satiros, as your subject, the proof being my birth record.” She paused, glancing at Tilan, who stared at her through furrowed brows.

“Since I lived in Enomenos for more than a decade, I hold citizenship there as well. I sit at a unique intersection of two regions at war, a citizen of both, which leads to my proposal.” She turned to Wyltam.

His dark eyes watched her, curiosity and awe slipping through his expressionless mask.

At that moment, she was thankful to see it.

“I propose to unite Satiros with Enomenos and the Exisotis through marriage. King Wyltam,” she said, bowing her head. “I offer my hand to you.”

“No,” Keyain yelled. “No!”

“Someone get him under control,” Dyeiter said. With her head down, she heard Keyain’s struggles. “How dare you come into my court for treason and murder after being accused of adultery—”

“I accept.” Wyltam’s finger found her chin, lifting her face to his. Marietta’s breath caught with his stare, for the intensity it carried. Her plan was working.

“You can’t just decide—”

“I accept her hand. Ministers, vote as you will, but consider the evidence we have brought forth.”

Murmurs broke out throughout the room. “Quiet! I will have silence!” Dyieter yelled. “We’ll put it to a vote. Your Grace, please return to the dais.”

Wyltam squeezed her hand once before stepping away.

Her stomach fluttered from both his acceptance and the call to a vote.

Before, Adryan had been the only minister who didn’t vote for her murder charge.

The chances were slim, but she bolstered herself.

If they didn’t accept her proposal, then it would be their demise.

The riots would only inflame, knowing that Coryn and Deania wouldn’t let the proposal go unknown.

By rejecting her offer, they would cause a mutiny for the city-state.

Regardless of the outcome, she had already won.

“Since we have stripped Gyrsh of his title and Minister Keyain is…” Dyieter said, hesitating, “unfit to rule at the moment, the vote will be out of eight for the remaining ministers. All those in favor of a marriage between King Wyltam Grystier and Marietta Fulbryk, step forward. All those against, take a step back.”

Adryan stepped forward without hesitation, followed by another minister whose name she didn’t know.

Dyieter took a step back from his podium, his glare locked on to Marietta.

She only raised her chin as her pulse remained steady.

Two more ministers stepped back. Royir, Grytaine’s husband, was one of them. Unsurprising. He did call her a clip.

Three ministers remained. Marietta turned to Tilan as they contemplated her fate. Tears trailed down his face as he shook his head. Marietta wished a part of her heart to break for the man she had loved; yet, it didn’t. With the truth of her father’s position, she had discovered how much Tilan hid.

Minister Rymos shook his head and stepped forward, drawing back her attention. The last two ministers seemed to have a silent conversation between them. At the same moment, one minister stepped back, the other forward.

A tie. It was a tie.

The room was dead silent as they all turned to Wyltam, watching as he left the dais and approached Marietta. “I have already cast my vote, and as the King of Satiros, I break ties.”

Breath left Marietta’s chest as the realization hit. After acting as a pawn pushed around by different people at court, she, at last, became a player.

A smile crept to Wyltam’s face, the sight beautiful and haunting framed in the golden light. “All hail Marietta, the future Queen of Satiros.”