Page 56 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

In all, there were ten males on the King’s Council of Ministers, all overseeing various areas of their city-state.

They were an integral part of how their government ran, being that Wyltam gave them little oversight.

Even for important decisions, he allowed them to vote instead of acting like a king and leading his people.

Though how could she complain when it allowed Gyrsh to work with her?

In her position, all sorts of rumors of courtesans and nobles reached Valeriya’s ears.

Ministers were not excluded from such gossip.

More than a few times, her ladies had shared that Leyland had been sleeping with a pilinos.

Others had said he had a pilinos bastard, which was why he advocated for them.

From the gossip, Valeriya distilled he did his due diligence as the minister who oversaw them.

What she would like to find out one day was his stance on giving them full citizenship.

If he was in favor, then she could have another ally for the future.

With that in mind, she approached the males. “Minister Leyland, Minister Adryan, how wonderful it is to run into you.”

“Your Grace,” Adryan said with a bow, “how wonderful indeed. Seldom we see you around this part of the palace.”

“What a shame that is,” she said.

“Indeed, my Queen,” answered Leyland. “Gyrsh mentioned you’d be checking the status of our hospitality for the Chorys Dasians today. An important job to be had.”

Valeriya forced her smile. “That indeed. Who better than the Queen to make our guests feel welcomed?”

“And what a wonderful queen you are,” Adryan added. “The epitome of grace and generosity.”

“Flattering me today, are we? Do you need something brought up with Wyltam?” she asked.

“Fortunate for us,” Leyland said, “King Wyltam trusts our judgment on most things. Adryan just likes to curry favor with important persons.”

Yes, Wyltam, with his blind trust for his ministers. Not wanting to do the work himself, he often relies on his council to take care of things without his oversight. Ever a wonderful king.

“Alas, that is true.” Adryan flashed her a bright smile. “Though I think it’ll take more than simple blandishments to become Queen Valeriya’s favorite.”

“Yet you still try,” she said, her smile coming easy. How that male could ease anyone astounded her. No wonder he oversaw the businesses within Satiros. “Blandishments never hurt,” she said, taking a step away from the pair.

“And they say flattery will get you nowhere.” Adryan laughed and bowed his head. “Good day, my Queen.” Leyland bowed his head and continued on with him.

Something about Adryan had never sat right with her.

He held the ear of many of the ministers and could sway favor among them.

Persuasive people such as him proved to be dangerous adversaries and Valeriya didn’t know how he felt towards pilinos.

If he held an opinion opposite of hers, it could ruin their future plans. A vexing thought.

Down the hall, she found Gyrsh’s meeting room with a half dozen of his subordinates hard at work.

A large table anchored the room with stacks of papers organized into neat piles across its surface.

That was Gyrsh, keeping a strict and orderly protocol with his team.

It was always odd to see him in such a powerful position for how much he liked to fawn after her.

She cleared her throat, gaining his attention.

“Ah, Queen Valeriya,” he said, “how wonderful it is for you to join us. Come, please sit.”

“Minister Gyrsh, a pleasure as always.”

“You,” Gyrsh said, pointing at one of his subordinates, “get the Queen her cup of tea.” The young male jumped up with the order and served her as she sat down.

“How have things been going with our friends from Chorys Dasi?” she asked, blowing over her cup as Gyrsh took his seat. The rest of his team followed suit.

“Trade negotiations are going well,” he said with a slight smirk to his smile.

Of course, trade relations weren’t the real reason for their visit.

Though a good portion of his team was aiding with the plan, it was still a poor idea to talk so openly about it.

“I think we’ll come to a swift agreement. ”

“That’s good to hear,” she said, bringing her hand to her chin. “Have they had a chance to see the city?”

Gyrsh nodded to one of his stewards. “Kurtys, if you will.”

The name jogged a bit of gossip she had heard from Grytaine at tea one day. A smile curled onto her lips. How cruel was Gyrsh to this boy?

“My Queen,” he said, his mousy hair falling forward with his bow. “As you had suggested, I offered to take them to the Ertwymer Sculpture Gardens. They showed no interest and instead focused on visiting a few taverns. Besides that, they show little interest in seeing Satiros.”

Such news didn’t come as a surprise, though she’d had thought they’d take a tour of the city-state’s gateways and river system. That had been in the plan, at least. “Perhaps Lord Brynden has been too preoccupied by other sights Satiros offers.”

Kurtys blinked at her words, failing to hide his discontent.

The poor male had asked for Elyse’s hand many times only for her to deny him and court Brynden after meeting once.

Now, Gyrsh had him showing Brynden around Satiros.

Satisfaction spread out from her chest; playing with Satiroan nobles never grew old.

“If that’s a mention of Elyse,” Gyrsh said, anger underlying his tone, “I would like to put on the record that her interference with the Chorys Dasians has not distracted them from our work, though Lord Brynden has been playing a lesser role in negotiations.”

Playing a lesser role? Elyse had diverted him then. Valeriya made a mental note to follow up on that.

“How unfortunate that their betrothal fell apart,” she said, sipping her tea. “As her father, you must have been disappointed.”

Gyrsh flared his nose at her words, trying and failing to hide his anger.

“As you are aware, Elyse emancipated from my estate and is no longer considered my daughter.” He took a sharp breath, his grip tightening on his quill.

“Anyone who continues to pursue her hand is advised otherwise because she no longer has any financial bearing.”

Though he didn’t look at Kurtys, the male flinched.

His words had been a warning for him. How curious that not only did he still wish to court Elyse, but that Gyrsh would sabotage anyone who tried.

Perhaps he thought if no one offered their hand then she would go back to him. The fool; he was a terrible father.

Kurtys cleared his throat and continued on with his update.

Valeriya plastered on her fake smile, knowing none of it mattered.

One day soon, she would replace these wasted afternoons with actual work—actual change.

These males did not know what they were in for.

Valeriya looked forward to the day she could show them.