Adrian lingered in the chamber after the other nobles had left, the tension finally fading into silence. Queen Alannah stood beside him, her regal demeanor momentarily softened.
Her shoulders, free from the sharp accusations and doubts of the council, eased a bit. She gazed at him, her face showing both gratitude and tiredness.
"Thank you, Adrian," she said in a quiet but sincere voice. "Without you, I don't think they would have come to a decision at all, let alone one in my favor."
Adrian shook his head, leaning against the edge of the table. "They would have come around eventually. They know you're the best choice, even if some of them won't admit it."
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "You're being generous. They're more concerned with their own power and how they'll position themselves once the dust settles."
"That's true," Adrian admitted, folding his arms. "But they also know what's at stake. If Zarpha falls, none of their ambitions will matter."
