“And until we capture her, we have no way to verify these so-called intelligence reports!” Cardinal Maria shouts above the noise.
The room descends into arguments again, some delegates believing the Cardinals orchestrated the sabotage, others convinced Isolde planted false information.
Commander Kaelix’s voice cuts through it all.
“It doesn’t matter.”
The simplicity of the statement silences everyone.
“It doesn’t matter if the Cardinals planned to sabotage us or if Lady Isolde lied,” Commander Kaelix continues. “Because either way, the result is the same. Either you tried to manipulate us into failure, or your security was so compromised that a terrorist operative could feed us false intelligence without you noticing. Either way … your time is done, Cardinals.”
The words land like a death sentence.
Cardinal Benedict opens his mouth to respond, but Commander Kaelix isn’t finished.
“Lady Cyra showed us we can reject going along with the status quo of the broken system we’re inheriting, and create our own solutions. She puts people first. House Uranus votes for her – someone who actually understands what needs to change.”
The silence that follows is heavy with significance. The Cardinals’ authority, already weakened by the massacre and Isolde’s revelations, has just been publicly dismantled.
Zevran stands last, his grey eyes meeting mine.
“I came here believing that strength meant never showing weakness, never admitting you need help,” he says quietly. “Lady Cyra taught me that real strength is knowing when to lean on others. She’s shown all of us what it means to choose compassion over vengeance, unity over division. Mars stands with Cyra, now and always.”
The hall fills with silence, as reality sinks in.
“By unanimous vote,” Cardinal Marcus announces, his voice tight, “the House leaders have spoken. Cyra of the Sun Kingdom—” He turns to me. “Do you accept this vote of confidence? Will you serve as Solar Sovereign?”
Every eye turns to me.
I stand slowly, my body still aching. For a moment, I almost do it – almost tell them the truth about what happened in that stone chamber. Almost confess that the recording cut out before they could hear me say something cruel and unforgivable, before they could see me torture Isolde with my father’s magic while I enjoyed every second.
The words are right there, pressing against my teeth:I’m not whoyou think I am. I became exactly what I feared in that moment. I’m my father’s daughter in the worst possible way.
But then I see all these faces staring back at me in this very hall … and they slowly morph into other faces … the dying boy in the alleyway, the servants at the palace, every patient I ever helped…
I swallow the confession. Push it down deep where it can fester alongside all my other secrets. This time, Idon’tlie to myself:this is for them, not for me.
“I accept,” I say, and I hear that thin whisper at the edge of my voice – the low timbre that sounds like my father. I force it down, make my face steady. “I accept with gratitude and humility.”
I pause, bowing my head in the direction of the empty Saturn seat, letting the weight of Lord Evander’s absence settle over us all.
“Lord Evander helped me to understand the original purpose of the Conclaves. The best way to honour him is to bring back the true spirit of it – the belief that we can all trust and depend on one another.”
My voice strengthens, even as guilt threatens to choke me.
“I won’t rule alone. I can’t. The challenges ahead – the Architects, the instability they’ve created, the fractures in our system – are too great for one person. I’ll need all of you. Your counsel, your expertise, your support.”
I meet Cardinal Benedict’s eyes.
“I promise to listen before I speak. To adapt instead of demanding compliance. To remember that this isn’t about inheriting power, but earning trust every single day.” I pause. “I promise to be the leader you believe I can be, even when I doubt it myself.”
The words ring through the chamber with finality. I am their queen, unanimously supported, elevated by a lie of omission.
“The solar system needs stability,” I continue. “It needs unity. It needs leaders who put people first. I’ll do everything in my power to be that leader. With your support, with your guidance, I’ll try to build something better than what came before.”
The chamber is silent for a long moment. Then, Lord Castor – with his tall, broad frame – gives a respectful, low bow. Lady Tavia joins him, then Commander Kaelix, Lady Nerida, Zevran. Even the Cardinals,defeated and diminished, acknowledge the vote with heads nodded forward.
“Your Majesty,” Cardinal Marcus says as he steps forward, the title sounding bitter in his mouth. “The coronation ceremony awaits.”
