Sairis's POV
Sairis leaned back into his seat, his posture finally loosening just slightly.
The table was still quiet, but it was no longer the same kind of quiet. It was heavy now, charged, like everyone was waiting for the next blade to drop.
"Actually, she is your fifth cousin," Sairis said calmly.
"Her elder sister is considered illegitimate as she was born by your uncle's mistress. So yes, I stand by what I said. She is your fifth cousin."
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire table shifted.
A few of the lords stiffened in their seats. One of them, shifted closer to the center, almost choked on his wine.
Another slowly set his fork down as if afraid even the sound of metal would be noticed.
A servant behind the queen froze mid-step, pitcher held too tightly in trembling hands. Even the younger attendants at the far end of the hall looked down quickly, pretending not to hear, but clearly hearing everything.
Greta gasped.
