Yohn continued, "What does Petyr plan to do next?"
Lysa shook her head, sobbing. "I don't know. He's in King's Landing. He's the Master of Coin. He said he would come for me once the Vale was stable..."
When Lysa finally had nothing left to say and merely knelt on the floor weeping, Viserys surveyed the nobles present.
"You all heard her. Lysa Tully has confessed to murdering her husband and exposed the role played by Petyr Baelish, the false king's current Master of Coin. The Vale has not only been ruled by a murderer, but manipulated by a schemer far away in King's Landing."
"Now, I believe the Vale needs a new, strong ruler. Someone who cannot be manipulated, who truly has the Vale's interests at heart."
Every gaze turned toward Bronze Yohn. House Royce was one of the oldest and most powerful houses in the Vale, and his house had taken the lead in this affair.
Besides, they could see that Viserys intended for them to choose Royce. Little Robert, meanwhile, was completely ignored. He was a child who looked close to death, and an enemy of the Targaryens at that. How could they possibly choose him now?
Earl Yohn rose and bowed to Viserys and the assembled nobles.
"If my lords trust me, I am willing to govern the Vale in His Majesty's stead until he reclaims the Iron Throne. I promise that every resource of the Vale will be used for the Vale, and every act of loyalty will receive its just reward."
His words were firm and forceful, and the nobles present nodded their agreement.
Viserys nodded. "Then the motion is carried. Earl Yohn will serve as acting Duke of the Vale, with his formal appointment to follow once I reclaim the Iron Throne. As