Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Wales refrained from making a disgusted face coming out of the room where her father laid, but that particular feat was hard.

Her grandfather, the King, was standing there, talking to a minor minister. He noticed her and dismissed the man, who bowed before retreating and left the two royals to talk privately.

“How is he doing?”

“Still spewing black bile and half-choking. I think he keeps expecting Professional healers to perform a miracle…”

“On some things they do. But on some others, they do not,” George III simply said.

“He’s gained at least two stone since last year. It’s like he doesn’t know how to stop.”

The king stayed silent on the unsaid reproach. The Princess herself knew how neglected by her father she’d been, and she suspected the firstborn son of George the third might not have been much better. Not that she was going to say that to her grandfather’s face. He was King, after all.

“And he might not be long on this world. Which brings you to this,” the king said.

“Again,” she sighed.

“I know. And if this crisis is an indication, you will soon be the next in line to the throne. If not the Queen.”

“Grandpa!”

George III raised his cane, which he had needed to move around since last year.

“The miracle workers from that Labyrinth do wonders to the mind, but they don’t do much for endurance, do they? I am so tired any time I need to walk around.”

“Nobody knows…” the Princess said, eyeing the ring on the king’s hand.

Four years ago, one of the rare no-level Artefacts had been found with a regenerative effect. No one knew how much of an effect those did, but the monarch of England wore it since, one of the last relics of the Royal Labyrinth Company’s era.

Calculating Tactician Charlotte Augusta Wales was still not convinced the ring made a real difference compared to healer Professionals' skills.

“That’s the point, Charlotte. Nobody knows how to make sure I live through the year or the next. I do enjoy not losing my sanity, as I used to. But my days are counted, and your reign will come sooner or later. And nobody should ascend to the throne without making sure the succession is in order. It’s far too dangerous for the crown.”

“Gustav.”

“It’s either him or a duke or something from Ireland. There are no good prospects left from Europe. The Tyrant gobbled all them. You know it. At least he is a Professional.”

Charlotte sighed.

“Half the Parliament's Lords already have apoplexies at the idea.”

“Half. That’s good, you’ve almost won the battle, then.”

The king started to turn, then added, “You need to choose, Charlotte. This year. Time waits for no woman. I let my sons slide because they were sons, but you don’t have that option. So, this year. Him, or someone else.”

There was a clamour and suddenly, a number of people rushed out of the room behind them.

“You no longer have the option to wait out your father’s reign, if I’m not mistaken.”

Moonstone Shadow of the Sunderon Deathlord

Ring

Artefact

Requires: none

Provides: +1 Hold rank, +1 Brace rank, CON+6, STA+5, PRE+3, +61 health, +58 mind, +52 endurance, +1% defence economy, +1% regeneration