Leave the panel closed, it must be a trick.

You turn away from the panel and summon your guard to keep watch, while you move to another room for the night.

The next day, you sit in your throne at Court. Curiously, the guards are wearing gray livery rather than the royal colors. You recognize Sir Garret's device on their cloaks. Frowning, you move on, calling on the court secretary for the first item of business.

The court secretary turns to you, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Her majesty, the council has declared a Regency." Lady Annette's noble face is grim and sad. She was your tutor in history, law, and writing, and you have great mutual affection. Between your birthday and your coronation, you accepted her invitation for a secret tryst, proud and pleased that this wise, noble lady had made you a man in truth.

You bolt to your feet. "What nonsense is this? I am King! There is no Council that can gainsay me." You turn to your most trusted advisor. "Lord Gilbert?"

The gray-bearded lord, your Regent during your minority, shakes his head. "I begged them for more time," he says. "I pleaded with you, Sire." He bows his head in sadness. "But they feared for the land, and now they have acted."

"Who can this be?" you demand.

"It is the Dukes, and Sir Garret," Lord Gilbert says. "I pleaded for you, but it seems not to have availed."

"Lord Gilbert, what do I do?" you ask.

"I hope they will offer you a good bargain, King Bryce," he says. "For the good of the realm, for your noble father's line...and for myself, Sire."

The doors open and Sir Garret enters at the head of a delegation.

"Sire," he says, bending his knee to the Crown of Itheria he is about to formally betray.

After a stormy, day-long meeting, you're left with a choice.

• Defy them. One of the Dukes will take the throne and compel Vesper to be his bride. Then you will face the headsman.
• Accept exile. Vesper and the Duke will take the Crown. Your Court will be the shepherds and flocks of a rocky isle. Lord Gilbert and a chosen party may accompany you.
• Accept a regency. Sir Garret will head a regency council with the Dukes. You will reign, but not rule, for at least seven years. And you must give up the Phoenix Company to high justice for corrupting the Crown.