The Laws of Succession, as Set Forth by Queen Arcelia EverburnFrom the Royal Codex, 523rd Year of Everburn Rule

  The firstborn takes all. The nd, the crown, the kingdom itself. Whether they are son or daughter, legitimate or otherwise, it matters not. The blood of Everburn reigns supreme, and the blood does not waver.

  Should a younger sibling find this arrangement disagreeable, they are welcome to challenge the heir in single combat before the coronation. This is considered both polite and practical. No assassins, no second bdes lurking in the shadows—only the strength of one against another, as is proper. If you wish to cim the throne, you should have the spine to take it with your own hands.

  Every child born of Everburn blood will bear the Everburn name. This is without exception. The power in our veins makes paternity a certainty; there is no denying it, no hiding from it. Whether conceived within wedlock or without, each child carries the name, the strength, and the burden that comes with it.

  A sitting monarch may only be removed under the most dire of circumstances—when the power of our bloodline has shattered their mind beyond reason. Madness alone is not enough; only when they have been utterly consumed by it may the kingdom rise against them. In such a case, the common folk may be enlisted for rebellion, though any who attempt this should be prepared for the war that follows. It will not be clean. It will not be easy. And it will not be without cost.

  In times of war, the heir shall wed for the good of the realm, forging alliances through marriage with foreign powers. In times of peace, they shall bind themselves to a noble house within the kingdom, securing stability from within. There will be times of peace, fleeting though they may be. We are rulers now, not a roving horde of conquerors. Peace is not our way, but it will find us, if only for a breath.

  Above all, the creed of our house must be remembered, not only in succession but in every decision, every action, every breath we take:

  Your family does not flinch.Your family does not waver.Your family does not feel.