London, Buckingham Palace.
The fireplace in the palace was burning brightly, yet the warmth couldn't dispel the awkward atmosphere lingering in the room.
King William IV reclined in the large red velvet armchair, a woven blanket draped over his legs.
As the oldest King of Britain ever to ascend to the throne, King William IV had just celebrated his 69th birthday this August.
His hair was already thin, mixed with gray and white, and slightly bald at the back. However, from his full forehead and the slightly unhealthy rosy cheeks due to long-term drinking, one could vaguely see the sailor traits left in his youth with the Royal Navy.
The "Prince's Study Briefing" sent by the Duchess of Kent had been flipped through several times, yet the writing on the paper wouldn't rearrange itself into a version more pleasing to the King due to his dissatisfaction.
