A/N May and Dawn are 14.

"How is he?"

"Worse," answered Princess May's lady in waiting, Dawn Berlitz.

"He's been getting worse for over a month, Dawn," May said.

"I know m'lady, but they've tried everything," Dawn explained. "I'm afraid His Majesty is doomed."

May plopped onto her bed. "And Hoenn with him. Without a male heir, the kingdom will succumb to poverty."

Dawn looked towards the princess, puzzled. "But Prince Max-"

"Knows nothing. And Arceus forbid, I rule without a king," she sighed. For as long as anyone could remember, Hoenn forbade female monarchs to reign alone. While other kingdoms discarded the old tradition, Hoenn refused to. "When sickness strikes the king," bemoaned May, "it strikes the land as well." One month prior, King Norman's beloved wife, Queen Caroline, died of a fever. He grieved and refused all company, often dining in his chambers. Rumor had it he never ate at all, just wailed and keened and wept for his wife. Inevitably, he too fell ill, and, though it was treason to say it, he was awaiting death.

"Oh, Dawn! What has become of my home?" May cried out. She stood and paced her expansive chamber. "This foolish law! I could rule perfectly well alone! But no, I must have a husband, to smile and wave and reassure the people! Why, any street rat would do, so long as they think him charming!" She stopped and slowly turned around. "Any street rat," she muttered, stepping towards a window. She glanced at the city near the bottom of the hill the castle was stationed on.

"M'lady?"

A sly smile grew on the princess's face. "Dawn, I'm getting married."

The young lady went from confused to ecstatic. "I've always wanted to see a royal wedding! To whom? Prince Paul of Sinnoh? Quite blasé, but I've seen worse. Or maybe Prince Tracey of the Orange Islands? No, no, he's engaged to Princess Iris of Unova. I hope it is not Prince Gary of Kanto. No offense, m'lady, but he has been known to get around."

May faced Dawn, beaming. "Not a prince, but one of my own!" Dawn was baffled.

"Your Highness, have you been sneaking around?"

The princess laughed. "Not yet, but soon. I've devised a plan."

"Please don't say what I think you are going to say," groaned Dawn.

May snickered. "Good manners will not deter me. I'm going to meet someone down there, someone soft spoken and docile, marry him, and bring him to the castle. By then it will be too late to change anything, and unless Arceus himself disapproves, they will have no choice but to crown us king and queen."

Dawn stood stiffly, wringing her hands. "But what of your brother? Why can't he rule?" she asked quietly. May burst into laughter. "Surely you jest!" she bellowed. However, her friend's nervous gaze soon sobered her.

"He cannot," she stated icily. "He is but seven years old, certainly not fit to run a kingdom."

"But the dukes will handle that until he is of age."

"Those dukes will sooner drive this region into the ground than help him. First they will destroy each other trying to reach the crown, and then they will destroy my brother trying to influence the crown."

"M'lady, surely you exaggerate?" Dawn asked hesitantly.

"You think so? Rivalries at court are not like petty squabbles between two lords over a parcel of land. They will tear at each other's throats just to gain the king's favor. They feel no remorse and will quickly turn on their own if it means getting a step closer to His Majesty," she spat out. "You would do well to listen to my advice. Do not assume anyone in this court has a shred of honesty; rather, they are filled with poison and lies. My father would have gladly executed half of them if not for my mother."

The two girls were silent, one shocked, the other defiant.

"I'll assist you," Dawn conceded. "But you must be quick. The king will not last much longer. Seven days, no more, lest he pass without you here."

May smiled and embraced her lady in waiting. "Thank you," she whispered. "Now," she said, straightening, "let's get started."