Chapter 68: Planning For The Future

Richard sat on the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, fingers loosely gripping the jade seal. It wasn't heavy—physically—but mentally? It weighed like a thousand bricks.

He turned it in his hand. Smooth. Cold. Carved like something important. Supposedly was. "Royal seal," Maria said. Royalty. Right.

He stared at it like it might blink.

"I don't even like politics," he muttered, dropping the seal on the nightstand with a dull clack.

His eyes drifted toward the drawer. He didn't want to, but he opened it anyway. Inside, the crystal glowed faintly—soft pulses like a heartbeat. The one from earlier. Still humming. Still holding... something.

He picked it up, held it in his palm.

Nothing happened.

No visions. No flashbacks. No pyramids this time.

Just him. In his room. Trying not to drown in the idea that his bloodline might be tied to a centuries-old responsibility.