A Prince's Duty: Prologue (Short)

Looks like we need another short so here we go! Accompanying poll will be posted right after this.

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A Prince's Duty

To his Highness the Prince Jacarian Grewalt,

I have been told to keep this concise so you will excuse me if I strike directly to the point.

My name is Ealth’wyn Nerwenye and I hold the title of High Mage of the Silver Tower of Archenwood. I am writing to express my interest in taking your hand in marriage as per your kingdom’s Law of Communion. Though many among my people vehemently disagree it is my belief that a bonding between human and elven interests would be of great benefit for both.

I need not lay out the advantages your father’s kingdom would reap by allying with the Silver Tower as its renown speaks for itself. But you might be asking yourself, what is in it for you. To this I answer a life of comfort the likes of which you could only begin to imagine. I would keep you in a manner befitting your royal lineage. Whether your tastes are inclined toward art, literature, song, theater, nature, leisure, or something more exotic or mundane my people and I would be able to provide for you like no other could. Here you would be treasured and protected like the royal jewel that you are.

Forgive my bluntness but as a human in the fresh bloom of manhood I understand that you will have voracious carnal needs for the next few decades and these will be attended to as well. You and I will, of course, need to produce a child for the Communion to take full effect and I confess that I am more than a bit curious about what an amorous encounter with your passionate race might be like. I doubt that I alone will be able to slake your human lust but do not fear as I have many attendants who would be eager to look after those needs. I have heard that the males of my race are considered quite fetching to a human man’s eye, this too could be arranged. Here you would find a place free from your short-lived race’s taboos and restrictive morality.

Sadly I must end my letter here. Consider my offer carefully as it is one that very few humans will ever see.

Cordially,

High Mage Ealth’wyn Nerwenye

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Human Prince,

I am Chieftess Thuda Skullcrusher. I am great queen of strong orc clan. I want good alliance with strong human clan. Your strong steel and my strong warriors mean nothing can stop us. I give you meat and drink and much sex. You give babies and pretty face and much sex. Much GOOD sex! Your enemies, my enemies. Your allies, my allies. Together we rule! Apart you suffer!

Rule or suffer? Choose smart.

Thuda

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To Prince Jack,

Have you ever heard the old expression: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained? Well, this letter right here is something ventured.

My name is Janey Cloudchaser, ship mechanic. Yep! That’s right. I’m not a princess or a genie or anything great or glamorous, though I do have lots of contacts among the Aerie Folk and the Sky Pirates. Basically though I’m just a hard-working human girl trying to make a go of it up here in the wild yonder.

If you’re still reading this let me give you the pros and cons of hooking up with a commoner like me. Pro: You don’t have to worry about all that fancy-schmancy royal stuff. You can just be yourself! Pro: I seem to find fun and adventure where I ever I go and I’ve become pretty adept at squirming my way out of tricky situations. Pro: I can fix darn near anything. Pro: I’m told that I’m kinda cute in a tomboyish sort of way. Pro: I’m clever and fast and funny and charming and extremely humble. Pro: We’re nearly the same age. Pro: You could live in the sky! Cons: Literally none.

I might just be a mechanic now but with a bit of luck and a big score who knows what might be possible. I’m working on my own ship right now and I sure could use a fellow adventurer at my side. Especially one as cute as you. It gets awfully lonely up there in the endless blue.

Well, you probably think I’m crazy for writing this. My crew and Auntie sure did when I told them what I was doing. Ha! But I figured, no harm in trying. Right?

Your admirer in the sky,

Janey

P.S.: I am sure you’re wondering how a common gal like me ended up with one of these special magical envelope thingies. Well, you’ll just have to marry me to find out.

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To my dearest Princeling Jacarian,

My name is Brigitte Baudelaire, though you likely know me by the more commonly known moniker: The Dread Countess of the Withermire. I pray that you possess a wisdom beyond that of your foolish and short-sighted ancestors and at least consider my words.

To you I can offer not only marriage, power and prestige, but immortality itself! Think of it, young prince. An existence free of pain and fear and existential dread. Together, with you knelt at my side, we could witness the end of history itself. No other woman has yet offered you that, have they? I know they haven’t for I alone possess that secret gift.

You are likely wondering why I would even have an interest in a mortal like you. Prince or common man, all mortals are equally beneath me after all. I will not bore you with the details except to say that your royal blood holds the key to unlocking an ancient prophecy. You may also be wondering how the first vampire might offer you an heir to seal our Communion pact. It is well known that the living dead cannot create life. Let me assure you that with a willing blood-bound Grewalt thrall all things are possible for me. You cannot even fathom the heights of my power, nor the depths of my appetites.

With me holding your leash you could sit upon the throne your father now occupies. With me as your Mistress there is nothing beyond our reach. Even the cursed sun cannot stop us once our child has grown to their full potential.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because I cannot fulfill the prophecy with a lie. Because I hope that someday one of your line will see the true value of submission to something greater than themselves. And because I can wait until the next third son, and the next, and the next. You are not the first to receive my offer, though if you are wise you will be the last.

Yours truly,

Brigitte Baudelaire

***

Prince,

Me Bluble. Me slime girl. Writing hard. Bluble soft. Excuse words. Me love you. Me give you many slimes. Me make you King of slimes. Me serve my King. Me die for King. Me love you in all ways. Me love you forever. Please love Bluble.

Bluble

Part 1