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Oz liked to think of himself as a fairly tough person, stubborn, perhaps. Yet every time the princess hit him with her puppy dog eyes, he caved like a decrepit roof. 

[color=teal]"Well, we certainly can't ditch it all. The Duke of Haldenz will have a stroke if he can't commune with you."[/color] He sighed. [color=teal]"Tell you what, eh? Make it to lunch, and I'll take you hiking.[/color] He didn't wait for an answer. He turned around and got the guards in position. It wouldn't be long before the Princess's first visitor arrived. He stood by her throne, slightly behind. He clutched the hilt of his sword. He doubted anything would go wrong, but it never hurt to be ready.