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The Duke of Haldenz was a slippery bastard, but they listened anyway. They gave him an audience, and Oz had to escort him out after he shouted at the Princess. The famine in Haldenz was not as bad as it was in some places by half. From hearing the Duke complain about it, you'd assume it was the literal end of the world.

The rest of the day passed without incident. He made the Princess lunch, packed their hiking gear, and planned out a route through the wooded mountains behind the castle. As they walked, Oz turned to the Princess.

[color=teal]"Hey, Princess."[/color] He said. [color=teal]"I haven't had the chance to talk to you much recently, and I've been meaning to ask, how do you feel about this whole Coronation Business?"[/color]