Finally, I have a story up and running here! It may be a bit rushed at the end but I feel happy to write it! I wanted to do this all in one go but I decided (For my sanity) that I write this in parts. That way, when I do write the rest of it, I won't have to worry about how long the story is. Short, digestible chapters always seem better suited to my style. As for the story, I land myself an opportunity to visit a Duke from a neighboring country. What kind of person is he? Well, you won't find out until part 2. This part is more to set events in motion, really. Critique is appreciated! ^-^

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His Royal Majesty, King Jake Reginald Penndragon, Paladin of Light. It has been a while since I wrote down my full name... title? Even after a little over a couple of centuries, I still can't fully wrap my head around all this stuff. I looked over the letter, the ink still wet. I addressed it to the Duke of Kersovalia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I've heard that recently the former Duke had given the title to his son and, given my current position, I found it opportune to pay this new Duke a visit.
Rolling up the letter, I wrapped it in a ribbon and pressed my seal onto it. I smiled and snapped my fingers. The paper lit up in a flash and suddenly disappeared.
"If I may be so bold, your Majesty," came a voice.
I turned to see a familiar face peeking in.
"James!" I said, happy to see the sharply dressed kobold, "You know you don't need to speak so formally to me,"
The kobold took a serious tone as he said, "Your Majesty, I need to remind you of your status as the highest authority in Majesteria. It would be highly improper to address you so casually,"
I smiled and rolled my eyes, "Truly loyal, through and through. James, we've known each other for about fifty years now. I consider you to be family,"
"Your Majesty!" James cried in surprise, "It would be improper for a kobold to consider himself equal to his dragon master!"
"Me being your master is something that you decided on your own, James," I reminded, "Anyway, what did you wish to speak with me about?"
"I merely wished to ask to whom you were sending that letter," James replied.
I looked once again at the spot where the letter was, then back to James. "I was establishing relations with the new Duke to the east!"
"Not to be intruding on your affairs but isn't that the job of one of your ambassadors?" James asked.
"I like to play a more active role in the affairs of my kingdom," I answered, "Besides, I'm not entirely in command of the kingdom anymore,"
James shook his head, "Though you have named the prince and princess to be regents to take care of the kingdom for you, You are still the absolute ruler. It would be risky to directly make the first contact with a new noble so soon.
"You worry too much, my dear butler!" I said, "You forget that I am still a strong warrior on my own,"
"I just worry for your safety, your Majesty!"
"Would you rather come with me?" I offered.
"You know I don't do entirely well interacting with nobles, your Majesty," James replied.
"Alright then. Just don't say I didn't offer!" I said smiling.
Suddenly, another flash of light illuminated my study. A new piece of parchment had appeared on my desk.
"An immediate response," I noted, "This should be interesting,"
I broke the seal and unrolled the paper. I never know if it's written by the sender or some scribe but I am always appreciative of the eloquent handwriting.
"What's it say?" James questioned.
"It says he'll happily extend his hospitality to me next week!" I answered happily.
"That's wonderful news!" James elated.
"Get Reggie and Molly!" I commanded, "I have to inform them,"
"Of course, your Majesty," James said with a bow.
"Have them meet me in the throne room!" I said.
James dismissed himself, leaving me practically alone in my study. I wasted no time stepping down from my chair and heading out myself. Most people get lost in the castle's labyrinthine halls but I happen to know every corridor by heart. I had a bit of a bounce in my step as I headed to the throne room, causing my round belly to bounce along with me.
I didn't wait long for my children to arrive. They walked across the red carpet with purpose, or mostly with purpose anyway. Molly was practically dragging her brother by the claw. The two are twins but that doesn't mean that they typically get along. Molly was the more responsible of the two, being a student of magic and a master of the art of political management. Reginald, on the other claw, is brasher in his approach to ruling. He has a heart of adventure and is always looking for a fight but he is a startlingly good tactician and a fine general.
"Father," Molly greets with a bow, her green robe bunching up in many places.
"What do ya need, pops?" Reginald asked, "Is there a threat to the kingdom? I'll be ready to mobilize a troop to dispatch them posthaste!"
He pats his fist against his bare belly, causing a ripple effect. Molly rolled her eyes and looks at me.
"Settle down, Reggie," I said, "There's no threat,"
My son looked sad as he looked away.
"What do you need, father?" Molly asked.
"Well, I just wanted to inform the two of you that I will go on a trip to Kersovalia," I explained.
"Father, if I may interject," Molly stated.
I nodded to give her the go-ahead as she continued, "The political power has recently shifted. There is a new Minister of affairs,"
"That's exactly why I'm going!" I responded, "This change in power is an opportunity to strengthen ties between the kingdoms... and what better way to do it than to have the king personally extend a claw in friendship?"
Molly pondered that statement for a moment before saying, "That's actually quite brilliant. Given your position, it's not as risky from an internal perspective but from an external perspective it looks like the kingdom has no fear of them,"
I blinked a couple of times before saying, "I just wanted another excuse to get out of the castle, honestly,"
Molly looked taken aback as I let out a bit of a laugh, "You know how I am, Molly,"
"Unintentionally brilliant as always, father," Molly said smiled.
"Are we dismissed?" Reginald asked, "I actually had a prior engagement I wish to get back to!"
"Brother!" Molly said sharply, "Don't be so impertinent to father!"
"Please, Molly," I said, looking directly at her, "Let him have his fun,"
Reginald smiled as he walked out of the throne room.
"You know Reginald enjoys spending time with his new wife," I said to her.
"Oh please!" Molly said in a huff, "Brother didn't find a bride, he found a sparring partner he could put a ring on!"
"Leave him be," I chided, "He's happy right now,"
Molly sighed, "Of course father..."
"Now!" I said, "I'm sure you have important business to attend to,"
"Thank you, father," Molly said, bowing and following Reggie out of the throne room.
Alone again, I thought to myself. I sat in silence for a moment before getting back up and heading to my royal quarters. One of the many advantages of being a king is having a spacious, luxurious room. The room had many places to sit with the utmost comfort and the bed was designed for someone at least three times my size. I don't mind the size though, I use the space for a very large plush toy collection I collected over the years.
I need to focus, I thought to myself. I walked towards my full-length mirror and gazed at my form in the mirror. I frowned, it seemed that I lost a bit of weight. I grabbed my belly and gave it a little shake, it had a noticeable decrease in wobbliness. I guess all this adventuring has finally made me lose a bit.
I walked over to my closet and grabbed my typical tux and put it on. It looked so... big on me.
"That's a first," I mumbled to myself. Having loose clothes was a foreign idea to me, given my kind's tendency to overindulge. Though, my habits of traveling for days on end seemed to reverse my progress.
"Oh, potatoes," I mumbled to myself. I took off the tux and tossed the clothes aside.
"I am in need of assistance!" I called and a few servants walked into my room.
"Can one of you fetch the royal tailor?" I requested, "I need a new tux for my visit with the Kersovalian Duke,"
"Yes, your majesty," one of them said and walked out of the room.
"Could you two get my bath ready?" I asked as I sat in a cushy chair.
"Right away, King Penndragon!" another said as the two other servants ran some water for my bedroom bath.
After some time, the stronger of the two approached me and said, "Your bath is ready, your Majesty. Shall I lift you into the bath?"
"Yes, please!" I elated. The servant, a well-toned wolfman, lifted me with relative ease.
Looking at my fancy bath, I smiled. The life of a king may be hard but a nice, warm, and bubbly bath is well appreciative. I also quite enjoy my servants massaging the soap into my fur.
After they were done, I walked over to the balcony of my room. The architect of this castle really knew what he was doing. The view of the bay is always a beautiful experience. The sun's rays catch on the waves at dusk made it look absolutely gorgeous!
"Starting next week, I won't be able to see this view for a while," I said to no one in particular, "I'll just have to enjoy it while I can!"
"Your Majesty!" came a voice.
I shook myself out of my trance and turned to see none other than the royal tailor, a rather sharply-dressed Horse man.
"Ah! Sorry, I was lost in thought," I said, turning to face him.
"Is something troubling you, your Majesty?" the tailor asked.
"Just thinking about the future is all," I said, walking over to him.
"Well, I needn't pry into your business," The tailor said, "Now then, you have need of my services?"
I frowned, "Yeah, I seemed to have lost weight somehow!"
"That's strange," The horse said, "That's quite unlike you,"
"I know," I responded, "Though it's not entirely by surprise,"
My tailor looked at me with a look of confusion.
"I have been adventuring a lot lately," I elaborated, "With my children as acting regents, I have had more time to see new places!"
"It certainly has done a number to your waistline, your Majesty," he said.
"And that's exactly why I want a new tux!" I said, "When getting back to political matters, I need to look my best! A tux that's too big for me makes me look sloppy!"
"Very true indeed!" my tailor whinnied, "We can't have that, can we, your Majesty?"
I raised my arms into the air as he immediately went to work. Taking a tape measure to my waist, he took care not to displace my fat to get accurate measurements. His expression was focused, his ears fully upright as his eyes carefully scrutinized every inch. He took out a pad of paper and a quill and scribbled down some notes. Looking satisfied, he pulled out some fabrics from a case that he probably set aside before he got my attention.
"Now, what kind of fabric would you like, your Majesty?" he asked.
"Just... whatever you used that works against my fur," I replied.
The tailor just nodded and began comparing colors. At least, that's what I think he's doing. I just let him do his thing, his product always looked good on me and he's a master of his craft. He placed the fabric against my fur and slid it around a bit. He's testing to see if my fur reacts well to the fabric. Ever since I came to live in Majesteria, most fabrics were highly irritable to wear. At first, I thought it was because Fur Drake's weren't meant to wear clothes - ever. I learned after a while it was because my fur likes to find its way between the fine fibers of the fabric. Rubbing up against my fur is the easiest test to determine whether I can wear it.
I watched the horse do his work with mild amusement. I've always was fond of people passionate about their craft and he was no exception. The way his hands moved was nothing short of magical! Wrapping me in fabrics and placing pins everywhere. He had wasted no time getting all the pieces ready.
"Alright!" he said after a long while, "I believe I have done all I can with you. I'll take my time tailoring this outfit and you will have it ready before your trip,"
"Thank you, Stew!" I said, smiling at him and waving as he packs his bag and leaves, draping the pinned pieces of cloth that were on me over one of his arms.
I plopped onto my four-poster bed, unsure what to make of things. I wasn't sure whether I was excited or nervous to see a new Duke. It felt like it's been so long since I've done anything by way of politics. I guess I'll just have to find out when the time comes.
The week was rather uneventful, all things considered. My tailor came back, as promised with an elegant and dapper outfit. The tuxedo slipped on like a glove and the black overcoat had a purple lapel and lining. My royal crest, a blue flame inside a green heart, was pinned to the lapel in all its glory! The tie was also purple with a shiny swirl pattern.
"Thanks again, Stew!" I said to him while moving and getting a feel for the new outfit.
"I am merely doing my job, your Majesty," he said dismissively.
"Well, you certainly take pride in it!" I said, smiling.
After a bit of light conversation, Stew left and I was ready to head to the Duke's estate. I said my goodbyes to Molly and Reginald and I was off. I decided to go by carriage this time, taking in the sights and relaxing for once. It was certainly going to be one interesting trip, that's for sure.