Chapter One: Lessons in Peerage for the Princesse and Prince


"This is the coat of arms of the Dowager Duchess of Lancaster. Nasty woman but, her daughters are quite pretty, mon roi."

Bartleby Boule de Gomme, the royal prince regent of France, looks intently at the copy of Debrett's Peerage of England, Scotland and Ireland in his hands as his advisors go down the list of English peers. They are physically going down the various avenues and alleys of London. They had finished the counts and courtiers as they rode past the London Port o'Call. Now, they move on to the duchy's as they move further along the streets.

"We need to have introductions made between you and the Duchy of Manchester." The advisor burbles. Bartleby nodsand stares back at the book.

"Now we continue with the Duchies of Newcastle and Northumberland."

Bartleby tilted his head in confusion at the book below him. In between Newcastle and Northumberland, was the most peculiar coat of arms. A banner wrapped in vines, covered in stars, and painted black. Underneath the illustration stood the entry, Duchy of Nightsphere.

"Mousier." He started hesitantly. "I believe you might have missed this one." He pointed to the odd symbol on the page.

"Non mon roi." The Advisor said. "I assure you I missed nothing. Let us move on."

The royal prince regent of France nodded again and continued with the lesson. He trusted his advisor completely.

On the other end of the carriage however, his sister the princesse of France, stared intently at the copy of Debrett's on her lap and read the entry for the Duchy of Nightsphere and wondered why on earth her brother just did not seek out the knowledge himself, if he was curious.

After all, for Bonnibel Boule de Gomme, the only thing worse than misinformation, was the lack of it, and worse than that, was information that existed, only to be barred and denied.


AN/: Neither "Adventure Time" nor, "Masterpiece Theatre" are owned by me. I simply use their characters and names as an exercise of writing and creativity. Also, please note that this story is not historically accurate, though an attempt to accurately portray history is certainly made. No offense is intended with any of the interpretations of the people discussed in this piece. I am neither British, nor French, so all language foibles and other je ne sais quoi are unintended. All feedback is appreciated and welcomed.