October of the Sainted Year (Third Civil Month)

Over-Count Ekyor Kinsley Kensington had traveled from his homeland, the Egradia Kingdom, to resolve both his son's problems and his own. His journey had been a long one, from the far north of the Nagasmar Kingdom, beyond Estradia—the Kingdom bordering Mardiova Province. He had traveled under an alias as Ekyor Kensington, while his actual Noble name was Kinsley Kensington. At least, it was the name used for the Duke Courtesy Title he had been granted by His Majesty. He had never managed to obtain his full Family Title, despite his multiple attempts.

His full birth name was Ekyor Kinsley Kensington, a name bestowed upon him by the Kensington Family's Guardian. However, he could not use it while traveling in those foreign and hazardous lands.

One might wonder why his full title had been denied by his capricious Family Guardian, Kaldyona. That, however, is a tale for another time. One that involves his appearance and… cooking. He could still recall his relatives' reactions vividly. His cousin, the King of Egradia, had fallen from his seat laughing when he had first heard it. The rest of the family had reacted much the same upon learning that Ekyor had failed the Pancakes Test.

Apparently, in his family, failing to prepare excellent pancakes was considered a grave offense. Especially, for one whose Noble Family's lineage was originally created by Lord Chester's cherished Chipmuck's Mascots.

Some of Kinsley's relatives had refused to believe it, pressing him to search for another reason why the Guardian had denied him the honor of the title, while still granting him nearly all the rights of a Kensington Duke. In time, however, he had resigned himself to accepting that the cause truly lay with those damned pancakes. Now, decades later, he no longer cared.

Kensington's quest in Nagasmar had been spurred by the urging of his country's Divine Guardian, Lekyosma, and the threats of bodily harm from the Royal Family's Celestial Guardian, Lazurek.

In other words, he had been given no choice at all.

While he had long wished to aid his illegitimate son, Diams, his obligations within his own Noble Family's Domain had been too great for him to leave his Region. Let alone his country.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Yet he had resigned himself to leaving and had to follow the Guardians' instructions to the letter. There was no room for negotiation with them.

The Divine Guardian, Lekyosma, had made him a small army that was to both accompany him and reinforce the Kensington Domain in his absence. He had even created a perfected twin of Kinsley to manage affairs in his stead. An Over-Duke of finer appearance, who had quickly won the admiration of Kinsley's wives and daughters. The latter had urged Kinsley to depart swiftly and not to come looking for them at Kinzeris Kensington's castle.

Kinsley sighed as he thought about the new lands and the small Semi-Enclave that had suddenly appeared at the border of his estate. Of course, his wives and daughters would want to live there. His first mistress had packed her bags so quickly that he had been left speechless. She had taken the children with her and had no intention of returning. He could not even blame her. Those new lands had been created by Divine Magic and High Spirits. They were free of corruption and even seemed to repel it. Even the grass was so rich with Mana and Magic that it baffled anyone who walked upon it.

Kinsley's cousin, Count Jean Kensington, had blamed the excitement of the women on Kinzeris' roguish smile and his pancake-making skills. That remark had earned him a glare from Kinsley. As if his pride had not already been wounded enough by his new twin.

Kinzeris had smiled roguishly and puffed out his chest in pride as he declared how skilled he was at preparing pancakes, strawberry milkshakes, and chocolate concoctions. Kinsley's Family Guardian and his aides had applauded him enthusiastically, and none had questioned why a new Mag-Magirian had been made from Kinsley's own blood.

The Divine Guardian's response to Kinsley's reluctance to leave his lands had been to make him a replacement. Almost as if to show him how easily he could be replaced.

Even His Majesty had abandoned him, urging him instead to leave at once.

The King had received Divine bribes in the form of Mag and Magirians created to serve him. New lands had even been formed within the Kingdom, and the Divine Anti-Corruption Barrier surrounding their country had been not only reinforced but also improved with new layers concentrating on strategic locations such as the King's castles.

Naturally, Kinsley's Royal cousin had become so overwhelmed by those Divine gifts that he had thrown himself at Kinsley's feet, begging him to leave quickly and help his "cute kid."

It was the height of irony, for this was the very same man who had once prevented him from leaving for his son Diams' homeland, and even from ever bringing the boy to their Kingdom. That attempt had ultimately failed, as Kinsley's Guardian had intervened to permit him those journeys and the few invitations that had been extended to his son and his relatives.

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