“This is Your Weekly Potts Cast”
Knight Commander Bastian of Peldeep looked up from practicing sword swings in the knights outdoor training field when the Crystal Cast lit up and a familiar voice rang out over the western side of the Emerald Palace.
It wasn’t his ruler, Their Royal Highness Rowen of Peldeep, or any of the official members of the court who had access to the Crystal Cast System.
No, it was the elusive and mysterious Madame Potts. A fortune teller who'd taken Valaria by storm five years ago with her ability to access the entire continent's Crystal Cast System and make announcements foretelling the future.
Bastian felt a cold sweat run down his back. After the disaster that had happened after she called him one of Valaria's most eligible bachelors… well, there was only so much a curt word and gruff exterior could do to fend off the unwanted advances.
There were ladies and gentlemen sitting in the viewing platform even now, more than usual. He ignored them.
At this point, he'd taken to wearing his full plate and helm everywhere.
Beforehand, his harsh features and cold silence had proven a strong shield against courting. It had also helped that he was a [Drakin] and his kind weren't the most desirable choice for marriage.
They were overly cold and distant or overly clingy and obsessive, with not much in between.
Bastian prayed to his dragon ancestors that his name was not going to be in today's message.
“This is your newest Potts’ Cast.
Mount Vemund is going to have a high drop rate for porous clay this week, those skilled in pottery and sculpting terracotta earthenware can find chunks falling off the mountain in Martin's Grotto.
Sumbria might be making a last minute appearance at the Spring Ball. Countess Peregrine Fern just lost her fiancé to pirates. The young Lord Geoffrey was a terror, so I congratulate the woman on dodging that bullet, erm, arrow. The Countess can take over for Julia, who is no longer on the market.
Speaking of the Ball, this Caster has it on the best authority that Lavender the Lizard Wizard will be pouring drinks and putting on a magic show. Anyone hoping to meet the legend will have to wait in line like the rest of us.
There is a 40% crit rate when using spear attacks in the Depths of Despair Dungeon this month.
Knight Commander Bastian of Peldeep won the pink silk from the St Veralyn's Day Crafting Competition with his 108 hand sewn toys including dolls, balls, stuffed animals, and play food. He donated all of the toys to orphans. I don't know about the rest of you good gentles, but I'm excited to see what the Knight Commander does with all that pink silk.
There will be a stampede of capybara next week, as they’ll be disturbed from their home by poachers. The capybara are friendly creatures and will need to be rounded up and returned to their natural habitat. There is going to be a shortage of carrots in Sumbria next month unless something is done.
This is Madame Potts Cast,
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Until next time dear listeners.”
Everyone turned and stared at the knight commander. Bastian felt heat in his cheeks, but he did not deign to elaborate on what he would be doing with all of that pink silk.
Currently, he was making tiny pink rabbit stuffed animals out of the silk and his next project would have to wait. He needed to knit tiny sweaters for each bunny.
“Back to training!” He ordered, turning away from their staring and grabbing his water from a bench against the closest wall... trying to ignore the gossip that swept through the stands.
"You know..." His second in command, Commander Carsen Jules, sidled up beside him. “If you'd just get yourself a wife, this would all go away.”
“I don't need a wife!” Bastian coughed on the water, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. “I need to be left alone.”
“You're the hero of Peldeep. You were barely Level 27 when you claimed one of the highest positions in the country after saving Their Majesty's life.” Carsen reminded him. The fox beastman was in his folk form, but his pointy canines ashed as he said. “And now you’re Level 59 at 23? You're going to get eaten alive - or worse.”
Bastian didn't reply. He knew exactly what his life was going to be like for the foreseeable future… he wouldn't have accepted the elevation and title if he'd known it came with all of this extra trouble.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to find someone… someday. But his people rarely sought out love or companionship unless it was time to bear children. And he was not interested in siring any time soon.
“Just think about it.” Carsen finished doling out his advice, and slapped Bastian on the back. “Why don't we go do a guard rotation and ferret out any spies hovering about where they shouldn't? You love moving people along.”
“Alright, let me grab a mana potion.” Bastian checked his character sheet and notification tab, confirming that he was good to go.
He had no new notifications outside of activating his abilities during practice, so Bastian grabbed a potion from the knight supply room, and let his friend drag him off for a walk about the Palace.
Anything to distract him from the frustrations of Madame Potts and surviving the marital onslaught leading up to Grand Duchess Calisto's Spring Ball.
At least Rowen hadn't actually set their royal attention on him… yet.
