Within seconds, the pale androgynous face of the King of Marakaran popped up on the virtual monitor hovering above Dante's work desk.
"Prince Dante." The King of Marakaran greeted.
"King Ashwyn of Marakaran." Dante responded. "I know it's rather late—"
King Ashwyn held up a hand. "No, please. I am grateful that Princess Poppy was able to convince you to talk to me. I am eternally grateful to her."
"So you are the person she spoke with today."
"Yes."
"She didn't tell me she spoke to the King of Marakaran."
King Ashwyn blushed. "She didn't know. I introduced myself as Ash, a common elf."
Dante smiled. "Isn't that a bit deceiving?"
Ashwyn shook his hand in protest. "No! I just didn't want her to have any preconceptions or be on guard. It's so—exhausting to have to…"
"I understand, believe me." Dante sighed. "So, King Ashwyn—"
"Please just call me Ash."
Dante nodded. "And you can call me Dante. Let's be frank with each other and cut to the chase. It's getting late and I don't know about you but I'm exhausted."
Ash nodded with a weary smile. "As am I. I have a very early fencing appointment with your sister."
"Fencing? That's her favorite sport." Dante laughed.
Ash grinned with anticipation. "She is going to kill me tomorrow."
Dante laughed. "So tell me, Ash. You are the king of Marakaran. How was it that this situation regarding Haribou could have happened during your watch?"
Ash sighed. "My world is a democratically-driven world, whereby we all vote into reality, any possibilities regarding the direction our world moves."
Dante nodded with understanding.
Ash shrugged. "Unfortunately, with such a world, the population has to be fairly educated in worldly events and are a bit discerning about consequences of their actions or their votes tend to go to the smoothest talking politicians, regardless whether he is well-intentioned or not."
Dante nodded with understanding. There were many forms of government within the galaxy. Most tended to do well, but sometimes, the extremists caused quite a bit of grief on either ends of the government spectrum.
"My people have been sold a bill of goods by the Haribou representatives and have voted to sell off their world to the highest bidder and turn themselves into indentured serfs to serve the needs of their Haribou masters." His blue eyes grew tragic.
"So what is the point in having a king?"
"I am simply the mouthpiece of the populace. I go around and spread good cheer to all elf-kind, like some sort of Santa Claus or Fairy Godmother." Ash gave a brave smile.
"I try to champion the causes that will benefit my people, but whether or not they listen to me is completely up to them."
Dante clicked his tongue. "Tch tch tch. Well, that's a waste of kingly space." He rubbed his nose. "I'm not even an emperor yet and I'm already about as dictatorial as they come. If I had to wait for things to happen on a vote, my businesses would all crumble to dust."
"Well, there's the difference. You run businesses. I govern a democratically-led world."
Dante sniffed. "Your form of government does have its benefits IF the people are educated enough to govern themselves. If not, things go south quickly."
Ash took a deep breath. "I am all for the people wanting to govern themselves. I do want people to have the freedom to be able to have their voices heard."
He shook his head. "But I want them to still have a kingdom to govern. If this comes to pass, we will have nothing, and in fact, will be lorded over by dictators from another world."
Dante stared at Ash for a moment.
"Has the vote been cast yet?"
"No. It will, in a week, but already the polls are indicating it will be a close vote, with the win on the side of the Haribou representatives."
"Is it too late to add another candidate?"
"Who?"
"Me."
"What?"
"Well, not ME, me, but my conglomerate, CandyLand."
"Candy—CandyLand? What is that?"
"It's just an amusement theme park conglomerate, but it doesn't matter what it is. I'm not interested in winning."
Ash frowned in puzzlement.
"I'm not grasping what you're trying to tell me."
Dante sighed. "Look. If there are only two options, the majority wins, right?"
Ash nodded.
"But if there are three options, two of which make VERY SIMILAR amounts of money, the side that wants money is going to be divided."
Ash gasped. "And meanwhile, the side that opposes it will remain opposed, no matter how lucrative either option will be."
"Yes. If I come in with an offer that your greedy side wants, I will be able to split the 'yes' vote between CandyLand and Haribou Weaponry."
"Which means you both lose and we win back our home world." Ash covered his face with trembling hands. It just might work. "You only have one week left—"
"Don't worry. I have some big guns on my end. By the end of the day tomorrow, EVERYONE from your world is going to know about this new offer from me."
===========
After Dante ended the call with Ash, he immediately placed a call to Lucas.
"Hey Man." He called out as soon as Lucas came online. "How close are you to Erenveil?"
Lucas rubbed his bleary eyes. "It's fucking two in the GT morning. What in hell cannot wait till morning?"
"I got a job for you."
"Not interested." He snorted. "I got a full time job now. It's called Candi-handler."
"You need to do this PRECISELY BECAUSE of Candace."
Lucas blinked. "Pray tell."
"I want to hold our wedding in Marakaran. I need your help to do this."
"Marakaran?" Lucas coughed for a moment as he tried to orient himself to the discussion. "I remember that world. We did a huge male swimsuit commercial there a couple of years ago."
"Oh yes that's right. I remember seeing you in those swimsuits. Didn't you get voted Best Hunk in the Galaxy or some such drivel that year?" Dante muttered.
Lucas laughed. "It was Male Model of the Year Award, and yes, I won first place. I was also there in one of my movies."
"So what do you think about the place?"
Lucas sighed. "Marakaran is one of the most beautiful worlds in this galaxy. I remember thinking back then that if I ever got married, I'd take my wife there on our honeymoon."
"It's about to the sold off to Haribou for their weapons sales force."
"Oh no. No no no!" Lucas shook his head with horror. "If Haribou takes over, that place will die a rapid death. The silicate people don't care about living organisms. To them, glass is life. Everything else is in the process of dying."
"That's why I need your help. I want to give our wife the most beautiful wedding in Marakaran. You are going to have to help me wrestle Marakaran back from the Haribou people."
"How exactly?" Lucas frowned, still not able to grasp the situation.
"You are going to be the spokesperson for CandyLand Marakaran."
"Huh?" Lucas covered his mouth with his hand. "You're planning on setting up CandyLand in Marakaran?"
"No, no. We're just going to PRETEND to set it up so we can split the yes votes. Both Haribou and CandyLand will be rejected in favor of keeping Marakaran pristine. Get it?"
Lucas' eyes popped. "Count me in. What do you want me to do?"