Mr Straud visiting Royal Palace

(Year 235, Spring) The other day a mysterious person was observed arriving the royal palace, and shortly entering the huge building. Curious journalists got a picture of the arrival, and then eagerly awaited for the black man to return.

They had to wait more than an hour, which is quite long for a regular audience with the Monarch or the Royal Palace Office. So what was this all about? They made contact with the mysterious man before he managed to escape.

The man turned out to be Vladislaus Straud (68) from Hollow in Henford-on-Bagley. He lives a very private life in the secluded dark woods, and is said to be the leader of a small community that is hardly visited by people not living there. His little community might be better known as Forgotten Hollow, but most Mazaloom residents never even heard of it. A couple years back he was awarded the Acievement Award by HRH Crown Princess Emireza for maxing his Pipe Organ skills. That was probably his most public moment ever. He lives with his grown up widowed daughter and her grown up son and daughter, and that grandson even had twins recently, so his age might seem a bit off. Can a great-granddad be only 68? The age references on his public online resident page seems messed up, too.

- I come from a meeting with our King, Vladislaus Straud explained. - I am the 4th Count of Hollow, but I have realized that my position was never acknowledged by the Royal Chamber. This has to be corrected, as I am the Count, and this will never change! My rank should at least equal to the other counts of the kingdom!

We checked, and he is right about not being mentioned by the Royal Chamber. Count of Hollow is not registered as a Peerage, and is not seen as part of the Mazaloom Peerage (aka the great peerage), which covers all dukedoms, counties and baronies. And, there is not meant to be any such peerage that is not official. How could this even happen?

- Hollow county was founded four generations ago by me,,, by my ancestor Vladislaus I. I know we lived secludedly, in the shadows, but a Count should still be registered with the Royal Chamber. I wonder if they simply removed it at some point? Ssshh... I claim it to be accepted again! We might live kind of different lives, but we are of course playing by... uhm... the rules! My lovely granddaughter, Aneliss, might even be the perfect match for one of the Princes!

So, how did the meeting turn out?

- Meh... sssshh... His Majesty said he will look into it! I am not convinced, but at least it should be filed in some way, and by that it might become acceprted by time. Ssshh... Meanwhile, I shall not hold my breath!