A little succubus-on-succubus brawl never hurt anyone. Except for Marigold, who nearly lost her life at the hands of Lady Maldrith's hidden blade. That is, until a dramatic concession by Princess Penelope saved her at the last moment. But Lady Maldrith's deceit was transparent enough to be revealed before King Reginald by a clever Bardly Whitsend, and the ambitious lady of the court was sent to exile instead. That means everyone can breathe freely for a moment. That is, until—

Enter Prince Dandelion Auresthorne of The Kingdom Next Door. Betrothed to Princess Penelope when she was ten and he was twelve (as royals often do), King Reginald broke the agreement when it became apparent that the spendthrift kingdom's finances were not quite in order. But now, he's aligned himself with Vex, Grizzle and Tornge in the promotion of the huge eggball rematch of the Grand Sorcery School of Magical Scarves versus the Griffon Academy of Flight - and as it happens, he has another re-match on his mind as well!

A copious donation to the Grand Sorcery School by Prince Dandelion convinces King Reginald that The Kingdom Next Door's finances are back in order, and he agrees for Princess Penelope to marry him - against her wishes, at the eggball game! But Bardly knows what a plot smells like, because he's been through nine of them so far. But how can he prove that Prince Dandelion is truly seeking to bind himself to the love of his life - the Kingdom of Jestoria's Royal Treasury - and save Princess Penelope from a fate worse than 'till death do us part'?