Snugglemagne's Reign- Part 1 (Patreon)

Greetings, saucy knaves! We're beginning the interactive story with King Snugglemagne XXV of Pure Heart Valley, from Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart. Read the story below and make your choice about what Snugglemagne's first act in restoring his prestige will be!
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The doors to the throne room swung open dramatically as the Pure Heart Valley Sheriff’s Department marched in, Sheriff Mao Mao flanked by his two deputies Badgerclops and Adorabat. The black cat knelt before the throne, clearing his throat. “Your Highness, the acid-spitting monsters have been defeated, and your kingdom is secure once more.”

Sitting on the throne was the King of Pure Heart Valley, Snugglemagne XXV. Easily the largest of the Sweetypies that called the valley home, the white lion cut a regal figure, with his coiffed mane, broad shoulders, and flowing ermine cape. “My, my, sheriff, you’ve been terribly busy this week, haven’t you?” the king mused. “You’re not trying to impress me, are you?”

“What? No, I’ve merely been taking precautions, my liege, as I’m taking time off for a vacation. It’s my family reunion, and I’ve been redoubling my efforts to impress my fa- I mean, ensure the valley is safe in my absence,” Mao Mao explained.

“Oh, so that’s why you kept calling that big armored monster ‘dad.’” Badgerclops muttered.

Shooting an angry look at his deputy, Mao Mao cleared his throat. “At any rate, I’ll be gone for some time, but should you need us in an emergency, sire, Badgerclops has made a device that-”

“Oh, piffle and nonsense!” Snugglemagne chuckled airily, waving Mao Mao off. “There shan’t be any trouble in Pure Heart Valley, not while this King still reigns.” The lion smiled confidently, a hand against his chest. 

Mao Mao exchanged looks with his deputies. “...Right, well uh, if you do need anything, Badgerclops has made this handy device.” The cat produced a repurposed smartphone, Badgerclops’ face emblazoned on the back. “It’s capable of reaching me with the push of a button, and we’ll be here as fast as justice will carry us.”

“You’re very dramatic, do you know that?” Snugglemagne sighed, gesturing for one of his servants to take the phone. “You may trust that the Valley will not burst into flame the second you fly away, Sheriff. I was running things quite well before you showed up.”

“Er- right, yes, of course, my liege, I mean no disrespect. But in case the Sky Pirates show up…”

“Then Pure Heart Valley’s valiant King will deal with it,” Snugglemagne said brusquely, waving the Sheriff and his deputies out of the throne room. “Now away with you, Sheriff- enjoy your dysfunctional family gathering, ta-ta.” 

As soon as Mao Mao and the others left, Snugglemagne sighed out of relief. “Finally, he’s decided to take a break. Quinton!” Clapping his hands, the king summoned his long-suffering chamberlain. “You are to start dictating notes immediately. With Mao Mao no longer hogging the limelight, I decree that there shall be a renaissance of royal resplendence. Summon my advisors, I will prepare myself for a new royal portrait.”

After several hours of preening, Snugglemagne was draped over a chaise lounge, striking a pose for his long-suffering royal painter. Just to the side, Quinton had gathered the royal magi-technicians, Honey and Camille, the captain of the castle guard, and a fox dressed in a fine white suit.

Breaking his pose only once, the king glanced over at the fox. “Wait, I don’t remember you being on the royal council.”

“Oh! Well, Your Majesty, I am the Duke. Duke of Southern Pure Heart Valley, your loyal servant, sire.” 

Snugglemagne nodded. “Ah! Yes, quite right. But you do look an awful lot like that saucy rogue Sheriff Mao Mao caught bamboozling all the citizens during Takesgiving.”

Glancing side to side, the fox cleared his throat. “It was my understanding that the Sheriff’s Department was, uhm, away. That, er, terribly charming roguish fellow was my cousin, Rufus. I am… Drufus. Duke Drufus, yes.”

Snugglemagne narrowed his eyes. “Mm, very well, then. Now that you are assembled, I have decided it is time to reassert myself as Pure Heart Valley’s most beloved monarch as our Sheriff’s department is indisposed and cannot upstage me at the present time. To that end, what might capture the people’s hearts?”

“Oh!” the chameleon Camille raised her hand, jumping up and down. “Oh, I know! I can create a device that will literally capture the hearts out of people, ripping it out of their chests! And explosions! Magical explosions!”

Snugglemagne arched a brow. “Mm, yes, quite, but I don’t think my citizens would appreciate having their hearts torn out, it’s terribly impolite. Captain?”

The captain, a burly hawk in uniform, shrugged. “Well, uh, Your Majesty, I s’pose the easiest way to make the people love you like they do Sheriff Mao Mao would be to do his job for him, yeah? Save the people from a monster, work out more to get stronger, find some really cool weapons, go on quests, that sort of thing. You could even take the fight to the Sky Pirates, if you wanted- you did defeat one of them in a politeness duel rather handily.”

Snugglemagne stroked his chin. “While that does sound like work, I have been building up a rather kingly figure, I may as well use it to garner my people’s affections and banish threats to my realm… and you, Duke?”

The fox bowed graciously. “Oh, well, I believe the people of Pure Heart Valley need a celebration, to remember how great you are! Yes, a public banquet, perhaps, or some sort of festival where they’ll be too busy eating their hearts out- not literally, of course-” he said quickly, noticing Camille’s eyes swivel excitedly towards him, “to pay attention to their valuables- valuable time, and the stresses of their day-to-day life, that is,” he laughed nervously.

Snugglemagne rose, much to the painter’s chagrin, pacing around the throne room. “A good King, I suppose, would place the protection of his people first… but then, I could also be protecting the people from their drab, sad little lives… but then again, defeating a monster would almost certainly prove to the people that Mao Mao may be sheriff, but there is only one king in Pure Heart Valley. Hm…”

After considering the two most credible ideas, Snugglemagne grinned, thumping his fist in his palm. “I’ve made my decision! Quinton, take this down as a royal proclamation! I, King Snugglemagne XXV, decree…”