The Crown Duel generation: Two post Crown Duel novelettes about Mel's and Vidanric's older two offspring, Prince Alaraec ("e;Court Ship"e;) and Elestra ("e;Beauty"e;).In the latter, the middle child, who thinks of herself as the plain one of the three Renselaeus siblings, goes into the throne room to look at a tree, and meets a beautiful villain. Thus begins a duel of wits with unexpected results.In "e;Court Ship"e; Prince Raec and his best friend, Nadav, heir to the duchy of Savona, go on a mission to court a princess. Both boys get distracted… but the princess is determined to keep them on task. A dance of diplomacy and romance ensues.