Work Text:
Dear Lady Alys,
My elderly uncle the Count Vor-XXX recently remarried. He and my step-aunt have commissioned an heir via uterine replicator. My own presumptive claim to our District's Countship as his eldest male relative in our family succession is therefore -- no longer a reasonable presumption.
I can gracefully resign myself to the loss of power, wealth, influence, status and use of the family's menagerie, including rides on the elephant. I am, however, still somewhat miffed about the impending loss of my accustomed title.
Am I to be demoted from being addressed as Lord Vor-XXX as soon as the little --- legitimate son --- is decanted from his bottle? May I use the title for the years until the Council of Counts confirms my successor? May I properly continue to use my title even after such confirmation, if purely socially? I have after all enjoyed possession of that title for many decades. Am I justified in the feeling that I retain a claim, if on no other basis, by a form of squatter's rights?
If not, is the surrender of my half-boxes of remaining calling cards, note paper, and envelopes bearing the name Lord Vor-xxx, sufficient christening gift for my new cousin, or must I buy him a rattle, too? (I agree to remove it from the donor snake...) Please suggest how I may seem to remain polite, and not gauche, in such an awkward contretemps.