(Imagine Lady Whistledon voice)

Dearest Illumineers;

Here we are at the middle of the season and our lovely card still has not found a true match. Most cards have settled into the normal courtship routines and will find their decks (or none at all) soon enough. But this week has brought a scandal to court the likes of which I, Lady Layinkdown, cannot recall ever happening before. At the most recent Ball, as everyone was settling into their normal dance cards, there were trumpets blaring the arrival of Royalty. Everyone stopped to look up to the top of the Grand Staircase expecting to see the Queen with her machinations, but no, it was not the Queen. It was the Prince of Sapphire Isles, a far distant land known for its fancy items and huge waves of ink.

Perhaps the most attractive color in the room, all of the cards were swooning and a few left their current partners standing on the dance floor with their mouths agape. But why was the prince here? He has been known to have his pick of cards without the need for courtship. I have discovered a secret about our handsome prince. He is bereaved, as another card from his own land has been accused of abusing an item or items and was exiled from all formal communications. Poor Hiram; sometimes you have to put down your toys and face the real world.

It only took a moment for everyone to realize what he was here for. Our Diamond, The Return of Hercules, and our lovely card actually blushed when they locked eyes and never broke contact until he had traversed the room to be by her side.

Much like his unique entrance. he also had a unique argument for their pairing. He didn't start with the cards that only they could share. Instead he told our card that he would always find her and quickly. Showing skills like:

And then he followed with "Of Course after finding you fast I will play you faster" showing her cards like:

"But what will I play for you?" our diamond asked demurely. "There are so many it's hard to choose. Of course, all of the Emerald champions but also some of my good friends like...."

And the closer was the only dual color he needed.

And the final deck?

Prince of Sapphire | Dan Eckstein | Casual

• Characters (30)
• 2 Hades - Infernal Schemer
• 2 Mufasa - Ruler of Pride Rock
• 3 Clarabelle - Light on Her Hooves
• 3 Peter Pan - Never Land Prankster
• 4 Clarabelle - Clumsy Guest
• 4 Diablo - Maleficent's Spy
• 4 Diablo - Devoted Herald
• 4 Morph - Space Goo
• 4 Tipo - Growing Son

• Actions (16)
• 2 Vision of the Future
• 3 Ink Geyser
• 3 Develop Your Brain
• 4 Sail The Azurite Sea
• 4 The Return of Hercules

• Songs (11)
• 3 You're Welcome
• 4 How Far I'll Go
• 4 One Jump Ahead

• Items (3)
• 3 Emerald Coil

But What of Steel? Well, my faithful readers, you will need to wait and see. Until then, remember all the cards that are cool to ink can be found at coolstuffinc.com.