*the man had a wonderful poker face. He’s dealt with both much ruder and much more crazy members of the gentry before, and he didn’t seem phased at all. As he sat down, he pulled out a notepad and a small quill*
Of course, Lord Cunningsworth. Let’s start with the less complex challenge, shall we?
To begin, I must advise you not to forswear any money the misprints have gathered, at least, not before you hear me out. As it’s not an inconsequential sum, it would be both unwise and difficult to find a way of sweeping the proceeds under the rug.
We have a couple of options from here on out. The easiest would be to register “P. Cunningham” as a pseudonym you’d chosen to write under for a short time, and simply correcting the unsold versions and future works you make. This’d allow you to collect the earned money, but leave you with no further hassle. You might tell the Ton about the mishap, or just let that version of events spread through the grapevine.
However, as it’s the printer’s fault, they have agreed to a more… solid solution, if you’d wish. They’ve said that, if you agree, they’ll take back every copy of your poetry collection sold under the wrong name the buyers bring in, and exchange it for a copy with the right name. This might cause more talk on the town for you, but there’d be no cost to you if you chose this path forward. The Firm is here to make this as easy and smooth as possible for you, sir.
If you’d wish, we could just move forward, only updating your name in future publications, of course, but there’s minimal trouble to correct the mistake and it’d be a shame if you didn’t get the credit for your works of art.
*he seems to truly sympathise with Percy, and has a kindly, if sheep-like, look to his face*
We can wait to enact your wishes until a later date, or move as swiftly as to have it handled this week, sir. *he scribbles down all of Percy’s thoughts and decisions, before putting the notepad away and sighing*.
On to the more difficult task.
Now, the actual will won’t be an issue, and I promise, this is not so unorthodox. Plenty of people grow up alongside a servant’s children, or have illegitimate children or siblings, and some more lonely people grow very attached to long-lived animals in their old age. That is to say, it’s certainly not more difficult to arrange for a human man to be put in a will than a parrot, wouldn’t you agree?
*the man chuckles, before growing serious*
The real issue is the title, and the estate. You are a Lord, and that title will pass on to your nearest living male relative upon your death, usually along with the estate. But any actual money you have can be bequeathed onto anyone you wish, though you should specify the persons name, not just their role in your life. “To my Best Friend”, in a man’s will, can cause legal battles for years to come.
So, if there’s a sum, or, as I might suggest, a fund you’d like to bequeath, as to provide for a longer time, that’s not very difficult. Any specific objects you’d be able to name wouldn’t be hard either. It’s just the “Lord” bit that could get… tricky, but we could look for some loopholes for you.
*the man already looks tired, but not at all like he’s finding any of this strange. It’s more so that you’d get the impression people often ignore what he says, complain about it for months, and then end up solving the issue with what he’s told them at their first meeting.*
We could technically make him your ward, but as he’s an adult that might make certain vultures feel they’re able to say that he’s unfit for the title after you die.
You could claim he’s a long lost relative, or illegitimate brother, but both those are likely to be highly contested in court.
These, however, have very slim chances of working, and they won’t necessary give him the actual benefits of the lordship, just the title on paper. How important is it that he gets the actual title?
As you are not blood-related, and he can’t marry you, there is no actual, legal, and tested way for the title to pass, with all rights, to him upon your death.
*the man doesn’t even seem to realize he’s said anything dangerous, barrelling on with the same calm and collected (slightly boring) bureaucratic voice, shuffling papers and adjusting his reading spectacles*
He can, however, through a series of loopholes get the estate. It’d be easiest if he’d saved your life sometime, but he hasn’t, unless,
*at this, he looks up over his glasses meaningfully at Percy*
you suddenly remembered such an event that you’d previously not mentioned.
*seemingly yo not put Percy in a tight spot right this moment, be barrels on*
Now, you’re aware that you’ll have to update your will and this titular bequeathment when you get married or have children, but until that happens, you’d only need this one version. So let’s not complicate it right this moment, shall we?
*he looks up at Percy and pulls out a notepad* now, I’ll take this all down from this point forward: what do you want to change in your will, is there any, ahem, particular reason, such as a noble act that has happened, and are there any specific stipulations regarding this you’d want to add? It’d help if you were specific, but it’s truly no bother to leave it a bit vauge, finalized wills are usually not done until after a couple of month’s of tweaking, at which point we go over it an extra time before filing it.
(//I’m so sorry, but I blacked out and woke up with pages of lawyer-speak in front of me, I promise I tried to be brief)
Percy took a moment and listened intently to what this man was saying to him. Taking his time to listen and consider each course of action given to him. He could exchange the product, but he's also aware of how collectors would probably hold onto his alleged misprint. However, the plan to use the last name Cunningham and to move away under that pseudonym could potentially prove to make his life more difficult in the future, which was Worrisome. He paced the room a bit considering the options before making a decision.
"As it would be the easiest. As well as causing the least amount of hassle. Registering the pseudonym would be the best course of action. However. Could we manage to keep the Pseudonym as a secret to the public and allow each copy that does currently have those poems to continue being print under P. Cunningham?"
He let the lawyer continue on about his will before they could circle back to his question about his pseudonym. The other man joked, and he gave a polite chuckle. He continued to pace, stopping hesitantly when the other man mentions marriage. Happy his face was turned away so that the other couldn't see the longing he felt at the idea of marrying Franklin. As the other insinuated the loophole of Franklin, potentially being able to get more due to a noble act, he looked over and began fidgeting with his hands.
Percy took a moment to consider before he spoke up.
"From this point forward, I, Percy Cunningsworth, would like my estate and all of My assets to go to Franklin Page, He has saved my life on numerous occasions and has been my closest friend and confidant."
That was the best way he could think of to phrase it. He rubbed his shoulder, asking,
"I do hope that suffices?"
