The diary of Jarrod Hale, Duke of Ferrygrand. First entry. January 1. 1860. Sunday

I, Jarrod Hale, duke of Ferrygrand, hereby swear to both myself, my God and, above all, my wife, Mia Crowley to write in this journal at least once every week for the duration of one year, starting today, January 1. 1860. If I fail this, I will resign as Duke and step into the position of butler at his lordship, Sir Derek Crowley’s mansion in Dermonshire. Sir Derek Crowley, my beloved brother in-law, will hereby sign this first entry as an additional contract of this, in addition to the contract already lying in his lordships safe in Dermonshire. If complications ware to rise, making me unable to write, I am to consult his lordship to make sure that my reason for no wrigting is acceptable.

I hope, with this to make a habit out of wrigting down everything of importance that I do. The people here in Ferrygrand deserve a duke with the mind of a scholar. A man who has structure to his life and the discipline to not give up a mission. Therefor, this bet is my new years promis to myself.

Signed: Sir Derek Crowley of Dermonshire.