You found it! I guess it's not so secretey. Well, here's the trivia for your trouble.

A. Connections to King's Quest:

-In one of the very early, probably unusable scenes I wrote about Will and Ed's journey, I temporarily named their country Daventry. When it became clear that I just had to continue with the story, I agonized over creating another name starting with a "d" since I'd become so attached to the image of Ed's ring having a D on it.

- By coincidence, Princess Elena and Prince Gregoro being twins corresponds with Rosella and Alexander. Totally wasn't thinking of them.

-The official family tree of the royal houses includes the names Graham, Valenice, and Alejandros.

-Remember the genie with the gold eye that gave him away every time in KQ6? Well, just keep remembering.

B. Connections to Anne Hathaway:

- Lady Amelia is named after Princess Mia from The Princess Diaries. Her design is vaguely based on her as well.

-Celia is named for a mentioned character in the book (i.e. original version) of Ella Enchanted, the prince's sister.

C. Connections to Tamora Pierce's Lioness Quartet:

- Significant character with violet eyes.

- Evil guy close to the royal family.

-Twins

-Academy, complete with one snobby jerk.

D. Connections to Tolkien:

-Melaurie's name is elvish. Actually, the name Dan gave me started out as Melaure. So, since I accidentally changed it,I figure it's mine now.

-I am inventing a language for the Alzeren. Thanks to the Professor, I have a vague idea of how one is constructed.

-Said people live in the woods ala Lorien or something.

-Big bad, trying to take over the world and stuff.

-Nuncio will display some...Gandalf like qualities.

E. Misc:

-Nuncio changes appearance to suit situation, just like the MacBeth witches from Gargoyles.

-In my head, the market in Darrese looks like a place in Jeff Smith's Bone.

-Elena is named after "Mrs. Zorro".

-Throwing together a band of companions is just one of those things all the good stories have. This one in particular actually reminds me of Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicals, and/or Westmark. Man's a genius.