Yes. I understand. But, if they have that scenario and two others, and they choose one of the other two...then the original scenario comes back to bite them. They feel like they lost, even though they didn't play. It's choosing to go and play soccer or football. You pick soccer, and succeed. But then the football coach comes and tells you they lost because you didn't play. That is what I was trying to express.
And for many, it wouldn't matter. I am just saying, my experience has been different. But, you sound like you weave it into the story quite well, so the blow might not even be felt, even though the effects come to fruition.
The impact (on the world and the PCs) of "dropped" or non-pursued quests is an interesting question! How far should it go?
A couple of years ago, I posted this (extremely heavy handed and likely not fun) scenario as a hypothetical (I guess it's relevant to the OP in that the PCs rejected the premise - what are the consequences?):
Say the PCs, early in their adventuring career learn of a hermit outside the city building a strange machine. They have other things going on, however, and don't bother with this hook. The DM gives the PCs updates on the hermit's progress through other NPCs, snippets heard, etc - as they go up in level.
As the PCs get high level, the hermit is completing his machine, which the PCs have learned is a doomsday device. The PCs decide they have better things to do (let the king, rival adventurers etc. handle the hermit) and pursue something else. How justified is the DM in blowing up the world, right with the PCs on it?
Is the better answer, do it - but make sure the PCs are "off world" so they have to clean up the mess they made but are not "directly affected" (where directly affected means dead - they still likely lost most of their stuff and connections)?
Is the even better answer - have a rival group foil the hermit and move on.
Or how about, Have the hermit be partially foiled but enough of the world blows up that the PCs feel it - Actions (and inaction) have consequences.
Sorry if it's a tangent - your post got me thinking about this again.