I had picked Shining Armor to be by my side, and in my bed, until Grandmother Death claimed him. Twilight, meanwhile, would carry on the bloodline. I was going to find her a wonderful stallion or mare, somepony guaranteed to set Twily's heart aflame. I would place them in each other's path, and watch as the sparks ignited. I would make sure they had children, and the bloodline would be secure for another generation. It was going to be completely straight-forward, just as I'd done it many times before.

Instead, Shining is gone and Twilight is a Princess.

Huh.

“I just need to borrow her for a while” my flank.

Twilight could still bear foals. Twilight, the poor dear, is an amazing mare but she is as clueless in love as she was in friendship. Maybe she'd come to me for advice. She trusts me, after all, and she is right to trust me. I only ever want what's best for her. Then I could lead her down the path I know would make her happy, and would keep her bloodline strong.

I could put her on that path even if she doesn't ask for advice, of course. But that would be interfering with another Princess. The Princess's Oath forbids such a thing. Auntie Celestia wouldn't allow it.

But it might not come to that.

Mama Twily isn't that old.

What would you think of that, Twilight? If I wanted it, then in just a few nights your parents will decide that they want to experience the bliss of siring again. Your mother is in pain, the hole left behind by a lost child will be with her for the rest of her life.

It wouldn't take much to plant the idea that maybe another child would help fill that hole.

They'll ask Princess Celestia for her blessing, and all the magics of Equestria will aid them in getting your mother pregnant, and helping her to carry to term. You'll have a baby brother or sister, Twilight, and it will be the most beautiful thing you've ever laid eyes on. And I'll keep a close eye on him, or her, as I have on all of you, and the bloodline will live on.

...If Twilight knew I was thinking this she would think I was some kind of cradle-robbing monster. If I tell her everything, as Auntie said? She'll be horrified, poor thing. She'll refuse to ever see me again. I couldn't stand that.

But there is another option.

Twilight, wonderful Twilight, is a Princess now.

She will never grow old, she will never die.

We could watch a thousand thousand thousand sunrises together.

Author's Note

Next time: "Sunshine, Sunshine".