Of Platinum

"You're pregnant?"

I stood before my Princess, her face seemingly calm. I, however, was quite in shock. When Platinum told me that she was having a foal with Smart Cookie, I was more than just surprised. After all, a few months ago, Platinum told me that she and Smart Cookie weren't a good match.

"Yes, Clover. How many times must we go over it?"

"I do not understand it, your Highness."

Platinum shifted in her throne, setting her hind legs closer together. "Well, let me go over it again." She placed her hoof on her chin, looking upwards. "I am in love with Smart Cookie. Though I plan for this foal to be a...symbol of alliance, I am truly in love with her."

She paused. I speculated that she wished for me to speak, so I opened my mouth to begin. Platinum continued:

"I used a spell. Starswirl helped me learn it."

I did not know what to say for a moment. The thought of my mentor teaching my Princess an...illegal spell wracked my brain. "Your Highness..."

"I used some of Cookie's DNA. I turned it into a sperm and implanted it into one of my eggs. What is so hard to believe?"

"Permission to say something-"

"Yes, Clover."

"It is quite hard to believe that you fell in love with a mare!" My voice was louder than I'd expected it to be. "I apologize."

"Do not. I, for one, don't know why that is so hard to believe. Love is love, Clover. After all, you were the one so worried about the...rumors."

I blushed. "It has nothing to do with you. Or your choices. I only-"

"Do not believe the things I believe?" The Princess looked deep into my eyes. I hate when she does that.

"Princess. I cannot lie anymore. I am but a mere adviser. I can't just...believe in everything you believe in."

"What are you trying to say?"

Frustrated, I yelled once more: "Did you ever think that I became your adviser for a reason?"

She said nothing. I went on, "You had a dozen before me. I was just a poor student. What purpose could I possibly have?"

"You-"

"I am an intelligent Unicorn, and I am a mare of the ponies. I know how they think, what they want. I only want what is best for them. My ideals are not...clouded by wealth."

Platinum was silent, and then laughed. "You think I do not know all of this? You think I don't know that my father and his nobles have shown me only the 'best' parts of Unicorn life? I chose you to be my adviser."

"What?"

"When I went to Starswirl's classroom that day, I was immensely impressed. I saw you, the only mare in the class, working harder than the stallions. I don't care if you think you aren't smart enough, or even if you are better than everyone because of where you came from." She came off of her throne, and then walked close to me. "Sometimes, we must all but our beliefs behind us. For the greater good. This foal will be raised in the best place I can imagine, partly because you are here, Clover. Do you understand?"

I bowed. "Yes, your Highness."