Fourteen Days after Luna's Return.

"So you say, Count. However, I fail to see how such a move would actually benefit the protection of Equestria."

Indeed. My face burned with embarrassment and I let out a small sputter of indignation. Of course this had always been part of my plan. I have to play the part of the stupid Noble once in a while, and that meant that I must occasionally embarrass myself even if I dislike doing so. Nevertheless, it is a small price to pay in exchange to become the power behind the throne. Even more so if Sunbutt and Moonplot with their golden asses upon their prissy thrones do not suspect anything.

"Understood, Princess, if I may..."

Time to shine.

"I would propose that instead of my earlier suggestion, that we simply prioritize bolstering the defenses of our eastern cities, Baltimare, Fillydelphia and Manhatten."

The Princess narrowed her eyes at me. I could feel the air tremble, both with the fear from the nobles and the pressure the Princess exudes. Naturally, I am immune to it all. Some may call me foolhardy, others may say that I am too smart for my own good and I do not know his place. Well, the problem is, I am smart, and I know my place.

It just so happen that even if Celestia dropped a sun upon me, I would definitely survive. Not that I would ever want that to happen, of course.

Only a fool would lead from the front. However, a smart person would need such a fool to lead from a front.

"Would this not antagonize the Griffons?" Princess Celestia asked me, sitting oh so calmly upon her throne. One thousand years may have sharpened her knowledge, but one thousand years was enough time to make one go soft. The Princess had lost her edge in the arts of warfare already, as proven in her inability to procure a better plan than the one I had devised against Nightmare Moon. Now she is as round as the cakes she consumed on a daily basis.

I am pretty sure that the Her from the Unification War would not worry about antagonizing Griffon. Of course, she still lacked the depth to tell what my intentions were for that particular move. If she could even find out about one of my intended purposes, aside from reinforcing the Eastern Front, I would happily bend down and suck my genitals if she told me to.

"Certainly, it may, Princess." I replied, putting on my best 'serious' face. "However, the Griffons do not know about the current state of the newly returned Princess Luna. In fact, even we," I made a show of gesturing the entire court, "do not know about the current state of events concerning your sister. For all we know, she might have recovered from her ordeal already."

I made sure to phrase my words carefully. I know for one that there were at least two nobles and one minister here in the paychecks of the Griffon Kingdom. Furthermore, it would not do for Sunbutt to even know that I possess knowledge of her sister's schedule for the next three months down to even the details like when and where she was going to have lunch.

"I do not really see how my sister's return would actually stop the Griffons from stocking up their armies on their side of the sea, Count."

Oh COME ON! I slapped myself internally as my mind raged at the ineptitude of the cake stuffed royalty. There is a limit to my patience, you know. How can the regent of the nation, a supposed one thousand year old Alicorn who brought peace to the country not even figure what impact her sister had on worldwide politics?

I mean, you are already considered a city-destroying power by yourself. Your sister is supposedly on a similar level as you are. The Griffons armed their western shores in order to see if Equestria had been weakened by the infighting recently seen. What else would a similar show of force tell them?

By the way, note to self: tell my personal Secret Service to spread false rumors about Luna's state among the neighbouring countries. A little confusion always helps.

"Your highness," I began. This is the tricky part, the main event. I cannot screw this up! "By letting the Griffons know that your sister is well and recovered. They would be faced with the fact that they now face not one, but TWO Alicorns. Furthermore, by fortifying Baltimare, Fillydelphia and Manehatten, we would be sending them a message that we do not tolerate any funny business on their end and we would respond with force if they so much as try to provoke us with military might."

A glint in her eye. I always know what that means, it means that she was feeling sly and cunning already. After all, in my above statement, I had proclaimed that Princess Luna was already recovered and fully charged with her magical Alicorn whatnot. However, both me and Celestia knows that the contrary is true. What Celestia does NOT know is that I possess knowledge about the fact that Princess Luna is currently on the road to recovery after getting blasted to Tartarus by the Elements of Harmony.

She would definitely jump onto the bait I presented and begin to broadcast Luna's 'false' recovery as much as she can. Also, her belief that I possess false knowledge would allow her to think that I am a pawn that could still be manipulated. That would keep me safe. So long as she feels secure in her power, believing that she have an edge over me, my position would be safe.

Nothing feels safer than having an advantage that others do not, right?

"Agreed, dear Count." Princess Celestia purred. My, she may be a thousand years old but WHAT a voice. "I am glad that Luna had already recovered too. Furthermore, I believe that your proposal is sound and logical. Are there any dissidents to his suggestion?"

Called it. Told you she would jump on that bait. Now that she had as good as 'revealed' that Luna had recovered, the traitors among our midst would start reporting to the Griffons that Equestria stands stronger and prouder. This would ensue in another period of peace for Equestria.

To quote a gigantic shapeshifting tentacle thing: JUST AS PLANNED!

Celestia nodded as the nobles and ministers in the Court voiced their approval to my plan. "Thank you, dear Count." She smiled at me. "We will draft a bill and pass your proposal at the earliest possible junction."

I returned her smile with one of my own. It was obvious that she means to pass it tomorrow, after all, court time is almost at an end, and she would be very eager to get her teeth sunk into her evening snack.

Not that I am any different.

Returning to my seat, I celebrated silently at my success. It had been quite a chore, really, this time around. Thanks to my research team, I managed to gather information about Nightmare Moon's return. What I almost missed was the fact that she is a sister to Princess Celestia as well. It had been a nightmare, no pun intended, trying to convince Princess Celestia not to face Nightmare Moon one on one, but to send her student to retrieve the Elements, direct Nightmare Moon towards it, and exorcise the ever living crap out of it.

Worst case scenario? Nightmare Moon dead or back to the moon. Best case scenario? Two Alicorns on team Equestria.

At least there was no injured Celestia in any part of MY plan. Thank the fates that Celestia conceded to my hints of sisterly love.

Now, it is time to reap my multiple rewards. Celestia had already personally approved of my suggestion, that would contribute quite a bit to my reputation in Canterlot. The sweetest part of the deal was that Celestia still believed herself superior to me as a politician and schemer, as such, she would overlook me much more often.

That would work to my favor.

Now for material benefits. An associate of mine owned a Railway Company. If I introduced his services to the Crown, I am sure that he would give me quite a sum as gratitude for finding such a sweet business deal for him. Unbiddingly, a grin crawled up my features as I thought about all the magical and technological research that amount of Bits could fund.

Yes, running a country from the shadows always has its benefits.

Laws of Power Number One: Never Outshine the Master

Author's Note

Inspired by Chronicles of an Evil Overlord.

Well, this is my own take of the 48 laws of power. Hope you enjoyed it