Once again I found myself having food pushed upon me. Was I really that thin? I may know horse, but apparently not that well. Couldn't find anything to complain about though. The food, for some reason, had been getting progressively tastier since the first meal I had eaten in the palace.

Even when it was the same dish, each time I ate it there would be something different. Something better about it. Somewhat of a cook in the previous world, I was genuinely curious. But, it was hard to ask questions when I was stuffing my face.

It was also nice that they didn't seem to expect any form of manners from me, even if I did try to be at least a little polite. I just shoved my face into whatever was pushed my way. Being on the run had taught me how to savor food in a fraction of a second so I wouldn't let down my guard.

I particularly enjoyed the alcohol. It was very rich and the foam was very fizzy. Though, it would seem my new body had an incredible resistance to alcohol. So, drinking away my sorrows was a no go.

At least there was cake. Er, well, somewhat. Celestia was devouring it all at a terrifying rate.

And, I didn't really have too many sorrows left. Well, I had some major ones left. But at least there were only a few of them.

"So, am I confined to the castle, or can I go exploring the city?" I asked out of the blue.

"You may do whatever you wish," Luna told me with a kind smile. "You're not a pet, as you have before so poorly compared yourself. Please do explore our fine city to your leisure. We only ask that you remain with a small escort of guards."

"Let the citizens of Equestria meet their new prince," Celestia declared. "While you are gone, my sister and I will be able to go over a few more proceedings and finish up our royal duties."

Well, this seemed easy enough. "So, you're not afraid some other lady may come along and snatch me away?"

"They wouldn't dare," Luna said simply. apparently, no further comment was needed, as everything became rather quiet, save for Celestia's cake eating. I shrugged and turned back to my bowl of beer.

Yes, a bowl. It was easier to handle than a mug. Also, it was nice that they had strong drinks. It was more than a little worrying that they might have had preference for the lighter sissy drinks. Thankfully, that was not the case. Also made me feel more confident that I wasn't being treated like some high-grade pet. As no one in their right mind would give alcohol to a lowly beast.

Unless you lived in Mumbai. That place was fun to ransack.

"Today then," I stated as I lifted my head. "I think I've enough time indoors. Some fresh air and meeting people would be a welcome change of pace."

"Our little ponies will be excited to see their future prince," Celestia smiled sweetly. All the cakes now mysteriously gone. I not sure, but I think she may just phased them into her stomach or something. How is she so petite? "They have been so eager since we announced the wedding. It has been a little difficult to let them view you, due to..."

"My being overly dramatic?" I finished for her, a little bemused. "Irrational... an absolute crybaby?"

I laughed, but they seemed quite serious.

"You watched your entire world rise up to kill you," Luna said. "Everything you loved and worked so hard for taken from you. Not even I know what that must have been like. The strength you possess is beyond my comprehension."

"It was never so much my strength as it was my brain and unbeatable determination," I coolly said with a flashy smile. "That armored suit I had on when I first walked into your throne room, I made that to compensate for my lack of athletic aptitude."

"You don't seem to be lacking anything from what I can tell," Celestia winked.

Had I not already finished my beer, I would had performed an epic spit-take. Yikes, these ladies were flirtatious. I wondered if one day I might wake up to find one of them in my bed. Well, before the wedding that is. Well, I don't know the customs here.

All I hope is that they're not prudes in the bedroom like my ex-wife. May she rot in hell. At least, I hope she's dead after she killed our kids. The witch.

"Though, we'll need to schedule a few appointments for you between now and the wedding," Celestia said as she looked about for more cake to consume. "And, it has come to my attention, that we should probably inform you of what they are."

"That would help to avoid any misunderstandings," I nodded understandingly. I pointed to my bowl, hoping a nearby maid would get the idea. It was swiftly refilled.

"Well, there is going to be a fitting for the ceremonial saddle and tack," she started while munching on a new cake that had been wheeled out for her. Does diabetes not exist in this world? That would be awesome. "Your crown, of course."

My crown? Well, I guess I was about to become a prince. Came with the territory.

"We have to find the correct mane and tail stylings as well," she continued. "I'm sure Rarity would love to help out with that. It will also help you get accumulated to her. You will also be spending quite a bit around her friends as well before the wedding to get to know each other properly."

Yes, those six were apparently going to be a part of my, ahem, harem as well. Even Rainbow Dash. Why? I had the distinct feeling that she just didn't like me. I wonder if this is one of those arranged things.

Or, she was just a tsundere.

"Assemble and coordinate with an honor guard."

Huh. The last honor guard I had tried to kill me. But, I think I can trust them.

"And get you circumcised," she finished with a nod.

"Say what?" I asked, raising my eyebrows in confusion. "Circumcised? What, as... how does that work?"

I had worked on enough farms and ranches as a kid to know that it was not necessary to circumcise a horse. Was that even possible? Why would it be necessary here?

"Oh, forgive me," she cleared her throat and blushed a bit. "I should have known you wouldn't understand. It's just a royal custom to remove our stallion's sheath."

I looked down between my legs and then back at her. "Do I get any say in this?"

"Uh," she did seemed to know what to say.

"It's tradition," Luna spoke up matter-of-factly.

"So was forcing a widow to jump in a bonfire in India," I said back, watching as they both recoiled in horror. "Thank god the British put a stop to that."

And then things got awkward from there.

Author's Note

P.S. Whether or not our... main character goes through with the circumcision is up to the readers comments. Please vote.