So, it’s been a week since the gala, and things have been going well. Celestia and I have begun to make the wedding plans, and are beginning to settle on a date, but today, the three princesses had a surprise for me, one that I was kind of expecting. Let me clarify, I didn't know what it was, but I knew something was up because of how secretive Tia was acting. Anyway, I’ll let you read on and see just what it was.

The morning started out different from the other, at around 7:00 I woke up alone. It’s happened before, but only if there was an emergency that required her immediate attention, and even then, she always left a note. So, I got up, and as I looked around, I saw a note on the closet door

Johnathan

I’m sorry that I couldn’t be with you this morning to see your cute smile resting on my chest, but a matter of the utmost importance has required my presence in the throne room. Once you wake up, please have something to eat, and meet me in the throne room. Your weapons won't be required

Your beautiful princess and fiancé,

Celestia

“Interesting.” I set the note down and put on my standard clothes and my vest, however, it was completely empty as Celestia still didn't want me armed unless I was by her side. Once I was dressed, I made my way to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee and quickly scarfed down a couple donuts. Once I had finished my light breakfast, I set the dishes in the sink, and made my way into the throne room ready to start another day of watching my beautiful fiancé run the world. But what I saw as I entered the room took me by surprise. Celestia and Luna sitting in their respective thrones, and Cadance was standing by their side, but my camping chair that I keep in between the throne was gone, and as I stepped closer to the thrones, the three princesses rose and spread their wings. I kept walking toward them “Uhh, Tia, Luna, what’s going on?”

Luna spoke first “Commander Johnathan Cormier, you have served us well over the past two months since your arrival.”

Cadance continued “You have followed you heart and it is pure. you have found love and have let it give you strength.”

Celestia stepped in “We stand here before you with one question, will you continue to carry on in this fashion? Will you continue to stand up for the good, and protect this world?”

“I…Yes, I will this world is loving, kind, and peaceful, the exact opposite of mine…but if I’ve become a threat to it…” I realized that this was probably about my fight with Blueblood...I had messed up and ruined the one good thing I had in life, and now I was going to pay for my mistakes. I took off my gear and set it on the floor before me, got on my knees, and closed my eyes “Then I'll remove myself from the equation. I'll handle the threat.”

I heard the sound of three sets of hooves running up to me and I felt them all hug me, between the three of them, I was unable to move as Celestia spoke “No John, this is nothing like that.”

“Then why ask me all those questions, why is the door locked?”

Celestia lifted my head “It is locked because we wanted this to be a surprise to the kingdom. Unfortunately, there are some in the world who would see you in chains…but John, know this, I will never EVER banish you or place you in the dungeon.”

Luna continued “You are a member of our family.”

Then they all talked “We love you.”

I was in tears as the three princesses held me tight. “I…I…Thank you…I love you all.”

“We love you too.” they all responded

and then Celestia's horn glowed “Which is why we have done this.” there was a flash and then something appeared in the spot where I usually put my chair. it a black throne with red cushions, it wasn’t as tall or grand as the thrones of Celestia or Luna, but it had my mark on it. Celestia wrapped me in her magic and placed me in the throne before continuing “We wanted to ask you to rule beside us…to become a prince.”

I didn’t know what to say all I could do is sit there with my mouth wide open

Luna walked up and tapped my leg before making a quick remark “I think we have broken him sister.”

It took me about 5 minutes to form a response, “I……………Honestly, I don’t know…I”

Cadance walked up to me and put a wing on my shoulder “Its ok, we know that this is a major decision that we are asking you to take.”

“Yeah, it is.” I replied “But why are you all asking this?”

Luna stepped in “Because you deserve it, because we want to help you and love you like the amazing man and family member that you are…. there’s a saying that constantly comes to my mind, and I think it would apply to you as well as me.”

“And what saying is that?” I asked

“Let your past make you better, not bitter.”

“I see.” I replied. And she wasn’t wrong. I need to keep letting them help me, and this is how they want to do it. They must think I’m ready or able to do the job, or they wouldn’t ask me. But I’ve never done something like this, but look at them, they’re doing this for me, they want me to join them…they love me…...they want me to become a prince.

I sat there like this for maybe ten minutes before Celestia walked up to me and spoke “I can understand if you want to take some time to decide, but I do believe that you are worthy and ready to become a prince.”

Those words did it for me. I stood up from the throne and looked at the three mares who had so kindly accepted to me into their life and their family “I’ll do it…. yes.”

Celestia again picked me up in her magic and floated me into the hooves of the three princesses who then hugged me tightly. “Thank you, my love. Thank you for saying yes.”

Then Luna spoke, “I know you are ready for this brother.”

And then finally, Cadance “We will be with you every step of the way.”

I really didn’t know what to say, I mean I’m usually the guy on hand with the wise ass remarks, or the intimidator, this was not something I was ever prepared for, so I just let the three mares hold me lovingly. And then after a while Cadance spoke, “So when will you make the announcement?”

Celestia answered “I think today would be a good time, we can set up a press conference to make the announcement.”

I finally worked up the courage to speak. “No.”

All three princesses looked at me with shock and Luna spoke “What do you mean no?”

“I mean I think this is something that should wait until after I get back. And besides, we still have the wedding to plan.”

They all sat in together and spoke quietly to one another before looking to me and smiling. As Celestia spoke “You are right, there are a great too many things already in place, and it would be better for our subjects if we followed your plan and eased you into a position of authority.”

Then Cadance continued “But, that doesn’t mean you can informally be one of us…kind of like a substitute if you will.

“What? What do you mean?” I asked, and then Celestia stepped forward and all three bowed as she spoke

“It means you have been given a promotion, PRINCE John.”

“I…I…I...” I just kept stammering “Thank you… thank you all.” I got up from the throne and I hugged all three of them……and then the guards walked in

Celestia walked up and placed a kiss on my cheek. “And when we wed, your title will be official.”

“Yeah, we still have to decide a date for our wedding too, but I’d say sometime in the fall…. maybe September?”

“That sounds beautiful, the leaves will have changed, and the world will become a multitude of beautiful colors.”

One of the guards cleared his throat, “Excuse me your highnesses, but your presence is required immediately.”

Luna walked forward “With what?”

“There are delegations here from Griffinstone, Saddle Arabia, and Yakyakistan they wish to convene an emergency meeting.”

“Involving what?” I asked “And do they have proper protection?”

“Yes commander, Security details have been assigned to the delegates per your orders, and at the moment, they are all gathered in the meeting hall...as for the issue, it concerns lord Tirek.”

“How so?” Celestia asked

“They want to know what measures have been put in place to ensure that he won't return” The guard replied, but something about his tone, suggested otherwise.

“I’m sensing that there’s more to this than Tirek...am I right?” I asked

The guard looked to me, then to the three princesses

Cadance spoke up “I believe that your commander just asked you a question soldier.”

The guard sighed “Yes sir, they are worried about you and your proximity to the rulers of the Equestria’s government.”

I shook my head. This was just what i needed, more bureaucrats afraid of me because I'm different. “Fucking typical.” I replied

“Well then let us go put those fears to rest” Luna replied as she walked towards the door, but she stopped and looked back at me when she saw that I wasn’t following her “Come along Johnathan, you need to prove to the delegates that you are not what they say you are.”

“No.” I replied “The last place you want me to be is in a room full of politicians. You, Celestia, and Cadance should go and make my case, I'll stay here so I don’t make your jobs harder.”

Celestia turned to me, “What did I say about you being alone?”

“That I’m not allowed to be alone.” I replied “But this matter is bigger than me, I don’t want you to lose alliances because of me.”

Celestia put her hoof down, “No, you’re coming with me, and that’s an order.”

Cadance chimed in “There may be another way.”

“What do you mean?” I asked

“I could stay here to with John, while you two go and defend him…...in fact, he could even take over for you two while you are in the meeting.” Cadance replied

Celestia smiled “That’s a brilliant idea.”

“No, it’s not.” I countered

Luna walked over “Yes, I agree, Johnathan should be given a chance to adjust to his new position and in doing this, we can help the delegates cast their fears aside.”

“Let’s not give him a chance.” I countered

Celestia looked to me and smiled, “Sorry my love, but the vote is 3 against 1.” she used her magic to pick me up and set me down in my throne

“I have a bad feeling about this.” I replied as she walked to the doors

Luna looked back and smiled “Don’t worry Johnathan, Cadance will remain behind to help you if you need it.” and with that they walked out

Cadance smiled and looked back at me “Don’t worry, this will be fun.”

I sighed and sat down in my new throne “Why do I not share your enthusiasm?”

Cadence walked up and sat down beside me “Because your worried that you may make a mistake and that Celestia will get mad, or that you’ll hurt her image.”

I looked to her with shock “How did you know?”

“Because it’s the same way I felt when I was placed in charge of the crystal empire” she replied as she put her wing around me “I understand your fear John, but don’t worry my nephew, you’ll get it.”

“Nephew? Oh, please don’t tell me that you’re not doing this as well?”

She giggled “Yes I am.”

I sighed “hang on…. wouldn’t I be your cousin?” I asked

“You would, but considering that I am much older than you, I am going to consider you my nephew.”

I rolled my eyes “I hope you know that I’m not calling you Auntie Cadence.”

She giggled again “I thought as much”

“So, what’s on the docket for today?” I asked and under my breath I began to pray “Please don’t let It be paperwork.”

“Don’t worry, this is my last day here, and your first day on the job, well start it off with something easy.” Cadance smiled as she gestured to the guards at the door and spoke “Let the day court begin!”

“Shitbucket……uhh can I get the paperwork instead?”

The day court was rough to say the least, but the beginning of it was a total shit storm. The second the ponies saw me, they began to panic, some of them running down the hall screaming that I had killed the princesses, and the others demanding that the guards arrest me. Luckily for me, Cadance was there to relax the growing mob, though the volume that she used…let’s just say I should have brought some ear pro.

“EVERYPONY CALM DOWN!!”

Upon hearing her voice, the crowd halted in place and Cadance continued to speak, but with the crowd now standing silently, she was able to use her normal voice.

“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have been called away for an urgent meeting. They have left myself and the commander here in charge until they return. Rest assured that any decision made by either of us, is a decision of the royal family.”

A lot of ponies, especially the fancy looking ones, began to grumble, and some even outright left. With my ears still ringing looked to Cadence rubbing my ears “what the hell was that?”

She looked to me with some shock “Oh no, I forget to warn you. The royal Canterlot voice can be quite loud. I’m sorry John.”

I sighed “It’s alright, just a little warning next time.” I looked up to the guard and spoke “Let’s get this over with.”

To be honest, it actually wasn’t quite as bad as I thought it was, especially since I had Cadance giving me advice. Most of the ponies were there to have small issues solved, like property line issues, or needing arbitration on an argument. I actually got a laugh out of one request. A unicorn filly walked up to the throne. I smiled as she walked up
“And how can I help you little one?” I asked

She was a little skittish at first “um…I…uh…I want math banned.”

I had to cover my mouth to try and hide my chuckle. I mean here she was, probably no more than ten years old, asking me to ban math. “may I ask why?”

“uh…. because I don’t like it and it's hard.” she replied

From her age, she probably hadn’t even started algebra yet. “May I ask your name young one?”

She smiled “My name is Epiphany.”

“Well Epiphany, your claim does have some merit, and I will give it some consideration, but unfortunately, I cannot make a decision at this moment.”

I was expecting the kid to say thanks and leave, but what she said next took me by surprise, “Because Celestia would be mad?”

I smiled at the kid and ruffled her hair “Yeah…something like that”

She smiled back at me “Thank you sir.” and with that she left

Once she left, the hall was empty save myself and Cadance, who was now giggling at me. I looked to her and asked “What’s so funny?”

She stopped and looked to me “The fact that she knew why you said no, and not to mention that whole interaction was not only heartwarming, but a little funny.”

“Well her claims do have some merit, trust me, I still have flashback of the hell that was calculus and discrete mathematics.”

Cadance looked to me with some worry, “You’re not actually going to grant her request, are you?”

“Oh hell no.” I replied “But I can sympathize with her…was she the last one?”

Cadance looked to the guards who nodded “I think she-”

The door burst open and a group of maybe 20 nobles walked into the throne room, and at the front of the group, in full armor with swords were, Jet Set, and Blueblood. I don't know how the hell they got in here armed, but that was a thing for later. If they were armed, the guards at the front saw and Tia would be on her way to stop me from doing something stupid.

The guards formed up around me and Cadance, but it was still 8 on twenty. We would still win, but the whole thing would probably be like a mosh pit at a metal concert, where there really wouldn't be any real winners, but a brawl. Cadance stepped forward “What is the meaning of this”

Blueblood stepped forward “We are here to rid this world of that monster and save you Princess Cadance, now step side so we can slay the beast.” he raised up his sword and Jet set did the same.

Cadance responded by making a bow and arrow appear, and I responded by reaching for my rifle…which wasn’t where it should be because Celestia still banned me from having weapons when she wasn’t around me. “Shitbucket…. uh Cadence, slight issue.”

Jet set laughed “It appears that the beast has had his claws removed. Dispatching him shall be easy.”

Cadance shouted out “Stay back or I will let this arrow fly.”

Blueblood chuckled “Princess, we both know that you’re not going to fire that arrow, so why don’t you just step aside, we’ll have this issue resolved in a few seconds”

Cadance smiled, “Your right.” but then she used her magic to toss the bow and arrow to me, which I then notched and drew taught “But HE will.”

Blueblood laughed, “Oh please, he probably doesn’t even know how to properly aim with it, there is no chance that we will land a killing blow”

He wasn't wrong. It had been years since I used a bow and arrow. I did my hunting with firearms, now a bow and arrow, but I had to work with what I had until backup arrived.

The two began to move closer, and as they reached the base of the throne, there was a bright flash as Celestia and Luna teleported in wearing their own armor, followed by a familiar large axe which appeared in front of Blueblood, and a sword in front of Jet set, Halting them both. There was another flash, and the bow had disappeared back to Cadance, but in its place, my vest was once again furnished with my magazines and equipment, and my rifle appeared in my hand. I chambered a round I immediately brought the weapon to bear on the two would-be assaulters as the voices of Celestia and Luna cut through the silence.

As Celestia spoke, I could hear the rage in her voice “You two are going to drop your weapons and surrender to the guards, or you will both end up in Tartarus permanently.”

Luna looked to Celestia “I'm not so sure that would be enough sister, but I hear the moon is lovely this time of year.”

The two looked at each other, then to the princesses, then to me, which prompted me to flick the safety off. And Blueblood finally began to speak, “Oh…Your highnesses, it's such a relief to see you, we thought you were dead.”

Luna spoke again with a tone that held the same amount of rage as Celestia’s, if not more. “Well we are very much alive, and enraged at this attempt to harm my brother.”

Jet Set looked to Luna with a look of shock “Brother!?”

“Yes” Luna replied “Because of his closeness to my sister, and because he is alone in this world, he has been made a member of the royal family.”

Blueblood matched Jet Sets shock, “But he is not of nobility. He cannot rule or be a ruler, thus the only way for him to rule was for you two to have been…killed by this beast.”

When he said beast, the axe moved closer to him as Celestia spoke “What did you say about my fiancé?”

Blueblood began to stammer “I-I-I-I-”

“Cease your stammering.” Celestia looked to the guards “Take these two away before we do something that they may regret.” the guards nodded and placed the two in chains and escorted them out of the room, and the rest of the guards, escorted the group of nobles to the exit. Once the guards had left, I removed the magazine from my weapon, and pulled the charging handle back, ejecting the round in the chamber, and placing it in the magazine and putting the weapon on safe and the mag in my dump pouch. Since the guards had left, it was just myself and the three princesses left in the room, and the three princesses immediately ran up to me and hugged me.

I smiled, “I was wondering when you two were going to show up.”

Luna looked at me with confusion, “What do you mean brother?”

“Well I figured that a group that size, plus the fact that two of them were armed, I’d imagine that the guards would be going to find you pronto…so how did the emergency meeting go?”

Celestia removed her helm and nuzzled my cheek, “Well unfortunately, we had to call a slight recess because of this incident, but the meeting will resume shortly, and I want you to join us there.”

I tried to break away from the hug, but they had me surrounded “Uhh…I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Cadance used her wings to nudge me back to Celestia and Luna as she spoke “What do you mean John? You handled day court well, and you even were able to make that little filly happy.”

Celestia smiled as she looked to Cadance then to me “What does she mean by that John?”

“A small unicorn filly came in asking him to ban math, I believe that he handled the situation very well.” Cadance replied.

Luna began to smile as well as she spoke, “What was Johnathan's response?”

“He said that unfortunately, he couldn’t grant her request, and then the filly asked if it was because auntie Celestia would get mad at him, and he said yes.”

Celestia and Luna both began to laugh, and Celestia leaned in and whispered in my ear “I didn’t know that you were good with children, I suppose that’s all the more reason to have one.”

I chuckled nervously as Celestia smiled deviously. The awkwardness of the situation was only further fueled by the fact that I didn’t know if Celestia was being serious or if she was just having a laugh at my expense. But as I thought about it, having a child with Celestia, a little boy or girl or colt or filly, sounded like a good idea. I looked to my fiancé with a smile, Maybe one day soon my beautiful princess.”

The three princesses smiled at me and Celestia kissed me. once she moved away, she placed her wing around me and began to pull me towards the door with Luna on my left side and cadence behind me, “Come along, we have a meeting to attend.”

I looked to Celestia to protest, and I noticed that her and Luna were still in full armor and armed, and I was armed as well. “In full armor? Wouldn’t that be counterproductive?”

Luna looked at herself and then to Celestia “Johnathan is correct sister, perhaps we should stow away our arms and armor before meeting the representatives.”

“Perhaps you are right Luna.” Celestia’s horn glowed and then with a flash, her armor and weapons, as well as my rifle and its magazines disappeared, but my pistol had appeared in its holster on my hip with three magazines, one in the magwell, and the others in the magazine pouch. There was another flash as Luna did the same with her weapons and armor, and a smaller flash as cadence did away with her bow. I looked to my pistol, then to Celestia.

“Uhh Tia, I still have my pistol.”

She again put her wing around me, “I know my love, but given what has most recently happened, I believe that you can again be trusted with weapons. But, when not in my presence, it will only be limited to your pistol and your sword.”

I looked to Celestia with a smile “Thank you for fixing me.” I looked to Luna and Cadance as well “And thank you too. Without the three of you…I don’t know where I’d be.”

Luna smiled back “You’re welcome dear brother.” As she finished, we got to a set of double doors “Are you ready to meet the delegates?”

“With you three by my side, I am.” I replied

the two guards opened the door, and sitting around a table, was a fancy looking Griffin, a yak with a crown on his head and some kind of bands on horns, and an earth pony who was about the same size as Celestia, maybe only slightly smaller, she had a pink coat, purple mane, and she wore some kind of purple saddle-slash-bridle thing that had some blue and white detailing.

I walked into the room as the three princesses took seats, and I took my place in the corner as Celestia spoke. “Thank you for allowing us a quick recess, there was an issue that required our direct attention.”

The pink pony delegate smiled as she spoke, her voice definitely sounded like she was of Arabic descent. “It is alright Princess, and I see that you have brought your husband to be to these talks.”

Celestia looked to me and motioned for me to sit down between her and Luna, and I did so as she continued to speak. “I felt it would be prudent, as he is the subject of these talks.”

As I sat down all the delegates stared at me. “Uhh….Hi.”

Luna pointed to each delegate as she spoke, Johnathan meet Lord Gestal, Prince Rutherford, and Queen Amira.”

I stood up as each delegate approached me. Lord Gestal got to me first. His voice sounded fancy, but not the stuck-up kind of fancy, Anyway, he stuck out his claw and I stuck out my hand to shake it as he spoke “It is good to finally meet you sir.”

“Likewise.” I replied

The next delegate was Rutherford, and he was…something else. I reached out for a handshake, but the guy just picked my up, and gave me a VERY strong hug as he spoke, or more accurately yelled, “Friend of ponies is friend of yaks! It is good to meet you new friend!”

Even though his grip was basically a vice, and was slowly draining me of air, I was able to speak “It’s nice to meet you too Prince Rutherford.” He seemed to like my reply as he set me back down and smiled before going back to his seat.

The three princesses giggled as I took a second to catch my breath from the encounter, and when I looked back up, I was face to face with Amira, who was staring deeply into my eyes. I tried to look to Celestia, but Amira placed her hoof on my face keeping it in place. After a while she finally spoke “I see that your bride to be was correct, you are not a threat to this land.” She then moved her hoof down to my shemagh and gave a quick tug on it “I see that you also wear a keffiyah, may I ask how you came into possession of it?”

“It was given to me.” I replied

Amira looked at me and smiled. “I see, it must have been a reward then. In our culture, the keffiyah is a symbol of honor, it comes in many forms.” she pointed to the bridle thing on her head, as well as her headpiece, necklace, and saddle “Mine signifies that my people have honored me by making me queen of our land.” The took mine off my neck and began to look at it, “The pattern and color on yours signifies that you are a skilled and honorable warrior, in our homeland, this pattern can only be bestowed upon one individual by a king or queen.” She gave it back to me and I put it back on as she looked to Celestia and Luna “I can see that he is a great man.” she looked to me and Celestia “I wish the two of you the best.”

Cadance looked to the delegates “Then I take it that all of your worries have been set aside?”

Amira and Rutherford nodded, but Gestal put his claw up as he spoke “I have not.”

Amira looked to him “May I ask why?”

“Well unlike you, I will not risk my land because of what YOU saw in his eyes and an insignificant scarf. AND, there is still the matter of the debts owed to Griffinstone by humanity.”

“I wasn’t even born when it happened, ergo it ain't my problem.” I replied

“Not in the eyes of the griffin kingdom, you will be expected to pay off that debt.” he replied with a grin

“How was this debt accrued.” I asked

“By trade, your people owe the griffin kingdom close to 5 trillion bits… though we would be willing to overlook this debt if you were to instruct us on how to build devices similar to the one on your hip.”

I looked him dead in the eye and made my point clear, “Go fuck yourself. You won’t be seeing a single penny, and you will not be getting your claws on my technology.”

Celestia stepped in “Lord Gestal, when humanity was banished, that document was made invalid.”

“On what grounds?” he asked

“Humanity no longer existed, thus for all intents and purposes, was seen as dead, and you cannot collect assets from the deceased.”

“Under equestrian law, that may be true but-”

Luna stepped in front of Gestal and glared “You will cease this greedy attempt to boost your own wealth. Has the amount not been so high, you would not even bother asking for compensation.”

“Perhaps you are right, but you cannot deny that repayment of that debt would go a very long way to aid in repairing the griffin kingdom.

Luna looked like she was about to go postal, but I put my hand on her back “I’ve got this Luna.” I stepped up to Gestal “Look, we both know that there’s no way in hell that I can repay the debt on my own, and I’m not going to place Equestria in financial ruin trying to pay it off, nor will I be giving you any of my technology or equipment. If I did so just to save my own ass, that would just be irresponsible of me, and it would place Equestria, not to mention my fiancé in danger. So, I’m sorry, but I cannot do what you ask.”

“Then there will be conflict” Gestal shouted

I put my finger up “It would be nice if you would let me finish” he calmed down and looked at me “Look, I can’t pay you for my peoples dept, and I refuse to give you the technology you want, but that doesn’t mean that I cannot give you aid.”

Gestal tilted his head “How so?”

“In my home I was an engineer, if you so wish, I can try to design a way for your own people to repair your home, hell, if you want, I’ll return to Griffinstone with you, and hammer the nails in myself.”

Gestal smiled at me as he stuck out his claw “Your willingness to help us is quite shocking, especially since I had just threatened war…. There will be no need for you to come with me, and I would greatly appreciate your designs…. Though I will not lie, I assumed you would have reveled in a chance to fight.”

“Trust me, as fun as it is to tear things down, it feels a lot better to build.”

Gestal got up and walked to the door, “I see…. I look forward to receiving the plans.” He looked to the princesses and bowed before leaving the room

Once he had gone I sighed “Well there’s that crisis averted.”

The princesses giggle and Amira smiled as she spoke “You truly do deserve to wear a keffiyah. I look forward to meeting you again.” she looked to the princesses and like Gestal, bowed and left, with Rutherford just leaving after her

I looked to Celestia “I seriously hope that this isn’t going to be a daily occurrence.”

“Trust me John, if it was, my mane would probably be gray.” Celestia replied as she put her wing around me “So tell me of your first day.”

--

With the day coming to a close, we all decided that it was time for dinner. The four of us were seated in the dining hall, and the princesses poured themselves some wine as I relaxed in my chair with some water…or at least I was until Luna brought up the encounter from earlier today. “There is still the issue of Blueblood and Jet Set. What do you wish to do with them John?”

“Wait, what do you mean?” I asked

“Well they did try to kill you.” Luna replied

Celestia put her wing around me as she spoke “Don’t remind me.”

I sighed, I knew what I had to do. “Let them go with a warning.”

Celestia and Luna almost spit out their wine and Celestia looked to me with concern “John, they almost killed you.”

Luna walked up and placed a hoof on my head “Perhaps he suffered a head injury.”

“No.” I replied “They wanted me dead because they think I’m a monster. It may take some time to convince them that I’m not, but if you two banish them, then there’s no chance that I'll be able to establish any sort of relations with them. Letting them go without harm will hopefully begin to make them rethink their opinion, and with the help of the more sensible nobles like Fancypants, then maybe we can even eliminate this view of me, because like it or not, I’m probably going to have to work with them in the future.”

Celestia smiled at me “That’s very kind of you John.”

I looked to the guards in the corner of the room “Go release those two idiots before I change my mind.”

The guard nodded and left.

“Now then, lets just relax and enjoy the evening.” I replied

“Yes, I feel that would be best, since it will be my last evening in Canterlot for the time being.” Cadance replied

“Shining getting jealous?” asked

Cadance giggled “No, but I do miss my home kingdom, and even though I have been able to keep up on my work, it would be best for my subjects if I returned home to the crystal empire.”

“I see.” I replied, “I’ll arrange a guard detail first thing tomorrow to escort you to the train.”

Cadance smiled, “Thank you john, but that will not be necessary, I’m sure that my husband will have a group of the crystal guards with him when he arrived to pick me up.”

“Fair enough.” I replied

As I finished talking, our meals arrived. We all ate dinner together and then retired to our bedchambers. When I had gotten out of the shower, I got into my sleeping shorts, and went into the bedroom. I saw it was empty and that Celestia was out on the balcony. I walked out to her and kissed her on the cheek, which aside from making her blush, prompted her to pull me down to her side, where she quickly put her wing around me, pulling me even closer into her side. “I love you too my beautiful princess.”

“John, I was so worried about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was worried that me and Luna would have been to late…that you would be dead.”

“You know that I would let that happen Tia. Actually, if you hadn’t shown up when you did, Blueblood would probably have an arrow in his knee or something like that.”

“I know, but I still feel responsible, I should have made you come with me and-”

“And then the representatives would have been introduced to those idiot’s viewpoint, and they would have seen me in my…work mode, which is not something that would aid friendly relations.” I countered “You did everything you could Celestia.”

“I’m just thankful that we have rid ourselves of Daybreaker…had she still been inside me…blueblood and jest set probably would not be alive.”

“Its okay Tia, she won't ever be back. I’ll keep you safe, I promise.”

Celestia smiled and nuzzled my cheek “I know you will my handsome prince, just I promise to keep you safe.”

From above us, the voice of Luna spoke, “As do I, and thank you for getting him in one place for me sister.”

I stood up in shock and looked up to see Luna, who was hovering about ten feet above me, drop something. I tried to move, but in a split second, I saw the familiar light blue magical aura of cadence holding me still, and Celestia’s magic take control of the object falling towards me. everything went black for a half second, and then my vision returned, all three princesses were laughing. I looked at myself and realized why, they had managed to get one of Celestia’s dresses on me. Luna landed next to me and though her laugher began to speak. “See, I told you dresses were better, I even managed to get my sister and Cadance to collaborate with me.”

I shook my head and began to chuckle “in hindsight, I should have seen this coming.”

--
So that’s how the day went, from waking up alone, to my promotion, which then resulted in a mutiny, which ended with me in one of my fiancés dresses. To be honest I’m surprised it fit, what with me being human and all, but that’s besides the point. Today has taught me something, that I love this family, and that they love me.

Author's Note

Ear pro: Ear protection