The Different Prince

It had been four months since I caused that incident. Ugh. I still feel awful. Well, Rainbow Dash came over to the barn and hour later and told everyone what happened. Which led to a small argument about irresponsible mating practices and some such. Then they voiced their concern about me, apparently the scent of strange stallions mating is supposed to scare colts away, something about old instincts making some stallions dangerous to strange foals during coitus. I had done the opposite. Well, lesson learned... at least no one got hurt. They just agreed to keep a tighter leash on Flash until he familiarized himself with the families.

Mother has returned to court, and I now have wet nurses to take care of me. She still visits as often as she can, of course. But… I miss her.

I tended to stay with my wet nurses. I needed a few to ensure I got enough milk, apparently. They were very sweet and gentle with me... and Pound. Even though they believed I was a primitive beast of burden, they would tell me stories and sing songs.

My favorite was a green unicorn named Lyra Heartstrings. Really buxom lady who loved taking me and Pound into the gardens. Her favorite spot was a small koi pong in the hedge maze. But, mostly, she loved just following behind me as I explored.

Also... since the incident... I've been kind of... something. Mother seemed a little worried and had me looked at by other doctors. Best they could tell her was that I was shaken up by that day. Well, I've been getting better. Though, I kind of book it when she and Daddy Big Mac start going at it.

"Lost in thought again big guy?"

I look up from the surface of the aforementioned koi pond to see the green unicorn leaned over me with a big smile on her face. She had a magical smile on her face.

"You shouldn't be so down," she chuckled as she ran a hand through my mane. "A handsome stud like you should always be happy and full of life. You've got a lot more of it than the rest of us you know."

Was that supposed to make me feel better? Granted, she didn't know I could understand her. But, still, I don't want to be reminded that... that... a lot of these nice people are gonna be dead while I keep on living.

Pound dropped from the sky and landed beside me, giving my cheek a sloppy lick. I couldn't help but laugh and smile a little. He was such a good friend... practically a brother. Have I mentioned that before?

Lyra laughed at the display. "Ah. Pound. You're such a good little gelding, helping the prince out like that. I'll get you a treat later."

The word 'treat', Pound started leaping about and flapping his wings energetically. The mare shook her head.

"No-no, not now, Pound," she smiled as she knelt down and smooshed his cheeks together. "Later. Don't want the prince getting jealous. He can't have any proper solid food for a good long while yet."

He seemed to get the idea and snorted. He was a good six or so years older than me, so he had some extra privileges that I didn't. Also, I learned what Mrs. Cake meant when she said he had been "wethered". I shuddered internally at the very idea. And his mother had been so nonchalant about it too.

Then my stomach growled.

"Oh my," Lyra said, eyes widened at the loud rumbled. "Someone's hungry."

Without hesitation, she reached up and unbuttoned her shirt to release her emerald bust. She scooped me up with a grunt, I was pretty heavy it would seem, and brought me two her teats. "There you go. Lyra has lunch all ready for you."

I latched on and slowly suckled until the milk flowed freely. Very rich and thin, a smooth meal fit for a prince. Pound didn't hesitate to make for the second breast. Lyra smiled and patted the back of his head as he took his share.

"That's my colts," she cooed contentedly as she sat down to enjoy the stillness.

As you may have guessed, breasts here didn't have the sexual stigma of my homeworld. They were more like social objects, it was a sign of trust and familial affection to let loved ones latch on and nurse at their own discretion within the privacy of the home. I had observed this with Mother and Daddy, including Luna. Even while at the farm after the incident, and after dinner, the whole family had stripped down to their birthday suits to enjoy each other's company.

No. There weren't any sexual escapades. Even Daddy Big Mac controlled himself. Its just a pony thing to display trust and affection. Mother had even allowed Applebloom to nurse beside me like Pound was doing right now. This was called communion. It was like some sort of right of passage when a mare could first set a loved one to their breast, and Applebloom seemed upset that she had a few years left before then.

And, in case anyone was curious, yes, I did get to enjoy Applejack's breasts.

Anyway, back to the present.

I slowly closed my eyes. I wanted to forget the incident so I could go back to enjoying my new life. I wanted these moments to feel more fun. Right now, since then, it felt more routine.

Yes. I'm aware I'm being repetitive with "The Incident" references, but… skip it. I'm going to fill my belly with milk.

Okay, a little time passes and then...

"Ah, Mrs. Heartstrings, there you are."

We all looked up from our little peaceful moment to see a Pegasus mare in full armor descend into the maze. She was accompanied by a guard stallion in full kit and bearing a saddle. "I suspected you might be here."

"Is something the matter?" Lyra asked her, shifting to a standing position, forcing Pound to cease suckling.

The guard nodded and gestured towards the stallion. "Princess Luna has gone into labor. Princess Celestia has canceled court until the new princess or prince is born. She requested her son's presence."

Lyra quickly mounted the stallion, patting his neck out of habit. It was really just good manners. She looked towards Pound and then back at the other mare. "Should we bring the prince's companion as well?"

The guard looked at the colt and shrugged. "I don't see why not. They are practically brothers. Besides, it'd be a nuisance to have to look for him later."

Once Pound was gathered, we were off. We shortly arrived at a balcony and the stallion was told to go back to the stables. Soon enough we were at the infirmary slash medical wing of the palace. Mother and daddy were waiting for us.

"Thank you so much for coming so swiftly," Mother smiled as she took me from the wet nurse. Lyra bowed as she buttoned her shirt back up.

"Of course, your majesty," she smiled. "Will I be needed anymore today?"

Mother smiled as she tickled my belly. "You may stay if you wish. But, you're free for the rest of the day."

Lyra smiled. "Then I shall be off. Good day your majesty."

And so she left.

Mother sat down and set me upon her lap. "Isn't this exciting, Gold? Your going to have a new brother or sister soon. And, maybe it'll be another alicorn. Wouldn't that be marvelous?"

I made a happy sound, or so I thought, and she chuckled. "You don't even know what's going on, do you?"

Pound came over and placed his front hooves upon her knee and barked. Seriously. Are horses supposed to bark? This is giving me a headache.

Mother stroked his mane. "And, of course, you'll be like a good big brother, won't you pound?"

Like I've mentioned, he was like a member of the family now. Daddy Big Mac even nuzzled him in a familial fashion. He's loved, if anyone was worried.

And, it was quiet as I cuddled into mother's stomach. I must have fallen asleep, because I woke up sometime later. that was my first clue. Didn't even remember what I dreamed.

"It's a colt," nurse declared brightly to us. This is what woke me up.

Mother gasped as she stood up. "Is it really? Is it..."

The nurse shook her head. "I'm sorry, your highness. You should see for yourself."

We moved into the room to see Luna laying upon a white bed, cuddling a little bundle in her arms. Daddy walked right up beside the bed and gave the blue alicorn a gentle nuzzle on the cheek. Luna smiled and kissed his nose.

"Hello, Big Mac," she smiled tiredly. "You're a father yet again. This is Cobbler."

She pushed away some of the blanket to reveal the face of a small light red, almost pink, colt with an oat-white mane. He was sleeping soundly. I noticed he didn't have a horn. Was he not an alicorn?

"He's an earth pony like his father," Luna chuckled as she looked him over.

"He'll make a fine prince nonetheless," mother reassured her sister. I could imagine the hidden horror, giving birth to a child you'll watch grow old and die. Wow, I made that dark. What is wrong with me?

"He seems a little small," Luna pointed out with a small frown.

"Perhaps he'll grow over time once he starts feeding," mother suggested fondly.

"If he ever wants to become a proper stud," Luna chuckled.

Mother nodded as she set me down upon the sheets. I promptly walked alongside Luna's form until I was up at her chest to get a better look at the colt. I leaned in close until our noses were almost touching. Then he sneezed.

I squealed in surprise ad topple over the side. Thankfully, daddy caught me. Mother and Luna were laughing.

Luna reached out an arm and took me from daddy. "Come here, Gold. He'll soon wake up, and I'd like it if you were to nurse alongside him."

How could I say no?