The Different Prince

Seems Celestia felt Lyra family enough to tell her what really happened. Rather than be aghast or shocked, she instead just fussed over me like the mother hen she was. Nothing, it seemed, had changed about her. She was caring and attentive as usual. She had her own bed right in my room so that she could attend me at all hours. Pound was like a puppy who hadn't seen his master in weeks. Which... I suppose he kind of was.

Also, it seemed, Cadance had seen fit to post a stallion guard outside of my room for protection. Strange for a guard, wore a starry blanket rather than armor. A single one, for that matter. Lyra liked to bring him treats. The Princess of Love was at work it appeared. That sweet mare deserved her own children. I mean, I loved her to death, but she deserved her own happiness.

It had been a little over a month since I had arrived. I now had two playmates. Pound, and Flurry. Still couldn't fly like them, grew too fast for my muscles as Twilight had said.

This afternoon, Lyra was sunbathing in the courtyard while me and Pound played nearby. She deserved her rest, as Cadance was taking full advantage of having a wetnurse in the palace. That meant she also tended to Flurry now. I'm starting to wonder if ponies are ever fully weaned in this universe.

No, Cadance didn't give all the duties to Lyra. It was just when she was busy. Which... was less often than my mother was. She still plenty of time with her daughter. Flurry was also tending to duties that day. She was meeting the prince of the hippogriffs today. They needed to get used to each other before they are vowed to each other in the future.

I would have just been in the way.

Besides, it seemed I would have a few visitors today. I stopped wrestling for a moment at the sight of lavender in the corner of my eye. Absolutely unmistakable. I didn't even notice Pound as he leapt on my back and tried to push me to the ground. I was stronger these days.

Lyra seemed to have noticed too. She got up from her spot and put herself between us to help keep me calm. Poor girl hadn't even bothered to get dressed.

"Princess Twilight," she said formally, bowing. "I didn't know you were coming."

Twilight seemed upset. "Lyra. Please, none of that."

"I'm sorry," Lyra said regretfully, but remained firmly where she was. "But the prince would not appreciate any surprises."

Damn right, girl. Nice ass by the way.

Twilight sighed. "I have permission from Cadance."

"To do what?" Lyra sounded suspicious. "You've tested him many times in the past, Twilight. What more can you learn?"

The lavender alicorn leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "He talked, Lyra. What couldn't I learn from him? You do know he talked right?"

The mare nodded. "Princess Celestia told me. I trust her. But, he hasn't spoken another word since."

This was true. Lyra, sweet mare that she was, hadn't tried to get me to talk, to wanting to pressure me. Though, if anything had changed, as you just witnessed, she was more protective of me than ever.

"I also heard about what Luna tried to do," she said back in an equally low whisper. Who were they trying to keep from hearing? I had great hearing, but then... they never asked. "Now, why are you here? Why didn't Cadance tell me you were coming?"

"Because I just got here actually," Twilight answered, holding up a parchment with writing on it. "This is her royal seal. I came like this because I knew you'd convince her to say no."

"Yes, I'm sorry, but I don't think this is a good idea," Lyra retorted with a snort.

"I just want to talk with him," Twilight said uncertainly, "O-or at least try. If he wants too."

Well, she had never asked my permission before. All those rat mazes, puzzle boxes filled with treats. Endurance tests for speed and strength. Getting me to do all kinds of convoluted stuff for a small reward. Usually just a pat on the head. I snorted at the memories.

Both mares turned to look at me with wide eyes.

"He can hear us," Lyra observed. Smart.

Twilight just nodded. "Please, Lyra all he has to do is shake his head, or walk away and I'll leave. Alright?"

Lyra sighed walked up to me. kneeling down she stroked my head gently. "Hey, Gold... so... I guess you heard what the princess and I were saying. Would you... can you talk with her? I promise, I won't let her do anything to you."

I looked over at Twilight, who stood back patiently. She was further along in her pregnancy than when last we met. She was a powerful sorcerer, or so I heard. If she wanted, she could easily force Lyra out of the way if she intended anything back. I looked away for a minute before nodding.

Lyra nodded too and turned to Twilight. "Fine, he agrees. But I stay with him. They moment he doesn't want to talk anymore... you leave. Got it?"

Wow. Mama bear mode activated. Heck, she could be my mama any day.

Finding ourselves back in my room I sat on my bed in Lyra's lap. She had retrieved her clothes and dressed herself before we left. Across from us sat Twilight on a chair. Between us was Pound, sleeping contentedly. The goof.

"How to begin," Twilight said, a stack of papers in her lap. "Were... were you scared, Gold?"

I took a moment to process what she meant. Then, I nodded. No, I didn't talk.

"Are you still afraid?"

Again I nodded. This seemed to upset both the mares. Lyra gave me a little squeeze. The alicorn sighed and wrote that down.

"I hope you know that we were all scared too when we heard you had disappeared, Gold," she told me softly. "Your mother has been very quite lately. She hasn't laughed since you left. And Luna... I know she's not your favorite pony at the moment, but... she's grieving too."

"How is Cobbler," Lyra asked in concern. She was his wetnurse too after all. But he'd been left behind.

"He rarely leaves Luna's sight," Twilight answered. "She's actually been taking care of him herself. Nursing, diapers, bathing, everything. Celestia tried to find him another wetnurse while you're away, but... that job is yours alone, it would appear."

"It might be for the best," Lyra sighed. "When I induced lactation, I was expecting one or two foals at a time. So far I've had three at my nipples everyday. A fourth... well... I could gladly handle him too, but my body would hate me. I'm not quite the milkmare I wish I was."

"Do you think you'll want to return home anytime soon, Gold?" was her next question, to which I shook my head.

"I understand," she said.

"Did Celestia ask you to ask some of these questions?" Lyra inquired insightfully.

Twilight nodded. "She knew he wouldn't want to see her for a while. No, she didn't send me. I came of my own volition. I just want to ask more questions. I want to hear him speak... I want to know everything there is to know about him."

I yawned.

"How long are you staying?" Lyra asked, stroking my mane. "The prince needs to nap soon."

"As long as it takes," the lavender mare stated.