It didn't take long for the entire school to know that there was a change of power in their establishment. In fact, it only took about the first period one day to see it first hoof. Everypony from the students to the teachers knew about the struggle between Majesty Blueblood and Dia Waterblaze. Both came from some of the most powerful families in the nobility and represented different aspects of it.

Majesty and her family were new, fresh, but had arrived with a bang. Already changes to their laws, society, and even views of the world were affecting them. Majesty's father, despite being long dead, was still talked about for his brilliant political maneuvering, especially since his daughter was the future queen of their nation. Any head of the family would kill half their bloodline just to get one child of theirs in such a position. Combined with the fact that she was an alicorn, with the talent to back it up, and you had someone who could only rise higher on the food chain.

Meanwhile, Dia Waterblaze was old blood. She and her family had a legacy in Unicornia, one that was respected and feared. Her father wasn't just popular in the military, he was famous in politics due to his conservative and traditionalist mindset. Despite the growing popularity of the changes the Bluebloods had delivered, there was still an active group that saw them as disruptors and outsiders. Combined with his wife's ability to know the dirt on practically everypony through suspicious means, and you had a sturdy iron and gloved hoof combo. Traits that Dia had grown to adapt to her own lifestyle as well.

Everypony was curious as to how it was going to end, and who was going to be the victor. Theories ranged from a dramatic magical duel to actual assassination. Yet nopony accounted for Majesty Blueblood, smiling as bright as the sun, to walk over to a silent Dia Waterblaze and greeted her with a simple "Good Morning."

Equally as shocking was the fact that Dia Waterblaze responded with a submissive and polite gesture. "Good Morning... Your Majesty."

That was when everypony knew that Majesty had won.

For a full week, everypony asked themselves "How?" and "Why?", but these were quickly replaced with new thoughts: "How do I earn Majesty's favor?"

***

Majesty had to admit, she was starting to get tired of being famous. Ever since she made Dia Waterblaze her bitch, as Forest called her, the former bully kept her word and been civil to Majesty and her friends. In return, Majesty destroyed most of the photos but kept a few just in case while also giving some to the twins. The aftermath had caused her to erupt into the most talked-about pony in the entire school. Suddenly, everypony was talking to her, asking her opinion on things like dresses, books, and social events or trying to invite her to dances, playdates, birthdays and more. They were even crowding her in the bathrooms of all places.

"Sorry, girls, but I promised Prince Silversteel I'd go see him at the palace after school," Majesty said with her best smile to a group of nine fillies.

"Wow! The Palace?! Can we come! Please!" one of them begged with the others following her.

"Sorry, but I can't bring just anypony along. Maybe another time," Majesty replied, waving to the girls as they bid her farewell. When she was sure they were out of sight, she let out a groan and banged her head against her locker.

"Had to deal with another mob?" Jade asked, walking up to Majesty with her brother behind her.

"I swear if I get another pony asking me to attend another event, I'm going to go live like a hermit in the mountains," Majesty grumbled as she closed her locker. "I even had one ask me if I wanted to attend their grandmother's funeral. Why the hay would anyone consider that to be an event to invite a total stranger to?"

"Well, you're hot stuff at the moment. Everypony wants to be your friend," Jade explained as they made their way towards the exit hall. "Ever since you made it clear that you made Dia submit, they see you as the next big rising power. That with your status as the future queen? I'm surprised you haven't gotten offers to be somepony's girlfriend."

"I have," Majesty groaned, "even though I am technically engaged, I've been getting colts and fillies saying they aren't afraid of being my secret lover when I require one."

"Man, I'm jealous," Forest chuckled as he began to grin. "Because there are some fine fillies in our class I wouldn't mind going out with."

"You better not," Jade warned, glaring at her twin. "Mom's still working on getting us arranged for marriage, so if you start going out with somepony she doesn't approve of, she's going to tan your hide."

Forest rolled his eyes. "Doesn't it bother you two that our parents are deciding who we're going to marry? I mean, what if you don't like your future partner and you end up having problems with them?"

Majesty thought to all the times she and Prince Silversteel had played together, and she couldn't find a moment where the two of them fought. Sure, they disagreed at times, but they rarely ever had an actual argument. He always listened to her, and she often heard him talk about the difficulties of being a prince. Especially in regards to his cousins, who were some of the worst ponies that Majesty met, and it was clear they were envious of Silversteel being the future king. Even in a royal family, there were ambitions. Silversteel always came to her birthday, and she went to his. His gifts were often self-made, believing they needed to be true in sweat and work to mean something. Her cheeks turned a bit red upon remembering his last gift, a mosaic made out of jewels that had both of them side by side.

"Is somebody thinking about her Prince Charming?" Forest teased making Majesty glare at him. "I guess some of us are happy with our parents’ choosing."

"I-I just thought it wouldn't be so bad," Majesty argued.

"Of what? Having your lips locked together with a wedding organ playing?" Forest laughed, which earned him a book to the face much to Jade's amusement.

"Ugh, and here I was thinking of inviting you with me to the palace," Majesty huffed but quickly smirked when she saw both her friends stared at her with wide eyes. "Oh, did I forget to mention that Silversteel invited me to play at his place and he offered the same invitation to you two?"

***

The Rainbow Palace lived up to its name as not only was it the most significant and tallest structure in the city, but it was also made with every jewel known in the world. Even several not found in Unicornia. It was named after the rainbow that appeared before the unicorn settlers upon arriving at their new home. To the settlers, it was a sign that Faust had guided them to safety and had sided with them in their choice to leave behind the traitors and other inferior ponies. It could house over a thousand residents alone, not including the thirty thousand soldiers protecting it, with hundreds of slaves serving every need. Even being a slave at the Palace gave you protection and prestige.

It had been rebuilt and modified over the years as the nation grew, most notably after the brief but near-disastrous Bloodline Civil War, to keep its appearance as the pride of the country. It was here that the Imperial Family ruled and their word was law. They were the chosen bloodline of Faust, and they were the closest thing to a god the unicorns had that was among them.

Having been here many times, it was like walking in the park for Majesty. Yet for Forest and Jade, they looked ready to have their jaws fall off upon arriving at the entrance. Chuckling, Copper Penny, who had decided to accompany them, whispered, "If you keep your mouth open like that you'll catch flies." This quickly caused the twins to shut their mouths.

Saluted by the royal guards, they made their way into the main hall where dozens upon dozens of individuals were at work. Many of the flutter pony slaves, with the occasional zebra or non-unicorn pony as a result of the new slave laws, were cleaning everything in the hall from the ceiling to the priceless statues. Scrips and messengers ran or teleported from one location to the next with files and papers be signed or delivered. Guards stood at their ever vigil watch for any danger. A few of them were even eyeing Forest and Jade as they walked by, but upon seeing Majesty and Copper Penny with them, they eased their intensity.

"Wow, you could fit our entire grade in this hallway alone," Forest muttered, stretching his neck in every direction he could.

"And you come here all the time?" Jade asked Majesty in awe.

"W-well, I am going to be living here eventually," the alicorn responded, blushing. "It kinda wears off you in the first dozen or so times you come here."

"And it certainly wears off when you spend most of your life here," a familiar voice replied as the group looked ahead to see Prince Silversteel walking towards them with a wide smile. Behind him were two ponies that neither Forest or Jade knew, but their armor spoke for them.

Just like Sir Morning Blade, they too were dressed in the iconic black obsidian, and bluish silver swirled armor of the Royal Knights of Unicornia; their red cloaks blowing behind them. The first was male with a red-furred coat yet only had the barest of a mane on his shaved head. The only indication he wasn't completely bald was the small grey strands of hair that inched a bit above his cranium. Behind his back was a spear of equally black color designed with runes on them, but had a green colored bladed blade that was rumored be orichalcum; the most deadly metal in the world. Not even an alicorn or dragon could protect themselves against it.

His left patched eye and his right cold glaring one was enough proof to indicate that this was Sir Victus, the Spear of Altomare. The stallion that killed over a hundred officers during a brief war with the Minotaur Islands. They hadn't taken well to the fact that they had managed to steal a valuable cart of their valuable metals and sent a small armada to attack the port city of Altomare to get it back. Sir Victus not only lead the defense, but slaughtered anyone in his way, including the admiral in charge of the invasion which forced the minotaurs to retreat in defeat. For his valor and reward, Sir Victus was given an orichalcum bladed spear.

The one on the left was already known simply because of her gender. Dame Evening Fury was the only female of the Royal Knights, but also the only one to use a ranged weapon instead of a close-ranged one. While some might fight that dishonorable, others would say it was a more practical choice as she was once part of the Ranger Core before her promotion. Her midnight sky like hair was tied in a bun while her dark purple like coat shone like the jewels around them. Unlike her comrades, she had a vibrant smile with her as she walked, along with a pleasant smile upon seeing Jade's grinning look at her. After all, Dame Evening Fury was the icon of many mares who wished to be powerful like her. At first, it didn't seem like she had any weapons on her, but upon noticing the strange blue jeweled wrist guards, she had on her front hooves the twins knew she was armed as well.

"Well, it looks like our future queen has made some new friends," Dame Evening Fury said with a smile as the twins bowed to her. "What are your names?"

"I-I-I-I am Jade Everbright. This is my brother, Forest."

"...hi..."

"Well, it's nice to meet you both, right, Victus?" Evening Fury asked. Victus just looked at the two before huffing. "Oh, don't mind him. He's a stick in the mud."

"I take it they got bodyguarding duty today?" Majesty asked as she, the prince, and her friends walked down to the hall with the adults behind them.

"Yeah, Sir Morning Glory isn't back from his mission yet. Sir Ash Shield is guarding my father in his office. I think your uncle is there with him," Prince Silversteel said.

"Really? Uncle August didn't tell me he would be visiting the palace today," Majesty said with surprise.

"Well, let's go see him."

***

They didn't even need to get inside to hear the yelling. Majesty had listened to her uncle get angry before, but he seemed really upset this time. She couldn't tell who it was that he was arguing with behind the platinum doors, but it seemed to be somepony her uncle really hated. The group stood in awkward silence as the yelling finally seemed to calm down, and ended when her Uncle August burst out of the room with a growl. He paused upon noticing his niece and the rest of the group before bowing to Prince Silversteel. "Your Majesty, I apologize for you overhearing that."

"Is everything okay, Uncle August?" Majesty asked as she walked over to him and placed a comforting wing at his side.

"Yeah, you sounded like a volcano going off," Forest pointed out.

"You do remember the Doctor said to watch your blood pressure, sir?" Copper Penny asked, walking forward with a small bottle of water he had in his pocket.

August Blueblood nodded in thanks and drank it in earnest. "Nothing to worry about children. I was just--"

"Forced to admit that I was right?" a new voice replied, appearing before the group from the room behind them. The newcomer was a unicorn with a snow-white mane and purple coat that reminded Majesty of a particular new "best friend" that she had back in school. His eyes show a hint of arrogance behind his cold facade and his uniform was that of the military added on with multiple metals. His cutie mark showed a frozen shield surrounded by ice-blue fire, indicating not only his talent in warfare but ice-related spells as well. He held an air of superiority around him, not to mention he seemed very pleased with how angry August was glaring at him. "You did put up a good fight, August, but I'm afraid that the king will see to it that Citizen Armed Forces Draft is signed first thing next week."

"I don't know how you convinced Lord Glitterburn and Lady Eclipse to agree to sign on with you, General Waterblaze," August growled, "but I still have time to convince His Majesty that signing it is a bad idea."

"Good luck doing that in a week," General Waterblaze responded before moving to leave before he eyed Majesty who was doing her best to hide behind her uncle. "You must be Majesty Blueblood, the prince's future wife."

"I am..." Majesty said doing her best to stay calm. Has Dia told him anything about our... arrangement.

"I hear you, and my daughter have become... friends as of late," he muttered, scoffing. "I suppose she has something to qualify for if she can make allies with you. Even if your uncle and I cannot." He then smiled. "Still, I suppose I'll see you in the military soon once the draft kicks in. I hope you're good in combat skills as are your academic ones."

"What are you talking about, General?" Prince Silversteel asked, stepping forward. "Majesty has no intention of joining the military, do you?"

Majesty shook her head.

"Well, I'm sad to say, but she and many others will be forced to take part. You see, my associate and I of the Nobleterium has succeeded to pass a vote that will anypony who turns eighteen to be joining the military for two years. Due to the current hostilities between us, Equestrians, Minotaurs, and the Kitsunes, the king has agreed to sign in in one week after he returns from his trade negotiations with our cities in the far east."

"What! We're going to have to join the stupid army?!" Forest shouted, growling. "This sucks! What right do we have to be forced to join something we don't?!"

"The right for our country to continue flourishing. Make no mistake, war will come one day, and we need to be prepared," General Waterblaze said before sighing. "Although, I do regret your wedding day will have to be postponed for two years, Prince Silversteel."

"What?" Silversteel and Majesty both said with wide eyes.

"Oh yes, because while you are in the service, you are denied taking any other vows besides military ones. Including those of marriage," General Waterblaze answered. "Your father did take it into consideration, but the queen was able to convince him it was a necessary sacrifice."

Majesty narrowed her eyes. She saw what this was in an instant. They're trying to delay me from becoming queen!

"This isn't over," August muttered, turning away and walking down the hall.

"Oh, I'm afraid it is," General Waterblaze chuckled before walking down the other way.

When the group was alone again, Dame Evening Fury sighed, "I really hate politics. Being a Ranger and a Royal Guard is easier. You’re just told who to protect or kill and get the job done. Right, Victus?"

"Hmph," Victus answered, nodding his head.

"Well, let's just forget what happened," Prince Silverblaze stated, trying to get everypony back on track. "Why don't we relax at the pool and think about this later."

"Yeah, I think I need to clean off the smugness from Dia's father," Jade muttered, following the prince.

"Seriously, now I know where she gets it from," Forest seconded.

Majesty just stared at the retreating General Waterblaze and narrowed her eyes before following her friends.

Author's Note

I personally never wanted to be popular because all I saw was trouble from it.

s usual, please help out at the TV tropes page at https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanFic/TheAssassinationOfTwilightSparkle

Remember, to also look at Path of the Dragon as well