“You wanted to see me, your highness?”
The spotted unicorn bowed to the white alicorn staring down at her from the seat of the throne. The air in the throne room was quiet. Still. The light of the setting sun outside cascaded through the stained glass windows and over the pillars, tinting the colors of the windows in pale hues of twilight and casting long shadows over the room. The alicorn herself was bathed half in shadow, her face and eyes obscured in the darkness that coated the to half of her. She was tall. Regal. Intimidating. Everything a princess should be.
“Lady Camentis,” The alicorn began, standing. A flicker of her magic lit the shadow for a moment, a book teleporting into view. It was a simple text, bound in dark leather. It looked like any other tome. Completely unassuming. “Did you write this on your own?”
The unicorn gulped, unable to discern anything from the tone of her voice. “Yes, Princess Celestia.”
Camentis was suddenly on edge. Was she in trouble? Was that the reason for the sudden summon in the middle of the evening? She was of a noble family in Canterlot, so being summoned by the princess wasn’t unheard of. However...Those summons were usually before or after the royal court had gathered. Sent by a messenger to bear the scroll. Not found on one’s pillow just before sundown.
The shadows grew longer. Darker. The colors that covered the floor dimmed, threatening to disappear. She decided to be bold.
“Your highness. Have I...done something illegal?”
“No.” Celestia finally said, stepping forward, out of the shadow and into the fading light of the sunset. “On the contrary, I need your help.”
Camentis blinked. “My help?”
“In light of the current...situation we find ourselves in with the Changelings. I would like you to…” Celestia paused, obviously searching for the right words. She seemed to give up with a sigh. “How do you feel about arranged marriages?”
There had been tension between Equestria and the Kingdom of the Changelings for as long as anyone could remember. Certainly long before the vanishing of Nightmare Moon. However, things had only gotten worse since then. With it’s royalty fractured, Equestria had been facing enemies they’d previously had no quarrel with for centuries. The griffons to the east and dragons to the west had been eager to expand their territory, much to the dismay of the ponies. Eventually, most of the enemies realized Equestria was just as strong with only a single princess than it was with two and the wars ended and Equestria was able to rebuild. However, that didn’t help the lingering fear of Changelings in the backs of everypony’s minds. Anyone could see a griffin or dragon or yak coming. But when it came to Changelings, anyone could be the enemy.
It had come to a head when it was found that Changelings were lacking in their very food source, love. Invasion of Equestria, a land whose inhabitants were naturally filled with love even in the darkest of times, was imminent. A war was on the verge of breaking out. A war that Equestria simply couldn’t afford. It was decided that Celestia and her court would meet with the Changeling Queen. The royals of the two kingdoms spent weeks in peace talks and negotiations. Finally, a deal was made.
Equestria would send ponies to stay temporarily in the Kingdom of the Changelings to provide the Changelings with a source of love. They were to be kept comfortable and unharmed. In exchange, the Changelings would send their own to Equestria temporarily to help ponies however they needed. They were to be treated well and not abused. In short, ponies became food, and Changelings became servants. It seemed fair, all things considered. They were equal. This would build trust between the kingdoms. This would make ponies and changelings partners.
The tension never left.
Camentis sighed as she lifted the glass of wine from the tray she was offered. The changeling server who she knew only as Cyn gave her a respectful nod before trotting off into the crowd. Her parlor was filled with all manner of Canterlot ponies from elite to common, all dressed to the nines so much so that you’d never know who was who. Mixed with them were the Changelings her family kept as servants, serving drinks and hor d'oeuvres on trays like the one she’d taken her wine from. They had already eaten dinner, and now she simply had to survive the short batch of mingling that the night held.
“Oh Camentis dear I just heard all about the engagement!” Another unicorn approached her, smiling avidly, tan coat and red mane accented by the dress she wore that shimmered with every hue of green Camentis had ever seen. “Congratulations!”
If only she could have made the announcement at the end of the night rather than dinner. Camentis managed a smile, trying to make it seem sincere and hide her frustration with being at the party at all. She could have killed the members of the court for insisting they throw one. It wasn’t as if she’d even met her betrothed yet.
“Thank you very much, Miss Maraschino.” Cammy said pleasantly, hiding her nerves behind a pleasant smile. “I’m delighted.”
The other unicorn blinked. “Are you?”
“Is it not natural for a mare to be delighted when she’s engaged?”
Cammy tapped the pendant at her neck, an elegant thing with a gem in the middle, set in a golden sun. It served as proof of her engagement as well as proof that what she was doing was sanctioned by Celestia herself. She’d been told he had a matching one with the moon, and that they were his idea, no less. The prospect of that, at least, brought her some comfort
“Oh of course of course!” The other unicorn chimed, before her face fell. She leaned closer to Camentis, her voice low as she whispered as if they were conspiring to do something highly illegal. “Only...well...There are rumors that your husband will be…One of them.”
“They’re true. It’s not a secret.”
Miss Maraschino gasped, and Cammy had to stifle a laugh at the look of utter scandal in her eyes behind her wine glass. Honestly, the way these ponies acted it was as if she was volunteering to be eaten alive. Then again, she realized, perhaps she was. She didn’t know how to feel about that.
“Camentis darling I wanted to congratulate you on the successful book sales.”
The stallion that approached her was a pegasus, though carried himself like any unicorn Camentis had known. He wore a clean-cut military uniform like a few of the other ponies scattered throughout the room, the red standing out against his white coat and blonde mane.
“Thank you, Sir Thistle.”
“I wonder if you’ve considered my proposal…”
Miss Maraschino’s eyes widened. “Sir Thistle proposed to you?”
Camentis hummed. “Yes he’s been quite persistent as of late. He’s asked a dozen times now.”
“And she’s turned me down every time.”
“And I must do so one more time.” Camentis said as she sipped her wine. “For I find myself engaged.”
“Not for long I imagine. Surely this is all a fleeting flight of fancy for you. It’s...adorable your fascination with the bugs but wouldn’t your father rather you--?”
The words of the pegasus were cut off by a sudden crash, followed by an absolute roar of anger. Camentis turned with the rest of them, all eyes now on an orange unicorn with pink mane and a large red stain on her blue dress. Wine glasses were scattered, some chipped and broken, with the silver tray still sliding across the floor.
“You worthless thing! Do you have any idea what this gown was made from?!”
Camentis swallowed when she realized the changeling below the angry unicorn was Cyn.
“I-I’m sorry ma’am I only…”
“Don’t give me that you stupid insect! Where’s your remote?! You deserve a shock and more for ruining my--!”
“Ahem.”
The orange unicorn averted her glare from Cyn to Camentis, who’d stepped forward. Her gaze didn’t soften, but the poor changeling was left scrambing to her feet.
“I-I’m sorry Miss Ca--”
“Camentis! Its remote!” The orange unicorn demanded. “Surely you won’t let this transgression against me go unpunished.”
Camentis frowned. “Surely you don’t think me so uncouth that I would punish her in front of our guests, Sparkleworks. Calm yourself with some baking soda and salt it will wash right out. Surely you’re not unaccustomed to that technique.”
Sparkleworks fumed “I expect there to be a punishment!”
“And a punishment there will be. But I’ll not subject my other guests to it.” Camentis turned to Cyn, her eyes lingering on the collar around her neck, the same as the ones around the neck of each changeling. “Cyn, tend to the glass. Then wait for me in the kitchen.”
“You’ll let it off easy!”
“I give you my word that I’ll give her a punishment deserving of the transgression against you.”
As Cyn scampered off with the tray full of broken glass, Sparkleworks gave a smug look to Camentis.
“I expect nothing less. You can’t allow yourself to be too soft for these bugs anymore, Camentis. Otherwise your new husband might eat you alive.”
Camentis merely shrugged, finishing her wine and placing it on an empty tray one of the nearby changelings offered her.
“I’ll be sure to take your advice on the matter. You’d know about eating spouses alive.”
The room erupted in whispers as Camentis turned away, following Cyn’s route to the kitchen. Vaguely, she heard someone announce that the party would be moving to the garden for the night, a subtle way to let them know the party would be winding down. Good. She didn’t have the energy for the rest of the night.
“Tea, please, Gawain.” She muttered as she stepped into the kitchen.
A nearby changeling with a green carapace nodded, and the others in the kitchen moved from the dishes they were cleaning and food they were putting away to make room for him. Camentis sighed as she sat at a nearby table. Cyn hesitated for a moment, lingering at the entryway before moving to take care of the broken glass and wine glasses still on her tray.
“Ah right. Sit down, Cyn.” Camentis said.
The female Changeling swallowed, glancing to the others in the kitchen that seemed to be paying them no mind. When she didn’t move, Camentis gestured to the chair across from her.
“M-miss Camentis…” Cyn began.
“Excuse me.” Gawain interrupted, placing a teacup before the spotted unicorn.
“Thank you.” She said, allowing the warm aroma relax her as her magic lifted the teacup from the saucer. “Now, Cyn correct?”
The female changeling nodded. “Y-yes.”
“That wine spilling…” the smile on her lips was obvious, and Camentis has to hide her laugh behind a sip of her tea. “It was— Gawain did you spike this?”
Cyn’s eyes widened, turning a panicked look to the green changeling. A few other changelings around them had to stifle their laughter.
“You looked as if you needed it, Miss Camentis.”
Cammy chuckled. “Perhaps I did. Though I must say the show I got certainly made the night better. The wine spilling. It was hilarious.”
Cyn blinked “H-hilarious?”
“Indeed. Honestly the look on Sparkleworks’s face was priceless. I’m just sad I didn’t put it on there myself! And that abomination of a dress she wore could have done with more red.”
The female changeling only sat motionless. Her pointed ears fell back, and her brows furrowed suspiciously. “Y-you’re serious?” Cyn glances to the other changelings in the kitchen, then Gawain. “She’s serious? But I thought…”
“Right. Punishment I did say that.” Cyn swallowed as Camentis took another sip of her tea. “Ahh...Bed without supper? Yes. Straight to bed without supper.”
Cyn looked rather helplessly to Gawain, who jerked his head towards the door. “You heard Miss Camentis.”
Cyn gave a nod, and Camentis smiled at her over her cup. To an outsider, it might look as if she was enjoying giving a punishment. Perhaps even toying with the changeling. But the warmth in her eyes was not lost on Cyn, or the other changelings in her employ.
“Thank you Miss Camentis. I’ll take my punishment gracefully.”
Camentis gave Cyn a nod and stood to leave the kitchen. As she left, Camentis sighed, slumping back in her chair.
“More tea, Miss?” Gawain questioned as the few changelings in the kitchen finished up their duties and began to leave.
Camentis nodded vaguely, her hoof running over the pendant around her neck again. She tried to find comfort in the action, but an odd sense of nervousness still washed over her.
“Miss Camentis?” Gawain tilted his head as he presented a new cup to her. “Is everything okay?”
The unicorn only smiled, her horn lighting as she brought the fresh teacup to her lips. “Well, I suppose we’ll see.”
