Keeping Secrets

Princess Celestia was in the dining hall, having her morning cup of tea and some gourmet flowers made by her personal chef, when a puff of bright green smoke appeared next to her grand chair.

Ah, I was wondering when my most faithful student would be sending me a letter, it's almost been a week. I'm surprised.

Celestia levitated the letter and opened it with her magic, upon reading the first line she was astonished to find that the letter was not from Twilight, but from Rarity. She could tell by the way she used "Your majesty" as a greeting.

Celestia finished the letter and sat in awe. She had a billion thoughts racing in her head.

Rarity is pregnant by Prince Blueblood? From the Gala? How did I not know about this? She wants me to come down and see her immediately? But.. What? And a name? An the foal is to be royalty?

"Shining Armour! Would you mind coming in here please?" Celestia shouted outside to the stallion guarding her door.

Shining Armour trotted in smiling,

"Yes princess? Would you like some more tea?" He asked kindly.

"Oh um, well no. Not exactly. This has to do with Ponyville." She responded with a half smile.

"Is Twilight ok?" He asked, obviously getting slightly worried by the way his brow furrowed.

"Oh yes, yes. Don't worry about her. It's about Rarity, she's pregnant. Could you get the royal guards to have my carriage set up so I can make my way down to Ponyville for her? It's a royal emergency."

"Oh, yes of course. I'll get them at once." He obeyed and started off the the Royal Guard wing of the castle.

Oh my, this trip will be quite an interesting one. She thought and chuckled to herself.

A knock sounded at the front door of the boutique and Spike ran from the kitchen to open it.

The sight he saw was quite familiar with Twilight, so he wasn't very surprised. The royal guards stood at the door in front of Princess Celestia.

"Oh, hey Princess. What's going on?" Spike asked.

"Hello my dear Spike, I'm here to see Rarity. Though I'm surprised to find you here as well.." She said, slightly confused.

"Eh, why don't you come sit down and we'll explain everything. Here, I'll show you to the sitting room." He said, glancing at the two guards who were still in front of Celestia.

"Thank you Spike. You two may go." She commanded the guards.

"We'll be out front, miss." They replied and walked off.

Spike brought the Princess into the room where Rarity was waiting with Rainbow Dash.

"Hello, princess.I'm so glad you could make it on such short notice. Please, have a seat. This may take a while." Rarity explained.

"Thank you, Rarity. Hello, Rainbow Dash. I see you're well. That's wonderful." The princess smiled.

"Oh yeah, you know me, still awesome." The rainbow maned pegasus winked and slouched in her chair a bit.

"So, let's begin. Shall we?"

Rarity began telling the royal alicorn about Prince Blueblood, Applejack, Sweetie Belle (Who was at school now), names.  The Princess sat and listened, absorbing all the information and thinking about ways to solve her conflict with Applejack and some lovely names she had always loved. Princess Celestia loved that she could sat and talk with these two ponies normally, like they were all great friends, instead of having them all worried about impressing her and looking spectacular. Not that Rarity didn't look spectacular, even if she was pregnant. The alicorn loved feeling normal for once.

When Rarity was done explaining her crisis, the Princess began to talk of her plans for Applejack.

"Alright, let's begin with Applejack. First of all, you must understand her family has very traditional country values. She probably thinks you're going to Tartaurus now. Which I assure you, is not the case. I think you should go up to her when she's out selling her apples in town and explain everything to her, tell her it was an accident. If she is truly your friend, she will understand. And I am pretty sure she is. You two might not have been the closest of the group, but you still love each other."  The princess finished.

"I do love her, Princess. I love all my friends equally, even if I do not show it very well. Applejack is just so hard to deal with sometimes." Rarity explained.

"Yeah she's pretty stubborn. But that's AJ for ya'" Rainbow chimed in.

"Yes I do understand what you mean, quite well. She was probably just very upset and confused." The princess said smiling.

"I know.. I don't want to lose her." Rarity said, getting a bit teary.

"Woah, woah, woah. Let's not get all mushy. I've got some cool names, what about you princess?" Rainbow asked, changin the subject before Rarity started getting emotional. She hated that.

Spike peeked in from the kitchen, chuckling. Typical Rainbow.

"Ah, yes. I do have some lovely names. The ones I really loved were Satin and Silk. If I could have foals, I would have  named them that." She said, hoping Rarity enjoyed them.

"Eh, really? I was thinking of something more radical like.. Swift Fleet or something cool." Rainbow Dash said.

"Swift Fleet sounds like a pegasus name, and I am having a unicorn, Rainbow. Oh I really like Satin, Princess. Although I'd like it to be a little longer. Satin being the first word, but I need a second part." Rarity said, expressing her opinion.

"Well I'll give you time to think of that. For now, we have more important matters. Royal matters." The Princess said, turning serious.

"Royal?" Rarity and Rainbow said simultaneously.

Princess Celestia got up and walked to the window, looking out to the afternoon sun. She turned around, and the look on her face was delightful.

"Rarity, you do realize Prince Blueblood is a prince?" She said, hinting the secret.

The wheels started to turn in Raritys head. That means.. My foal is a princess.. and I'm a dutchess?

"Do.. Do you mean little Satin is going to be a Pr-Prin-PRINCESS?" Rarity shrieked in delight.

"Yes, my little pony. And if you decide to tell Prince Blueblood, you shall be royalty too." Princess Celestia confirmed.

"That is my biggest dream!" Rarity squealed and almost fainted.

"Like.. Woah." Rainbow said in unsure shock. Her friend was gonna move away and live in.. Canterlot?

"You may come visit him at the castle, if you wish." Celestia said, pointing at the carriage with the two Royal Guards.

"Oh my.. We must tell Blueblood at once! Come on, Rainbow!" Rarity yelled, running to the carriage, before the princess even started walking to it.

"I'm.. Coming.." Rainbow said, sadly. She didn't want her friendships falling apart like this. First Applejack leaves, now Rarity is leaving too. I'm loyal to them.. Why can't they be loyal to me and stay? I hate being alone..