Randolph struggled not to lose his composure. He had expected this to occur eventually, Spoiled was never a pony who liked to be kept in the dark.

“Well, Randolph, I don’t have all night you know,” Spoiled impatiently scowled as she stomped a hoof down. “What have you managed to find out?”

“Nothing that would interest the likes of you, Mistress Spoiled.” Randolph quickly retorted, hoping to shut down Spoiled’s questions before they could start.

Spoiled wasn’t convinced for even a second. “Randolph, dear, please don’t lie to me. I know you enough to know Diamond Tiara would trust you with her very life,” She commented in a sickeningly sweet tone of voice. “So what has my little Diamond been trying to keep from me?”

The butler worked hard to keep a straight face. There had to be a way to keep Diamond’s secret a secret. The look on her face when he’d caught her in the act was one that would be amplified a thousand times if Spoiled learned the truth, to say nothing of the betrayal she would feel. “Maybe there’s a way I can stretch the truth. Tell her just enough to satisfy her but keep her from prying further.” He thought.

“I’m waiting,” Spoiled snorted. “If you’re not going to tell me, that’s fine. I’ll just dock your pay again and take matters into my own hooves. Is it going to come to that?”

But the butler shook his head. “No, ma’am,” He cleared his throat. “I’m afraid I haven’t found out much of anything. Diamond Tiara is very good at keeping her secret a secret.”

Spoiled arched an eyebrow upward. “Really, Randolph? Is this what I’ve been paying for you? Surely you jest,” And the mare scowled. “Enough stalling! Are you going to tell me or do I have to do all the investigating myself?!”

Randolph reluctantly cleared his throat. “Mistress Spoiled, indoor voice, please. We don’t want to wake the young Mistress Diamond, I just put her to bed a short time ago.”

“Oh, she’s been having trouble sleeping again?” Spoiled questioned in what sounded like a tone of sincere worrying. “Maybe I should arrange an audience with Princess Luna?”

Randolph shook his head. “Oh no, it’s nothing like that. She’s sleeping fine now, like a baby you might say so. Figuratively of course.”

“Ah, I see. But then, why all the secrecy?” Spoiled inquired of Randolph.

The old butler droned on. “Because she has been using rather unconventional methods to try and get into the dream state. Things that you would consider juvenile and foalish. She was in fact so embarrassed about it that she almost didn’t even tell me.”

The mare with an upturned snout was silent for a moment, reflecting on what Randolph had said. “You’re sure that’s all there is to it? There’s nothing else you wish to tell me about my little Diamond? You know that if you lie, I have ways of finding out.”

Randolph defended with a straight face. “Aside from her needing foalish pyjamas, there is nothing about her secret that need concern you. Simply leave everything to me, and in time this will all blow over.”

Spoiled didn’t respond right away. She just looked at Randolph with her strong opal eyes, gazing into them as though trying to detect any sort of sign that would indicate a lie. But the mare didn’t pick up on anything. Randolph’s statement appeared to be true, and considering the arrangement she doubted he would have any reason to lie to her. “Very well then, Randolph. If that is all that’s going on, I shan’t pry further for the time being,” She rose from her spot at the table and stretched. But quick as a whip she spun around and warned. “But know this. If Diamond is not back to normal sleeping habits within a week I shall personally take it upon myself to resolve her problem by whatever means I deem necessary. Do I make myself clear?”

Now Randolph allowed himself to gulp, Spoiled was most certainly scary when she was angry. “Crystal, Mistress Spoiled. I shall inform the young mistress of your warning in no uncertain terms.”

Spoiled smiled. “Excellent. That’s just what I like to hear. I think you’ve earned a raise, Randolph. Doesn’t take much to get you to do what I want, now does it?”

“The things I do for the sake of that paycheck,” Randolph thought to himself. “What I wouldn’t give for you to have less discretion over that aspect of my life, Spoiled. I would more easily be able to defy your influence.” Oh well, that wasn’t important anyways. What was important that was Diamond Tiara’s secret was safe, just as he’d promised.

Diamond Tiara had just woken up from a very long sleep. She had to admits she did have fun with Randolph. But it felt like it went by too fast for the foal.

Diamond Tiara got out of bed, noticing her diaper was a little soggy, and just as she got up she heard a knock at her door. “Who is it?”

“It's just me, Randolph.” The butler called.

But when Diamond opened the door she had a look of shock and despair on her face, as it wasn’t just her butler standing by the door, it was also her mother who looked very displeased.

“Randolph here told me exactly what you’ve been doing and quite frankly I can’t believe how immature your acting!” Spoiled Rich snarled! “Diapers, bottles, pacifiers, and even baby toys and clothes?!” She effortlessly grabbed her daughter’s toys, opened the bedroom window, and threw them out! She was not going to have her daughter make her family look weak. “You’re pathetic, Diamond Tiara! A true disgrace to the rich family!”

Tiara gulped and looked at Randolph, who simply smiled at her. She ran towards him and cried out! “How...how could you, Randolph?! I trusted you and this Is how you repay that trust?! By lying and deceiving me?! I-I hate you!”

Spoiled’s eyes twitched as she looked at Diamond Tiara’s soggy diaper, “And as for these... horrible things, I think it's time we get rid of them, permanently! You’re no baby, you’re a full grown mare, so act like one!”

Everything suddenly started to disappear! Diamond saw a light from down the hallway, she ran to it “I gotta get outa here!” She thought as she jumped into the door the light was coming from!

Diamond jumped wide awake! She looked around the room, shaken by the nightmare she’d just had. To her relief she saw her diapers, bottles, toys, and all other things were all still there. She let out a sniffle “Just a nightmare. But why didn’t Princess Luna help me like she did with Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle?” She thought and quickly looked at her diaper, happy it was dry. “I can’t tell Randolph about this, or maybe I should?” She asked herself, completely depressed by that nightmare. “If anything, this is more proof I can’t let Mother find out!” And then she went back to sleep.

Early the next morning, Randolph deviated from his usual morning routine in favor of checking up on his young charge. Of course Diamond Tiara had thought ahead, she had locked her bedroom door tight so that no one else could accidentally discover her secret.

Randolph ended up having to knock on the door and give away his planned surprise. “Mistress Diamond, it is I, Randolph. Are you awake yet, little one?” He called in a tone of voice that sounded not unlike a coo.

Diamond happily unlocked the door as she called back. “Yes, Da-er I mean Randolph.” She didn’t want to risk slipping into her role and accidentally announcing it within earshot of potentially prying ears.

“I take it you slept well last night, my little filly?” Randolph warmly inquired as he trotted inside. “No accidents or other issues?”

Tiara beamed with pride. “Nope, I’m dry as a rock!” She sounded especially proud of that fact, not unlike a toddler marveling at their first ever dry night.

“Then you will allow me the courtesy of the necessary inspection?” The butler asked as he scooped up his young charge and gingerly pressed a hoof to the back of her pyjamas. Just as she’d said there was not a damp patch anywhere.

“See? I’m a big girl.” Diamond happily declared.

Randolph lowered his charge to the ground, patting her on the head. “Indeed you are, Diamond. And because you are such a big girl, I shall prepare a special treat for you for when you come home from school,” Then he cleared his throat. “Speaking of which I assume you will not protest as I help you dress for the day? I doubt you would want to parade your secret around at school, and have your classmates all stare and ask questions.”

The pink coated filly shook her head. “Oh no no no, that would be a nightmare! Everypony would surely laugh and take pictures! Or at least, those who still haven’t forgiven me for all the things I did to them would.”

“Then your…” Randolph coughed into a hoof. “‘Protection’ will have to be removed. We’d best hurry, school will be starting soon.”

With Randolph’s help, Diamond was stripped down to just her diaper and had the tabs removed. From there it was a simple matter to shimmy it down to her legs and kick the padding off, tossing it aside without fanfare. Then she retrieved her saddle bags and dashed out of her room, down the stairs, and out the front gate.

Randolph occupied himself with preparing the special treat for his young charge and the time flew by very rapidly. Soon it was the afternoon and school had let out for the day.

Contrary to yesterday, Tiara came prancing on in to greet Randolph and happily accepted his loving embrace.

“Greetings, Mistress Diamond,” Randolph formally declared, still taking care not to outright refer to Diamond in her role. “How was school today?”

“It was amazing!” Diamond happily declared while bouncing up and down! “But every moment I kept thinking of you, and of all the fun we’re gonna have together!”

Randolph smiled, rustling his little filly’s mane. “Indeed we will. Now, shall we get you properly dressed up for your surprise?”

Tiara firmly nodded, her heart already racing with anticipation at the delightful surprise that was surely awaiting her courtesy of Randolph.

Author's Note

Next chapter will be the last