A Maid's Pledge

Crisp Sheets paced nervously, her hooves clacking on the hardwood floors.

She was a pale lavender unicorn pony, with a light build that was perfect for her work as a maid. She kept her dress a half-size too small at the advice of her previous master, who thankfully had never seemed to notice her. She normally kept her long, yellow mane tucked within a bonnet, but due to her duties today she had it up in a ponytail. She'd also taken the time to weave a tailbow in. She hoped it'd help.

On the other side of the door, she knew Queen Chrysalis was waiting. Crisp wanted to be anywhere else.

But that wasn't really an option. If she ran, they'd find her. She wasn't sure if "they" would be the Maid's Guild, the Canterlot Guard, or the changelings. Her job, right now, was to satisfy her Maid's Guild duty and pledge herself to the manor's new master. Or at least she thought. There weren't bylaws about changeling invasions. But there were very bad stories about maids who left their posts.

She thought she'd always be happy to make Head Maid, but this wasn't how she anticipated it. Just a few weeks ago, she'd met a cute mare at a cidery who took an interest in her plight. They got to talking, one thing led to another, and Crisp found herself giggling in bed with her snout in a stranger's crotch before she blacked out. Now she understood why that mare was so alluring. She'd nearly fell out of the bed when she woke up to find a changeling snuggling with her. In the moment, agreeing to help boot out her jerkface of a previous master seemed like a great deal, especially with a promotion. Now she was starting to wonder if it was worth it.

Nah. It was worth it. That changeling knew her way around the bedroom. Crisp heard whispers the changeling considered her a "pet". She didn't know what it meant, but so far all of them had given Crisp a wide berth. She wasn't a stupid mare. She was going to take any advantage she had. Plus... that changeling was really good at what she did. Crisp couldn't deny she hoped for another round or two.

But now there was one terrifying hangup. The Maid's Guild rules were clear. A new head maid must introduce herself to the manor's keeper in a ritualized pledge of fealty. Normally it was a boring exchange and over in a few minutes. But this time, the "master" wasn't a pony. She shivered.

The doorknob clicked, and she recognized the face that peeked around. That one changeling kept its pony form around Crisp. It exited the room and smiled.

"She's ready for you, Crispy. Remember everything I told you. She is above us all. Respect that, and this will go well."

Crisp took a deep breath. "Is she in a good mood? Ugh, no, wait. Seriously, do I do this casually or do I act terrified?"

The changeling-as-pony pinched her cheek. "She can see your heart. Acting would be unwise. Just get your sweet cheeks in there and make her feel like you're not a snitch. Easy peasy!"

With that, the changeling smacked Crisp's flank, causing her to jump. "Stop, you'll make me mess up my dress!"

She smoothed it out, took a gulp, then opened the door and entered what was now the Queen's chambers.