Princess Bluebelle was moping in her room, rather nervous about what she'd have to do about her business life. She had a couple of businesses in her nonexistent pockets and would eventually have to make an appearance. A cameo, at least.

Furthermore, her aunts would likely want to make the announcement of her ascension. And soon!

"What am I gonna do?" she wondered nervously. "I'm never gonna get any respect again, looking like THIS!"

Suddenly, there was a knock at her door. "Come in." she sighed.

A guard stepped in. As it turned out, a female one. "Princess? Are you alright?"

Bluebelle considered snapping at the dumb question, but realized that this situation was her own fault. She went with just saying, "No. I'm not. And the worst part is that I have nopony to blame but myself. So. What did you want?"

"Well, I'm Silver Hawk (call me Silver if you like), your majesty." she said, fanning out her wings, which oddly had a metallic sheen to them. "Your aunts told several of us that you'd need support at this time. So they sectioned off some of the Royal Guard and made a separate unit called the Blood Guard."

"Considerate of them, but that won't help with my personal life. My business partners will eat me alive when they see me like this!"

"Perhaps you should look on the bright side."

"What." Bluebelle said flatly.

"What I mean is that there are several advantages to being a mare, let alone being an Alicorn."

"Oh? Such as?"

"Well, for example, you'll have greater agility and average intelligence, you think faster, you'll have a significant magic boost, new privileges, your opponents underestimate you more easily, you have a body that can take a beating better than the average mare -the average stallion, for that matter- and -if you play your cards right- potentially eternal life, or at least a pretty long one. And that's for starters. Don't let 'em see you sweat! Stay confident and believe in yourself. Becoming a Princess isn't the end for you. Think of it as a... new beginning!"

Bluebelle was smiling by this point. "You know, I feel better. Thanks for the pep talk."

Silver saluted. "It's part of my talent, ma'am. Came with the silver wings. Okay, not really."

Bluebelle quirked an eyebrow. "I have to ask: Why do you have silver wings anyway?"

"Well, if you must know, I was born with these (for whatever reason). I have the ability to absorb silver and incorporate that into my body, as well." (1)

"Fascinating." Bluebelle said, definitely interested.

"Oh, yes. I graduated from the academy on the honour roll, with some of the highest marks. So I'm to be the captain of the newly formed Blood Guard, as I've mentioned. It's an honour, your grace." she said, bowing at the end.

"Anyway, I came to tell you that your official coronation is going to happen tomorrow. It won't have as much fanfare as Princess Twilight's coronation, but that doesn't mean that it should be treated with any less care. So, first you'll want to get gussied up for the occasion."

"Well, what should I do?"

"First stop is the spa. Follow me."

Arriving at the local spa, titled "Blue Tone's Luxury Spa and Beauty Salon", the two entered. Bluebelle looked around, amazed at the atmosphere. "Wow!" she said, "If i'd known that such a place existed in Canterlot... I'd have come before!"

The lobby was practically sparkling, being so clean. Silver Hawk stepped up to the counter, ringing the small bell on the counter. A blue Pony with a Cutie Mark of a saxophone emitting blue notes came up. "Welcome to Blue Tone's! The only five star spa in town! Can I help you?"

"Actually," Silver said, "It's the princess here who'll need the deluxe treatment. My treat."

"So let's see... that means a scented bath, a deep tissue massage, horn filing, hoof filing, a preening, a beauty mask and a spell in the sauna. This way, please!"

"Enjoy, Princess!" Silver said, waving.

Bluebelle was led into the back to a large tub. Stepping in slowly, Bluebelle sank into the hot water, which smelled faintly of roses. Just then she realized that she wouldn't have noticed that back when she was a stallion.

After that, she was led to a flat bed, a large stallion coming over and beginning to work her muscles expertly (and only slightly painfully), after which she was feeling relaxed, enough that she fell asleep.

While she was asleep, another specialist came in and filed her horn and hooves, being careful not to awaken her.

Once she woke up, it was on to a Pegasus mare who applied a beauty mask and the iconic couple of cucumber slices, followed by a preening of Bluebelle's wings, which had a surprising number of broken quills for somepony who had just grown wings that very day.

After 15 minutes in the sauna, she was brought to the front again, feeling like a million bits.

"Thanks for that!" she said to Blue Tone, "I've never felt so relaxed! I'm definitely coming back."

"If I had a bit for every time i've heard that." Blue Tone said, rolling her eyes.

After Silver paid the required sum, she led Bluebelle to another shop.

"Welcome to Canterlot Boutique!" a familiar voice said.

"Oh, no." Bluebelle said, her ears drooping.

Oh, yes.

Author's Note

1: She's a bit like Colossus in that regard.

Somehow I thought up a new chapter. Go figure. Thanks to all of you who've been enjoying the story so far. If only some of my other stories got these ratings...