The Handmaiden

Silence descended upon the Empress’ box, a tense, terrible, terrified silence. The Empress didn’t seem concerned by this, as she turned her attention back to the battle unfolding below. A new set of gladiators had entered in an attempt to even the odds, perhaps save the last two of Twilight’s group. Not that Twilight could worry herself with such things, not after what she had just heard.

“W-what did you say?” said Twilight shakily. Empress Celestia let out a curious hum as she looked away from the battle, as if only then remembering that Twilight was even there.

“Hm? Oh, I said that Pie will be executed for your crimes,” explained the Empress. She took another sip of her tea. “This tea is fantastic, Rarity. Perfectly sweet, with just the right balance of aromatic and earthy notes. Brewed excellently, as well. Nice and strong, just as I like it.”

“Why, thank you, my Lady.” Rarity bowed with honour. “It’s a blend from the Wintermist family. They had this breed of tea leaf cultivated especially for you, your Majesty.”

“Is that so? Well, draft a letter to the head of the family. I’d like to offer them their weight in gold for their services in the castle.”

“Yes, Empress. Right away.”

“You can’t!” Twilight stood up, dropping her cake to the floor. “You can’t execute her!”

“Mind your tongue, trash!” Rarity scowled, stepping forward until the Empress halted her. “That is Our Goddess you’re speaking to! She can do whatever she so desires, and you ought show her some respect, else Our Lady see fit to have you punished for your insolence.”

“Thank you, Rarity. You may return to your post now,” said Empress Celestia dryly. Rarity tensed slightly, but did as she was commanded. “As foolish as it is to do so, disrespecting me is not currently a crime. Besides, her friend is due to be killed shortly. Given the severity of the situation, I do not blame Twilight Sparkle for her outburst. Just this once, I will allow it.”

“Empress Celestia, you… Why?” Twilight could almost feel the cold, sinking feeling from Pinkie’s body as she slumped down, as if trying and failing to wrap her head around her reality. “She’s done nothing wrong! If you must execute someone, it should be the one who did the crime.”

“Twilight, no!” squeaked Pinkie. “You can’t!”

“Ordinarily, I would agree with that sentiment, Twilight Sparkle. But these are precarious circumstances.” The Empress was being concerningly casual about this whole affair, which only served to deepen Twilight’s fear. "With you being capable of sorcery, killing you would be… Imperfect. You see, magi are incredibly rare in this day and age. This is not an accident. Left unchecked and uncontrolled, those capable of advanced magicks could be quite problematic. So I must take steps to limit and control the magi population.”

“Then why kill Pinkie? She’s not the mage,” argued Twilight. “You said it yourself, she couldn’t ever be a mage. Don’t kill her, kill me!”

“That would be incredibly short-sighted. Just because magick-users are dangerous does not mean that they are without use. Keeping you alive could be beneficial come the future. Yet… A crime has been committed, and crimes ought be punished. And so… Here we are. Now the only question is how to do so.” The Empress finished off her tea, then poured another for herself. “Any ideas, Twilight Sparkle? How shall I kill your friend?”

“P-please… Please don’t do this…”

“Formerly, I was fond of silver. Some old Canterlot tradition, I cannot currently recall the origin, outlined that enemies of the crown shall have their throats filled with molten silver. I have not done that in quite some years. Terribly impractical.” The Empress gave a dark chuckle. “Although I do still have the silver from the last man I executed that way. Once it solidified, I had it turned into jewelry. My favorite set of rings, I'd have worn them today if not for them needing cleaning."

“You can’t do this,” said Twilight weakly. “Please, she’s innocent!”

“I advise that you come up with something, Twilight Sparkle. I assure you, your method of execution will be greatly preferable to my own.” Empress Celestia sipped her tea with a small grin, drinking in the fear, the hopelessness, the horror. “Hm… I suppose we could have her boiled alive. Trouble is, that’s not particularly entertaining, I find. Not much variety in the screams, it’s much the same note throughout. Besides, it’s not terribly original or inventive…”

“Don’t punish this innocent girl, Empress. Please. If you must punish anyone, punish me.”

“Oh, Twilight Sparkle, you silly, silly girl. Can’t you see that I already am?”

“Whatever you want to do to Pinkie, do it to me instead! Do it to me over and over, just don’t hurt her!” begged Twilight. “Please, Empress, please don’t hurt her!”

“Pinkamena, do come a bit closer, if you don’t mind terribly.” The Empress’ tone left very little room for interpretation; It was obvious that this was no request. This was a command, one that Pinkie slowly, shakily obeyed. She lurched forward, looking dead on her feet already, and found herself sitting between Twilight and the High Queen. The Empress wrapped her arm around Pinkie, pulling her in close until they were touching, and spoke in a voice barely higher than a whisper. “How do you feel, Pinkamena, knowing that your friend’s cowardice will cause you to suffer far longer than you need to? It's her fault that you’re going to die anyway, and now she’s going to make it so that I have to hurt you terribly throughout the whole of your execution.”

“P-p-please…” Pinkie shuddered, crying quietly in the Empress’ grasp. “M-mercy…”

“I’m afraid mercy and I have never got on quite well." The Empress gave a dark chuckle, grabbing herself a tart from her cart, taking a bite before offering it to Pinkie. "Care for a bite?"

"Anything, Empress, please." Twilight dropped to her knees, folding her hands together, begging for her friend's life. "Any pain, any suffering, any atrocity you can manifest, I will gladly endure in Pinkie's stead. I beg you, just spare this poor, innocent girl."

"Twilight, stop! I don't want you to do this!" Pinkie shook her head, tears streaking down her face. "Just… Just tell her how I should die. Please, make it quick."

"Would you look at that? A Pie with sense," chuckled Empress Celestia. "You're more intelligent than a majority of your backwards band of vagrants, it would seem. That being said, I will have to ask that you keep your mouth shut moving forward."

"P-please, just—"

Empress Celestia dropped her tart, reaching forward with impossible speed and precision; she grabbed a hold of Pinkie's tongue with just two fingers, holding it still in her mouth with an almost otherworldly powerful grip. The High Queen of Equestria tilted her head curiously, looking at Pinkie not with anger, but with fascination.

"Or perhaps not. Speak out of turn again and I will pluck your tongue from your mouth with my bare hands, then I shall cancel my day’s events and devote the rest of today to your execution. I will beat you until you cannot move, then you will watch as I do the same to your friend. And then, perhaps after a few hours, if you ask kindly, you may be allowed the luxury of death." Slowly, Empress Celestia removed her hand, letting Pinkie withdraw her tongue into her mouth. She gave Pinkie's reddened, sobbing face a few gentle, almost playful slaps. "I will give you just a moment longer, Twilight Sparkle. Choose your friend's demise, or I will do it for you."

Twilight simply froze, incapable of formulating words. She couldn't do this. There had to be a way out, a solution to this awful, terrible situation. Yet, the Empress didn't seem like the type to change her stance quite so easily. She was ruthless, unflinching, sadistic, cruel. If the Empress wanted to make Pinkie suffer, she could do so in endless ways, deliver to her pain the likes of which she couldn't before have imagined. There wasn't much Twilight could do short of requesting Pinkie be beheaded. Quick. Clean. Painless. It was Twilight's only option.

"Your Greatness, your Radiance, I beg of you," said Twilight slowly. "Please. There must be something I can do to make amends for my crimes. I will do anything, anything you want. Spare my friend. Do with me what you desire."

"I have been ruling this kingdom for quite a while, and I have heard that sentiment echoed thousands of times," chuckled Celestia. "So few people consider what that word truly means. 'Anything'. It has an oft-overlooked gravity to it. Are you really willing to do anything, Twilight Sparkle? Are you willing to crawl on your hands and knees through all three hells, trudge through all manner of torment, suffer any humiliation for your love?"

"Yes, Empress, absolutely. Anything, Empress. I will do anything." It was quiet for a moment, with Empress Celestia mulling things over while her guests were kept in stomach-turning suspense. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Empress Celestia returned to her tea, smirking as she watched the end of the deathmatch. As many expected, her manticores emerged victorious, bearing the bodies of decimated gladiators both as their dinner and their trophies.

"Would you even commit to being my handmaiden?" asked the High Queen. Twilight didn't pause, didn't hesitate for even a second. She didn’t process the Empress’ devious smirk, nor did she pay any attention to Rarity’s surprised sputter behind her. She didn't even know what a handmaiden was, or why Celestia needed one, but it was her only course of action. To save Pinkie.

"Yes! In exchange for Pinkie's life, I'll do it!" said Twilight. “Please. Just let my friend live.” It went quiet for a moment, with Twilight silently begging to the Gods above that the Empress would agree. She didn’t dare speak again, for fear of condemning Pinkie to her terrible fate, so she instead studied Empress Celestia’s face. She saw no flicker of emotion, no anger or disdain or even joy. The Empress just seemed to be observing the situation, considering things objectively for a moment before allowing herself a tiny, almost unnoticeable smirk.

“Hm. Very well, then. The Pie will live, and you will become my handmaiden. I wonder how long before you regret making such a promise.” Empress Celestia rose from her seat, turning for the door. “It’s time that I return to the castle. I will give you a bit to say goodbye.” The High Queen glanced to her assistant. “See to it that the Pie is returned safely to Golden Oak. Instruct Captain Spearhead that her name is to be removed from all future drawings. Then, you will deliver my new handmaiden to me. Bring her up to speed on her duties on your way. You have an hour to get her prepared. Am I understood clearly, Ms. Rarity?”

“Y-yes, your Divinity.” Rarity looked very taken aback, but refused to let it impact her work. “I swear to you, I will make a proper lady of this… undesirable, if it’s the last thing I do.” She bowed, kissing her fingers and pointing them to the sky. “You shall not be disappointed, Empress.”

“Why, I certainly hope not. One hour, Rarity. Not a single second more.”

With that, the High Queen took her leave, gracefully strolling out of the room and leaving Twilight and Pinkie alone with the increasingly irate Rarity. As soon as the Empress was gone, Twilight bounded forward, grabbing Pinkie and holding her close to her chest. Pinkie cried out, her terrified silence finally breaking. Twilight couldn't do much but hold her, console her, calm her down as best as she could.

"Time is of the essence," said Rarity, a noticeable curl to her lip. She reached into her coat's breast pocket, producing a glittering silver pocket watch and making a note of the time. "You have one minute. Make it swift."

"Twilight, you've gone crazy," whispered Pinkie. She pulled from Twilight, bracing her face gently with tears in her eyes. "You can't be her handmaiden!"

"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure what it entails," admitted Twilight. Rarity snarled behind them, tapping her foot impatiently, but Twilight knew she didn't have time to worry about that. "Whatever it is, it's worth it. You're safe now."

"I don't want to be safe. I want to be with you." Twilight laughed weakly, giving Pinkie a kiss on the forehead.

"And you will be. Just give me some time, I'll work something out. I've got a direct line to the Empress now. I'll find a way to get you out."

"Twilight… I want you to make me one last promise," said Pinkie, holding Twilight tight.

"Of course, Pinkie," said Twilight with nary a moment's pause. "I'll get you out, I—"

"Not that. Something else." Pinkie spoke with a heavy sense of urgency that she didn't typically possess. "Twilight, you're in danger, more danger than when we were in the arena, even. I don't know what being a handmaiden means for you, but it's a job for the Empress, and that means you can't mess up, not even a little. One wrong move, and you're dead or worse."

"Pinkie…"

"So promise me, Twilight. Promise me you'll stay safe," begged Pinkie. "Promise me that you won't give her a reason to hurt you. Promise me that you'll behave, do whatever she asks, and promise me you won't do anything stupid to try and get me out. You've already given up so much for me. I won't have you giving up your life, too."

Twilight froze for a moment. She couldn't imagine a life without Pinkie, not any life worth living. She just had to get Pinkie free, there was no question in her mind about that. But the fear in Pinkie's eyes, the desperation in her voice, it was too much for Twilight to ignore. She slowly nodded, deciding that there must be a way to get Pinkie released without endangering herself. She would just need to play things close to the chest for a while, until she could work out a solution.

"Okay," said Twilight, cracking a tiny grin. "I promise."

"Your time has regretfully expired." Rarity snapped her fingers rapidly, demanding attention. "We have places to be, and work to do. Say goodbye to your dirty little friend and let's get moving."

"Goodbye, Twilight," sniffled Pinkie. Twilight wiped the tear from Pinkie's cheek, kissing her deeply one last time.

"Not goodbye. See you soon," she said. The two shared a sad, watery, bittersweet smile, when suddenly she remembered her parcel from Spearhead. "Beneath my cot, there's a package of bread and cheese. I was going to share it with you tonight, but… Take it, try to make it last as long as you can, and—"

"Now, Sparkle." Rarity returned her watch to her pocket, then gestured for the door. "We're already falling behind."

Twilight slowly stood up, giving a shaky nod as she joined Rarity by the door, unable to tear her eyes away from her love. With an annoyed grunt, Rarity grabbed Twilight by the wrist, pulling her away. She dragged Twilight out of the room, sparing no thought to the two girls or their farewell. Waiting for them outside were a pair of crest-armoured guards, standing stoically with a halberd in grasp. Now that Twilight could see them closer, she noticed the scorching on their armor, how certain parts seemed to be melded together, leaving her to wonder how they managed to get in and out of their suits.

“Have the girl delivered back to Golden Oak,” said Rarity curtly. “Make sure she arrives there uninjured, as per the Empress’ orders.” The crested guards let out a low, rattling grunt that, if Twilight strained her ears, could perhaps be interpreted as an affirmation. “And alert the Captain that I have to see him tomorrow. We’ve got to work out the conditions of her pardon.” The way Rarity said the word “pardon” made it abundantly clear to Twilight that she was very much so against the idea. “As for you, Sparkle… We’ve got much to do. Come along, and do not fall behind. I refuse to be tardy because I was accommodating you.”

“I can keep up,” said Twilight flatly. Rarity let out an irritated sort of snort before cocking her head and setting out for the colosseum's exit.

“You had very well better.”

The inner city of Canterlot was a golden masterpiece, bustling with life, energy, and prosperity. The glittering, beautiful, imposing crown gem of the massive Equestrian Empire. Free from the burden of Equestria's poor and starving, it was the epicenter of progress and advancement in the kingdom. Twilight had always held the capital city in reverence and fear, in equal measure. She had dreamed of visiting some day, maybe make something of herself like her brother and father had. After her arrest, she had thought that the city would somehow be the key to her freedom, a place for her to go with Pinkie once they had earned their release. Back then, Canterlot was a distant dream. And now… Now, it was her home.

"Where are we going?" asked Twilight, keeping speed with Rarity as best as she could. Rarity herself barely looked back at her as they left the colosseum and entered the bustling Canterlot streets. They turned right onto the main road, doing their best to avoid being swallowed up by the steadily growing crowd in the streets. It was hard to maneuver down the cobblestone roads without attracting curious gazes, which seemed to annoy Rarity to no end.

"We must make a stop at my home," said Rarity. Again, she refused to meet Twilight's eyes. "You can't very well enter the castle looking—not to mention smelling—the way you do now. I have to make you presentable if you're to be seen at the Empress' side. Goddess only knows I'll have my work cut out for me." Rarity crinkled her nose in disgust. "You're absolutely foul."

"Hey, I just got out of prison," remarked Twilight with a scowl. "They don't exactly have fancy bathhouses in Golden Oak."

"Bleh. A dirty, greasy prison-slave… What is She thinking?” Rarity muttered to herself as if she was no longer aware of Twilight’s presence, twisting a lock of hair that had freed itself from her bun around her finger. “Surely this isn’t the best suited candidate… You deserve so much better, Millady…”

“Er… Rarity?” Almost as soon as the words left Twilight’s mouth, Rarity spun on the spot, pointing a threatening finger at Twilight’s chest.

“Listen here, you miscreant rat,” said Rarity sharply. “Just because Empress Celestia has seen fit to grant you such a prestigious position does not mean you can address me any way you please! You are not my peer.” She puffed out her chest, pointing to a glittering golden pin on her lapel; the same flaring sun that adorned the chest of those crested guards, with the notable addition of a large, feathery wing extending out to either side. “I am the Royal Chancellor! You… You are nothing. Not until I make you into something. So, when I allow you to address me at all, you will show me due respect and refer to me by my title. Consider it practice for your coming duties.”

Twilight was, understandably, very taken aback. She hadn’t meant any disrespect, nor was she fully aware of Rarity’s status. Had she known Rarity was so important, Twilight may have proceeded a bit differently. Even still, it was clear that she had meant no harm, so Rarity’s sudden, fiery retort seemed excessive. Perhaps that was just the way of people who lived in Canterlot. Twilight made note of this, deciding she would have to be more careful moving on.

“Forgive me, Chancellor. I didn’t mean anything by it,” said Twilight carefully. “But, I just wanted to ask… What exactly is a handmaiden?”

“Goddess above, where could you even be from that you don’t know…” Rarity shook her head firmly, taking a deep breath to calm herself. “The handmaiden is essentially the first lady to the Empress. You are Her humble servant, Her trusted confidant, Her page, Her errand girl, Her pet, Her decoration, Her lover. You are whatever the Empress wants you to be on any particular day. Any task given, you will complete happily. Your only concern is pleasing your Empress.”

Twilight froze for a moment upon hearing that. She had assumed that her new job would include some sort of servitude to the Empress, but this was more than she was prepared for. Twilight was ready to clean, carry things for Empress Celestia, but to be a decoration? A pet? A lover?

“There.” Rarity pointed a little ways down the road, to a small house that sat alone and separate from the others scattered along the lane. Made primarily of stone, it was a quaint little residence, with a smoking chimney and a single window acting as the only visible accessories to the home. Even being as plain as it was, Twilight was slightly awestruck. This was a much nicer home than she ever had, even before Golden Oak. “My family home. We’ve not got much time, so if you don’t mind terribly…”

Twilight nodded, picking up the pace as she followed Rarity towards the house. When they arrived, Rarity slipped a key from her pocket and unlocked the door. She pushed it open and stepped in, letting out a tired sigh as she did so. Twilight did the same, admiring the house’s interior. It was as plainly decorated as the outside, with a table in the kitchen for dining and a burning hearth keeping the place warm. There were some sort of herbs burning by the fire, filling the house with an earthy, pleasant aroma. To their right was a short flight of stairs, which Twilight could only assume led to the bedroom. Just ahead were two more doors, one opposite of the entrance and the other along the leftmost wall.

“Sweetie Belle!” called Rarity. “I’m home, and I require your assistance at once!”

“C…c-oming, S...S-...Sis!”

The door on the left opened up, and a girl slowly limped out, using a walking stick for support. Her left leg was mangled, the skin peeled and taught against her bone. She wore a simple white apron over her plain, sky blue gown, the hood up to cover her head. Her face was scarred much in the same way as her leg, from her left ear to her left eye, crawling down to her neck. She removed her hood, tilting her head at the sight of Twilight. Whatever had damaged her face and leg seemed to have claimed much of her hair, leaving just half of her head covered with soft pink hair.

"Oh, hello. I wasn't ex...ex-exp… I didn't know my s...s-sister was bringing a friend," said the girl. As Twilight looked at her for longer, she noticed the glassy, vacant gleam to the left eye. "Nice to meet you."

"She is not my friend," said Rarity flatly. "She’s a work assignment. As you can see, the girl is filthy. I need her in shape to begin working at the castle. Clean, and treated for anything she might bring in. Can you handle that?"

"S...S-sure thing! I've got just the things." She gave a bright, cheery smile, tainted by the scarring on her lip, the skin partly peeled away to show the dead flesh beneath. Twilight thought the poor girl must've been very pretty once. "When does she begin at the c...c-castle? I'd like to—"

"I have less than an hour, Sweetie Belle, and I still need to alter one of your dresses to fit her. We've got to move now, please and thank you." Sweetie nodded, beckoning for Twilight to follow her.

"Come along, I've luckily already got a bath prepared. Just need to gather some herbs and brews." Sweetie Belle struggled slightly to speak, but seemed to be getting better with time. Twilight couldn’t make much of it, so she simply followed her down the hall. Sweetie made a stop at the room she had left earlier, some sort of alchemy workshop, and grabbed a basket filled with herbs, roots, salves, and potions, before continuing down to the last door at the end.

Sweetie pushed it open, limping her way to the backyard. Just beside the house was a stable, containing a beautiful, pure white mare, with a streak of silver shooting through her mane. Ahead of them was a small well, besides which was a wooden tub, holding up a small privacy tent. The tub was filled with water, the bath drawn quite recently judging by the noticeable warmth of the water.

“We’ve not been properly introduced,” said Sweetie, hardly stumbling at all as she spoke. She set down her basket and extended her hand. “I’m Sweetie Belle, pleased to meet you.”

“Twilight Sparkle. Pleasure’s mine.” Twilight shook Sweetie’s hand carefully, unable to shake her curiosity. What could have possibly happened to her to leave her like this? “Your sister said you would get me prepared for the castle? What exactly does that mean?”

“Rarity has always been a s...s-stick… Rarity has always worried about the details.” Sweetie crouched down as best as she could with her injured leg and began rummaging through her basket. “You could use a quick wash, no disrespect intended, but aside from that… In any c...c-case, I’ve got some herbs to add to the bath. It’ll have you s-smelling quite nice, and get rid of anything you may have picked up."

"Okay, then. What exactly—"

"It's best I wait to tell you what I'm using until after you're in the bath," stuttered Sweetie, grinning slightly. "So, now that we're no longer strangers… I need you to strip down naked for me. If you don't mind." Twilight nodded, then quickly went about removing her dirty, dusty tunic and trousers, leaving Sweetie to gawk at her body. "Gods above, you're skin and bones! You need a meal in you as soon as possible, I don't know how you managed this long like that."

"Didn't have much choice," said Twilight. Sweetie nodded in understanding, then gestured for the tub, which Twilight slowly eased herself into. "Oh, that's nice…"

"S…s-sorry if it's a bit cold. It was s-sup… I was going to brew a big batch of a salve I've been working on, but I got distracted." Sweetie approached the tub with her basket, grabbing a fistful of herbs and tossing them into the water with Twilight. "There should be a brush on the other s...s-side of the tub."

"Ah, I see it." Twilight grabbed the wooden handle of the scrubbing brush. Sweetie took a vial of some glittering, cream-colored liquid and dumped it into the tub; as soon as the liquid met the bath water, a thick, foamy lather formed. Upon Sweetie's instructions, Twilight soaked the brush and used it to scrub the dirt from her skin. "So… Do you work at the castle, too?"

"S-sorta. I used to be the Royal Apothecary and Alchemist. Or, rather, I was due to be," explained Sweetie. "The hope was, once I turned of age, I'd take that position until Rarity retired. Then I would become Royal Chancellor, and then s…s-start looking for my s…s-s-succes… For the next one."

"What happened?"

"M-maybe it's not too noticeable, but I had a bit of an accident." Sweetie chuckled as she produced a bottle from her basket, which she handed to Twilight. "Here, for your hair. I was working on a s-special potion for the Empress, and it had a reaction. My cauldron burst, doused me in the stuff. Thank Gods above that Rarity was around, it could have been a lot worse than it was."

"That sounds terrible" said Twilight. She poured the sticky lavender liquid into her hand and rubbed it into her hair, imparting a subtle and delightful floral scent. "I'm so sorry to hear that."

"Don't be. That was years ago, and it was my own fault. Just careless mixing. Besides, I'm still alive and able to do what I love. I just wish I could do more to help at the castle." With one last sprinkling of some powder from a pouch in her waist, it seemed as if Sweetie was done adding to the bath. "Enough about me. What about you? You're starting at the castle today, right?" Twilight nodded. "What's your position?"

"I start as a handmaiden today, if you'll believe that," said Twilight. Sweetie's one good eye went wide with shock. "I take it that's odd?"

"Unheard of. Empress C…c-cel… The Empress hasn't had a handmaiden for as long as anyone can remember. No wonder Rarity is in such a hurry." Sweetie let out a small laugh. "Glad I decided to use my best ingredients."

"Yeah, what's in this, by the way?"

"Oh, you know, s-sta… Normal potion ingredients. Rosemary, toothless wolfsbane, pulverized sparrow tongue, a bit of faerie dung," listed Sweetie.

"Faerie dung?!"

"Oh, that reminds me, be sure to get a healthy sip of that bath water, to kill any illness you may carry."

The door to the house opened, bringing with it the Royal Chancellor. Draped over her arm was a plain dress, all white save for the gold trim. She carried with her a hairbrush, a towel, some ribbon, and, curiously, a fistful of hay. She handed all but the hay to her sister before crossing the yard to the stable, gently stroking the horse's mane. The horse whinnied at Rarity's touch, bringing a small smile to the normally uptight and unwavering woman.

"There, there, mommy's home, Opalescence," she said, petting the mare's neck. "I shudder to imagine how you get on without me."

"I'm perfectly capable of caring for your horse, Rarity," said Sweetie with a pout.

"Yes, I'm sure, but there's no replacing her owner’s touch." Rarity offered the hay to Opalescence, which she refused. With a slight smirk, Rarity gripped her fist around the hay, muttering under her breath. She exhaled, then opened her fist to reveal a single cube of sugar, which was much better received by the steed.

"I've told you, no more s-sugar for Opal," warned Sweetie. "It's bad for her!"

"My precious girl deserves a treat from time to time." Rarity met eyes with Twilight, who had been staring almost since Rarity entered. "What is it?"

"You're… You're a mage?" asked Twilight. "Like me?"

"I am indeed a mage, but I am not like you. Not by a long shot. Is she done, Sweetie?"

"In a bit. Just a quick rinse, and I unfortunately wasn't joking about drinking the bath water." Sweetie grimaced slightly. "Just one good s-sip should do, then you can go."

Twilight frowned, but slowly slumped into the water nevertheless. She parted her lips and took a big mouthful of the bizarre brew. It was by no means a pleasant taste, a bitter, salty, almost sour flavor, but Twilight had experienced worse. She'd rather this bathwater than a mouthful of Spearhead, any day.

Once Sweetie had confirmed that she had swallowed enough of the brew, she allowed Twilight to rinse herself with a bucket of clean water from the well as provided by Rarity. After she had thoroughly rinsed the strange soap from her hair, Twilight dried herself with the towel Rarity gave her. Twilight felt a bit self-conscious dressing in front of others, but she didn't imagine that requesting some privacy wasn't an option. She quickly pulled the borrowed dress onto her body, amazed at how soft and comfortable the simple silk felt against her body.

"That dress s…s-suits you," said Sweetie, taking the brush and doing all she could to undo the knots in Twilight's hair. "You look like a p-proper royal!"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," said Rarity flatly. She withdrew her pocket watch, grimacing at the time. "We need to hurry. Tie your hair up and be ready to depart."

"Are you c…c-certain she can't stay for t-tea?"

"Indeed. Empress Celestia is expecting us at the castle in under half an hour, and I still need to brief the girl on basic etiquette." Rarity pulled open the stable door, grabbing Opal's reins and leading her out. "Hair up. Now."

"Alright, fine. But I'll have her over for tea one way or another," said Sweetie, her smile matched by Twilight's own. She turned the new handmaiden around, using the length of golden ribbon to tie Twilight's hair up in a tight, neat bun, not unlike her sister’s. "There, perfect. Good luck, Twilight Sparkle, and congratulations on your new position! When you've got some free time, I expect you back here for a visit!"

"The odds of her having much free time are slim to none, Sweetie Belle," sighed Rarity. She climbed onto Opal's back, stroking her mane as she did. "I'm afraid we must now take our leave. I'll have castle staff deliver you some things tomorrow."

"I can manage at the market, Rarity! Honest, my leg is getting stronger. I think the new salves are working."

"Even still… I can't be here every day. The least I can do is help you get groceries." Rarity checked her watch again, swearing under her breath. "We've dawdled too much. Sparkle, on the horse, now. Buh-bye, Sweetie. Expect your delivery tomorrow."

"I've never ridden a horse before," said Twilight uneasily, clambering awkwardly onto Opal's back. "Is this—"

"Hyah!"

Rarity snapped at the reins, and, with a mighty neigh, Opalescence bounded forward. She galloped full speed, nearly knocking Twilight off of her back. With few other options, Twilight wrapped her arms around Rarity, much to the Chancellor's chagrin. Even still, with time as sparse as it was, there wasn't much time to worry about such frivolous things.

Twilight gulped nervously as they rode, each clop of horseshoe against the road bringing her closer and closer to her new life.