Author's Note

For clarity's sake, and because I have no idea how to explain this in the story proper without breaking any possible flow, there are two details one should know first.

One, "Princess" (and 'Prince') is not an official title, but rather a family name. While Equestria and their city-states have been ruled by members of this Princess family for as long as anyone can remember, simply having 'Princess' in your name does not imply any authority whatsoever.

Two, this story takes place before Twilight's ascension, ~~conveniently sidestepping the 'princess Twilight issue'~~ so a lot of things are not yet established at this point.

Why won't you seek out aid?

Twilight Sparkle was troubled.

With her growing appreciation for friendship after her time spent in Ponyville, she has grown much more social than the bookish filly tucked away in that tower long past ever was. She does not try to break of sudden conversations as quickly as she used to, and even seeks out new chances to speak to ponies she never really noticed in the past before, all to further her study of this strange new magic called 'friendship'.

One such group of ponies were the various maids and groundskeepers that roam the massive Canterlot Castle. She had always treated them with respect, of course, grateful for always being there to help her every need, but that is where their relation ended. Actually stopping and talking to them now, she discovered she greatly enjoys listening to all the many little stories that happen all day round in these ancient halls. She has probably learned more about the royal sisters in a week than she herself did in the last few years.

For example, she had no idea Celestia likes to gorge herself on sweets when no-one's looking, much to the chagrin of the royal medical staff, though it'd certainly explain her... rather round figure, let's say. Nor would she have considered Luna finding a partner no less a week after her return, if the guards outside her private chambers are to be believed.

Now, Twilight is no stranger to neither love or passion, as short-lived as it was, so of course she knows that even the royal sisters might have need of a mate, if only to let of steam. But even she could not help but blush when she managed one of those guards to privately confide, albeit under some pressure and not without a mutual blush, to the kinds of sounds he heard seeping between those doors during the day when she was supposedly sleeping, and they aren't the kind you make on your own.

Curiously enough, no one seems to have actually seen this supposed 'partner' enter or exit her quarters, so there's a few bets running around who this actually even is, or how he/she even got in. Twilight got rather intrigued by this particular part, as to her knowledge all rooms used by Princess members are reinforced with special anti-magic seals, as to prevent any unexpected teleportation attacks when they are at their most vulnerable, so she could rule this 'partner' teleporting in out.

Still, if Luna does not wish to publicly announce or even acknowledge her new mate, Twilight will pry no farther. She and Celestia probably know best how hard it was for Luna to become accepted again after her return, to shed her reputation of the frightening Nightmare Moon, so her finding someone who accepts her beyond all that? Twilight can only be happy for them.

However, the most interesting things Twilight's new friends in the castle had to tell her, which were also the things that were currently troubling her, did not even involve the Princess family at all. Rather, they involved not a particular Princess, but a Prince instead, and one very specific one at that.

Prince Blueblood.

Twilight did not know Prince Blueblood particulary well, or well enough anyway, so she did not know what to think about these interesting things she had heard about. Wait, what did she know about him anyway? Perhaps it's best to group and order her knowledge on the subject first, as she had done so many times before when faced an initially difficult-looking problem.

Firstly, the Prince family, a renowned family line of charismatic diplomats and bureaucrats. Initially an off-shoot of the Princess family, they too have played an important role in Equestria's history. Be it working alongside the royal sisters with endless paper work, overseeing every and all bureaucratic systems throughout Equestria and its city-states to prevent corruption, and even venturing to close and far lands to keep international relations stable, they too have earned a permanent resting place within these halls as reward for their diligent work even after all these generations, which is a rare thing indeed. Blueblood himself personally prevented a most likely bloody war with the Yaks, one which Twilight's own brother set out to snuff out, but which he almost helped jump-start in the first place.

Secondly, he's a flat-out genius. He, just like Twilight, became one of the only hundred-fifty-three students Princess Celestia has ever personally tutored, which should speak volumes over the talent Celestia saw in him. Though he was accused numerous times of using his family name to receive such a preferential treatment, actually seeing him overcome extremely difficult problems at such a young age with his near unmatched ingenuity was enough to shut anyone up. Of course, he was not as talented as Twilight was, but that should be no surprise given she is also the bearer of the element of magic now, and she does not like bragging anyway.

Usually.

Thirdly, he is probably the most sought after bachelor in all of Canterlor, maybe even Equestria itself. Good-looking, polite, a Prince and extremely charismatic, him being a close friend and confidant of the royal sisters themselves is just icing on the cake. Though no one can recall him ever officially accepting anyone, this did not stop numerous mares and colts alike to win his attention and affection. Even Rarity herself tried her chance, poor Spike, but Blueblood also being a true believer in gender equality and rejecting any notion of obligated chivalry towards mares just because they are mares quickly shot that ship down for her.

Fourth, and this is what she recently learned from the maids and groundskeepers, Blueblood seems to have changed ever since Luna came back. Where he was carefree and lively before, he now seemed to be anxious and closed off, often looking over his shoulders. Previously, he took the time and attention to walk about the castle and strike up conversation with the various personnel around the castle, much to their delight, just like Twilight had been recently started doing. Now, he spends most of his time in the Canterlot Archives and the Canterlot Library of Magic, researching who knows what behind closed doors, hardly ever spending time with the personnel anymore.

Though his personal performance has not suffered from it, nor does the public seem to have taken any notice of it yet, among the people working in Canterlot Castle it is no secret that something is off, though everyone only comes up blank on what that something actually could be. While many initially thought he was still scared of Luna's Nightmare Moon past considering this only started after she came back, he has been frequently seen having friendly conversation with her since, blowing off their only lead.

Problem, point four does not match the previous three.

This is part of what troubles Twilight Sparkle.

She wants to help Blueblood, of course, both as a fellow pony and student. All the more so if this problem of his involves magic and books, considering where has spent most of his time recently, but... it does not seem like he wants to be helped in the first place. Why, she even offered to aid him with whatever he needs, and he just...

While on her way to the throne room, Twilight was engrossed in thought about one of many new prototype spells she wants to show Celestia, and probably turned the corner too fast without looking ahead. She was apparently not the only one not paying attention, if the subsequent collision and growing lump on her head was anything to go by. A bit dazed by her sudden stop, she only saw an outstretched hoof and took it, not yet realising who it belonged too. "My sincere apologies, miss Sparkle. It would seem I was distracted enough to not watch my step."

Twilight's eyes widened and shot up, seeing a very embarrassed Blueblood helping her up. She had planned to take the time to meet him sooner or later, sure, but she could have done without the pain in doing so. After she had straightened herself, she felt the sore spot up, cast a cooling spell to east the pain for the time being, and looked at Blueblood again.

"Ah, no, the fault is all mine, sir Prince. I was hurried to meet Princess Celestia, and did not look out myself." She replied, a blush on her face.

"Ah, let me not stand in your way then, as I too have somewhere to be." And just like that, he turned to leave already. Even though Twilight had heard the rumours, she was surprised at how fast he wanted to leave, almost forgetting that she actually wanted to talk to him first. Almost, though.

"Wait, Blueblood! Eh, I mean, sir Prince, there is something I wanted to ask you about." I called out to him, and luckily he turned back around. For but a moment Twilight could see irritation in his eyes, but he quickly replaced that by a curious gaze as years of diplomatic experience likely automatically kicked in. But that one moment was all Twilight needed to reinforce her convictions, that something was going on here.

"You can call me Blueblood, if you wish, I do not mind. May I call you miss Twilight in return?" He said, a casual smile on his face.

Twilight was somewhat taken aback by this reply, not expecting how gently his words flowed after the irritated look from earlier, but pressed on all the same.

"You may, sir Pri- Blueblood. I promise, this shouldn't take too long, as both you and I seem to be headed somewhere already." she answered, and he nodded. Good, one hoof in the door, progress is progress. She'll have to improvise now, but she can handle it, hopefully. The last thing she wants is for him to get suspicious and shut her off completely.

"You see, I have heard that you were busy researching for a magic project in both the archives and library, and I was wondering if I could be of any help, as a fellow student of Princess Celestia?" I tried, wanting to confirm his whereabouts without mentioning his recent anxiety.

His eyes widened at that, surprise clear in his eyes. He didn't seem to know how to respond, only mumbling something she couldn't hear. Direct hit, huh? Not good, she doesn't want to scare him off already.

"I mean, if you don't mind I help out, of course? I certainly wouldn't want to impose... If I may though, might I inquire what it is exactly that you're researching?" She finished, a hopeful smile on her face, trying to put him at ease.

Again, Blueblood did not respond. This time though, he wasn't stammering or fumbling about, but rather seemed to be thinking about something. Twilight recognised that look, it was one she herself made many times before when she needed to make a difficult decision. After what felt like an eternity but might have lasted for a few seconds, Twilight suddenly heard Blueblood breath a deep sigh and saw him look up at her. He did not gaze at her with fear, tension or anxiety, as she might have expected. No, much to her surprise, his face showed exhaustion, a small but sad smile all the same adorning his snout, and slowly shook his head.

"I appreciate your offer, Twilight, I really do, but..." He looked away again, closed his eyes for but a moment before locking eyes again. "This is something I have to do alone. I can't tell you anything else, I'm sorry."

Twilight could only nod at that, stunned, and Blueblood started to turn away again. "Besides, didn't you need to see auntie right about now?" He added in a cheeky tone, disguising the tone she heard before with his usual charismatic talk. At that, Twilight remembered why she actually came here in the first place, and started to scramble for the throne room again, deciding to put the troubling thoughts on Blueblood on the backburner for now. She couldn't let her teacher wait any more now.

After that meeting, even though it's been a little over two months, Twilight Sparkle has not spoken to Blueblood a single time, and this troubles her. No, to be truthful, it frustrates her. She brought up the issue with her mentor and Luna, but both simply waved her off, arguing that Blueblood can take care of himself, and if he does not need or seek help, one should simply leave him to his own devices.

And Twilight wishes she could agree, she so desperately wants to put this off her mind. But she can't forget that one moment when he looked at her, exhausted, for a simple reply, and she knew at that moment that he did need help. Prince Blueblood has a problem, something he has put extensive research in, but seems unable to clear it up by himself, of this Twilight is absolutely sure. And what kind of element of harmony would she be if she abandoned one of the most vital ponies in Equestria's clockwork, even if that very pony does not think anyone can help them?

Twilight Sparkle made a decision.

She will help Prince Blueblood, and if he doesn't want anyone to know about whatever his issue is, then Twilight just has to make sure he does not know about her help either. She can't let anyone of her friends know about this, a solo operation to aid a solitary pony in need.

It's time to investigate.