Taking the Queen

Luna had asked Chrysalis to stay next to her through the day. That at first meant sleeping together in Luna's bed, but while Luna needed a full sleep, Chrysalis was up after a few hours of napping. She didn't want to wake the princess, so she just waited, and thought to herself. There was a lot to think about, including, but not limited to, what her next task would be.

It was possible, but not likely, that she would have to offer her services for free to everypony in Canterlot, as well as everypony who was visiting during the wedding. The same could apply for those effected by her invasion of Ponyville. She would be at it for months if that was the case.

Then again, it was possible that she'd already done a lot of them already. The royal guards that worked at the castle probably lived in Canterlot, so she might already be a third of the way done. And it was likely that a lot of ponies would turn her down, such as those happily married or those that were underage, or even frightened of her.

It was also possible that this was too much of a task, and Starlight knew this. They probably wanted to make her tasks capable of her completing them in a timely manner. She seemed to be on the home stretch now, and all she needed was that last little bit. Perhaps just the nobility and the ponies who took very good care of themselves.

After a few hours of thinking it over, Luna shifted, pushing against her as she woke up. "Sorry. I thought you'd have walked out by now. Sleep well?"

"Well enough," nodded Chrysalis. "It's been my waking thoughts that have me worried."

Luna pulled Chrysalis close and hugged her. "We all worry about the future. You are well within your rights to be upset, but I'm going to tell you not to worry about it too much. Not that doing so will calm you or help you settle your mind, but Starlight and your coltfriend seem to be working hard to make you into something that can be set loose. Once you reach that point, why would we bother holding you here?"

Chrysalis shuddered. "That doesn't make me feel much better."

"Perhaps not. But you do have ponies trying to help you. It's something to remember. Treat them well."

Chrysalis nodded. It was strange, taking advice from Luna. She never imagined that she'd be doing so. After a short session of cuddling, Luna brought her into her private showers and gave her a simple scrub down. Chrysalis tried to proposition her, but Luna declined, saying she just wanted to clean up, as she would be going to perform her royal duties soon. As much as she wanted to pleasure herself, she held such a high degree of loyalty to her subjects that she would deny herself such joy as being eaten out. It was actually inspiring for Chrysalis, and she took Luna's words to heart.

Once she was dressed, and Luna was prepared for her night, the two left the room, discussing nothing in particular. As they rounded a corner, they ran into Starlight. "I was just coming to collect you," she huffed. "You need to change so we can move on to your next task."

Chrysalis looked back to Luna. "Go," smiled the princess. "We will have more time in the future. We are not finished. We will meet again."

With a nod, Chrysalis followed Starlight back to her cell. She was already cleaned up, and in a nice dress, but what was in store for her now?

"So, I take it things went well with Luna?" asked Starlight. "She seems to have enjoyed your company."

"I think she did," agreed Chrysalis. "You'll have to ask her yourself if you want her side, but I guess you were going to do that anyway. From my end, it was good. Very insightful, too. I learned so much about her."

"That's good." Starlight opened the wardrobe and pulled out a bright yellow dress. "I think it is, anyway. Put this on."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Well, not to give you any ideas, but anything she tells you in confidence is between you. If you break her trust, you go right back to being tied to the wall, on a shorter cable than before. And that'll take even longer to break free from."

Chrysalis swallowed hard. "I'll, uh... I'll try to keep that in mind."

"Good girl." Starlight reached up and patted Chrysalis' cheek. "Now, it's good that you're clean and well-rested, because we don't have time for either of those right now. Come along."

The two of them made their way back upstairs, up a different tower than the one Luna had been in. When they stopped in front of the next door, it was painted white with little golden filigree inlays depicting the sun. This was very clearly Celestia's door. The disparity between it and the simple wooden door with a moon carving that marked the passage to Luna's room was staggering.

"Why is this door so much better?" asked Chrysalis. "Why not have a door this nice for Luna?"

"I don't know," answered Starlight, knocking on the door. "You should ask her while you're in there."

The door opened, and Chrysalis found herself face-to face with Celestia, one of very few ponies that could look her in the eye without her lowering her head. After a few seconds of staring, Celestia turned to Starlight. "This has to happen tonight?"

"If you're busy, we can reschedule," offered Starlight. "We just want to move along. We're ready to go."

As Celestia's eyes rose back to meet Chrysalis' the changeling could feel them piercing her. She offered a nervous smile as Celestia sighed. "Come in, won't you?"

Chrysalis gingerly tiptoed in. Snowy marble slabs decorated the walls, carved and gilded in gold. The decorations were far sparser, and a roaring fireplace at the far wall illuminated everything with a shimmering light. Again, a crystal chandelier hung above, but rather than resembling icicles shining in blue, these were very clearly pentagonal prisms of sparkling white. Even the desk was white with gold filigree.

"So, why is your bedroom such a far cry from Luna's?"

Celestia looked around. "I've always been more popular with the masses than Luna. That is not a dig into her, merely an observation. Much of this has indeed made me the face of all of Equestria. As a result, when the citizens shower the royalty with gifts, they are almost always directed at me. Certainly, Luna has her followers, but they are nowhere near as commonplace as my own fanatics.

"Now, it has come to be that, when presented with a gift, I ask the presenter what they have created for Luna. It is uncommon that they have considered the prospect that she needs care, as well. It might seem insulting for them to have no gift, but it is even more insulting when they pull something out of their arses, or worse, say that the clearly sun-themed item is for us to share.

"Additionally, Luna prefers being much more active with her adorers. My door, for example, was brought to me by a professional company looking to advance themselves. Luna's door was a gift from a young stallion that she helped put through carpentry classes. Far lesser in quality, but very personal. She cried when it was hung."

Chrysalis believed every word. It would certainly explain some of what she'd felt from Luna.