Survival Through Resignation

“Gala Compote, come down here this minute!”

Apple Bloom’s voice detailed her unhappiness with her daughter. While Gala had done nothing particularly wrong, it was normal for teens to rebel against their parents. Apple Bloom hadn’t, but she had a good reason not to. Hers weren’t around, nor were the ponies that raised her.

“I’m comin’, I’m comin’,” grunted the girl, fluttering down from the tree branch where she’d been sitting. “What is it this time, mother?” she asked, folding her arms.

“Ah told you ta put on somethin’ nice and stay outta trouble. Ah know you think the overalls are comfy, but we have guests comin’, and ya need ta look presentable! Go change into a dress or somethin’!”

“Presentable?” scoffed Gala. “Mom, we own this place! Daddy purchased the land himself and gives every single command over everypony here. Who are we tryin’ to impress?”

Apple Bloom folded her arms. “Your father’s owner. Now, are ya gonna go change, or do Ah have ta whup ya in front of him?”

“What difference does it make?” shrugged Gala, strolling off to her longhouse. “Either he’s gonna oggle my chest in the dress, or oggle my arse while you spank it. I bet he’ll be the one spankin’ it on the way home.”

“You watch your tone, missy, or you’ll be the one doin’ it for ‘im. He ain’t gonna tolerate no lip from you like your father and Ah do!”

Gala didn’t answer back but for two middle fingers pointed back at her mother.

“Don’t feel too bad,” smiled Sweetie Belle, appearing from behind a corner. “Scooter was off harassing the sowers again, and they tore his shirt right in half. It’s how it goes with teenagers.”

“Sweet Celestia, Ah hope the others aren’t this bad,” she sighed, shaking her head. “Ah don’t want ta go through this six more times.”

“Seven,” reminded Sweetie, placing her hand on Apple Bloom’s swollen belly. “And you can count yourself lucky it stops there right now. I have ten more to go, plus the others.”

“Ah thought you were only up ta nine?”

Sweetie shook her head. “Zachar and Regis might not be Rumble’s kids, and therefore not in line for anything good, but I still have to raise them. What kind of shitty mother do you think I am?”

“Ah never said you was,” defended Apple Bloom. “You’re a better mother than I am, Sweetie. Not just raisin’ ‘em, but also makin’ ‘em.”

Sweetie blushed. “Thanks, Apple Bloom.”

The pair looked out over the fields. True to his word, Rumble had vastly improved the land management and the quality of the slaves’ accomodations. Life in Appleford was almost pleasant. Of course, Apple Bloom did miss her old life. She’d never forgotten Genevieve, but by the time she’d managed to pull enough trust with Rumble, her first love had been sold. All she could do now was hope that she was being treated well by a kind and caring master, who had good-tasting semen.

“So where’s Silver?”

Apple Bloom looked at Sweetie Belle. “You didn’t hear?”

“No, I’ve only just heard that we’re supposed to be seeing the duke today. I’m totally out of the loop on this.”

“She went into labour again this mornin’. She’s deliverin’ Rumble’s next in line today.”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “She was due last week. Finally coming around to it, huh?”

“Like Granny Smith used ta say, “Ya don’t take the bun outta the oven ‘til it’s all the way done, even if it takes a few more minutes.””

“Or days,” smirked Sweetie Belle. The two shared a chuckle as they returned to Rumble’s private abode. Of course, they lived there, too, sleeping in his bed with him every night, or at least most nights. Sweetie Belle was especially notorious for keeping the guards company as a way of keeping the peace. She was required to be in attendance every Saturday, the night before Apple Bloom, but Apple Bloom was much happier staying by Rumble’s side every night than being moved around. It was easier for her to just have one place to sleep.

Rumble’s place had grown significantly, as had the rooms therein. What had started out as one bed, one bath, a red room and a kitchenette had grown into a two-story, six bedroom, three bath miniature manor. He had not grown or moved the red room, but everything else had been changed to better suit his needs at the time. Bigger and more beds in bigger and more bedrooms. Some were for his harem members on off nights so they could sleep better, sometimes his children would be allowed to join them, and one was exclusively for guests such as the duke himself, if he should come to have a look at the progress, as was the case today. Should he not be returning to his castle, he would be offered a bedroom and a selection of mares to warm him.

Apple Bloom was against the idea of having her children in such rooms. She had met all of the other harem members, and some of them were raising their offspring as if they were better than the slaves. Apple Bloom did not want her children making the same claim. They were slaves under Rumble’s command, even though they were his children. They did have certain extra rights as part of their parentage, but it was Apple Bloom’s choice as to how to raise her children, and she wanted her offspring to know what the other slaves were going through. This would make them more understanding and hard-working, though it did bring her a fair amount of distrust from them. One day, they may see that she was after their best interests, but for now…

“What do you think the duke wants to see us in?” asked Sweetie. “Usually, Rumble gives us a dress code.”

“Yeah, well, he’s a little busy right now. It’s not like we can go ask him. Not with Silver likely screaming her head off again.”

“Oh, like you have any room to talk,” chuckled Sweetie. “”You did this to me! Again!!” And I bet you’ll be saying that exact same thing next time, too. And he’ll be nodding and holding your hand like he always does.”

Apple Bloom nodded. “So, clothes?”

Sweetie folded her arms. “You spend more time with the duke than any of us. Not to mention Rumble. If we can’t ask them, you’re the next most likely to know. What does the duke like?”

Apple Bloom shrugged. “He likes to please his guests. Whoever he’s bringing with him will determine what I say.”

“I think he’s coming alone, this time.”

“Birthday suits it is.” Apple Bloom slid down her elastic pants and tossed them onto her wardrobe. She was allowed multiple outfits that complimented her pregnant belly but allowed her to still work. It was a kindness given to her by Rumble to keep her from growing bored sitting in the house all day. That kind of mental strain wasn’t good for the baby.

Once they were stripped down, along with several other harem members that had shown up for the same purpose, they gathered out front of the house. Several dozen children had gathered, as well, all Rumble’s offspring. Even Gala Compote was there, wearing her dress and arm wrestling with Scooter.

“Okay, everypony,” announced Apple Bloom. “That’s his carriage, there. Ah’m gonna greet ‘im at the end a’ the drive and escort him inta the house. Take your positions in line. Mothers, keep your children under control.”

Peachy Keen gave a thumbs-up. She was a new mother, and her first son was in her arms, suckling at her teat.

“Good, now, Rumble should be here soon, and we need to keep the duke happy until he comes. On your knees, chests out, heads down.”

Every slave fell into formation and had taken up their presentation stance before the carriage pulled up. Apple Bloom was, by design, the first in line to greet him, as her hospitality was some of the best Appleford had to offer. It was she that opened the door and offered her hand to help the duke to the ground.

Over time, the duke had trimmed down. He was still portly, and obviously well-fed, but no longer would be described as being fat.

Apple Bloom put on her thickest posh accent. “My duke, it is an honour and a privilege to see you again.” She lowered to her knees and kissed his cock ring. “You look magnificent. My master, Rumble, is attending to an emergency situation at the moment, and has asked us to offer you comfort until he arrives. Would you care to inspect his stock?”

The duke gently stroked Apple Bloom’s mane. “A fine idea, I should think. I’ll have a look, and then a drink.”

Apple Bloom snapped her fingers, and Sweetie Belle turned and rushed off into the house to prepare something for the duke. He often asked for whatever was best, which was usually a sweet apple cider that Apple Bloom was in charge of brewing regularly. Rumble always kept a keg for events such as this, and Apple Bloom was always prepared to make more if need be.

Slowly, the duke progressed along the line of slaves, stopping occasionally to inspect one. He even gave Peachy’s free breast a good squeeze and looked to be pleased by what he’d felt. The whole time, Apple Bloom walked close behind, her hands behind her back and her head tilted down. Not all the way down, just enough to show her submission, but high enough that she could anticipate any needs he might have.

“You think you’re scary?” muttered Gala under her breath as the duke passed. “You can go fuck yourself.”

She had intended to make it quiet enough to upset Apple Bloom and force her to embarrass herself, but unfortunately, the duke turned around and looked at her. “What was it that you just said?” he demanded. “I was going to reward you, but now, punishments instead.”

Apple Bloom stepped between her daughter and the duke. “I didn’t mean for you to hear that,” she smiled nervously. “But since you asked, what I said was, “If I weren’t married, I’d fuck you myself!” I am for your pleasure, my duke!”

The duke took a deep breath. Gala knew he was looking right over her mother’s head at her. He knew what she’d said, and he knew who said it, meaning that his smirk in the next instant spelled an extra hour on the rack for her.

“Very well,” he smiled, placing his hand on Apple Bloom’s shoulder. “Your offer is quite generous. Though your manner of asking is very venerous. Your matrimony would not stop you, furthermore; long have you been listed as my paramour. Come, let us adjourn to a room with a bed, where such declarations are free to be said.”

As they walked toward the house, the duke’s fingers inside of Apple Bloom’s butt, she turned back and glared at her daughter for causing a scene that she now had to clean up. They passed Sweetie Belle at the door, and she was quickly invited to join them in the duke’s room.

“Ah, to be here in a nice warm room,” smiled the duke, stripping his clothing and tossing it aside. He sat down and spread his legs, revealing his cock. Apple Bloom had sucked it so many times that she could pick him out of a lineup while blindfolded. Sweetie Belle, not so much. She’d choked down so many that she couldn’t differentiate whose belonged to whom. “And two young mares, each with a full womb.”

“You flatter us, sir,” waved Apple Bloom. “We’re in our mid-thirties. I don’t know if we qualify as being young.”

“And I’m almost seventy,” replied the duke. “How would you describe me? An old tub of lard whose hairline does flee? I was old before Zaka came down on your lands, and now I am here, commanding your hands.”

“Yes, my duke,” answered Sweetie Belle, holding out the tray with his drink. “And we are very grateful for that. We would all be worse off without you. Thank you very much for being such a kind and benevolent owner. Would you like for us to do anything special for you?”

He chuckled and leaned back on his elbows. “I do not have anything in mind. You call me benevolent; respond in kind.”

Apple Bloom kneeled down first, licking gently at the skin between his scrotum and thigh. He tasted of standing sweat, as if he had gone for a run and then sat in a carriage for an hour since his last shower.

Sweetie Belle started on the other side as soon as the duke took his drink. Rather than simply licking the skin, though, she focused on his testicles, sucking them into her mouth and cleaning them with her tongue.

They had only been at it for a few minutes when Rumble walked in, wiping his arms down with a towel. He’d removed his shirt and apron, presumably due to surgical fluids associated with childbirth, and he had missed a few spots on his face. Still, he wore a big smile as he greeted the duke. “Master! It is good to see you again! I’d have greeted you personally, but my third wife was giving birth. I hope you have found that everything is to your liking. Have my mares been keeping you in good company?”

“These two have been in rather fine form,” smiled the duke, holding out his hand for a shake. “Keeping me company while your child was born.”

“Thank you, sir. It is wonderful to know that my wives all showed you such respect. It is my pleasure to see you in such good spirits, Master.”

“I did not say all,” corrected the duke, taking a sip and then setting down his drink. “It was mostly these two. One told me to fuck myself; that will not do.”

Rumble’s smile turned to a scowl. “I will not tolerate such behaviour towards you from my own selection. Who was it that needs an attitude adjustment?”

“The daughter of you and Apple Bloom; Ms. Gala Compote. Had her mother not stepped in, she’d be here at my scrote.”

Rumble sank to his knees. “I’m sorry, sir. We raised her better than that.”

Apple Bloom licked more vigorously, as if trying to convince the duke to spare her daughter.

To their surprise, the duke laughed. “I am well aware of how she once acted. Her past good nature has not been redacted. Instead, I offer her a chance for redemption. In light of this change, she’ll be gifted exemption.”

Rumble looked up. “Sir?”

“She spoke of me with no docility. This will teach her responsibility. If she thinks me cruel and unjust, then seeing how the world works is a must.”

Rumble nodded. “Master, may I speak freely?”

A nod came in response.

“I knew that this day may eventually come. It was always a possibility, since the day you discussed me taking a harem to supply you with what would essentially be grandchildren. I know that the whole point was to divide up the work to as many hands as possible to make the work light, which would in turn allow for more work, but to actually hear that you are taking my daughter somewhere else, even if only because she needs to lead a workforce of her own, it feels like a punishment against me.”

The duke nodded gently. “You have performed your job well, as Appleford thrives. Through your actions, you’ve spared many lives. The work you do is good, and your ideas make good profit. Besides, she’s not leaving yet, so come off it. Train her up in a way that she can do well, and you’ll see her again soon and your hearts will swell.”

Rumble bowed low. “Your generosity is uncalled for, Master. I cannot possibly thank you enough.”

“You can thank me later, when it’s time for her to depart,” smiled the duke. “You have a month to teach her leadership’s art.”

Unbidden, Apple Bloom took the entirety of the duke’s cock into her throat, swallowing it down. She and Sweetie Belle’s tongues danced together under his balls as she sucked his flesh as far into her mouth as it could go. Not only was her daughter not in trouble, but she was being given a more advanced position among the duke’s slaves. It was every mother’s dream to know that her offspring were being treated well, and this was everything she’d ever hoped for. She was so happy, she could take his fist up her arse and still be glad. She could not imagine a happier outcome.