Prince Sugar Hoof of Equestria

Birch felt joy in his wooden heart as he looked at his charge, his master, in the hot tub that was developed in his suite. In Birch's opinion, Sugar Hoof worked too much, and deserved to not only take a small break, but a permanent one. As is right, he knelt quietly at the side of the hot tub.

"Master, It is good to see you taking it easy." He spoke softly, hoping to not hinder his master's relaxation.

Sugar Hoof sighed with contentment and said, "Thank the builders who built it for me."

As always, Birch would obey. "Yes, Master. I've also informed the treants guarding the borders of your foreign and border policies."

No response came from the green stallion.

"Everything has gone quiet in your Kingdom, everyone is happy with your rule."

Sugar Hoof slumped in the hot tub and a soft huff was heard, "They're happy because of the brainwashing, not because I'm a decent leader." He said.

"No, we stopped brainwashing people with your magic, master, the people love you genuinely."

There was silence for a few seconds, but Sugar eventually responded, "I never really wanted to rule, Birch. Honestly, give me an office, a decent supply of alchemical ingredients, and let me conduct my arcane research and I'd be happy until the end of time."

Birch's head rose for the first time since he knelt and stared at his master. "But, master, you're the wisest and most powerful being on the planet, everyone should be subjugated to you, there's no better life for them to be had."

"No, Birch. No subjugation, no conquering, no brainwashing, none of that. I'm just a wizard... sure, I'm one of the best theurgists you'll find, but a diviner, pyromancer, or a necromancer could... well... could've, beat me easily. Now that the planet's core is being converted into my own power source, I don't recall anyone being my level." He looked down with concern.

"Maste—" Birch tried to say, but Sugar Hoof cut him off.

Rising from the hot tub, the green stallion turned to face the treant and said, "No, I'm not your master. Just call me Sugar Hoof."

Birch was at a loss, his master didn't want to be called master? His eyes lit for a second and he spurted out, "T-that's fine, I could call you any number of things. Your grace, your majesty, your highness, your infalli—"

"S-U-G-A-R H-O-O-F. Sugar Hoof." Sugar Hoof said, setting his front hooves on the hot tub's trim.

The treant stared at his master with shock and stayed silent for a solid twenty seconds. "M- S-sugar... Hoof."

"Yes, please, Birch. I understand in front of the others, but when we're alone like this? Just call me Sugar Hoof." Sugar Hoof visibly relaxed, which in turn, caused Birch to relax.

"Yes, M- Sugar Hoof." Joy filled Birch's soul as he spoke with Sugar Hoof. unlike most treants, Birch had been blessed by their creator before, on the day he was given a name. Now, he was given a second blessing, in this... this...

Birch had felt tree sap leak from his treant eyes, he dared not speak, but shook as quietly as he could as Sugar Hoof went back to relaxing.

Master, Sugar Hoof, my almighty King. What have I done to deserve such honor? You bless me with a name, Birch, granted to me for... The shaking treant returned his gaze to Sugar Hoof.

"Sugar Hoof, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Birch, go ahead."

"My name. Why was I given the name, Birch?"

"Oh, birch wood is my favorite type of wood to build with, of course."

Birch knelt lower on the cavern floor and shook, thankful that Sugar Hoof hadn't noticed. H-his f-f-favorite? M-master's f-favorite... me?

Unknowing of his treant's current state, Sugar Hoof continued, "birch wood just looks better than other types of wood, in my opinion, I always thought it was easier on the eyes."

M-master...

The treant was unable to say anything, instead, he found himself silently crawling forward. After almost a minute of silence, Sugar looked back and noticed that Birch was almost directly on top of him.

"Woah!" Sugar swam to the other side of the hot tub.

"S-sugar Hoof... I... I'm sorry..." He rose to full height and backed away from the hot tub. "I did not mean to frighten you... Sugar Hoof."

"It's okay. But, do you mind if I just enjoyed the peace and quiet alone for a while?"

Birch gasped softly, "Sugar Hoof, you needn't ask my permission, just bid me leave, I will not fail you." Birch said, walking as quickly as he could to the door and leaving the hot tub chamber.

As soon as he was away from his master, he put his wooden claw up to his face and smiled brightly. "The master... I'm the master's favorite... this... this blessing... this... I will not fail you, master." He whispered, the other treants serving as guards in the hall looked on in shock. Despite Birch's whispers, the other treants heard what he had said.

Word spread quickly, from treant to treant, knight to knight, fairy to fairy, Birch, one of the first twenty to be conjured by their master, was the favored son. Sugar Hoof's favorite, the chosen of the King. Many felt reverence towards Birch when they heard of this development. Many more were heartbroken to know that it wasn't them chosen. A few others felt envy towards Birch, and wanted that position for themselves.

Birch however, returned to his post, in the throne room. There were documents left to go over, many crucial things required the King's attention.

"Have one of the builders build a council room behind the throne room." Birch said to one of the guards, who stared at him nervously.

"Only the King c—" He started, futiley.

"You'd deny the King's favored son? You'd dare insult His majesty, King Sugar?" Birch growled, causing the guard to fumble with his spear.

"No, I-it shall be done, Advisor." The treant guard said before quickly leaving the room.

After the guard was gone, Birch turned towards the throne against the wall. A smile passed over his lips as he looked into the golden throne, seeing his reflection, the reflection of someone, above all the others, the reflection of the King's favorite son.