"Madam." A severely cut stallion nodded at Blueblood. "We need to go over your responsibilities, as princess-consort of His Royal Highness. You have his favor, for now, but you won't keep it if you are lax in your duties and composure."

Blue tilted her head, lifting a single eyebrow. "Oh? But I'm from Equestria. Isn't the rule that he has to come to me?" She considered, shrugging a little.

"Madam." He leaned in, looming over her. "You are the one marrying into royalty here, in these lands. If anypony is to 'come to the other', it would be you, madam. Are you prepared to begin the instructions?"

Blue tipped her head, waiting for him to explain further. He simply stared back at her. She decided to be nice and give him the answer he was waiting for. "I suppose I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Proceed."

"Very good." He casually stepped over her on the way past her. "This way. Let us begin where you are familiar. You demonstrated a unicorn spell, we will have need of it. Our land is prosperous in many ways, but where and how much can be grown on it? That has always been a limiting factor."

Blue shook herself at the memory. The Saddle Arabian prince had been so very impressed with what she'd done with a simple bit of growing plants. He'd bowed his head to her. Not as low as a bowing mare did, but far more than the bow he would offer anypony else. That told her a great deal about how much he truly liked her, or at least her spell.

They emerged out onto a balcony over blowing sand below. "I invite you to inspect the grounds. At first glance, all one sees is driving sands, but there is life here. See it, and know it."

Blue glanced about, fluttering her eyelashes as she squinted into the bright light. It was surprisingly clear that day, allowing her to see the patchwork of greenery that survived amid the sandy wastes. Some of it was even colorful, patches of wonder amid the beige sea. She smiled at them, wishing they'd spread a bit more. "I see them. What do you want me to do about them?"

The teacher sat down, watching her expectantly. "This is your first assignment, Blue Belle. Study the flora of the desert. Isolate why they are so resistant to the harsh conditions. We will make a spell of it. One that helps our crops grow faster and stronger. Not to simply grow a wild mass of what you know, that will die swiftly, but to encourage local plants that can weather the conditions they exist in."

Blue frowned lightly at the suggestion she might kill a whole field of plants, but he was correct, she could be much more subtle with a proper spell than her last. That had been designed to shock and amaze, this one would have to be more practical. "I see." She curled a hoof to her chin. "Then might it be beneficial if I were allowed to view them closer? And to see the plants you fully wished, rather than what are weeds, as tough as they are, and sightly in some cases."

The teacher chuckled softly. "Well said, Madam. Now, you will not go unescorted. Two guards will attend you."

Blue glanced about. "I shall need my Eunuch then."

"Present." The eunuch from the other day emerged with a bowed head. "A pleasure to be at your service."

The teacher nodded at the guard. "They will suffice. Take her." He pointed a large arm outwards. "Take her to the farm and allow her to safely examine the produce there."

The Eunuch pulled out a scarf. "Cover your mouth and nose, Ma'am. It isn't a long walk, but we can still leave a little early, to be safe."

Blue nodded as she drew the scarf around her face, doing her best to keep it in place. She grabbed it with her magic, twinkling with the force that held it securely as she trotted along behind the guard. "I say, this is the second time we've met. If it isn't rude, might I ask your name?"

"Riddled." He laughed softly. "A play on words and my profession. My sword is never rusted. That which goes into it shall be forever lost." He cast a grin over his shoulder at her.

She frowned with consideration, trying to figure out Riddled's riddle. "Curious. Now, it would seem they want me to gain an understanding of the local flora."

Riddled smiled again. "You are rather famous, Ma'am. That is the spell you used to dazzle our prince, isn't it? What better spell could a princess cast for him?"

She colored faintly. "And I will be called upon to cast it again, but less for show, and more for, hm, practical purposes."

Together, they left the palace, skirted the town, and approached a farm. The ponies that worked there reminded Blue of ponies who worked farms in Equestria, though they were clearly more accustomed to the hot weather that was inherent to the region. Some looked up as she approached, though most pointedly avoided looking at her.

The eunuch let out a low whistle, calling attention to himself. "Well met! The princess has been sent to help you."

"Princess?" An older stallion shuffled forward, rubbing a hoof on his forehead to keep the sweat from his eyes. "They got married already?"

Blue Belle coughed into a hoof. "That has not happened, but I was a princess before I got here, just not of this land. Now, if you'd be so kind as to show me what you grow here? All the varieties, if you please."

The pony rubbed his chin, glancing about. "Uh, sure. I suppose. Mostly dates, but we grow other things too. Follow me." He led the group through the patchwork rows. As they went, he showed them what he knew about the plants, and how they'd gotten them, and how he encouraged each to thrive for latter sale and use.

Blue Belle nodded appreciatively, even if she made quiet mental notes that she was not a farmer. Working all day, outside, to tend food? She shuddered at the very notion. But using magic to help? She could do that. "May I see a young date?"

"One hardly calls them dates at first. They are trees, and the trees make dates. Until then, we have these." He moved to a few green clumps on a tree that looked like nothing so much as small prickly leaves. "These aren't to eat yet. They're good for medicine though."

Blue Belle trotted around the little thing that could one day become a mighty tree. "I see! Mmm, so you are what I would grow." She leaned in, studying it intently. "It has a delightful aroma to it." She turned her eyes up to the sky, using her magic to probe and feel the weight of the fruit that would come from it. "Mmm, what a heavy burden. This would be too much for the branch of such a tender plant."

The farmer chuckled at that. "That mewling babe of a tree? I expect no dates from it for quite some time. Little princess, how do you plan to assist us?" He moved a bit closer to her. "Surely you're not to provide labor?"

She waved a hoof dismissively. "Oh goodness no. I'm small and delicate. I couldn't do such hard labor, I have others for that." She lit her horn as she mouthed the spell she'd used before. "But with the proper spell, perhaps." She looked up and down the aisle, taking in how the trees were arranged. The smell, the sight, and the feel. She held all close as she focused on the spell. "Come forth," she bade as she exploded in light.

The branches of the tree expanded with the force of the spell, bearing the burden of what had come from it. It was several times more fruit than they would ever be able to bear from such a young plant. New saplings peeked from the ground in places, forming new plants along the same rows she'd seen.

The farmer's relaxed expression turned to shocked awe. "Hey now!" He wiped his brow. "That. You. You did something! That's incredible." He turned, hopping about in place with excitement. "Get over here, you louts! Our princess is making us dates!"

All of them came rushing, dashing through the fields. They got to quickly harvesting what had become ripe and ready for them, as others watered and tended to the new little plants that had joined the rest. One by one, they harvested and placed in a bin. Their voices were full of merriment and cheer as they collected their good fortune.

Blue Belle's breathing was heavier as she collapsed to the ground, feeling like she'd been running herself. "Mmm, that spell is more draining when I'm trying to be specific about it." Compared to before, when it had felt so much easier to just bid any plant anywhere to grow as it pleased.

Riddled looked down at her. "But what will the townsfolk say if the first thing our new princess did was help make dates?" He chuckled, glancing back at the fruit trees. "What a fine thing for her to do, and on her first day of exploring the land."

Blue smiled at that, fighting her way back up to her hooves. "Let them know that their princess wants them to be fed, safe, and successful. I can think of worse habits for a princess to have."

Riddled blinked. "You really mean that, don't you?"

Blue Belle tilted her head. "Of course. What good is a princess that can't provide for her subjects?"

Riddled put a hoof under her, drawing her up and onto her back. "You are tired. Have you learned what you will from this place for now?"

She nodded wearily, feeling all the drain from the spell on top of the travel. "Mmm, let's go back to the castle." She curled into him as he began to trot away from the farm.

Riddled faithfully carried her without further words, retracing his route back to the castle with the tired princess atop his back. When they arrived, he dropped her off in her room and sent a servant in to offer cool drinks and treats to her.

He went on to find her original instructor. The severe stallion looked up as Riddled approached. "Back? How did it go?"

"She was magnificent, Sir. I am proud to serve her. She assisted the farmers of the land in their date harvest." He puffed up with pride. "I've never seen such an impressive spell before."

The severe stallion showed a faint hint of a smile. "Good. Was she as the first, chaotic and vibrant?"

Riddled shook his head quickly. "I was not there for the first time, but I heard rumors. No, this time she put things where they most needed to be. The farmers are ecstatic for the boon she's delivered to them."

The severe stallion waved a hoof dismissively. "Come, Riddled, be truthful with me. Does our new princess have what it takes to keep her husband's interest?"

Riddled saluted sharply. "I cannot speak for his private interests, Sir. But as a caring princess, I say she qualifies. She is ready and willing to serve her ponies. Nothing would make me happier than to see her chosen."

"But does she have the right qualities?" The instructor squinted at Riddled. "In body? To produce the next in line? Our prince requires heirs. Is she capable of providing them?"

Riddled leaned in. "I am not permitted to speak of her secrets, but I can say that she is already working to do this. She takes all aspects of her duties seriously. Unlike some nobility I will not name, she accepts the tasks put before her with dignified acceptance."

The severe stallion chuffed. "This is well. You are dismissed, Riddled. You have done good work today."

"Thank you, Sir." Riddled went to offer his praises to Blue Belle's other teachers for the day, to tell them what he had seen.

Author's Note

Blue's learning to be a helpful princess for her kingdom! All hail!

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