Canterlot's Hydra

I was practicing my telekinesis with a pillow when I heard the knock at my door. Metal on wood, a guard, most likely. The pillow fell back onto my bed as my magic was turned towards the door knob and I opened the door myself, mentally bracing for interaction.

"The Princess sent me to bring you to the royal dining hall." A guardstallion of white hide and blue mane explained to me, his armor the identical shade of gold that all Celestia's guards wore.

"I-I'll be right behind you, lead the way." I said with a stutter before following him into the hallway, where I learned that morning was busy for the staff, if nobody else.

Guards were stationed at strategic intervals in the hallway. They seemed to overlook me, but I didn't like being exposed. My desire to sing and avoid everybody was quickly becoming the more appealing option, but I was afraid the guard wouldn't keep going to the dining hall if he didn't remember me.

I did my best to ignore them, but I could feel them watching me.

Of course they're watching me, it's their job, they're guards.

This sentiment did nothing to comfort me, or stop the burning their eyes left.

We crossed paths with numerous members of castle staff, none I recognized, though. Ponies, mostly mares, with the odd stallion or griffon mixed in, wearing chef or maid uniforms were going about their business. I can't imagine that they have an easy job, keeping the castle so well-maintained. I hadn't seen a speck of dirt or dust since I arrived here, unless I counted what I myself tracked in.

I was glad nobody was talking about how I looked or smelled anymore, I may prefer to hide, but if I must be seen, I may as well be clean. The wings took longer than I had hoped, and I'm not sure I cleaned them properly, but I think I did well enough. No more dust came out of them when I flapped, at least.

Eventually though, we reached a large, purple set of double doors, with ornate door handles, and the guard took position beside of it.

"The Princess is already waiting inside for you." The guardstallion said.

Opening the door with magic, I walked inside to find Princess Celestia sat in an opulent room, decorated with potted plants, with a large dining table stuck in the center. There was easily enough room for 10 people, and Princess Celestia was seated at the end of the table, all alone. She seemed happy, at least.

"Good Morning, Princess." I said softly, afraid to make too much noise.

"Good morning, Aurum. How did you sleep?" Princess Celestia's voice was as melodious as ever, with a hint of cheerfulness in her tone, and a smile on her face.

"Oh, well enough, I suppose," I wasn't going to tell her that I haven't slept since I arrived, "Thanks again for letting me spend the night, it's far more comfortable than the sewers." I then walked over to the other end of the table and sat on a purple cushion with gold accents.

"No need to thank me, Aurum. Everypony should have a safe place to rest their heads at night." She regarded me closely, "Though you're welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"That's very kind of you, Princess." I replied, "How about you, how did you sleep?"

"I slept quite well, thank you."

A finely dressed unicorn mare entered the room, carrying a notebook in her magic. With a bow to the Princess, she proclaimed, "Good morning, Princess. What can I get for you today?" And quickly levitated a quill to her notebook.

Celestia eyed the mare, "Good morning, Daisy. I think I'd like the eggs Benedict, and a freshly brewed cup of tea, please."

The mare quickly jotted down the Princess' order, then turned her gaze to me.

"Uh... same?" I offered, not enjoying the attention.

The mare nodded and wrote down my order, as well. "Wonderful, your breakfast will be brought out to you shortly." She said, before walking back out at a practiced pace.

"You don't need to be so nervous, Aurum. Daisy is a friend of mine." Celestia explained.

"I'm sorry, I've just..." I huff sadly and slouch forward in my seat.

Concern flashed in the Princess' eyes, and her smile faltered briefly. "It's okay, Aurum. We were all shy once. It's alright to need time to adjust to others." Celestia comforted me from her end of the table.

Daisy entered the room again, carrying a platter with two identical plates of eggs Benedict and a matching cup of tea, all of which was still steaming. In a flash of her horn, the plates and cups were sat in front of us.

With a gracious smile, Celestia thanked Daisy, and I did the same. The mare did not leave however, and I quietly sat in front of the food for a few seconds before levitating a fork over and beginning to eat.

It was delicious, the tea was perfectly brewed, and the eggs were hardy, but a bit sweet. I watched Princess Celestia eat, and matched her speed, not having a need to eat, myself.

For a few moments, there was a comfortable silence before Celestia spoke, "Now then, there is some business that we need to discuss, Aurum."

I was alarmed, "Business?" Although, I quickly assumed what she meant, "Oh, yeah, of course. Since I'm staying here, I'd be more than happy to work around the castle to pay for the room and board. I'm quite good at cleaning, if you need a... janitor." I offered with a halfway grin. It would've been the perfect job for me, I could clean while I sang, nobody would even know I was there.

"That's... not quite what I had in mind." The Princess said, "Harmony has chosen to make you into an alicorn, making you one of the four alicorns in Equestria, and the only stallion, at that."

I didn't like where this was going, and my emotions must have been on display, because Celestia quickly reassured me.

"There's no need to be frightened. You're not going to be expected to oversee anything extravagant, nor will you be required to take up any huge duties or responsibilities."

"W-what are you... saying?" I replied, wistfully.

Her expression was earnest, but firm, "What I'm saying is... You're a Prince of Equestria."

Fuck.

We sat in silence before she broke it again with a concerned smile, "I assume you're not the biggest fan of the idea?"

"I've never led anyone before, I don't even know the basics of politics." I explained briskly.

She nodded in an understanding manner, "You won't have to worry about all that heavy politics nonsense. I'll handle most if not all of the serious issues. You'll be a Prince in name only, if you're okay with that."

"What's the point in making me a Prince to begin with, then?"

Her expression changed again, looking practiced and motherly again, like she was hiding something. "While I am the ruler of Equestria, an alicorn such as you should still have some form of authority, if only for the sake of my little ponies. An alicorn without a role to fulfill would cause some commotion, and I want to avoid that. As a Prince, they won't ask you to do anything important... they'll just be satisfied with the simple fact that you're royalty."

Right, if an alicorn doesn't have to be royalty, why are Celestia and Luna the rulers of Equestria? Brilliant move, Celestia.

"What does me becoming a Prince... entail?" I asked, hesitation and discomfort on my face.

Her gaze softened, "Not a lot. The role of Prince is mostly ceremonial in nature, just something for the ponies to look at and make them happy. You only need to be there for show or for public events," She paused. "Or, for the few ponies that would want to... worship you."

My eyes turned into pinpricks as I reared back in horror.

She smiled reassuringly, "It's okay, I promise. They will love you like they do me. Or perhaps even more, for a new Prince would be a novel sight for them. I can only imagine the amount of mares you will have seeking to court you."

"To... c-court me?!"

Celestia chuckled at my reaction, "You're going to have a lot of mares and maybe even a few stallions falling all over for you. They're going to want to court you, marry you, start a family with you... You'll have the entire country vying for your hoof."

I wanted to start singing then and there, but I took a few deep breaths and kept going.

"Ignoring all that, what should I expect from being a Prince, what impact will this have on my day-to-day?"

She paused for a moment to think, "Not a lot should change. You won't need to worry about politics, you will be allowed to come and go whenever you please... only, now you'll have ponies wanting to fawn over you wherever you go."

"Do I at least get some guards? I can always cast my spell and hide, but, it wouldn't hurt to have some guards to protect me when I need to... be seen..." The thought of being seen by hundreds of ponies made me feel light-headed and nauseous.

"Of course, as your mentor, I will... let you pick from a line-up of my most capable and loyal guardsmares," She paused, "Or guardstallions, if you prefer." She tacked on, quickly.

I shuffled on the cushion, "Alright, I.. I can live with that." At least if I get to pick them out myself, I can get a better understanding of who I'm being settled with. Though, she called herself my mentor, and I am unsure of what to make of that. "So I'm your student now?"

"To an extent, yes. There's a lot of little things that a Prince needs to know, although, I hope I can also count as your friend, as well." She finished with a warm smile.

I've never had a friend before, I looked up at the much taller alicorn and wondered. How am I supposed to respond?

"I'll... I'll try, Princess..."