“We’ll let you be our princess,” said the earth pony, “s’long as you act princessy.”

Platinum leaned towards Clover. “These are loyalists?”

“Earth ponies have… different views of loyalty, Your Highness. Possibly a side-effect of democratic traditions?”

“I only wanted to play croquet!”

Before today, Platinum would’ve sent mages to quash earth pony “rabble-rousers”. But new Equestria needed less self-absorbed leadership. Besides, Equestrian farmhooves had developed a two-way relationship with royalty. They did not pass laws and wear ermine, and princesses did not mess with farmland.

“These fields have the right slant –” whined Platinum.

Clover coughed warningly.

“Have… the… right… type of slant. I was… measuring them. With croquet hoops! Soon be cleared up! Superlative fields, good farmer!”

“You’re learning, Your Highness.” Clover beamed proudly.

Respect other ponies’ needs.

Platinum hated learning. It made her sweat with effort. However, she had non-unicorn subjects now. “Noble-ess obli-gay” was her watchword.