The family bath was just that. A bath big enough for a family. It was almost more of a private spa. The maids were quick to make things comfortable and fun for the family. Such as, per Henry's request, bubbles. Lots and lots of bubbles.
And everyone was happy with that. Marmalade Spread, a yellow unicorn with a silver mane, laughed as she poured the bubble solution into the water, and Syrup Sweet, a pegasus of multiple shades of brown, churned the water with a breeze from her wings. Soon there was a thick layer of bubbles across the surface of the water.
"Is that better, young master?" Marmalade inquired of Henry, who nodded shyly at her. She chuckled and looked at the other two. "You picked yourself a cute one, Mistress Lyra."
Lyra nodded, ruffling her son's mane. "Of course I did. Only the most adorable."
"I'm not cute," Henry pouted irritably.
"Don't be tho grumpy," Twist giggled as she grabbed him about the barrel and dove into the water with a great splash. Water and bubbles flew everywhere as they vanished beneath the surface.
A moment later the two foals surfaced and began splashing each other as they giggled uproariously. Lyra and the attending maids all laughed at the silly sight. The mint unicorn was quick to join them as the maids sat by their cleaning supplies and waited for the bathers to properly soak up the warm water.
* * *
"Does Lyra know?" Noteworthy asked in concern.
"The truth about the aligned? No," Mercury answered with a firm shake of her head. "And she won't ever need to. We have a one hundred percent survival rate of all aligned we've managed to gather so far. And since the portals have closed, it must mean that they have collected all the aligned that they wanted. The one's we couldn't find. But, we will not let down our guard. Especially since she is now close to another aligned. We are not going to take any unnecessary chances with their lives."
"So you are doing this to protect them."
"We are doing this because we love them," Mercury returned with a sniff. "Protection is merely an accepted part of our parental duties to both her and our grandson." She took a deep breath and let it out as if she were trying to remain calm. "As she is now part of your herd, we expect the same dedication from you as well. Understood?"
"She was always a part of our herd," Noteworthy stated confidentially. "It was only just made official yesterday."
Both thestrals smiled and nodded their approval. Baritone spoke up. "That's what I wanted to hear, colt. Now..."
"AHA!"
CLANG!
All eyes turned towards a portion of the wall. There must have been a servant's passage there.
"Found one, master," the voice of Bouncing Betty was heard. "It was one of the new girls. Pity, she was a hard worker too."
"Give her her week's pay and send her off," Baritone answered with a sigh. Then he noticed the looks on the earth ponies' faces. "Don't worry. If she has the guts to come back and apologize, she'll be hired back on again. We get these mares ever now and again. looking for some piece of gossip to sell. The joys of being rich."
"I see," Bon Bon responded, noting the ominous dragging sound behind the wall. "But, what about her?"
"Bouncing Betty?" Mercury asked with a chuckle. "No need to worry, she's been helping us protect Lyra since her adoption. An old friend of ours from our earlier days in the agency."
It was then that the thestral mare checked a clock on the far wall in alarm. "Now. We've discussed this long enough. I don't want the rest of our family getting suspicious. Bon Bon, we shall talk more tonight, after I cuddle my grandson to sleep, of course." She chuckled fondly at that thought. "You and I should join them in the bath before too long, there's plenty of room, and the maids will gladly help clean you up."
Bon Bon smiled gratefully. "Oh, thank you. After all this talk, I could use a relaxing soak, and perhaps a good brushing through my mane and fur."
"Consider it done," Mercury said resolutely. "And a good massage afterwards would not go amiss." Then she turned to Noteworthy with a smirk. "As for you, there's a separate bath in which a couple of our maids will help make you presentable for our daughter, tonight. I'm only separating you two for a little while longer, it'll make the night much more intimate. You'll see."
The stallion found himself blushing at the mare's bluntness.
"Will you be joining us as well, dear?" Mercury turned to her husband, who shook his head.
"While I would love nothing more than to spend quality time with my family," he began, giving her a kiss on the cheek, "I have some messages and orders to send out."
Slightly disappointed Mercury nodded in understanding. Then she turned a seductive eye upon him. "Very well, Baritone. But, let's be sure to pick up where we left off before we were interrupted earlier this evening, okay?"
He chuckled deeply. "Of course."
And with that, they left the dining room.
As for the unconscious maid, she would eventually return and beg to have her position back. And from then on, she would become as stalwart and dedicated as Bouncing Betty. Though a little friendly with the single stallions that came for an audience with the master and mistress. Thankfully, Bouncing Betty was always there to make sure she didn't carry things too far. After all, they had a reputation to uphold.