Prince Blueblood didn’t know whether to laugh or get angry, his emotions conflicting with what had just came out of his aunt Celestia’s mouth as he looked at both her and his cousin, Cadance in shock.
“This has to be some sort of joke, right? You can’t be serious.” He spoke with a hint of disdain as he looked at the little dragon who held a nervous smile in front of him nearly making Blueblood himself facehoof.
“I assure you, nephew that this is no joke. Like Cadance and yourself, Spike is taken under my wing. I adopted him as my son, which in turn makes him your cousin. You’re all family now.” Celestia replied as she sent a warm, loving smile to Spike who could only giggle in response, as she slowly wrapped one of her large wings over half his body making him laugh harder.
Blueblood shut his eyes, attempting more than once to try to wake up from this nightmare he was no doubt in, the gods couldn't be this cruel could they?
“Aunt Tia...he is a dragon.” Blueblood stated very slowly as Celestia sighed loudly, she could already tell this was going to be a long day but was determined not to let Blueblood’s negative attitude get to her.
“Yes, I’m quite aware of that. The scales, fire breath and claws really helped to show he is indeed not a pony. Did you also know he eats gems and could speak?” Celestia said sarcastically causing Cadance to giggle loudly behind her hoof as Blueblood had to resist rolling his eyes.
“What I mean to say is why a dragon out of thousands of other orphans? The fact that he is in the castle is already an issue since his species is not fond of us but adopting him as your son? Making him a prince? What’s next, is he going to take your place upon the throne?” He argued a bit irritated that this was even being remotely considered.
“Dragons, like Alicorns live a very long time, Blueblood. I have no intention of raising a young pony in my stead only to watch them...pass before my eyes. Spike will actually be able to keep up with my lifespan, maybe even beyond that. But more to the point is that when he hatched I just could not...give him away as I have done so many others. He was special and like it or not he is staying here, this is his home as much as it is your own.” She answered calmly, though both Blueblood and Cadance knew that she was trying to keep her temper in check as Blueblood flinched from her tone.
“As for his royal title, none but you two, Bella Script and the Sparkles will know of it until he turns eighteen years old and yes...one day he will be given the crown should he want it. Blueblood, I made my brother a promise to always watch over his family and I intend to do exactly that. You took no issues with Cadance, so I hope in time you’ll take none with Spike. But should any harm ever come to him.” She let the threat hang in the air as the two ponies before her shivered making them both nod seriously then looking at the drake beneath them who had his tail in his claws and was wringing it rather firmly, trying to keep his eyes away from any of them as Blueblood sighed once more.
“Very well, Aunt Tia...I take no pleasure in it but I suppose watching over him won’t be as bad as I’m thinking. But I will take matters into my own hooves of training him on how to act like true royalty.” Blueblood spoke confidently making Cadance roll her eyes as Celestia tried to keep herself from laughing. Clearing her throat she nodded with a smile on her face before wrapping a hoof over Spike’s shoulders and hugging him firmly.
“I trust you will, Blue. Now, I have other matters to attend to, so I hope I can trust you three to play nice while I’m gone?” She asked looking at both of the older ponies, Cadance eagerly nodding with a large grin as Blueblood with a moment of hesitation agreed.
“Wonderful. I’ll be off now, Spike be a good dear and listen to your cousins. If you behave today you’ll get a ruby and sapphire gemstone ice cream for dessert tonight.” Celestia whispered to the child who beamed with joy at hearing the treat as he answered in kind, making her laugh before she kissed his forehead and with a smile and nod left the three to their own devices.
“I remember you, you watched over Twilight and me when we were younger.” Spike spoke suddenly, nearly giving Blueblood a heart attack over the high pitched voice and causing Cadance to jump in surprise as the drake pointed at the young Alicorn who smiled and chuckled.
“Yes I did, little dragon. I’m your cousin Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, but you can call me Cadance and this is your cousin Prince Blueblood, we call him Blue though because he’s always in a sour mood.” She giggled, hiding her laughter behind her hoof once more as he groaned with a shake of his head.
“I thought I told you to stop calling me that, I’m a member of the royal family and demand to be treated with respect.” He spat angrily making Cadance laugh harder before Spike joined in on the fun, even though he didn’t really know what was so funny.
“We all are, Blue. We just don’t take it as seriously as you do. I keep telling him he needs to lighten up, all those frowns are going to cause wrinkles if he keeps it up.” She whispered to Spike making the two of them laugh even harder and in turn making the older unicorn more upset.
“I can hear you, you know? And I’ll have you know I laugh and smile all the time, you just are never around, see.” He insisted before giving a obviously painful looking smile which made both Spike and Cadance absolutely lose it and laugh so hard them were on the ground trying to hold back tears from their teasing.
Blueblood really tried to keep his own hoof from connecting with his face as he frowned then sighed loudly, clearly annoyed.
“At any rate, you’re Spike the dragon. Correct?” He questioned allowing Spike to nod once they had calmed down, Cadance wiping away tears that were brimming at the edge of her eyes as they finally stood up, breathing hard in an attempt to catch their breath.
“Splendid, now that we have all been properly introduced, I’ll be on my way. I have much to do today. I’m sure Caddy won’t mind watching you for the remainder of the day-”
“But mom said you two would spend time with me so we could get to know each other.” Spike interrupted, saddened by the fact that one member of the only family he had was trying to be rid of him already.
Blueblood desperately wanted to lose himself in the company of more intelligent and worldly ponies with splendor and class, but he supposed that a few hours of his time with his new cousin couldn't be all bad. Plus he had Cadance to talk to if anything.
“How old are you, young reptile?” He asked softly, trying to appeal to Spike’s young mind and was shocked when Spike’s suddenly angrily growled at them causing them to jump, even for his age the dark sound coming from his throat made the ponies before him shiver.
“Mommy says that calling a dragon...that word is very insulting and has been known to get many in trouble with them, please don’t call me it again. And I’m nine.” Spike answered slowly before he took a very deep breath and exhaled, Cadance wrapping a hoof around him in comfort as she glared at Blueblood for the no doubt racist remark.
“My apologies, Spike. I didn’t know. It won’t happen again. At any case I suppose the three of us could find something to do for awhile before I have to return to business.” Blueblood spoke sincerely, feeling genuinely bad for making the young child look so hurt and upset as Spike wiped his left eye from the tears trying to escape with a claw and nodded excitedly.
“We can go get some donuts, I have a friend who makes the best kind in town, maybe even Equestria.” Spike responded, animated at the prospect of his favorite treat causing Cadance to laugh beside him, finally removing her hoof.
“That sounds like a fun idea, Spike. I can certainly use a donut. What do you say, Blue?” She said eagerly looking at the prime and proper stallion unicorn who grimaced before he sighed and nodded.
“I suppose nothing is wrong with having one piece of fried, fattening dough or two. Very well, Prince Spike. Lead the way.” Blueblood agreed as Spike jumped for joy, turning around and didn’t ever bother to see if the ponies behind him were following as he rushed out the door.
“That was a nice thing of you to do, Blueblood. I’ll admit it will take a bit of time to get used to him, but take it from me. He really is a good kid, you’ll see.” Cadance suddenly spoke as he looked at her seeing as she gave him a smile making the young stallion only sigh.
“Before today I would have never thought that Auntie Tia would even want any children due to her lifespan. But the young drake seemed to have proved me wrong. Perhaps our new little...cousin won’t be as bad as I’m making him out to be.” Blueblood stated honestly making the Alicorn of Love gasp in surprise.
“Blue...did you just give someone a compliment?” She teased as he rolled his eyes.
“This conversation never happened, by the way. Come on, let’s catch up to him before he ends up spending more bits than
he’s worth.” He answered with a grunt, Cadance laughing loudly with a shake of her head as she followed the normally high strung unicorn out of the castle.
Maybe having a new member of the family wouldn't be so terrible after all, for any of them.