//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: The Price Of Being A Princess // by TheOneAJ //------------------------------// **** I was sure by the time we were done, I’d have to apply for post traumatic stress consulting. Diaper changing was something i never wanted to do again. However, I would have to for an entire week. Fortunately, instead of continually insulting my inability to handle… whatever came from that filly, he was surprisingly patient with me. Not that he wouldn’t find ways to be funny, but that was mostly after the diaper was gone. “You get use to it enough to tolerate,” he assured me. The nightmare over, and Twilight playing with her blocks. “I’ll believe you if I don’t die next time.” I moaned. He chuckled. “Wasn’t easy for me either at first. I think my dad would say i over-reacted worse than you.” “I!... I…” I struggled to say. “I wasn’t over-reacting. I’d have thought there was some kind of attack.” There was a knock on the door. “Well, at least it will make a great war story.” Shining rose from his hooves to answer the door. Returning a moment later with a large pineapple pizza. My face turned green. “Not sure if i’m hungry anymore.” “I understand.” he smiled. Putting the pies to the side. “So, other than your first diaper change, things going well for you?” “Yeah,” I said. Surprisingly quick. Letting Twilight play on one of my hooves. “I think I’m getting a hang of this.” “Maybe we should hire you full time for this.” he said sitting next to me. I frowned. He looked blankly at me. “I mean, I get this is just a punishment, but—” “Yeah.” I nodded. “Look, don’t take this the wrong way, but I only want to get my grounding over.” He started to say something. If i had to guess, it might have been something nasty, before he looked to Twilight who circled around my leg’s. She yawned, and leaned her head against me. Shining Armor then smiled. “Well… Why not? I blinked. “I mean,” he said, “you don’t seem have bad. What else you have to do? Being popular.” He coughed. “Sorry I didn’t mean—“ “It’s fine.” I waved off. Looking down. Was being popular all I really do? I mean, I did… I liked… I sighed. Wow, was I shallow. “Hehe, maybe…” I frowned. Shining tilted his head. “Hey, if it means anything, I think you can be more than you give credit for. Just don’t let anyone tell you who you are, or what to do.” I rolled my eyes. “That was cliched.” He laughed, and I found myself laughing with him. “Well, as bad as it was, maybe you should ask what you want to do with your life.” I playfully raised an eyebrow. “Well, what about you? What’s your life interest and goals?” “Royal guard.” he said with no hesitation. “Just like my dad.” My eyes widened. “Ask and receive. Though, you do know it takes years of hard training.” “I know.” he nodded. “But I’m not all nerd you know. Sure I enjoy a good comic, but I also like protecting ponies.” “I suppose you are good at it.” I said looking to Twily, then thinking about how he stopped Billy the other day. “Hey, Shining… I never thank you for saving me yesterday.” I said sheepishly. “So… thank you.” Shining scratched his neck. “Well… Don’t mention it.” I felt like he literally meant that while he scooted a bit away from me. Still, I didn’t let it bother me for the night. I would keep an eye on his sister for a week, and we could call it even. Twilight woke up an hour later, and to my relief, all we ended up doing for the rest of the day was read to her from a book, when her mother came home. “Hello!” she said cheerfully, walking into the living room. “You have a good— Oh my, a mare!” she said. A middled aged violet mare with a (cutie mark) and a light, silver-purplish mane that was in streaks much like Twilight's. Shining Armor brought a hoof to his face. “Mom, this is Princess Mi Amora Cadenza.” He gave her a wayward look. “You know, the babysitter for Twilight this week.” “Oh right,” she chuckled. Just now processing the fact i was a princess ahead of being a… WAIT! Did she—” “Well I think you should be getting home!” Shining said. Hurriedly levitating Twilight into her crib and started pushing me towards the door. “Wouldn’t want Princess Celestia worried and I have homework to do and such!” His mother stomped her hoof. “Now Shining!” she said. Causing both of our fur’s to shiver. “Why don’t you walk your little marefriend her home. It’s only the gentle-colty thing to do to make sure she’s safe! ” Now she was the one to use her magic to push us out the door. Before either of us could make any protest to her calling me his marefriend, the door was slammed shut.”and i’ll know if you don’t walk her all the way home, young stallion!” The lock bolt gave a click, and I saw her looking through the blinds with a wide eyed look at us as if she were a foal, and we were the largest hearth-warming present she’s ever received. I blinked at Shining Armor in confusion before he answered, “You’ll have to forgive my, mother.” He glanced her way. And the mare ducked out of sight. Only to appear in a different window. “She’s a bit…” “Nutty?” I offered. He narrowed his eyes, then laughed. “Eh, I was going to say a romantic who’s wanted to see me married since I got my cutie mark. Anyways,” he held out a hoof and faced the walkway. “Shall we? I know you could probably get home safely by yourself,” he looked to my wings, “but aside from mom’s orders, i actually would feel better knowing you got home safely.” “Oh… Um,” I blushed, hesitantly taking his hoof. A childish squee echoing in the house. ‘Lead the way good sir.” Shining shook his head, and lead me home. Only letting go of my hoof once we were a considerable distance from his house. Once we were a fair distance away, my curiosity getting the better of me, I asked, “So, you never had a marefriend youbefore?” Shinng griminched. “Yeah, sure, go ahead and make your gay and virgin jokes.” He closed his eyes and held up his chest. “I can take it.” “No, no!” I said. A little offended by his quick conclusion. “I was actually going to say it was alright, and actually kind of cute.” He opened an eye. “You do?” “Well,” i kicked a hoof, “I mean, sure.” i bit my lip. “Well, it’s silly.” He chuckled. “Oh what? Come on, you got to meet the world’s most embarrassing mom, now it’s your turn to give back.” My eyes look to and from him. The tight knot in my stomach convulsing. And then i sighed. “Alright… I guess, and i’ll skin you if I find out you told anyone,” I swallowed, “I’ve never kissed a colt before.” If he was drinking anything, I’m sure he would have spat it out by now. “Wait, wha… really?” “Yes, really!” I cringed. >.< ‘You?” Shining cocked his head. “Okay, now I know you’re just messing with me. What about all those dates you went on.” I clicked my tongue. “Well, that’s why i said kissed, not have a coltfriend.” i sighed. Shining's face lightened up. “Oh… Oh, well—” “Completely by choice though,” I pointed out. “I’ll date as much as i need to maintain my popularity rating, but if we don’t click, no lip.” I looked to my hooves. “I know I should just get it over with, but,” I groaned, “I guess i’ve just always wanted my first kiss to be with somepony special. The pony I wanted to spend my life with. Not just my first crush.” I looked to Shining. “Cheesy, Iknow, but do me a favor and don’t feel like you need to make it some race to be with a mare.” He shrugged. “Well, aside from using my own nerd statutes to avoid mares,” he joked, “you’re not alone on that. Though, maybe it is because I don’t just fall for any pretty mare who flicks their tail at me.” He frowned. “Again, don’t be offended, we have our truce, but a lot of it had to do with hearing stories about popular mares like you and your friend’s tricking a stallion like me into a date. Only to set him up for humiliation. I still like mares, but i’m not going to easily fall for one unless I trust them.” I held back asking how much he trusted me. Mostly by realizing i had thought about asking it. However, i did ask, “are there any mare’s you have an eye on.” Before he could answer that, he said, “Oh look, we’re here!” Sure enough, the castle lay before us. Time flying like no other. ‘Want me to walk you inside as well, princess?” he asked in a playful tone.” I chuckled at his humor, then coughed, “No, it’s fine. Not that I wouldn’t be offended or anything. But i wouldn’t want to keep you waiting.” “Right.” he nodded and smiled at me. Them immediately started away. “Oh, and Cadence…” “Yeah?” I answered quietly. “... You’re alright. I’m glad of, if anypony, you’re the one who’s going to keep an eye on my sister.” He turned to face me. “See you tomorrow?” “Yeah… Sure thing!” I smiled and waved. “Great.” he nodded, and was off. Leaving me all alone at the castle’s gates.