//------------------------------// // chapter 6 // Story: The Price Of Being A Princess // by TheOneAJ //------------------------------// I screamed awake. Seeing yellow in my vision as the dream I just had clicked in my mind. I rubbed my head, more annoyed than anything else at this point. Not a moment later, the door flew opened, and Raven raced into the room. Hoof held tightly around a rolled up newspaper. “What happened?!” she asked defensively. Holding close a silver whistle that could of had every guard and Celestia in my room in less than a second. “Are you hurt? What’s wrong?! “No, No!” i waved off quickly. “Was just a… Just a dream.” I breathed heavily. “Everything is fine.” Raven blinked at me. “Oh.” She lowered her whistle. “My apologies, your highness.” she bowed. “You had me worried there.” she slowly rose and offered a gental smile. “Is there anything I can do for you?” “Oh, um… no,” I said, looking to the clock. “I’d hate to be a bother at this hou…” I gawked in surprise that it was nearly five thirty. Only thirty minutes before I was suppose to be up anyways. “Huh. I could have sworn it was earlier in the morning.” Raven nodded. “Yes. I was merely doing some morning rounds when i heard your scream, princess.” she lowered her eyes. “It wasn’t too bad a dream, was it?” “Eh… it was nothing.” I lied. “Just… Falling off something. You know. The random anxiety's, likely from being grounded thing.” She gave me a sharp look, before shrugging. “If you say so.” she left without saying anything. However, she did look back at me. As if to test and see if I would change my mind and talk more about my dream. When I didn’t say anything, that was the end of that, and I was left alone. Of course, with it being this early I had no reason to go back to sleep just to be waken up in another thirty minutes. I wasn’t too tired anyways. Of course, that was after I let out a yawn. Okay, so maybe those two other nightmares I had last night of Billy (with Shinning Armor only coming to save me in one of the three) having woken me up. I levitated the nearest book my magic could reach. This was the first time any of my sudden wake up’s had resulted in someone hearing me. I rolled my eyes when I realized it was another romance novel. This one i recalled having read last month.. If this was going to be a common enough dream i’d have to find some way to wake up more quietly from it. ***** Having read said cheap romance novel, and scoffed it for the male lead being a pushover, and made my way to breakfast right on schedule. At first there was nothing to it. Showered, fixed my mane, made my bed, and headed to the dining hall. Yet, I was surprised when I saw Celestia sitting at the head of the table. My heart, however, faltered when her face flattened. “Oh, good morning, Cadence,” she said averting my gaze. I nodded. “Morning,” and took my seat, and had some toast. Sitting there, minding my own business as my aunt ate. Today’s breakfast was a half sliced oranges and a bowl of porridge with raisins. Not my favorite, but it filled me up. “So,” she asked a couple of minutes later, “how did foalsitting go?” “Oh! Um, wonderful!” I lightly smiled, and went into details about my night. Going on about how cute Twilight was, how patient Shinning was with me, the games we played, how Shining helped with the horrors of diaper changing, to which Celestia chuckled and rolled her eyes. I had gone on about something, when Celestia interrupted, “Sound’s like this Shinning Armor was a pleasure to be around.” “Yeah,” I sighed dreamily. I looked up to my aunt who was smirking. My eyes widened. “I mean!... Yeah, he clearly wants to make sure i do a good job caring for his sister.” I sipped on some orange juice. “Sure,” my aunt chuckled. “Just… Just keep up the good work.” It wasn’t the good enough kind of progress to get myself ungrounded in time for the dance, but i didn’t care at the moment. **** I hadn’t even realized it was Friday till half the day was over. Not that I was stupid, but it felt much early in the week. Still, I suppose that at least that would mean a fresh start on Monday. Of course, it be a week of babysitting, but I’d take it as it was. Didn’t cheer me enough to pay any attention to my friend’s at lunch as I idly stirred my peas in my magic. “Cadence!” Dollar Sign shouted at me. “Wha?! No!” I jerked up. “I mean,” I said looking sheepishly at my friends. “Sounds fascinating.” Dollar narrowed her eyes. “You weren't paging attention at all?” I sighed. “Hey now,” another girl said, “I bet the whole ordeal is getting to her.” I smiled. “Yeah, like, sitting at home in a castle is totally traumatic!” They all laughed and I lowered my head. “You know,” my cousin Blueblood said rubbing his chin, “perhaps we should do something to cheer Cady up!” All eyes were on him, including mine. The last thing I wanted him to suggest was that we find a group of nerds— “So how about party? my mansion? Tomorrow night?” Everyone began to chatter enthusiastically. I raised a hoof, only to lower it. “Thanks, cousin, but I’m ground. Remember?” “So?” Dollar Sign asked, biting into her sandwich. “Sneak out.” Now, I had certainly snuck out before for nights of fun. Best of all, I‘ve never been caught before. Well, kind of. I always had a sinking feeling at breakfast auntie knew when I would do so. However, because I had never done anything too stupid, I presumed I was either being paranoid, or she was just letting me live and make my own choices. But now, that I was grounded... “Come on!” Buck said, wrapping a hoof over me. “Please? A night out, we’ll hire a DJ, nopony will know, you’ll feel better.” Then again, I could honestly use a little fun after this long week. I sat down my spoon. “Alright, I’ll... think about it. Won’t help if I get caught.” “Let me worry about auntie,” Blueblood assure as the others smiled at me. “You just think of all the fun we’ll have.” I sighed and the bell rang.