Chapter 2
“I can’t believe I’m doing this, I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she muttered tirelessly under her breath.
Rarity stood at the center of Canterlot square, the most populated and central area in the entire city. Her sapphire blues drifting drearily the to the diamond encrusted clock ticking away. Every second, every minute that passed was a dreadful reminder of what awaited her once the clock struck 10.
She sighed miserably, closing her eyes.
Why am I doing this? Why am I giving that lousy lump of a prince another moment of my precious time? While the bits certainly do play a part of it, I can’t be shallow enough to agree to such an arrangement unless there was more to it.
Her eyes opened upon recognizing a familiar voice in the distance.
I know there is more to it, and yet, I don’t want to agree that there is…that would be conceding that Blueblood is worthy of forgiveness when deep down, I know he is not. But what have I learned of friendship after all these years if not that everyone deserves a second chance…or a third in his case. I really wish this had been Twilight’s cross to bear and not mine; she is the princess of friendship after all.
Prince Blueblood approached. He had an uncharacteristically humble and appreciative smile on his face. He was wearing the same outfit he wore on the night of her first gala. She forced a weak smile in return.
But I am the one who sought him out and brought him into my life in the first place, that is a level of responsibility I cannot deny. If he truly is sincere, then I have the best chance at turning this nauseating frog into a proper prince, the prince I always wanted…
Rarity shook her head vigorously. That silly, foolish dream of fairy tale prince and princesses had popped up again. She chided herself for getting sucked into that juvenile fantasy when she already had a prince.
“Get a hold of yourself girl. Spike may not always be the easiest person to live with, but he loves you unconditionally and you feel the same way. Just remember that when he’s putting the moves on you,” she scolded herself discretely.
The blond prince bowed appreciatively before her that smile never wavering for a moment. He offered a stunning scarlet rose to the white mare, hoofing it to her as if making an offering to a queen.
“You do this royal oaf wonders by coming here today, Mrs. The Dragon. Please accept this rose as a token of-”
“Let me make this perfectly crystal clear. I am not here to be wooed, romanced or swept off my hooves. I am simply here to aid you in your quest to improve your manners and better yourself, nothing more.”
“Completely understandable, that’s all I want my lady.”
“And that’s another thing, there will be no more referring to me as my lady or any other frilly, fancy sweet nothings from now on. This is not a formal attire event, hence why I chose to wear nothing, and this is not a date.”
“Very well, and what of the bits I offered?” he inquired curiously.
She paused. Rarity had to word this carefully. She did not want to sound like a desperate, poverty stricken fashionista considering her status and pride in the industry, but she also couldn’t deny such generous riches would flatten out mountains of stress from her nerves.
“I uh…well…let’s just save that part for the end of the trip. I must confess, I’m morbidly curious to see what you’ve got planned,” she said intrepidly.
He shook his head, that broad, dapper smile never leaving his face.
“You should expect nothing of the sort. There will be no duplicity, no uncouth behaviors; nothing but the ideal prince whose company you always dreamed of enjoying,” he said charmingly.
Blueblood nudged his head to the side, signaling her to join him for a walk. She followed.
“I want there to be no mystery about what my intentions are. My purpose is to show you I’m a changed stallion; I’ve turned over a new leaf as they say.”
“Really, that’s all?”
“Absolutely. A royal such as myself should be an upstanding-”
SPLASH!
Blueblood had been focusing on Rarity so diligently that he failed to see the small blue unicorn colt in his path. They collided and the pink box of chocolates the pony carried flew towards the startled prince. A glob of chocolate splattered onto his scarf.
“Oh sweet Celestia, I am so-so-so sorry mister; I just-” the colt suddenly realized who he had bumped into. A royal prince and Celestia’s nephew no less! “Oh no…I just stained the scarf of a royal prince!” he squealed in horror.
Rarity noticed the school logo on the side of the box. He must have been selling chocolate treats all over Canterlot for some kind of fund raiser or new textbooks. The poor dear looked like he was expecting a guillotine to come slicing down the back of his neck any second now.
“P-p-p-please sir, f-f-f-forgive me; it was an accident I swear. Don’t tell Celestia. I don’t want to be banished, or thrown into a dungeon or banished into-”
At this moment, Rarity was expecting one of two responses from Blueblood: he would either freak out and whine like a petulant child over his outfit being ruined, or he would snap like a brutish ogre and chew the child out until he would run away in tears. But surprisingly enough, Blueblood did the one thing Rarity never thought he would do…he laughed.
“Oh my dear boy, you needn’t worry. I’m just glad you’re all right,” he said assuredly.
The prince helped the colt back onto his feet, dusting off any dirt he collected.
“Come now. There is no need for tears or apologies. It is I who should be apologizing to you; after all, I wasn’t looking where I was going and costing you a great deal,” he said, motioning to the mangled box on the ground.
“Oh t-t-that? No, no it’s no big deal. I was just selling candy to raise funds to buy a new book bag since my old one ripped,” the colt said timidly.
“Tell me, do you have any more boxes?”
“Well yeah but-”
“Then be a good lad and bring me a new one,” he boasted loudly.
Blueblood magically lifted a magenta sack full of gold bits from his pocket and dumped it into the colt’s hooves. The young pony almost fell from the weight of the bag.
“There, that should more than cover the new box and the old one I clumsily wasted, with plenty extra for a whole new assortment of school supplies,” he said.
Both Rarity and the young colt were left speechless. Blueblood was many things but generous certainly wasn’t one of them, at least, until just now. The fashionista was certain that in the past Blueblood wouldn’t have forgiven this ‘commoner’ for bumping into him, much less aide him with bits.
Is it possible he had actually changed?
“Wow, thanks Mister ER-I mean your-your highness,” he babbled gratefully.
“Oh please, call me Blueblood. Don’t feel so obligated by outdated formalities,” he chuckled humbly.
That settles it. Blueblood HAD to be a changeling; that was the only possible logical explanation for what she was seeing!
“You run along now and get those books, and also, don’t be ashamed to get a little something extra for yourself,” the prince beamed.
The colt’s eyes sparkled like it was Hearth’s warming day. He ran away as quickly as he could with all those bits.
“Ahh to be young, boys will be boys after all,” Blueblood said with a laugh.
“Well…I certainly wasn’t expecting that,” Rarity exclaimed.
“You’ll find I’m full of pleasant surprises.”
The blond prince motioned for Rarity to continue walking downtown Canterlot with him, not taking one single step forward until she followed. Everything about this felt off. He could be performing an elaborate charade just for her sake, but, then again, the Blueblood she remembered would never associate with common folk like that.
If he was putting on a show, then I imagine even Applejack would have been fooled. I’ll just have to keep an eye on him to see what he does next.
But the more she saw, the blurrier the truth became.
Prince Blueblood was performing dozens of chivalrous and charitable acts, from something grand as buying a couple’s dinner for their anniversary, to little acts of kindness such as drawing a smiley face on a child’s balloon. This was not the selfish pain of a prince that had soiled her first grand galloping gala; this was the prince she had always dreamed he would be.
The pair stopped for lunch and a much less formal restaurant. Blueblood offered to cover the bill, unsurprisingly. He insisted no matter how many times Rarity assured him she could afford it but he was having none of it. They sat down at an outdoor table with a lush, magenta umbrella blocking the blinding rays of Celestia’s sun.
“I must confess Blueblood; this is a side of you I never expected to see.”
“I take that as the highest compliment then.”
Rarity tilted her head to the side.
“Really? Why, what’s so special about me? Certainly your aunt’s impression of you would hold more weight than from some fashion designer from Ponyville.”
“Auntie is sufficiently pleased with my progress. She was the first pony to congratulate me without any sarcasm or forcing of a hollow smile. However, the truth of the matter is you’re part of my rehabilitation.”
She sipped a cup of freshly ordered tea as she listened; curious to see where he’s going with this.
“Most of Canterlot knows of my…ahem…behaviors, that’s why so few ponies outside of royals approach me. You were the first non-royal to talk to me in a while and it was truly flattering. Unfortunately, I was too engrossed in my own arrogance and self-worth to see how dreadfully I treated you.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it doesn’t! Don’t forget, you tried to force yourself me at the second gala we attended.”
“It’s not and I sadly am all too aware of how I acted back then. My well-deserved humiliation motivated me to win your affection because I felt cheated out of someone I felt should have been mine. As a prince, having something denied from me is a truly infuriating experience.”
She huffed and turned her nose up in the air; haughtily crossing a slender leg.
“So is sipping tea with a misogynistic pig!”
He sighed miserably. The prince knew he earned had that, the lady’s words struck deeply and accurately.
“You’re right…you’ve been right about me since the first night we met. Auntie should have ripped off my horn, stripped me of my royal title and thrown me into the gutter where I belong. There are few things lower than assaulting a beautiful and forgiving lady such as you, Miss Rarity. I don’t deserve my heritage.”
Rarity slowly tilted herself back towards Blueblood. Her resolve softening, her muscles relaxing as her legs slowly uncrossed.
“Well, I haven’t exactly said that I’ve completely forgiven you,” her voice had a twinge of sympathy for the sullen stallion. She reached out and gently patted his hoof across the table. “But still,” his eyes faintly sparkled with hope as he looked to her, “it is possible you’re being a tad too hard on yourself.”
Blueblood offered a weak smile. The waiter came with their ordered entrees. Rarity squeaked as she quickly pulled away her hoof from his, she couldn’t believe what had come over her.
“Thank you Miss Rarity…I…truly appreciate what you said. I think that’s about the nicest thing any pony has ever said to me that wasn’t, you know; brown nosing.”
“What a terrible thing to hear, I had no idea. I would have figured being a prince has earned you at the very least a bit of respect and admiration from other ponies from other nations or ambassadors.”
“I’m afraid my reputation has always preceded me. I only spend my time associating with royals or upper class ponies, and they’ve spread the not-so-good word about me to others in their circles. I was a fool to sully the good name of princes by acting the way that I did and I just wanted you to see that I’ve changed, and most importantly for you to know how truly sorry I am.”
There was such depth in his words, such meaning in his heart; it was quite moving really. Rarity felt genuine warmth coming from the blond prince sitting across from her. It was powerfully familiar, a warmth that she experienced many times from another male admirer’s gaze. She was thinking of her husband of course.
“You know Blueblood, I was actually just thinking…”
She opened her mouth to finish but paused; frozen by an unknown force in her soul. She wanted to tell him she forgave him, but she also wanted to tell him she somehow felt like she was betraying her husband. She didn’t know why. Every pony knows how deeply she loves her husband and that she would never leave him for another.
Is it wrong for her to say that…she might actually be…enjoying her time with Blueblood?
“I’m sorry, did you say something miss Rarity?” he asked; waiting until after he finished quietly crunching a mouth full of salad.
Strangely enough, such a sight made her laugh.
“I do hope you include me in on the joke.”
She laughed more and shook her head; trying to compose herself. The ivory mare stared curiously at her own meal. She smiled curiously and lazily poked her soufflé with a fork in her right hoof.
“It’s just…watching you eat reminded me of Spike when he last ate a salad. He always puts gemstones in his food, so everything is louder and crunchier; no matter what the dish. Sometimes little bits would fly off and land in my food and I’d nearly chip my teeth biting into it,” she said with a twinge of irritation.
“My, that must keep things lively at home,” he lightly jested.
She laughed and slowly nodded. “I guess I just forgot how quiet and simple a meal can be without chewing, crunching, shouting, or scales on the floor,” she rambled passively.
Before Blueblood could inquire about the “shouting” part, Rarity quickly excused herself to the ladies room so she could “powder her nose.” It was a lame excuse as any pony could clearly see her nose was already immaculately powdered before she even left her house this morning.
The prince sighed and raised his hoof to signal the waiter.
“Could we have the check please?”
Blueblood had returned to Canterlot castle. Rarity seemed quite bedraggled after their lunch, so he honored her request to meet up with her later for dinner while she relaxed in her room, which also happened to be at Canterlot castle. He hummed merrily to himself; trotting past his aunt’s throne room on towards his own room. The sound of such joyous steps and hums caught the sun princess’s curious ear.
“Well, someone sure seems to be in a good mood today. What’s the special occasion dear nephew?” Celestia inquired.
The smiling stallion stopped and turned to his aunt. He seemed all too eager to respond, as if hoping she would ask him.
“Oh nothing much, just excited to be reconnecting with an old friend,” he said slyly.
“That wouldn’t have anything to do with the bearer of the element of generosity staying with us for the weekend, would it?”
“But of course auntie, I assumed you knew.”
Celestia approached her pompous nephew. Her typical sweet and motherly smile had wilted into a suspicious frown. Her intimidating stance and stare failed to faze the blond prince.
“I knew she was coming to stay, I did not know you had anything to do with the reason for her visit. I’m surprised you didn’t feel inclined to share that little detail with me,” she said interrogatingly.
“Why dear auntie, you sound suspicious of me. You already know I’ve changed my ways. Miss Rarity is part of my amendment steps, I wish to reconcile with her,” he said calmly.
She paused for a moment. The princess had to admit, Blueblood has been making tremendous steps improving his behavior lately. She’s seen it with her own eyes. However, she always assumed her nephew had decided to change thanks to the magic of friendship…now she’s not so sure.
“Is something the matter, Auntie?”
“No…not really…I was just thinking. I am proud of the improvements you’ve made; don’t get me wrong, I just wonder why is Rarity the first pony you wish to mend things with? As I recall, you have many ponies, as well as yaks and Griffons to reconcile with as well,” Celestia said.
Blueblood coughed uneasily. He hated being lectured by his aunt, especially when his obnoxious actions had given her so much to hang over his head.
“Ahem, yes, well; I figure since the Princess of Friendship has such a close bond with you, it would only be natural of me to start with one of her closest friends,” he said. The prince irritably tugged at his collar.
“I have attempted to pass many lessons of friendship onto you during you’re upbringing nephew. Nothing would please me more than to see they have been successfully integrated into your lifestyle,” she said sincerely.
Blueblood puffed his chest out pompously.
“Why thank you Aunt Celestia. I knew I could count on your support. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some dinner arrangements to make,” he announced. The prince trotted off to his room to prepare for his dinner with Rarity. “I’ll let you know how everything works out.”
As soon as the prince left, Celestia turned to a shadowy corner and nodded. Princess Luna stepped out of the darkness. She had the same suspicious and questionable look on her face as her sister.
“I have a feeling we will find out the truth, sooner rather than later,” Celestia said crossly.
Rarity returned to her room at the castle; generously offered earlier by both Blueblood and his royal aunt, Celestia. Imagining she had accepted the offer from Celestia alone somehow made her feel better about this whole situation…that all changed about an hour ago.
“What in the world is happening to me?” she asked herself
She stared at her haunting reflection in the bathroom mirror. Sickness and nausea washed over her like an avalanche. She splashed water over her face; trying to snap out of this perturbed state, succeeding only in making her makeup and eyeliner run.
“This is insane! Why did I tell him that? Why would I share something so private like that with-with Blueblood?”
Perhaps because life with Spike isn’t always wine and roses, is it darling?
“Well of course it’s not! Every pony knows all marriages have their ups and downs. So what if Spike does a few things that annoy me? That doesn’t mean I don’t love him anymore.”
No…but how faithful can you be if you’re having these doubts?
“I refuse to dignify that with a response! There isn’t a shred of a doubt inside of this happily married mare.”
Not even for your fairy tale prince, the one you’ve been dreaming of and waiting for ever since you were young?
“That was a long time ago and while Spike does not fit that image ideally, he is still far princelier than Blueblood; despite how much he’s changed.”
But do you really want to settle when you could have it all; have your ideal husband in the ideal image and role you always wanted? Rarity has never accepted anything less than the best!
“Spike IS the best. He was there for all those years; waiting and caring for me while Blueblood tossed me aside like last fall’s boots. I believe in second chances but some ships have long since sailed. It would be grossly unfair to Spiky Wiky, not to mention unfaithful to even toy with the absurd notion of being Blueblood’s chance at redemption and romance.”
But you’re already toying with that notion; you wouldn’t be here spending the weekend with him if you weren’t considering it on some level.
“It’s-it’s complicated! I want to be a good friend and offer a second chance, but I don’t want to let anyone get the wrong idea about my intentions. I love Spike and I will always love him. Blueblood was a fantasy, an illusion that would never be real. Even if he has changed, I was a fool to think he would be what I needed him to be without ever getting to know him.”
Except now you are getting to know him and he’s living up to the princely image you’ve always written about in your diary. This is real, this is really happening. There’s still a chance!
“A chance for what, huh? To cheat, to be a flirtatious trollop that uses men like toys and discards them when a shinier model comes out? Sorry but my self-respect is worth more than that.”
Apparently it’s worth 10,000 bits, so much for being loyal…darling.
“SHUT UP!”
CRACK!
Rarity’s magic flared into a microburst. The mirror cracked instantly, contents on the counter were scattered across the floor. She sighed miserably and rubbed her throbbing temples.
“Great, now look what I’ve gone and done,” she moaned achingly.
Countless shards of glass lay scattered on her floor. She stared at them, watching dozens of reflective surfaces mirror those sullen, sad looking eyes of hers right back to her.
“What does all of this mean? Why does this have to mean anything at all?” she said.
To be continued…