“Prince Shining Armor,” the member of the Missing Ponies Unit salutes. “Don’t tell me you still have no clue,” utters the prince without looking up at the guard. As he gets no response he looks up. The guard remains silent.
Shining Armor lets out a heavy sigh. “It has been a month. How can you not have even the slightest lead,” he laments, not actually expecting to get a response. But he gets one: “Sir, we have found several leads. But all of them ended in nothing. It is like all of them just... got up and left. On their own. Leaving family and friends behind.”
“Just like that?” The disbelieve is written onto the prince's face. “Yes, Sir. Just like that." The guard presents the compiled report. "Without warning or anything.”
“Well, you will keep looking anyways.” Shining Armor takes the file and looks into it. “Of course, Sir.” “We cannot give up." Shining finds a list of relatives to the missing ponies and adds: "For their families.”
Shining Armor dismisses the guard and returns to the other papers on his desk. The guard salutes again and leaves. Shining goes through the papers, but his mind stays with the missing ponies. Three ponies went missing. Just got up and left. And for a month my special unit has found nothing. How? It sounds like they were not themsel-
There is a sudden knock on the door that rips him from his thoughts. It takes him so long to gather himself that there is even a second, more hesitant knock. “Yes? Come in, please,” he finally responds.
The door opens a bit and a young mare pokes her head in: “P-Prince Shining Armor?” Her voice is soft and only barely audible. “That is me,” he smiles gently, “How may I help you?”
“I... Uhm... Well... I...” She is still standing in the half open door and nervously shifting from one side to the other.
“Are you okay, miss? Would you like to come in?” He gets up and comes over to the door, but she is already in when he steps around his table. He is rather surprised to see that this pegasus pony is quite tall. Maybe even taller than him, if she was standing straight.
“I... Uhm... It is an honor to meet you, my Prince.” She blushes visibly, even through her already red coat.
“Err... Okay?” He is not sure how to react. This is not a situation he has ever found himself in before. Then he realizes that he still doesn’t know her name. “So, may I ask who you are?”
“Oh, yes! O-Of course,” she immediately begins to panic, “I... I am Crimson Butterfly." She offers a hoof to shake, but then pulls it back, only to offer it again moments later. "Y-Your wife, the Princess, hired me to look after your daughter.”
“Ah. Yes, of course.” He remembers Cadance telling him something about finally hiring a nanny. It will be a shame to spend less time with his little girl, but at least he will be able to get work done. And sleeping. Sleeping again will be nice. He gallantly takes her hoof and kisses it. He then immediately wonders why he did that. “It was today that you started,” he asks to distract both himself and her from that silly action.
“Y-Yes, Prince Shining Armor, sir.” She still blushes though.
“Please, Miss Butterfly, Shining Armor will do,” he says almost blushing himself. She blinks at him several times and he realizes that he just did the thing he told her not to do, address her formally. He starts to chuckle. “Okay. I... Yeah... Crimson? Is Crimson okay?”
She lets out a cute giggle and he feels his cheeks turning red. He is not sure what it is about this mare that makes him act this way, but he can’t help it.
"Yes, Crimson will be fine," she responds with a gentle smile. For a moment they just stand there looking at each other until the mare breaks the silence: “I... I better go look after the little one now.” She excuses herself and leaves.
Shining Armor keeps standing in place a few moments longer, pondering what to do next. Is he actually interested in the nanny? Does he have feelings for her? Impossible! He loves Cadance! After what feels like way too long he makes the decision to tell Cadance. Hiding and lying about that he might actually have feelings for the nanny will only make things worse and potentially risk his marriage. And he is not going to be that stupid.
Later that day Crimson Butterfly returns to her home on the outskirts of the Empire. She needs to pack some things to move to the castle. Opening the door she is greeted by an unexpected sight. A single changeling drone is sitting in the middle of her living room.
“What the-,” she gasps and kicks the door closed behind her. “Are you insane?!”
The drone cowers in fear as the queen drops the magical disguise of the red pegasus with the long yellow mane and the soft voice. “You cannot just run around without a disguise! You are risking everything you worthless idiot!”
“I... I am sorry my queen. I... I was just-,” the drone whimpers.
“Be quiet and grateful that I am in a good mood.” A devious grin spreads on her face as she begins to gather some of the essentials she needs to bring with her.
“Does that mean-” the drone starts excitedly but Chrysalis answers before the drone can finish: “Yes. You are looking at the new nanny of the crystal heiress.”