//------------------------------// // Chapter III: The Prince is Revealed // Story: The Young Prince of Equestria // by GoebelTron //------------------------------// Later on, after a few hours of day court ended, and dealing with a ribbon cutting ceremony, a few contests consisting flowers, pastries and other recipes by random contending gardeners, cooks and bakers, checking and signing other important documents and having a royal lunch conference with other ponies, Princess Celestia came back to her bedroom to turn in for the rest of the day and removed the spell. When she got in, the princess smiled at the most cute scene she had ever seen. There on the pillow, where Celestia reads privately, was Sweet Rose, the new royal foalsitter and loyal housekeeper maid pony, holding the sleeping baby in her hooves and rocking him to sleep. “Oh! Hello, your highness. I didn’t see you come in,” she said. “Hello, Sweet Rose,” Celestia replied. “And for what I’m seeing, I’m willing to believe that I assume you and my baby had a good time. Was he well behaved?” Sweet Rose nodded in reply, “Yes, princess. He was such a sweet little angel, but the problem is that he doesn’t cry too much, but when he does, he calms down if I hold him in a cradle and rock him, read him a little story book, or find ways to play with him or just hold him for a warm cuddle. But since he’s a newborn, I’d have to try this nice and gently easy like, except have a few cuddles with him. The thing is you really can’t ask for a well-behaved foal. Oh, before I forget, while he was napping, I also got him a few essentials so that he can start fresh. I got him a extra variety pack of a few diapers from the store and some formula just in case, and brought them here without anypony in the palace noticing, and I kept the secret safe.” Celestia smiled warmly at how much the foalsitter was willing to take the responsibility well, “Thank you so much, Sweet Rose.” “No problem, your majesty. Just trying to be the best royal foalsitter ever. And if it’s okay, could we get him a crib later on because he might need his own bed,” Sweet Rose said. “I’m glad, and I was just thinking about that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I would like to spend some time with my son. And be sure to let me know what you need for my son or your expecting child and I’ll bring it to you. You’re dismissed now,” Celestia said as Sweet Rose magically handed Bowen back over to his mother. “Thank you, your highness. And see you soon, little Bowen,” Sweet Rose said as she kissed him on the forehead and stroked his silky soft hairy head, and then left the room. After she put on her robe and slippers, Celestia came back and held Bowen on her hooves, then sat down on her big red pillow to rock her baby in a cradle. There was a knock on the door, and a guard pony answered, “Your majesty, a doctor pony is here for your appointment.” “Oh, that must be her. Bring her in,” Celestia replied, and then the doctor came in. She was a unicorn mare with light slate gray fur, a black mane and tail, brown to yellow gradient eyes, she wore a aqua green shirt and a white lab coat, and she had a cutie mark of a yellow stethoscope. “Good afternoon, your highness,” Dr. White said. “Good afternoon to you, Dr. White. Thank you so much for coming,” Celestia replied, as she cradled her son privately. “I assume this is the one you called for?” Dr. White asked. Celestia nodded, “This is Bowen, a little human baby I found last night, and appears to be a day old.” “He was born yesterday?” Dr. White asked. “Yes, but he came from this basket,” Celestia replied, showing the doctor the basket Bowen came from. “I see. So what can I do for him?” Dr. White asked. “Could you do a checkup? Just to see if he’s in good shape?” Celestia asked. “Of course. Just let me grab a few essentials and I’ll get started,” Dr. White replied, and then after Celestia placed Bowen on a mat provided by Dr. White, she took out her bag of medical supplies. “Okay, sweetheart. Now, Dr. White’s going to have a look at you, okay?” Celestia said, then kissed Bowen’s forehead, and Dr. White got started. “Okay, so what we have is a newborn male primal bipedal creature, or human to be exact, and is a day old like you said,” Dr. White said. Celestia nodded, and then Dr. White continued to check on the baby by using a stethoscope for his heartbeat, and then checked his body temperature, and finally measured his height and weight. “Hmm... well, princess. He appears to be in perfect condition and is very healthy. So, since your son is a newborn, he might not be immune to other diseases, and he’s in fact too young for a medical shot, so he’s gonna need something edible to survive,” Dr. White said. “I have been breastfeeding my son this morning,” Celestia said. “Good. Good. You should probably give him more of your milk every day whenever it’s required. And if you have any problems, give me a call or notify another doctor and we’ll help,” Dr. White said. “Thank you, doctor. But I was wondering. It would also be nice if you could also be my son’s doctor,” Celestia said sweetly, and then Dr. White nodded. “I’d be honored.” “Thank you once again, Dr. White. Have a good day,” Celestia said, and then Dr. White left the room and then Celestia spent the rest of the evening with her son by reading to him and playing with him. Later on, Celestia was signing more documents from other countries in Equestria including peace treaties or contracts, and she had Bowen in his bundle and laid in her forelegs sleeping. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and then Celestia covered her child with her wing and hid him between her haunches. The pony that entered the room was a guard pony that looked like a commanding officer, and he had grayish silver armor with light gray hair on top, and he had charcoal gray fur, a light gray mane and tail with a mustache and beard, amber eyes, and his flank had a cutie mark of a silver shield and a spear. His name was Captain Silver Spear. “What is it, Captain?” Celestia asked. “Sorry to disturb you, your highness. But my men saw something on your doors,” Captain Silver Spear replied. “I’m fine, Captain. It was just...” Celestia was cut off by Bowen’s whimpering, until she softly shushed him. Captain Silver Spear suddenly saw the human baby on her hoof, “What is that?” Celestia was suddenly shocked about how curious her trusted commanding officer was, then sighed with honesty, “Captain Silver Spear, meet my son, Bowen Mockingjay. And he’s a little human baby I found in that basket.” Captain Silver Spear was shocked about her explanation, then asked again, “How did he get here?” Celestia covered Bowen with her wing and held him against her chest with both forelegs wrapped around him, “His homeland was invaded by other invaders that are like his kind, but his parents sent him away to be safe. I don’t know why, but it still bugs me. Do you think you could help me keep my son’s existence a secret?” Captain Silver Spear felt sorry for the poor boy after hearing her explanation, and then thought for a moment, “Was it alone?” “Yes. He was all by himself,” Celestia replied while holding the baby. “Are you sure?” Captain Silver Spear asked. “Yes. There are no others,” the princess replied. Captain Silver Spear then looked down at Bowen again, then nodded, “Very well. And I assume you want to keep him. Then as the captain of the royal guard, I swear to keep his existence to myself, but I will make a search around the forest or elsewhere in Canterlot for any invaders but make it personal, with your permission.” “Thank you, Captain. Now I’d like to show my son what I do at the end of the day,” Celestia replied and then the captain left the room. Celestia then took her baby and went over to the balcony, and then as she was holding him in her foreleg with his bunting and blanket wrapped all around him, she lit up her horn and lowered the sun and began raising the moon, where a picture of a pony was shown. Bowen reached his arms out for the moon and made happy baby noises with a few giggles while staring at the big shiny spherical rock ball in the night sky. “Aww... I assume you want your Auntie Luna?” Celestia asked as Bowen made more baby noises and then Celestia looked down at him. “Did you enjoy seeing what mommy can do?” Bowen then began sucking on his hand, and then Celestia nuzzled her face with her child until he curiously hugged it, causing her to smile more, then she kissed him on the cheek and then walked inside, and then read him a little bedtime story while reading with her glasses on and having the baby on her hoof and snuggled against her chest, before she then laid on her bed and fed him her milk again before going to sleep. Later on, in the middle of the night, Celestia was sleeping peacefully while Bowen slept against her chest wrapped in his bunting and tucked underneath his warm blankets as the princess wrapped her forelegs around him to keep him safe, and used one of her wings to cover him for protection. Bowen hugged her leg and nuzzled with her hoof as a cute and cuddly teddy bear. Suddenly, without them noticing, a small dark figure entered the room. She started to get closer to Celestia’s bed, but then suddenly tripped over herself on the floor, “Ouch!” she said. Celestia covered up the baby without waking him, and then lit up her horn and turned up the light a little. What she saw was a little 7 year old pegasus filly with pale light grayish cerise fur, a cloud curled mane and tail with three streaks of moderate violet, moderate rose and pale gold, light purple eyes and her mane and tail were tied in a ponytail. “Cadance? What are you doing up?” Celestia asked, putting on her robe while covering Bowen with her wing. “Sorry, Auntie Celestia. I had another nightmare, so I wanted to come sleep with you until I tripped over something,” Cadance replied, until she saw another object. “Is this a baby bottle? Why are there baby toys on the floor?” Celestia sighed with her head lowered and her eyes closed from her own stupidity thinking how could she be so carelessly senseless and then realized by remembering that Cadance would sometimes come over to her room for comfort from her aunt after having nightmares, since her niece was only 7 years old and very young. While being the cute and curious pony she already was, Cadance suddenly saw her Auntie Celestia hiding something with her hooves and wings. “Umm... Auntie Celestia? What are you hiding?” she asked. Celestia was suddenly alarmed that her niece noticed her secret, so she tried to find a good answer and come up with a reply for it, “Well, my dear niece, you see, I…” At that moment when she started explaining things, she was interrupted by Bowen’s whimpering until he began to whine and cry at the same time, so Celestia casted a sound proof spell around her room and then turned around and started to gently cradle and bounce the baby, “Shhhhhh... Hush, my little Bowen. I’m here. I’m here. Shhhhhh shhhhhh... Don’t be scared.” As she gently bounced him with her cradle, Bowen began to calm down and then soothe his whimpering, until Cadance flew closer to the scene and then saw the bundle wrapped around him as he laid on Celestia’s hooves. “It’s alright, Cadance. And to be honest, I was just a little bit... sidetracked,” she said, as the princess revealed Bowen to her niece. Her eyes suddenly widened as Cadance started at him, but suddenly a huge smile appeared on her face. “Aww... it’s so cute! But... what is it anyway?” Celestia was surprised that her niece didn’t fear the baby, so she brought him closer to the filly for a closer look, “This is Bowen Mockingjay, and he’s a baby. Would you like to hold him?” “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Cadance exclaimed, and then Celestia let her niece hold him in her little forelegs and then she took a good look at how cute he was, and then she let him play with her mane which made her smile, “So... so, where’s his mommy?” “Well, I’m going to be his mother now, and he shall live here with us,” Celestia replied. Cadance gasped happily as she held the baby, “So that... that makes him my cousin?! YAY! I have a new baby cousin!” Celestia nodded in reply, “And why I chose to raise him was because he was drifted away in that basket right there, and the place where he came from was attacked by invaders from elsewhere, and before you ask, he is a human, which was said in the note.” “Wow! I don’t know most about humans and I’m so sorry about his other home, but it doesn’t matter! He is really nice and so cute! Oh, little cousin Bowen, I love you so much!” Cadance said, gently pressing the baby against her barrel and belly, and then gave him a few kisses on his face. Celestia smiled warmly, “I’m glad you do, my dear little niece, but listen to me. There are other ponies who won’t treat him as the sapient creature he is, so it’s up to you to look out for him like he’s one of your own.” “The nerve of those mean ponies! I won’t let them! I’ll protect him, auntie! And I’d really like to show him to my friends because I know they’ll like him too!” Cadance said, hugging her little cousin again as the baby cooed again, until he yawned and slept in his cousin’s fur and snuggled with the filly. “Auntie, can I sleep with you tonight, since I had that nightmare?” Celestia nodded and then Cadance hopped onto the bed with Bowen comfortably safe in her hooves, and then Celestia climbed onto her bed and then laid on all four legs tucked underneath her but wrapped one around Cadance, and then placed her wing over them both. Cadance suddenly woke up one more time, but she looked at her aunt and kept Bowen tucked in her forelegs and hind legs around him. “Auntie Celestia? Before I go to sleep... am I allowed to come and play with him whenever I want?” Cadance asked. “Yes, my niece, but promise me you’ll be careful with him,” Celestia replied, until Cadance nodded before yawning and then they both went back to sleep as Bowen was snug and warm in Cadance’s embrace. Celestia kissed her forehead and then went back to sleep. “Goodnight, Auntie Celestia,” Cadance said. “Goodnight, my dear little niece,” Celestia replied. The next morning, Celestia woke up to raise the sun after putting on her robe and slippers, but as she got back, the princess smiled warmly at the sight of her niece being protective of her little baby cousin as he was laid against her barrel and belly with his head gently pressed onto her chest. Cadance suddenly woke up and then got out of bed without waking up the baby. Celestia then saw Bowen waking up, until he suddenly started whimpering and whining wanting a hug, so Celestia took him in her aura and then held him with both hooves as he laid against her chest. His stomach suddenly made grumbling noises, until Celestia laid down and then began nursing him. When he was done, Celestia helped burp him and then as Sweet Rose came over, she left Bowen and Cadance with the foalsitter and then left to attend for morning court. When morning court and her royal duties ended later on, Celestia came back until she saw Sweet Rose reading a story to Cadance and she was holding Bowen as he was sitting on her lap and hugging her hooves. “Well, it seems you three are enjoying yourselves,” Celestia said. “Yes, auntie. I really like my new baby cousin. He is so funny and cute that I could just hug him forever with all my heart, and I love to hear him laugh sometime soon. And also, Miss Sweet Rose is a nice pony to be foalsat by,” Cadance said. “I’m glad to hear that, Cadance. By the way, Sweet Rose, you’re allowed to foalsit my niece whenever she wants to play with my son,” Celestia said. “Understood. Honestly, your highness. I really must say that you do have a very smart and sweet niece and I love to take care of them here,” Sweet Rose said. “Thank you, Sweet Rose. Now, I’d like to spend the rest of my day with my son,” Celestia said. The foalsitter nodded and then left the room, and then Cadance rocked Bowen back and forth. Suddenly, Captain Silver Spear came in with some news, “Your highness, I’ve some news for you.” Celestia nodded, “Cadance? Could you stay here with Bowen for a little while?” Cadance nodded and then she cuddled with Bowen and read him another story after Celestia and Captain Silver Spear left the room for some privacy. “Your highness, we’ve did a search around the forest and found no other humans like Bowen who have come looking for him or to kill him.” “I see... then it looks like my son is indeed safe from harm, and it appears we aren’t in danger of others of his kind plotting to attack us for me taking him,” Celestia said, as she was feeding Bowen her milk and stroking his hair gently after coming back over for the night and putting on her robe and slippers. “But if it pleases you, we’ll set up defenses around your palace if any dare cross here,” Captain Silver Spear said. “Very well, Captain Silver Spear,” the princess said, as she burped Bowen and hugged him softly against her chest as he rested against her neck. “So how much longer?” he asked. “How much longer? Until what?” Celestia asked. “Until you decide to reveal him. Pardon my words, your highness, but I’m afraid ponies of this castle will begin to start to suspect things soon. I mean the captain of the royal guard having secret meetings with her majesty the princess, the princess spending more time in her room after her royal duties, and a younger housekeeper maid pony that apparently disappears from her job shift and then comes out of the princess’ room every day before the princess has to set the sun and raise the moon, and the princess’ niece coming over for unknown purposes. It might be hard to keep this to ourselves,” Captain Silver Spear said. “I understand, Silver Spear, but I’m still not so sure if I can trust everypony that works for me. I only want my son to be safe and warm, and I have to have trust from those around me feel the same way,” Celestia said. “Princess, you have to trust that your servants and guards that they can keep the promise of serving him as their prince just as they serve you, because you can’t shelter him from your bedroom walls forever,” Captain Silver Spear said. “If you want to raise him as a prince of Equestria, then you’ll have to present him and show him that this world is safe for him, until all will know him as your son and a prince of Equestria, but it won’t happen if you show him this castle. It’s up to you to decide what’s best for him. I too want him safe.” Celestia then felt nervous as she couldn’t decide what to do, but she suddenly remembered something, “I know that my mother and father taught me that we must take baby steps if we fall, and then try to learn to pick ourselves back up. I’m not sure I understood what they meant about what they said before they passed the throne to me and Luna after they passed away. But later on, I understood that it takes patience, confidence, hope and faith that we can get back on our hooves by learning to do it ourselves, but instead is that we need to believe in ourselves. I thought the same way if I was going to see Bowen learn to crawl until he’d learn to walk later on.” “Excellent words to remember by as always, Princess Celestia. I’m sure your parents would be proud as well,” Captain Silver Spear said. “And if you raise Bowen with your guided knowledge and love, he will be able to run this kingdom as well as you and Luna have before her disappearance. But I’m afraid the acceptance part will be on the part of your subjects, but I’m sure they’ll accept him as their beloved prince, and that you’re his mother. Only time will tell us the right answer to that soon enough.” “Thank you, captain,” Celestia said. “But I promise you that I’ll think of the time to reveal my son to Canterlot, including the staff of this castle. But for now, he will be kept secret only to you, my niece, Dr. White, Sweet Rose, and me.” “As you wish, your highness. Now, I must take my leave to prepare my troops for night shift and patrol,” Captain Silver Spear said, as he then left the entrance to Celestia’s room. Celestia then saw Cadance walk out, until seeing Sweet Rose walk by, “Sweet Rose? Could you please take my niece and put her to bed? I’ll deal with Bowen.” The foalsitter maid pony nodded and then took the filly to her bedroom. Celestia lowered the sun and raised the moon, and then got into bed with Bowen in her forelegs wrapped around him, and then he snuggled himself against her chest until she kissed him on the head and then rested her head over his small form, but without squishing him until she felt his small hands touch her neck, until he turned over and leaned on her forelegs, and then she placed her wing over him. Later on, days have passed since Bowen came into Celestia’s life, even though she wished who was responsible for the attack on his birth village, but she’d knew that it was still a mystery. She still loved him as much as she loved her subjects, except she put a little more love to her son by showing some care and comfort. But still, she couldn’t believe that she was raising a child that was a future prince of Equestria in her eyes, but she still only hopes that her subjects would accept him as their ruler, or what to do next if they didn’t. She also kept her same routine. First, she would wake to raise the sun and lower the moon, then feed her child and burp him, after a nice breakfast. Sweet Rose would then come over and take care of him or Cadance if she had time for a play date with her baby cousin, while the princess would attend to day court and then her royal duties. After her duties were over with, Celestia would come back to spend the rest of her evening with her son and say goodbye to Sweet Rose. She would then feed him again and lower the sun and raise the moon. Lastly, she would get some rest to do the same routine all over again. Sweet Rose was finally going to have the baby that she always dreamed of as well, and is expected to be born in 11 months. Luckily, Celestia secretly managed to get a crib for Bowen without other ponies noticing, which was a upholstered round regal stylish crib made of dark oak wood and painted with a little bit of gold on the carved regal symbols, and was packed with a few bedsheets and blankets in light gray, white, and baby blue, and also a rotating mobile with a plush rainbow cloud, crescent moon, partly cloudy sun, and yellow star. It also had a few blinds to keep him calm and quiet so that the light wouldn’t disturb whenever he needs to nap. The routine somehow started to raise suspicion in her guards and servants, including other delegate ponies from other countries or cities in Equestria that would come see the princess. They weren’t sure what it was all about, but they somehow knew something was going on. Some servants were curious about why she would stay in Celestia’s bedroom everyday and some of the guards were wondering why he would come see the princess most of the time, since he had to train some other guards or help his troops protect the princess. Cadance knew that the suspicions were getting out of hand. “Your highness... I’m afraid that this matter is becoming too hard to control. I can already sense that soon these rumors about the routine could somehow spread to all the ponies of Canterlot before they are ready to hear this,” Captain Silver Spear said. Celestia was happily watching her son sitting on his play mat with Sweet Rose and playing with a few toys that she and Luna used to play with when they were his age, and Celestia was able to get some clothing for him by coming up with a smart way to not mention her son. Cadance was also happy to see her baby cousin enjoying himself. Celestia then watched as her son was finally learning how to crawl as he crawled over to another toy to play with, as she smiled as her little boy was growing up. “Princess, are you listening to what I’m saying?” Captain Silver Spear asked. “Hmm? Oh, sorry. I’m just so proud of my son growing up so fast, and finally learning to crawl,” Celestia replied. “Look, I know that the problem is getting out of hand, and Sweet Rose has had to find some new reasons to make it to my room privately or get stuff for my son.” She then saw Cadance building blocks with Bowen, causing him to laugh at her creativity. “Auntie Celestia, I’m worried as you are, but I think having him around the castle is a great idea,” Cadance said while Sweet Rose held Bowen on her lap, as he chewed on another toy. “I have to be honest, she and the captain are right, you can’t have him inside your room for all of your life. He might need to explore the castle some more and probably get to know this place,” Sweet Rose said. “But right now, it’s chaos out there and the rumors have now gone off to the deep end of the line.” “How so?” Captain Silver Spear asked. “Well, there is one that the captain of the royal guard and the princess are somehow in a romantic relationship, and another is that I’m stealing from the princess everyday, or maybe attempting to kill the princess and take over Equestria. Why would I ever do that? I’m a housekeeper maid pony and a foalsitter, for crying out loud,” Sweet Rose said as she was gently bouncing Bowen as he was whimpering and whining softly. “Thank you, Sweet Rose. I’m still not sure what my subjects would think of him and afraid what other ponies would do with him, but do you think it’s a good idea?” Celestia asked. “Don’t worry, your highness. I’m sure they’ll all understand. But is it okay if I propose something to you if all of Equestria would accept him?” Sweet Rose asked. Listening to Sweet Rose, Celestia was pleased that Sweet Rose’s plan was a bit motivated and very gifted in order to have Celestia let her son live with her and have a normal life, and then she believed Sweet Rose’s plan to safely show him to the world would work, but she thought of another idea as she looked at her son. But suddenly, another voice spoke up, “M-m-ma... Mmm... Mmmmmm... M-m-ma mmmm...” Bowen babbled. “What is it, little sweetie?” Cadance asked. “M-m-ma... M-m-ma... Mmm... mmm... ma... ma...” Bowen replied. Cadance knew what was happening. “Auntie Celestia! Miss Sweet Rose!” Cadance said, as Sweet Rose was still holding Bowen on her lap. “What is it, dear?” Celestia asked. “Bowen’s about to say his first word!” Cadance replied. “He is?” Celestia asked. “That’s wonderful, Cadance.” She then looked at her son, “Go on. I’m listening.” “Mmm... mm mm mmm... Ma-ma... Mama!” Bowen said. “Mama!” Celestia smiled warmly at her son’s first word, and then nuzzled with him as he hugged her face gently, “I’m proud of you, my son.” She then gave him a kiss. Then, she finally made up her mind about her subjects and how to deal with this issue at hand. Later on, every royal guard, messenger, and all her staff including her cooks, bakers, butlers and maids, were gathered inside the throne room wondering what their royally charming and regally beautiful ruler had to say and what the good news was. After waiting for another several minutes, Princess Celestia alongside Cadance, Captain Silver Spear, and her personal housekeeper maid pony Sweet Rose, who was carrying a bundle in her hoof and was wrapped in a bunting and covered in blankets until they realized it sounded like a baby, but didn’t know that he was sleeping. Once they entered and took their positions in front of everypony, and while Sweet Rose was still holding Bowen in his bundle and kept him calmly asleep as possible, Celestia walked over to the audience and made her announcement. “My most trusted royal servants and guards, thank you all for your attendance today. Now, I have called you here because I have an announcement to make. A few months ago... I was blessed with something beautiful that changed my life forever and somehow touched my heart. I was blessed... with... a son to love, and a chance to become a mother.” The staff gasped to hear that and were surprisingly shocked but happy at the same time, but many of them started to get very confused. Celestia noticed their confusingly concerned faces, and then continued, “Yes, it’s true. I found him in my gardens all alone inside a drifted woven basket from his birth village, and it was invaded by other invaders that were his kind. When I looked at him, he didn’t fear me and when I read the note, I knew that it was me as the one who should take care of him. But I’m not taking care of him because I have to. It’s because I want to since I fell in love with this child and I hope you too can accept him as we did so that he can feel safe around with the rest of the ponies of Equestria. And I know that there were rumors going on in the castle, but I assure you that nothing is wrong and nome of them are true. But before I explain them, I’d like you all to meet the child I was blessed with, but before I do that, I must warn you that he’s not a pony, or a griffon or a dragon. His species is rather... sapient. But I promise, he possesses no threat.” The crowd was confused again, then continued to listen, “And now, I like to present to you, my son.” Celestia then nodded to Sweet Rose to come over, and then she walked over to the throne and presented Bowen by lifting him up with her magic and then Bowen was held by Celestia with her magical aura as some of the blankets were removed. Everypony was amazed about how unique the creature he was, but some found him very adorable, while some of the maids smiled at him and giggled, but some looked at him with disgust, and none of the guards were attempting to harm him since Bowen was a baby. Suddenly, one pony found the courage to talk, as a recognizable white unicorn colt with a blonde mane and tail and blue eyes stood in front of the crowd and said: “Ugh! What is that ugly looking creature?!” “Blueblood! How could you say something like that?! Shame on you!” Cadance said. “But look at him! He is nothing than an abo—” Blueblood was suddenly interrupted by Princess Celestia. “It would be best if you did not finish that sentence, my nephew. He is now your cousin and that is no way to treat family. Understood?” Blueblood then remained there, muted. Celestia turned to see her ponies again, and as nopony dared to say anything else, she then continued, “Now that you all see and know the truth, it’s time to let these rumors end for the fact that I’ve been keeping my son’s existence a secret to be safe. So let me explain, everything you’ve seen has been connected to my son. Captain Silver Spear has been meeting me for issues for the guards and other urgent matters but some that involve my son, my niece Cadance has been coming to my room to play with my son, a mare named Dr. White is his doctor, and Sweet Rose, this housekeeper maid pony is my son’s royal foalsitter. And I know he’s different, but please look at him, does he look dangerously threatening or hideously disgusting to you?” Bowen lightly giggled as Celestia tickled his belly underneath the bunting. “I think he’s one of the most sweetest and most innocent things as any foal you’ve ever seen.” “Your highness, not to offend your child or anything, but will he grow up into something carnivorous?” a maid asked. “Well, my son started teething a while back, and I noticed he started growing a small set of canine teeth in his mouth, so he might be an omnivore, meaning he might need to consume meat to survive as he grows up, so I suppose a peace treaty with the griffons of Griffonstone could help support an agreement of a trading fund for a monthly supply of meat for my son, but cooked by my finest chefs in the castle, and I assure you that he will be safe here as long as I am alive,” Celestia replied. “But I must admit, I honestly don’t know much about humans, but I can assure you that every issue will be dealt with in the right time. And just think about it. If I raise him with love and care, he will indeed never hurt any of us or any of my little ponies in Equestria, and who knows? Maybe someday, just maybe, he will indeed help us make our land safer than it already is and maybe even become an important part of our kingdom, so tell me, are you going to judge an innocent creature without knowing him yet or will you be the open-minded ponies I know you are and give this child a chance?” The room was silent for a moment, as Celestia started to cry, but suddenly she heard applause from her staff and guards. “Congratulations on your son, your highness!” said a voice, which was a guard. “Thank you, fellow guard,” Celestia replied, as she smiled after hearing that, and was even starting to cry. “Your highness! What’s his name?” a maid asked. Celestia replied as she raised her wing out and then lit up her horn to lift up her son safely to reveal his royal title, “My fellow staff… I present to you... Bowen Mockingjay, the Young Prince of Equestria.” When the cheers ended, Celestia started to talk again, but this time she sounded really serious. “I’m glad you all agree with me, but now, I must be very serious, so please listen carefully. Nopony outside this palace or outside the royal staff can ever know about him, not until I say it’s safe. I need you to swear to never say a word about the existence of my son, as I told you, for someday he will be known for everypony in Equestria, but that day is not close.” Everypony nodded, as Celestia continued. “Good. Now know this and make sure everyguard or maid not present right now knows these news. But if anypony ever find out about his existence by anypony who works in this palace, meaning if anypony breathes as much of a word of what you’ve all seen here, you will do time for treason. Do you understand me, and promise to keep silent about my child?” The ponies then nodded, and it made their princess happy. She was happy that her son could now roam the castle while he grew up. She knew in time everypony would accept her son. “Now who would like to see their prince?” Celestia asked. Many maids came up and held Bowen by taking turns and made cute funny faces to make him laugh and gave him a few kisses, while Sweet Rose watched over them since she was his foalsitter. Celestia smiled that some many now wanted to get to know their prince, but though some of the guards were still a little uneasy about him. But Silver Spear was able to get them to calm down. After a while, everypony then went back to work. As nightfall came, Celestia was in her bedroom wearing her robe and slippers, and nursing her child. “I’m proud of you, Princess. It seems now that he will be able to run around the castle as long as my guards are on duty,” Captain Silver Spear said. “Yes, and I was surprised how well they all took their time to seeing my son, and I’m sure he’ll find a few friends as he gets older,” Celestia said, as she was still feeding the baby. “Well, they have seen how let down you’ve been since Princess Luna disappeared, but seeing you happy you are and holding the little prince is enough for me, your guards and servants, and your subjects. Although, some will still be uneasy to acknowledge until they see him no longer as a monster, but as their trusted prince,” Captain Silver Spear said. “I understand, Silver Spear. But I’m sure I’ll teach him everything there is to be a prince while growing up,” Celestia said as she burped Bowen and gently hugged him against her chest as he hugged her neck, but rested himself on her shoulder as she wrapped her hooves around her baby. “But I still fear the invaders his birth parents mentioned might still find him, along with this talisman. It almost sounds like he was destined to come here for a reason, but to be safe from danger, and I know there’s a reason.” “Well, with you as his mother, there is a chance he’ll find out as soon as he grows up, Princess,” Captain Silver Spear said. “Now it looks like I must get back to work. Goodnight, your highness and Prince Bowen.” He left after the princess nodded, and then she took Bowen to his crib and gently placed him there as he fell asleep, and then kissed him on the forehead. “Goodnight, my little Bowen. Soon, you will rule this land with me, and your Auntie Luna as soon as possible.” She then went to sleep on her bed and slept peacefully.