The room was bathed in intense silence for several moments.
Standing in the doorway to the room was Prince Blueblood, a noble who had distant relations to all three alicorn princesses. His family, including himself, presided over a great many lucrative holdings in Equestria, and as such, were among the wealthiest families in the nation. He was dressed in a blue blazer jacket with a white shirt and red bow tie. His blonde mane and tail had been combed to an impeccable appearance, and his cutie mark of a compass rose was as pristine as the day the colt first received it.
That, of course, is where any positive attributes, if they could be called that, regarding the stallion ended.
"Auntie?!" Blueblood exclaimed in shock. "You are conspiring with our enemies?!"
Celestia, who had sat nervously in her seat, felt the formings of a headache above her muzzle. Many times in the past, she had endured the many self-centered whims of the young colt, choosing to do so because he was the closest thing she and Luna had to family outside of each other and their adoptive niece.
"Nephew," she began calmly,"these changelings are not our enemies. In fact, they-"
"Not our enemies?!" Blueblood interrupted. "How can you say such a thing, especially after what that horrid queen did to you?!"
Celestia's headache began to intensify. She noticed the frown that resided on Luna's face turn to a scowl, and was not far from evolving into a look of seething rage. In truth, it took great restraint not to have a similar look herself.
"I have not forgotten-"
Blueblood cut her off again, ignoring her response with the intention of driving home his point. "Perhaps during the assault against you, that queen has cast some memory disruption charms upon you? Is that why you so easily forget?"
Celestia's headache was now bordering on a migraine. She was biting her inner cheek now, hoping this tirade of his ended with only his criticism of herself. She feared what she would do if it would spill over to her sister and their guests.
Unfortunately, fate decided to make her fears a reality.
"Nephew," Luna cut in, "I do not-"
"And you Aunt Luna!" Blueblood pointed an accusatory hoof at her. "You already disappoint us by sleeping through the invasion, but you go even further by supporting Aunt Celestia's insane idea to make peace with our attackers?!"
Luna said nothing, but the scowl on her face suggested that she would possibly do something horrible to Blueblood in the next few moments, if Celestia didn't beat her to the quite possibly literal punch.
"Sir Blueblood," Apidae spoke up, "I believe-"
"Silence, you wretched filth from Tartarus!" Blueblood spat at him. "You're kind deserve no less than the horseshoes of our best soldiers! If my aunts were any kind of prin-"
Blueblood's insult to the king was cut short as a golden aura enveloped him and he was dragged harshly towards Princess Celestia. Recognizing the aura, he turned to address the alicorn holding him.
"Aunt Celestia, I demand-"
Whatever complaints were present in Blueblood's mind and mouth were cut off the moment he saw his aunt's expression.
The princess was, for lack of a better word, upset. Prince Blueblood, a stallion she made every effort to love as family, had barged into a private meeting he was not invited to, insulted their guests, insulted her sister, and insulted herself. His barging in, going from history, was likely for some useless drivel, such as wanting a new water fountain for his family's estate, or a mare refusing to lift her tail for him simply because he mentioned who he was and how much money and influence he possessed.
It was small wonder she, or some other pony, didn't turn him into a scorch mark on the wooden decorations of the room.
Maintaining as much composure as she could muster at that moment, she cast a second spell, and in a flash, the two were teleported to another room in the castle, one where the princess was sure that she would not be interrupted. Unfortunately, she was fairly certain that she could not avoid being overheard.
"Prince Blueblood," she began, making one last effort to calmly de-escalate the situation while she was still calm enough to do so, "The changelings and I were in a meeting meant to establish peace between our peoples, and are in no way affiliated with those who attacked Canterlot last month."
Her efforts, unfortunately, were for naught.
"Conspiring with our enemies?!" Blueblood exclaimed. "You have truly taken leave of your senses!"
With that final criticism of her choices, and with her frustrations having reached their zenith, Celestia scowled harder than she had in many years and raised her hoof, immediately slamming it down so hard that it caused severe damage to the floor where she stood.
Blueblood fell back straight onto his flank and looked up at his aunt in terror.
"PRINCE BLUEBLOOD!" Celestia shouted, her voice invoking the Royal Canterlot Voice, something she rarely used in modern times. The force of her voice caused a burst of wind that mussed her nephew's neatly kept mane.
"I WILL NOT HAVE YOU INSULT OUR GUESTS, AND I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO THROW INSULTS AT ME OR YOUR AUNT LUNA! YOU HAVE INTRUDED ON A PRIVATE MATTER BETWEEN A KINGDOM THAT WISHES TO BE OUR ALLIES, AND YOUR ACTIONS AND BIGOTRY MAY VERY WELL CAUSE THEM TO RECONSIDER THEIR POSITION AND GOALS HERE TODAY!"
Prince Blueblood was attempting to hide himself behind his hooves. Had he not used the bathroom before coming here to see his aunts, he would've likely peed himself.
Having gotten some of her frustrations out, Celestia brought a hoof to her chest and inhaled slowly, then pushed her hoof away as she exhaled in the same fashion. After repeating this another two times, she had calmed down considerably, though the look on her face told any that the temper her nephew invoked was still there.
"Now that I have your attention," she continued, "I wish to inform you of the matters at hoof. These changelings are not affiliated with the ones who attacked our city more than a month ago. They sought us out in an effort to find peace with us, and have even brought along examples of items that could be used to establish trade between our nations. In fact, we have made so much progress that there is a chance we could sign a proper peace accord by the end of today or possibly tomorrow."
"That said, you have interrupted this meeting, one which my sister and I intended to keep private until such a time as we felt it would be appropriate to disclose the nature of it to the rest of Equestria, and you have most likely done so because of some perceived slight you think a member of the castle staff has committed against you. If I am mistaken, you are welcome to correct me."
Blueblood said nothing, but his failure to meet his aunt's gaze told her all she needed to know.
Celestia sighed. "You are a prince, and a noble, Blueblood. You and your family are responsible for overseeing a significant portion of Equestria. When my sister and I make laws, you, your family and the other nobles are to help enforce them. You're even allowed to propose new legislation for my sister and I to consider, and moreover, can override laws my sister and I bring into being if they are viewed as unfair."
Blueblood continued looking away. "You can override our rejections," he pointed out quietly under his breath.
"And we only do that because, if we didn't, Equestria would be installing a new fountain or statue on the grounds of every noble pony in Equestria every week. My point, nephew, is that by being a noble, you should set the example for everypony to follow. Be the better stallion, as it were."
Blueblood looked at her, incensed. "But those other ponies are-"
Celestia's waning irritation was stoked again.
"Beneath you?" Celestia finished in a cold voice, her gaze once again adopting that fire it had only a few moments before.
Blueblood was trembling again, fearful of what the princess would say or do.
Celestia, who normally tried to speak kindly to her ponies and not let her temper grow too large, had reached her limit, decided then and there to give Blueblood the tongue lashing he most definitely deserved.
"The only ponies beneath you, nephew, are the scoundrels that stalk the dark alleyways, looking to prey upon innocents and hurt them in unspeakable ways! No, nephew, there are far more ponies above you than beneath you!"
Her nephew's look changed from incensed to deeply hurt. "Aunt Celestia, how can-"
"BECAUSE YOU HAVE FORCED MY HOOF!" she cut him off, the Royal Canterlot Voice returning. "YOU ACT IN SUCH DESPICABLE WAYS ALL THE TIME, AND IT IS HIGH TIME THAT YOU WERE CALLED OUT ON IT!"
Blueblood began to cower away, but Celestia advanced on him, intent on finishing what she had started.
"REMEMBER THE REQUEST FORM YOU SUBMITTED A LITTLE WHILE AGO FOR ALL THE MARES IN THE CASTLE TO WEAR UNIFORMS WITH SHORTER SKIRTS? ONES SO SHORT IT WOULD EXPOSE THEIR PRIVATE AREAS IF THEY DIDN'T WEAR UNDERGARMENTS?!"
"HOW ABOUT THE PETITION FOR THE CROWN TO SEIZE THE PROPERTY OF THE FAMILY OF A COLT THAT CALLED YOU A MEAN, OLD STALLION WHEN YOU SWATTED HIM AWAY FOR SIMPLY WANTING TO SAY HELLO?!"
"AND LET US NOT FORGET YOUR MISTREATMENT OF MISS RARITY, ONE OF THE BEARERS FOR THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY AND A NATIONAL HERO, AT THE GALA!"
"DO YOU CARE TO RECALL THAT INCIDENT? THE ONE WHERE YOU FORCED HER RUIN AN ENSEMBLE SHE MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR HERSELF FOR THAT PARTY, AND EVEN MORE SPECIFICALLY, TO IMPRESS YOU AND CATCH YOUR EYE?!"
"HOW ABOUT WHEN YOU INSULTED HER FRIEND FOR GIVING YOU, WHAT WERE YOUR WORDS, COMMON CARNIVAL FAIRE?!"
"AND THEN THE FACT THAT YOU IGNORED HER EVERY ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE YOU IN CONVERSATION, BELIEVING THAT SHE ONLY WISHED TO FAWN OVER YOU AS MANY MARES IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN FOALISH ENOUGH TO DO?!"
Blueblood said nothing. He sat in his aunt's aura, face turned away and eyes beginning to wet with restrained tears. His tail had involuntarily tucked between his legs in a futile effort to protect his personal areas.
Celestia again calmed herself before addressing her nephew again, her voice much quieter, but still just as stern.
"Your actions have shown you are very much not the kind of pony I wish for my subjects to look up to. You repeatedly soil your own reputation, and continue to do so because you believe being a noble makes you immune to such things."
Celestia looked over at a nearby jewelry box and opened it. Reaching insde with her magic, she produced a golden band with a red ruby in the center. Casting an enchantment on it, she proceeded to slip the item over her nephew's horn. Once in place, she cast another enchantment on the entire room.
"I'm going to do now what your parents should've done to you a long time ago - put YOU in a time out!"
Celestia turned away from Blueblood, who looked at his aunt in complete shock.
"Your magic is nullified, and this room is soundproofed. The door is magically locked, and you will notice the lack of windows and fireplace. This will be your private prison for as long as I should see fit."
"I want you to think long and hard about all of the things you've done, and I also want you to think about how you can make amends. I would suggest starting with Miss Rarity, but I am under the impression that any type of making amends with her could result in the mare chasing after you with hat pins and sewing needles. Nevertheless, I want you to leave this room a much better stallion than when you entered it. I will return later."
With that, Celestia disappeared in a flash. Blueblood sat in place for a few moments before he got up and hastily moved furniture into a corner and hid behind it, shaking in fear of his aunt's return.
The princess reappeared outside the dining hall, where her sister was doing her best to keep King Apidae and his advisors entertained.
Unfortunately for Celestia, the entertainment was a story she would've much preferred not been retold.
"When we woke up the next day with two colts in each of our beds, we had sworn an oath to never touch agave liquor again!"
The changeling king let out a hearty laugh, with his advisors snickering along as well.
"I must say, if this is a common thing with the consumption of alcohol," the king comments, "then I should probably moderate myself to this one glass."
"Nay" Luna said in response. "Having a few glasses is normal and doesn't typically result in such debauchery. That night, my sister and I were in good spirits, and simply made the mistake of overindulging in some rather strong 'good spirits' and made foals of ourselves."
The princess chuckles at her alcohol joke, as does the changeling king. He takes a sip of the glass and then regards the liquid within. "This is a very fine vintage" he comments.
"It is" Luna agrees. "It comes from grapes that are grown in valleys just to the east of Applewood. The climate is very beneficial for their cultivation. This wine is about five years old and was aged for two years in casks made of very special wood imported from Zebrica."
The king nodded as he again took a sip. He was about to say something else when the group noticed Princess Celestia's return.
"Your highness," Apidae greeted as she walked through the door, "your sister was just sharing a rather entertaining story with us."
"Yes, and if it is the story that I am thinking of, it is one that my sister and I agreed never to speak of again."
"I wouldn't feel so embarrassed as you might. From what I understand, both from second-hoof accounts and my own personal experiences, agave liquor is very good at causing ponies and other creatures from acting in rather silly ways."
Having received confirmation, Celestia glared at Luna. "We agreed never to speak of that again," she said through clenched teeth.
Luna raised her muzzle in defiance. "Sister, you really should lighten up a bit. Surely the time you spent scolding our nephew helped to blow off some of your pent-up steam."
Celestia sighed. "I did not take pleasure in the scolding of our nephew, though I must admit that it is something that he has gone without for far too long."
Luna chuckled. "Of that, we are in agreement."
Celestia nodded, then turned to King Apidae with an apologetic look.
"I must apologize for my nephew's words earlier. Like many of the nobles, he views a great many creatures, including changelings, as beneath him."
"There is no need for you to apologize," Apidae responded. "What your nephew has said is not much different than what most of the ponies here in Canterlot are already thinking and speaking of amongst themselves."
"I still feel that I must offer apology. Most of those feelings are from ponies seeking retribution for the attack on the city."
Apidae nodded. "It is understandable, considering what transpired. It is why I wish to establish a lasting peace with Equestria."
"It is still a problem, and one which we would all like to nip in the bud as soon as possible."
"Sister," Luna chimed in, "I fear that a solution to that matter will not be simple, nor easy to implement."
"Yes, it won't be, but it is still something that needs to be done."
Celestia looks at King Apidae with conviction.
"I have thought on the matters of a peaceful introduction of our peoples to one another, and I now believe the best way to go about this matter is to assign the diplomat from your hive to an office here in the castle, and have an assigned guard detail to them to ensure their safety."
"A guard detail?!" Luna parrots in surprise. "Just how many ponies do you intend to assign to our new diplomat."
"A squad of eight should suffice. Two to guard approaches from both sides of the hallway, and four to secure the office and facilitate an evacuation as needed."
"Sister, couldn't we assign a corner office and reduce the numbers to a team of four?"
"None of the corner offices have easy escape routes, and I want routes to be available, regardless of the need. Faust forbid there be a fire and the diplomat not be able to escape."
Luna deadpanned at her sister. "I know for a fact that when you had this new castle built, you personally placed anti-fire wards on each structural support. I have even seen some of them with my own eyes."
"True sister, but our old castle in the Everfree had those same wards as well, but that did not prevent its destruction."
Luna's eye twitched at the mention of the former castle and its destruction. "Sister, I do not appreciate your mentioning of the old castle and its destruction."
Celestia, realizing her mistake, quickly backtracked. "My apologies sister. I have struck a nerve I intended not to strike. I was simply trying to make the point that, while we have those wards in place, they are, quite unfortunately, not fool-proof."
Luna relaxed some, but still appeared to be a bit annoyed by her sister's faux pas. "I understand that, sister, but my point still stands. A corner office would be more defensible, and we could add modifications to allow for an easier escape should there be need for one."
"I understand that as well, sister, but that will take time to make those modifications. We would need to review the blueprints of the palace, have an architect plan out the modifications, secure the funding from the treasury, hire contractors and vet them to ensure they do not speak of the modifications to the castle, purchase the necessary materials for construction, re-plan all routes of traffic through the palace as the work is done, and then make sure all castle staff are sworn to secrecy regarding the construction."
"It would be months before the work could be finished and the office ready, where we could simply place them in an office that would require a few more ponies to guard it and not require modifications."
Luna digested her sister's rebuttal and conceded. "Yes, that would be the more practical solution."
"It is, but let's not forget that there would be an embassy here in Canterlot sometime in the future, and the diplomat would likely split their time there and be guarded by their own kind, which would mean we would only need for security when it would be known that they plan to be in their ofice on a given day."
"Your proposal has merits, Luna, but it would be easier to implement this idea. Please don't take this as me just outright overruling your suggestion."
"I understand, sister. After hearing your explanation, the idea of placing the diplomat in a central office with established escape routes and being assigned a squad of eight guards for protection is the more appropriate choice."
Celestia considers her sister for a moment. "I know the look on your face well, sister. Please, tell me what bothers you with that plan?"
Luna takes a deep breath before speaking. "The solution is very sound, but I fear that it may invite trouble in the future. These eight guards will be working as closely with the changeling diplomat as we are with King Apidae and his advisors now. We will need to vet these guards thoroughly to ensure that they will defend the diplomat without fail."
"If I may," King Apidae interjected, "I believe the core issue at hoof here is that there is a prejudice that has been created by the events at the royal wedding a month or so ago."
Celestia shook her head. "I wish it were as simple as that, King Apidae. The prejudice may have been stoked by the actions of Queen Chrysalis and her subjects, but the bulk of it comes from our subject's natural distrust of things that are unfamiliar."
"A good example of that would be the thestrals that serve under my sister's guard."
Luna nodded as King Apidae turned towards her. "They are just as loyal and hard-working as the unicorn, pegasi and earth ponies that serve my sister and I, but because of their appearance, with slitted pupils, membranous wings and pointed fangs, they are mistrusted among their peers. Even now, with efforts to better integrate them into our guard and our society as a whole, there is still friction from those who would wish them to live elsewhere for simple want of not having to look at them on a regular basis."
Apidae deflates a bit upon hearing that. "I see. Well, the simplest solution for that would be to coerce interaction between both groups as much as possible."
"Coerce?" Celestia repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"Probably not the best choice of words," Apidae admitted. "Encourage would be more appropriate."
"That it would," Luna agreed, "but as simple as that solution sounds, it can have rather negative consequences."
Apidae nodded. "Yes, that is true, but what I speak of is not forcing groups together. Rather, I speak of creating situations where it is of a benefit to work with and interact with the mistrusted group."
Celestia and Luna both nodded to that. Cooperation was the end goal, and encouraging that by creating situations where it was vital did help to expedite that process.
A silence followed their previous topic of discussion, before a thought occurred to Celestia.
"Nothing can be done about the introduction of changelings as a whole to Equestria and its citizens, but we can certainly dictate how you and your hive are introduced."
Celestia's comment catches King Apidae's attention. "I take it that you have an idea as to how we may approach that subject?"
The princess nodded. "Yes. You see, we have a new invention available to us. A means of mass communication called radio."
"Yes, I am aware of this. Voices carried over great distances by special waves of magical energy, or something like that."
"Believe it or not, it's actually something that was discovered by non-thaumic science."
Apidae raised a brow. "Really?"
"Yes, really. It involves special metals that can detect the energy from a source, usually called a transmitter. The transmission, or signal as most ponies call it, is picked up by a device called a receiver. The receiver converts the wave into audible sound and plays it out through a speaker."
"Interesting," Apidae responds as he rubs his chin with a hoof. "There are some science drones in my hive that do some basic experimentation; they wish to see if aspects of the hive affect the normal laws of physics and such. A device such as this would greatly interest them. I believe once we have established peace on a more permanent and widespread level, I would like to send a few of those drones to study this new technology."
Celestia smiled. "We would be more than happy to accommodate them, when the time is right."
"Back to my sister's point," Luna interjects, "I believe that she believes the best way to introduce you to our subjects is through a radio transmission."
"That won't be something horribly complex, will it?"
"Nay, it is as simple as speaking into a microphone, which you already do pretty well going by your two films. All of the more complicated bits will be set up beforehoof by ponies trained in how to use the equipment."
Apidae considers what Celestia and Luna both told him and smiles. "I think it is a good idea."
"Wonderful!" Celestia responds with hooves clapped together. "Once we have things better in hoof, we will introduce you to our subjects through a radio broadcast!"
The king smiles as he raises a wine glass. "Shall we toast to the hopefully better future?"
Celestia and Luna both smile as they raise their own glasses and tap them together against Apidae's own.