Luna and Crimson soon make their way through the palace to the dining room. Word of Crimson's lineage quickly spreads, and is greeted as 'Your Highness', or 'Prince Crimson', and other such titles. The ponies all begin to bow in respect for the colt. He feels it is a bit odd, but knows now that they will do this a lot and he will have to get used to it. Soon they make their way through the dining hall, and as if the ponies had expected his permanent stay at the castle, a chair made for his size was sitting close to where Princess Luna herself sat. Luna pulls out the chair for him and allows him to climb on. Once he finds a comfortable position, Luna pushes his chair towards the table and asks, "So, what would you like for lunch dear?"
"Well, I would like to have a tiger lily sandwich, some tomato soup and *cheese buttons* if that's okay," Crimson replies.
Luna is surprised for Tiger Lily was among Luna's favorite flowers, but cheese buttons was foreign to her. She calls in the chef and he says, "Yes your highness, how may I serve you and the little prince?"
"Yes, would you be able to bring Prince Crimson and us some tiger lily sandwiches, tomato soup for young Crimson, a lunar salad for ourself, and some cheese buttons for both Crimson and myself?" Luna requests.
"Yes I can. It has been many moons since I made a batch of cheese buttons, uh, no pun intended your highness," Chef Dumpling says sheepishly.
"Oh, it's quite alright, we actually find that comment to be quite funny. Oh, and we would also like some Zap Apple Juice and water for drinks," Luna replies with a giggle.
"Well, I will not keep you waiting and have your dishes ready as soon as possible," Dumpling informs them before giving a quick bow and heading back to the kitchen to inform his fellow chefs what to prepare.
As Luna and Crimson wait for their meals, Luna sees that Crimson is deep in thought.
"What is it young one, what's troubling you?" Luna asks.
Crimson looks at her, "It's just I never knew I was royalty. This is just so much to find out and... I don't know if I can get used to ponies bowing before me all the time. What if no pony likes me once they meet me? What if I'm not prince material? What if they make fun of me? What if-"
Luna covers his mouth with a hoof and says, "So many thoughts and questions for such a young colt. You need to slow it down, dear. Yes, a lot of changes will be coming, but it's not like you will become prince material overnight, that will take time, trust me. My sister and I weren't exactly the most well behaved fillies when we were your age. We got ourselves into trouble more times then I can remember. While you live here, my sister, my niece, myself, and maybe even my nephew will be helping to teach you how to be a prince. We'll also do our best to help you fit in, and when you feel comfortable enough, we will let you meet those who live outside the palace, from Canterlot to Ponyville."
"Are you going to teach me magic and flying too Luna?" Crimson ponders.
"Yes, I will, you have so much potential, you may even give my sister's student, Twilight Sparkle a run for her magic. And we definitely need to strengthen those cute little wings of yours if your going to fly long distances once you are older. I think I may know a certain somepony, actually two certain someponies who can help you with your flying and your confidence. I'm sure they would be more then happy to help," Luna states.
Crimson was curious who she meant, and was about to ask who they were when he heard the kitchen doors open, and Chef Dumpling come through with their meals, "Your lunch is served, your majesties. Four appetizing tiger lily sandwiches, a hot bowl of sweet tomato soup for the young prince, a delectable lunar salad for the Princess of Night, and my very own mouthwatering and delicious cheese buttons. I do hope you find your lunch very enjoyable along with the drinks you requested."
"Thank thou, Dumpling, we are sure thou has other food orders that need thou's attention so we will not keep thee waiting," Luna replies.
"Thank you your highness," Dumpling says before bowing and taking off to the kitchen again.
Luna then looks to Crimson and says, "Well go ahead dear, dig in."
"B-but what if somepony comes in while we're eating, I don't want to look like a.... what's the word?.... Oh yeah, a slob in front of them. Do you think you could teach me how to eat properly like a prince right now, Luna?" Crimson asks with pleading eyes.
Luna smiles, "Of course little one."
Luna then shows him how to properly use the fork and spoon with his magic. After a few attempts, and a little help from Luna, he starts to get used to it, but still ended up making a mess. Just as they were about to eat their cheese buttons, Cadence walks in.
"Well hello there, Crimson," Cadence says as she pulls up a seat next to the pair.
"H-hi," Crimson nervously replies.
"I can certainly see you are enjoying your meal, are those cheese buttons I see? I can't remember when the last time I had that dish was; those are really good," Cadence says.
"Well Crimson and myself were about to have a bite of them. Would you like to have one of mine dear niece?" Luna asks.
"I don't mind if I do, Aunt Luna," Cadence replies.
Soon, all three alicorn in the room had their fill of cheese buttons, and lunch was then finished. Luna was delighted to have tried the cheese buttons and now listed them as a favorite dish of hers. Soon, they made it back to the lunar chambers to converse without interruption.
"Now your belly is all full I see; you sure eat a lot for a little one," Cadence says before poking Crimson's side.
"Hehehe, don't I'm ticklish," Crimson giggles.
"Oh, you arrrrrrrre?" Cadence questions with a sly grin and a wink at Luna.
"Uh oh," Crimson says, realizing he made a huge mistake revealing one of his weaknesses.
Before Crimson has a chance to make a run for it, Cadence and Luna have him on his back on Luna's bed, tickling his sides and other ticklish areas. Crimson couldn't stop laughing. He feels this is the most fun he's had in a while and he doesn't know when it will end.
All three alicorn mares had gained his trust, now he just had to meet more ponies and get to know them. He now starts to believe that Luna was right, that he will warm up to other ponies. Only time will tell now.
As it comes around one o'clock in the afternoon, Crimson begins to yawn, feeling a bit drowsy. "Oh, looks like a certain little somepony could use a nap," Cadence says, smiling at Crimson's cute yawning.
"Yes, you've had a big morning and need some rest little one. Go ahead and sleep. Cadence and I will be right here when you wake up," Luna says.
With Luna's reassuring words, Crimson can no longer keep his head up or his eyes open and collapses at Luna's side. Luna places a wing over him to keep him warm and pulls him close to make him feel safe.
Cadence watches the scene unfold and thinks her heart just stopped for a moment. "Awww, he looks so cute when he sleeps. How could anypony have mistreated a sweet little innocent face like that?" Cadence asks as she watches Crimson sleep.
"How indeed, I don't know if I will hold back if I ever find the ponies responsible for his mistreatment," Luna says in anger.
"Now, Auntie, don't go getting your mane in a tangle. If we do ever meet them, they should be put on trial for foal abuse. No foal should have to go through what he did, and it is unfair to all the poor little ones out there who are treated as such. I will say this though, if those griffons responsible for his parents death ever attempt him harm, I don't know if I will hold back," Cadence says.
Luna was a little surprised to see this side of Cadence, but she knew it was not intended for any means of dark and evil. "I agree with you there Cadence. We need to get to the bottom of this and find out if it was rouge griffons, or was ordered by the whole of the griffon kingdom," Luna says.
Crimson stirs a bit from the noise. "Oops, better be more quiet," Luna whispers.
"So what made you decide to speak to him normally when you met him?" Cadence asked quietly.
"Well, seeing his scared state, it seemed like the right thing to do," Luna answers.
"Maybe you should try it more often with the rest of Equestria. I know your one for tradition, but I think many find the royal "we" and the Royal Canterlot Voice a little too old fashioned and a bit over the top. I know it may be difficult but just give it some thought. It may help with your own approach on modern society," Cadence recommends.
"I think I will put thought into that, I actually have had more then one occasion of going a bit over the top. I guess some old habits can die hard," Luna says.
"Where did you learn that phrase?" Cadence asks.
"Right before I left Baltimare, I heard some of the city ponies say the phrase, though at first I was unfamiliar how to use the phrase," Luna informs her.
"Well, no pony's perfect, not even Alicorn. Hey, have you heard of this new show mare? She calls herself, how does she say it? Oh yes, "The Great and Powerful Trrrixie," Cadence says as she poses.
Luna giggles, "I can't say that I have, why has she been stirring up trouble?"
"No, she just makes outlandish claims about how powerful her magic is and even claimed to have defeated an Ursa Major, which would be impressive to say the least, but I won't believe it until I see it happen," Cadence states.
"Well that is an outlandish claim, but I wouldn't press your luck with her performing such a feat," Luna says.
"Meh," Cadence replied.
The two princesses spent much of the afternoon talking about the many things happening in Equestria. Luna got a laugh out of Twilight's indecisiveness to choose between her friends about who should go to the Grand Galloping Gala.
As they talked, Crimson was visited in his dreams by somepony he did not expect.