-Main Entrance, Canterlot Castle-
A carriage made its way to the front entrance of Canterlot Castle, coming to a halt at the marble steps of Canterlot Castle. An armored sentry opened the door partway to inspect everypony present. Nodding his head, he opened the door fully for the party to continue in. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Fancy Pants, and Fleur de Lis made their way towards the foyer.
“Once again, Fancy Pants, I’m grateful that you escorted me to the castle,” Twilight repeated for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“Think nothing of it princess," said the stallion. "A true gentlecolt helps a mare in distress. Twilight suppressed a giggle while Fleur playfully rubbed up against his neck, while Spike just rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you can get to Celestia with no worries, princess. I doubt anypony here will try to stop you now.”
-Foyer, Canterlot Castle-
As the party made their way into the foyer, a cacophony of debates could be heard beyond the doors. Fancy Pants stood still and drew a deep breath before opening up the door in front of them. As the door opened, several stallions and mares stopped to notice the newest additions to the council, their eyes locking immediately onto the purple alicorn. Time seemed to slow down as Twilight and the others crossed into the fray inside the foyer. A few noteable figure tried t make their way over but were met by a dark glare from Fancy Pants.
Fancy Pants walked in stride alongside Twilight and Fleur while Spike trailed behind them, his stubby legs trying to keep pace with the rest. Low whispers erupted around the group, most eyes flitting between Twilight and Fancy Pants.
“What is he doing with the princess?”
“Never knew Fancy was so close to the royalty, especially after-“
“Quite the collection he has, I wonder how big his herd-“
Twilight’s eyes bulged out of their sockets, her face beginning to erupt into a bright shade of scarlet as she picked up on the side conversations. Fancy Pants’ face remained impassive as the clamor of ponies continued on, ignorant of who could hear their conversations. As they finally stood at the end of the foyer, Twilight bowed her heads towards Fancy Pants and Fleur before exiting out the foyer doors towards the grand hall.
-Grand Hall, Canterlot Castle-
Twilight and Spike walked in silence as they made their way up towards Princess Celestia’s chambers. As the pair got to the end of the grand hall, the door opened in front of them to reveal a butter yellow earth pony maid standing in the gap of the doors.
“Princess!” yelped the mare, throwing her head down towards the floor.
“No need to bow, thank you,” Twilight said. “Do you know where Princess Celestia is? I’m running late for an appointment.”
“Oh…” replied the mare. “Well, I’m sorry Princess Twilight but as of right now, Princess Celestia is currently attending an urgent meeting. I’m afraid it will take some time before she will be able to see anypony.”
“Is this about the meeting with House of Governance?” Twilight asked.
“It is, actually. You're very well informed, princess. Princess Celestia closed the Solar Court today to personally attend the assembly of the House.”
Although she had spent a majority of the time with Celestia, Twilight could never recall the princess leaving the throne for an assembly or court function. In fact, Twilight had never seen Celestia participate in any workings of the law besides the Solar Court. She had said that dealing with her own court was demanding enough, so why would she decide to intervene now?
“How long will the meeting take?” Twilight asked. If what Fancy Pants had told her was true about the Heirloom family, Celestia would be locked up in the assembly for the rest of the day. She was really hoping that Fancy Pants was embellishing his story but his composure told her he wasn’t fabricating a story just to appeal to her.
“I’m afraid I don’t know. The house rarely meets unless it’s a dire matter and even then, these meeting do take some time, princess. Sorry I can’t be of any greater help,” the maid said remorsefully.
“Thank you, but do you know what is going on inside of the assembly?” While not a stranger to waiting for Celestia to wrap up one of her arrangements, Twilight knew that the princess wouldn't have called her if she hadn't set time aside for her already.
“Well I can’t say for sure, princess, but I know this matter won’t be solved in one day,” replied the maid.
Twilight’s face remained impassive, but she knew this maid was only feigning ignorance. Celestia’s servants were always attending to the castle’s needs, and they all kept an open ear for any information. Easy for them, since none of the nobility seemed to even acknowledge them, so it was easy to pick up any gossip, rumors, or news to report back to the princesses. Celestia had her spy network out in the open and nopony could pick up on how the princesses were always three hooves in front of them.
The yellow mare looked back at Twilight with an oblivious look. A slight twitch of her hoof against the carpet, her eyes alert, it was easy even for Twilight to tell this mare wasn’t being entirely truthful.
“Well, I’m sure you can tell me what you’ve heard?” Twilight said with a stretched grin.
Spike slapped a claw over his eyes. Real subtle there princess.
“Well, I do hear the odd bit of gossip but nothing credible, and I’m sure princess you wouldn’t want to waste your time on such things,” she said keeping up her facade.
“Well since I won’t be able to talk with Celestia for a while, I thought it would be a nice way to pass the time, miss?”
“Spring, Morning Spring, princess. I’m flattered you wish to talk with me princess. Well, since I’m off duty for the next hour, why don’t we continue our conversation somewhere else?” she said with a relieved look on her muzzle. “It can’t be comfortable standing there talking in the doorway now?”
Guess being a princess has its perks when you need to find out something, Twilight thought as she followed the maid towards a balcony.
Twilight and Spike followed the maid down the left side of the hall and out towards a balcony on the side. Several potted plants adorned the railing while four blue cushions were laid out for castle staff and occasionally for whenever the princess decided to come down. Twilight sat down first while Spike flopped down on his belly on the cushion next to her. Flexing her wings real quick, Twilight let the sun warm her as the maid sat down across from her.
“Now then where were we?” the mare muttered to herself, as she ran a hoof through her cherry pink mane. “Well you see, dear princess, Canterlot has been in steep debt for over the past year, and it’s been only getting worse. Since this issue hasn’t been resolved, Princess Celestia has decided to handle the financial state of affairs personally since four months ago.”
The maid took a breath to regain her composure. “However, it seems that since Princess Celestia has started interfering, it’s caused some civil unrest with most of Canterlot’s citizens. Usually, Princess Celestia isn’t permitted to act on decisions that are made by the House of Governance due to laws she issued herself long ago. Now, however, she decided it was prudent to attend every meeting that she has issued. As you have probably already seen, this has been met with rather negative response.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” Spike said while a roll of his eyes. “I nearly had to beat those ponies off Twilight with a bat.”
“I beg your pardon?” interjected Spring.
“It’s a long story, Spring,” Twilight said, shooting a look at Spike. She didn’t need everypony to know she snuck into the castle like a thief in the night. “But as you were saying, Celestia ignored her own laws? I’m sorry but I don’t think that the princess would do that.” Although it wouldn’t be the first time Celestia has kept somepony in the dark, she thought wryly.
“Can’t say, princess, I’m not a lawyer and I’ve never dabbled in politics myself. I am only a servant in service to her majesty,” Spring replied as if it was the obvious answer. “It’s only from what I have heard. Nothing will be ratified or thrown out until a full revision is made by either of the princesses.”
Now this is getting serious, Twilight thought to herself. This all started over a year ago, so why then was it just now getting resolved? When did we start falling to such a pitiful state? Questions began to pile up in her head the longer she thought about the situation. This was beyond her; she couldn’t draw a conclusion from what little she understood so far since everything she heard so far was guesswork.
“If you would like, Princess Twilight, I can walk you to her majesty’s chamber and let you wait for her arrival or you may stay in your old quarters here. The staff has kept everything that was there since your departure two years ago,” Spring offered, her smile giving off a warm glow to the princess.
“I would appreciate that very much, Ms. Spring," thanked Twilight. "Will you please let me know when Celestia is finished?”
“As soon as the assembly has finished, I will inform you, princess,” said Spring, finishing with a bow.
Stepping aside for Twilight to walk through the door, Spring led the way with the princess following behind. Passing through the halls, Twilight saw how little changed within the castle since she had last been there. The red carpets still covered the floor with the odd dirty hoofprint, marring its perfection. Sets of armor of the former captains of the guards and the bravest warriors of Equestria were set up on display for everypony to see. This place is just like Celestia, ageless. She stays the same while the world around her does.
“So Princess, may I ask how your royal visit to Ponyville was?” inquired Spring snapping Twilight out of her thoughts.
“It wasn’t a royal visit, Ms. Spring,” Twiilght replied flatly in a bland voice. “I just wanted to see my friends after being gone for so long. I never realized how heavy my obligations as the newest princess of Equestria would be.” Does everypony think everywhere I go is some royal visit?
Spring snickered at Twilight's response. "You sound just like Celestia when she returns from one of her diplomatic missions,” Spring replied in between giggles. “We prep a hot bubble bath, devil’s food cake from Donut Joe’s, and scented candles for her room,” Spring said, listing off the preparations for the princess like it was an everyday task.
“Princess Celestia has all of that prepared for when she returns?”
“No, we just know what it takes to let her relax without having to pester her. We do lay the frosting on thick with if she returns from the Griffon Kingdom. How she stands putting up with High Lord Avias is beyond me,” laughed Spring . "Now that the Crystal Empire re-emerged, Princess Celestia has even more work piling up on her desk.”
“Why?” Spike asked.
“I’m a bit confused as well,” Twilight added. Why hasn’t Princess Celestia talked to me about what’s happening? The more Spring told her, the more she felt a tiny black lump of annoyance growing inside of her. Celestia was her teacher, her idol, but she could be so secretive sometimes it hurt deeply.
“Well since the Crystal Empire is on Equestrian soil but stands as an independent kingdom, Princess Celestia has had to balance her nation while the empire recovers. Sadly I don’t know all the details but I’m sure Princess Celestia will be able to answer all of your questions,” Spring said with a smile. “Ah, we’ve finally arrived.”
Twilight snapped back before looking in front of the doors to her old room. The oak wood had a rustic luster to it and the hinges showed no signs of blemishes on them. Opening up the door, a rush of warm air greeted her as she stepped inside for the first time in so long. Spring was right, the entire room had remained untouched. Even the creases in the blankets and the pillows seemed to still remain in place from all those years she had spent away. Walking over to her telescope, she could smell fresh oil had been applied to the gears, the brass polished to a bright sheen and lens wiped clean of any lingering dust.
“Amazing, it really does look the same,” Twilight said aloud, nostalgia washing over her. Since her ascension, Twilight, rarely visited her old room in the castle anymore. Celestia had commissioned for Twilight to have her own private quarters near the royal archives, which she accepted with glee.
“We’ve made it a priority to keep every room in the castle clean, princess,” stated Spring. "It wouldn't be appropriate for the staff to ignore a princess' personal quarters, wouldn't it?"
“Thank you so much Spring. It’s like I never left Canterlot.” Twilight said examining the rest of the room, her eyes sparkling at the flawless state everything was kept in.
“You’re too kind, princess. Well now I must be going, there’s a bell above the bed that’ll summon the servants when you need them. I’ll see if the assembly is finished,” Spring said as she walked out the door, waving a hoof in the air behind her.
Good, Princess Sparkle is finally inside of the castle. Now onto the rest of the plan princess, Spring thought to herself as she made her way down the hallway past the grand hall, down to the doors of the foyer.
As Spring entered the foyer, she noticed how poorly the councilcolts and mares left it. Food, litter and other things were strewn across the floor in an uncaring manner. Next time, I’m not leaving anything out for those primped up brats. she thought, making a mental note for a cleaning crew to come down later to fix up the mess.
Taking a door on the right side of the foyer, Spring walked down a hallway towards the eastern keep of the castle. Spring rarely had to come down here; most of the time she forgot this part of the castle was on the schedule. While still made of the pure white stone that the rest of the castle was constructed from, the eastern keep was set apart with its paintings, books, and historic items of Canterlot’s former council members. Pillars lined the sides, each with an inscription of the crowning achievements left behind shaping Equestria’s legal system.
Reaching the end of the hall, Spring stood before old wooden double doors with large bronze plates fastened into the middle on the doors. With Honor, Equality, and Resolve was inscribed on the plaque on the left door, and We Will Guide Our Hooves Towards Justice was inscribed on the plaque on the right door.
Let’s see… Spring thought to herself, tapping a hoof to her chin. The assembly started early, so they should be heading for recess any seco-
“Meeting adjourned!”
Well that sounds like it’s going along swimmingly, Spring grimly thought. Usually you get to the second recess before breaking out the Royal Canterlot Voice princess.
Spring stepped off to the side of the door, positioning herself between a pillar and the door frame. A few seconds passed until the doors exploded outwards, rattling the cylinders in the hinges followed by a few councilcolts leaving slowly with heads held high. As Spring waited for any stragglers, she walked past the doors and into somepony.
Reeling back onto her flank, Spring opened her eyes to see Princess Celestia staring down at her with a tired smile. Standing back up, Spring composed herself before bowing to the princess.
“Pri-“
“And what is she doing in here? This room is for council members only,” spat a eloquent but hateful voice.
Spring snapped her head up to see a dark purple unicorn stallion, dressed in a fine charcoal grey suit and silver rimmed monocle. A silver candelabrum with three lit candles adorned his flank, nearly hidden by the tails of his suit. He had an air of self-importance about him, his eyes half opened with a bored expression on his face. He stared back at Spring with a look of contempt, his eyes drilling into her as she stood in front of the princess.
“My servants are allowed access to every room in the castle, Silver Heirloom,” snapped Celestia. “And I believe the assembly has been adjourned so please kindly leave MY castle," Celestia said, finishing with a terse note in her voice.
Spring looked at Silver Heirloom, seeing if he was going to snap back with a retort but instead merely lowered his head. “A fine day to you then, your highness, and may we resolve this matter tomorrow then.” Both princess and servant watching the haughty noble leave in cold silence, leaving the two of them finally alone in peace.
Spring returned her attention to Celestia with a wry smile on her face. “I could hear you from outside, you know?” Spring said breaking the silence.
“Yes, well, hopefully we can finally resolve this issue tomorrow, without anypony bring up laws set before my sister’s banishment,” Celestia said. Walking out the auditorium, Spring doubled her pace to keep up with the princess' long strides. “Now I remember why I wrote laws preventing me from taking part in these kinds of meetings.”
“Councilcolt Heirloom seems to love dragging these matters out doesn’t he?” Celestia merely shook her head in response to Spring’s question. “Well, don’t feel bad, princess. I do have good news.”
“Oh?”
“Princess Twilight Sparkle has arrived while you were busy babysitting the nobility,” Spring said in a playful tone.
A wave of relief washed over Celestia at the news that her precious student had finally arrived. “I feel bad making Twilight wait so long for me to finish up things but I can’t ignore the situation any longer.”
“Actually, princess, she has only been in the castle for the last,” she started, pausing a quick second to think. “Fifteen minutes I believe?” waving her hoof in a circle as she tried to guess how long since Twilight had arrived.
“What? Twilight would never arrive this late,” Celestia said perplexed. Celestia knew Twilight better than anypony; she raised her like her own daughter. “Was the train delayed? Did something happen to her?”
“No, she was held up at the gate with the rest of the ponies trying to get into the castle, princess. Fancy Pants walked her inside along with his wife and Spike. Only reason I know is because the maid serving food down in the foyer saw them walking in."
Celestia sighed. “Thank you Spring, I think I rely more on you than I do half the guards here.”
“You’re welcome, Princess, but dare I ask how the assembly was?” Spring said, a plastered on smile on her muzzle as she turned to face Celestia, receiving a hollowed look back .
“Not so good then? Sorry,” Spring replied with a deflated sigh.
“My little pony, I’m truly grateful for your help, but now is not the time for jokes. I have a task that only Princess Sparkle will be able to carry out and hopefully put an end to our worries.”
“She’s in her old room, waiting for you, princess. Also, the kitchens have already prepared a small devil’s food cake for when you finished business for the day. It’s already in your room.”
Celestia licked her lips at the thought of cake after everything that had transpired today. All she wanted to do now was taking a hot bath, a nap and prepare for tomorrow’s continuation of the assembly. She was going to have to read up on half of the laws she had placed and the clauses of what limited her stance in the arguments for tomorrow if today was anything to go by. Exiting out to the foyer, the pair walked higher up into the castle. Servants bowed as their ruler passed by, a smile on Celestia’s face at the overwhelming respect she received from everypony.
“Spring, is there anything else I should be informed of today? Has he arrived yet”
“Yes he already came early this morning,” Spring said a little more curtly than she intended. “He’s already made himself comfortable in the lounge. I’ll send a guard to get him so you can have both of them in your room, other than that you’ve received several urgent letters from your niece from the Crystal Empire. I’m sure you already know what they’re about.” Spring said in a calmer tone. “Other than that, the usual junk mail of petitions, charities, contracts, and issues that somepony is too busy to come and explain to you themselves.”
Celestia sighed deeply. “Cadence, I wonder if she will forgive me. I never expected the situation to grow so fast and so early but I had to do what’s best for Equestria.”
“Give her time, your highness. We can settle that issue when you finish up with the current one. You know the one that’s left Canterlot and the nobles in a tizzy?” Spring bluntly stated.
“Yes, Spring, I know. The three mail pegasi with broken backs have clearly shown me what the state of my capitol is right now. Even the teleported scroll system has gotten backlogged. I didn’t even think that was possible.” the alicorn said with a heavy tone. Rarely in all her years as the ruler of Equestria had she regretted the Insta-Scroll spell, a literal flood of scrolls flowing over her when she awoke this morning.
“Yes. Well then, princess, I’ll leave the royalty to its own devices now," Spring playfully mocking her. "I have to scrounge together a cleaning crew for the foyer.”
Celestia continued on alone in silence, making her way to her star pupil’s room. It seemed so long ago that she had a little purple filly darting between her legs, asking a million questions. She was so eager to show her work, to try to impress the princess like a daughter. Celestia shook her head. Now’s not the time for those thoughts Celly, chiding herself. She had students learn under her, but it only kept the feeling of loneliness away for as long as she mentored them.
Arriving at her destination, Celestia knocked on the door of her pupil’s room.
“One moment!” called out a worried voice.
Celestia chuckled to herself as she waited for her student. Soon enough, a magenta alicorn opened the door, her face reeling in shock to see Princess Celestia, Ruler of Equestria standing at her door.
“Princess! I didn’t expect you so soon. Spike just curled into his old bed for a nap and I was going to start my composistion report of Starswirl’s Journal-“
“Twilight, it’s quite alright, I just finished the meeting with the House of Governance. Now I’d like for us to discuss why I had you come back to Canterlot so early,” cutting off Twilight’s building episode. Over the years, Celestia learned it was best to stop Twilight before her nerves overtook her. “I need to discuss what I talked about in my letter.”
“Is there something wrong, princess?” Twilight asked. “When I got your letter last night, all it said was come back to Canterlot and meet with you as soon as possible. Princess, you’re never this vague unless something bad is happening.”
Oh, Twilight, you know me as well as I know you. “Yes and now I need your help more than ever. This will be a test like no other, but you will not be alone on this journey. We need to talk in my chambers. My wings are aching, and I’d rather what we discuss be kept private between us. Along the way, please tell me why you were late to the castle.”
While the trip from Twilight’s room to Celestia’s private chambers was brief, the smaller alicorn recounted the day’s events from her departure from the train, how the nobles blocked the gate, and the fateful encounter with Fancy Pants and Fleur helping her get inside the castle. Celestia merely nodded as her student recounted her tale, grimacing when she heard how her student was swarmed by the nobility, especially at the mention of Heirloom.
When will that mare get through her thick skull that she holds no true power of attorney within these walls? I will not let this slide by Heirloom, mark my words, fumed Celestia. “I’m sorry about that, Twilight, but you should’ve ignored those ponies and trotted right through the gates. You’re a princess, and you must assert yourself as one.”
"I know, princess," Twilight said. "But I don't want to abuse my title. I could hear them in the streets, a commoner turned a princess. I don't think they truly respect me as one."
“Remember your friendship report after you dealt with that showmare. Trixie, I believe her name was? Remember that denying one’s own ability isn’t right. You can let someponys thoughts control who you are. You can’t please everypony, trust me. I speak from experience,” Celestia replied in a dry tone.
Finally approaching her private chambers, Celestia’s horn glowed in a golden aura for a few brief seconds. A ripple in the air caught Twilight’s attention, followed by a golden wall surrounding the door glow and then dim in front of her eyes. “A barrier spell, one I put up when I want nopony to enter my private quarters unless it’s my personal servants,” Celestia explained, using her magic to open the doors.
-Celestia’s Personal Quarters, Canterlot Castle-
As soon as Twilight walked through the doors she could smell, vanilla? Several white candles were lit around Celestia’s bed, giving off a alluringly sweet smell of vanilla frosting. A large plate with a devil’s food cake was on a table next to the bed.
An old wooden desk set against the walls had several scrolls stuffed into open drawers, the overhead shelf was littered with several books. Several bookcases with varying languages written on the spines were lined up against the wall like a miniature library. A painting of Celestia herself, and some with Luna were hung by the window while others were of other notable ponies Twilight had seen in history books. Everything in the room oozed with exotic and fine taste.
Celestia walked in and sat down on a large silken pillow that accommodated her size, closing the door behind her. Igniting her horn again, Celestia's royal attire began to shimmer and float off her body onto a ponniquinn, roughly the same size as the princess, behind her. A loud pop, like a small balloon exploding came from her side. Looking down she saw a smaller silk pillow similar to the one Celestia was on was there. Taking her seat, Twilight prepared herself for her newest task.
“Now then,” began Celestia, cracking her back from knotted tension. “Twilight I’ve sent you to meet with various parties of royalty, government and others of great influence. This task I’m about to assign you is one of great importance. This will be the ultimate test of your abilities as royalty of Equestria and as an embodiment of what our nation stands for. There is no room for error.” Celestia’s voice began to grow with power, her mane lashing as if in a phantom gale.
“I understand princess, I’m prepared for anything,” the younger alicorn said confidently. “I’ve dealt with griffons, minotaurs, and the buffaloes. I’m ready to face anything Equestria has to offer."
I know you will Twilight, I have faith in you. “You have accomplished much in these past few month as a princess but your journey now will take you beyond Equestria,” Celestia replied with a smile. It was bound to happen sooner or later, now you will see how vast this world is my faithful student.
Twilight sat there, her face betraying no emotion as she sat on her pillow. She had never gone beyond the borders and never really expected for this situation to occur so fast. Maybe in a few years when she learned all of courtesies and mannerisms she needed to master to act in a foreign country. Okay Twilight, deep breaths and focus. You’re the Element of Magic and a princess, there’s nothing you can’t handle. Finally I’m going to get to understand what everypony’s been talking about today, Twilight thought, her hooves beginning to twitch betraying her calm composure.
“Before we begin, we must wait for somepony else to arrive,” Celestia said. “You won’t be making the journey alone this time.”
“You’re sending somepony with me?” Why is she sending somepony with me? Does the princess doubt I can do this myself? Did I do something wrong last time?
Celestia watched silently as the mask of confidence that Twilight had kept on was beginning to crack open. “He’s somepony I’ve known for a very long time, Twilight,” explained the princess. “He’s well cultured, knows how to deal with royalty and has a well-known reputation,” she said with a reassuring smile.
“Is he a scholar?”Sounds like one of my old professors at Celesita’s School for Gifted Unicorns. They’ve all had to deal with royalty, they’re well-spoken and each has a reputation for their expertise in their studies of magic.
“No but he has attended my school, Twilight,” Celestia said with a pained look in her eyes. “He was on the dean’s list every year and you’ve met him before.””
Okay, let’s see. I’ve met him before, he’s an intelligent unicorn, has a well-known reputation and is royalty, maybe… “Is this stallion, Fancy Pants?”
“No Twilight, though I think he may have been a better choice. I couldn’t send Fancy Pants away on an mission right now." Twilight watched as Celestia seemed to be picking her words carefully, an unusual habit for the sun monarch. "He has a pregnant wife, not to mentionhe’s one of the councilcolt’s of the House. I need his help more than ever right now.”
Okay, so it wasn’t Fancy Pants but could it be Shining Armour? He is nobility now since he married Cadence but I don’t think he made the dean’s list at C.S. of G.U.(s), ughh, why can’t Celestia just tell me. “I’m sorry princess but I can’t remember any stallion I’ve met that matches the description,” Twilight said crestfallen. “Please, could you tell me his name?”
“Well Twilight, he’s-“
Knock-knock
Two heavy knocks on Celestia’s door interrupted the princesses, Twilight’s ears straightening at the sudden intrusion of the princess' conversation. Celestia stared at the door for a moment, her eyes losing focus before she began to speak. “Come in, we’ve been waiting for your arrival,” Celestia said, a small whimper in her tone.
The two doors to the Royal Quarters creaked open, a single stallion stood beyond the entrance. He had a pure white coat just like Celestias, golden blond hair slicked with mane gel and two deep, blue eyes. Around the base of his neck was a green bow tie, studded with a golden pin with an eight pointed star like his cuite mark.
“Hello dear auntie,” announced Prince Blueblood. “And too you as well Princess Twilight Sparkle. I’m ready to offer my services for the crown.”