Redemption
Chapter 7: The Lost Time
"Blueblood?" Celestia whispered, nudging her nephew's side in an attempt to wake him up. "Blueblood." she repeated, nudging him again.
Blueblood awoke with a nice, long yawn, covering his mouth as he did so. "Yes, Aunty?" he asked, rolling onto his belly to push himself up to standing position. He couldn't remember the last time he slept that good, albeit still being a bit drowsy after sleeping so long. Regardless, he began cat stretching again, which gave her another good look at him, causing her to blush and look away for something interesting, finding it in the book by the cushion which she dutifully picked up and placed on a nearby shelf.
"Did you sleep well, nephew?" she asked, walking up to him.
"Like a foal." Blueblood replied with a drowsy smile.
That in turn caused Celestia to smile herself. "I'm glad to hear that. Are you ready for the afternoon, my little prince?" Celestia asked. Blueblood's eyes went wide as he looked up to her.
"It's the afternoon already?" he asked incredulously, causing his aunt to giggle.
Nonetheless, Celestia nodded. "I figured you've been through so much that a nice long sleep would do you nicely. And I've spent the morning clearing my schedule for today and tomorrow so we can have all that time to ourselves."
Blueblood brightened up at that. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, after lunch, I thought we could start with a little walk around the gardens and see what we can do from there." Celestia explained.
Blueblood nodded in acknowledgement. "A sound plan. After I freshen up and get reacquainted with my room, we can dine together." Blueblood spoke. "Speaking of, was anything done to it?" he asked, tilting his head curiously.
"I only stopped by once in a while to dust and keep everything clean. I made sure nopony set hoof inside since you left." that made the pale prince grin cheek-to-cheek.
"Have I ever told you I love you?" he asked, making his way past her to the door with a happy and content stride, Celestia blushing again at the sight of his toned flank.
"Since last night, I believe." Celestia spoke with an endearing giggle, turning tail to follow him out. But as soon as her words registered in his mind, he stopped in his tracks, his expression dropped like a stone. He shifted his gaze towards the floor, racking his mind for any other time he told her he loved her... only to come up with nothing.
"Nephew, what's wrong?" Celestia was at his side, draping a wing over him in a comforting manner, a clear look of concern on her face.
"I... I never told you I loved you before that, did I?" he asked, crestfallen in himself, hanging his head.
Realization washed over Celestia as she processed what he just said. Looking back at him, she rested her head atop his back. "Blueblood, you said to me yourself that you'll love me no matter what happens to us. I'll still love you, whether or not you say it. When I have a nephew like you, I just know it." Celestia explained as she nuzzled into his back.
Blueblood's mood brightened again, albeit only a little. "I only wish I could go back and have it again. But I'll settle for making up that lost time now." he said, picking up his head again.
"Glad to hear it, nephew." Celestia replied, retracting her wing. "I'll go prepare our lunch while you get freshened up. I won't start without you." and with that, the two took their leave and made their way down the tower.
XXXXX
When nephew and aunt parted ways, Blueblood made his way to his own room.
He was happy to see that his room was just the way he left it; neat, clean, and filled with the essentials. but he was eager to resume his day with his beloved Aunty Celestia, so he headed straight for his bathroom to take a shower.
When the hot, steaming water hit his coat, Blueblood could already feel some of the tension wash away. The blissful solitude gave him the proper state of mind to ponder, namely on what lies ahead of him past the time he'll spend with Celestia. He wouldn't go out of his way to plan a celebration for his return, but it would seem appropriate, and he wouldn't object if either of his aunts planned one for him already. But party aside, after everypony gets over their shock of seeing him, perhaps he could go and visit friends he's made around Canterlot and other cities. He could even go and see other places he's never had the chance to visit, like Ponyville, Apploosa, or even Cloudsdale with a well-placed cloudwalking spell. When he gets to those places, he can help out and apologize to whoever may still, for any reason, have ill feelings towards him. The new him was around for only three months before he left, and that was just Canterlot. A starting place where he can always see friendly faces.
"I have so much work to do." Blueblood muttered to himself as he began to wash. With his mind made up, the rest of his shower was a blur, and the next thing he knew, he was dried and dressed in his trademark formal collar, minus the rose. He'll get to changing that when he has time, along with his room to accommodate his new inventory. But he could always to that later. Now, he has an aunt to spend hours on end with. With a pep in his step, he made his way out of his room and down the grand hallways...
... which was where he ran into Luna.
The royal nephew stopped as she called to him from down the length of the hallway, closely followed by a pair of lunar guards, but the trio stopped in their tracks when they finally got a closer look at him, roughly a few yards away. It didn't take Blueblood to pick up on exactly why Luna and her two guards, both mares, stopped to look him over. When it happened with Celestia, he tried and succeeded in playing it off, but with Luna, he could feel his mane raise somewhat and and his skin tingle. Princess Luna, nor her guards are not known for their modesty.
On Luna's side, she was currently gazing at the fittest pony body she's seen in millenia, possibly ever. Whereas her jaw was slightly hung mostly from the prospect of being distracted, her guards, on the other hoof, their jaws were hung to the point that Blueblood could make out a small stream of drool from each of them. He should probably draw their attention before his coat catches fire.
"IIIIs something wrong, Aunty?" Blueblood asked, facing them, effectively cutting most of his body off from their line of sight.
Luna shook her head free of distractions as her guards did the same, wiping their lips clean of saliva. "I haven't seen such a fine body in ages, nephew. Possibly never. Pray tell, how were you able to obtain such a state of being?" Luna asked. As an individual who's dedicated maintaining a fine, fit body herself, Luna felt naught but strong praise and admiration for her nephew, among others.
'I do a lot of push-ups ans sit-ups.' Blueblood thought jokingly to himself. "I... have been many places that require a fit physique." came his explanation.
"Mmmm, no doubt. You've always stayed in shape nephew, but it seems now, you're worlds beyond." Luna spoke as she began to circle him, her escort staying put, but taking in what they can.
"Y-you think so?" Blueblood asked, their actions forcing an embarrassed blush out of him.
"But of course! One would think that I dedicate my time to discipline, etiquette, and fitness, and they would be correct, but I also admire others who are strong in those aspects. Ever since my return, your brother-in-law has been the fittest stallion I've seen, among others, you included. But now, there is no doubt you've the finest body of them all." Blueblood felt a smug grin at the mention of him being fitter than the one pony he doesn't like, and he had to laugh inwardly at the part of him that never changed.
When Luna stopped circling him, she had to get back on subject, waving the current one out of her thoughts. "But we can talk of perfect bodies at a later date. Are you doing well, nephew?" Luna asked.
"I am doing fine Aunty, thank you for asking. Why do you ask?" Blueblood inquired.
"Sister and I required the morning to plan your welcoming party two days from today." Blueblood figured as much one would've been the case, but with two free days to spend, he couldn't argue. He was about to ask something, but he decided against it.
"I suppose a welcoming party would be appropriate, if I am still a prince. Who's attending?" he asked. He already figured there would be an eventual party planned for him, and so he began racking his mind for anypony he'd still consider a friend. Fancy Pants had earned his respect and gratitude on more than one occasion, quickly reconciling after his reinvention, and his... wife? Colleague? Friend? Anyway, Fleur De Lis was just as respectable a pony, and he'd look forward to seeing them and their reactions if they showed up.
"Invitations have already been sent to Twilight Sparkle and the other Elements of Harmony, as well as your sister and brother-in-law. I will also send invitations to anypony of your choosing." Luna explained.
"There's not many I would consider close friends, despite me being a changed pony, but I could still form a list. Is that all?" Blueblood asked. He could catch out of his peripherals Luna's guards looking down slightly in apparent shame.
"Not at all. You've only returned last night, and would take at least another day or so to post flyers around Canterlot of you and your return, and another still for the populace to make time in their busy schedules to attend. Trixie and I have informed the castle of Canterlot of your return, and-" Luna stopped herself in mid-sentence as soon as she caught her mistake. She looked back to Blueblood, who raised a curious brow.
Figuring Luna knew what he was about to ask, he went on and asked it. "Should I be aware of Trixie the Showmare, Aunt Luna? I'm not one to judge anymore, but... her as my replacement?" Blueblood asked. In the past, Blueblood was often... hypocritical when it came to who was royalty and who wasn't. Some of it stuck with him, considering his biological family are all royal alicorns. Maybe it's time to start thinking about where he stands in the family again...
Luna sighed dejectedly. "I suppose now would be as good a time as ever to tell you." she adopted a high and strong posture to discourage her nephew from possibly losing his temper. It worked on just about anypony that knew who she was, and it kept her from using the royal Canterlot voice to calm things down. "In your absence, the increased burden of royal duties fell upon my sister and I, and with Cadence and Shining Armor taking sovereignty over the Crystal Empire, our options were severely limited." her explanation did little to raise her nephew's steadily lowering mood, but she continued, nonetheless. "We asked of Twilight Sparkle, and Trixie Lulamoon was her suggestion. I laughed at first, but Trixie proved to be a legitimate suggestion on Twilight's part."
Blueblood tilted his head, analyzing her. Luna began to grow nervous for a moment up until he relented. "I guess I am all to blame for that. But if all of you deem her worthy, I won't object. I suppose you're her teacher?"
"Correct. Trixie has many goals herself besides being my student or filling your place. But we are getting off topic again. I have no doubt you're eager to resume life in Equestria alongside your loved ones, so I will not stop you from enjoying the day with your elder aunt. Besides, I am still in the process of writing a speech for your welcoming party." and with that, Luna turned tail and headed down a branching hallway with her escort, leaving Blueblood to make his way to the royal dining hall.
XXXXX
Normally on afternoons, Trixie would either be sleep with her nocturnal schedule or studying and practicing magic.
But now, she's in the castle's spa, enjoying a nice, relaxing massage. Luckily for her, Luna was in a surprisingly good mood last night, so she agreed to go easy on her in their monthly sparring match. For Luna, it was a means to keep Trixie strong and focused. For herself, it was a means to get to Twilight's level, possibly even surpass her, especially considering Celestia nor Twilight dedicate to magical or physical prowess as much as she or Luna. But speaking of Luna, she could hear the metal boots lightly clinking against the marble floors before she heard the royal spa doors open.
"Ah, Trixie. I suspected I would find you here." the princess of the Night greeted as she walked up, laying atop the neighboring massage table, calling for one herself.
Eyes still closed, Trixie grinned somewhat. "This is starting to become a ritual following each sparring match we have."
"But I was hardly a challenge, last night!" Luna reasoned as she began removing her regalia. "Surely last night wouldn't work you to the point of a massage."
"Even when her opponent is holding back, Trixie still rises fully to a challenge." came the unicorn mare's reply.
"Perhaps Blueblood could prove a suitable challenge if that's what you seek." Luna suggested, resting on her belly as her masseuse began to work on her.
"Trixie recalls you telling her of his return, though Trixie has yet to finally meet him in pony. But regardless, her only goal is Twilight Sparkle. Trixie does respect her as a friend and a fellow princess, but surpassing her is still a high priority." Trixie explained.
"I admire your perseverance, Trixie, though not your speak in third person. Mmmmmm." Luna said with a chuckle as her masseuses reached her wings.
"One of Trixie's many... unique qualities..." Trixie sighed.
XXXXX
When Blueblood finally made it to his destination, two solar guards graciously opened the door for him, allowing him to proceed inside.
Celestia and Twilight were sitting at the end of the long, long dining table, idly conversing, and as Celestia said, their food was completely untouched. Celestia had a hearty slice of chocolate cheesecake, Twilight was served a couple of over-engineered daisy sandwiches to Celestia's left, and at her right, waiting for Blueblood was a sizable salad bowl of assorted fruits and veggies, blueberry cobbler, and a generous slice of blueberry pie with whip cream and oh... a cherry on top.
"Good afternoon, all." he called out, gaining the attention of the two princesses, who smiled and greeted him back. When he made his way over and took his seat, he began to start up conversation. "Aunty, with all the sweets, I'll have to work even harder to stay in shape." he said with a chuckle.
"Well, with how you are now, you could use some fattening up." Celestia replied, taking a forkful of her cheesecake.
The prince smirked at that. "But I thought you like the new me." he laughed inwardly as Celestia blushed and looked away. He turned his attention to Twilight, who's eyes were going over his body as if she was reading an encyclopedia. "Not you too, Twilight." Blueblood sighed, shaking his head.
The Princess of Friendship, realizing just how intensely she was looking over him, shook her head vehemently, fumbling for words. "Oh! W-w-was I staring? I-I-I wanted to look away, but -not look away because I didn't find you attractive- n-not that I don't find you attractive! I definitely do! You have such a chiseled and defined body! One fit for a horse! I-It's just..." Twilight would've kept going on and on if it wasn't for Celestia, who placed a calming hoof on her shoulder.
"Can you exactly blame her, nephew? I can only imagine Luna's reaction." Celestia spoke, her blush calming to an acceptable shade of baby pink.
"I've encountered her about that, actually. She was... very open about it." Blueblood said, recalling what happened mere minutes ago. Clearly, he'd surpassed even the lunar guard's standards when it came to physique.
"Luna wasn't known for her modesty when it came to topics such as this. But such things aside, has Luna told you about Equestria's fifth princess?" Celestia asked rather timidly.
Blueblood simply nodded. "She allowed it to slip about Trixie, and since she's explained it to me, I've been curious to see her." Celestia and Twilight calmed at the fact he's already been told, and so Blueblood decided to seal the deal to make sure no misunderstandings were a problem. "After I left, I imagined somepony would take my place. Trixie is a very... interesting choice, Twilight."
Twilight, who was still checking him out, snapped back to attention. "I-I just thought she had potential. And with Princess Luna's teachings, I was proven to be correct!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"What exactly happened over the time I was gone besides a new princess?" Blueblood asked curiously, beginning on his large meal.
"Well, it all starts sometime after you left..." Celestia said as she began to recall the events over the last five years.