Aila moved for the door, dressed in her best, bit and bridle included. "I admit, you surprised me. I didn't think you'd stoop to rape." She shot Silver a nasty glare and he jerked back.
"You didn't want it?" Silver felt a sharp tension building in his chest.
Aila gave a light smile. "I thought you might be that naive. You own me. Saying no is not much of an option." She frowned. "Unless you were lying about that?"
Silver gave a soft snort, then closed the distance with her. "I don't want a mindless slave that will do what I say even when it... hurts her. Did I hurt you?"
Aila rolled her eyes. "What does it matter? It's done."
"It matters to me." Silver stomped a hoof. "Did I hurt you? Be honest. You'll never be punished for telling me the truth."
Aila lowered her eyes. "You... You wouldn't understand. It is a little thing to Equestrians."
Silver leaned forward. "Tell me. Make me understand."
Aila looked aside. "You took my purity. I can never marry a stallion. At least, not one of my own kind."
Silver clenched his teeth. "I won't say sorry. That would... be insulting."
Aila flashed a bright smile. "The first smart thing you've said today. Shall I leave now?"
"For court?"
Aila raised a brow. "The castle. You don't need me anymore, I imagine."
Silver sat on his haunches. "Aila, I didn't lie. You are my responsibility now. I didn't fuck you because you're a virgin. I didn't even..." He could see her face darkening. "I will treasure the gift you gave, even in my ignorance. I want you to stay, Aila. You are worth more than that."
Aila moved a hoof to her belly. "Celestia told me you were a royal stud."
Silver went fiercely red. "She did? When?"
Aila snorted softly. "Does it matter? I'm just another mare in a long line."
Silver pointed at Aila. "You didn't answer the question. Did I hurt you?"
Aila ran a hoof slowly over the ground. "No... You are skilled enough at your profession."
Silver smiled gently. "I don't want you to consent unless you mean it. Being called a rapist is... I don't know any society I'd want to be in where it wouldn't be a horrible title."
Aila leaned in on Silver and bit him right on the nose, making him squeak. "Then don't mount mares that aren't your wife or marefriend! Now it's my turn, since you insist on honesty. I can see you don't need a servant, let alone two. What do you intend for me?"
Silver rubbed his abused nose with a fetlock. "I will see you and your sister to safety, then I will do everything I can to make sure you are happy."
Aila perked an ear. "But what do you intend? Is my title a false one to smuggle me away from my life?"
Silver sat up on his haunches. "You are my first servant, I didn't lie about that. I'm..." He rolled a hoof. "I'm a bit of a mess. I could... use someone to keep an eye on me. Will you serve me?"
Aila snorted at Silver. "That question comes late! You took my honor, then my purity!" She thudded a hoof against his shoulder. "If you weren't so infuriatingly attractive. Stupid stallion. You wield powerful magic and stride alongside the most powerful pony I know of, but you talk like a lost child!"
Silver wrapped Aila in powerful magic and lifted her up. "If you prefer more decisiveness, then I already decided. You're mine and I'm keeping you."
Aila looked away. "Until we get to Equestria, then you'll toss me aside with a bag of bits and wish me well."
Silver rose to his hooves. "No! You're mine! Forever! I'm keeping both of you." He stared into her furtive eyes, using his magic to make her face him. "I'll watch you both get old, and dig your grave for you."
Aila trembled at the imagery, a choked sob escaping her. "You're just... making wild promises..."
Silver stomped a hoof. "It is decided." He set her down gently. "Now clean yourself, we have court to get to." Despite his bold words, he was trembling a little, wondering at the future problems he was creating by making such a powerful promise to the two. Aila seemed pleased, on the other hoof. After cleaning herself, she even smiled at him and gestured for him to lead.
They arrived to find court well in session. There were about two dozen cats in attendance. Celestia was seated beside Shei and an Equestrian earth pony that Silver didn't recognize. He quietly made his way to them and sat down beside them. Shei slipped from her chair, opening a spot beside Celestia, and soon Silver was next to her.
Celestia leaned in to whisper. "Your little trip last night seems to have shaken things loose. Our little queen has had many petitions put before her."
Silver perked an ear. "Good things?"
"Some..." Celestia smiled softly. "The bad things are just as important. She's giving every cat a chance to speak, which is surprising them."
Silver nodded as a smile emerged on his own snout, happy that things were looking up a little. Celestia whispered, "Did you do as I suggested?"
Silver tensed a moment. "Yes..."
"Good." Celestia pointed subtly at a cat seated alone. "Watch that one, see how he reacts as they speak."
Silver watched the wealthy-looking cat, who seemed to smile just faintly when bad news came up, and became reserved when pleasant things were discussed. Clearly no ally of Amenti, Silver decided.
Amenti spoke to the gathering. "We have our work before us, but together, as felines, we can hold our heads high. To that end, I am seeking skilled architects to help design a grand outdoor crafts area for our talented people to work and sell their goods. We have ignored the basic needs of the common people for too long."
A feline quickly rose from her chair. "Pharaoh, I would be delighted to plan such an area, and see to its construction, yes. We would work at a very reasonable price for the crown."
Celestia whispered softly. "She runs a guild of laborers and builders. She undoubtedly wants her guild's seal prominently displayed on any such public area."
Amenti smiled at the feline. "We would be honored to have such skilled paws at work on this. I look forward to seeing your proposed design. While I have your attention, there are repairs needed across the city that threaten trade and the livelihood of many cats. Have your surveyors tally up the price of making our city gleam like the jewel of the desert it is."
Celestia smiled. "She's buttering her up. That's no small task, and they both know it. It will see her and her workers well-paid for a year, minimum."
Silver perked an ear. "Does she have the money to fund these initiatives?"
Celestia tilted her head then. "I don't have an exact figure on their reserves. We were allies of trade, but not quite that familiar. What do you think?"
She looked over at the pony Silver didn't know, who bobbed her head. "She can afford this, but little else. She will need to replenish the coffers somehow."
Celestia gestured at her. "Meet the Equestrian diplomat to Anugypt, Soft Word."
Soft nodded her head at Silver. "A pleasure, prince."
A cat rose to his paws. "Pharaoh, I must object to this overblown expenditure. There are more pressing things in need of funding. The anubins are making noises to the south, for instance. We should be readying for war, not prettying our city."
The guild mistress snarled at the other cat. "No one is fooled by your fearmongering! The anubins always make noise, and you supply the very soldiers you suggest hiring!"
Celestia nodded lightly. "And now Amenti's potential rivals fight each other. A good sign. I think she may have just needed a little nudge."
Silver caught Amenti's eyes as they fixed on him for a long moment. Did she know? "I suppose knowing you have allies helps boost your spirit..." Silver swayed his tail over the bench, glancing around the courtroom, trying to keep up with the wheeling and dealing, but most of it was a bit beyond his reach.
"He did what?!" suddenly cried Shei. Court came to an abrupt halt, every eye on Shei. She shrank in place, looking like she was ready to just quietly fade from the world. Court carried on without any other dramatic interventions, and eventually people started to disperse.
Before Silver could get far, Shei stepped in front of him. "We need to talk. Now."
Amenti was watching them, and Silver had the impression she wanted to talk to him. "Uh, let me see what the Pharaoh wants?"
Shei pointed a hoof to the door. "I will be waiting in the room. Don't be long." She stormed off with an obviously irritated stance.
Silver let out a slow breath and moved towards Amenti. Celestia closed in, moving to stand just beside Silver. Amenti smiled gently. "That went well, I think. Now that there are less ears, th--"
Silver raised a hoof and put it on Amenti's snout, silencing her. "There is nothing to thank us for."
Amenti swatted his hoof aside. "You are not familiar enough to touch me on your own whim. Were you not a prince of your land..."
Celestia smiled gently. "Forgive his impulsiveness. Though that same quality served you well recently, did it not?"
Amenti softly clucked her tongue. "It did... May I borrow him?"
Celestia raised a brow. "I do not believe he can perform his studding duties for you."
Amenti went red, as Celestia planned. "Not for that! As a guard. None will approach me if I have him watching over me. Look at him!"
Celestia looked aside at Silver. "He looks handsome and well-shaped as a stallion."
Amenti's blush only grew worse and she looked away, awkwardly dropping the request in embarrassed silence.
Celestia brushed against Silver. "Come along, dear. We should get going. I look forward to seeing how you do tomorrow, Pharaoh." She led him out of the court and towards their room. "You have enough females bidding for your time, Silver. We can't let the Pharaoh have you, to say nothing of the political backlash when our prince is found guarding a foreign ruler in their own castle. Besides, I know a certain mare will want some of your time before you go running off on your own crusades."
Silver winced a little as he walked. "I never heard Shei quite that angry before."
"You did break your promise to her."
Silver sputtered. "It was your idea!"
Celestia perked an ear. "You can tell her that, if you think it will mollify her."