Unlike the previous day, they all settled into their seats long before court began. There was a curious air in the room that day, with the felines chatting among themselves animatedly. Silver couldn't pick out most of it, but it seemed clear everyone there wanted to see if the pharaoh's commanding presence had been a fluke or the start of something new.
Amenti entered, flanked by guards. For just a moment, Silver was quietly glad for the simple fact that she was well and intact. She settled on the throne and cleared her throat. "Before I begin hearing petitions, there is a small matter of import that needs to be addressed. I have seen the boats in our docks, and it is a shameful display. It is a small wonder half of them haven't already sunken into the sea. Even a moderate storm could do just that, and take much of the livelihood of the city and its people with it." Her eyes locked on the militaristic feline from before. "Even our war vessels looked damaged and worn. Are we not a people with pride? Even were we not, there is no practical purpose to a ship after it has sunk. This must be fixed!"
The militarily-inclined feline leaned forward. "Fine words, pharaoh, but how will this be made to happen? You've already given the money you had towards making the city clean."
Amenti rolled a paw. "Lazy foreigners enjoy the fruit of our lands and do not pay enough to cover their presence. A small fee will be added to the dock schedule, to be charged for every ship at every docking. For domestic vessels, a trifle that even the poorest fishercat could pay, made in yearly sums. For foreign vessels, a grander amount, but with a promise. Any vessel in our docks will be spared the ravages of time and weather. Repairs will be included to draw traders from all around, and to keep our cats employed gainfully."
The cat slammed his paws on the rail before him. "Are you going to give this to her as well?"
Amenti smiled serenely. "The thought had occurred to me, but no. She and her cats will be quite occupied for the following year with the project I already gave her. This task must fall on another who is willing to be paid a flat fee by the crown for the work per ship. I will instead issue writs of repair. When signed and stamped by a boat owner, they can be redeemed through the crown for the fee. Every boat that pays its docking fee will have a unique number to combat corruption, and if errors are found in the repairs, we'll know who did it." Her eyes shifted. "Dockmaster. Do you feel you can handle this?"
A male feline rose and bowed to Amenti. "My cats are more than ready to handle the paperwork involved. It will be kitten's play. Every boat will be identified coming and going, as they always have, pharaoh."
Amenti nodded. "Excellent! Now, for the short-term, and to alleviate and give time to traders to adjust to the new fee schedule, we will offer to foreign states to pay for universal access for the first six months, including repairs, for a fair fee." She quoted a number that sounded large to Silver, but his grasp on macroeconomics in Equestria was vanishing at best. "After that, we can haggle and negotiate, and see where we stand."
Celestia raised a hoof. "Would it be permissible to pay this fee while we are visiting?"
Amenti nodded towards Celestia. "Equestria, ever our allies. It would be a pleasure to handle this smoothly. I'll send someone to your room after court to take care of the paperwork."
Celestia leaned towards Silver. "She will also, no doubt, include mention that we've already bought in when she announces it to the other nations. If she plays her hand well, it will get her through this rough patch."
There was some back-and-forth through the court as various guilds tried to lobby for more permanent and prominent parts of this new opportunity for ongoing work and income. When the topic was put to rest, another feline approached, a female nekomata with blue fur. "Pharaoh, my village is often forgotten. We number only fifty cats, but we are a vital waypoint for overland caravans that pass through. We are beset by bandits and I come before you to beg for assistance."
Amenti had a large map of Anugypt unfurled, so the town could be identified. It was to the east, apparently on the way to Saddle Arabia. "I know this town... I have passed through it several times." She looked up towards the military feline. "What say you to keeping our trade routes clear and open?"
He stood up. "Give the command, pharaoh, and I'll have the area swept clear of dissidents and banditry. Compared to the Anubian threat, it will be hardly a trifle."
Amenti smiled gently. "Then do so. I look forward to hearing reports of your success."
It seemed the ice had broken on some noticeable level. The cats were looking to Amenti as a source of direction, instead of an awkward obstacle to climb over, and things were proceeding much more smoothly for it. When court was dismissed, Amenti's eyes focused on Silver unerringly, challenging him to ignore her.
Silver ruffled his wings lightly. "I... should see what she wants." He moved for her, and Celestia followed without asking.
Amenti smiled up at Silver, and carefully held her expression for Celestia, despite not being as happy to see the prince's princess. "You have become something of an inspiration for me, Prince Stars."
Silver perked his ears, wondering if he should try to go for a less formal name, but decided against it. "I... try my best, but I don't think we've talked that often?"
Amenti leaned forward a little. "Perhaps not..." She reached for him and brushed his chest and he danced back a half-step nervously.
Celestia advanced into the space, smiling at Amenti. "I can see you've heard of Silver's reputation."
Amenti tilted her head lightly. "What reputation is this? Is he a grand warrior, capable of felling a crowd of fierce combatants alone?"
Celestia's smile deepened. "Yes, but I was referring to his title 'Stud of the Land.'"
Amenti's smile turned into an embarrassed red hue that threatened to overwhelm her. "W-we aren't... compatible that way. You know this, Princess Celestia."
Celestia leaned in, speaking gently. "Not that it has stopped some curious cats or ponies from going through the motions, even if no foals or kittens result."
Silver gently nudged Celestia. "Don't be cruel. Amenti has been quite polite and kind with us."
Amenti seemed to relax at Silver's comforting words. "I do what must be done... Prince, I would negotiate with you, in private." She rose and walked off without waiting for consent. "Tonight, eight o'clock. Ask the guards to bring you." And she was gone.
Celestia shook her head. "You encouraged her. I know you were trying to be kind, but this isn't the place for it." She turned on him and he expected a harsh glare, but got a soft kiss on the nose instead. She nuzzled him gently. "I can't go with you. Please be careful."
Silver glanced away a moment before leaning in, speaking as softly as he could. "What should I do if she tries to get in my pants?"
Celestia looked puzzled at the question before she put it together. "That is, ultimately, your decision. If she is smart, she won't offer. The situation is complicated enough as-is. For you... most nations will see it as confirmation that you are a stud. You will be seen as less threatening and easily controlled by the whims of your genitals. This could be to your benefit, depending on how you can wear the title and what you do with it. Studs are far less frightening than spellcrafters." She smirked a little. "You will be manipulated, this way gets you more pretty females and less daggers and explosions. I can think of worse fates."
Silver snorted softly. "But does that work well for Equestria? Having its prince be a wild stud that'll put his thing in anything else?"
Celestia raised a brow. "As far as most are concerned, you are a minor player at best. Luna and I hold most of the practical power. Cadance has a single city. Twilight doesn't even control a town, and you have difficulty with your bed." Silver began to darken at her barb and she gently brushed a hoof over the blush. "I didn't mean that as an attack. Come, let's get something to eat, then you have a date."
They returned to their room, where a meal was already set out by Shei and Aila. The promised paperwork was also present, which Celestia plucked up with her golden magic and began filling out with scarcely a look as she nibbled on dinner. "A few things I feel I should mention about felines."
Silver perked an ear at Celestia. "What?"
Celestia rolled a hoof. "They breed quickly, but repeatedly, to the tune of every fifteen minutes for an hour on average between married couples." She half-lidded her eyes. "Of course, a young thing infatuated with a dashing foreign prince may have loftier goals."
Aila looked up from her drink, spitting out quite a spray of alcohol on the way. "You're going to...?" She huffed loudly. "What do you plan to not conquer? You can't stud her, you impulsive stallion."
Celestia nodded in agreement. "That much is true. Our bodies don't react in the same way at all, and nopony's ever managed to get a foal out of a cat or a kitten out of a pony."
Silver frowned. "Then it's more than settled. I won't be touching her."
Aila perked a brow. "That sounded final. Why?"
Silver rolled a hoof. "I made a promise to my wife. Studding's tolerated, if a little grudgingly, but if I can't even say it was that, then it's just cheating. She deserves better than to be cheated on. She's been... nothing but wonderful to me."
Shei smiled gently. "Aw, you sound so homesick... You must love her so much."
Silver nodded quickly. "I'm looking forward to getting back to her. Her name's Night Watch, and she's a lunar pony, like me, a pegasus." Silver sagged. "And she's probably going to give birth while we're here handling Anugypt... I miss her so much." Silver flopped onto his side with a sad sigh.
Celestia gently nudged Silver. "Be that as it may, you do need to see her, even if you plan to stand firm against her almost assured attempts to seduce you. Just be careful about it. You don't want to insult her, even if you are saying no."
Silver rolled upright and got to his hooves. "I'll do my best. It's all I can do." He gave each mare a kiss on the cheek, then slipped from the room, heading for what could be trouble, or maybe something good? He still held faint hope that she wanted to discuss something besides anatomical comparisons.