//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6 
// Story: Crown of Winter 
// by CartoonNerd12 
//------------------------------//

It was the next morning that the kids were told about a royal guest coming. The girls were in their room with Star saying:

"No doubt this was a plan to see us. The prince knew there would be too many suitors the first day, so he arranged a meeting with Mother so he wouldn't need to fill out the forms to get close to us."

Screwball mumbled on the bed, "Would that be so bad…?"

"What was that, Screwy?" Cotton asked.

"Nothing…"

Cotton gave a determined look, "Well, if that prince thinks he can come here without our say-so, then he's got another thing coming!"

Apple Jewel pointed, "But are we sure it's like that? What if it really is just a business meeting?"

Starling stated, "We're not taking any chances."

Screwy mumbled again, "At least you have chances…"




Dawn ate the chocolate doughnuts with sprinkles, "Mmm… Doughnut Joe really makes the best doughnuts in Canterlot, doesn't he?"

"He sure does," Fire Spark agrees. "I can remember my parents bringing me and my sister when we were young and having a taste of Joe's doughnuts for the first time. It's one of my favorite places in Canterlot."

"Then why don't you stay? You always leave for the Everfree Kingdom whenever you return a book here."

"I like the Everfree Kingdom. It's where I can visit my family and it was my first home before I had to move to Canterlot after Mom's coronation. Once I was old enough, I got to go live back there with my cousins and I've been happy with the arrangement ever since."

"I can't imagine living anywhere but Canterlot. It has been my home since I was a foal."

"And you've never been past Canterlot's gates?"

"No. But I'm not the adventuring type. I like staying in one place."

"As am I. I prefer studying science and theories and experimenting whenever I get the chance."

She giggled, "I know. I got a list of books you checked out from the last few years."

That caused him to chuckle, "How long?"

"I would say as long as one of your mom's checklists."

"Ah. Yeah, kind of runs in the family."

"You know, I've always wanted to ask you something, but I thought it would be impolite."

"What is?"

"About you giving up the crown to your sister…"

"Oh. That's okay. I want you to ask me anything, since we're trying to get to know each other better, which will help because I want to know if we're compatible enough."

"All right. I'm just curious. Why? Why didn't you want to be king?"

Fire sighed, "I don't know. Some part of me felt like I wasn't the right pony for the role. My mother was the youngest and she was hoof-chosen by my grandparents to be the heir. It wasn't that they didn't think my aunts were up to the challenge. It was just a feeling they had when my mom was born, like they knew it was her destiny to lead. But when I was born, there were no strong feelings of destiny and as I grew, I didn't feel it myself, either. So when my sister was born, I just knew she was the right pony for the job and right away, I abdicated my birthright to the throne."

"You really didn't think you would be a good leader?"

"I didn't know what I would be. I just had this feeling that wouldn't go away, but when Star came, I felt free."

"I think I know what you mean. For a long time, I didn't have an idea of what I wanted to do with my life, so I mainly just surrounded myself with books. And with my mom's tutoring, I was able to learn a lot of things. Once I started working in the library, I created study sessions for ponies who needed help in their studies."

"Remind me to attend one soon."

"Well, we're having one tomorrow. You can join us then."

"I'll do that." he reached for her hoof, making them both smile.




Outside Canterlot, a carriage was approaching. In that carriage was a prince dressed in his finest and his companion, who was also dressed fine and wore golden spectacles. The prince's coat color was deep blue and his mane was bright yellow that was smoothed down and had tiny curls in the bangs. His companion was the same age as him and was an ambassador. His own coat was pure white and he had curly brown locks. He was a unicorn while his prince was an earth pony.

"Pen Pusher," said the prince, "do you have the documents?"

"I do, sire. It's all right here." he showed the briefcase he was carrying.

"Good. I want everything to be ready for when we meet with Her Highness, Queen Twilight Sparkle."

"I heard that she issued a proclamation for her children and relations to have suitors recently."

"Shame, really. Every pony deserves to look for love."

"I believe that's what the proclamation was all about. They're trying to find ponies to love."

"Hmm. My mistake. I wish them the best of luck."

"You would tell them this?"

"I will. After all, when one is royalty, it's not easy finding an honest pony who will love you for you."

"The same can be said for diplomats or any high-ranking pony."

"You're all too aware of my situation, my old friend. I cannot go home and wed Princess Desert Flower of Saddle Arabia without causing conflict to my kingdom again…"

"Your parents insist you marry a princess and you cannot go against their wishes."

"They only wish for me to marry another royal so I can establish ties to make powerful allies, given we had seen war half of our lifetime. We managed to end the fighting five years ago, but at a heavy cost… Now, in order to keep peace and prevent further wars, I need to marry someone from a powerful family and it is, alas, nonnegotiable. I can't marry anyone below a noble and that's that."

Pen Pusher shook his head in sympathy. "I don't envy you, Cannon Fire."

"But I certainly envy, you old friend."

"I live to serve you. There's nothing to be envious about. We're old playmates and friends."

"But at least you can choose a wife when you want to."

"But will she even like me for me? I want a wife who will be true to me and herself. My position would make any mare high and mighty and it could easily go to her head."

"Then it sounds like you need a wife who's used to high positions."

"Oh, please. Where am I going to find a wife like that? No princess, countess, duchess, or lady would be crazy enough to marry someone below their status."

"You never know." Cannon shrugged.

"Like your parents will change their minds and let you marry whoever? I doubt it. Let's face it - those years of war brought us misfortune and it followed us after. We'll never know happiness…"

He sighed, "Maybe you're right…"




Cotton and Starling walked together in the hallway.

"I tell you, Star, I hope that prince keeps his distance away from me."

"I hope so, too. It's bad enough I met so many liars from my interviews, but to meet a prince who thinks he can waltz right in and demand one-on-one with us, it's…" She sighed. "All because I'm the heir and the next queen, ponies think they can charm their way to the throne. I wish I can meet someone who's honest and is true to me and themselves."

"Me, too…" Cotton sighed lovingly and then said, "I saw a lot of circus performers, but they don't realize the seriousness that comes with this job. Duties must be performed with a good sense of humor, but also with meaning. We must take care of our ponies and not treat it like a joke."

Star was nodding her head the whole time, "Precisely. All the more reason we needed to look on our own when it comes to finding someone. Time is key to a good relationship."

Suddenly, they heard the trumpet and the herald shouted, "His Royal Highness, Prince Cannon Fire of Maretonia, and Ambassador Pen Pusher!"

The girls sighed.

"Come on, we better greet his royal highness…" Star said with distaste.

They arrived at the main hallway, where most of their family was already there greeting the important guests. The two princesses were a bit taken aback once they saw what the prince and ambassador looked like. They were actually quite handsome. But remembering they couldn't be fooled by looks alone, they kept a straight face once they shook hooves with them and welcomed them.

"Welcome, Your Highness." spoke Twilight once she was the last to shake hooves. "And Ambassador Pen Pusher."

Cannon Fire spoke, "Thank you for having us here, Your Highness. I look forward to our business meeting."

Cotton made a humph sound, causing him to look in her direction with confusion. He then turned back to Twilight to say, "I believe this will benefit us all."

Cotton made another humph sound, only louder.

"As do I, Your Highness, but you must be tired from your journey. I'll have a maid escort you to your rooms."

"Oh, mother!" Starling raised her hoof. "Let Cotton and I escort them. We'd be happy to."

"Right! Anything for… a royal guest…" Cotton bared her teeth and forced herself to grin.

"Thank you, girls." Twilight smiled.

The princesses went on ahead and the prince and his ambassador followed behind.

Once they were alone on the third floor, Starling pointed to a room, "This shall be your suites. Enjoy your stay."

"Hopefully…" Cotton said.

Pen Pusher questioned, "What do you mean by that?"

Star started, "Well… we haven't had royalty over in a long time, so the rooms might not be so livable, what with the drafty windows and leaks in the roof."

"We can make do." said Cannon. "Thank you for your concern though." He turned to Cotton, "And I hope you'll get over that terrible cough of yours."

"What cough?!" she demanded.

"The one you had downstairs."

"That? I was just scoffing at the fact that you were claiming to have a business meeting when I know the real reason you're here!" She got in his face.

"And what would that be?" his eyes slit.

"You think you're so clever coming here just as we had already gone through a bunch of suitors! Well, we're not interested, pal, and never will be!"

"I beg your pardon?!" Cannon was stunned by what the princess was implying.

Star accusingly pointed at Pen, "And I bet you were after the same thing, weren't you?"

"Say what?! I would never-"

Cotton held her hoof up, "Just keep away from us and we won't throw you out!" She made a final humph sound and both her and her cousin left, holding their heads high and leaving the colts speechless.

"What just happened?" Pen asked.

"Those princesses thought we were pursuing them! The nerve! I wouldn't pursue anyone unless it was okay. But for them to assume…"

"Should we tell the queen?"

"No. We'll do as these princesses request and keep away from them. Maybe that will prove to them we had no intentions of pursuing them in the first place."

"But they made such accusations that deserve to be reported."

"But we are also guests in their home and the last thing I want is another declaration of war on our kingdom. As I told those princesses a short while ago, we must make do. Besides, it's only for three days and then we'll be on our way. And the sooner we forget about that unpleasant conversation, the better."




Cotton was smiling as she reported, "We sure told them off."

"We did." Star smiled.

Screwy ended up smiling as well, "Great work, girls!"

Gemstone said in concern, "Are you sure that was wise? After all, he is a prince."

"But we are princesses!" said Cotton. "And he's on our turf! So he has to follow our rules!"

Apple Jewel shook her head, "You should have been more careful. And as much as he is in our home, he is the guest and our parents will be treating him like the royal guest he is. So if he reports that you were being disrespectful toward him, you could get in trouble."

"I would take any punishment to keep away from him!" Cotton proclaimed.

"So would I!" Star motioned.

"I get in trouble a lot, so it doesn't matter to me." Screwy shrugged.

Gem and Jewel could only sigh.