So the stipulation was added, after a tense negotiation, that the heir who rose to power needed to have their own heir at the time power changed hands.

Ooooh. So no matter who is in charge, they need to have kids or risk another another civil war.

Rosemary, as Rosewater’s charge and legally recognized by the duel she’d fought with her mother, fell under that canopy. She had another card, but playing it would destroy assumptions, lay bare certain other of her plans, and give Roseate a further reason to find ways to corrupt Rosemary away.

👀

Every day, she wanted Celestia to end it and just take over. Or Lace to get off her ass and stop pretending that Roseate could be reasoned with or worn down and attack .

So Lace is in fact powerful enough that she could end the war, but hasn't for whatever reason. Hmmm.

“Of course I rutting miss her. All of her friends miss her.” The brash tone faded, and Glass ran her hooves over her white mane. “Stars, Rosemary, I get it. She… got hurt. But that’s not a reason to just cut all ties with everyone to protect them.”

:(

“Yes. If she’s going by Rosethorn tradition, she wants a thrall, not a mate,” Cloudy growled.

YIKESYIKESYIKES. Also I don't think Rosewater wants that exactly, judging by what we know of her.

“We were. Closer than mother would have approved of if she’d found out. She was the only sane one I could go to. But I properly glowered at her at every gala as mother instructed I should do, I shunned her elsewhere, and made sure that I was not seen anywhere near her precious home.”

Yay, Glory IS a non crazy one!

Rosemary being the key player between everything is going to be the tipping point. No way Rosewater and Cloudy don't try to move the Sun and Moon for her. I'm betting these four will be more chummy in the future to screw over Crazy Mom.

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Oh dear me yes, this chapter started up a bunch of threads or advanced more. This was a really pivotal chapter and set up so much.