Luna looked thoughtful.
I eyed her a bit nervously. I had predicted anger. Oh, it was still clearly there, anypony that knew her could see that, but more than anything she looked thoughtful.
"How sure are we of this?" she finally asked and shifted position a bit on the bed.
"About as certain as can be," I said and shrugged, "I was warned by a friend but Sunshine already knew about it. Confirmed by two independent sources."
Luna nodded and shifted up next to me, slipping her wing around me, "Rest assured, they will not get away with this, My Page."
"Actually," I said and shook my head, "I'm not even worried about it. Sure, that entire Herald thing can be useful, but Lord don't bother me. Besides, none of the charges they have put against me would ever really stick. I actually told Sunshine that if she thinks it would be worth it, to allow it to pass if she could extract big enough concessions out of them and I just drop my titles voluntarily. After everything that has happened the last few days, raising those leeches taxes even a couple of percentages would be useful. "
Luna looked at me in surprise and I gave her a playful look,
"I do pay some attention, you know," I said and leaned slightly against her side, "Invasion defense, changelings, yeti or big centaur isn't cheap. Neither is repairs after. Or building an entire new trade fleet. Or were you looking for a trophy husband?" I asked with a grin, "I know I'm so very pretty, bu-eep!"
Luna let go of my ear with a smile and nuzzled in to give me a kiss, "Love you."
"Love you too."
Luna nuzzled at my mane before she murmured, "None of which mean that they will get away with any of this. Even if sister let it pass, they will live to regret it. I promise you that."
I sighed, "Luna... it doesn't really matter, I have way more important things to worry about than titles right now."
She shifted back slightly to look at me, shaking her head, "But they do matter. You earned the title of Lord... and your title as Herald gives you the right to speak for me and my sister when we are not present. In the case of an emergency, that ca-"
"And I'm still your Prince-Consort," I told her, "That does give me the same thing as when I was just your Herald... and allow me to command the Lunar Forces. Considering that your sister isn't married, I think that the Dayguard would listen too."
Luna looked unhappy still and shifted to rest her head against the top of mine. I happily nuzzled in against her neck.
We stayed like that for several long moments before I spoke up again, "So, yeah. Not happy about this, but does not really matter. They can all take a long walk of a short pier, but I have other things to worry about. So no going cutting heads off."
"That is the traditional thing to do when the nobles are revolting," Luna grumbled.
"What else is new?"
Luna shifted back to blink at me before she giggled and nuzzled, "I need to remember that one."
I grinned and then sighed, "...I should get going, I promised Sunny that I would stop by for dinner today."
Luna nodded and slid her wing off my back, "And I should raise the moon and then talk to my sister. I have some ideas and two that will really infuriate those idiots."
"I'm not getting a coronation."
"I have one idea then," Luna teased with a grin, "I need to check with my sister first, but I think she'd like it."
I shook my head, "You two work things out, I'll just go along with what you two think is best."
Luna smiled playfully, "Remember you said that," she teased and then got off the bed, giving me another small kiss before heading towards the balcony to raise the moon.
I eyed her slightly. Somehow that remark worried me more than the nobles did.
Finally I shook my head and stretched my wings. Whatever it was, I could handle it. If nothing else, I knew where she was ticklish.
Then I jumped off the bed and gathered up my cloak, wrapping myself in a warming spell as well.
I really do have to hurry, the moment the sun is fully set, temperature will sink another ten degrees or something like that and I'd turn into a bat popsicle if I poke my nose outside.
With that, I hurried outside, Iron Shine quickly joining me by the door and trotting next to me, as cheerful as always.
"Really?" I asked her as I pushed the door open and the razor sharp wind hit me right in my face and made my ears feel ice cold even through the warming spell, "You don't want a cloak or anything? Warming spell?"
The large earth pony shook her head, "It's a bit brisk today, sir. But I'm fine. Might have to close my bedroom window tonight, but I'm not sure I'd call it cold yet."
I stared at her for a second and then shook my head, pulling my cloak tighter around myself with a small shudder.
I'm surrounded by crazy ponies!
He says that like he isn't one of the crazy ponies.
As it should
Iron Shine. A mare after my own heart. Frost on the ground and it's only a bit brisk. Two inches of snow and i might put on a jacket.
10492307
Lulu and Tia: "Presenting....KING BLANK PAGE!!!"
Blank Page: "Wait............ WHAT?!?!?!?!!??!??!"
Oh your gonna regret saying that here real quick! hehehe. You basically just gave Luna a G.O.J.F. card!
Oh! So she's a northern born pony! That makes a lot of sense!
Dawww... I love it then they are playful or snuggle wholesome
Dissapointing they all take it so chilled. This nobels decision could need a heavy unyielding hoove over the head.
10% for all Petitioner increase, 5 for all in general. Would make em hesitate to pull crap like that if everyone literally pays for there stupidity.
Yes! I bet Tia is going to confess!
The nobles are getting brave, as your doctor I recommended the creation of a professional army at the service of the crown, ally with the bourgeoisie, put loyal subjects in the administration of the nation and finally cut off some heads
Yet,soon
10492331
That would fit with what I wrote XD
He's Ciaphas Page, hero of Equestria! and also shares Cain's aversion to the cold, has an assistant that scares people off, his own band of forces, and has a sexy dangerous love affair. All he needs now is a chain sword.
*nudge nudge*
ponies need chainswords
Congrats, you're getting married to Tia as well
I think she was born in Michigan. It's not really cold till it's below 0 and you've got hella wind chill goin.
10492355
I doubt that would sway them. They’d take the hit and then find ways to make the money back later.
Just look at the US government!
10492431
You’re going to regret saying that... or maybe extremely thankful. Depends.
10492429
No he doesn't.
Heavy bolter for the win!
...that or an inquisitor's hammer.
*Twilight opens the door*
Twilight: Welcome Page! How ar---*looks at Page deadpan before turning around*
Twilight: SUNSET! Discord turned your boyfriend into a giant pile of clothes...my condolences!
*Sunset yells from the kitchen*
Sunset: Does the pile of clothes at least look like an intentional new fashion trend?
Twilight: No! None of the clothes match at all! Page is now just a used clothes donation bin with legs sticking ou--
Page: Yes! Yes! You're all very funny! WOULD YOU JUST LET ME IN?! I'M FREEZING!
Twilight: *fake gasp* It speaks!
Page: Grrrrr
10492521
Nobles: "... In addition to having Lord Page stripped of all titles, we wish for the taxes on the upper class to be cut by 95%, and for the taxes on the middle and lower classes to be raised by 99% to compensate. Furthermore-"
Page: "Luna. Get the Flamer..... The Heavy Flamer.
Also, on a somewhat related note, I vote that Page's title gets changed from "Lord" to "Inquisitor", or better yet, "Lord Inquisitor".
i hate these short chapters, i get the noti each day and I'm like *gasp* nice new chapter! then i read it and I'm left begging for more :(
For real though I'm enjoying this so much, I hope you get as much out of writing these chapters as i do reading them stay safe out there you know :)
I sense Royal Sister shenanigans on the horizon...
10492531
You know, a bolter would be easier to make with magic...
10492594
Yea, but a Flamer is way more fun, and Celestial has an affinity for fire.
So the Flamer is the somewhat logical choice.
Page... With that statement to Luna you just let Murphy have permission to open up a Canterlot sized doozie to you! I suddenly think Luna may be open to start a herd with her sister with you and with your own words it may just happen and you'd only have yourself to blame...
“We found a solution.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“You have to marry Sunset.”
“Sounds great.”
“And By extension Twilight.”
“Fine.”
“And...”
“...and?”
“Get them both pregnant by the end of the month.”
“...I...uhhh...a-alright...how does this-wait as second, CADENCE!”
“Wha! How did you it was me?”
“That’s a shipping chart your reading from! And...why the hell are their so many mares on that?”
“Your...popular.”
“...Celestia, Applejack,Tempest, Midnight, Iron Shine, Amber, Chrysalis, Skitter, Fluttershy, Daring Doo....Fl-Flurry Hearts? EWWW!”
“Well, not now! Obviously.”
“Cadence! This is an addiction! You need help!”
10492633
I'm calling CPS.
Great story. Keep up the good work!
10492633
A part of the reason i'm sticking to this story has become the mini-stories that you're posting in the comments here
10492639
Chronic Preventative Shipping? Good Idea.
10492645
I'll contact them too,
OH PAGE, YOUR'E SO DONE!
10492431
Canada exists, and I can confirm we have the "not actually cold until it's literally below freezing" mindset... which my mother called me out on the apparent insanity of. (I am no longer on speaking terms with her.) Russia, much to my chagrin, is both colder still and even less likely to complain about murderously awful conditions.
10492691
yep... I can also confirm canadians have an odd mindset... I used to not wear anything but normal everyday clothes in the middle of winter... when it was below zero...
And Hiver misses the obvious pun of "Crazy Horses"!?
But Page missed the obvious trap about to snap on him:
He will soon be Celestia's Prince-Consort, too.... ♫♪
10492691
Yeah, I thought of those afterward. All the pictures of Canada in winter are nothing but white screens. Canadians are used to deeper colds, Russians simply have become one with the cold.
Much respect to my chillier brothers and sisters to the North.
I feel like the only one that objects to Celestia even THINKING about getting with Page.
I know Luna keeps saying to "find love where you can". Why she's pushing Page towards Twilight and Sunset. But Celestia?!
I guess Nightmare Moon wasn't a thing in this universe. No angry sibling jealousy happened, nope!
I just don't like the idea of Luna being forced to share her husband with Celestia. Let her be a bit selfish, possessive, rub it in Celestia's face that she's married and Celestia isn't. Or at the VERY least Tia can wait until Luna's had a foal or two.
Something something canadians
You're just now realizing this Page?
10492935
Ha! That my first thought when read that
10492906
The thing was that Luna was rightfully selfish about keeping Page to herself...when he was an unicorn. However as an immortal Alicorn, Luna realized it is unrealistic for both of them to be strictly monogamous. Also she is aware how many times Celestia's heart got broken by regular ponies so it is natural Luna would give her blessing when the time comes.
10491246
That, and some words are either misspelled or do not belong/could use some other wording.
10492906
For a view centuries or a millenia. After that? Celestia ,Cadance, Twilight and Flurry Heart get at least half the time pounded into the pills until the bedroom wall cant stand the pounding Slow start but the repopulation takes time. Time Alicorns have on mass.
10493043
Celestia and the other ones Shining is gone... Stallion Alicorn Blank Page is the only logical solution until more
breeding studspotencial Companion is elevated.10493164
Well... Its just a fun oneshot i pulled over a two hour sleepless night. Not really interessted in it to fix it.
10492531
Brother, I am chilled here.
Things you should never say to Luna.
Hah! And to be fair, that's exactly true. I usually go through winters with my bathroom and bedroom windows open, only closing them when the temperatures drop below about 8 °C (and sometimes not even then, it depends). And I'm perfectly aware that, as these things go, I'm a lightweight when compared to Fins, Swedes or Russians...
10494459
And Midnight. Don't forget Midnight.
And somehow I feel Sunset won't escape alicornication by the end of all this...
Still, if it weren't for magic in this world, I wouldn't see it as viable... One male isn't just "not enough" - genetic diversity would be so low it wouldn't even be funny...
In general, once your population drops below 500 individuals (assuming a generally stable 1:1 ratio), it's rather thought to be over - there's probably no going back from that, because even if the population could be sustained (or even expanded), the lack of genetic diversity will demand recessive traits (like genetic illnesses, developmental upsets and the like) show up with increasing frequency several generations down...
Pretty sure that’s how the vampire thing got started to. Some guy wanted to realllly wanted to send a message to dissenting nobles, beset on all sides, why cut off there heads when you can put them on a pike for public display instead? Then noble used it as propaganda be saying stuff like he is a vampire monster killer ect ect ect. But they didn’t try anything again so. I think. Even if I butchered the story of what happened with my finicky memory you get the tone of the times events which is very on point. Strange times. Medieval times are fun
time to show off that window that was commissioned but was never installed as per request
iron shine wtf
The comment section makes me almost lethal chuckle, glorious comments ♡
Luna "...and who is this?"
Page "A member of my guard. A very WARM member of my guard."
Iron Shine *being cuddled to death* "Help me."
It is shocking sometimes how quickly it can get cooler after the sun goes down, especially in wintertime.
Eeyup.