Chapter 1
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Princess Twilight Sparkle sighed in relief as she departed from the audience chambers of Princess Celestia. Four tense hours of careful negotiations with a room full of mages, engineers, masons and half of them being Changelings didn’t sound like an ordeal at first yet like most of her other royal assignments this had gotten quite complicated. Four hours became two weeks of long intervals and as if by divine prank the last one lasted as long as the first session did. She sighed again and nearly cursed under her breath as she heard the great doors closing a second time and the distinct noise of her name being called.
“Princess Twilight!” An almost rasping voice called from behind her. She turned to face a Changeling wearing light robes favoring purple and red. He stepped lightly for a creature missing his front left leg and Twilight had concluded that this Changeling was the best case scenario. Amp was one of the only ones eager to remind all interested parties that they were indoors and that shouting was in bad form.
“ Amp” Twilight spoke plainly as the creature approached “if you have anything else to ask then you’ll have to walk with me…and I am in a hurry.”
“I won’t be long” Amp replied as if it was painful to speak “I will most likely need to apologize to a very likely upset wife when I get home.”
Twilight briefly gave the floor tiles her attention and a heavy pang of guilt seemed to weigh her head down.
“You’re not the only one…I don’t know how Rarity puts up with this. I promised that I’d always be there for her and half the time we’re not in the same bed.”
Twilight took a moment to stare off into nothing as she maintained her pace. Two years of missing planned nights out, Two years of waking up alone…they would go up to a month without being able to even share a simple kiss. Her voice trembled a bit as she went on.
“Amp…are we selfish…for having spouses with the lives we lead?”
She stopped trotting forward and looked back at the three legged scholar who looked back with equal repose.
“Absolutely.”
Her jaw dropped at the sudden response. It was if she had asked Princess Celestia a stupid question like ‘Why is it important to study?’ or ‘Why do I have a horn?’ Despite her new mood he went on as if nothing was amiss.
“We made a promise to uphold certain commitments without really understanding what it means to commit to the ones we already had. Our civilizations need us to do important things and yet we go out and have families anyway. I’ll admit it; I spent the entire time in that room thinking about how I could possibly make it shorter. I should have been one hundred percent committed to explaining how our proposed harvesting techniques were not only the best way to ensure that there will be continued peace in our time; but also that Equestria had to help pay for it all.”
Twilight narrowed her eyes and felt a small spark. She wasn’t expecting to be provoked and didn’t quite feel like being the adult and walking away. As much as she wanted to be done with the debating she found herself prepared to go one round with the suddenly oddly aggressive scholar. She did her best to hide how much acid was in her words as she spoke.
“As long as the Changeling Hives know that since Equestria is invested in this project we expect something in return.” Twilight quickly replied as if she was reciting facts proven ages ago by minds superior to her own. “If some of our towns are going to have Harvesting Alters siphoning emotions from them then the towns are going to be fairly compensated.”
Her sparring partner did not miss the beat. He kept on smiling and matched her tone.
“All profits generated from the harvests are to be given to the communities that have been harvested on the condition that the funds are invested in education or community projects. That was the agreement reached; and hopefully the Alicorn royalty won’t wake up tomorrow and think to themselves, ‘Self…I think we’ve been bamboozled. Back to the negotiating table we go for series of debates on why it’s not our problem if our neighbors starve.’.”
Twilight growled noticeably and turned to face Amp. If looks could kill then Amp would be without another leg.
“You Dare accuse us of being so heartless? After all those months of negotiations that we agreed to hear you out on when by the way; Your people invaded and nearly seized Canterlot? There was no open declaration of aggression! You just infiltrated the city, abducted my future sister in law, and then starting attacking everypony in sight! It didn’t matter if they were soldiers or fillies!”
Her nostrils flared slightly and she was starting to want the Chageling to give her a reason to attack him. She just missed an important dinner date with Rarity for his benefit; she was in no mood for his insinuations.
He took a step forward and grinned as he went on.
“If I recall; when our Queen swallowed her pride and came to you with the first request to let there be peace between us, you were all still picking pieces of our flanks out of your hooves. Besides…now that you’re mad at me your blood is pumping more. You won’t just collapse in bed; instead you’ll have the adrenaline to drop down to the floor and lick boot when you get back.”
Twilight paused. Amp was right. She was more awake now, and she noticed that she had a slight charge in her horn for an offensive spell. She was a bit more aware from having stimulated her brain for potential combat or something to break. Her mind was awake enough to suck up for the Nth time to her wife. She gave the other eternal student a brief hug before speaking again.
“Thanks Amp…I needed that.”
“I could tell.”
They passed through a set of doors and Twilight noticed the absence of guards. She paused and scrapped her hoof over the floor before speaking again. Something was strange about this Changeling; and a logical answer came into her head.
“Thank you…for helping make this work…but how long do you think you can keep fooling them?”
The Changeling was about to respond when Twilight immediately planted herself into his cone of vision and went on.
“Our little back and forth is just too familiar. I’ve had long enough to get used to you Discord.”
The Changeling grinned again as they resumed their pace. He seemed to be thinking very hard about his situation. As they reached another set of doors he gave his answer.
“Well I know that you know the truth. Celestia knows and Chrysalis suspects but isn’t about to complain, and of course Fluttershy knows where I’ve been going lately. Other than who I’ve mentioned the list of individuals that know that I’m involved is just a blank sheet. Besides…this whole ‘double life’ business has tickled my fancy while keeping me almost completely out of trouble. Besides if I left it up to the rest of you it might take a few more years before somepony else figures it out for themselves; no offence.”
“None taken Discord…the design of the altars are brilliant; and letting the team believe that it’s their design is quite noble of you. I’m honestly surprised you’re not even trying to soak up any of the fame and prestige from this. This is the kind of thing that would help make Princess Celestia and Princess Luna trust you completely.”
The illusionary body occupied by Discord’s essence smirked. His true voice came out with his reply.
“First of all Trixie is doing enough of that for all of us.”
Twilight gave a slight chuckle at that. Despite Trixie being committed to being a better person; she still had an appetite for attention. Discord continued as if he was once again stating something that should have been obvious.
“Plus…who’s to say that they would trust the design at first if they knew it came from me?”
Twilight didn’t like to admit it but he was right. If Discord came forward with the designs and the science to back it up after the first session; she wouldn’t have trusted a single word of it.
“Well we both have places to be” her walking companion spoke while slowly returning to that rasping voice “and carefully structured apologies to make.”
The doors opened and a pair of royal guards came through, ever vigilant for when they were needed.
“You’ll probably have an easier time than me ‘Amp’. She’s a lot more…easy going than Rarity.”
“Not likely…she’s pregnant.”
Twilight stopped in her tracks while Amp kept moving forward. After some silence she managed to force out “Congratulations and good luck!”
Amp turned and nodded before moving on. With a small degree of confidence and waning awareness she navigated the halls of Canterlot’s palace on her way to the guest room that she shared with the love of her life. If Discord could slide out of what he was about to walk home to, then she could logically explain her tardiness in a way that Rarity could possibly sympathize with… right? She quickened her pace once she wondered if it had been four or six hours. She honestly didn’t know anymore. Her purposeful trot became a full gallop which startled some guards. She reached the door to the room they were staying in and another consequence of the run came into her mind. She had a re-enforced fatigue.
Her magic slowly opened the large wood and brass portal. Despite how carefully she opened the door she could swear that she heard the hinges loudly creaking as if they were accusing her of something. She crept into the room the way somepony might sneak into their house after a night of adultery. She closed the door behind her just as carefully and they seemed to be somehow louder. She glanced around the room and took in what she saw.
The room was fairly large but homey. There was a steady fire going across from a large bed. The lone window had its shades drawn and the large woven rug made the room feel less large and more intimate. Twilight slowly stepped towards the bed and noticed the still figure underneath the covers. She saw her lover’s mane and horn poking out from the sheets and just watched her body rise and fall steadily. She sighed in relief from not having to apologize right away and with regret that this was another night where her wife had to fall asleep alone. She carefully moved the covers to open a spot for her to lie down and tenderly let the weight of her body settle onto the mattress. She used her magic to pull the sheets over her body and adjusted the blankets over her wife’s figure. A few tears inspired by guilt made their way out as Twilight rolled over. It was hard to look at Rarity…it didn’t feel like it was fair to her. She married Rarity after having married her own title. If they were back in Ponyville then at least she would have Spike and Sweetie Belle to keep her company, but here in Canterlot there was nopony but her.
Twilight almost jumped out of the bed in shock as the front legs of her wife tenderly wrapped themselves around her body. Rarity gently kissed her neck before nuzzling her mane. Twilight continued to quietly sob to herself and fought to keep composure as she spoke.
“Did I wake you up?”
Rarity gave a gentle squeeze along with her reply.
“No darling…I was waiting up for you.”
“…I’m sorry…I’m sorry you’re always alone…I’m sorry I’m not here as much as I should be…Rarity…I…”
Rarity’s hoof found itself placed gently over the Alicorn’s mouth. The Unicorn smiled slightly and broke the sudden silence.
“Darling…I’m sorry.”
Twilight froze. Why was Rarity sorry? She wasn’t the one who was left alone so Equestria could move forward. Rarity wasn’t the one being put on a shelf while Twilight gave her soul to the kingdom. Rarity moved her hoof way from the purple creature’s lips so that she was free to use the leg to secure her embrace.
“Twilight…if not for your royal duties…you’d be the one feeling lonely…and the truth is that I’m not.”
Twilight tried to wrap her brain around what had been said. Rarity gave her neck another kiss and continued speaking softly into her ear.
“You really don’t know why our relationship is strong despite all our time apart? It’s really quite simple dear.”
Twilight tried and failed again to find something to say. She pressed her back into her lover’s chest and inhaled deeply the scent of the Unicorn’s mane. She slowly relaxed more and her body started to surrender to the toil of a long day and a sudden charge. Rarity gently broke off from the snuggling and gently turned Twilight’s body so she was face down. She slowly pressed her hooves against the royal shoulders and started a rhythm of calculated massaging.
“Twlight I’m not some housewife who’s left alone for days or weeks or months at a time while you go and keep the kingdom running. I do have a career you know. Whenever you’re away on royal business I’m usually either filling a large dress order or racing to produce a new seasonal line. When you’re focused on your never ending studies I’m looking up recent trends so I can stay ahead of the game. When you’re off making sure that the Changelings and Ponies continue to have peace I’m off making sure that my clothes are represented on the market. Now honestly let’s have no more fretting about this Twilight.”
Twilight let out a steady stream of pleasured moans as Rarity spoke in concert with her rubbing. The Unicorn went on without missing a beat. The gentle pressure slowly shifted from her shoulders and went to the base of wings. Twilight’s body had fully soaked in the warmth of the occupied bed and her built up stress started to fade. In her most private thoughts she slightly called her own intelligence into question.
The star pupil to Princess Celsetia, the newest addition to the Alicorn Royal Court, one of the most well read ponies of her generation…and such a simple notion had evaded her.
“Anypony else would have a hard time being married to either of us…but we work. Instead of drifting apart from the days of not seeing each other; what’s the saying? Absence makes the heart grow fonder?”
Rarity gently guided Twilight’s wings into a raised position and thoroughly inspected them. Twilight gave a surprised breath when she felt the Unicorn begin gently pull feathers into place. The last subtle notes of anxiety started to leave her body as her lover preened her. Twilight wondered if this technique came from going though some of her books about wing health or from careful observation from Pegasi taking time to tend to their maintenance. Whichever it came from it actually felt more soothing than the brief massage. Having her newer sensitive regions tenderly touched made Twilight start to wonder if Rarity was using gentle pulses of magic to make her more receptive to the treatment.
After what felt like not nearly long enough Rarity had ended her labor and laid back down next to her. The Alicorn slowly rolled over to face her wife and was greeted by a simple kiss. Twilight slowly returned with a deeper one. She nestled against the Unicorn’s body as a pair of legs wrapped around her form again. Twilight started to drift off to sleep when her wife planted a sultry whisper into her ear.
“Dream about me so that you’re ready for tomorrow Twilight.”