Prince Blue Blood watched from his balcony studying the city below intensely. Even though his Aunt Luna had raised the moon an hour ago, the hustle and bustle below hadn't even slowed. He was very fond of this spot, as it gave him the perfect view of all that transpired below. The wind blowing in his face, his blonde mane flew in the wind as his unwavering gaze scrutinizing the blocks and corners. He watched a young couple walking into a local donut shop and a stallion, walking with his son and daughter a block away chattering about something. He envied the commoners and their simple life. A life that he longed for deep down, but knew he could never have. His was a lonely life, wearing a mask to hide who he really, acting the fool and playing the hero. A necessary sacrifice he accepted in order to protect others especially those that could not protect themselves.
As the wind ebbed and flowed, he felt something on the air, troubling him deeply. A feeling urging him, like a silent cry for help, a cry he couldn't ignore. When he turned to go, Celestia's displeased voice called out behind, as she landed on the balcony, "There you are!"
Turning, he smiled, "Hello Auntie, why didn't you just use the door?"
She scowled, "Because it was locked, as always." She said, emanating displeasure.
"Why didn't you just knock?" he asked.
"I did," She said, glaring, "Several times."
"Oh, my apologies, I simply must have not heard you." He replied innocently.
"You didn't hear me or you're planning to shirk your responsibilities yet again, young stallion?" She asked accusingly, "I swear you are the most unreliable, selfish, lazy, inconsiderate, vain, irresponsible noble in all the history of Equestria."
'But Auntie, you know how much I despise diplomatic affairs, not to mention the saddle Arabians and that funny food they eat always irritates my stomach. Even the smell of it makes me nauseous." he whined, "Can't Luna go with you?"
The Princess of Equestria's nostrils flared with anger as she said with menace in her voice, "Blue Blood, you will, be present tonight, even if I have to have the guards drag you there in chains." She hissed, her voice like a wintery blast, "In case you have forgotten, you are being formally introduced the daughter of Sultan Sands, Princess Desert Flower, and I expect you to be there on time and on your best behavior."
He rolled his eyes, "This isn't another one of your attempts to marry me off again, Auntie, is it?" He asked, with childish irritation.
"No, of course not, I just love having a grown Stallion lounging about my Castle, doing nothing with his life." She replied sarcastically.
"And here we go again," Blue Blood groaned, placing his hoof to his forehead.
"You can't seem to think about anything but fancy clothes and chasing young mares." She said, beginning her usual rant.
"I've told you, thinking about other topics makes my head hurt." He replied.
"You won't even lift a hoof without me threatening to banish you." She continued on, her frustration growing.
"And I have pointed out to you numerous times; tasks involving the raising of hooves are what servants are for." He retorted.
"And let's not forget you're bachelor's degree in engineering and your master's degree, which I paid for, I might add." She said sharply.
"I did have straight A's." He pointed out.
"Oh yes, I know, I often wonder who you paid for those grades," She replied, seething with angry frustration, "And once you for bored with college party life you just came right back here to do nothing." Blue Blood took a few cautionary steps back as her vexation intensified, "In fact, since you left college all you've done is lounge about my Castle, constantly disappearing to do, who know what! I swear Nephew, what in Equestria am I going to do with you!?"
He flashed his gleaming smile, "Be proud you have such a handsome dapper nephew?"
Celestia closed her eyes, silently counting to ten and then, with the utmost of self control, said, "The delegation arrives in two hours. I expect you to be there, on time, or so help me it's the moon for you this time, young stallion." She threatened, "And don't even think of sending that maid of yours with another tall tale. If you aren't there, I will personally come looking for you, and when I find you, you will be very, very sorry."
"I understand Auntie," Blue Blood replied, "I won't disappoint you, I promise."
"Where have I heard that before?" She said skeptically, "Two hours, my throne room, or else."
"I heard you the first time," He replied in a snarky tone.
Celestia's temper surged, as she roared "Are good for anything, you useless spoiled fop?!"
Those words struck the young prince like a knife, as he looked away his blue eyes firmly fixed to the floor. Seeing his wounded expression, Celestia was instantly filled with regret. Reaching out, she wrapped her wings around him, "I'm so sorry, Blue Blood," She kissed him on the cheek, holding him close, "I guess my temper got the best of me, can you forgive me?"
"It's okay Auntie," he replied, with a genuine smile as he accepted her apology, "I know, I'm a bit of a pain. Why, sometimes I even irritate myself."
Celestia kissed him on the cheek a second time, "I know it's been hard for you since…" she stopped herself mid sentence, not wanting to open an old wound, "but life needs to move forward. It's been over a year since what happened when you were away at school and I want to see my nephew living his life again to the fullest."
"I know Auntie," he conceded, "and I will be there, ready to charm the horse shoes off the Sultan's daughter."
"I certainly hope so," Celestia replied.
"Anyway, Auntie, if you want me at my best, I simply must get myself groomed beforehand." He said politely, "I mean, just look at my mane and tale, couldn't you just die?"
"All right," She replied, "Be in my throne room in Two hours," she then narrowed her eyes, "Or else."
"I understand." He replied, "And I will be there."
"I certainly hope so," she replied, and then took off into the night sky.
After she was gone, his maid, Velvet Lace said as she walked out of his quarters. She was a plain looking Earth Pony, with an aquamarine body and blue mane and tail and sparkly blue green eyes. Her cutie mark was a jeweled goblet, which symbolized her service to the nobility. While she was no more than a commoner and simple palace servant, to him, she was worth a dragon's weight in gold as he simply couldn't function as he did without her. Not to mention being his only friend he had.
Turning he smiled and said, "So, how mad was she this time? Seven or eight?"
Slipped a grooming brush over her hoof she said, "She was pretty steamed, but I've seen her far worse than that where you're concerned, "She paused thoughtfully, "my opinion, four tops."
He chuckled, "I must be slipping,"
"I know," Velvet lace replied her voice dripping with sarcasm; "Keep this up and she might see through your act and realize her nephew isn't a useless horse apple."
He smiled warmly, "Heaven forbid."
"Still, unless you really want to feel a ten on Wrath of Celestia scale, we'd better get you ready. I've all ready laid out your black suit, and I think your golden griffin cufflinks would suit you best tonight. Maybe even a horn ring?" She thought about it for a moment and shook her head, "No, that'd be overkill."
""Actually, I think I might need to put on the other suit for a short while." He announced.
"No, Bb!" she exclaimed as her eyes widened with panic, "Not tonight! My nerves can't take it!"
"Just a quick sweep, I promise," He replied, "I'll be back before you know it."
She shook her head frantically as her temper stirred, "No you won't! You'll get into something, not show up in two hours and then your aunt is going to come looking for you! And who is she going to come to first?" She asked rhetorically, as she normally at moments like this, "Me! The mare she hates the most!"
While he never intentionally upset her, he couldn't help but find her overly emotional nature adorable, a fact she knew well making her more upset with him when he tried to defuse the situation. Trying to hide this badly, he smiled and said, "She doesn't hate you. She just doesn't like you, there's a big difference."
"And who is going to have to lie for you, yet again?!" She exclaimed melodramatically, "Me of course!"
"But you do it so well," He said reassuringly, "She believes at least a third of the excuses you give her."
Ignoring that, she continued her impassioned rant, "And then, who is she going discharge and threaten to banish to the moon?! Me, of course!"
"She never means any of that stuff about the moon." He said dismissively, "and I always get your job back for you, don't I?" Blue Blood flashed his big blue eyes and charming smile, "Please Velvet, I'll be back in plenty of time, I promise."
"No!" She said turning around in an angry huff, raising her head defiantly, "I am not giving in again!"
He flashed a sad frown, widening his two big blue secret weapons, his lower lip trembling, all forming a perfect sad puppy face.
"Pout all you want, BB, It's not going to work this time!" She said unequivocally, "You can go out and battle the forces of evil after you meet this Desert flower!" Blue Blood intensified his expression and after pretending to ignore him, Velvet Lace made a loud high pitched sound that was somewhere between a shriek and groan stomping her front feet angrily with full dramatic flair, signaling her concession. When it had passed, she grumbled," I hate you."
"Your beautiful, Velvet," he said, "Did you know that?"
She shot him the stare of daggers, daring him to keep speaking.
"You're the best." He added.
"Shut up," She growled, as she stormed inside.