(Authors Note: It's been a long time since I've updated this story... well any of my stories that are. I don't expect them to get very many views, so I am hoping to finish these for my own peace of mind. If you happen to read these and like them, I would be very happy to hear from

you. :) )

It was a warm morning and the birds were chirping as they perched just outside Spero's windows. The day was calm and peaceful, which was perfect for Spero since he was enjoying the day off. Spero was not one to be Idle, his curiosity was strong and he felt at home taking time to read several books in one day.

Going around his room, cleaning it up, Haystack hefted a stack of tombs. He was less thrilled about his duties but he was content as Spero proved to be less demanding in private. He was a bit confused by it. Spero seemed to be two different ponies both in public and in private. Even when Spero had to treat him harshly in public, he seemed to take it easy on him in private, even ordering him more food later in the day. Haystack didn't entirely like Spero, he was still a noble and a jerk, but he wasn't as bad as most others of the nobility or even of the servants in the palace.

Spero was on his fifth book when a knock on his door resonated. Spero looked up from his book with an annoyed expression at the door. Haystack set the stack of tombs down and cantered to the door to answer it. Once Haystack opened the door with his mouth, there was a unicorn mare on the other side. She was a noble unicorn mare with a pink coat, red and pink mane and tail, and green eyes. She was smiling and holding a letter in her magic. Behind her was a group of mares, they looked like her friends.

" Uh, Yes may I help you?" Haystack asked politely. The mare looked at him and then behind him into the room as if being noisy. Haystack looked behind him and then back at the mare with a confused look.

" Yes, you must be Captain Spero's personal servant, Is he here?" The mare asked. Haystack looked behind him at his mater who had gone back to reading his book. He was not interested in being bothered. Haystack sighed and turned to reply to the mare.

"Unfortunately my master is not in, May I take a message for him?" Haystack asked. He was starting to get tired of dealing with random Mares wanting to either date or wed Spero. They were very persistent.

"That's too bad. I have a letter of invitation from my friend for him. Her father is holding a picnic in the Palace garden this afternoon. If he would like to, She would be honored if he would join her." The mare said, The other mares snickered and giggled. Haystack felt the urge to just slam the door in her face as this was a harbinger of the annoyances to come. He was tired of shooing these types of mares away, It was strange that this time, the mare was not there to ask in person.

"I'll...see to it that he gets this letter." Haystack acknowledged as he took the letter in his mouth and sheepishly smiled.

" Thank you, That would be much appreciated by my friend." The mare replied.

" In that case, good day malady." Haystack said back as he bowed his head in respect. He then proceeded to close the door and as he did so, he could hear one of the other mares say,

" She really should have brought it herself."

Haystack trotted over to the table at one end of the room and placed the letter in a basket that had many other letters.

" So I'm guessing this will be yet another case of unrequited love in the ranks of the nobility?" Haystack commented as he set the letter down.

" I Just don't get why they insist on inviting me to various public outings, You'd think they could take a hint," Spero replied as he set the book down in his finished pile.

" Well if it weren't for that one time you sent that poor pegasus mare out of your room in the morning, everypony would probably think you were into stallions based off of how many mares you reject."

" I told you not to speak of that again!" Spero spoke with a warning look.

" Seriously though, why do you reject these mares?" Haystack asked. Spero's look softens to a thoughtful one. Then he spoke,

" These affairs are pretty much a waste of time, All these nobles are just jostling for position in the ranks and they are trying to use me as a means of moving up. Do you really think any of these mares are truly interested in a prison warden?" Spero smiled, then he turned to look out his window.

" I don't know, I've seen a couple of them look at you starry-eyed. They seemed pretty interested from what I saw." Haystack countered.

" With mobiles, you really can't trust how they act, especially when they are seeking favor," Spero replied.

" I suppose not." Haystack conceited. Spero nodded and then he turned to magically grasp another book to begin reading.

Haystack turned back to the stack of books he was shelving. He thought to himself how he was actually glad Spero didn't take to any noble mares as he was sure having another noble to boss him around would be tough.

Spero had opened a book to read and tried to forget about the disturbance. He was currently steeped in genealogy studies, a topic that occupied his free time since his visit with the prisoner a week prior. During his on-duty time, he would often take inspection trot's around the prison, yet he would avoid the lower parts. He couldn't agree less with the nonsense that mare spouted yet he still had questions about what she said. She said she knew him, and sounded absolutely sincere. He wasn't about to question her any further, so he decided to search for what knowledge he could, yet he wasn't finding anything about his past. He was continuously running into deadends.

Haystack continued to shelve books when once again there was another knock at the door. His ears drooped and he had a look of annoyance as he was certainly feeling annoyed.

What is it this time? Why can't I get some peace and quiet so I can finish cleaning? Haystack thought to himself. He put the stack of books down once more and trotted to the door. Upon opening it he was surprised to see, not another noble mare, but a servant. Haystack wasn't as polite this time.

" What?" he asked with indignation.

"A letter for Captian Spero from The Emperor. It is urgent." The messenger spouted off as if rehearsed. Haystack took the letter in his mouth and closed the door behind him. Spero was looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

Spero was concerned about what was contained in the envelope with the Imperial seal. Haystack cantered up to Spero's desk and dropped the letter in front of his master.

" What could my mentor want with me now?" Spero asked. As he levitated the letter up and pulled it out of the envelope, breaking the seal. Haystack shrugged and then stood there in anticipation. Spero unfolded the letter and began to read.

" Greetings Captain,

I trust you have received a letter of invitation to a picnic being held in the gardens this afternoon. Sir Pen Wood is hosting the event and he would greatly appreciate your presence there…"

This doesn't bode well. Not at all.

" … let me be clear on this matter. In no way are you to miss this picnic; You will go! You are also encouraged to spend time with his daughter, Blossom Wood. I hear she will be thrilled to see you. Remember my young pupil, Attendance is mandatory.

Sincerely,

NightShade"

Spero incinerated the letter in a fit of seething rage. Haystack took a few steps back just to be safe.

" Why on earth would he be so interested in trivial matters like this!? What possible reason does he have to meddle in my time!? '' Spero shouted in anger, making HayStack shrink even further in fear. However, his moment of rage passed as soon as it started. He knew his life wasn't his own.

"... HayStack, please run a bath for me. I need to get ready." He said calmly.

Spero cantered down a long pebble pathway that wound through various parts of the palace gardens. He wore his dress uniform which was a black coat with silver bars denoting his captain rank and a red feather design sown on the collars, which indicated his status as a noble. His main was combed to one side and swept back in a short and neat fashion. He cantered impatiently until he arrived at a wider part of the gardens where a large and elegant gazebo was constructed. Under its canopy was a small gathering of ponies including an older unicorn stallion with a gray coat and black main and tail Sir Pen Wood, his wife Lady Rose Wood who was light pink with a deep red mane and tail, his daughter Blossom Wood who was white with light blue mane and tail, and a few servants. Spero caught the eye of Sir Pen Wood who immediately and enthusiastically motioned for him to join them. This brought Spero much inner annoyance but he dared not to show it, knowing full well that several eyes were spying on him for his mentor.

" Ah good morning Captain Spero, it is good of you to join us. We were worried you wouldn't come. " Sir Pen Wood said. Spero dug deep and managed to smile.

" Thank you for the invitation. It was very kind of your family to ask me to join you."

" Oh don't thank me, It was at the request of my daughter who is very eager to meet you." Pen Wood winked at his daughter who sat next to him. Her white coat betrayed her embarrassment with light pink cheeks. Spero trotted up to the gazebo in sight of the family and nodded his head to the young mare. Her green eyes nervously met his.

" Thank you, Miss…" Spero hung on to the word before Pens Wood replied.

" Blossom Wood." Pens Wood nudged his daughter to prompt her to speak.

" Of course Captain, the pleasure is all mine." She seemed to be very nervous, though Spero couldn't tell if she was nervous about meeting him, or if she didn't want to be there. He knew he could be intimidating and his socializing skills were subpar. He knew how to talk with nobles but he was difficult for others to read.

" Uhuh, well Captain, why don't you join us for some tea and cakes? They were prepared by the royal kitchen and are very delicious." Pen Wood smiled as he eyed the individually sliced squares of strawberry cakes with a blue butter frosting. Spero eyes the presentation and nodded with approval. At least the snacks were up to par, he thought.

" Of course Mr. Wood, It'd be my pleasure." This brightened Pen Wood's smile as he motioned to sit next to blossom.

" Splendid, do sit, do sit please!" Blossom could do nothing but look down with embarrassment.

Spero internally groaned, knowing that his day was about to be filled with endless prattle about Pen Wood's achievements and constantly dodging all of Ms. Blossom's advances, though Spero got the feeling she was very shy.

If Spero was, to be honest, he felt she was being forced into this meeting as well, though he could see the signs that she had a little filly crush on him. Annoyed and bored, Spero had no choice but to endure for the rest of the afternoon. It wasn't long before Spero took his seat, the only seat available, next to Blossom.