It was a beautiful moon-lit night in Canterlot. Shine and Celestia were in the study, reading. Celestia's belly was growing slightly, her pregnancy coming along nicely. Suddenly, the doors were slammed open, as a disheveled Blueblood made his way through the room.

"Ah, Blueblood." Shine looked up. "Did the date go well, sport?"

"Don't... Just don't..." Blueblood growled.

"Oh my, what happened, Blueblood?" Celestia asked, concerned.

"Well, it started out well enough." Blueblood explained. "Persephone and I sat down, and had a little talk. But then it went downhill from there. Not only did she talk about nothing but herself, she also had the most atrocious table manners! She didn't even wipe her mouth after having a canape! And let's not go into all the complaining she did - 'this chair's too hard', 'this drink's too cold'! I just don't get it, I thought elite mares are supposed to be poised and dignified!

"Well, because they are rich doesn't mean that they are the best company to keep." Celestia noted.

"If only I could find the right mare, one with class, one that acts with grace, one with culture and dignity!" Blueblood sighed. "And soon. Let's face it, I'm not exactly a young stallion anymore. My good looks have faded... a little."

"I think I'm starting to see the problem here." Shine declared.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Blueblood asked.

"Look, Blueboy, the thing is, I think you're setting your standards a little too high." Shine said sagely. "I mean, I get it that you being a prince makes it easy for you to woo any noble you want... but as far as I can tell, that hadn't been working out for you..."

"What are you getting at here?" Blueblood frowned.

"I think what Shine is trying to say is that you should try to widen your search. Have you ever thought that maybe... just maybe you should try finding a pony that isn't... well, of noble birth?"

"Wait, you mean, have me date a commoner?" Blueblood gasped dramatically. "Surely you jest!"

"Why not? I mean, look at me and your aunt Luna." Celestia smiled at Shine. "We met Shine and Gothic, and they were a farmer and a courier, and now, we are happily married."

"And me and Cel are going to be parents." Shine nuzzled Celestia. "Just saying, Blueblood, love doesn't always come in ways you'd expect it. In fact, I had little to no expectations as to what I wanted my mare to be, and I ended up with a princess!"

"Hmph, with all due respect, Auntie, you, Luna, and cousins Twlight and Cadance may settle for commoners, but I intend to find the perfect mare, even if I have to go through a thousand more nights like this!" Blueblood said pompously. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need something to eat."

Blueblood stormed off. After he'd left, Shine and Celestia sighed deeply.

"And just as I thought I had gotten through to him..." Celestia shook her head.

"Hey, at least he's not insufferable as he was over a year ago." Shine noted. "We can't all work miracles."

"Miracle... hmm, that would be a good name someday." Celestia mused.

Blueblood stomped into his personal quarters. He then tugged on a long tassel, a ringing noise echoing through the castle. Blueblood sat on his bed, awaiting the arrival of a dutiful servant. He found himself waiting for longer than usual.

"What's taking so long?" Blueblood griped. "Of all the lazy..."

Finally, the door opened.

"Well, it's about ti-!" Blueblood stopped mid-sentence.

The servant was a beautiful mare, with a mane and coat in different shades of brown (the mane tied into a long braid), and vibrantly green eyes, unlike any Blueblood had seen before.

"Terribly sorry, your majesty." The mare bowed nervously, speaking with a rather fluent Bitalian accent. "I just started today, and I'm having trouble finding my way around."

"Perfectly understandable." Blueblood found himself saying. "I apologize for shouting; I've had a rather trying day."

"What is it you need, your majesty?" The mare asked.

"I would like some gateau and some of Big Red's cherry wine brought up from the kitchens." Blueblood requested.

"Yes, sir." The mare nodded. "I'll bring it up right away, sir."

"Oh, there's no rush." Blueblood's mouth spoke of it's own accord. "Take your time."

The mare bowed once more, then left the room. The moment she was out of sight, Blueblood shook himself.

'What was that?' He asked himself, bewildered. 'Why did I say all that, instead of giving her a deserved talking-to for taking so long? Well, it won't happen again. When she comes back, I'll give her a piece of my mind!

The mare returned faster than she had responded (though still too slow for Blueblood's taste). Blueblood attempted to make good on his threat, but instead blurted out "Thank you very much."

"Just doing my job, your highness." The mare bowed.

"And you did it well." Blueblood gushed. "What, pray tell, is your name, good servant?"

"Dust." The mare replied. "Dust Speck."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Blueblood smiled.

"Y-yours too, sir." The mare nodded awkwardly as she left the room.

When the door closed, Blueblood once again shook himself.

"What is wrong with me?" He groaned. "It's like my mouth has a mind of its own! I sound like Shine when he's with... Celestia... Oh, no."

Blueblood looked at himself in his dress mirror. His cheeks were red. He put a hoof to his chest, and felt his heart beating faster than usual.

"No, no, no..." He begged. "Please don't tell me I'm attracted to a commoner!"

Unfortunately, his reflection did not lie to him…

"Oh, horseapples."