“Good morning,” Luna murmured softly as she walked in.

I smiled when I spotted her and got up to give her a small soft kiss, closing my book and leaving it on the floor where I had been laying, “Morning love.”

Luna smiled and then looked to the left at the green, softly glowing cocoon, “No change yet?”

“Not yet. If the month time table Chrysalis gave is correct, there are still three weeks left.”

It didn't feel quite right just leaving her here alone though. So I spent a couple of hours here each day keeping her company. I had no idea if she could tell or not. But I could just as easily read or write here as I could in the couch a floor up.

Luna shifted her wings at the mention of Chrysalis but didn't say anything, she just moved to stand next to me.

“You worry about her,” she said.

“Of course. It's technically my fault.” I sighed and leaned against her side as her wing settled across my background.

Lunas reaction of 'You did what!?' when I told her I may possibly have accidentally created a new changeling queen had been rather amusing.

“I think Chrysalis might carry a bit more of that blame,” Luna commented with a small smirk before she frowned at the cocoon, “And Skitter herself. She could have told you.”

“Likely under orders not to. You know how difficult it is for a changeling to disobey their queen. I don't blame her.”

“Hmh.”

I shook my head and leaned my head against her neck, “Sleep well?”

That got a smile from her, “I did, thank you,” before she nosed between my ears, “Page... are you busy next week?”

“Hmm? Not really, why?” I asked as we left the chamber, heading towards the stairs.

“There was a message waiting from Maretonia when I got up. They wish for an audience with all the Princesses to discuss the situation of the Crystal Empire in a week. They wish for it to be held in the Crystal Empire itself.”

I nodded. I could see why as Maretonia was a small, semi independent citystate up to the north east, by the sea. Just on the edge of the Crystal Empire. They were likely worried they would lose what little independence they had with one of the Princesses that close by.

“You want me to come with?” I asked as we moved up the stairs.

Luna nodded and smiled, “I do. The meeting will likely only take a day or two,” she said before smiled a bit wider, giving my eartip a nibble, “But I was thinking we might be... delayed for a week. Away from nobles, the court... paperwork. Only thing remaining would be to handle my moon and the dreams.”

That caused me to perk up, “You can do that for a entire week?”

She smirked slightly, “There is a difference between doing your duty and being stupid about it. Everyone needs a break from time to time,” before she sighed, “...And I promised my sister I would cover two weeks for her after the summer sun celebration.”

I nodded and pushed the door open for us as we moved past the guards, “That sounds great,” before I paused and frowned, “But... I'm not sure I can leave Skitter alone for that long. Feels wrong.”

“There is three weeks left, My Page,” Luna asked. “We will be back with over a week remaining. Plenty of time,” she answered and pulled me closer against her side with her wing, “I know she has become one of your best friends, but we will be back in time. Besides, what do you think she would want?”

“She would want me to go with you. Under heavy guard,” I chuckled and shook my head, “Very well, I suppose I can handle a week in the Crystal Empire with a beautiful alicorn. It's a heavy duty, but I suppose somepony has to do it.”

That earned me an ear bite and a giggle before she moved to get some food from the table. Grinning I jumped up on one of the comfy chairs before frowning to myself. Damn, I forgot my book downstairs. Oh well, I'll get it later.

“So what's on the schedule today?” I asked with a smile.

She shrugged her wings, “Nothing special. Court in some four hours. I suspect it's going to be full of the normal complaints and suggestions.”

“Want some company?” I asked and shifted to cross my frontlegs across the soft arm rest. Why do chairs here even have these?

Smiling, Luna raised a eyebrow at me, “You feel like spending the night listening to ponies yell at each other and complain?”

“I feel like spending the night next to you.” I said before I frowned and shrugged, “...and I doubt it's going to be the last time I need to sit through that. I'm not really interested in statecraft or the ruling of Equestria. In fact, have negative interest in it. But for some reason I was lucky enough to be found worthy of your attention. So I likely have a duty to at least learn how things work, and not just the interesting parts.”

Luna tilted her head, “You don't have to. Flower Burst never did. She stayed as far away from it as she could.”

I smirked, “Trust me, I want to do the same. But I feel like I can't really do that, it's part of your world, Luna. Which means that I need to learn how to handle it as well. I belong by your side, be it in bed, on the field of battle or... listening to ponies bitch at each other about irrelevant and boring things.”

The inside of her ears took on a slightly red tint as she blushed, “...Thank you...”

I then grinned, “Just don't count on it happening every time you hold court. There is a limit on how much bullshit I can stand before I'll say something... unpolitical.”

That got a giggle, “Noted, My Page.”

“Oh... did you talk to Celestia about the security issues?”

Luna frowned at that, “I did. We are still considering it, Page. It's not a trust issue, please don't think that. We both trust you with our lives.. and the lives of our subjects. But some of those things we keep safe are so dangerous to even to an alicorn to get close to... and to inspect the security you need to.”

I nodded, “I understand.”

I had basically asked for the keys of the nuclear silo after all so I could check the locks and keypads.

“I can promise you this though, love. We will review the security measures.”

“Thank you.”

I suppose that will have to be enough.