I recognized where I was instantly before my Mother and Aunt Luna appeared before me among the twinkling stars of the dreamscape. “Mother, Aunt Luna,” hugging them both after they appeared, mother first of course.

“How are you, my sunshine boy?” she held my arms as she asked, wide smiled at me and all.

“I’m fine, mother,” chuckling lightly with a smile of my own at her concern.

“And Applejack, her sister and brother?” Luna asked after that which made me frown.

“I’m actually sleeping with her now,” I knew there was a blush on my face even in this dreamscape, but there was also a small smile along with it. “Granny has left the farm, leaving them behind because of her hatred for me. AJ, Big Mac and Apple Bloom are now against slavery and like me. That was too much for Granny and her hatred for humans, so she left the farm. Which means that it’ll only be them three to run it along with the humans.” While I was explaining this, both of them were shaking their heads in disappointment. “So, right now she’s feeling a little vulnerable. I comforted her tonight.”

“As bad news as that is,” my mother began saying with a serious look on her face, “and as proud as I am of you for comforting her, there is another matter that demands your attention with us.”

Now I was curious.

“Indeed,” Aunt Luna nodded with the same solemn look. “For the King of Griffonstone will arrive in the morning with his daughter.”

“Ok,” I shrugged, “but why do I need to come for that?”

“Because he is demanding that you marry his daughter under a very very old Equestrian law or face war,” my mother’s words hit my ears, but almost failed to register what she said. My mouth hung open like a trap waiting to catch flies at the sheer disbelief. “I know. We were blindsided by this as well. But he wouldn’t do this alone by himself. It has to be elements within the council pressuring him somehow.”

“How does that side with pro-slavery elements within the council?” I wondered with a shake of my head.

“Not sure,” Luna said, “but it could be that if you, or your mother, don’t agree to the marriage then it would help the pro-slavery council members somehow.”

I just blinked at her.

“Yeah, we don’t understand either,” mother giggled shaking her head.

A thought hit me. “The only way that it would benefit them would be that he was told to come here and offer his daughter in marriage to honor the end of slavery. Knowing that I would deny the marriage because I’m already in relationships, they would then come forward saying that you, Luna, and I aren’t for freeing slaves because of my refusal.” They were shocked and rightly so.

“That’s horrible to use his own daughter that way,” mother’s face showed the horror and disgust that was in her voice. “Denying his own daughter the right to choose.”

“Not to mention giving her away because of money or political expediency,” Luna finished with equal disgust at the thought.

There was a pregnant pause as we digested this possible reason before I spoke up. “I’ll board the train in the morning.”

“See you in the morning, my sunshine boy,” mother hugged me.

“In the morrow, nephew,” Luna hugged me again before the dreamscape disappeared.

^_^

The morning sunlight streamed through the open barn loft door starting to illuminate the barn loft where I was still sleeping with AJ. It wasn’t that cold at night so there was no need for a blanket. And currently, AJ was still asleep, halfway laying on top of me, when I woke up. Both of us still naked. With a smile, I watched her sleep while gently rubbing her back with fingers running through her beautiful hair. Her head was on my chest using me as her personal pillow. I didn’t mind a bit. She grumbled under her breath, wiggling in minor complaint as the sun’s light started brightening the loft. However, she quietened down with a sigh as my hand comforted her.

My mind was going through how to wake her up and tell her that I had to be on the train in a couple of hours. Right now she really needed me here, but I was also needed at Canterlot as well. And I can’t be in two places at once. Too bad I had to leave this morning. I was quite enjoying this.

She began stirring a few minutes later when the sun shined directly through the open loft door. Moaning a little her eyes fluttered open, only to groan a complaint and shielding her eyes with a hand when the light hit them. “This is why I love curtains.”

With a light-hearted chuckle, I leaned my head down lightly kissing the top of her head. “Morning, AJ.”

She grumbled out a soft, “Morning,” up at me then turned her head away from the rising sun. Then wrapping her arms around my neck. “Granny really did leave, didn’t she?”

“I’m afraid so, yes.” Both hands now massaging her back, trying to comfort her.

She cursed with a soft, “Damn it,” before quietening down again to just rest against me while I held her. At this point, there was nothing that I could say. So, I just held her for a few minutes as yesterday played through her mind once more. Her heart was breaking because of Granny’s refusal to let go of her hatred. A couple of tears fell from her eyes, which I used a thumb to wipe away.

“Remember you’re not alone,” whispered trying to comfort her. “I think it would be a good idea for the other girls to come over. Besides, I bet Pinkie is already making plans for a cheering you up party.”

AJ gave me a small smile of appreciation when I mentioned that. “I wouldn’t be surprised. Knowing Pinkie and all.”

“Besides, there’s another reason why it’s a good idea for them to come over.”

She tilted her head up, putting her chin on my chest, and looked up at me, “Why’s that?”

“Luna pulled me into her dreamscape last night,” explained with a somber tone in my voice. “Turns out that pro-slavery elements within the council have pressured the king of Griffonstone to arrive at Canterlot this morning wanting me to marry his daughter.”

“What?!” The shock on her face echoed mine from last night.

“I know, I was just as shocked,” continuing with a frustrated sigh. “The king is pulling on some old Equestrian law slash promise from way way back. My guess is that he was either pressured or paid to do so. The angle is that my refusal to marry, which I would on principle, would greatly hinder, if not stop altogether, our anti-slavery efforts. That is if the king says that the marriage is in honor of the abolishment of slavery.”

“But that’s...evil. No other word for it, but downright evil,” she seethed.

“You’re right,” acknowledged with a nod, “however, he is showing up this morning in Canterlot and I need to be there.”

A frown formed on her face, “Which means you need to leave this morning, don’t you?”

“Afraid so, yes. I don’t know what I’ll do, but I’ll try and do something.”

She pulled my head in for a kiss, one that told of more to follow. “I know you will. No father should be pressured to give away his own daughter like that. And he’d be downright evil to wed her off for money too.” She shook her head with a horse like snort. “Do what you can for the girl.”

“I will, AJ,” said with a small somber smile.

Then she stood up to begin getting dressed. I took the time to watch before doing the same, finding Philomena and Twilight, and heading to the train station with them. On my way into town, I flagged Rainbow down and had her tell the rest of the girls to stay with AJ. And because a king from another kingdom was arriving I quickly packed my good suit while wearing my everyday clothes for the train ride. The ride itself was relatively quiet as the situation and possible outcomes played out in my mind during the trip. Changing into my good suit when we neared Canterlot.

^_^

At the Canterlot train station, there was a carriage waiting for us. A guard took our bags as another ushered us inside. Then it was off to the throne room to meet my mother and Aunt Luna. I wasn’t the only one with a good suit. After telling Philomena and Twilight that I wanted them with me, each of them put on their best dresses. Both of them looking extremely attractive in them as well.

“My sunshine boy,” my mother greeted me with open arms. She hugged me almost too tightly, “Wish this was better circumstances.”

She let me go. “Me too,” I told her before Aunt Luna hugged me with a soft greeting.

“Twilight,” mother hugged her too, “good to see you.”

“Princess Celestia,” Twilight greeted as she hugged my mother, her voice somber as ours. “How could the council do such a thing?”

Mother sighed with a slight shake of her head after letting Twilight go. “It appears that part of the council will do anything to keep slavery legal.” She hugged Philomena with a quiet greeting. “We’ll see if my son is right when they arrive and after you and Philomena talk to her privately. Our hope is that after they arrive you all will get a chance to talk to her. Hopefully, she’ll also know and tell you what’s really going on.”

“Indeed,” Luna agreed.

“When are they supposed to show up?”

“Soon, Twilight,” mother said to her. “How is Applejack this morning?”

“Coping,” was my answer to that. “I asked Rainbow to get the rest of the girls over to her farm to help her out and spend time with her.”

“This issue of freeing slaves will ultimately drive families apart,” mother said while giving me a small understanding smile. “It was bound to happen. It’s unfortunate that Granny chose to hang onto her hatred.”

There was a knock at the doors before a guard opened them wide with his magic. On the other side stood a middle-aged griffon wearing royal type clothes. A rugged-looking individual that looked like he’s been through a few battles. Yellow coat with white head and feathers. Beside him stood his daughter. Looks like she was late teens at best. Pure white main body coat color with a yellow head and feathers. Wearing a beautiful one-piece dress with a low v-cut in it giving me an ample view of cleavage. She was beautiful grant you, but nothing could hold a candle to Philomena.

“King Nereus and his daughter Angelfeather,” the guard announced before they walked through the door. Kind Nereus walked up to us boldly and proudly with his paws patting the floor softly as he walked. His daughter Angelfeather, on the other hand, didn’t walk with her head held high like her father. Instead, she walked with her head tilted down, ears splayed back, and with a somber acceptance look on her face. Demure wasn’t quite right. It’s like she just accepted a suicide mission or something.

“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna,” he greeted with an overly exaggerated bow after he approached. Then turned to me, “Prince Fred,” with an equally overly exaggerated bow with a wide fake smile that just screamed greedy politician. “My greetings to you upon this day.” He gestured toward his daughter beside him, still with the wide smile on his face. “May I present my daughter, Angelfeather. Upon the Griffonstone and Equestria treaty of year five after Nightmare Moon, I bring my daughter to fulfill that treaty with Prince Fred, your son.”

My mother stepped forward with clear displeasure, “King Nereus, the specific element within that treaty is no longer relevant. It’s been over one thousand years since that treaty was ratified.”

“It is indeed relevant, Princess,” he reiterated, “no matter how much time has passed. If the treaty is still relevant then so it the specific elements within it. I also bring her to wed your son in honor of your soon to be achievement of abolishing human slavery.”

I frowned, giving my mother and Aunt Luna a sidelong quick glance. I called it, didn’t I? And by the pleasing look on his face, he was giving away his daughter because of the bribe he got from the pro-slavers. A nice talk with his daughter could verify that much. And to that end I let the pregnant pause in the conversation linger until I spoke up.

“If you are indeed here to present her as my wife,” I began explaining to him with my own fake smile, “then I’d like to take her to the garden where we can be better acquainted.” I held out my hand to Angelfeather.

Her father nodded down at her before looking over at me, “Of course, Prince Fred. Be my guest.”

Angelfeather acknowledged her father with a small nod before walking over to me and taking my hand. “Twilight, if you please,” said without taking my eyes off of Nereus. We were gone in a flash of Twilight’s magic, all four of us.

Immediately after appearing in the garden, I turned to Angelfeather and took her other hand in mine. “Alright, Miss Angelfeather, you can speak freely here. Nopony and nobody else will know what you tell us. Just what really is going on? Was your father paid to bring you here by some ponies in the Equestrian Council?”

She didn’t say anything, but looked around sheepishly.

“It’s alright, really,” Twilight urged gently and put a gentle hand on Angelfeather’s shoulder, “I put up a sound shield around us. Nopony will hear us, I promise. This is Philomena.”

When she looked over, Philomena stepped up to her with a disarming small smile. “Please, let us help.”

She seemed to think about it before finally speaking up. Her voice told us how upset and confused she was. “He wasn’t always this way,” she began slowly, still holding my hands. “I can still remember the time when he was a good father to me. Before his love for money. Then he became king and used his position to make more and more deals in his favor.”

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” said softly, shaking my head.

“Then he heard about your efforts to end human slavery,” she looked up at me. “But it wasn’t until he met some ponies from the council and received money from them that he agreed for me to marry you.”

My heart went out to her as I hung my head, shaking it slightly with a heavy sigh.

“He sold his daughter for money,” Twilight was in shock and horror, which was echoed in the tone of her voice and the look on her face. “I don’t believe it. He sold his own daughter.”

I could feel the anger radiating off of Philomena.

“I don’t think my father expects you to go through with the marriage,” Angelfeather commented. “If not then he still gets to keep the money.”

“There’s a political angle to this, Angelfeather.” I still held her hands and spoke gently to her, making sure she saw the kindness in my eyes. “If I refuse then the pro-slavery council members will publicize that my mother, Aunt Luna, and I really don’t believe in ending slavery. That my refusal to marry will prove it because the marriage is supposed to commemorate the effort of ending slavery. To have another country weigh in on the politics behind the movement on either side would give great weight to it.”

“Maybe you should marry. Keep her away from her bad father,” Philomena suggested, which surprised me a little. Only a little considering the difficult situation not only I was in but Angelfeather as well.

“Both your father and the part of the council which set this up would not be expecting you to go through with it,” Twilight mused before looking at Angelfeather. “But that would mean marrying Fred that you don’t even know or love.”

She looked up at me with eyes asking a question that was all too obvious to me what she wanted to ask. “I don’t like marrying that way,” I told Angelfeather. “It’s pressed upon not only you but me as well. It should be built on love and trust. Never arranged like this. Ultimately, it is your decision Angelfeather.” I turned to Twilight. “If you would write a letter to the girls explaining the situation?”

“Right,” said and used her magic to produce a pad and pen to start writing the letter on.

As Twilight wrote the letter, I watched Angelfeather for her reactions and input. She looked around the garden, looked at my hands, and then up at me a few times silently. I could almost see the gears turning in her head at her options.

“Perhaps it might be better for you to talk with Philomena and Twilight alone, woman to woman,” offered with a small smile, letting go of one hand motioning to Philomena. “They know me best.” When she agreed with a slight nod and a smile, I let go of her hand moving to the side letting Philomena get close to talk with her. Then turned to leave the protected area that Twilight set up and walked over to the fountain. And sat down on the bench to watch over them.

Twilight got done with the letter, using her magic to send it to Spike. If I knew the girls, they would be royally peeved at this whole situation. And rightly so. Further, if I was going to actually go through with the wedding then I would need their approval. Especially Philomena and Twilight’s. In a way, I’ve already gotten Philomena’s approval. While watching them talk, the whole thing seemed so surreal. Being a father myself, I just couldn’t imagine doing that do my daughter if I had one. As of yet, I don’t know which gender Fluttershy’s foal will be.

I could only imagine what mother and Aunt Luna was saying to King Nereus right now. Probably politely saying how greedy and insane he is for agreeing to this in the first place. And pressuring him to reveal who of the council came to visit. If not then Angelfeather could tell us if she hasn’t told Philomena or Twilight already. In the meantime, I sat back on the bench and watched them talk.

After some time, Aunt Luna teleported into the garden with a frustrated look on her face. She took a side glance at the girls as she walked passed and over to me. Everything about her screamed frustration as she sat down on the bench next to me. Crossed legs and arms after she sat down, tight-lipped, and steel eyes screamed how upset she was. “King Nereus deserves to be sent to the moon.”

“No argument from us,” I told her. “From what Angelfeather has told us, some ponies from the council visited him and paid him to marry off his daughter to me. She knows who and is probably telling the girls right now.”

She snorted like a raging bull, “He denies everything, naturally. His greed apparently knows no bounds.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, “she told us that he’s probably not expecting me to go along with it. He keeps the money either way, though.” I sighed, “Philomena even suggested going through with the marriage just to get her away from her father.”

Luna looked at me in total surprise, “Truly?” I gave her a nod. “I don’t know what to say about that.”

An amused look spread over my face with a chuckle, “You and me both. It surprised me when Philomena suggested it. I also had her write a letter to the rest of the girls about this situation. Because if I do really go through with it, then I want it to be unanimous among all of them. Ultimately though, I felt it better to have the final decision be hers. Considering she’s the one most effected by all this.”

“I do believe that was wise,” Luna looked over at me with an amused smirk.

“Mother still talking with King Nereus?”

Luna rolled her eyes with a horse like snort, “Yes, but I ran out of patience.”

“I haven’t even talked with him at length and I ran out of patience for him.”

Twilight received a letter as they continued talking. She excused herself, left Philomena and Angelfeather to talk, and walked over to us. “I’ve got a letter from the girls,” handed me the letter. “They are getting on the first available train in an hour. All of them are disgusted by this and want to talk with her. Not that I blame them any.”

I shook my head, “I wouldn’t blame them either.” Folding the letter, my eyes met hers, “So, what has she decided?”

“Under the guise of getting to know her future husband, she wants to stay here at the castle. And talk to the other girls when they arrive.” She smiled down at me, “And also to honesty get to know you.”

I gave her a smirk, “While getting the girl’s opinion of me.”

“Indeed,” Luna’s voice held humor in it.

“And what’s her father going to do?” I wondered, looking at Luna with curiosity and some worry. A part of me didn’t want her father to stick around. I noticed that both Philomena and Angelfeather hugging one another before they started walking over to us.

“When I left,” Luna started saying as Philomena and Angelfeather approached, “her father was talking about going back to Griffonstone until the wedding.”

“Figures,” I mumbled. “She’s sold, deals done, so he heads back home and wipes his claws of the whole thing now that he has his money.”

“It would not surprise me that my father would do that,” Angelfeather commented as she walked up to us. “As I said earlier, however, he wasn’t always this way. But his lust for money and position has changed him.”

Philomena sat next to me, took my arm, and put it around her waist leaning up against me on the bench.

Angelfeather was standing in front of me next to Twilight when she smiled at me. “Philomena and Twilight have spoken highly of you.”

“Oh well they must have left something out then,” of course I joking when I said it. And got an elbow to my ribs by Philomena, which lightened the mood with them all giggling.

Until Mother appeared in a flash of magic and started walking toward us. It was the look on her face that stopped all conversation. Mother put a hand on Angelfeather’s shoulder, “I’m sorry, but your father has already left for Griffonstone.” We were shocked into silence. Angelfeather hung her head with a disappointed sigh. Both my mother and Twilight hugged her. “We will do our best to make your stay as pleasant and as happy as we can.”

Angelfeather sniffed a little whispering out a soft, “Thank you.”

“Would you like to come with me and hear about how my son was born and how he was raised in the human world?” It was one of those moments where a mother enjoys all the embarrassment that she dishes out. Whenever a son brings a girl home it is the mother’s job to embarrass him as much as humanly possible with baby stories. I gave my mother a “Really?” look.

“There’s a human world?” Angelfeather asked, now at least with curiosity in her eyes instead of the hurt her father gave her.

“Yes, it is where my son grew up when I was forced to flee there for his safety, but it is a long story.”

Luna stood up, “One that I’ve heard before. It is passed my bedtime.”

“Sleep well, Aunt Luna.”

“Thank you, dear nephew,” she smiled down at me before hugging mother, “good day, sister.”

“Sleep well, sister,” mother said after hugging her, then watching Luna teleport away.

“Yes, I think it would be good to hear of Fred’s history,” Angelfeather said with a look of genuine curiosity. Smiles and wide eyes and all.

“Then come,” mother ushered her away, “my human counterpart even gave me a scrapbook of him as he grew up.” Then teleported away to go embarrass me with baby pictures with Angelfeather.

“Wow, just...wow,” Twilight finally said softly before sitting down next to me. I put my free arm around her where she too leaned against me. “This whole situation is just simply insane.”

“Yep,” I agreed with a curt nod.

^_^

The rest of the girls and I were on a chariot coach riding toward the castle from the train station. I had called it before hand so the girls didn’t have to walk.

“I just simply can’t believe that...that...chicken would do something like that to his own daughter!”

“Rarity!”

“Excuse my crude, but apt, language Twilight,” Rarity apologized with a huff, “but it fits him. To think selling off your own daughter to the Equestrian Council for money to be used as a political stunt is vile at the very least.” She straightened her dress as she crossed her legs with a horse like snort of contempt.

“Oh, I agree,” Fluttershy said while leaning against me with my arm around her. Philomena let her sit next to me because of her pregnancy. “My foal hasn’t even been born yet and to think of doing something like that is unthinkable.”

“I think we can all agree that what happened to Angelfeather was horribly wrong,” Twilight chipped in to calm the storm of emotions. “But the situation still remains, what about Angelfeather? Do we go through with the wedding? What are our other options?”

“I for one wouldn’t want her to return to that no-good father of hers,” Rainbow snorted out angrily, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Who knows what her father would do next to her,” AJ commented in agreement.

“At least she’ll be safe with Freddy Weddy,” Pinkie said making me smile at her, thanking her for what she said.

“Yes, she would,” Rarity nodded, “however, she wouldn’t be marrying for love, but out of necessity. No matter what the political outcome may be.”

I kept silent and listened to the girls talk and discuss the situation. All the while the click-clack of the bull's hooves against the cobblestone street rang in my ears along with the chariot wheels.

“But as we all know, life isn’t always fair or perfect,” AJ’s solemn tone of voice, even though soft, cut through like a knife. Rainbow put her arm around her friend as did Pinkie. “Because it’s her future, why not just let Angelfeather decide?”

“That was pretty much my thoughts on it,” I put in with a nod to AJ. “Besides, it’s not like anything has to be decided right away. And there’s no set time on any announcement either for or against.”

“It also gives her time to get to know him,” Fluttershy leaned over giving me a light kiss. “He’ll be a good father.”

“Thanks, Fluttershy,” I whispered into her ear. “Mother has already been showing her the baby pictures already.”

While others giggled, Rainbow groaned in disappointment, “And I missed it all the embarrassment.” Thanks to Rainbow that lightened the mood all the way to the castle.

^_^

After arriving at the castle I told the girls to go on and talk to Angelfeather. One reason was I wanted them to speak to her without me there in case she felt pressured or something. Rarity agreed with me that seemed to be the sensible thing to do. The other reason was because I wanted to visit Miss Delphia. I wanted to see her for two reasons. One is to check up on her and two to assign her with an investigation. If her superiors agree to it that is. So, after the girls got off I asked the driver to take me to Canterlot PD.

Never been to any police department before much less the one here. It was larger than I thought it would be. Wide double glass doors greeted me as I walked up the steps. The building was designed in an old-style similar to how the white house looked. Just smaller. The foyer was smaller than I thought it would be too. About the size, and look, of a small-town clinic waiting area. One officer behind a window in front of me with two doors on either side. And chairs around the room with almost no decoration to complete the picture.

Before I even got within a couple of feet of the receptionist, she took one look at me and waved me off. “Humans are not allowed inside this building or to make any requests of any Equestrian Officers.”

I stopped about a foot away from the glass giving her a tongue in cheek look with a raised eyebrow to match the disbelief on my face. Disbelief that she didn’t know who I was. To that end, I just held up a hand and ignited it.

And waited.

She didn’t even look up. “I don’t care what parlor tricks you do. No human is allowed...” She trailed off when she watched the book she was reading levitating in front of her. I had put out my hand and used my magic to levitate it. I even raised it up and bonked her on the head with it before putting it back down again.

And waited.

At least this time she looked up at me with surprise. I’ll admit it being satisfying to watch the look on her face change when she finally realized who I was. She went from simply surprised and confused to utter horror thinking I was about to flog her senseless in a heartbeat.

“I’m so sorry my prince,” she cried out, suddenly dropping to the floor and underneath the counter where I couldn’t see her. “I didn’t know it was you because I don’t get out much.”

She continued her blubbering, so I stepped over to the door on my right. And using my magic to unlock it and step through. My ears still picked up her sobbing as I walked passed her door.

“Please forgive me, my prince...”

I pretty much ignored her and walked down the hallway. It’s mid-morning and Delphia said she was on the day shift, so she and her guardian captain should be here. Where exactly I wasn’t sure. But I could already here some of the chatter coming from the end of the hallway. The hallway opened up into a large open area with offices all around with cubicles in the center. At least I found where everypony was at. So, I straightened my suit and started looking at the office name tags to find the Captain. Which was on the other side of the room. Naturally. I knocked on the door.

“Enter,” a burly sounding male’s voice almost boomed out from inside the room. I found out why when I opened the door. Being built similar to big mac, this earth pony stallion posed an imposing figure. I’ve been around enough cops to know that he was sizing me up. I was about to start posing for him before he spoke up. “Prince Fred,” he bowed his head respectively, “welcome to the Canterlot Police Department.”

I gave him a slow nod of respect in return before sitting down in front of his desk. “Thank you, Captain Ace. You are Miss Delphia’s guardian, right?”

He sat still, staring at me and only raised his eyebrow with his hands folded on the desk. “I am,” he replied calmly. “Is she in any trouble?”

“No, not at all,” shook my head with a smile. “I came for two reasons. One was to see how she’s doing because we’re friends. And secondly to see if she’s free to take on a royal assignment.” I sure got his attention now, on both counts.

“Yes, she told me that she was writing to you,” he eyed me carefully while leaning back in his chair. “Even told me that she invited you into her apartment.”

Typical protective father. Understandable, so I’d play the role. “Yes, sir that is correct. It was the same night that she won the contest. How are the pistols working out by the way?”

“Very well. The non-magical ponies are happy to have the means to incapacitate anypony without using lethal force,” he said simply. His tone still was that of a typical father and not as a captain. There was a pregnant pause in the conversation while he continued to simply stare at me. Finally he asked, “What is this royal assignment?”

“An investigation, covert and secretive, into the Equestrian Council on who contacted and bribed Griffonstone King Nereus.” My tone of voice should tell him how serious I was at this as I kept my eyes on him. “Some members of the council bribed him to use an old law forcing his daughter to marry me. It was nothing more or less than a political stunt against us. According to his daughter, Angelfeather, he isn’t the good father he started out as anymore. And it peeves me that he literally sold off his daughter.”

He was sitting back in his chair with his fingers touching as he listened to me. He finally asked, “Why my daughter?”

“Because I want someone trustworthy that has the skills to do it secretly,” said to him with a small smile.

Another pause before he reached up and touched his badge. “Detective Delphia,” he said aloud while keeping his eyes on me, “come see me in my office. Prince Fred is here for you.”

Yes, sir, came Eve’s reply through his badge that reminded me of the Star Trek badge communicators that worked the same way.

It took her a little bit to arrive and until she did we just sat there and stared at one another. I knew he was evaluating me. That much was obvious. So, I let him and kept quiet until she arrived.

“Reporting as ordered, sir,” she walked in and up to his desk giving him a sharp salute. She noticed me sitting there and only showed the smallest of smiles. Which, I understood considering how she keeps to protocol.

The captain saluted giving her the cue to relax. “Our Prince here wants to give you a special assignment.”

I watched her blink in surprise before looking down at me. “What assignment, sir?”

“Investigate corruption within the Equestrian Council.” The shocked look on her face was understandable.

“The council?” she almost squeaked it out because her mind was still trying to process the request.

“Yes,” looking up to her, I elaborated. “As you know, mother and I are trying to end slavery. But there are elements within the council that are pro-slavery. They went so far as to bribe Griffonstone King Nereus to bring his daughter here for the purpose of marrying me. That was done supposedly under an very old law and supposedly supporting the abolishment of slavery.”

She was outright furious. “That’s...”

“I know. Now I got two choices,” I continued while she stood there nearly shaking with rage. “I marry her or I don’t. If I don’t then the pro-slavers in the council will say that I’m not really for it because I refused a marriage that would have brought the two countries together to abolish it. They aren’t expecting me to actually go through with the marriage because I don’t believe in forced marriage.”

“What do you want me to do?” she asked me.

“Easy,” I smirked to her, “follow the money. Whichever council members that are truly pro-slavery will have a paper trail from the Griffonstone King right to their doorstep. All I need is the names.”

“Should be easy enough,” Captain Ace said simply with a firm nod.

“If any bank gives you grief, just tell them that you have full royal support.”

“Understood, sir,” she gave me a firm nod.

“Good,” said before looking over to the captain. “Does she have time for an early lunch? I’d like to catch up with her.” Her father was quiet for a minute before giving me a nod of approval. “Great,” standing up, I present my arm to her, “shall we?” With a little embarrassment on her part, she took my arm and walked out with me.

She waited until we were outside that she looked up at me, “Is this really necessary?” Referring to our holding arms.

I just gave her an amused smirk, “No, but I am enjoying it.” She was silently fuming some while I waved down a carriage. Then opening the door for her, after it stopped for us, she stepped inside without a fuss.

“So, where are we eating?” she asked a little testily.

“The castle,” said to her which shocked her. “For two reasons. One is for you to speak with Angelfeather. And two for the girls, Twilight and her friends to meet you.”

“Oh,” her voice sounded nervous.

“Don’t worry,” tried to comfort her with a friendly nudge from my arm, “just be yourself and you’ll be fine. The girls should still be with Angelfeather if mother hasn’t talked their ears off yet.”

That did the job of easing her nerves for the rest of the short trip up to the castle. We found the girls, with mother, in her private study all around the reading table in the center of the room. It was a relatively small room with bookshelves lining the walls, a table in the center of the room, with a fireplace on the far outside wall.

“My sunshine boy,” mother cried out, stood up from her chair, and nearly ran over to me giving me a huge hug. Then noticed who was with me. “This must be Detective Delphia, is that right?”

“Yes, your highness,” she confirmed with a respective bow.

Mother waited until she stood up again before taking Delphia’s hand, “I’m happy to meet you.”

Mother was about to start asking questions until Twilight walked up to us with a disarming smile. “Hi there, I’m Twilight Sparkle,” then motioned to her friends, “and those are Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Philomena. The griffon is Princess Angelfeather.”

“If it’s alright with you and the girls, I’d like the detective here to ask Angelfeather some questions?”

Twilight nodded to me, “Ah yes, of course,” then led the detective over to the table where they made room. Sitting her down right next to Angelfeather, they began talking.

“Fred?”

While keeping my eyes on Angelfeather, I addressed Twilight. “I want the council members responsible for this mess. That’s where she comes in. She’ll find out who bribed the king.”

“And they will be punished,” Mother finished for me. “I’m happy for what you’re doing for her.”

“Thanks, mother.”

Twilight, then turned to me and looked up to me with serious eyes. “We’ve all talked it over and even though there are still things to talk about. She is open about going through with the marriage.”

I was halfway expecting that. But I wanted to be clear on why. “And her reasoning?” She knew what I was really asking. So did mother.

“Yes, part of it is to get her away from her abusive father,” Twilight confirmed for me. Then smiled, “But because of what we’ve been saying about you, she also knows that you would be a good husband to have.”

I gave her a passionate kiss, “Thanks for stroking my ego, Twilight. But how would that affect my relationship with you and the rest of the girls?”

“That’s what we’ll have to discuss,” Twilight clarified for me. “As you know, a herd isn’t uncommon but this situation is a little unique. Normally when a pony is married then starts a herd the married mare is the head mare. In this case, your herd was created first, so that could change things.”

“What about the Equestria Games at the Crystal Kingdom? I’m sure she’ll be coming along, but will there be an announcement regarding the possible wedding? Or that she’s here on behalf of Griffonstone to support the abolishment of slavery?” I asked them both. Not only curious but out of concern for Angelfeather and any possible embarrassment.

The look on Mother’s face, and the sigh that went with it, was evidence of the frustrating thoughts running through her head. “By all political standards, there should be an announcement for both the marriage proposal and for Griffonstone.”

“But?”

“But,” she nodded to Twilight, “by all morals, we’ll leave that to her.”

As we agreed on that, I turned to watch the girls all talk at the table. Leaving my mind to wonder and worry about the possible outcome and future that was in store for not only for Angelfeather and I. But the girls and the rest of Equestria.

Next Chapter: Chapter Thirty: The Equestria Games Part 1 Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 46 Minutes