Rainbow Dash was pregnant. That sick fuck Dermot had planted his seed in her. In a few months, she would give birth to his child. And Rainbow wasn't happy.

In fact, if it weren't for her being pregnant, she would already have left to track him down so she could cut off his cock and shove it up his nose. But, after Sutura confirmed it for her, she had a talk with Caesar Drusilla. She said that this changed nothing and that she would do all she could to help her. However, she would still serve her, which Rainbow agreed to.

Due to this complication, her new training had to be modified. Originally, it was going to be a daily structure of training and then classroom like lessons. But, due to this complication, it was deemed that her classes would take place now, especially since she still had to learn the language.

And so, here she was: a small dining room converted to a makeshift classroom, with a small desk, wax tablet, and a quill to write with. She was waiting for her supposed teacher, and it was driving her mad. She rocked side to side on the chair, which issued strange creaking noises that Rainbow found to be pretty entertaining. And so she did this for at least five minutes before the door opened.

In stepped an old looking Demigyrph with a pale grey coat and stark white feathers with black tips. He wore a white tunic and leather belt, sandals on his hind legs, and a pair of spectacles. He said, "Hello there, Miss Dash. I am Professor Didius, and the Caesar has instructed me to teach you the Demosian language, and later other aspects like history and tactics. Before we begin, I suggest you stop rocking the stool."

Rainbow did as he asked, and then straightened up to pay attention. Or at least, as best she could. She was never really a classroom learner, often learning best from experience and from doing stuff. However, this could work. She had to try.

"Alright then, we shall start with basic greetings," he said. He then turned and began to draw words on a large wax tablet. When he was done, it spelled out several words in total: 'Salve' 'Ave' 'Quid agis?' and 'Bonus dies'.

"Now, as I have said, these are the basic greetings of the language. 'Salve' means 'Hello' or 'Hi'. You use this to greet someone in an informal setting, or someone whom you hold rank over. 'Ave' means 'Hail'. This is directed at your superiors, like the Caesar or another member of the royal family, or anyone else who holds rank on you. Next is 'Quid agis'; how are you? Like hello, it can be used in an informal setting, or as a follow-up phrase to one of the previous greetings. Finally, for now, is-Are you asleep!?"

Sure enough, Rainbow had fallen into the edge of sleep, resting her head against her desk with her eyes nearly shut. His shout drove that back, and made her spring up in alarm, shouting, "NO!". Her head darted around the room, finally falling on the somewhat angry looking professor. She shot him a sheepish grin, saying, "Sorry, sir. I'm not a very good class learner. It's not your fault."

His expression softened. "Ah, I see," he said. "You should've told me. The Caesar's younger brother was exactly the same way. Now, how about a bit of a pop quiz?"

Rainbows' eyes widened in shock. "Already!? But I-"

Didius shut her up with a wave of his paw. "Don't worry. It's not a hard one, and only for you to get some interaction with me, as well as some practical experience. I find that this works best. Now, ready?"

A light nod later, he said, "Ok. Now, which one do you use to greet a superior?"

"Ummmm… Ave?"

"Correct," he said with a smile. "Now, which do you use in an informal setting? Salve, Quid agis, both, or neither?"

Rainbow thought for a minute, then hesitantly said, "Salve? No, no; Quid agis!"

"Both, actually. But, well, you answered both, so I'll take it," he said. "Now, let's move on. Remember to take notes on the tablet. Each day will start with a small quiz like this."

These lessons took up the next few months and were organized in a similar way. Each day started with a quiz of last days' material, then they went into new material. Soon, she had enough of an understanding to interact with someone without the use of a rune, even if she slipped up somewhat.

Soon after she could speak Demosian pretty well, Professor Didius started to move onto other areas. One such was history, which seemed a waste of time to her, but was judged to be necessary. She learned, memorized and repeated many parts of the history of the Empire. From its founding over 3000 years ago by Damocles the Great-Uniter to the Pryhan-Equestrian Wars, to the Great Scorching, to the present day. Names of important generals, Caesars, philosophers, and reformists of the Empire. Of landmarks, important battles, and dates.

Speaking of battles, she was also drilled on tactics, strategies, and the organization of the army. She learned until she could recite them blindfolded the necessary parts for a successful envelopment operation. How to use the various types of troops of the Pryhan army to full effect. The various equipment, weapons, and roles each of these troop types used. And how to exploit the various tactics, troop types, and weapons of the Empires enemies, most notably the zebras.

A final point she was encouraged to study was the social structure, government, and economic position of the Empire. The histories, territories, and other important tidbits of the various wealthy families that formed the Empires upper classes. The middle class of farmers, soldiers, and artisans, and their role in society. And finally, the laborers that made up the lower class. As well as this, she was drilled on the various appointed ranks of the Empire, current people who held them, and just how they factored into the Empires hierarchy.

It was all a pain at first; like she said, she was a doer, not a learner. However, eventually, she got into a cycle of being able to remember these things, as well as study in her abundant free time. She often had nothing better to do, and so just stuck with it. It was like her reading for the first time: at first a pain she normally wouldn't be bothered with trying, but due to having little else to do, she indulged herself in it. And while she didn't enjoy it, even after nearly eight months of doing it, it was still less annoying than at the start.

At first, these lessons took place every day, at the same time, and generally lasted all day. However, as the pregnancy progressed, the lesson structure changed. The lessons took place later in the day. They lasted shorter amounts of time. And eventually, days were skipped. Within the last month, they stopped happening all together, even though she was told to keep reviewing the material. It was just too bothersome to get out of bed, and they ceased.

Next Chapter: 37~Pain of motherhood (PT.1) Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 51 Minutes