“So what do you think of the entire matter?” The new ambassador asked as he turned to me. Soft music played in the background. A small plate of finger food floated before me in my magic and I looked up at the minotaur. His horns were a bit smaller than average, but that might simply be an illusion because he was also a head taller than any other minotaur I had seen and his coat was a grayish black.

“As you understand, I’m going to have to stand behind Equestria,” I told him with a smile, “And usually that implies agreeing with Princess Celestia and my wife.”

Ambassador Dorwall smiled at that, “More than understandable,” he agreed with a nod, “But surely you have some opinion about the region in question?”

A small patch of worthless grassland at the border between Equestria and the Minotaur Empire that’s been contested for hundreds of years.

“My personal opinion,” I told him, “Is that I really couldn’t care less about that worthless patch of grassland.”

He actually blinked in surprise before looking amused, “Really?”

“There is a reason I’m not much of an ambassador,” I told him with a smile, “I know it’s important to both Equestria and your nation, but personally I don’t really care. I would much prefer a peaceful resolution to the entire matter and I’m sure we’ll be able to find one. Because seriously, we both have more stretches of open grassland than we know what to do with, no use fighting over yet another patch.”

Picking up a cucumber thing from my plate, I popped it into my mouth.

“I would prefer the same,” He agreed. “But the Naravel region is a part of the Empire.”

I just shrugged my wings. Really didn’t much care either way, just that if they did start to cause trouble, I’ll help Celestia kick their tails up between their horns. I really rather wouldn’t need to, but I would if I had to.

“But,” he continued and smiled, “This is not the venue for this kind of conversation. My apologies, Prince Page. This was meant to be a welcome reception in my honor and here I go talking politics.”

“No worries at all, I assume that-”

A voice interrupted me from the door and the sound of a staff hitting the floor as the earth pony there spoke up, “Introducing Queen Chrysalis and Princess Skitter of the Changelings!”

Excuse me, but fucking what?

Both of them walked inside, side by side as the entire room turned to look towards them.

I mean, they were always invited as close allies to Equestria to these kinds of things but none of them had ever accepted before.

They both crossed the room, moving through the crowd to talk quietly to Celestia for a moment before I turned back to the minotaur, “If you would excuse me, Ambassador,” I said before making my way over towards Chrysalis and Skitter as they broke off from Celestia.

...Oh dear, I really would rather talk with Chrysalis than with the ambassador. That didn’t say much for his odds, now did it?

“Queen Chrysalis,” I said and spread my wings slightly, giving them a tiny bow, “Princess Skitter.”

“Prince Blank Page,” Chrysalis answered with a slight bow of her own, Skitter bowing deeper next to her.

“I can’t say I expected either of you,” I admitted, keeping my voice low.

Chrysalis looked down at me, “We were invited, my little predator,” she answered quietly, “So we are here… supporting our allies.”

“And by all right,” I admitted, “Just… unexpected.”

Chrysalis looked around before her eyes found the ambassador, “If you excuse me,” she said and moved past me, leaving me with Skitter.

I glanced after her before moving closer to Skitter, “...Should I be worried?”

“No, sir,” she said softly, “Mother decided that it is time that we are seen to publicly support our pony allies.”

Mhmm. What’s she up to?

I glanced after her for a second before I mentally shrugged. Whatever she was up to, I’m sure if it was something I needed to know, Skitter would let me know eventually… assuming she knew anyway.

“Want some introductions?” I asked, looking at Skitter after a second.

“I think I should catch up to Mother,” Skitter answered, seeming a bit reluctant.

“Better get going then,” I told her with a smile, “I’m here if you need to escape at some point. Just signal me or something.”

Skitter smiled and then quickly moved to follow her mother. I let her go and gave Celestia a nod before crossing the room again to find Sunset studying the food laid out for the reception,

“Find anything good?” I asked as I moved up next to her, “Because I sure did, you look amazing.”

Sunset actually blushed slightly, “I have used this dress before, you didn’t give me much warning, you know. Didn’t expect to see Chrysalis and Skitter here.”

“Don’t think anypony did,” I agreed and glanced in their direction, trying not to notice the slightly wary look some ponies shot at me when they thought I didn’t notice.

It was the first time I had been out in real public like this. It was to be expected.