Return of Amore

03 The Royal (5/5)

A young Amore laid bedridden in her bedroom. Her eyes searched throughout her ceiling, her vision teetering between blur and definition like a never-ending ripple.

A mare came to her bedside with a cart. Atop it was a bowl of steamed soup. The mare picked its content with a spoon with magic and cradled Amore's head.

"Come now Princess," the mare said. "You need to drink this if you wish to get better."

Amore cringed at the pungent smell of the soup. She knew it was for the benefit of her own health, but why did the world have to design it to reek a horrid scent of herbs?

Regardless, Amore powered through her disgust and ingested all its content. If it meant she could get out of her bed quicker, then she would eat meat if she had to.

A stallion then entered the room. His coat shimmered red like rubies as he joined Amore's bedside. The mare backed away from the stallion and bowed.

"My king," the mare said.

The stallion waved a hoof at the mare and leaned onto Amore's bed to brush Amore's forehead. "You should get some rest," the king advised.

"Bud dad," Amore weakly spoke. "The princesses are coming today. I want to see them."

Amore was ecstatic when she learned about the coming of the royal sisters. The sole protectors of Equestria for decades had preserved peace and harmony for all ponies. The only time Amore had met the pair was on the day of her birth.

She wanted to meet them, however, fate set a cruel thing on Amore with an illness. On the very day, royal sisters would arrive.

"They're only here for a private meeting with you mother," her father said. "I promise you will have another chance to see them."

"But they're here now." Amore grasped her father's hoof. "I don't want to wait for another chance."

Amore tried to heave her body out of bed, but her body waned strength, and a strong pang within her head shackled her back to her pillow.

"You shouldn't move around right now. The nurse said you need to stay in bed. You should heed her advice."

Amore began to tear up, grasping both her hooves onto her father's hoof.

"Oh Amore," her father said as he leaned over to hug his daughter. "I'm sorry today did not work out the way you hoped. But I assure you, you will have your time with them. But for now, I want to make sure you are okay."

Knock Knock Knock.

The king and mare perked to the knock upon Amore's door. Her father laid Amore's head back onto the pillow then approached the door to answer it. His eyes widened at the ponies standing before him.

"Princess Celestia?" The king said. "Princess Luna?"

"Greetings, King Flare," Celestia said. "Might we have permission to enter?"

"Oh, yes, please come in." The king stepped aside and welcomed the royal sisters inside.

Amore dazed at the presence of the royal sisters. She has many stories about them. Their power to control the movement of the sun and moon. Bearing the most extravagant mane in all of Equestria.

Celestia smiled at the surprised Amore. "My, you've grown a lot since the last time I saw you. You were such a tiny, cute gem I could fit on my bare hoof."

"And it would seem thou hast garnered an unyielding mind as well," Luna added. "Thou is indeed like her mother."

The royal sisters sat before Amore's bed. She felt overwhelmed, struggling to retain her poise. Just a single push could break her into fangirling right now.

"I appreciate you two coming here to see my daughter," King Flare said. "But don't you have a meeting to attend with my wife?"

"Do not worry," Celestia assured. "We have discussed this over with her in our letters. We wish to devote a part of our time here with Amore. Aunts should be given the opportunities to dote on their nieces."

"Now then," Luna said, fixing her gaze upon Amore. "How about we begin with introductions?"

"Goodness Luna." Celestia rolled her eyes. "Even with foals, you resign to formalities."