Ruby and Garnet had long settled into the breeding farm. They had been there for a few months, waiting for roads to get safe enough for travel. Their lives were filled with mating, rides, being groomed and fed, and more mating. It was a privileged existence that Anya compared to her previous role as Royal Concubine.
One morning, as the horses were getting saddled, the stablehand saddling Ruby paused. He checked the straps of her saddle, then hurried away. Ruby looked at Garnet, confused.
"What is going on?" she whinnied.
"Perhaps your saddle needs to be replaced," Garnet suggested. Ruby shifted slightly.
"Perhaps..." she muttered.
The stablehand returned with Garnet's mother in tow.
"I have marked the spot to cinch the girth for Ruby, but it no longer matches," he said to Garnet's mother. She frowned.
"Go fetch Anya. Inform her we must do a check-up on Ruby."
The stablehand nodded and ran off. Garnet's mother patted Ruby, but would not answer Garnet's questions. Finally, Anya came in.
"Do a scan of Ruby, please," Garnet's mother requested. Anya nodded. She raised her hands. Soon, she lowered them, her face pale. "Well?"
"As you suspected, she is with foal," Anya said softly. "This is the most valuable mate in the kingdom."
"Pregnant?" Garnet said. He looked at Ruby. To his relief, like him, she seemed thrilled. She swished her tail happily.
"It is about time!" she whinnied. Garnet laughed. "Tell me, Anya, what I am pregnant with."
Once Garnet translated, Anya did another scan and found the Princess was carrying...