”He was a little strange. Not conventionally attractive, nowhere near an ideal stallion in comportment. He had little patience for palace life and would rather be left to his own devices than participate in courtly affairs. Even if that was everything I wanted for myself, in my heart longing to be free of the throne, what would my ponies say? The image of my office bound me, even when he tempted me with freedom from it, and even if I indulged his whimsy to those ends once in awhile."