"This is sudden, your highness," Glistening Ward expressed. "Is something wrong?"
Hyacinth sighed. "The council wants to go ahead with the moving of Madergotscar soon," They explained. "I need to know if it's safe, given the state the foals are in."
Ward stared for a moment. "...Your highness, respectfully, I think you know what my answer to the prospect of moving an entire island while pregnant is," She expressed. "I... Don't really know the exact logistics specifically, but anything strenuous is going to be bad for you and the foals in the long run."
Hyacinth cracked an odd smile. "I suppose you're right," They chuckled. "I think that's why I don't want to do it... But I also don't know what to tell the council. I feel it would be safer for the foals if news of them didn't go public."
"Safer?" Ward questioned, looking up Hyacinth.
"There are those among the public that try to take aiding me into their own hooves, by any means necessary," Hyacinth commented. "I of course don't lament them, but some of their ideas can be a bit... Radical, at times. I worry what they would try to do if news of the foals got out too early."
Ward flinched, her blood running cold. "I... Understand, your highness," She replied, brushing her mane behind her ear. "I'd hope that no one tries anything stupid."
Hyacinth closed their eyes for a moment, rubbing their face. "You and me both," They conceded. "Cardion was a lovely surprise, of course, but the instigators there didn't know much more or less than I about if it would work or not. We are lucky that it worked out, but there's a world where we're down that much energy with nothing to show for it," They mused. "I don't know if I'd be able to live with myself if a bad outcome involved one of the foals..."
"Of course, your highness..." Ward expressed. "I could write a note for you. There's plenty of conditions I could point towards for why it's not a good idea, even just malnutrition."
"Ah... That might work," Hyacinth expressed. "How would you determine a date?" They asked.
"I don't have to, necessarily. You're kind of the employer, not the other way around," Ward expressed, pulling out a pen to mark down a basic note. "I'll just say until you're cleared for regular work again. That way you don't have to rush," Ward offered with a small smile.
Hyacinth closed their eyes for a moment, pondering the tradeoffs. It was a selfish decision, of course, but they felt it was in their best interest to bring healthy foals to bear. Even if it wasn't a material benefit, it would be a moral one. "That... Sounds lovely, dear. Thank you," Hyacinth expressed.
"It's the least I can do," Ward replied, managing a bare smile. "You wanted me to take care of you and the foals, so... Here I am," She managed.
Ward sighed as she closed her dormitory door behind her, sitting against the door and slumping. She hung her head, ears drooping as she rubbed her face. She felt sick to her stomach, and her mind raced. She wondered if she was doing the right thing. She wondered, briefly, if this was her fault. Would Hyacinth have felt comfortable sharing if nothing had happened?
She jumped as someone knocked on her door. "Got a minute, Ward?" Asked Alloyed Heart's voice.
"J-just a second," Ward requested, standing up and wiping her face. She pulled open the door, sighing. "Come in," She commented.
Alloy walked in, looking at Ward concernedly. "You look like you've seen a ghost," They expressed.
"You startled me, I just got back," Ward commented, trotting over to sit down on her bed. "What's up?" She asked as she untied her mane, letting it fall freely against her side.
"You weren't scheduled for a shift today, I didn't realize you'd gone out," Alloy admitted. "Did the Empress need something?"
Ward paused for a moment, body tensing slightly. "...Is that all I'm good for?" She asked lowly. "Just breaching the Empress' privacy?" She asked.
Alloy blinked. "What?" They asked. "No, it's just... Y'know, important we keep an eye out," They managed, rubbing her neck.
Ward closed her eyes. "I'm tired of being your go-between," She admitted.
Alloy blinked. "Woah, what? Where'd this come from?" They asked.
"The Empress told me why they've been so secretive about the pregnancy," Ward replied, opening her eyes. "It's because of people like the Sentinels. They're scared you're... We're, going to try something when the foals are born."
"I..." Alloy blinked, slumping as they sat down. "They're scared of us?" They asked.
"That's what they told me today," Ward expressed. "I can't keep doing this, Alloy. It's a breach of confidentiality to begin with, but knowing that it's making them actively avoid doing things to ease their care... I can't stand it," She continued, taking a deep breath.
"We'll be flying blind without you," Alloy remarked. "I doubt the others would just sit back and accept it. You know how some of them get."
Ward closed her eyes, pondering that thought for a long time. "I'd have to report you, then," She remarked. "The Empress is my priority, Alloy."
Alloy looked away, biting her lip. "What would you tell them?" They asked quietly.
"I don't know," Ward admitted. "I don't want them to think you intended harm. I know I didn't. But, evidently, we are causing them harm. And I don't know what they'll say or do once they know," She expressed.
"...They're not violent. Not usually, at least. They didn't seem phased by us bringing Cardion to them," Alloy commented. "Might be a long time locked up if they decide we're a danger, though." Their ears flattened.
"You could always out yourselves. Be honest with them," Ward remarked, looking at Alloy seriously. "It's clear that having a shadowy group trying to tug them around some way or another is causing them more stress than the results of that group are helping to remove."
Alloy winced, one of her ears twitching. "Somehow I knew you'd say that," They murmured. "If we do... You'll be there, right?" They asked.
"Not as one of the Sentinels," Ward replied. "Just as their nurse."
Alloy's eyes squeezed shut. "I... I understand," They replied quietly, standing up. "I guess I should leave. Wouldn't want to waste your time," They remarked, opening her eyes to turn to face the door.
Ward's expression softened. "I'm sorry," She expressed quietly. "I just... I can't keep doing this. Not when they trust me."
"They're not the only one," Alloy puffed softly, opening the door to leave. "Let me know if you reconsider. You know where to find us," They said, before slipping out the door.
Ward laid on her side, staring at the wall. Tears pricked at her eyes as she laid there. "A-Alloy..." She murmured, pressing a hoof tightly to her chest and closing her eyes tightly, curling up on her bed. "Why do you make it so hard?" She whimpered softly.