Empire of Mercy
Copyright© 2025 by Daelyx Len Auphydas
Chapter 9: The Aristocrat
Celestia hums as she trots down the hallways towards her throne room. She’d almost forgotten how much she enjoyed tutoring ponies, seeing the smiles on their faces as they discovered their own unique talents, helping to guide them through their challenges. She’d set aside as much time as she could for her two students, but royal duties still call, and she cannot put them off any more. Rainbow Dash and Twilight have been escorted to their general classes, and now it’s time for Celestia to perform her own function.
“Your highness!” The first of the guards on duty quickly salutes the princess, falling in lockstep beside her. “Sir Platinum Legacy is in the waiting chamber, he arrived around an hour ago and has been petitioning to see you ever since.”
Celestia takes a deep breath and steels herself to present the regal, authoritative figure that ponykind expects. “Very well. Send him in. Oh, and I’m sure he’ll want to see his sons as well, so please fetch them.” The guardspony salutes before turning and striding off to fulfill their orders.
When the gates open and Platinum Legacy is allowed into the chamber, he does not even spare a glance at either of the guardsponies before him, striding up to the center of the chamber and slightly dipping his head in a token display of fealty. “Your majesty.” The stallion raises his head back up to look Celestia in the eyes.
“Greetings and welcome to my court, Sir Legacy. I trust this is no casual visit? What brings such a busy stallion as yourself before me?’ Celestia asks, choosing each word carefully. The aristocrat before her is a well respected scion of an old house, and a veteran of the royal guard to boot. She would have to be careful with how she dealt with him.
“Of course, I would not waste your time on anything less. I have been speaking with the other noble families on the matter of some of your recent decisions, and I believe I speak for many of my fellow nobles when I say ... The aristocracy would appreciate some clarification regarding your reasoning.” The stallion clears his throat before continuing. “It seems like an odd decision to embark on such an ambitious set of military reforms now of all times, considering the long period of peace we are presently having. Replacing the equipment of the entire guard alone will take up twice their annual budget. Wasn’t the expansion of the Royal Legions sufficient?”
Celestia suppresses a grimace with some effort. “So you propose we continue training soldiers to throw spears and hold shield walls? I don’t seem to recall those tactics being particularly effective the last time the dragons led an incursion.” Celestia retorts dryly.
Platinum Legacy motions at a small stack of papers he had brought with him. “But many of these technologies aren’t well established. I’ve caught sight of some of these folding claws, R&D is still having trouble making the hinge mechanism strong enough to survive impact. The continued development costs are eating away at Equestria’s economy. My associates and I are concerned that the increased tax burden will negatively affect Equestria’s competitiveness in the upcoming trade season. Surely you are aware that prench goods are already out-competing many of the sellers in our domestic market?”
Celestia is, in fact, quite well aware of that fact; The general lack of worker safety laws in prance and its poorly-paid underclass of earth pony labourers practically assures it. “If that is the case, then surely you must also be aware that the changes to the tax codes should not negatively impact the parts of the economy involved in trade with Prance. In fact, part of the new regulations includes tariffs on imports from Prance, so if that is your concern, I must assure you it is unfounded.”
“Perhaps. But these new tax regulations set a ... Worrying precedent. If reforms of the Royal Legions are truly necessary—and I am sure that you know best if that is necessary, your highness—Then why not simply take out a levy? A restructuring of the royal legions is surely expensive, but given that you have not expanded their ranks, the cost should not be more than a single time expense.” Platinum Legacy motions with a hoof. “Or even better, perhaps simply take money out of less ... Vital projects. Like this infrastructure development project in Somnambula. I cannot fathom why some distant backwater warrants such an investment.”
“Nonsense. That railway project is of critical strategic and economic importance for our relations with Zebrica. It is necessary to allow us to project power into southern Equestria. Particularly necessary, since the zebra’s have been disputing our borders as of late.”
Platinum Legacy nods, relenting on that note at least. “Very well. Still, my first suggestion stands. Why not take out a levy? It would be less of a burden than these tax reforms. There is sure to be difficulty with their implementation, considering how different they are from our existing tax codes. This new ‘land value tax’ alone will require a detailed survey of all properties in Equestria to determine values, and nopony knows exactly what the results will be. Such uncertainty is not healthy for the economy. And doubly so, if these increased funds are required, why would you abolish the poll tax?”
Celestia shakes her head. “It is true that increased funds are necessary to reform our military and expand our infrastructure, but that is not the primary cause of these reforms. The old system of collecting a fixed sum from everypony disproportionately affects those already in poverty, it may have functioned well enough back when Equestria was made up of rural settlements of farmers, but we have urbanized now and the codes must be updated to reflect that.”
“Some would argue that introducing a wealth tax breaks faith with many of the old families.” Platinum Legacy states gravely. “These ‘updates’ as you say threaten the livelihoods and estates of many of Equestria’s oldest and most ardent supporters. Doubly so, because those you rely upon to enact your will, who serve you faithfully, were not consulted on these decisions.”
And they reached the crux of the matter. Of course, Platinum is not truly concerned about the state of the Equestrian economy; that is all just for show. But he is not entirely incorrect; Celestia does rely upon the aristocrats to maintain the realm’s peace. For the sake of her little ponies, she would have to entreat him carefully.
“It is not anticipated that these changes will greatly impact the traditional estates of the nobility.” Celestia states carefully. “The combination of land value, luxury, and income taxes are likely to affect urban centers far more than rural territories where land value is comparatively low and many of the locals have very little income, simply living off of their own yields. As long as the nobles’ territories remain productive, they should have no issues maintaining their usual lifestyle.” Neglecting the fact, of course, that many aristocratic houses had shifted their wealth into those very same urban centers over the intervening centuries.
“This is all very speculative, Princess. I can only hope you are correct.” Platinum states icily. “These changes are very dramatic and sudden. I would have to advise you delay these changes, take them into council. Even if some must be pushed through, surely it is best to take things more slowly to avoid any disruption of society?”
And allow the aristocracy to stall for another decade? Not likely. “I have laid down my edict, and as with all edicts, it is final. We cannot afford to simply wait, when larger threats are breathing down our necks.”
“And what larger threats might those be?” Platinum inquires, his eyes narrowing ever-so-slightly. “I must say, considering your recent move to take in a commoner as a new student—and a pegasus, no less—some are concerned you are seeking to curry favor before launching some manner of unpopular initiative. The buildup of military assets only heightens those fears, I’m afraid. I’m sure these rumors are baseless, but perhaps if you can explain your intentions more clearly, I could help calm the nerves of my associates?”
And here we come to the crux of the matter. Reading between the lines is not difficult, knowing Platinum. As ever, the aristocracy has one primary concern even above holding onto their wealth; preserving their status at the top of Equestrian society. “You are well aware of the imminent return of Nightmare Moon, Platinum, and the new warlord upstart in the Badlands is growing increasingly powerful as well. There are other dangers, as well, of which several are classified.”
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