"I saw you were so engrossed in your book, so I didn't interrupt you. I planned to tell you after we got back, as there are too many eyes and ears here..."
Sunset Shimmer frowned in confusion and leaned closer to Aurora to ask in a low voice.
"So, what's it about?"
"I'm being rumored about; I went to the post office just now to write a letter asking my family to help control the public opinion."
Aurora did not mention the specific content of the rumors; she was still worried that Sunset Shimmer would overthink it.
Even the innocent Twilight would have so many thoughts after seeing the newspaper; Aurora didn't dare to imagine what her Senior Sister, who had more complex thoughts, would think after seeing such gossip.
Having finally improved her relationship with her Senior Sister, Aurora really didn't want to return to that previous state of competition, especially over something as meaningless to her as the throne.
If she forced her Senior Sister to go down the old path again, wouldn't her efforts have been in vain?
Upon hearing that Aurora was being rumored about and was even in the newspaper, Sunset Shimmer was first shocked and found it unbelievable.
Because in her impression, Aurora's public reputation had always been quite good, and there was nothing to smear.
However, Sunset Shimmer also understood that this matter should not be discussed in such a public place, so she could only suppress her restless inner thoughts and wait until they returned to the house in Canterlot to discuss the details.
Boarding the train for the return trip, the three ponies sat in a row as before, but the atmosphere was not as relaxed and happy as it had been on the way there.
Aurora watched the scenery moving backward outside the window, lost in thought; Sunset Shimmer was also listlessly flipping through her notes to pass the time; and Twilight Sparkle, sandwiched in the middle, felt like she couldn't breathe.
She was the most innocent, and also the most helpless.
Too young, she didn't understand the sinister nature of society or the unpredictability of ponies' hearts; she only felt aggrieved and sad that a perfectly good trip had been ruined by a baseless report.
This was the first time Twilight Sparkle had faced a friendship issue, but she didn't know what to do; what she had learned from Flying Light didn't seem sufficient to handle a situation of this magnitude.
Little Twilight could only worry alone and hope the trouble would disappear quickly, so that the three of them could be like they were before.
However, to Aurora's surprise, they had only just walked out of the train station when they were surrounded by a group of reporters.
They couldn't see The Grand Princess, so they ran directly to ask Aurora.
They didn't know where they got the information, but they actually knew to lie in wait at the station.
"Miss Aurora, the whole of Canterlot is currently spreading rumors that you are going to become a princess; is this true?"
"Are you aware that you have been internally selected as the heir to the throne? Miss Aurora, could you please elaborate?"
"How did Princess Celestia choose you from among her three personal students? Can you share your thoughts?"
"After you take charge of Equestria, what policy changes will you make? Will this affect the current social structure?"
"Miss Sunset Shimmer, Miss Twilight Sparkle, how do you view your classmate's promotion?"
"Miss Aurora, after you become a princess, will you promote your two classmates? Or will you keep your distance to avoid suspicion?"
"..."
This group of reporters, who had sprung out from who knows where, completely disregarded the fact that their interviewees were just three underage ponies; their relentless questioning caught them off guard, and the camera flashes were so bright they couldn't keep their eyes open.
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