//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Stepmother // by Lovesky2 //------------------------------// Nine months later, Cadance was pacing back and forth outside of her parent’s room, waiting to see the newest member of the royal family. After waiting for a while, the door opened and she saw her father. “Cadance, you can come in now” her father said. When she went in, she saw Chrysalis on her bed holding the baby. “Meet your new baby sister, Twilight Sparkle” King Sombra said while Cadance was slowly walking toward her new baby sister. She was a purple alicorn with violet eyes and pink and purple hair. Twilight was wide awake. Twilight started cooing when she saw Cadance. “Hello Twilight, I’m Cadance your big sister” said Cadance. When Cadance tickled Twilight, Twilight giggled. Then, Chrysalis moved Twilight away from Cadance and said, ”Well the baby should get some rest, she must be are tired.” “Your mother is right, your sister needs to sleep. I'll walk you to your room Cadance” said King Sombra. Cadance nodded and went with her father. When they entered Cadance's room King Sombra asked,”Cadance what's wrong?” “What do you mean everything is fine.” Cadance said. “Every time I come home from my duties as King, I see you with bruises and scars. I know you ask your mother to keep it a secret but, I am your father. I worry about you sometimes.” said the King. Cadance said nothing and didn't make eye contact with her father. “Is it because of the baby?” her father asked her once more. Cadance knew it was bad to lie to her father but, she didn't want to tell him the truth. So, she nodded in response. “Sweetie, even with this new baby, I will still love you.” Sombra said after he kissed her forehead. After the conversation, Sombra tucked in Cadance and went to the throne room. Meanwhile . . . Chrysalis was watching Twilight sleeping in her crib in the nursery room. “My dear Twilight, you are the one that is going to be Queen, not that spoiled sister of yours. But first I will have to get rid of your foolish father. As in the matter of fact, a guest should be here by . . .” said the Queen. Meanwhile . . . in the throne room, King Sombra was sitting in his throne. He was reading the scrolls he was given to sign. Suddenly, a pony appeared out of nowhere and, stabbed a sword into the King’s chest. The King was dead. “. . . now” said the Queen. She did her evil laugh and Twilight started crying. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After the death of King Sombra, Cadance’s life turned upside down. The Queen told everyone in her kingdom that both King Sombra and Princess Cadance was dead and Princess Twilight Sparkle will be their future queen. Chrysalis made the guards and servants swore to not tell anyone the truth. Fourteen years later, Cadance was now eighteen years old. She had the highest room in the castle. The room was so high up that she had to go up and down one thousand flights of stairs. The room didn’t have any windows. And she only had a few things. A lamp, a cracked mirror, a broken mattress, a bedside table, and a rack full of rags. Chrysalis destroyed everything she used to have. Now that King Sombra was gone, Chrysalis could do anything she want to her everyday. Cadance was officially Queen Chrysalis’s servant, she was abused everyday, and wore rags. But Cadance didn't mind, she kept doing what the Queen demanded her to do. It was early in the morning, the sun had just risen up and Cadance was already awake. She put on her rags and started to get downstairs to the kitchen. When she arrived at the kitchen, the chef greeted her and gave her the Queen’s breakfast. She carried the tray to the Queen’s room. She opened the door and she saw Chrysalis on her bed. “Good Morn-” Cadance didn't get to finish because Chrysalis slapped her. “Why does it so long to bring me my breakfast you clumsy servant?!” Chrysalis yelled. “I’m s-sorry my Queen, I had to walk down those flight of stairs. I’ll wake up earlier next time and try to bring your breakfast faster” Cadance said and bowed to the Queen. Chrysalis slapped her again and yelled,”What are you standing there for? Get my bath prepared! And don't let me remind you again!” Cadance still bowing down to her said “Y-yes your highness”. Cadance gave her breakfast to Chrysalis and hurried to the bathroom to prepare for the Queen’s bath. After Chrysalis finished her breakfast Cadance walked in, bowed, and said “I have prepared your bath your highness. A maid will be there shortly to bathe you.” “Remember to clean all the dishes dearie” said the Queen. “Yes my Queen” said Cadance. Cadance sighed and walked to the kitchen to clean the dishes and trays left in the sink. The Queen purposely made all the dishes in the castle dirty, so Cadance could clean them. Cadance had use use her bare hooves to clean them. Twilight was now fourteen years old. She had the second largest room in the castle(Queen Chrysalis having the largest of course). Unlike her mother, she was kind to ponies. She was taught how to act like a proper princess. And she always did what she was told, well kinda. She had everything a princess would want, jewelry, expense dresses but, she didn't want all of it. Like her father, she loves books. She would read them everyday. It was late in the morning, the sun has already risen up, and Twilight was still in bed. A sudden knock came from the door and Twilight woke up. The door opened and a maid named Violet came in with Twilight’s breakfast. “I’m sorry I woke you up Princess” said Violet. “It is alright, I should have been up a few hours ago anyways” said Twilight. Violet gave the breakfast to the princess and went to her bathroom to prepare her bath. After Twilight finished her breakfast she went into the bathtub and Violet then bathed her. After that, Violet dried her with a towel and led her to Twilight’s fitting room. There, Violet dressed up Twilight with a pink and purple dress that was made of silk and golden horseshoes. Then, Violet did Twilight’s hair which was now in a bun. “Well, have a good day princess, I have other duties to fulfill” said Violet. “Of course” said Twilight, now feeling lonely. Then, the princess decided to go to the kitchen, to check on Cadance. As she was trying to get to the kitchen, Chrysalis saw her and followed behind her.