“Do you have any last words?”
“Father please! I’ve been framed! Please listen to your daughter”
“You were never my daughter” Shining said as he stared at her with his usually cold glare.
Skyla suddenly barges in shouting, “Father wait!”
You might be wondering what is going on here. Who am I? What did I do? Well, we have to rewind a bit in order to get my side of the story.
My name is Skyla. For most of my life, nothing big or exciting ever happened. I was just a commoner living in a tiny cottage in a tiny village with my mother, Fluttershy.
But when I was ten, my mother suddenly got ill and passed away. That was when Uncle appeared.
I never knew mother had a brother but what was more shocking was his true identity. My Uncle is Marquis Zephyr Breeze, meaning mother was a noble.
He quickly took me to the capital, where the Shy Estate is, and told me everything. Figuring out that I am a noble was the least of my worries.
To sum up what Uncle told me, mother belonged to the House of Shy. As expected of all noble mares, it was her duty to get married eventually. Mother didn’t want that so she decided to work as a maid in the palace. She soon became the late Empress Mi Amore Cadenza’s personal maid.
When the Empress died after giving birth to Princess Flurry Heart, mother suddenly disappeared. The Shy Family didn’t know what to do as mother left without a trace. Sadly, the family was forced to give up on finding her. That was until recently, when Uncle found out.
When mother was close to her end, she wrote a letter to Uncle. In that letter, she asked Uncle to take care of me. In addition, she revealed that I am Emperor Shining Armor’s daughter.
Uncle didn’t believe it at first and I couldn’t blame him, I couldn’t believe it as well. But when he first glanced at me, my eyes told him everything. Uncle told me I have the crystal eyes that only the royal family can inherit. Until that day, I never really noticed that my eyes are unique.
Uncle then connected the dots and presumed that mother had an affair with the Emperor. When mother realized she was having me, she decided to disappear and live a commoner’s life, not wanting me to experience what she had gone through.
I felt very distraught with this revelation but, Uncle welcomed me to his home, helping me get through this. He told me that he was going to keep me a secret for a while until he was ready to present me to the Emperor.
When I lived in the village, no pony recognize I had the Royals’ Eyes, it was no wonder why mother chose to live there. But now that I am in the capital, where most are aware, Uncle decided to keep me hidden in the Estate until he was ready.
I felt thankful and after some time, excited. Before, it was just me and mom in a cottage but now, I am going to have a family. I have Uncle, Auntie, and a cousin right now. And soon, I am going to have a father and sister.
That day came eventually came. Uncle decided that he was going to reveal me at the Debutante Ball, a ball that is hosted every year to introduce the new young grown nobility into society.
“Skyla? Are you ready dear?”, Auntie asked. My Auntie is Suri Polomare, the wife of Marquis Zephyr.
I walked into the living room all dressed up and said, “I am Auntie”.
“You look beautiful my dear”
Auntie looked around and then asked, “Where is your cousin?”
As I was about to say something, cousin came from behind me and said, “I am right here mother”
Auntie pitched his cheeks and said, “You look dashing son”
My cousin is Pound Cake Shy. Uncle and Auntie couldn’t have children so, they adopted Pound. Pound Cake is like my guardian angel. He was always there when I needed him, especially during the time I was transitioning into the Shy Estate.
He was from a bakers’ family but, his whole family died from a plague when he was only four. I felt a connection with him and that’s why Pound Cake always managed to cheer me up.
“Mother! You need to stop doing that.”
“You can’t blame me dear. Every since you decided to become a knight, I have been seeing you less and less now. Your mother just misses you”
I giggled and started to reminisce moments like that with my mother.
When Pound was fourteen and I was twelve, he left to go to the Crystal Palace, where he started his knight training. At the beginning of his training, he visited the Estate about once a week but as he took his role more seriously, he stopped visiting as a whole. I can’t blame him because now, he is a knight and soon, he’ll become Captain. It’s been three months since I last saw him and at that time, it was only a quick glance.
Uncle walked into the room and said, “Remember Pound, you’ll be escorting Skyla during the Ball”
“Of course father”
“I’ll try to get an audience with the Emperor. You need to watch Skyla and make sure she doesn’t do anything to expose herself until then”
“You don’t have to tell me twice father”, Pound said as he rolled his eyes.
“Please do not worry Uncle. I won’t get into any trouble, I promise. Besides, I have the necklace you gave me so no pony will notice me until then”, I said, while looking at the necklace.
The necklace Uncle gave me is magic. It makes my eyes appear normal when I wear it so ponies in the ball won’t see my Crystal Eyes.
“The carriage has arrive so hurry on now dears”
I’m at the ball with Pound now. Everypony looks stunning in their dresses and suits. It feels like I’m in a different world since I’m seeing new ponies as I’m used to only seeing those in the Estate.
Uncle has gone to request an audience with the Emperor while Auntie has gone to talk with the other older noble mares.
It’s been quiet between the two of us so I decided to speak. “It’s been awhile since I last saw you Pound, let alone, even talk to you”
I looked at Pound and it looked like he wasn’t even listen to me. Rather, it looked like he was searching for somepony.
“It has Skyla. I am sorry I haven’t visited you much lately, my duty as a knight has been overwhelming. I hope you are not angry at me”
I was worried he got the wrong idea on what I meant so I said, “Oh! I didn’t mean it like that Pound! Of course I understand, I just missed you a lot. Why would I ever be mad at you!?”.
He finally looked at me and smiled. I feel a blush growing on my face. “You need to stop stressing out too much little cousin”, Pound said as he pats my head.
“Pound! You’re going to mess up my mane. Auntie is going to nag about it if you don’t stop”
Pound laughs. It’s been awhile since I heard his laugh. I can feel my heart skip a beat.
“You are right, I’ll stop messing with you. The last thing we both want is Mother nagging at us”
He starts to walk away from me. I follow him and say, “Wait, where are you going? Uncle told us to stick together”
He turns back at me and says, “It’ll be fine Skyla. I’m just going to get some fresh air. You are a big girl now so, I trust you can take care of yourself. I’m just giving you some freedom to interact with others”.
He gestures me to talk to the young mares not far from us and when I turn back to look at him, he disappeared. I groan with disappoint. I guess Pound is not always there for me.
It’s been awhile since I’ve talked to anypony outside from the Estate. I have talked to ponies before, the ponies in the village of course, but these ponies are nobles.
I decided to be brave and follow Pound’s advice. I went over to the group and said, “Hello ladies, you all look so beautiful”
“Who are you?”, one of the mares ask. They all looked at me with hostility.
I felt a little nervous but I carried on. I curtsied and said, “I am Skyla, from the House of Shy”
Their glares disappeared and they all surrounded me.
“The House of Shy!? You mean the one with Sir Pound Cake?!”
“I didn’t know they had a daughter!”
“Oh right, I saw you with Sir Pound Cake a while ago”
What is your relation with Sir Pound Cake?!”
“I heard Sir Pound Cake will be the youngest pony to become Captain of the Crystal Guards”
Wow. I didn’t know Pound Cake was thispopular with the ladies. I’m kinda jealous.
“I apologize on behalf of the girls. They can be quite curious when girls like you are with boys like Sir Pound”, a mare says as she goes through the group of girls to me.
The other mares started to quiet down.
“O-of course”, I said to the mare that managed to quiet down the group. Out of all the mares around her, this one looks gorgeous.
“Let me introduce myself, I am Darling Star”
I froze once I heard her name. Then, I recognized she was an alicorn. Not to mention, her crystal eyes. She is Princess Darling Star!
Princess Darling Star is the daughter of Queen Twilight. The Queen of Canterlot. Queen Twilight is the younger sister of the Emperor, making Princess Darling Star the niece of the Emperor and, my cousin.
I clear my throat and try to speak but nothing comes out. I’m just speechless. Her beauty is remarkable. Are all alicorns goddesses?
“Miss Skyla, do you mind answering the ladies’ questions?”, the princess gracefully asked.
I impulsively started talking to meet her request. Honestly, if she asked me to jump off a cliff, I would do it.
“Yes, I’m from the House of Shy. I’m Marquis Zephyr’s niece and he took me in his care when my mother died.”
“Oh I see”
“I did hear Marquis Zephyr had a sister”
“I guess it makes sense”
“So you’re the Marquis’s niece.”
“You do look like you’re from the House of Shy”
“So you’re his cousin”
“But are you and Sir Pound Cake engaged?”
I flinched at the last comment I heard. Me and Pound? We’re cousins, it’ll be weird if we get married. Still . . . we aren’t really related by blood and it’s actually normal for nobles to marry their cousins.
I do admire Pound.
I shake my head from those thoughts.
“N-no, it’s not like that. Truth be told, the Marquis forced my cousin to look after me since I’m younger so I’m just his little cousin in his’s eyes.”, I said sadly.
The ladies looked relief and the hostility I felt was gone.
The Princess cleared her throat and said, “Well, it is an honor to meet you Lady Skyla”.
“Yes, I feel the same”
“You also look beautiful as well”
“It is a pleasure to meet you”
I started feeling a little shy from the ladies’ welcomes. Before I can say thank you, I felt a bump.
I turned to see who it was and it was her.
“Are you okay, Lady Skyla?”
“Geez, that was rude”
“Who bumped into her?”
“She didn’t even apologize”
“Wait, it was the Lowly Princess who did it”
It was Princess Flurry Heart. My sister.
“As expected of the Lowly Princess, to be so rude”, one of the ladies said.
The Lowly Princess? Was that what she is called? Why?
Feeling their hostility again, I tried to calm them down. “Don’t worry ladies, I am fine”
“That is a relief”
“I heard rumors of the Lowly Princess being ill-mannered.”
“I guess they are true”
“No wonder the Emperor doesn’t like her”
“I think the Princess didn’t know she bumped into me”, I paused and thought back to the last comment. “Wait, what do you mean the Emperor doesn’t like her? She ishis daughter, how could he not?”
“Oh my, you haven’t heard?”
“Well, she iscalled the Lowly Princess for a reason”
“Rumors says the Emperor blames her for the death of his wife”
“Yes, and they say he has become cold and cruel due to that”
“Also, ponies say that she treats the staff very poorly”
“That is why she is hated by everypony in the palace”
All these rumors, make me feel sick. I really hope it is not true. I’ve been stuck in the Estate that I have been ignorant to such news. I look to Princess Darling Star in hopes she would say something to make me feel better.
I think all the ladies in the group were looking at the Princess, waiting for her response.
The Princess, finally getting the message, sighed and said, “It is true, my cousin Flurry Heart is the Lowly Princess because the Emperor doesn’t favor her”.
That comment broke my heart. You are suppose to be my goddess Princess! If the Emperor treats my sister that way, what will he think of me?!
The Princess continued, “I can’t say much about cousin Flurry but don’t say Uncle Shiny is cold and cruel. He is very kind once you get to know him”.
I sighed in relief as I felt my heart healed a little bit. I’m sorry I doubted you goddess!
“I understand why the Emperor treats his niece better than his daughter”
“As expected of the Princess to say”
“I guess it is true that the Emperor favors Princess Darling Star more than the Lowly Princess”
“No wonder the Princess is favored by the Emperor”
“Princess, you are too kind”
“It is well deserved”
The Princess chuckle and said, “Calm down ladies. Your praises are too much. To be honest, I never met my cousin, as Uncle Shiny never allowed me to see her, so I can’t say if the other rumors are true. I really hope it isn’t”
As expected of what a goddess to say.
“I feel the same your highness”, I commented as I poured out my heart to my sister.
Before I could say more, I see Uncle looking at me, then gesturing me to come to him.
“I apologize ladies, but my Uncle is calling for me. It was a pleasure meeting you all, especially you Your Highness”
“Of course, I feel the same. I hope we can chat again Lady Skyla”, the Princess says.
I curtsied and went to Uncle.
“There you are Skyla! I have been searching for you. Where is your cousin? He was suppose to be watching you”
“I’m sorry Uncle. Don’t blame Pound for this, he just wanted me to have some social time. He is just outside in the gardens somewhere”
Uncle took a deep sigh and said, “That colt is going to get a scolding once I find him. For now, you need to come with me, you have an audience with His Majesty. He’s going to be here any minute”
My heart started beating fast. I am finally going to meet him. I thought I would have the chance to see him once I arrived but I guess he comes late to the show. I guess it’s better late than never.
I then hear trumpets playing as a pony announced the arrival of the Emperor. Everypony in the room bowed as he walked to his throne.
I was at awed with him. I finally get the chance to see him in real life. Before, I would just stare at his painting, wishing to meet him someday. I never thought that chance would be today. His eyes are the most breathtaking, it looks like mine.
When he sat down and said “Continue as you were doing”. He looked tired and unamused.
“Now is our chance”, Uncle said as he took me to the Emperor.
Once we got there, we bowed out of respect while the Emperor glared us down.
With his one action, thousands of thoughts came up to me.
I just heard rumor about him being cold and cruel, I think the glares proved it to be true. If he treats Princess Flurry Heart that way, what will he do with me? I am his illegitimate child, I think I’ll get it worst than my sister. I just want to go home now!
“I heard you wanted an audience with me Marquis”
“Yes Your Majesty. I wanted to present my niece to you”
The Emperor scoffs. “What is so special about your niece?”
I tremble to that comment. I don’t think it was suppose to be offending but, it just felt so cold coming from him.
Uncle removed my necklace, revealing my Crystal Eyes to the Emperor. “She is your daughter”
The Emperor’s expression turned from emotionless to a quick stagger.
Little did I know, everypony started turning to us.
It was quiet for a moment.
The Emperor finally spoke, “My daughter you say?”
The Emperor got up from his throne and continued, “We can continue this discussion in the Audience Room”. And he walked out of the ballroom.
I spaced out a but but regained my focus as I saw Uncle walking away. “Don’t lag behind”, I hear him say.
As I started to follow him, I turned to look back and saw almost everypony staring at us. I started to squirm.
“Stand up straighter. No matter what, from today, you are Princess Skyla”
Princess? This must be a dream.
Uncle stopped me before at the doors of the Audience Room. “I don’t want you to mention your mother in front of him.”
I nodded. I didn’t understand his request but, I don’t want to disobey him.
We enter the Audience Room where I see the Emperor sitting on another throne.
“Tell me everything Marquis”, the Emperor commanded.
“Well, from her eyes, you know I’m not lying. To be honest, I didn’t even know you had another daughter myself”
“Get to the point Marquis”, the Emperor coldly demanded.
I tremble from his voice. I think I can confirm the rumors to be true now.
But Uncle wasn’t afraid of him, it was like he was use to it. Uncle continued, “Well, my sister Fluttershy, the late Empress’s personal maid, was the one who took care of her for ten years. When she died, that was when I found out about your daughter”
The Emperor got up from his throne and walked to us. “What is your name?”, he asked.
“S-Skyla, Your Majesty”, I answered as I curtsied.
He lifted my chin, and our eyes finally meet. Before, when I looked at him from afar, I felt scared.
Now, from up close, I see clearly, there is nothing to be scared of. Behind the cold, cruel Emperor is a lonely, sad stallion. There was nothing to fear.
“Welcome home”, my father said as he smiled.