Days after returning to the castle, and despite Twilight's continued protests, Solar Eclipse returned to the public view. The time away from the eye of the public had done them good, as the sisters had regained some semblance of control over their darker personalities. The first order of business was to introduce the newest member of her court. It had taken some convincing, and a rather determined tailor, to get Chrysalis to agree to appear before the nobility of Equestria dressed in a custom made outfit. It was a dark red robe, wrapped around her at the chest and waist, but leaving her semi transparent green stomach revealed. The outfit intentional brought to mind styles of the far orient, fitting Chrysalis' foreign nature in the court, while also making her look more at place. The day of her presentment soon arrived, and Chrysalis' nature started to show. Sure she loved being the center of attention, but she didn't want to be the center of attention where she's being judged like prey rather a predator.
"Do I have to wear this?" She asked, her eyes darting to Solar Eclipse.
"Don't worry." It was Nightmare Moon's voice. The sound still sent shivers down Chrysalis' non-existent spine, given the first time she'd heard it, it was very angry and directed at her. "We'll be beside you the whole way. Well, Celestia will be primarily, she is resting for now. And yes, you have to wear that."
Solar Eclipse moved to stand behind Chrysalis, brush in hand. Chrysalis groaned slightly as she began brushing the changeling's filament mane, somehow eventually managing to put it into a bun. She didn't really like her mane being messed with, but looking at herself in a mirror, she had to admit, ponies did have good taste in style. She looked good.
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Celestia's voice being the most dominant of Solar Eclipse's during the ceremony was of very little comfort to Chrysalis as she waited behind the curtain covering the side hall. From anyone outside, in the hall, her silhouette was easily mistaken for that of a particularly tall unicorn's. Soon, though the curtain was going to be opened and she'd be exposed. Despite being more clothed than she'd like, Chrysalis felt more naked than she'd ever been.
There was a small round of applause as Solar Eclipse made some announcement the nobility approved of, before she began the speech that Chrysalis knew was her cue. "And finally we'd like to bring up the main reason we called for this gathering tonight. It has been some time since the court of Canterlot has had an official court steward. Well, we're pleased to announce that during our recovery recently, we discovered the perfect candidate to fill that place." There was a pause as some of the nobility mumbled various rumors back and forth about who it could be. "I present to you, proudly, of the newly reformed, Stewardess Chrysalis."
There was absolute silence as the curtain raised, revealing the ex-changeling queen. Chrysalis could sense the shock in the room as she walked out. No, not just sense it, she could taste the shock, the disdain, disbelief. Someone whispered something about the rumors being true, that the changeling queen was trying to woo the princesses. Chrysalis felt sick. She'd known they wouldn't accept them. She thought she didn't care. But now... She would just be remembered as a monster, a freak.
"A queen must be strong." She said to herself, too quiet for anyone but herself to hear. "A queen must... never reveal her fear, her worries. Let your heart be stone tonight." An old mantra, one she'd long ago forgotten, returned to her. She walked, slowly, back straight, refusing to give even a second glance to the assembled nobility until she was at her place beside Solar Eclipse, where she turned and bowed. It took all of her self restraint not to spit, not to hiss and scream, to call the nobility out on their hypocrisy, being willing to accept anything until something really changed. She could feel bile in her throat and venom on her lips.
"Please," Celestia's voice snapped Chrysalis out of her growing rage, "Show Chrysalis your utmost acceptance. Her life has been hard, and she has been willing to change, despite everything she knew being challenged. She is willing to place herself in this vulnerable position, to reveal herself before you as an equal, instead of an invader. Will you not accept her hand in friendship and forgiveness?"
The room remained silent for several moments before a slow applause began. Chrysalis closed her eyes, the only thing she could do to stop tears from flowing. That part of the speech had not been rehearsed. Looking up at her, she watched in surprise as the alicorn's left eye lost its draconic gaze in mid blink, turning to the familiar eye of the princess of the night, Luna.
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Chrysalis' new work was immediately trying. As she had guessed, the ponies of Equestria were naturally suspicious of her. Any time she took up a role in the court, she felt the hatred, the fear, the justified anger at her presence. The stress was quick to take its toll as well, making Chrysalis bitter and spiteful behind closed doors, and her actions resulting only further fueled the suspicions of her motives.
This vicious cycle did not go unnoticed and neither was it the lone problem in the court. Days after the ceremony, Twilight was forced to return to Canterlot, at the behest of Solar Eclipse, to give her advice on the situation. When she arrived, Chrysalis and Solar Eclipse were waiting within the throne room. Once she entered, Solar motioned to the guards. "Leave us." She requested, in Luna's voice. Once the guards had left the room Twilight walked up to the duo. Before she even crossed half the room she could tell what was wrong. When she had left, both Chrysalis and Solar Eclipse had been practically overjoyed. Now they looked miserable and tired, as if they had been up for days straight.
"What in Equestria happened? I heard that Chrysalis' reception wasn't exactly a great success but..." She trailed off, not actually wanting an answer. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left until things were seen through..."
Solar Eclipse suddenly seemed to light up, her mane even flaring up brighter. "Leaving... I believe that might be exactly what we need. Twilight, could you take Chrysalis back to Ponyville with you? I believe she will find that atmosphere more appealing."
"Wait," Twilight responded, holding up a hand, "What about you? You look like you could collapse under stress too!"
Solar Eclipse paused, in thought. "I will contact Cadence for her aid," This was now Daybreaker's voice, but calmer than usual. Twilight had the distressing feeling that something was behind the suggestion, but given the circumstances it felt wrong to question it. "But for now, I think you should spend the night here. You can return to Ponyville in the morning."
Twilight nodded. "Understood. Is there anything else?"
Multiple voices spoke at once through Solar Eclipse. "Yes. Sleep well Twilight, for all of us." This simple goodnight wish made Twilight feel warm inside, even Nightmare Moon's voice was among them, and it was sincere. Even under all this stress, the princesses trusted Twilight completely.
After Twilight left, Daybreaker spoke alone once more.
"Chrysalis."
"Yes, my princess?" The changeling queen had been silent during the meeting, unwilling to say anything that might give away the ulterior motive of the meeting. They had already discussed that a break in Canterlot would be for Chrysalis' best interest, but Solar Eclipse had no intention of contacting Cadence. The darkness within had forced another plan to relieve their stress.
"Do make sure to relax in Ponyville, but if possible, give this to Starlight Glimmer." The fused unicorn tossed a rune to Chrysalis, who caught it in the air. "Wherever she is, it will bring her to me when I call. Of course, if you aren't able to do even this, it would be so awful if all this stress began harming your precious Celestia."
Chrysalis looked down at the rune in her hand. She knew she was being played. It was plain in the fanged grin on Solar Eclipse's face. The darkness in the alicorn had been ready to take advantage of their bond from the start, and now...
"Now it's too late for me to refuse."
"Exactly Chrysalis, exactly."