"Two memories, and two hints from Veritas," Sapphire said as she was stirring her bowl of cereal, having seen a box full of something called Apple-Os being eaten by one of the Royal Guard at one time. This led her to want to try it herself, as well as learning it was a brand started up by a third cousin of Applejack's, along with the fact that there is also a Pearios cereal brand. "Why can't I just have a simple past instead of this convoluted mess?"
"I think it comes with being an alicorn. We never have easy lives," Luna answered with a shrug. "For instance, shortly into my rule, we had to deal with the matter of Discord plunging the world into utter chaos. But I believe such adversities are meant to make us into stronger ponies for the sake of our subjects."
"I see... but why don't you want to try some of my cereal then?" Sapphire asked as she pointed her spoon at her bowl.
"Because we are alicorn princesses, we must maintain an image of grace and form among our subjects," Luna stated with an upturned nose.
"Then how about when you were in Ponyville where you even requested the ponies to just call you Luna?" Sapphire asked as she pointed her spoon at her, causing her to rear back a bit.
"That was a special occasion. I was trying to put my subjects on ease on Nightmare Night. Besides, at least I wasn't thrown into the sky by a trebuchet," Luna replied with a smirk as Sapphire snorted some milk out her nose.
Levitating a napkin to her nose to clean it up, Sapphire said, "I take it that the Crusaders talked to you, didn't they?"
"Indeed they have, though since you do maintain a contact with young Twilight, I just informed them that they could ask her for assistance," Luna responded.
Nodding, Sapphire stared into her bowl of cereal before saying, "I know you don't trust Veritas since she is never upfront with you, but I have a feeling that all that she had shown to be true. Though... that makes me wonder what she meant by Arulas dying but being alive?"
Frowning, Luna placed her two forehooves together as she leaned back from her seat, saying, "If you're certain that what was experienced to be the truth, then we can start to ascertain at least part of Veritas's riddle. Since the four sisters were mortal ponies, it is likely that Arulas died at some point after her disappearance. Yet, she is still alive in a way. Perhaps the answer is the memories of her is what kept her alive, being passed on by stories throughout your clan. Yet, with you being the only known member of the clan, with a case of amnesia no less, it could be that the recalling of your past is bringing her past back as well. We are certainly aiding you in the recovery of your memories after all."
Frowning, Sapphire said, "But there is that verbal memory, of how Runic wasn't referring to her in such a kind fashion. Something about her story planting empty dreams in my head..."
Keeping a neutral look, Luna stated, "Indeed, that is the one thing that puts that idea of mine into doubt. Likely, we need to know more of your past to figure out this riddle. However, the reference to mirrors and shadows... that is something that worries me in some fashion," before she started to rub her chin with her hoof. "One could assume that she was referring you to be in Arulas's shadow, but I doubt it since she would most likely have clarified it from the start. Especially since she mentioned how a shadow could be viewed as evil..." Luna mused out loud before trailing off into silence.
Looking up at Luna, Sapphire asked, "Luna? Is there something wrong?"
"I... was thinking of the one thing that I know to be linked to the shadows. A pony named... King Sombra," Luna stated, looking somewhat concerned as she looked at the window that was facing the north side of the dining room.
"King Sombra? Who's that?" Sapphire asked as she leaned forward, curious about this pony she hadn’t heard of before.
"King Sombra... was the ruler of the Crystal Empire. Though instead of being a king, he was more of a tyrant, ruling the citizens of the empire with an iron hoof. My sister and I were forced to deal with him, where we cast him into the cold depths of the north after we turned him into a shadow of himself. However, before he was cast away, he was able to curse the Empire to disappear along with him. Hence, with the loss of the Crystal Empire, both it and King Sombra have faded into history, only brought up as a myth to someponies," Luna explained as she let out a sigh.
"Wait... are you saying that you think I'm in his shadow?" Sapphire asked, alarmed that she could be linked to such an evil being.
"That... I'm uncertain. The dark magic wounds that were inflicted on you could point towards him since he was a user of the dark arts. But the nature of the wounds indicated at least three different parties were involved, which Sombra wouldn't ally himself with others or even share his knowledge of the dark arts to anypony. Furthermore, there was no reference to a mirror in regards to Sombra, so that rather makes the idea of him being the shadow unlikely," Luna stated as she turned her attention back towards Sapphire. "Sadly, I don't have any ideas on what this mirror Veritas told us about, but I will contact my sister to see what she knows on that matter. Perhaps she will be able to provide a clue to figuring out that riddle."
Nodding, Sapphire was about to say something before Skyward burst into the room, trotting with glee as he said, "Oh wow, I came right in time for breakfast!" as he sat down next to Sapphire before grabbing the box of cereal that was next to her bowl.
"Hey, wait, I was still using... that..." Sapphire started to exclaim until she saw Skyward stuck his muzzle into the box. "...Nevermind," Sapphire said with a sigh as she shuffled away from Skyward.
Scowling at Skyward's sudden entrance, Luna let out her own sigh before saying, "Ignoring Skyward's entrance, we have to focus on the fact that we still need more of your memories before we can figure out that riddle, as Veritas has stated to us. Though we can still speculate for the time being on what the answer may be. But for now, you have duties that we must attend to," Luna stated, causing Sapphire to groan in response, only to repeat it as Skyward got onto his back as he lifted the box up into the air to get more of its contents.
"As you can see, Princess, we have already dug up the ground and prepared it for construction," explained a gray earth pony with a brown mane that was named Iron Hammer as he was presented a diagram of the castle grounds. "With the first shipment of limestone arriving from the quarries, we will be able to begin construction of your castle, and have the basic structure completed within three to four weeks."
"Hmm... you seem to be progressing at a rather fast pace. I do hope that you're not cutting into any corners when constructing Princess Sapphire's castle," Luna stated in a firm tone, causing Iron to gulp at the thought of crossing Luna.
"It's because of the recent influx of labor from other cities that wished to have a hoof in the construction of Princess Sapphire's castle, your majesty. Already, I had some of the workers on site prepare a camp for the workers while building up temporary lodging for the new hooves," Iron explained, as Sapphire resisted the urge to let out a yawn.
"Ah, very well, but how about the limestone material? Is it of a fine quality to be used for construction, or do we need to find a new material to be used instead?" Luna asked as Sapphire narrowed her eyes at her.
"No, your majesty. The limestone is of the utmost quality, and we have specialists applying a treatment that would strengthen the stones while waterproofing them so they wouldn't corrode in the rain so easily... or when Princess Sapphire seeks to do extensive use of her magic within her castle. The treatment does take a day to be fully effective, but that has already been calculated for, so it wouldn't slow down the project," Iron answered, to which Sapphire just shot Luna a smirk.
Ignoring Sapphire's smirk, Luna nodded as she said, "Very well, you may return to the camp to continue your work, Iron Hammer," as she indicated with a hoof for Iron to leave already. As the stallion made his leave, Silver came into the room with a rolled up scroll in her magic.
Frowning at the scroll, Sapphire spoke up before Luna could address her as she asked, "Baronness Clock... is that another proposal for the erection of a statue in my likeness?"
Giving Sapphire a forced grin, Silver replied, "It is, your highness, but this one is actually for a school instead of the city park, and I sa—"
"I said it once and I will say it again, Clock. I don't want a statue of me in any public place, no matter what the reason. I'm not one for glorifying myself through visual representations of me. If you're so intent on having a statue of me, how about you make one for yourself and keep it on your private property, or find somepony else that would be interested in it," Sapphire interjected, causing the mare's ears to fold against the back of her head.
"But, your highness, this is about something else entirely," Silver stated, causing Sapphire to raise an eyebrow as she exchanged a glance with Luna.
"Alright... then what is it that you want to show me?" Sapphire cautiously asked.
"Simply put, it's a holiday to honor you called Sapphire Spring day!" Silver declared as she unfurled that scroll, revealing a diagram of what appeared to be a float with a mock copy of Sapphire, with clouds up in the sky as it rained down on the crowds, who were equipped with umbrellas.
"You... want me to have... a holiday named after me?" Sapphire replied in disbelief as she stared at the diagram.
"Why yes, for you see, if Princess Celestia has the Summer Sun Celebration and Luna with her Nightmare Night, then you should have a day to commemorate you as well. A day that would be during which Cloudsdale will be delivering rain to all cities to celebrate your holiday!" Silver stated with a smile.
Narrowing her eyes, Sapphire eyed the umbrellas, then the clouds, before casting her gaze upon Silver, making her sweat. "Or maybe, you're just using this as an excuse to get into more favorable relations with the Cloudsdale weather factories along with the company that produces umbrellas," Sapphire stated, causing Silver to sweat a bit as the scroll started to droop a bit. Taking a deep breath, Sapphire added, "Baroness Clock, I doubt that anypony would want to celebrate a day where they're out in the rain, being cold and miserable. So if you really want to have a holiday for me, I recommend that you think of one that most ponies would actually enjoy."
Taking on a disappointed expression, Silver nodded as she replied, "Yes your highness, I will heed your wishes," before she rolled up the scroll as she stepped out of the room.
Looking upon Sapphire, Luna commented, "You really don't like to, as some ponies say, be in the spotlight. But you must learn to accept it at some point, Sapphire. You are an alicorn after all, and hence will draw attention in ways that you never expect." Rolling her eyes, Sapphire was about to respond when Luna continued, "Like the fact that a griffin delegation is going to be visiting tomorrow to meet Equestria's newest princess."
"Wait, what‽ Why didn't you tell me about that sooner‽" Sapphire cried out as she slammed both her hooves onto the arms of her chair in shock.
"Oh, just to teach you a lesson, dear Sapphire. The lesson of adapting to the ever-changing matter that is being a princess. That and I prefer a more trial by fire lessons than my sister's simple lectures and books," Luna stated with a smirk. "And before you ask, no, I will not be taking the lead in this meeting, you are. So no pressure."