//------------------------------//
// Discord's Royal Reality 
// Story: Cindershy : Cinderella AU 
// by Crystal Aura 
//------------------------------//

Discord stood in the courtyard, the sun beating down on his face as he watched his father from afar. The king was surrounded by courtiers, listening intently to their words as he ignored his own son. Discord clenched his jaw, feeling a twinge of anger and hurt. He had always yearned for his father's affection, but it seemed like he was invisible to him.

Desperate to gain his father's attention, Discord had thrown himself into his training. He spent hours every day practicing fencing and archery, pushing himself to be the best. But no matter how skilled he became, his father never seemed to take notice.

As he watched his father now, Discord's eyes flickered to his sword, hanging by his side. He wondered if he could prove himself in battle, if that would finally earn him the love and recognition he craved. But even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew it was futile. His father would never see him as anything more than a prince, a tool to be used for political gain.

Discord mounted his horse everyday and led the way as he and Cheese Sandwich set off on a tour of the kingdom. They surveyed the landscape with a keen eye, searching for any signs of danger. As they rode, they laughed and joked together, exchanging playful jabs and enjoying each other's company. When they came across a group of townspeople playing archery, they eagerly joined in, taking turns hitting the targets. Later, they galloped through the streets, startling passersby with their wild antics. Despite their mischievous behavior, they were beloved by all who knew them.

As the night fell and the stars twinkled in the sky, Discord sat by the windowsill, his eyes gazing out into his kingdom. The stillness of the night was often interrupted by the sound of his horse neighing in the stable. 

Sometimes, Discord would pay a visit to his best friend Cindershy's house, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies would fill the air. Cindershy would insist that they were just simple cookies, but Discord could never resist trying more of her treats. 

On his mother's birthday every year, Discord would visit her grave and lay flowers as a tribute to her memory. The silence of the graveyard would be the only thing that accompanied him as he stood there lost in thoughts.

Discord took a deep breath and looked at the road, watching as the townspeople hurriedly bowed and waved as he passed by. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as he watched them go about their daily lives, completely free to do as they please.

He found himself drawn to Cindershy, a talented baker who lived on the outskirts of the kingdom. Whenever he visited her, she always greeted him warmly, offering him some of her delicious homemade cookies. He couldn't get enough of her treats, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there might be something more between them.

As he talked to Cindershy, he noticed that she would sometimes stutter or look away, as if she was nervous around him. He wondered if it was because of his status as royalty, but he couldn't be sure. Regardless, he found himself wanting to spend more time with her, to get to know her better and see where things might lead.

Discord felt trapped by his royal status, unable to freely interact with his people. He yearned to know how Cindershy felt about him, but the palace guards forbade him from wandering without them. His father's strict rules kept him isolated, alone and without friends. Discord's desperation to escape grew, and after numerous failed attempts, his father finally relented, but only under the condition that his guards accompany him. 

This small gesture was a ray of sunshine in the otherwise dreary palace life. As he ventured out, he found himself running into Cindershy, and the more he saw her, the more he wanted to know her.

Discord's days were filled with the same routine: attending to his royal obligations, practicing his swordsmanship, spending time with his friend Cheese Sandwich, exploring his kingdom on horseback, and honing his archery skills. The people around him often remarked how lucky he was to live such a glamorous life, but for Discord, it was just another day. 

He couldn't shake off the feeling of monotony that came with his title, and he wondered if there was more to life than what he knew. Despite this, he put on a brave face and carried on with his duties, trying to ignore the restlessness that gnawed at him from within.