A Queen's Vows

by garatheauthor


Chapter 2 - The Funeral (January 28th, 1936)

January 28th, 1936 – 2:00PM
Queen Twilight Sparkle
St. Goldheart’s Cathedral

My life had been a blur since my mother’s passing.

I’d been tirelessly shuffled around the city, from meetings with doctors about her death, to dress rehearsals for her funeral, to public gatherings in her honour. My time spent mourning with other, had scarcely given me a break to personal come to terms with it myself. Rather, I’d been thrust into leading the events that would forever immortalize her. From dawn to dusk, I was a busy woman.

A busy Queen.

The concept was still incredibly strange to me. Equestria was now my domain, yet the duties of monarch made me feel more like a hapless soldier in the army, stumbling at their orders, rather than the all-powerful despot that my ancestors chalked it up to be.

What a strange privilege to have received, and all it took was being the eldest daughter to an eldest daughter. The wonders of matrilineal succession.

Today’s schedule was at least mercifully short. If only for the fact that it was my mother’s funeral. A week of practice, and a decade of planning had all led to this.

I looked around the cathedral, where her service would take place. It was a grandiose building, constructed in a gothic style from mighty stone, and trimmed with a wealth of silken banners, richly carved wood, and oppressive stained-glass windows.

This was the fabled St. Goldheart’s Cathedral, the chosen resting place of my bloodline for well over a century. My mother would soon lie amongst its crosses, and I would join her one day.

The place was packed, with not a single pew left unoccupied. Though I knew this crowd paled when compared to the one outside. The one which invaded several city blocks with a legion of mourners.

I found myself touched at the sheer magnitude of remembrance. My mother was well loved, and her funeral was proof of that. From noble to pauper, all were represented today.

A hand touched mine, and I looked to see Sunset squeezing my fingers. She looked incredibly somber, with her jaw tightly clenched.

I returned her affection. “Thank you for being here.”

Her expression softened a bit. “Hey, any time.”

I noticed her cheeks redden.

“Did you just say, ‘any time’?” I asked.

She went as rigid as a board. “I didn’t mean…I…look I’m…” She took a deep breath. “I’m not very good at funerals.”

I smiled. “You seem to be doing just fine.”

“I’m sweating bullets.”

“You look as cool as a cucumber.”

“The whole room is staring at me.”

“They’re staring at us.”

She grew tenser. “What?! Really?”

I threaded my fingers through hers, intertwining our digits.

“Take a deep breath,” I instructed.

She did, slowly letting it in, and then back out.

“You’re doing just fine,” I said.

“I’m doing just fine.”

“Now, like I said, I really appreciate you being here.”

“It’s the least I could do.”

“Well, it’s quite a lot. I’m running out of people still willing to treat me like I’m human.”

Sunset opened her mouth, but was denied the chance to speak, as the chatter of the room dissipated.

My attention immediately turned to the front, where the Archbishop of Trottingham had just taken her position.”

She was an elderly woman, who was at least a decade older than my mother had been. She was adorned in a heavy set of dull coloured robes, her expression sharing the severity of her attire.

The archbishop scanned the room, allowing her gaze to linger upon her congregation.

Once satisfied with their silence, she loudly cleared her throat. “We are gathered here today, before our patron gods, to remember a much beloved woman, mother, and Queen.”


January 28th, 1936 – 8:15PM
Ms. Sunset Shimmer
Canterlot Castle – Main Hall

After the funeral, the important guests migrated to Canterlot Castle.

Those in attendance, included the royal family itself, with a whole procession of distant relatives, members of the civilian establishment, with leaders of both the government and its opposition represented, and finally, a plethora of other high-profile Equestrian, such as diplomats, media moguls, business tycoons, and elites from its colonial holdings.

The point was, there was a bunch of people worth a damn here. People whose names actually carried some clout. And mixed into all of that, was me, some two-bit musician from Manehattan who happened to be dating their Queen.

Funny how fate worked, wasn’t it?

Sadly, my lovely girlfriend had been absconded, lost to the sea of delegates. It seemed like everyone, and their dogs, wanted to talk with her.

Fucking parasites. Couldn’t they at least give her a little bit of space? The caretakers weren’t even done filling in Celestia’s grave, and they were already working her over for favours.

Yet, she handled her duties with surprising grace and a stiff upper lip. Whenever I managed to catch a glimpse of her, she seemed calm, nodding along politely to conversations, and even occasional saying her piece, in a level and unwavering tone.

If it was me, I’d want nothing but to crawl into bed and sob. I couldn’t help but be impressed by her resolve.

For me personally, the only positive thing to come out of tonight was that everyone seemed to be ignoring me. Either they didn’t know who I was, which was always a blessing, or they’d much rather treat me like a black sheep. You know, the little plaything the Queen had before she settled down with a real spouse, to have a real family, and continue her critically important bloodline.

Was I bitter? Maybe, just a little

I surveyed the room from my secluded perch, away from the other guests. While I coldly studied everyone who passed me, I never let my gaze linger for long, always returning it to my drink whenever someone would look my way.

The strategy worked wonders, eliminating any invitations to partake in small talk. What would I even say to people like this?

How’s the weather? What’s the returns on your stock portfolio? How ‘bout them Mets?

Someone very noisily cleared their throat beside me.

Well, all goods things had to come to an end eventually.

I turned to see a rather stern looking woman studying me. Unlike most of the woman here, she wore a professional looking suit, which put the two of us in a rather exclusive club. Though unlike me, she actually belonged in her attire, while mine felt more like a costume.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“Are you Sunset Shimmer?”

I sighed. “The one and only.”

She offered her hand and I took it. “Theodora Harshwhinny.”

The name rung a bell.

“Pleased to meet you,” I lied.

She returned the favour. “Likewise.”

A silence settled between us, with neither willing to carry on past the initial introductions.

Though Harshwhinny eventually broke it, while studying the room. “I was close friends with Celestia, Ms. Shimmer.”

“I’m not surprised. If tonight taught me anything, it’s that Her Majesty had quite a few friends.”

She snorted. “She has a lot of suck-ups trying to brownnose for her daughter. No, I was an actual friend.”

“Is that so?”

She nodded. “We kept in close correspondences over the last  twenty years. We had a very beneficial relationship. She needed someone reliable to keep tabs on the Tory caucus, and I needed a rather influential supporter to help me…rebrand my image.”

Her name finally clicked.

Theodora Harshwhinny, the current Minister of Culture. A woman whose name was infamous from her tenure as Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Even back home, an ocean away, this woman’s exploits were well known. She had a reputation for mercilessly pursuing greater status within the Equestrian political hierarchy.

And when this woman climbed, she left nothing but smoldering bridges and shattered partnerships in her wake.

“I made the Queen a promise before she died,” Harshwhinny said.

“What was it?”

“To ensure that her daughter was given a long, peaceful, and happy reign.”

I snorted. “Sounds simple enough.”

“Seems just about impossible in my opinion, but I don’t intend to back down without put some effort into it.

“And why are you telling me this?”

“Because, for some unfathomably bizarre reason, Her Majesty has made it clear that you make her happy.”

My eyes widened. “Twilight said that?”

Harshwhinny nodded. “Yes, when she was being pressured to get rid of you.” She sighed. “Now, Ms. Shimmer, do you love Twilight?”

“Of course.”

I noticed that her gaze was focused straight ahead, and as I followed it, I could see her staring at Twilight and the Prime Minister, deep in conversation.

“Then I have a problem,” she said.

“What's that?”

“In order to defend you, you’ve put me in direct opposition with a sitting Prime Minister from my party.”

“Wait, he seriously…”

“He has a massive problem with you, Ms. Shimmer. If you have the time, I could go over his reasons. Though I’d warn you, it’s a rather extensive list.”

“I think I’m good,” I muttered.

“I wouldn’t take it too personally. You just happen to be the weakest link he can exploit to hurt Twilight.”

“Hurt her?! She’s the fucking Queen.”

Harshwhinny smirked. “Her Majesty often has…impassioned opinions that she should be more cautious about voicing. These can make Fancy’s job rather difficult, and I can only imagine it’ll get worse when she’s coronated.”

"You're telling me this is all political?"

"Fancy sees Twilight as the head of a much bigger problem. So, he has a vested interest in trying to remove her."

"Last I heard, a Prime Minister can’t exact fire a Queen.”

Theodora smirked. "True, but if he was somehow able to gain leverage on her, then maybe he could pressure her into voluntarily stepping away from the throne."

"And let me guess..."

"The Queen has been very adamant in wanting to marry you, Sunset, and that's one thing Fancy does control. He gets to pick who Twilight can legally put a ring on. So, by denying her marriage..."

"He hopes that she'll resign."

"Bingo." She chuckled. "He'll even get a boost to his boyish pride for putting the first cock on the throne in nearly three hundred years."

I sighed. “I’ll never understand how this fucking system works.”

“Let me put it this way, you’ve made a rather powerful enemy. Though I wouldn’t be too concerned. You two have some allies in the government. A couple of people willing to remember where their loyalties lie.”

I opened my mouth, though quickly closed it, unsure of what to say.

“Plus, there are more than enough MPs willing stand up for you, just for the pleasure of kicking some dirt in Fancy’s face,” she said. “You just need to figure out how to mobilize them. Which is where I come in.”

“Thank you, Theodora. I…I appreciate your help.”

“I just hope that I can be of some assistance.”

She suddenly perked up and waved at a distant figure. “Now, I hope you don’t find me rude, but I must get going. It seems like the ambassador of Saddle Arabia is attempting to get my attention.”

I nodded. “Have a good night, Theodora.”

“You as well.”

Then she was gone, leaving me alone once more. Our conversation had only deepened my anxiety, giving me fresh material to mull over.

How much pressure was Twilight under to get rid of me? Why wasn’t she talking to me about it? Was she preparing to handle things on her own?”

I thought we promised to handle our problems together…

“Well if it isn’t the Bolshevik herself,” a familiar voice jeered.

I turned, offering the fakest look of sympathy I could muster.

Well, if it wasn’t Time’s Asshole of the Year himself, Prince Blueblood.

“Blueblood, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss.”

He frowned, in the least genuine manner I’d ever seen. “Yes, it really is tragic. Mother’s been taken from us far too soon.”

“Yes, too soon,” I repeated absently.

“But now my little sister sits upon the throne. You must be excited about that.”

I shrugged “Twilight’s Twilight, why would I care if she’s Queen or not?”

“Well, I mean, there’s nowhere left to climb once you’ve dated a Queen.”

My teeth clenched. “You honestly think I’m dating your sister to climb some social ladder?”

“It makes perfect sense to me.”

I snorted, my voice dripping with acid. “You would think like that, wouldn’t you?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, nothing. It just speaks volumes about how inhuman you are, that you’re unable to grasp how love works.”

He chuckled cruelly. “I’m perfectly familiar with the concept, Sunset. I just struggle to imagine anyone actually loving you.”

The words impacted like a slap across the face.

“You bastard,” I hissed.

“After all, there must be some reason your wife left you.”

One second, there was a glass in my hand.

The next, it was shattered against the side of Blueblood’s face, peppering him with whiskey and glass.


January 28th, 1936 – 10:30PM
Queen Twilight Sparkle
Residence of Twilight Sparkle

I paced back and forth through my entryway, my temper threatening to flare at the slightest comment.

Sunset, the current focus of my ire, sat upon one of the steps leading to the first floor. She held an ice pack against her eye, trying her best to reduce the swelling of her soon to be blackened socket.

“What were you thinking?” I growled.

She winced. “Look, he started it.”

I threw up my hands. “You can’t just go around picking fights with Equestrian princes.”

“Even if he deserves it?”

“Especially if he deserves it. The princes who deserve it, are usually the pettiest pieces of shit in the whole damned world.”

She snorted. “Ouch, harsh words for your own brother.”

“It’s true.”

Sunset jerked to her feet, furiously taking a step towards me. “So, what am I supposed to do? Just rollover and take it?”

“Sunset, please…” I begged. “They’ll accept you in time. You just need to be patient.”

“Bull-fucking-shit! I’ve been patient for five years Twilight, and the only person in your whole fucking family who ever tolerated me is dead!”

“Well what can you expect when you go around breaking my brother’s nose!”

She fumed, taking another step closer. “He brought up Adagio!”

In an instance, my anger evaporated. “Sunset…I…I’m so sorry.”

“Are you?”

I reached out for her, but she shrugged me off.

“I just…I never thought he’d go for such a low blow,” Sunset said, her fury rapidly dissipating into hollowness.

“Neither did I.” I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Shit, what a mess.”

When I looked back to Sunset, she had returned to her stoop. The ice forgotten, as she now focused her attention on a cigarette.

I walked over, taking a seat beside her. “I’ll have a talk with him in the morning.”

“I can handle it.”

“I’m sure you can, but what he said isn’t right. I’ll hold him accountable for it.”

“Think he’ll listen?”

I grimly chuckled. “He better. After all, I’m in charge of his allowance now.”

Sunset pulled out a book of matches, striking one.

“Can I ask you something, Twi?”

“What is it?”

She lit her cigarette, inhaled the smoke, and let it out in one smooth motion.

“Are you being pressured to get rid of me?” she asked.

So, she knew.

I sighed. “Yes, there are certain high-profile citizens with concerns about our relationship.”

She nodded, taping out her ash right onto the hardwood. Spike would murder her for that later.

“Who?” she asked.

“The Prime Minister, Blueblood, Shining Armor, Luna, a few members of parliament, and a whole union of concerned citizens.”

She smirked. “Gods, I’ve never felt so loved in my entire life.”

“They see you as a bit…unorthodox.”

“In what way?”

“Your working-class background, divorce, previous political affiliations, temper…”

She chuckled. “I’m guessing I didn’t do much to clear up that misconception, did I?”

“You did not.”

I reached over, placing my hand on hers. She threaded her fingers through mine and I leaned against her, resting my cheek upon her shoulder.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sunset finally asked.

“Pardon?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were under so much pressure to get rid of me?”

I sighed. “I guess I was hoping to protect you from the worst of it.”

“Twi, you shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. We made a promise to handle things together.”

“I know, it’s just…” I gestured to her. “I had a plan.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course, you did.”

“I just thought that if we could get on the throne, we’d be able disprove everyone's preconceptions. Like think about it, me with eons of tradition and years of formal training, and you providing a fresh dynamic to the duties of monarch, bringing the throne to a level that the disenfranchised could understand.”

“And how’s that working out?”

I reached over and snatched away her cigarette, taking a drag for myself.

The smoke was warm in my mouth, and then within my lungs, as I breathed deep. The tingle of cheap tobacco and nicotine provided the perfect accent to my current mood.

“Everyone keeps saying that I’m more likely to shatter the monarchy than reform it. They ask what kind of message I’d be sending to the people by elevating someone like you to such an office.”

“Someone like me?”

I shook my head. “As the Prime Minister puts it, ‘a former-anarchist jazz musician, whose purity is tarnished, and whose loyalty to Equestria is questionable.’ He probably thinks we’ll make the commoners get uppity.”

Sunset was silent, just staring at her fingers.

I kissed her on the cheek, in the hopes that it’d snap her out of her stupor. However, even this failed to rouse her.

So, we just sat there for a moment, each occupied with our silence.

“Maybe they’re right,” Sunset finally admitted.

“What?”

“Maybe I should step away.”

“No, no, you shouldn’t…you can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because there’s someone’s opinion you haven’t considered.”

“Whose?”

I looked her in the eye. “Mine. I love you more than anything in the entire world, Sunset, and I’m not willing to give up on you because of a couple of stuffed shirts.”

Sunset weakly smiled. “Thank you, I-I appreciate it.”

“We’ll find a way to make this work, I promise.”

This seemed to calm Sunset, as she leaned in and kissed me.

I just wished I could’ve believed it myself.