*knock knock knock*
Enter, mortal.
*creeeeaaak*
Greetings, my humble servant. Step forth and meet your glorious, eternal queen. Guards, leave us. We have much to discuss privately.
*boom*
Bah. Guards. Good for nothing.
You don't know why you were summoned? Hmph. A stale statement if any there was one. You live to serve me; what need do you have of reason? I point, and you obey. Otherwise, your… friends in the dungeons beneath this glorious castle will meet an untimely end. The restoration of my old home and its dungeons has gone quite well, don’t you think?
Enough of this. Before the main question, humor me this, human. You are the only one of your species, yes?
Hm. A shame more like you do not exist. But on the other hoof, it means you are all the grander prize of the everlasting Nightmare Moon.
I called you here to ask you a question. Do you love me?
...Oh, stop it with those pitiful, genuflecting words. You admire me? Admiration and love are not the same thing. Besides, we all know the real reason you say those false, flattering things. If you don't, you would assume I would likely blast you into oblivion.
You are scared of me. That’s the most obvious answer I can figure out. I am one to be feared, of course, but I… I wish to be feared in awe and grandeur. Not in terror, like I’m some devilish demon from the depths of Tartarus.
Admiration is worthless. I mean... love. The whole reason I was banished in the first place was because I demanded more love than what I was given… Which was none at all. I wanted it, and it was withheld from me. You… understand, don't you?
You do? ...Oh, please. What a grand and intoxicating innocence. No one can testify to know of the cruelty of my sister, who now suffers the same fate I did! Banishment to the moon is hardly a fitting punishment, and now she knows that feeling as well.
… You what?
You don't know love?
Oh, what rubbish. Of course you know love. How else could you express your love to me? No one can express an unknown emotion. You must have had someone to love, or at least someone that loved you.
No? What about your so-called friends?
Oh. That kind of love.
I never made room for romantic love. Luna was unloved in the first place, and when I killed her and took over, I was almost instantly banished to that infernal prison in the night sky. No possible suitors were available, let’s say. Besides, only the great and powerful beings of the universe would be suitable for me.
… I suppose you're right. You are the only one of your species in the known universe. You're of suitable intelligence… right? Speaking of which, stop slacking. You look like a moronic peasant. Let's see… now that you've fixed your stance and I can look into your eyes, your looks are quite appealing… for a human. I freely admit it. I fear not whatever you might say to me. I am the invincible Nightmare Moon!
… My beauty is also exceeding all others? Oh, come now. That much is as plain as da...night. But please, continue.
Come, now. Speak up! I can’t hear much when you’re mumbling up a storm. Stand your ground and deliver your thoughts! Fools are no good to me.
… What?
...I...
When I said… you must have had someone to love… it was… me? And that’s why you were afraid?
… Oh… oh, my, what… inspiring words! They truly come from the heart? I've never heard anyone describe me in such florid detail. It must be genuine. Your sweeping descriptions are flattering, but I can sense the difference between flattery and real emotion. You… truly see me as beautiful?
Yes?...
...Good. That's… all I ever asked for. Even if it's only from one pony and the rest of the world despises me, it's better than none. Besides, one is enough for me, if it's you.
Listen, as an all-powerful being, I shouldn't have preferences. But on the other hoof, who's to say I shouldn't? I'm an all-powerful being, aren't I? And I say that you are the sole creature on this planet who has managed to capture my attention.
Listen, listen. Stop your inane stuttering and hearken to your goddess.
For the past three weeks, during your service to me, I've noticed that your devotion is much higher than the other slav-... servants in my castle. Your jobs go above and beyond the line of duty. Your cleaning jobs were immaculate and spotless. When I appointed you to a manager of the grounds, the deathbell and nightshade in my gardens never looked more beautiful. When I gave you a higher position over the rest of the guards, the castle ran more smoothly than ever before! And when I will appoint you as my second-in-command, I know that you will achieve wondrous things.
Close your mouth. Fleas will get in.
Yes, I mean a promotion! Second-in-command is a good enough rank for you, right?
I'm so glad you think that way. If you had thoughts of overthrowing me and becoming number one, life could get quite difficult for you.
*tap tap* Come. Sit beside me, and not beneath me.
Yes, I insist. You shall be my equal. Or at least, as close to equal Nightmare Moon as possible. You are only a flawed mortal, after all.
… Ah, good. Now that you’re here, mayhap a courtship can occur?
Joke? Look into my eyes. Do these look like joking eyes?
The eyes of any creature are the windows into its soul. When you looked into my eyes, you managed to see beyond my actions, past my rage, and… a-and focus on my heart. My desires. My soul. And now, looking in your eyes, I see boundless love, bottled up and ready to offer, but it’s impatient and lonely. It’s all you can do to keep it from bursting and overflowing. Your heart is a gift, priceless like the stars and brighter than opal or topaz. Beautifully cut, refined to a polish, treasured by anyone who has it. Your love is a bottomless fountain that I can drink from and never thirst again.
Does your face always turn this red at the mention of love? Get used to it quickly. I have use for you, human. Offer your heart and devotion to me, and me alone… and the world shall bow beneath you.
And you shall bow only to me.