Crystal Empire, One thousand and fifteen years ago
“Citizens! May I present the newest member of the Crystal Empire!”
The entirety of the Crystal Empire was in a state of celebration. Families had gathered in the square around the Crystal Palace, cheering as everypony watched the newest member in awe from the ground.
While the celebrations and parties got underway, one individual lay quietly in the bundle, being cradled. The one cradling the small form was Princess Amore, who was staring lovingly at the foal in her forelegs after showing everypony from the balcony. The crystal guards had silently excused themselves to give the unicorn princess personal time with her new daughter.
A small gurgle came from the pink alicorn filly as she looked upon her mother for the first time, their eyes meeting. Amore saw sparkling light purple eyes meet her brilliant amber, and two small tears slowly flow down her cheeks, as a warm smile stretched across her face.
When her daughter was born, the unicorn princess was very surprised when the filly was an alicorn. While some unicorn and pegasus couples would usually give birth an unicorn or pegasus foal, there was a very rare chance that the baby could be born as an alicorn.
Still, just because her daughter was born as an alicorn doesn't mean she should judge her, she was and still always be her daughter.
"Hello, my little one." Amore addressed her daughter with a small chuckle. "I have been looking forward to meeting you... Cadanza... and I'm not the only one."
As soon as she finished her sentence, the door to the balcony opened, and a rather tall pegasus stallion wearing a crystal armor with his helmet being held by one of his wings walked in - Artic Spirit. He has a light whitish blue coat, with a blonde mane and tail, his eyes being light purple and a cutie mark of three crystal shards cladded in armor. Artic had been known as the new captain of the Crystal Imperial guards when Amore became the ruler of the Crystal Empire. Now, he was more known as the husband of Princess Amore and the father of the empire's newest member. Amore had thought him as a friend, but in the end he had captured her heart.
"Ah, Artic, come here." Amore softly called out her husband.
Artic approached his wife at a slow pace, his eyes fixed on the newborn filly in her hooves. "She looks beautiful honey, just like you." He said.
Amore giggled. "Well, she has your eyes."
"The best in the world!" Artic chuckled before his face became worried. "I just hope we get to see our baby grow into the wonderful mare I know she will be."
Noticing his worried face, her mood dropped slightly as she replied. "Artic... I know you're worried about King Sombra, but we will find him and stop him... I promise."
"And what if we can't find him? Some of the guards and civilians are getting very uneased as we kept failing to find him, not to mention some of the patrols had reports of some shadow type creatures staring at them from a distance. If we don't stop him... promise me we aren't going to lose her!" Artic couldn't stop himself from almost shouting as he looked beggingly at his wife. "Promise me that no matter what happens, she will grow up safe and live in a peaceful life."
Smiling, Amore placed a hoof to her husband's chin and said. "I promise I will never let anything happen to our little Cady."
Artic gave his wife a sad smile before apologising. "Sorry, I really shouldn't have..."
He didn't get his finish his sentence as Amore pulled him into a lovingly kiss via her magic. Cadance watched the display in pure curiosity, before she drifted back to slumber in the comfort of her parent's presence.
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Present day
Amore woke up from her slumber with a start, looking from side to side frantically trying to find out where she was before her eyes fell on sleeping form of Cadance next to her. She had realised that she had been dreaming. Dreaming of peaceful times before King Sombra... before her husband's death.
Looking to her right, Amore saw a picture of herself and her family smiling sat on the bedside table. Sighing, she grabbed the frame with her light blue magic and looked at the picture. Sooner or later, she would have to tell Cadance about her father, about Artic Spirit.
After staring at the picture for a while, she gently placed it back down on the bedside table. Her body tensed with overwhelming emotion as her thoughts drifted to her deceased husband, yet she found comfort in the fact her daughter was back with her.
Turning her head, she looked at her daughter sleeping peacefully next to her before smiling.
Now was not the time to dwell on the past.
Not when the future began to look so bright, and she still had a promise to keep.