Chapter 1: Love's Refraction
Cadance
“The guard has finished their survey of the Frozen North, Princess. All the holdouts of the uprising have been quelled,” a crystal pony said next to me.
“That’s good work. Let the guards that were part of the survey know that they can take the next three days off to spend with family and friends. They deserve a nice rest after all the work they've done,” I said, looking at my faithful seneschal. “You can take the rest of the evening off as well, Krys. I’m going to retire early.”
I stood up from the throne and started walking towards the doors on the far side of the throne room.
Unbeknownst to them, I could still overhear Krys talking with a guard. Bless my alicorn senses, I suppose.
“The Princess is so strong. Only a decade after Prince-Regent Shining Armor died and she has to deal with this uprising. For the past ten years she’s fought to keep the Crystal City the same way it’s been since we merged with Equestria, and only now can we truly rest peacefully.”
Shortly after leaving the throne room, I found myself in front of my chambers. Opening the door I could hear another pony’s hoofsteps on the tiles of my washroom.
Stepping inside and closing the door I called out, “Lilly? Is that you in there?”
“Yes, princess. I’ll be right there,” a pony called back.
A few seconds later a white crystal pony stepped out of my washroom and bowed to me.
“I didn't think you’d still be here cleaning. What took so long today?”
“I wasn’t cleaning, princess. Krys sent me a note shortly after you left the throne room saying you had a rough day, so I came and ran you a hot bath to help you relax before you retire for the evening. It’s ready as well, I just finished it when you walked in,” Lilly replied, smiling at me. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No thank you, Lilly, but I do thank you for running me a bath. I could use one,” I said, stepping past Lilly towards her washroom. “Would you also thank Krys for me if you see her?” I asked, turning my head towards my maid.
“Of course, princess. By your leave,” Lilly said, turning around and leaving my chambers.
'Krys and Lilly help me out so much. Perhaps I should do something nice for them when I get the chance,' I thought to myself, walking into the washroom.
My muscles ached, after nearly fourteen hours of sitting in my office, hunched over documents as pleasant to read as a hug from a cactus.
After removing my regalia, a lowered herself into the bath. The steam and warmth made me hiss from relief.
'Okay, this ends that thought. I'm definitely doing something nice for them.'
Just as I was starting to enjoy my bath, a letter appeared in front of me. I grabbed the letter in my magic, noticing that it had Celestia’s seal on it.
'I wonder what Auntie Tia sent me a letter for?' I thought, opening the letter and reading it.
Dear Cadance,
I know events in the Crystal City these recent years have made you unable to visit Canterlot, but I would like to ask you to come here on my behalf. I am in need of help and not sure who else to turn to.
Your loving Aunt,
Celestia.
Reading this letter worried me.
'What could Auntie Tia need my help for?'
Using my magic, I pulled a parchment and quill so i could reply to her.
Dear Auntie Tia,
I'm happy to tell you that I can come to Canterlot in the morning. If you can though, I'd like to know what you need my help with. I can't think of anything you would need my assistance with.
Also, I'm happy to inform you that the last bits of the uprising, here in the Crystal City, have been quelled. In short, I should be able to spent a lot of time in Canterlot to help you with what you need.
Your niece,
Cadance
Looking over my letter, I rolled it up and sent it to Celestia.
Getting out of the bath, I used a quick spell to dry myself off, then I stepped into my bedroom and laid on my bed.
Given that Celestia would get my response immediately, I decided to wait a bit and see if she’d send me another letter.
Using my magic, I retrieved my regalia from the washroom and returned it to its place atop the nightstand. I then closed my eyes to relax a bit.
Of course, shortly after that, I heard the familiar sound of a letter arriving through magic. .Opening my eyes I saw a new letter laying on the bed. I opened it, still worried.
Dear Cadance,
I’m glad you’re able to come so soon. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to visit for a few weeks. I’m happy as well that this uprising business is also something the Crystal City can put in their past.
I hope you can forgive me, dear niece, but this is a topic I’d rather discuss face to face. You’ll understand why I say this when you get here, and I explain. Just so you are a little more prepared though, I will inform you, it has to deal with your special talent.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
Your Loving Aunt,
Celestia
‘Something to do with my special talent?’ I thought, looking at my cutie mark. ‘What could have happened that Auntie Tia needs my help that revolves around love? I might as well get some sleep. I’ll inform Krys and Lilly tomorrow about me heading for Canterlot,’ I thought to myself, yawning slightly.
Getting comfortable in bed has been difficult for me, these past few decades.
I could still feel the place where Shining was supposed to be. The void he’d left hurt, like a scarred wound that had never healed properly, twinging from time to time.
I sighed, frustrated. I hadn’t wanted to think of him. Again.
I moved to the fireplace on the other side of the room and laid on the pillows arranged in front of it, then I lit the hearth in a blaze of fire.
I was asleep before my head touched the pillow.
* * *
Waking up, I stretched my hooves out under the blanket.
‘Wait, blanket?’ I thought, opening my eyes and looking back.
Sure enough, I had a blanket covering me. ‘Maybe Lilly came in during the night and put a blanket over me?’ I wondered, using my magic to return the blanket to the bed.
Looking over at the mantle clock on the fireplace, I noticed it was eight in the morning, much later than when I normally wake up.
Walking over to the vanity, I sat down on a small pillow, and pulled the brush over with magic so I could fix my mane and tail.
After that bit of routine, I put on my regalia so I could look presentable- heaven forbid I got out of my chambers without lugging around three bulky, heavy, and uncomfortable symbols of authority everywhere I go.
Walking down the hallway, I started wondering about auntie's letter. What could she need my help with? I knew the sooner I left and got to Canterlot the sooner I’d know.
Looking in front of me, I noticed I was in front of the throne room. Opening up the doors, I walked inside and noticed Krys next to the throne speaking with some guards. She looked up at me, hearing my hoof steps against the room tiles.
Krys trots over to me and bowed. “Good morning princess. How did you sleep last night?” she asked me, still in her bow.
“I slept rather well, Krys. Thank you. I would like to speak with you, by the way. It’s somewhat important.” I spoke with kindness looking at Krys with a smile on my face.
Looking over to the guards I motioned them to leave with a flick of my head. After the guards had left I moved over, taking my seat on the throne.
“What is it you need to speak with me about princess?” Krys said, walking over in front of me.
“Please, Krys. I’ve told you before, when it’s just us call me Cadance. I’d like to consider us friends,” I said, smiling down at her.
“Forgive me, Cadance. I sometimes forget.”
“I understand, Krys. Now about what I need to talk to you about,” I said dropping into a more serious tone. “I need you to run things here in the Crystal City, until otherwise noted. When you accepted the position as my seneschal, you agreed to run things should something come up. I will be leaving for Canterlot in just a bit.”
“Why are you going to Canterlot? If I may ask.”
“I received a letter last night from Princess Celestia. She asked for my presence there to help her with a small problem. While I know this is short notice, Krys, this letter seemed urgent,” I spoke with authority and kindness. “I know you can do what I ask of you though.”
“Of course, Cadance. I’ll do everything I can for the Crystal City while you are away.”
“Thank you, Krys. Could you see that a chariot is waiting for me outside in fifteen minutes as well? I must go pack a few things.”
“Of course, princess. By your leave,” Krys said to me bowing slightly before trotting off to, I assume, get the chariot.
After Krys had left I teleported back to my room. Appearing in my room, I heard somepony squeak. Looking over I noticed Lilly on her rump gasping for breath.
“I’m sorry for startling you, Lilly. Are you ok?”
“Yes princess, I’m alright. Just got scared when you popped in here all of a sudden,” Lilly said, getting her breath under control. “Why are you back here? Didn’t you wake up just a bit ago?”
“Yes, I did just wake up a bit ago: I came back to gather a few things for a trip I'm taking though.”
“Trip? Did something come up?”
"Celestia sent me a letter last night, asking me to come to Canterlot. She requires my aid for something, though for what, I am unsure," I explained to Lilly, while at the same time using my magic to gather the items I need. “I have asked Krys to look after the city in my steed, during my absence. I would also like to ask you a favor, if I may.”
"You may ask me anything princess," I heard Lilly say, as I turned around and looked at her.
"Stay at your wife’s side. This will be her first time since becoming my seneschal, in which she'll have to do this," I said, smiling at her. "With you at her side, I know she will be just fine."
“I would have stayed at her side, even if you wouldn’t have asked me, princess. Thank you for thinking of her though.”
“Both of you have helped me out a lot these past few years. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t think of you?” Levitating my bag over to me I felt as though, I had everything I could possibly need. “All right, I got everything I need, and my chariot should be ready by now. Farewell, Lilly.” Turning to the door I began to head out to the front of the castle.
Reaching the front of the castle, I noticed a chariot with two crystal pegasi harnessed to it. How crystal wings could fly... I’ll never know. Saying my farewells to Krys, I placed my bag into the chariot and climbed in to settle myself down for the long ride.
As the chariot took to the sky, I started thinking about my aunties and Twilight. It’s been ten years since I last saw them in person. It’ll be so wonderful to see them again.