Cadence was trying to avoid noticing all of the stares directed her way. It was hard not to feel like a bug under a magnifying glass in situations like this. There had to be hundreds of assembled ponies of wealth and high power in the audience chamber of the Royal Palace of Canterlot. Princess Celestia was up on the dais seated in her usual throne and looking radiant as Cadence remembered.
Somehow though, the uncontested and absolute ruler of all of Equestria was far from the center of attention here in her own throne room. Instead, it appeared that everypony was finding a way to glance at and whisper about the curious sight of a pink Alicorn mare standing next to a slightly smaller fuchsia coated older mare who was the far less shy of the two.
“We're up next, Cadence, try not to look like you're about to be executed.” Her mother, Sonata said as she subtly nudged her.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself Cadence made sure to keep her eyes level, despite how nervous she felt. It had been a few years since they'd been in Canterlot and Cadence had only been a teenager then, there were a lot of happy, warm memories of this place but the reason they had returned were a degree less cheerful.
“I would be happy to look further into the encroachment of pests on your farm, Cameo, I will have a representative from my department of agriculture sent tomorrow. It is nice to hear that Ponyville is doing nicely.” Celestia's regal voice seemed to fill the entire chamber as the Earth Pony farmer who'd come a fair bit away to have his problem address left the chamber. Cadence could feel her heart pounding a little bit, this was the moment her mother had been planning for awhile, where their family would reenter into the limelight of Canterlot aristocracy.
A old looking pony was looking over the list of ponies who had a audience with the Princess today and then walked over to Celestia to give her the names. Her gaze swung over to Sonata and Cadence, smiling gently as the older pony spoke up to announce who was next. “Now presenting Princess Mi Amore Sonata and Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire in exile.”
There was a light gasp, followed by murmuring of the assembled ponies at the unfamiliar place though to Cadence the more unpleasant to hear word was 'exile'. She followed her mother out and then bowed deeply to the carpet in front of Celestia who had continued to smile, she likely knew every word that was about to be said but was pretending, for protocol sake, to not.
“Princess Celestia, my family have been eternally grateful that you have taken us in for these many centuries.” Cadence heard her mother say, eyes turning to Celestia for her part of the small tradition.
The Princess of the Sun nodded at the words “Princess Sonata, it has always been my pleasure to house any and all of my little ponies, what brings you here to my palace though?” She asked, arching an eyebrow at the question.
“I would like to formally introduce you to my daughter, Cadence, she is an Alicorn as you can see and graced with the talent to create love itself. I have formally renounced my title and claim of rule of the Crystal empire and have given it to her, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” Sonata finished, drawing herself up rather proudly as the excited murmurs of the crowd washed over the hall.
Cadence didn't particularly like being used like this, as some sort of attention grabbing effort, her mother was hoping to get her married off and likely into one of the prestigious families. What was left unsaid was that Sonata had all but tried to put her daughter on an equal level as Celestia herself, as silly as that sounded to Cadence.
Over a millennium had passed since her family had held their ancestral family title and what had started as a genuine royal court in exile had turned into just another of the many, many unicorn noble families jockeying for prestige and wealth in Canterlot. Celestia had been incredibly effective in removing any real power or influence from the wealthy elite who had become far more fond of titles and parties than of land and real control.
Where Unicorns had vied for control of the land that the Earth Ponies farmed now the majority of it was in the capable hooves of those who actually knew what to do with it. The Pegasi formed the bulk of the guard and military and the Unicorns the magic and much of the arts. It was a lifestyle that Cadence's primarily Unicorn family had all too quickly slipped into.
The nontraditional marriage of Cadence's mother Sonata and the Pegasus Wind Walker had resulted in her. Just thinking about her father brought a sad smile to Cadence's face even as the excited murmuring had finally died away enough to let Celestia speak.
“It is a rare thing to have another Alicorn in Canterlot.” She said, Cadence couldn't help but think she'd hardly ever seen Celestia not smile, her presence just naturally a calming one. “I recognize your claim, Princess Cadence. If you would accept, I would be happy to accept you into my family and throw you a banquet in your honor.”
And now it was her turn to speak. “I would be honored, thank you Princess Celestia.” Cadence tried to ignore the slight unhappy look her mother had shot her way. They'd argued quite a bit the last two days about that part, Sonata had wanted Cadence to refer to Celestia without the 'Princess', as equals, while Cadence steadfastly refused to out of respect and basic sense of humility.
“Well then.” Princess Celestia spoke up, glancing around the assembled ponies. “I believe that has been enough court for today. If there are no pressing matters of concern I will adjourn.” And with that she rose out of her seat, as did any pony who might have been sitting down, and strode out of the room with her mane and tail flowing as they always did on a unseen solar wind.
Almost immediately Cadence and her mother were swarmed by ponies who wanted to make their introductions well known. Faces, cutie marks and names swirled around her as she shook hoof after hoof or accepted insincere kisses on the hoof from stallions attempting to be gallant. It was all exceedingly fake and so put Cadence in a unsatisfied mood, being one who specialized in all things affection and love.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the two departed down the long stairs towards a carriage that would bring them back into the city to the manor of the wealthy family they were staying with. Cadence honestly couldn't remember the name of the Unicorn who had graciously let them in, always mentioning her handsome son who would look 'so cute' with Cadence.
“I think that went well, your father would be so proud to see you.” her mother spoke up once the carriage had started to move.
Cadence wasn't so sure, Wind Walker had been a professional guard, gruff and had little love for the 'stuffy idiots' that made up Canterlot high society. What he had a great deal of love for was his daughter and, looking out of the window of the carriage at the puffy white clouds Cadence smiled fondly remembering their flights together out in Los Pegasus where they'd moved to.
Her mother's voice brought her back to reality with a more annoyed tone. “I said that I thought things went well, don't you agree Cadence?”
“Yes mother, of course it went well. It was nice seeing Princess Celestia again.” Cadence answered, sighing a little as she looked away from the window. Sonata was busy fussing over her yellow mane, trying to readjust the curls that had fallen out of place during the mad flurry of meet and greet.
She couldn't help but sniff a bit, looking closely at Cadence as she seemed to remember something. “Just Celestia, you are a Princess and no different then her. A sun is a sun, but love...she can have her palace and Equestria, you will have every eligible stallion at your beck and call until we pick the right one for you.”
“Until...I pick the right one, you mean.” Cadence corrected, frowning a little. Her mother couldn't possibly mean that she wanted to pick her husband out too.
“Yes of course, but don't discount money, or even land. A sweet talker or charmer is nice for the first few minutes but that’s not something you can raise a proper family on Cadence.” Her mother insisted, as if she'd barely even heard Cadence speak.
It was a losing fight, even Cadence could see that. Her mother was the only family she had left and she only wanted what she thought was best for her. The new Princess could only sigh and glance back out to the fluffy white clouds and memories of a more pleasant time when she was young.