//------------------------------// // Discovery // Story: The Life of a Trophy Wife // by dei-dei //------------------------------// "Nyahh~" Fleur yawned as she awoke from her nap, stretching a hoof as she slowly climbed out of bed. A small creature yapped at her feet. "Oh shush Bastien, I'll give you some food in a minute" Fleur whispered to her fennec fox as she crouched down to snuggle him, then jumped to her feet as she heard someone downstairs unlock the front door. "Fancy must be home!" Fleur exclaimed in delight. She quickly changed into a silky see-through nightgown, stepping over her foxy as she reached for her mirror. She hurried as she tried brushing her hair, putting on mascara, and smearing on lipstick at the same time. "Perfeect~" Fleur said sweetly as she double checked herself in the mirror, then quickly hurried out the door. She trotted briskly down the halls, her home a perfect example of the finest upper class mansion in Canterlot. The theme this year was "gold à la mode", the mansion being filled with the most beautiful (and expensive) golden artwork, golden vases, golden sculptures, and golden furniture. Every year there was a home fancy contest in Canterlot, hosted by Canterlot's Yacht club, where all members compete to see who has the most elaborate home. Fleur couldn't care less about her beautiful mansion though, the only thing on her mind was Fancy. "Welcome home my Fancy!" she said cheerfully as she trotted down the stairs. Fancy, taking off his top hat and coat, quickly looked up to see his lovely wife walking towards him in very skimpy attire. "Good morning my dear, I hope you didn't stay up all night for me." Fancy said as Fleur quickly embraced him with nuzzles. Fancy turned away and trotted towards his study, papers floating above his head, with Fleur quickly following behind. "Oh I didn't," Fleur replied cheerfully, "I was able get a little sleep before you came, I also went out shopping with Amberlocks, she wanted me to buy a few things for her and I got this really nice new dre-" "That's all very nice dear, but please, get this filthy mutt off of me!" Fancy exclaimed as an angry Bastien was nipping at his back hoofs. Fleur used her magic to lift Bastien up, the fox squirming and barking as he floated above her. Fancy continued, "And as for last night's interview with my fashion clients, it was all quite a success, I need to make a few phone calls as soon as possible to have everything set in order." "That's wonderful darling, I'm so happy for you!" "You should be, since you're their new model! Or well...not exactly their model. You see Starflower's clothing line is linked with Coltplay magazine and they want you as their next cover model. It's really quite an honor," Fancy snuggled close to Fleur and petted her mane, "I couldn't make a deal without you my dear~" Fleur's smile disappeared "Oh umm...but...Coltplay? Will I have to..." "Yes, yes and it was the hardest decision I ever made, BUT think of all the happiness you'll bring me when it's all over. At least I'm telling you three days before the shoot instead of the night before, right?" "I suppose..." Fleur looked down then nuzzled Fancy, "If it'll make you happy." "That's my Fleur, you better look sharp for those shoots in a few days, I'm counting on you to make a good impression." He studied Fleur closely, looking concerned, "I see bags under your eyes, you should probably get that checked out." Fancy turned away and went towards his study. "I will be making those calls now, I'll see you when I can my dear." Fancy said quickly as he shut the door in Fleur's face. Fleur stood outside his door, torn with disappointment. "Bye" Fleur whispered to herself as she sank down in front of his door, putting Bastien down and hugging him. "At least I'll make him happy." "It's not like I wasn't attracted to him or anything, I just hate when colts just STARE at you to get your attention. It’s super annoying girl, and it's honestly the reason why I threw Quarts Hamplhoof to the curb. I mean a colt who is too clingy is just begging for attention, and no mare is interested in THAT honey, mhm." replied Dashawna Chic, Fleur's close friend who is one of Sapphire Shore's dance partners. "I don't know if I would call it annoying, but I would be very concerned if Fancy started staring at me all the time." Fleur replied as she sipped a bit of her tea. "Honey that man of yours is the best thing you got; you're always free, get whatever you want, not having to worry about him stalking you or whatever. You got it made girl." "I suppose..." Fleur said with a sigh, "I just wish we could spend more time together." "Yeah that must be rough on you hun, and it does make me wonder why he ain't spending time with you," Dashawna commented as she took a bite of hay cake, "I hope he ain't the cheatin type." Fleur almost spit out her tea, the very thought of such a thing turned her stomach. "Fancy is not an adulterer! He's just busy is all, with business and such. He's always truthful with me." Fleur stuttered as she tried to keep down her tea. "Just be careful hun is all I'm saying, allot of mares are attracted to stallions with power." Dashawna replied as she sipped some tea of her own. "I ain't going to be smoothed over by no sweet talker, but you're something else Fleur, I'd hate to see you in a distressful situation 'cuz of something he did." Fleur looked down at her tea, swirling it around with a floating silver spoon. "I have my doubts sometimes, but a relationship is built on trust, if I can't trust Fancy..." Fleur replied discouragingly, thinking hard about what Fancy could possibly be doing other than his work. "Don't get too stressed over it hun, I didn't mean to worry ya." Dashawna said comfortingly as she got up from her seat and put a hoof on Fleur's shoulder, "I'm sure Fancy is plenty trustful. You know me, I always want to know more then what I should. Anyway I better get going, Quarts Hamplhoof comes around the country club around this time, lord knows he'll be trying to sucker me back into his personal hell if I stay any longer. See ya around hun~" "See you" Fleur replied as she gave Dashawna a quick hug, then watched as her friend trotted off into the distance. I'm sure she was just exaggerating Fleur thought to herself as she was finishing her tea How could anyone think Fancy would cheat on me! Fleur trotted home after her visit at the country club, noticing Fancy's Ferrari wasn't parked in its usual spot. Fancy must of went out again thinking Fleur as she trotted up the front steps of her home. A servant pony welcomed her at the door; a tall colt with a violet mane wearing a black suit. "Welcome home my lady." He said as Fleur trotted past him, entering her home. "Thank you, is my husband out?" Fleur asked as she looked down the hall, seeing her husband's study closed shut as it had been when she left. "Yes my lady, he left shortly after you did." the servant replied as he closed the door. "Did he now..." Fleur wondered where he went. This wasn't the first time Fancy left unannounced, but Fleur was still pondering on what Dashawna had said earlier. I'm sure he isn't doing anything out of the ordinary, he's probably just out on another business meeting Fleur thought to herself as she started to head towards her room, but stopped for a moment and turned back, looking at Fancy's study. Well...I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to check on what Fancy's been working on, it would put my mind at ease and cure these awful doubts Dashawna put in my head. Fleur trotted towards Fancy's study, starring at the door in front of her. She had never been in Fancy's study alone before, in fact she'd never been inside it at all. I'm sure it's only business papers inside of here, I have nothing to worry about she thought as she tried to reassure herself. Fleur tried to open the door, but was surprised to find it locked. Locked? Why would he lock it... She looked around to see if anypony was near, then quickly pulled out a hair pin from her mane. I'm sure he just locked it to make sure the servants wouldn't go in. Fleur thought as she started to pick the lock, quickly unlocking it with her pin and magic. I guess an orphan never forgets how to pick a lock Fleur giggled to herself as she remembered her days as a filly, picking the locks of small bakeries and stores, stealing bread in the dead of night. Fleur jumped as the door unlocked and slowly opened. She entered the room cautiously, closing the door behind her. "Oh my" Fleur said in a gasp as she looked around the room. It was a mess! Papers askew everywhere, books all over the room, the floor completely covered in nicknacks and personal belongings. She had never seen such a disaster up close. In the corner of the room stood a desk and chair, Fleur carefully walked towards it, trying not to step on anything. The desk had papers scattered over the top, a cup of coffee half-finished stood in the corner, a phone, and a few writing utensils laid on the side. Fleur looked through some of the papers, floating them above her head as she read the titles: 'Business Marketing for Young Colts', 'Importance of Fashion Ethics in Equestrian Society', 'Global Dimensions of Busi-' "Wait, what's this?" Fleur questioned aloud as she dropped the business papers and found a stack of newspaper clippings near the corner of the desk. She lifted them up to read, all of which regarded Rarity, the young Fashion Designer from Ponyville. Fleur read the headlines: 'Small town fashion meets Canterlot with Rarity in the spotlight', 'Sapphire Shores makes Rarity her personal Fashion Designer', 'Canterlot Elite are challenged by Rarity at a Wonderbolts Derby!' Fleur starred at the clippings for a long time, trying to remember this Rarity, "Hmm...Rarity...oh yes I remember, she bumped into me while Fancy and I were out shopping one afternoon. But why would Fancy keep all these clippings?" Fleur said to herself as she found more and more newspaper clippings about Rarity. She put down the clippings and opened a desk drawer, then gasped, putting a hoof to her mouth trying not to cry. Inside were photographs of Fancy and Rarity, in obviously more than friendly positions in multiple locations, in front of landmarks all over Equestria! Fleur looked through all of them, growing more upset with each picture she saw. Fleur threw the photographs onto the ground, trying not to believe that those photographs existed. In complete despair Fleur collapsed onto the ground and started to cry, her worst nightmare had now become a reality. She connected all the dots together, the long nights away, the complete disregard for her feelings, always being booked for shoots to keep her busy...Fancy really was just using her! All these years being devoted to a stallion she thought the world of is cheating on her. Fleur felt like a fool, how could she have missed something so obvious. "This can't be the whole truth," Fleur said aloud as she wiped her tears away and stood up, "I need answers, now!"