> How the Heart Burns
>  by thehalfelf
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Part the First
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Part the First


Twenty-seventh day of the Third Lunar Cycle, 1224

Father gave me another new journal today, as I had filled the last one.  ‘All brilliant ponies must have a journal,’ he told me a long time ago in that voice he reserves just for me; his mi Amore voice, he calls it.  ‘That way, when those below them become confused, they can just read the journal and hope to understand.’  I don’t know if I agree, but either way, I have always written to please Father.

To be honest, it is somewhat awkward just writing what comes to mind.  It doesn’t seem all that helpful to just record whatever ramblings may pass across my mind, but Father insists.  He knows best, I suppose, or at least, Mother thinks so.  Well, I don’t actually have anything to say today, so I will just come back tomorr--

Wait!  I almost forgot!  Father, Mother, and myself are all attending another coronation today.  Another of the Noble houses has somepony they feel deserves the title of Lord, and a seat in the Council...


<><><><><>


I sit between Father and Mother, and a little behind, though I can see everything before us.  My throne is smaller than the ones in front of me.  Father says this is only proper, after all, I am only the Marquise, not the Regent.  To either side in a semicircle sits the Council of the Crystal Empire; a body not unlike the Royal Court of Equestria--in accordance to the treaty granting us independence.

The members of the Council are prominent members of the Noble houses of the Crystal Empire; ponies who had proven their worth and devotion.  Nominated by their House elders, the names and accolades are then sent to the Regent--my father--to be approved.  Those approved have a celebration thrown into their honor, and are inducted into our highest form of government.  The only thing more powerful than the Council is the Regent and the Second, the spouse of the Regent.

I am not so lucky.

I am only the Regent’s daughter, the Marquise.  This puts me in direct line for succession into the throne, yes, but until then I have no authority.  Most ponies still show me respect, but it only goes as far as their generosity.  If I need something done, I either have to appeal to Father or Mother, or figure out how to get it done myself.

Right now, every set of eyes in the room is focused on one stallion in the center of the chamber.  His black coat--a strange sight in the Crystal Empire--is hidden by a cloak of red, with a white speckled embroidery, as is custom for new Council members.  Beside him stands an old, grizzled brown stallion.  His coat is dulled, not as reflective as the others in the room.  This is Lord Glade, the elder of House Darkhoof, and commander of the garrison.

“Lords and Ladies of the Council,” Father calls.  The room falls silent immediately.  “I present to you Lord Glade and Initiate Sombra, of House Darkhoof.  We are here to see the initiate’s induction into our own Council, as has been custom for centuries.  Lord Glade, you have the floor.”

The brown pony bows, causing faint polygons of light to dance on the floor.  “Lords and Ladies of the Council, I present to you, Initiate Sombra, Alchemical Grand Master of House Darkhoof.  He is responsible for a cure of Cutiepox, which has saved our parent state, Equestria, from devastation, along with several other widely used potions and transmutations used all over the Empire.  As such, I have humbly recommended him to the Council of the Crystal Empire.”  With another bow, Glade backs away, leaving Sombra alone on the small dias.

“My Lord Regent,” Sombra says, bowing low to the ground.  Unlike his elder, Sombra does not sparkle.  According to the file I “borrowed” from Father, he is one of the descendents of the few ponies from Equestria, a unicorn, who decided to stay here instead of returning home after our Liberation.  That he is now up to be a Council member is unusual indeed.

“Young Sombra,” Father stands and walks down the fifteen steps to the dias.  “You come highly recommended.  What made you wish to give up your job and become one of the Council?”

For some reason, Sombra’s smile sends shivers down my spine.  “I just feel my talents could be better used in helping our fine Empire.”

Father nods.  “Any objections?”  He pauses, scanning the silent Council.  “Then welcome to the Council, Lord Sombra.”


<><><><><>


Eighth day of the Fourth Lunar Cycle, 1224

Today, while grooming myself--Mother always says that any crystal pony, especially the Marquise, should never have a dirty coat, it isn’t proper--I received a summons from Father.  He wanted to see me, because apparently another Lord had expressed interest in me.

It is so common we actually have a process for it.  You see, since I am the Regent’s daughter, the fastest way into power is for somepony from the Council, or even a high craftmaster in a House, to marry me.  I would still become Regent, with all the powers associated after Mother and Father pass, but my husband would be in the seat Mother is in, one of less power, but still with great weight to their words.

What happens is this: the interested party goes to Father, and requests to court me.  If Father agrees, I go with my suitor on dates where he tries to woo or impress me--one even tried to make me fear him enough to accept his proposal.  Now, this has never happened, but in theory, the next step would be for the suitor to go to Father and request my hoof in marriage, which I would have to agree to as well.

Now, none have ever made it past that second stage, most are shot down by Father in the first.  Not that I wouldn’t mind having a special somepony...  I just have to make sure that they would be able to handle the stress of being the Regent’s Second, and that they actually loved me, not my power...


<><><><><>


I walk down the brightly lit corridor towards Father’s office.  Being his daughter, I don’t have to wait in line, and I walk into the study with nothing more than a knock and a cheeky smile at the Lords waiting their turns.

“Ah, mi Amore, I am so glad you could join us.”  Father is sitting behind his desk, and I trot over to nuzzle him before turning to face the other pony in the room.  Much to my surprise, it is the new Lord, Sombra.  I find it harder to recognize him without his Initiate’s cloak, or his Cloak of Office.  It is a high honor to be able to speak to the Regent without a cloak, and part of me wonders what he did to earn the privilege to soon.

“Hello, Father, Lord Sombra,” I say with a brief curtsey.  “Do you want me to wait outside while you finish?”

“Neigh, it was you we were talking about,” Father says, getting up to pull a chair over next to him so I can sit down.  Something feels... off about this.  Sombra was just accepted to the Council, and now he has the influence to speak to my Father uncloaked, and ask for permission to court me. That I am here proves he got his wish.

“Were you now?” I ask, making sure my tone doesn’t reflect my thoughts.

“It seems our young Lord here has taken a little shining to you, mi Amore,” Father continues while Sombra studies his hooves across the desk, what appears to be a light blush dusting his cheeks,

“Have you now?  Only on the council for a couple of weeks.  Somepony is ambitious.”  I grin internally as his blush darkens, then instantly regret it, feeling slightly guilty.

Apparently, Father agrees.  “Cadenza!”  I cringe.  Father never uses my full name.  “You know better than to act like that.”

“My apologies, Lord Sombra.  I’ve just been having an... off sort of day.”

“Understandable, Miss Cadenza--”

I raise a hoof, cutting him off.  “Call me Cadence.”

“Miss Cadence.”  Sombra corrects himself with a nod of his head.

“Now, what were you planning on doing with my daughter?” Father asks, jumping into the conversation before Sombra can continue.

“Well, the Alchemical Guild of my House is holding their annual ball this weekend.  As the Grand Master, I am expected to have a beautiful and clever date.  Naturally, my first thought was of your daughter.”  Though it isn’t welcome, Sombra’s words bring a slight blush to my face.  I find myself sneaking glances at Father, awaiting his reaction.

Almost a full minute later, it came.  “I suppose that’s fine.  Mi Amore, you can leave us now.  I must speak to Lord Sombra in private.”  With a nod to father I leave the room, not looking at the dark pony across the desk.


<><><><><>


Twelfth Day of the Fourth Lunar Cycle, 1224

Today was the Alchemist Guild Ball in the Darkhoof House.  As was arranged by Father, Sombra, and myself, sort of, I was in attendance as Sombra’s date.  As much as I hate to admit it, I actually had a rather good time...


<><><><><>


I stand shivering in my dress in the faint chill of the early evening.  I keep moving my lightly-styled mane out of my face as I look at one of the large clocks positioned around the city.  Sombra was supposed to pick me up several minutes ago, and I wonder where he is.

Just before I am about to go inside and inform Father that Sombra never came for me, a carriage draws even with the path from our home.  One of the ponies pulling it rushes over and bows, tipping his hat with one glittering hoof.

“Marquise Cadenza,” he says.  “My apologies from Lord Sombra.  Apparently, the schedules got mixed up and the cart that was sent for you ended up in an entirely different district.  As soon as you didn’t arrive, my Lord sent us to collect you personally.”

“N-No harm done,” I reply through chattering teeth.  Without a moment of hesitation, I quickly clamber up into the semi-warm carriage, shutting the door as fast as possible.  A few short moments later, the carriage begins moving with a jerk, signaling the beginning of our journey to the House Darkhoof.

The manor is massive, a work of art in marble and evergreen trees, a rare commodity in this heavily isolated city.  The thing that catches my attention the most is the roof; a giant dome topped with a spire.  Something about the spire itches something in the back of my mind, but I can’t recall what, and even if I could, I am too busy looking at the house below it to care.

Large windows stretch from the base to the roof, encompassing two, and sometimes three, floors in their immense scope.  As we draw around the corner, I look through the small window in the carriage door, simply ponywatching from inside before the front door of the manor demands my full attention.

The door easily matches the scale of the rest of the house.  It makes a perfect arch, the two halves meeting at the very tip of the curve before sweeping back down in a line only to be stopped by the bottom.  Two polished silver handles offer the only blemish on the perfectly flat monolith.  Even on the best hinges, I can tell that the door is a chore to move.

The carriage rolls to a stop in a circular drive before the entryway.  “Marquise Cadenza,” I hear the driver call.  “We’re here.”  The door opens, and I carefully step out, making sure my hoof lands on the small step and not the hem of my dress.  As I exit the carriage, the pleasant sound of chatter in the area stops as everypony turns to look at me.

I stand there feeling awkward as the seconds tick past.  I resist the urge to sigh.  It’s always the same whenever I leave home.  You would think that, in a city with as many nobles as we do, ponies would be used to seeing powerful ponies.  Apparently not.

As I toy with the idea of spinning on my hind hooves and climbing back into the carriage, the large doors glide open on well-oiled hinges, and a pony easily identifiable as Sombra walks out.  Suddenly, he is the center of attention, which stings a little bit, even though I welcome the reprieve.

The besuited unicorn in the midst of crystal ponies smiles and motions towards me with one covered hoof.  “Ladies and gentlecolts, may I introduce to you the Marquise Cadence, next in line for the Regency.”  Again, all eyes swivel to me.  Sombra motions for me to join him, and I do.  “Now that my date has arrived, the ball may begin.”  The buzz of conversation begins again as I walk inside with Sombra. Now, however, there is no doubt in my mind about the topic of discussion.

The entry hall is just as lavishly decorated as the rest of the building.  It seems as though everything around it is built from marble, lit by large, gilded ornamental chandeliers.  Decorative tapestries hang from the walls, perfectly matching the plush rug underhoof.  I cast a cursory glance to the side, and see Sombra looking at me with something akin to hunger in his gaze.

“You look ravishing,” he says.  I tell myself the shiver that passes through me is from the cold outside I just left.

“And you as well,” I reply, and he does.  Whoever crafted Sombra’s suit was obviously a master.  The material was the exact shade of his coat, making the small white vest underneath pop out even more.  As I study him, I notice he seems like a completely different pony from the one who was initiated to the Council days ago, even down to the way he carries himself.  He seems more open; happier.

The hallway led to another door, this one much smaller, which opens to a rather large ballroom.  I look around, noticing the columns framing a walkway around the center of the room, supporting the large domed roof overhead.  Nearby, between the walls and the columns, tables are set up with food and refreshments, supplemented by other ponies in suits balancing platters on their backs.

Directly across from the door is a stage, on which a small instrumental band play.  Several couples dance to the soft music, slowly twirling around each other, avoiding the other few couples.  Sombra leads me around one side of the room, greeting several guests as we do so, towards the band’s platform.

Seeing him, the band quickly finishes their song and moves over to the side.  Sombra moves right towards the center, instructing me to stand next to him.  Slowly, the light chatter dies down as ponies turn to look at us.

And what a sight we must make.  The newly crowned lord, in his dark suit,  mane slicked back around his horn, and myself, the next Regent in the dress Mother had specially made for the occasion; a pink number, reaching from my shoulders down my back and flank to the floor in one long graceful curve.  A tiara sits in my mane, as it always does, adorned with a pink sapphire that Mother says brings luck. 

“Attention everypony,” Sombra says.  Either he is using magic, or the room is designed to carry sound, for now even the ponies in the furthest reaches of the room turn to the platform.  “Allow me to welcome you to the annual Grand Alchemical Ball.  As many of you know, I am Lord Sombra, Grand Master of the Alchemical trade in this House.”  Several ponies nod alongside scattered applause.  “I would also like to introduce my date for this evening, the lovely Marquise Cadenza.  I hope you all enjoy the ball, and remember, there are rooms available.”  Sombra motions to me, and we leave the stage to applause and scattered chuckles, allowing the band to begin once again.

We move to a table, somewhat hidden in the back, and I wait while Sombra brings me a drink.  While I wait, I look around the opulent hall, and do a little ponywatching.  I don’t get out of the house much, so what I know of other ponies is mostly what I see in the Council; something I imagine is a sort of community of it’s own, and not a very nice one at that.

I begin to wonder if this is truly what ponies are like as well.  All around me, single ponies and couples walk around, all dressed in the most elaborate and beautiful gowns and suits I have ever seen.  Any who see me looking nod politely, or wave, but most carry on oblivious, concerned only for their own whims.  Is this really what the upper class is like?  How does Father and Mother stand them, so fake, so affected?

Before I can question it further, Sombra returns with our drinks.  As he sets them down, releasing them from his strange magic aura, I ask, “Is this the normal or the spiked punch?”

“Take a drink, and find out,” he replies with a cheeky wink.

I scoff, feigning anger.  “Do you know who my father is?”

“Nope.  Never met the guy.”  We stare at each other for a few moments.  His ruby eyes pull me in, and refuse to let me leave.  Eventually, he starts laughing, breaking the spell and causing me to laugh as well.  Sombra’s laugh is deep and free, speaking of a pony who has not let life drag them down.  I quickly stop laughing; my laugh sounds to me more like the affected chuckling of the ponies nearby, and I despise it.

“I suppose I’ll just have to trust you,” I say before taking a tentative sip of the punch.  It is initially tangy, but quickly gives way to sweet.  Intrigued, I take another sip before looking up to see Sombra’s entrancing eyes staring dead into mine.  Again, I shiver, but I know there is no cold to blame it on this time.

Suddenly, right before I tear my gaze away for the second time that night, the band changes tune, switching to a slower song with long, elastic melancholy notes that seem to bleed into their successors.

“May I have this dance?” Sombra asks me.  I nod, and we rise together, making our way to the dance floor.  The crowd parts before us, and we find ourselves in the middle of the large chamber, plenty of room.  We both rise to our hind legs and get into position, beginning to move to the music.

Everything else ceases.  All that matters are the hooves around my waist, and the pony under mine.  At some point I close my eyes, losing myself in the sweet repetition of moving; the swaying rhythm.  I open my eyes once again, looking into the blazing orbs of Sombra’s.  I close my eyelids and rest my head on his shoulder, moving in our never-ending spiral around the dance floor.


<><><><><>


I don’t remember much more of the night.  I know we danced for what felt like ages, and we went again after we had sat down and had some food, but the rest of it seems so... insignificant.  But that dance, and the house itself stick in my mind.

Marquise Cadenza of the Crystal Empire


Twentieth Day of the Fourth Lunar Cycle, 1224

Word finally traveled down the grapevine to Mother today that I was actually seeing somepony.  I know sometimes I make it out that Father is overprotective, but our system for my suitors only came about because of the sheer number of them.  The reason we don’t tell Mother is something entirely different...


<><><><><>


“So how is he?  Is he nice?  Does he have a kind voice?  Do you like his mane?  Does he treat you okay?  Does he have a big--”

“Mother!”  I shout, already pink face tinged just a little darker.  “He’s kind, yes, it’s somewhat deep, but not harsh, yes, yes, and I don’t know.”

“...I was going to say ‘big house’,” Mother says a few moments later.

“Sure you were,” I respond, rolling my eyes.

“So, come on, what’s he like?”  Mother settles into her chair and I sigh.  Pulling up my own chair in the brightly-lit study, I begin to retell the story for the third time.  As I get to the part of our first dance, as I knew she would, Mother stops me.  “My, my, now doesn’t this sound serious?”

I resist the urge to facehoof.  “Mother, it was a dance.”

“Yes, but the ‘best dance ever’?”  She raises her eyebrows.

“The only other times I danced, I danced with Father.  It was a little different.”

“You mean to tell me you didn’t dance with that other stallion?  What was his name...”

“Mother, he was more interested in you than me.”  Just like every time, the corners of Mother’s mouth turn up before she forces them back into a neutral expression.

“He was not.”

“He sat there and stared at you, and asked you to dance.”  I sigh and get to my hooves.  “Are we done here?”

“I suppose.  But dear, if this gets serious, you’ll tell me, won’t you?”

“Of course, Mother.  I will,” I promise before leaving the room.

Halfway down the hallway, Father stops me.  “Did she talk to you?” he asks.  I nod.  “You tell her?”  I nod.  “She bring up the last guy?”  I nod with a smile.  “Then all is right with the world.  See you at dinner, mi Amore.”

“At dinner, Father,” I reply before we head our separate ways.


<><><><><>


First Day of the Fifth Lunar Cycle, 1224

Today, I was present for a Council meeting, alongside Mother and Father.  Though I know that Sombra was there as well, for I went out to dinner with him afterwards, I didn’t see him during the session.

It was a session on the state of foreign affairs, and the security of our borders--one of the few things that my position of Marquise allowed me to sit in on.  It is definitely not my favorite subject, but, as I will be Regent one day, how best to defend my holdings is something I figure I need to know.  At the very least, I had the thought of dinner with Sombra later that day to see me through...


<><><><><>


I sit much the same as I was nearly two months ago, between and slightly behind Mother and Father.  The Council chamber is mostly unchanged from my first visit as well.  The two large sets of risers still hug the walls, stairs leading from their highest seats down to the ground floor, where most of the major changes are.

A podium now stands where once Sombra and Glade stood, reciting the traditional introduction to the Council.  It’s use is pretty straightforward.  A pony from the side, after being acknowledged by Father, makes their way down the steps from where they sit to the center podium, where they speak their mind and field questions from the other Council members.  It is all very structured and, in my opinion, very boring.

As we wait, various stallions and mares filter into the room in a variety of colors and dresses.  The only similarity between the whole lot is the affected air of any conversation that happens to waft up to where I sit.  That, and every single pony in the room, save myself and maybe Father, seems to be dressed in the most showy and flamboyant clothing they own.

As the last pony walks in and takes his seat, Father stomps a hoof on the ground, the signal that Council was now in session.  The door closes and all murmuring ceases.  “This Council meeting on the defense of the state of the Crystal Empire will now come to order,” Father says.  “Would the Lord-General please rise and give report on the state of our defenses.”

A large stallion, wearing a ridiculous red overcoat that somewhat matches his dark orange coat, moves from the top of the right section down to the podium in the center of the room.  He is the leader of all Crystal Empire forces, though the house Elders overrule him where their own soldiers are concerned--with certain exceptions, of course.  Not to be confused with Lord Glade, who is in charge of our defensive garrison here in the Upper City, under the Lord-General himself.

He clears his throat and begins, “My Lord Regent.”  Once Father nods, the stallion continues, “The Wilds have been quiet as of late.  The Guard spends more time dealing with internal domestic distress than with fighting monsters outside the walls or with escorting teams to gather resources.”

“Lord-General, is it true you funded expeditions to harvest dark wood for the newly-opened restaurant in the upper town?” asks one of the present Lords.  I sigh, already sick of the inter-house politics.  I tune it out, only letting the broad strokes slip in, so as not to get lost later.  The questioner accuses the General of profiteering, the General accuses the questioner of never doing anything useful, somepony else butts in, saying that the questioner had done more in a year than the General had in a lifetime.  On and on they go, until Father interrupts.

“That’s enough,” Father says, voice easily cutting through the arguing ponies, silencing them.  “This has nothing to do with the Council.  If you’re going to argue amongst yourselves, do it on your own time, not mine.”  All of the arguing ponies bow and mutter their apologies simultaneously.  “Lord-General, continue with your report.”

“Yes, My Lord Regent.”  The stallion takes a moment to recompose himself, the continues.  “Though at the moment, the walls and the area around them are safe, I would recommend delaying the construction of the trade route to Equestria.  To do so now would invite the building forces of the Wilds to attack, either our workers, or try to push straight into the Lower City itself.  We would be able to retake it, but thousands would perish.”

“What would you suggest?”  Father asks, resting his head in a hoof.

“You send a score of our finest squads to take the fight to them.  If we can do enough damage, we could delay the Wilds’ eventual rising long enough that we can safely establish a trade route with Equestria, and ask them for assistance.”

“I will consider it,” Father replies, ignoring a look from Mother.  “Now, onto other business...”  I begin to mentally drift off, entertaining myself of thoughts of my dinner date later that day...

Hours later, I wait for Sombra’s carriage to arrive, inside my home this time.  After Council, Father, Mother, and myself had gone home, and I had just enough time to clean myself up and slip into an evening gown before heading towards the door to wait.  When it finally arrives, I climb inside, seating myself across from Sombra.

“Another lovely gown, and just when I thought what you wore to Council was elegant,” Sombra says as the carriage begins to move.  I feel my face heat up.  “Blushing already?  This bodes to be a great evening.”

“Oh, hush, you,” I reply, trying to get a handle on my rampaging blush.  “Were you at Council?  I didn’t see you.”

“Yes, I was there,” Sombra replies after a very brief pause.  “I was in the back, sitting with Lord Glade.  Speaking of Council, any thoughts on the argument?”

I hastily pull half-formed thoughts from memory.  “Nothing particular.  Lord Sunspear was second choice for Lord-General after the last one died, and he knows it.  Those two are always arguing about something, and,” I look from side to side theatrically, making sure nopony else is in the small carriage, “I don’t think Father likes Lord Sunspear, but don’t tell anypony!”

Sombra chuckles.  “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

The rest of our ride is filled with small talk as we discuss the events from our last get together.  Of course, Sombra, as a new lord, has many more stories than I to tell, but I manage to recall a few.  What initially seemed like a long, boring carriage trip disappears in moments as we trade stories.

“We have arrived,” calls the driver of the coach as he opens the door.  Before us stands The Gilded Hoof, the dark wood facade glittering with inlaid flecks of gold in the light of the street lanterns.  Sombra exits first, helping me down from the carriage before it sets off to wait for us to finish.

As we approach, the double doors are flung wide and a bright yellow pony with a shimmering teal mane and tail bursts outside.  “Hello!  Welcome to The Gilded Hoof!  You are Lord Sombra and Marquise Cadenza, right?”  At our nods, her already wide smile grows another notch.  “Great!  Right this way, please.”  Exchanging a look, Sombra and I follow the teal tail into the restaurant, through the crowds, and up to a secluded balcony.

As we settle into our seats, our waiter drops two menus before us.  “I’ll give you two a couple minutes to decide what to get.  If you need something, just call for Sugar Cloud!”  With that, the pony trotted back down the stairs, leaving us alone.

“Well she seems... nice,” I say, trying to break the borderline-awkward silence between myself and Sombra, something that is rather uncommon between us.

“Hmmm?  Oh, yes, I’m sure she is.  I only wonder if that’s how she is supposed to act around VIPs...”  He trails off, eyes scanning the ponies below us.

“Come on, I’m sure she was just being friendly.  Don’t cause a fuss,” I say, drawing his attention to the menu.  “What looks good?”

“I’ve heard the cactus flowers here are great.  They import them from southern Equestria,” he replies, still ponywatching.

“Isn’t trade from Equestria dangerous because of the activity of the Wilds?”

Sombra sighs and turns to face me, though I can still tell he is distracted.  “Yes and no.  Some routes are safer than others, and most couriers hire mercenaries and off-duty Guard to go with them.  What they bring back is usually worth a small fortune, and while not illegal, the Council doesn’t exactly approve of it.  Of course, you know all of this, due to your position.”

“M-Maybe,” I stutter, looking down.  “I just wanted your attention.  Something seems to be bothering you.”

After dodging the question for a few minutes with trivial responses, Sombra finally gives in.  “It’s just in-house politics.  Nothing to worry your pretty little head over.”

I drop it, unsatisfied with Sombra’s answer, but knowing I won’t get anything else out of him, at least, not tonight.  Thankfully, before I have to find a new topic--or fall back into silence--our waiter returns.

“Alrighty then, do we know what we want, or should I come back later?” she asks, pulling a pad from her saddlebag and resting it on our table, pencil at the ready.

“Sure.  I’ll take a cactus flower salad,” I say, folding my menu and placing it in a collector on the side of the table.  “Sombra?”

“I’ll take a Deluxe,” he says, placing his unopened menu with mine.  Sugar Cloud jots our orders down and then leaves us once again, with a promise that our food will be up shortly.

Trying to lighten the mood of the gloomy unicorn across from me, I slide out of my side of the table, and push him back, taking my seat next to him.  I playfully raise a hoof, and poke his muzzle, repeating until he breaks out in a smile and bats my hoof away.  I refuse to move, even once our food is brought.  We stay that way, only far enough apart to move without hitting the other, until we are finished eating.

Even in the carriage ride back to my home, we sit mere inches apart.  As I go to exit the cart, Sombra surprises me by kissing the top of my head.  As I enter my home, Mother questions me about the blush on my face.  I blow off her questions and go to my room to sleep.


<><><><><>


Third Day of the Fifth Lunar Cycle, 1224

Today, there was another meeting of Council.  However, this one wasn’t one that I was invited to, so I spent most of my morning and early afternoon around the house, reading and working, usual stuff.  So, you must imagine how surprised I was when a messenger came in to find me an hour or so after lunch...


<><><><><>


“Marquise!  Marquise Cadenza!”  My ears perk up, drawing my attention from the book I’m reading.  The shout echoes through the halls, making it difficult to tell which way it originated from.  “Marquise Cadenza, are you here!?”  There.  My ears tell me the sound comes from the left, down the hallway; the servant’s entrance.

“In the study!” I call, closing my book and replacing it on the shelf.  Moments later, a small, silver stallion walks in, bowing low to the floor.  “You have a message for me?”

“Yes, it is from your father.  A matter in Council has arisen that demands your immediate attention,” the messenger says, muzzle still directed at the floor.

I quickly bid him rise.  “Demands my attention?  For what?” I ask, confused.  I’m never called to Council except for matters of defense, or the rare occasion when Father wants my opinion on something.  “Fetch a coach.  I’ll leave immediately.”

“Yes, Marquise Cadenza,” the messenger says, excusing himself.  I make my way to the front door, affixing a small necklace emblazoned with my cutie mark, and my tiara on the way.  Within a few minutes, I am inside the cart, on my way to the Council chambers.

Upon arriving, I thank the messenger and enter the large building.  Entering from the other side than normal, I find myself dwarfed on both sides by the seating occupied by the lords and ladies.  Straight ahead is the dais, where Lord Glade, Lord Sunspear, and Sombra all stand.  Even further beyond that is the stand where Father sits alone; Mother is strangely absent.

I approach Father, skirting the lords on the dias with no more than a faint smile at Sombra, who smiles back.  I nuzzle Father’s cheek, before leaning in.  “Did you call for me, Father?” I ask.

He nods to the chair usually occupied by Mother.  “Take a seat, mi Amore.  Thank you for coming.”  I take my seat as Father turns his attention back to Council, and the lords on the dais.  “Continue, please.  You were saying, Lord Sunspear?”

The yellow stallion coughs, sending light dancing off his coat.  “As I was saying, I hereby formally accuse Lord Sombra of using his station to coerce Marquise Cadenza’s hoof in attempt to boost his own stature.”

“No he isn’t!” I shout without thinking, jumping to my hooves.  Father shushes me, pushing me back down into my seat.

“Calm yourself, mi Amore, I believe you,” he says to me before turning towards the assembled Council.  “You insult my daughter, and your own Guild Master?  Explain.  Now,” he demands of the lesser Lord.

“I agree.  I want an explanation,” Lord Glade says, adding his voice to the growing murmur of the gathered ponies.

“If you insist, but I will only explain if it is silent!” Lord Sunspear says, instantly quieting the large room.  “Two days ago, following our last Council session, I was having dinner at The Gilded Hoof.  You can imagine my surprise when Lord Sombra, our newest lord, whose rise through the ranks of his House I find suspicious anyway, walks through the door with the Marquise Cadenza hanging off his hoof!”

“Without drawing attention to myself, I followed them until they rose to the VIP balcony.  Unable to go further, I took a table as near as I could and listened.  Aside from a few terse remarks from Lord Sombra, their dinner was completely silent.  Now, I understand Marquise Cadenza is a young lady, and is entitled to her ‘dates’, I have even seen her with others of our House at times, but this is ridiculous.

“I did some digging after they left, though she seemed happy to be there, just to find out that she was also at the Alchemical Guild Ball, as a guest of Sombra himself.  I was not there, as some of you know, due to my injured hoof--”  Lord Sunspear stops as several haughty remarks float down from the rafters.  “But I heard, some several reliable sources, that there the Marquise Cadenza was also seen to be rather bored.

“As such, I have deduced that her placement with Lord Sombra is nothing more than a bribe from the Lord Regent himself, as a bribe from Sombra to increase his own power!” Lord Sunspear finishes with a flourish, to a stunned silent gathering.

“Out.”  I break from my revere, and turn to look at Father.  To my surprise, he is standing, coat vibrant with anger.  “Get out.  Now.”

“See!  Even more proof that--”

“GET OUT!”  Father shouts.  Lord Sunspear cowers as a score of Lords and guards escort the poor stallion from the room.  “Now,” he says once the entire Council, except Lord Sunspear, was present.  “Council is adjourned until Lord Glade and Lord Sombra can get their house and guild respectively under control.

“And let me just say now that nothing of the sort has happened.  Lord Sombra is with my Cadence only because she wishes to be, and I permit it.  Dismissed.”


<><><><><>


Twentieth Day of the Fifth Lunar Cycle, 1224

Today was the first day that Council convened after the last one.  It was scheduled to restart last week, but House Darkhoof was having a major power readjustment, and couldn’t leave their manor, for fear of what they would come back to.

According to Father and Sombra, Lord Sunspear, after being escorted from the Council chamber, tried to orchestrate a coup against Lord Glade and the other elders of Darkhoof.  Much to their dismay, more ponies than they figured would joined Sunspear, until Father had to send in Guard to keep the peace.

Unfortunately, the Guard couldn’t remain there to root out the entire problem, for they were called to the walls to defend against an attack from the Wild.  Thus, it was left to Sombra, Lord Glade, and the other ponies still loyal to them to put down the small rebellion brewing from their House.  Yesterday, it ended with the public execution of the ex-Lord Sunspear.

Afterwards, Sombra, Father, Mother, and myself met in Father’s study to discuss the recent events...


<><><><><>


“Now then,” Father says, taking his favorite seat behind his desk.  Sombra and myself sit across from him.  Mother is somewhere off to the side, pretending to do other things, but still listening.  “Explain to me what all happened.  It sounds like things were pretty chaotic over in House Darkhoof.”

“Of course, My Lord Regent,” Sombra says.  “As you know, Sunspear was always a little... angsty, especially after you passed him up for the position of Lord-General.  In the years since, it would seem that he had been building up a small core of followers loyal to himself, not Lord Glade or you.

“Also common knowledge was his grudge against me, which started when I passed him and became Grand Master of the Alchemical Guild.  When he saw Cadence and myself at The Gilded Hoof, what little restraint he had broke.  I don’t know what he was trying to accomplish at Council, but when it failed, as it obviously would, he snapped.

“He returned to House Darkhoof and called upon his followers, quite a sizeable number, all told, and tried to lead a coup.  From what we could discern, his plan was to overtake the house, and then overthrow you.  It was at that point we asked for your aid with the Guard, which we cannot thank you enough for providing, but that only lasted until the Wilds attacked.

“From there, it was just us defending the manor.  There were quite a few of them, but using who we had, we managed to capture Sunspear, and execute him.  After that, those ponies still allied with him quickly came to our side, and are now under close observation,” Sombra concludes, leaning back in his chair and clasping his hooves together.

“Interesting,” Father says, turning to look at Mother.  “Honey, your thoughts?”

“What?” Mother says, turning to face us.  “About the Darkhoof coup?  No, but do you honestly think it’s safe to let Cadence be with one of them...?”

“Mother!” I shout, reaching over to clasp one of Sombra’s hooves.  “There’s nothing wrong with Sombra!  He has always been loyal to Father, and I don’t think he is out to hurt me!”

“Still,” Mother mumbles, though Father holds up a hoof, cutting her off.

“I agree with Cadence here.  Sombra has shown no ill-will towards our daughter, or us.  Report to me with the status of your house when it changes, Sombra.  You two are dismissed,” Father finishes, motioning to me and the unicorn.  We nod and leave the room.

I lead Sombra deeper into the house, to our small library, where I spend most of my free time.  I quickly clear off another chair, taking my own seat in the only other clean one in the book-littered room.  “Are you okay?” I ask.

“Nothing major,” he replies.  “Just a few scrapes and scratches.  Nothing that won’t heal in time.”

I furrow my brow, but let the matter pass.  “Sombra,” I say, voice only loud enough to span the distance between us, and even then, just barely.  “About what Sunspear said about you, about me... was...”

Sombra cut me off, shaking his head.  He got to his hooves and took the few steps separating us to take my hoof in his own.  “No, none of it.  I asked your father to court you because I have a genuine interest in you.  I want to make you happy.  I remember going with my father to a parade where you were, and you were sitting there, smiling and waving, but it looked so fake.  I decided I wanted to make you smile, really smile, and not stop.”

Tears well up in my eyes.  I pull my hoof from his, placing them instead on the side of Sombra’s head.  I pull his head to mine, and touch my lips to his.  He tries to pull back, shocked, but I persist, and he gives in.  Warmth, belonging, bliss, safety; all of this rushes through my head, until I hear a door close down the hallway.  Sombra quickly pulls back to his chair, and I let him, in time to wave to a servant walking down the hallway.

I look at Sombra and smile.  “Worth it.”


<><><><><>


Second Day of the Seventh Lunar Month, 1224

Things have been pretty crazy around here the last two months, and as much as I wish this entry could be about the lovely play that Sombra took me to, or a wonderful, romantic dinner on the town, it is not.

I suppose the best place to start is around a month ago.  Savage ponies from the Wilds attacked the walls on the fourth day.  By the tenth, they had control of the Lower City, the slums.  They slowly pushed forward, but by then, we were more organized.  We managed to hold them about halfway through the Middle City.  From there, it became a standstill.  Neither side gained or lost ground.

Father, Sombra, and the Lord-General were the ones who eventually broke the siege.  They led a battalion of Guard through the city, attacking the savages from behind.  The Wilds quickly routed, though many of them stayed, and still remain.  Today was the first day I’ve been able to see either Father or Sombra in over a month, as I’ve been forbidden to leave the house, for fear of the Wilds that still wander the streets...


<><><><><>


Waiting is hell.  That is all I have been able to do for over a month; sit and wait.  Wait for information, wait for a letter, wait for the pony to knock on my door, saying Father died on the front.

The wait is over.

I walk through the Upper City, flanked by some of the best members of the Guard still stationed in the Upper City, heading towards the Outer Wall, where I am going to meet Father and Sombra.  Mother, unfortunately, is not with me.  She has to remain at home, to take over the Regency in case something happens to Father.

Most of the Upper City is okay, but once we pass through the Upper Wall, the devastation quickly becomes apparent.  Ponies walk around armed, and never alone.  As we walk from block to block, the situation is pretty much the same, until we get to the dead zone, the place where the Guard managed to halt the advance of the Wilds.

On our side of the street, things are pretty normal.  Buildings still stand, albeit a little blackened from fire.  A barricade blocks off entrance to the intersection of one of the biggest streets, one that circles the entire Middle City.  Guard, still stationed at the barricade--in case of a resurgence of Wilds--salute as we walk past.  I climb the barricade, assisted and followed by my quartet of guards.

The other side looks like the scene of a nightmare.  Where before, buildings remained standing and blackened, looking down the street, very few structures are left unscathed.  Most are missing walls, and some are even collapsed entirely.  Bodies litter the street--only a few of my future subjects, I notice with a sigh of relief, just dead Wilds and a few Guard.

My guards surround me, one on each side, and we begin our journey again, much slower than before.  The guards are constantly looking all around, wary for ambushes from Wilds still within the walls that haven’t either fled or been killed.  Around us, Guard and workponies are busy clearing rubble and debris with the smooth ease of experience, though an attack hasn’t been this bad in nearly a decade.

As we move towards the Middle Wall, all signs of work are left behind.  There is simply too much to handle all at once, so the Council usually sets workers to start at the line of defense, and work their way outward.  As we approach the stone gate into the Lower City, I know that no matter what we saw here, it won’t compare to what’s on the other side of the wall.

The Guard at the Middle Wall ask us to wait while they do a quick perimeter scan in the Lower City, to ensure all is safe.  Right before the search ends, one of my personal guard speaks to the pony in charge of the wall’s defence, returning with four other guards, doubling my escort.  I mutter a quick prayer that Father and Sombra are okay.

My predictions are correct.  The Lower City, while not exactly the prettiest place to be on a normal day, is a disaster zone.  Buildings razed, the street littered with bodies of Wilds, Guard, and ponies who weren’t able to escape in time.  The entire area reeks of death.

I shut my eyes, trying to block out all of the sights as we slowly make our way to the Outer Wall.  One of my guards gently bumps my side.  “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I reply.  Our group walks on in silence, the large Outer Wall looming in the distance, slowly growing closer.  The sun was starting to set as we finally reach our destination, a small outpost used to house off-duty guards from the Lower City.

“Hail to the Regent!” one of my guards calls to the Guard standing watch.  “We bring the Marquise Cadenza to meet with her father!”  The sentry stares at us impassively, until I poke my head above the head of my guards and wave one hoof.  The sentry nods, and we advance towards the outpost, and the wall.

“Cadence!”  The familiar voice graces my ear as we enter the outpost.

“Sombra,” I mutter, the words barely escaping my lips before I charge full force through the gate, and into his embrace.  I don’t care that there are Guard around, I don’t care that my personal guards are still behind me, I don’t even care that Father is somewhere nearby.  I nuzzle Sombra’s cheek, showering him with small kisses until our lips meet.

After a small eternity, I pull away, trying my hardest to ignore the warmth on my cheeks.  A feat voided when Sombra picks me up, sticking me firmly on his back and carrying me over to a small building on the left, ignoring my protests.  “Sombra, put me down,” I cry, trying not to laugh.  I playfully knock my hooves against him, definitely not to feel his soft coat, so different than my own.

As we approach the door, it swings open to reveal a saluting Guard.  Just behind him stands Father, a bemused expression on his face.  I bury my face into Sombra’s mane, suddenly more embarrassed than from the show we put on earlier.  “Ah, I see you found mi Amore, Lord Sombra.  My thanks,” he says, deep voice masking a light chuckle.

“Yes.  She assaulted me as she entered the compound, so I felt the need to restrain her.”  I can almost hear the smirk on Sombra’s face.  I ready myself to be put back onto the ground, and under my own power, but seconds tick by with nothing.

“Are you going to let me down?” I ask after a few minutes.  Sombra ignores me, preferring to talk to Father.  I shrug and bury my face into his mane, resigned to my fate.  Suddenly, my ear perks up, hearing my name.

“...mi Amore, are you listening?” Father asks, peering around Sombra’s head to look at me.

“...Maybe.”

Father sighs, shaking his head.  “It’s your fault, you know,” he says, looking pointedly at Sombra.  “Whenever you are mentioned, or--Eternity forbid--nearby, her mind just... goes.”

“Sorry, Father.”  I peek my eyes around Sombra’s mane.  “What were you saying?”

I see the corners of his mouth twitch up in a bemused smile.  “Sombra, if you would kindly escort my daughter inside so we may talk?”

“Of course,” Sombra replies, moving both of us towards the low building taking up most of the outpost’s interior.  The inside is about as entertaining as the outside, very sparse and utilitarian furniture pieces litter the room.  Bunk beds line the walls, flanking a large table in the middle, holding broken weapons and a rather large map of the Crystal Empire and the surrounding wilderness, dotted with marks representing suspected Wilds camps.  A short hallway leads off to the back, to what I assume are the officer’s quarters.

Father walks over to the table, taking a seat on a chair with three legs, held up by a sword stuck into the ground under it.  “How have things back home been?” he asks.

I poke at Sombra’s neck for a moment, wondering if he is going to set me down.  “The Council are having a field day; still calling for the disbanding of House Darkhoof, demanding explanations, calling for your resignation, Father.  It’s a mess.  Thankfully, they have all agreed to keep the details of the attack to themselves, for now.  It would seem that there are some very angry ponies from the Middle and Lower cities upset with a ‘lack of combined military response.’

I giggle.  “It’s all quite funny, really.   Mother is trying to handle it, and she has done pretty well, but I don’t know how much more she can take.”  Father nods.

“Well,” he says, leaning back in the chair until it tips back, making him windmill his hooves to bring it to rest on the sword hilt.  “We should be returning in a week.  If any of the Lords have any problems, they can take it up with me then.”

“I’m sure they will be thrilled to have you back, Father.  So, what are we doing?  I’m not heading home until the morning.”

“Actually,” Sombra says, “I wanted to talk to the Regent about something.”

Father gives Sombra a look, one I assume is returned.  “Of course.  Mi Amore, could you leave us please?  My room is down the hallway, third door on the left.”  He points down the hall.  “Make yourself comfortable, that’s where you will be staying tonight.”

I slide off, to my hooves, and kiss Sombra on the cheek.  “Alright.  I’ll wait there.”

As I head off down short hall to my room for the evening, I hear Father speak right before I enter.  “So, what did you want to talk to me about...?”


<><><><><>


Fifth Day of the Eighth Lunar Month, 1224

Everything seems... almost normal again.  Reparations of the Middle City are finally complete, and the Lower City is being cleared even as I write this.  As usual, Father was able to put the Council back in its place, and several of its members have been reprimanded for failure to send soldiers during a crisis.  This has calmed the citizens, and now our house is no longer mobbed by angry ponies wanting us to do something.

Personally, I’m glad to just be able to put this whole incident behind us.  The Wilds have never made it this far into the city, and if I can help it, they never will again.

With Father came Sombra, albeit a week later.  I actually asked him where he went.  After all, he was supposed to return with Father, but he wouldn’t tell me, just said it was “secret Darkhoof stuff.”  I dropped it, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t still curious.  Maybe I’ll ask him about it later; we’re going out to a small park in the Middle City for a lunch picnic later today...


<><><><><>


“So, where exactly are we going?” I ask as I exit the Upper City through the Upper Wall, Sombra walking beside me.  Father offered a security detail, but the Middle City is restored and cleared of all remaining Wilds.  We decided it was safe enough to go alone, as long as Sombra was armed.

“Just a small park that I... liberated with your father.”  Sombra looks over and notices my surprised expression. “Unless you’d rather go somewhere else.  To my knowledge, they cleaned everything up.  The most that would be wrong is a couple fallen trees.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.  They fixed up most of the Middle City, right?” I reply with a shaky smile.  Thankfully, all of our worries are baseless.  The park, much like the surrounding area, had been restored and repaired.  Birds sing in the tops of trees which shade ponies as they walk along freshly-lain paths, and a small marble fountain gurgles along happily in the nexus of it all.  “See?” I ask, poking Sombra in the side.  “It’s fine.”

The dark unicorn pokes me back, and I shoot him a glare.  “Where do you want to eat at then?”

“Uhmmm...”  I look around, quickly scanning for the optimum eating spot.  “How about under that tree there?”  I point a hoof at a flat section of grass, under a large oak.

Sombra sets off without a word, making me rush to catch up.  By the time I pull level with him, he is already setting down the basket that had been resting between his withers the entire trip, and unfolding a blanket on the ground under my selected tree.  It is a nice red and white checkered pattern, and I waste no time settling myself down on the soft material.

He sits across from me, still flinging foodstuffs from the basket.  Small sandwiches filled with an assortment of flowers--of which I notice cactus flowers, one of my favorites ever since our dinner at The Gilded Hoof.  A bowl of grapes, which I have no idea how they didn’t spill, follows shortly after, shadowed itself by another of strawberries.  More and more emerges from the basket while I sit staring, trying my hardest not to drool all over the blanket.

At long last, the flow of food slows, and I am about to ask whether or not we are ready, when the basket starts shaking.  The effort is mirrored by beads of sweat appearing on Sombra’s face, slowly sliding down his muzzle.  “Having problems?” I ask, trying not to laugh, though a giggle or two escapes.

“Y-Yeah... the punch bowl won’t... won’t come out!” he shouts, redoubling his efforts; horn becoming hazy through the cloud of magic.

“What!?”  I rush over to the still-shaking box, only to look back moments later, unamused expression adorning my face.  Sombra takes one look and bursts out laughing, all traces of magical exertion vanishing.

“Seriously though,” he says through small lingering chuckles.  “There might be a couple more things in there.  Want to take a look?”  Curious, I poke my muzzle in once again, pulling away again, this time, speechless.

“What... what is that?”

“A gift,” Sombra replies, pulling the small golden circlet from the box.  “A beautiful ring, for a beautiful mare.  Here, allow me.”  I turn my head to the side, and the golden hoop makes its way to my ear, clipping on tightly.  I turn my head a few times, feeling the cool metal bump against my cheek and neck.  Satisfied, I leap over and wrap Sombra in a tight hug. 

“It’s beautiful.  I... I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” he replies, planting a kiss on my cheek.  “All you ever need to say, I hear in how you act.”


<><><><><>


The rest of the day was magical.  I don’t think I’ve really ever had a gift like that before, and I don’t honestly think anything can ever match it in the same way.

The food was good, too.

Marquise Cadenza of the Crystal Empire


<><><><><>


Fifteenth Day of the Eleventh Lunar Month, 1224

The day at the park?  Officially beaten, and left in the dust.  Even Father’s flu can’t even begin to bring down my good spirits.

Sombra took me out again today.  It seems like every day it’s something new.  It’s definitely fun, and breaks up the groove of monotony that so plagues me in this home sometimes.  This day was no different.  At least, in the beginning.

It started as a breakfast, brought to me in bed--how he got Father to agree, I will never know.  From there, we went out for a walk in a park, to a restaurant for lunch, and a play after, followed by dinner back home.

No, it was after, when he led me blindfolded through the Upper City, to the highest tower, the Council building, where the day really began...


<><><><><>


“Sombra, where are we?  We’ve been walking for ages, and it’s getting cold.”  Up and up and up and up.  I’d never been up so many stairs in my life.

“Just a little bit further.  Trust me,” he replies, not slowing down, still guiding me to make sure I don’t trip.  I sigh, but keep going.  A few minutes later, Sombra stops me, pushing me onward again after the creaking of a door.  Suddenly, it becomes a lot colder.

“Jeez, where are we going, outside?” I ask jokingly.

“Sort of.  Take your blindfold off,” comes the reply from somewhere to my right.  I reach a hoof behind my head and fiddle with the strip of oppressive fabric for a moment before it falls to the ground.  The sudden increase in light makes me blink a couple of times while my eyes readjust.

Then, I just stare straight ahead, stunned speechless.

We are up in the highest tower in all of the Crystal Empire, the spiral that tops the Council Building.  In all of my years, even as Marquise, I have never been up here.  That isn’t what holds my attention.  What does, is the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen.  It is just getting dark, with the sun a large red orb sinking into the ground.  It illuminates the sky in vibrant hues of red and orange, yellow and pink, and we are so high up, it is stunning; the whole lightshow appears at eye-level.

“You wouldn’t believe how hard it was to convince the Regent to let us up here,” Sombra says.  I turn around to face him; the black unicorn the perfect picture of nervousness, which in itself is odd.  I don’t recall ever seeing him in such disarray.  “I just... I wanted to show you something as beautiful as you are.

“These few months have been amazing.  I was so afraid when I walked into the Regent’s office that first time, so afraid when I saw you at the Alchemical Guild Ball, afraid that I was going to mess something up.  Either I didn’t, or I did and you didn’t notice. It doesn’t matter that much.

“Look, I know we haven’t been together very long, but I...” Sombra drops his gaze and his voice.  “I’ve been to war twice since then, and every time, I wonder if I’ll make it back.  I worry that I’ll leave you here alone.”  He raises his head and looks right at me again.  I try not to notice the tear streaks in his coat.  “I talked to the Regent, and he agrees,  So, I... I’ve got another ring for you, if you’ll take it.”

Time slows to a crawl halfway through his speech.  Every word has an eternity between it, giving me plenty of time to think.  He was right, after all.  We had been together, what, six months, seven?  Still, Father thinks he is a good match for me, for the position of Regent’s Second, and he hasn’t been wrong yet.  Sombra also handled the Darkhoof Coup rather well; he would be excellent to have by my side in a crisis.

What am I saying?  Am I a mare, or a monarch?  Yes, Father thinks he will make a good second, but what do I think?  Can I stay by him for the rest of my life, based on a few of the best months of my life?  Can I trust him to stay with me?  Will he make life better for me, or worse?

Do I love him?  “Yes.”

Sombra’s eyes shoot wide open.  “Yes?”

“Yes,” I repeat, jumping over to wrap him in a hug.  He attaches the ring to my ear, removing the first, and kisses me.  “On one condition,” I add when he pulls away.

“Um, okay...”  Sombra’s nerves appear again in full force.

“Where did you go, after the Wilds attacked?”

Sombra simply smiles.  “You’ll see.”

> Part the Second
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Part the Second


Thirty First Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month, 1224

My eyes flick around the room, taking in everything, but seeing nothing.  “Mi Amore,” Father says, laying a hoof on my shoulder.  “Are you--” his words cut off, replaced by a wet, hacking cough ”--are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Father, but are you okay?  That cough doesn’t seem to be getting better.  You’ve had it for weeks.”  I take a step forward to check Father’s temperature, but he pushes me back.

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me.  This is your day, not mine.”  Father takes a step back, looking at me before stepping forward and readjusting my veil.  “Are you sure about this?  This isn’t Equestria, divorce is not acceptable in the Crystal Empire, and especially not of a mare in your position.”

Emboldened by Father’s friendly demeanor today, I level a surprised stare.  “You approved it first, didn’t you?”

“I approved it for the state.  I believe he is an excellent match, politically.  I decided to leave it up to you whether he would fit romantically.”  Father doesn’t even bat an eyelash.  I suppose he is used to being stared at, especially in Council. 

“I... I thought so...”  I turn away to look at myself in the mirror, or at least, what I can see.  Most of my vision is obscured by a thin white veil.  I can see, but not too much definition.  What I can see is supplemented by memory, painting a mental picture of a flowing white dress down my back, trimmed with lace and gems a deep blue, not unlike my cutie mark.

Over my shoulder, I see the fuzzy lines of my Father.  “You look beautiful, mi Amore.  I’m so proud, and your mother is, too.”

I turn around and nuzzle Father.  “Is... is it bad that I’m somewhat nervous?”

“Do you want to hear a secret?”

I cock my head to the side.  “Maybe...?”

Father chuckles softly.  “Before I married your mother, I was very nervous as well.  I was constantly worrying that I had made the wrong choice, not for myself, but for the Crystal Empire.  I tried to spare you that problem, by ensuring that your eventual husband would be good for the nation, but I left you for you.

“Personally, I feel you made a good choice.  None of your other suitors have ever made you seem so happy.”  Tears spring to my eyes, and I go to hug the stallion before me.  Just as I am about to pull him to my embrace, the music starts, and I freeze in fright.

Father slings a hoof over my shoulder, and leads me towards the door.  “Come, mi Amore,” he says.  “Time to take the first step in the rest of your journey in life.”  Before I can protest and call the whole silly affair off, we are out the door, and down the middle of an aisle in one of the largest churches in the Crystal Empire.

A string ensemble sit in a corner, playing their instruments with the feigned indifference preferred by Council members, and hated my most everypony else, myself included.  The carpet underhoof is soft, and leads straight to a small raised platform, where Sombra stands, in the same suit as the night of the Guild Ball, and a priest of the Church of Life.

I move down the aisle on shaky hooves.  Thankfully, Father’s presence steadies me somewhat.  That, and the figure of Sombra standing on the dias coalesces a small, hopeful fire inside of me, which turns into a blaze when I see Mother, sitting in the front row, cheeks slick with tears of joy.  A small smile spreads across my face, growing larger with every step forward.

After uncounted eternities of walking, I find myself on the dias, across from Sombra.  Father kisses my head and moves back to take his seat by Mother.  Realizing that looking backwards is somewhat rude, I turn so that I can see both Sombra and the priest, and flash the former a small smile; one that is returned.

The music stops, and the priest clears his throat.  “Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to join these two ponies together under the light of the Sun, and the gaze of Her protector.  I present to you Marquise Cadenza and Lord Sombra of House Darkhoof, who have asked that you all honor them with your presence here this evening.  Would the guardians of these two lonely souls please rise and consent to this union.”

Father and Mother both stand, as does Lord Glade.  “I am the Regent of the Crystal Empire,” Father says, “And I consent to this marriage.”

“I am Lord Glade, with power of attorney of the late Lord Sunflare and Lady Dew Drop, parents of Lord Sombra, and I consent to this marriage,” comes the replying call from the other side of the aisle, from the brown stallion.  I notice that the color of his coat is an even dimmer brown than the last time I saw him.  Apparently, the flu is more widespread than we had first imagined.

Mentally, I’m halfway through a plan to present to Father to investigate, and put a quarantine in necessary, before the priest’s words finally register.  A covert glance around shows everypony in view staring intently at me, as though waiting.  “I do,” I say, hoping that it was a question, and that is the right answer.

Apparently, it is, because the priest, and expectant stares, all move towards Sombra.  “And do you,” the priest begins, “take Marquise Cadenza to be your wife, and with it, accept your place as her Second, and all of the responsibilities of every job socially and politically implied?”

Sombra nods.

The crowd bursts into cheers, mirroring the glee on the priest’s face.  “Then you may now kiss the bride!” he shouts over the roar of the audience.  Sombra moves forward and draws me into a kiss.  The ponies watching from the church’s pews fade into the background.  The only thing that matters is myself, Sombra, and the small but powerful connection between us.


<><><><><>


The rest of the day passed quickly.  We were taken aside, along with Father and Lord Glade, to sign the official papers that tell the state--myself--what they--I--already know, that Sombra is now my Second, and my husband.  After that came the reception, a party that lasted for hours; late into the night.

As a filly, I loved wedding receptions.  The food, the dancing, the friends I made in the cheerful atmosphere of realized love.  Now, I hate it.  All the reception accomplished was to keep Sombra and myself out in public, forced to greet ponies neither of us know, but that decorum dictates that we must invite.  Not to say I didn’t enjoy the party, but I wish we had been able to move it to maybe the next day, or the day after.

However, all of my distaste for the occasion was redeemed when the reception was almost over, and Sombra pulled me to a side room, to unwrap a special present he said he had for me...


<><><><><>


“Sombra, a present?  We’re married, you dolt, we don’t give each other the presents,” I say as we slip away from the party into a side room.  The chamber is mostly bare, except for a large box on top of a table.

“Just hush and go open it,” he breaths in my ear, passing by me to take a seat at the table, looking expectantly over at me.  I sigh and make my way over to the nearest chair before reaching out a hoof and grabbing the bow.  I playfully toss it over at Sombra, only to look away in embarrassment to the tune of his laughter as it falls not a foot away from me.

“Oh, shut up,” I say, reaching out again, this time coming back with a hoof full of wrapping paper.  A few more trips, and all that sits before me is a plain brown box.  Somewhat curious now, I pull at one of the flaps, then the second, third, and fourth.  Taking a deep breath, I get to my hooves and lean over to look inside.

“What is this!” I shout, reaching into the box and pulling the gift out, resting it on the table with a dull thunk before absentmindedly whacking the box onto the floor.  Now resting in the center of the table is a large, deep blue gemstone, but not just a hunk of rock.  Somepony had carved it into a heart, a perfect replica of the one on my cutie mark.

“Well, what do you think?  Personally, I feel some of the proportions might be a little off, but--”

Before he can even finish his sentence, I pounce, wrapping him in what may be the biggest hug I have ever given, burying my face into the fur on his neck.  “It’s beautiful, and I love it,” I mumble through his coat.  “Thank you.”

“That’s where I went after the Wilds attacked.  I spoke to your father, and he agreed that would be the best time.  I carved it myself, but if you think it could be better, we could always send it to the gem cutters in House Firestone.”

“No, I respond, letting go and pulling the gem onto my back.  “You’re not allowed to change it.”  Ignoring his protest, I walk back out to the reception, and plant the gem in the middle of the serving table, displacing the ice sculpture to the punch bowl in the process.


<><><><><>


Ninth Day of the First Lunar Month, 1225

Today, while I attended a lunch with Lord Glade, Sombra, and other assorted Council nobles--by that, I mean Sombra and myself sat in the back, amusing ourselves by imitating the other lords and ladies as they put on airs and graces--when a messenger arrived.

As if to spite the happy feeling surrounding my home since I married and Sombra moved in with me, the messenger informed us that Mother had taken seriously ill, and has been sent to the upper branch of Crystal Regional Hospital.  Of course, we excused ourselves, and, after a brief trip home to pick up some things and get changed, we rushed to the hospital, and Mother’s bedside...


<><><><><>


I hate hospitals.  I’m not saying that I hate what they do, they serve a necessary function, but I don’t like them.  They smell of sickness, and the thought of ponies suspended in agony by advanced magic makes me shudder.  No matter my feelings, however, the hospital is exactly where I find myself just after one in the afternoon, Sombra and Father by my side, as we sit at Mother’s bedside, waiting for her to wake up.

“Your mother has come down with a rare illness,” the doctor says as we walk through the door.  Guards rush out to hold back the swarm of reporters who had followed us throughout the city, looking for the latest news of the “Catastrophe of the Year.”

“We do have a cure, but it is not always successful.  I am sorry to say, but the Lady Regent has a one in four chance of survival.”  The words replay themselves over and over as I sit in the room.  Nothing else matters.  Not Sombra stroking my mane, not Father pacing over by the window, not the guards standing by the door, not Father’s intermittent coughing, not even the nurses coming to check up on us.  All that matters are the words of the doctor, and the slight rise and fall of Mother’s blankets.

“How?” I ask.  “She is out of the house less than I am, and neither us nor the staff have this, how did Mother get it?”

The doctor shakes his head.  “We don’t know.  The Lord Regent gave us permission to start the treatment.  If she gets up within the next twenty-four hours, she will live.  Otherwise, she will slip into a coma, and is not likely to wake up.”

I feel Sombra plant a kiss on the top of my muzzle, and I spare a moment of my musings to give him a small smile, but it is a fleeting comfort.  All that matters is the rising of Mother’s blanket.

Every so often, it looks like her breathing deepens, signaling that she is awake, and we all rush to her bedside to welcome her back, but every time we are disappointed.  As the minutes stretch into hours, I feel the small flicker of hope within grow dimmer and dimmer.

Around eight, Father leaves to have our dinner delivered from home.  A half-hour later he returns with several servants, all carrying assorted trays of what I am sure is wonderful food, as always.  All of it sits on a table, only to be nibbled and picked at.  None of us has any sort of appetite.

Just two short hours after that, Father finally stops his pacing and moves a chair right next to the hospital bed.  He takes and holds one of Mother’s hooves as he settles into it.  A short while later, he too is sleeping.  Feeling more weary than tired, but unwilling to stay and watch the seconds tick by, I curl up against Sombra and close my eyes, begging for sleep.

It comes reluctantly.  My sleep is plagued with dreams of funerals and death, always haunted by a pony wearing a black cloak.  My subconscious must realize that sleeping is just as painful as being awake, for I wake up not even two hours after I fell asleep.  Sombra’s head is resting against mine.  Now, I am the only one in the room in the grip of insomnia.

Dawn creeps slowly over the Crystal Empire, slowly peeking its early rays into the silent hospital room.  Mother still has not moved, and though I hate to say it, I fear that the medicine has not worked.  Even if it didn’t, there is always the chance that she will wake from the resulting coma and fight off the virus on her own, but I won’t be holding my breath.

The doctor comes back in around noon.  “The nurses tell me that there has been no change,” he says.  Father looks up at him with sad eyes and slowly shakes his head.  “I feared as much,” the doctor continues after a brief examination  “I’m afraid she has slipped into a coma, and she is not likely to wake up.  Now, we have a few options.  First--”

“Wait,” Father says, holding up a hoof and cutting off the doctor.  “Mi Amore, Sombra, you don’t need to hear this.  Please, go back to the manor.  I will return when the business here is finished.”

Sombra looks like he wants to argue, but I nod my head.  “Of course, Father.  I hope to see you soon.”  I trot over to Mother’s bedside and kiss the top of her head before returning to the door.  “Come on, Sombra.  I need another nap.”  With a mighty sigh, Sombra exits the room with me, and we begin the long trek back home.


<><><><><>


Eighth Day of the Second Lunar Month, 1225

Mother still has not awoken from her coma.  As horrible as I feel for saying it, every day that passes I lose a little more hope that she will.  When Father returned from the hospital, he immediately called a Council meeting, and invited reporters from across the Crystal Empire, and even a couple who report directly to a newspaper in Equestria.

He told them all the story of what had happened, and said that until such a time as Mother would return, I would be taking her political duties as Regent’s Second.  This was news to me, but I accepted graciously.  Ready to assert my new power after years of impotence, I called for volunteers to research the illness Mother had,  If we couldn’t save her, maybe we could save any others who may have it.

The Medical Guild of House Deepstone--the ones mostly responsible for the crystal mines we are so well-known for--graciously volunteered to devote as much horsepower as they could to researching the illness, and if they could, a cure.

Today, nearly a month later, they asked for a meeting with me, to share their results...


<><><><><>


It is strange, having an office to meet ponies in.  So strange, in fact, that this is the first time I’ve ever been in it.  It was Mother’s office, but she always handled her business with Father in his office.  I sit down in the large chair on one side of a rather large desk when somepony knocks on the door on the opposite side.

“Lady Regent?  The research team from House Deepstone is here,” one of the servants calls through the door.

“Send them in, please,” I reply, sitting back in the chair and hoping my nervousness isn’t obvious.  This is really my first foray into politics without Father and Mother behind me, and I fear it shows.  For a moment, the irrational fear that the entire team was coming to debrief me, but thankfully, only a small mare in a white labsaddle walks through the door.  I wave a hoof, and she takes a seat in the chair opposite mine.

After an awkward moment, I hold out a hoof and she shakes it.  “Hello, I’m  Lady Glimmer, Guild Master of the Medical Guild of House Deepstone.  A pleasure to meet you, My Lady Regent,” she says in the affected accent that annoys me so much.

“Charmed,” I say.  “Look, I assume you already know who I am, and to be honest, I’m somewhat tired.  Can we skip the small talk and get straight into why you’re here?”  My curt tone hurts even me, but if this information can save Mother, the sooner I get it, the better.

“Certainly.”  She takes a moment and straightens her posture, and accepts a very business-like attitude.  “To answer the question I know you wish to ask, no, we have not found a cure.  We think there may be one, but it is inaccessible.”  She holds up a hoof to stop my incoming question.  “Let me finish.

“We cannot get to it, for it is a Wilds virus.  It is actually a biological warfare weapon, a special type of poison that was developed while the Crystal Empire was still under the guidance and protection of Equestria.  We have sent a letter to the ruler there, but have received no response as of earlier this morning.”

She sighs and shakes her head before telling me the news I had dreaded since I began the project.  “Because of the origin and our lack of the magicks that we did during the reign of Equestria, we are unable to do much research of the virus itself, and as such, we have no hope of developing treatment, cure, or even a rudimentary warning system.  I’m sorry.”

I hang my head over the bare desk face.  “Thank you,” I mutter some time later.

“Of course.”  I can’t see her, but I imagine Glimmer nods.  “We will keep a small team on it, just in case.  I will also have our notes forwarded to your office later today.”  Hooves clop against marble, and the door softly opens and shuts.  I am now alone in this large office lined with bookshelves.  My soon-to-be-late mother’s former office.

Without warning, guilt and sadness engulf me, and I rush from the room.


<><><><><>


Fourteenth Day of the Second Lunar Month, 1225

Mother stayed in her coma almost another week before she calmly passed in the night.  The doctors say that her passing was painless and a mercy, and maybe they are right.  But their words won’t replace the emptiness that echoes throughout the halls of my home.

They also won’t help Father.  Ever since the news of Mother reached us, he has spent more and more time locked in his office.  The few glimpses I have of him worries me.  His rich sapphire-blue coat is dulling, and his cough from the flu seems worse every time I see him.  He is becoming withdrawn and absent-minded, and more and more of the Regent’s duties are falling to me.

As such, Sombra has begun taking more of the role of Regent’s Second, the position I held for a little more than a month.  He seems to be rising to the task, however.  He is also getting better at calming me down so I can sleep at night without too many shed tears.

For, though things are okay for the moment, I know deep inside that it is going to get worse, and may never get better.


<><><><><>


“Council will... will now come to order!” Father shouts from his chair beside me.  As I have seen for many, many years, the room falls silent almost immediately.  Now, just like every session since I became Regent’s Second, I am in the chair beside--rather than behind--him, arrayed once again in a lovely light green dress.  “Lord-General, please present your report.”

The large stallion walks down to the central dias, armor gleaming in the morning light filtering from the massive windows.  “My Lord Regent, Lady Regent,” he says as he mounts the dias.  “I am sorry to report, but it appears the Wilds are drawing closer once again.”

As Father’s silence stretches into a minute, I speak up, “What can we do?”

The Lord-General switches his attention to me.  “Well, my Lady, we could do as I suggested last time, and send a score or two of soldiers outside of the walls to deal with them.”

“And how unprotected would that leave us?”

“We would probably have to pull the entire guard detail of part of one of the city walls, my Lady.”

I shake my head.  “Not acceptable.”  I turn my gaze out to survey the lords and ladies of the various houses.  “How many soldiers could we raise?”  As the estimated numbers are shouted to me, I turn back to the Lord-General.  “With those numbers, what sort of defense could we raise?  Would it be possible for us to reinforce the Lower and Middle Walls so the Wilds couldn’t even break into the city?”

The stallion looks down for a moment.  “Yes,” he says, raising his head.  “But for that sort of draft and strategy change, I need the approval of the Regent.”

I look over to my right.  “Father?”  After a few moments of silence, I try again, but louder.  “Father?”  Out of the corner of my eye, I see Glimmer quickly rise from her seat in the right risers and make her way to the podium where our chairs are, but I’m not paying too much attention.  I am on my hooves in front of Father’s chair, gently shaking him and calling his name.  “Father?  Father, are you okay?  Father?”

“Please stand back,” Glimmer says from my shoulder.

“No,” I growl, ears perking up.  “I won’t leave him!”

“Please,” she tries again, placing a reassuring off on my shoulder.  “I just want to help.”

“Darling,” comes another voice to my left.  I look over to see Sombra looking down at me.  “Let the doctor do her job.”  My gaze shifts back and forth between them; the two ponies trying to keep me from my ailing father.  After a brief internal debate on the possibility of fighting both of them, or just having the Guard escort them out, I sigh and step back to my husband.

“Thank you,” Glimmer says, though if she is addressing myself or Sombra, I do not know.  She steps forward and quickly and efficiently administers a basic vital test, something I know how to do, but the thought escaped me.  Looking for support, I scooch closer to Sombra, taking comfort from his stalwart presence.  A few short minutes later, Glimmer looks over at me, worry contorting her face.  “We need to get him to a hospital.  Now.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I raise a hoof.  “Guards!  You heard her, get him to a hospital, quickly!”  A quartet of armored guards rush over to Father, lift him up, and run to the doors, bursting through and out of the Council building, heading towards Crystal Regional Hospital.

“Finish up here, then meet me at the hospital,” Glimmer says before following the guards from the room.

I barely stay long enough to say, “C-Council adjourned until further notice,” before bolting out the door myself, Sombra not far behind.

The trip through the Upper City to the Crystal Regional Hospital is like a walk through a nightmare.  Every day Mother had been in her coma, I had come almost this exact same route to go visit her, and now it would seem I had to do the same for Father.

I just hope he makes it.

The room is just as I remember it.  It isn’t the same room as Mother’s, but it might as well be.  It has the same utilitarian bed, the same uncomfortable chairs, the same table next to the bed, and the same stench of antiseptic covering the smell of sickness.

Father lies in the bed, surrounded by a herd of doctors and nurses rushing around, setting up the various runes and pseudo-magical devices used to monitor a patient’s status.  One of the doctors notices me and breaks away from the pack to stand before Sombra and I.

“My Lady Regent,” he says with a slight bow.  “Your Father is in stable condition.  I understand from his file that he recently suffered from a bout of the flu, yes?”

I nod.

The doctor turns and mutters something to one of the nurses who rushes from the room.  The coated stallion turns back to me.  “It would seem that the virus might have been the flu, or may not have been, but it has since evolved into a bad respiratory infection, and has worked its way into his lungs.  Thankfully, we seem to have caught it in time, and we are beginning the treatment as we speak.  He should be fine within two weeks.”

The snake of anxiety coiled around my chest shatters like glass, and I take the first deep breath I’ve been able to in the last hour and a half.  I cough and sit down hard on the cold stone floor.  Both Sombra and the doctor look down at my worriedly.  “I’m fine,” I reassure them with a wave of a forehoof.  “I’m fine.  I just... need a minute.” 

The doctor nods and again says something to one of the nurses surrounding Father.  She spreads the word, and soon, only the four of us are in the room. “If you need anything, call for Doctor Stone, and I’ll come back.”  With that, he leaves.  Now the room only holds three.

I get up shakily and push a chair over next to Father’s bed.  Just like he had done, I take one of his hooves before sitting down.  This time, unlike Mother, he turns his head slowly and smiles at me.  “Mi Amore, are you alright?” he asks with a raspy voice.

Before I can answer, Sombra walks over and gently puts a hoof on my shoulder.  “I’m going to go in the hallway, and leave you two alone for a bit.  Call if you need something,” he whispers into my ear before leaving.  To be honest, I had forgotten about him up until now, and a little mite of guilt begins eating away at my insides.

“Don’t worry about me, Father.  The real question is how are you?” I say, turning my attention back to the ailing stallion.

“Can’t say I’ve ever had a flu quite this tenacious,” he says with a small, dusty laugh.  “But more importantly, what happened in Council?”  I try to convince him it wasn’t important, but Father is stubborn, and I eventually break down and tell him.  As I finish my tale, he nods.  “Very smart, mi Amore, calling on the Houses to provide soldiers for increased defense.  It is a good plan, one that works quite well if you can get the Houses to actually do it.  Either way, I think you will make a fine Regent one day.”

I smile at the praise.  “Hopefully that won’t happen for a long time.”

Father laughs again.  “Yes, let us hope.”


<><><><><>


Twenty-third Day of the Second Lunar Month, 1225

Four days ago, Father, from his hospital bed, officially handed the Regency over to me.  Two days after that, he died.  Somehow, one of the ponies treating him got the medication mixed up.  The one he was taking via IV had no effect on his infection.  Too much fluid entered his lungs, and he passed.

Sombra, he... I am blessed to have somepony like him by my side.  During this whole ordeal with Father, he has been the one running the Crystal Empire, the broad strokes anyway.  As Regent’s Second, he doesn’t have the power I do, but he has done brilliantly, and I love him more for it.

So, that being said, today was my first day back to Council.  And what a day it was...


<><><><><>


“...my only question is, is she fit enough to assume the Regency?” one of the lords shouts down from his place in the risers.  “Both of her parents have died in the last two months, and she hasn’t been seen in two weeks.  How do we know she can run the Empire with any sort of effectiveness?”

I open my mouth to speak, anger clouding my face, but Sombra places a restraining hoof on mine.  “I have full faith in her,” he says.  The protest dies down at once, though I hear a few scattered grumbles.  “Thank you.  The floor is yours, my love.”  He sits down and waits, looking at me expectantly.

“Right, thank you, Sombra.”  I rise to my hooves to address the entire Council.  “As you know, my father passed a few days ago.  In accordance with his will, and his last living wishes, I am now Regent of the Crystal Empire.  Lord Sombra is my Second.  Anypony have a problem with that?”  Silence follows.  “Good.

“Now, as the Marquise, I watched Father try to do great things to improve the standard of living for everypony in the Crystal Empire, and watched as every single time, one or more of you came up with shameless excuses as to why it was impossible, to the point of refusing to send soldiers to help defend the city against a  Wilds attack.  I am telling you right now that this will not be tolerated while I am Regent.

“Our form of government was established in mimic of our parent state of Equestria.  And, as some of you know, the Equestrian state is run by the two princesses.  They have a Council, like ours, but more as an advisory body.  Now, I know we had some trouble with Regents obsessed with complete power, so there are now restrictions to my office, but none that prevents me from punishing those unwilling to give spare resources towards the bettering of our home, and I don’t mean our houses.”

To my surprise, the speech I had anticipated would have me lose support in Council was met with scattered applause.  It seems a majority of the Council is not, in fact, corrupt as I had believed, only some of the higher Lords and Guild Masters are.  It is easy to see which ones will be against me most often.  All I have to do is watch for the ponies that stop other’s applause.

“As such,” I continue after receiving my mental list of enemies.  “Failure to comply with several key defensive and ponitarian actions will be punished.  Severely.”  Finally finished, I take my seat, thankful that my first ordeal is over.  Sombra looks over and gives me a warm smile, hidden from the Council.

Suddenly, the doors to the Council chamber burst open.  Guards on either side draw weapons, before quickly putting them down.  A lone soldier in battered, bloodstained armor rushes in, stopping just in front of me, on top of our raised dias.  “M...My Lady Regent, I... I am from...”  He stops and falls into a coughing fit, spewing specks of blood onto the ground.

I leap from my chair and kneel down next to him.  “Don’t worry about formalities.  What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Wilds...  Outer Wall... Garrison is holding, for now....”  Message dispensed, the poor soldier collapses before me.

“Lady Glimmer!  Get him to Crystal Regional, now!”

“Aye, my lady,” Glimmer says, making her way from the risers accompanied by two Guard.  They arrive and begin to shuttle the injured pony from the room whilst I climb to my chair and stamp my hoof for attention.  Sombra moves to stand near me, giving me a look, one that tells me not to do anything stupid.

Well, I don’t think it’s stupid.

“Enough!” I shout as loud as I can, forcibly instilling silence in the chamber.  “Enough of this!  My parents dead not even a month, Mother from a poison only made by the Wilds, enough I say!  Sombra,” I say, turning to face him.  His brief nervous looks turns to one of determination.

“Yes, my love?” he asks.

“You know the Lords and Houses better than I, take the best minds you can, from any Guild and House, the ones brightest and most trustworthy, and find a way to turn the present you gave me for our wedding into some sort of defensive shield.  I know a gemstone of that quality can hold a powerful spell.  Take whatever else you need,” I command, turning my attention to the risers and arrayed Council members.  “And you all, assist him in whatever way you can.  I don’t care if this is my only act as Regent, the threat from the Wilds stops now.

“In the meantime, elders, speak to the Lord-General and Lord Glade, they will tell you where to send your forces to best aid in the defense of the Crystal Empire.  Then--”

“But, my Lady!” one Elder, Lord Fire Stroke from House Skylight exclaims.  “We need our soldiers to help defend our homes!”

“Look at it this way,” I reply heatedly.  “Do a good enough job, and the Wilds won’t even make it past the Outer Wall.  Lord Glade, Lord-General,” I say, getting a salute from the two stallions, “report any who do not cooperate to me, then conscript any forces you need.  I will deal with dissenters and deserters personally.”

Various nods and salutes grace my sight.  Sombra, Lord Glade, and the Lord-General rush to their assigned tasks, speaking to Lords and Ladies throughout the hall.  I allow myself a small smile, though a small rock of uncertainty has formed in my stomach.  I believe I am making the right choice; I just wish Mother or Father were here to help me.


<><><><><>


First Day of the Third Lunar Month, 1225

There is plenty of good news coming in on all fronts--the Outer Wall is holding fine, Lord Glade and Lord-General have plenty of recruits, and we have had two changes of power in the Houses, Lord Fire Stroke of House Skylight and Lady Chrysanthemum of House Steelcliff.  I have heard rumors of issues in other houses as well.  It would seem that my “inaugural speech,” as it was, stirred up something in the Council to do away with those in power and corrupt.

Sorry, I got sidetracked.  The Outer Wall is holding, plenty of recruits, and Sombra’s crack team of research ponies--an amalgamation of Lords, Ladies, and some brilliant commoners--believe they may have a more permanent solution, there is just one problem.

We don’t have a viable way to power it.


<><><><><>


I lie in bed.  It is the middle of the night, the clock in the Council building just struck two a few minutes ago, but I am no closer to sleep than I have been since lying down hours ago.

Too much runs through my head.  The death of my parents weigh heavily on me.  Their sudden passing, coupled with the weight now left firmly on my shoulders would be enough to give anypony pause.  The only real reasons I am able to go on is because of the support Sombra provides, my parents’ memory, and the crisis looming over all of our heads; the crisis that I am determined to make extinct.

I feel the other side of the bed move, and turn my head to look into the captivating ruby orbs of my Second.  I move forward and gently nuzzle him, resting my head on his chest as his hooves move to encircle me.  “Are you alright?” he whispers softly into my ear.

I deign not to answer, instead satisfying myself by burying my head into his soft coat and letting my tears do the talking for me.  I feel his embrace tighten as my sobs become audible.  “Why?” I sob to nopony in particular.

“I don’t know, love,” Sombra replies softly.  “Don’t worry, though.  It will all be better soon.  I promise.”

“How?” I ask plaintively, turning to face Sombra’s dark form.  “How do you know?”

“One of the lords, Lord Titan, I believe, sent a letter to the Equestrian Princesses asking for aid and explaining the situation.  Her Majesty Princess Celestia replied, promising a permanent solution within two months.  In the meantime, however, she did give us a temporary formula to power the Heart.  With both of those things in the works, I can now report, Regent, that the Wilds will not be a threat much longer.”

I lean up and give Sombra a quick kiss.  “Best news I’ve heard all month.”


<><><><><>


Second Day of the Third Lunar Month, 1225

Once again, I find myself unable to sleep.  This time, however, Sombra is not lying next to me.  He is with his team, toiling into the night to create an alchemical solution to power the Crystal Heart, what we have begun referring to my present as.  Sombra says that when powered, the spell he has interlaced into the stone will repel all who mean the Crystal Empire harm, and prevent them from entering our borders.

It is strange how much the lack of Sombra’s presence bothers me.  I had always laughed at those fairy tales of princesses who find their prince, only to fall to pieces when he was gone.  Little did I know then that I was going to become one now.

I rise from bed, telling myself that there is no point staying there when I cannot fall asleep.  Best to get up and try to get something done, even at this late hour.  Goal in mind, I slip out of the dark room and into the hallway of the manor, heading towards the library.

I’d always thought this old house was too big; nothing but a huge maze of rooms, connected by hallways of oak panels, dotted here and there with portraits of former Regents and Seconds trying their best to look neutral and intimidating.  As the library grows closer, I notice a thin strip of light under the wooden door.

“Hey, darling,” I say, throwing the door open wide and stepping inside.  “I couldn’t sleep, and wondered if you wanted some... company...?”  Much to my surprise, the room is empty.  All of the lights are on, books are strewn here and there in various piles, suggesting a large group of ponies had been using them, but the room is devoid of all life.

“Sombra?”  I slowly make my way into the disaster zone, careful not to tread on any stray papers or books, as I do not know how necessary they are.  On the desk near the far wall, only far enough away from the shelves to allow for a chair, there is a letter.

To The Regent of the Crystal Empire
From the Desk of Her Royal Majesty, Princess Celestia

Lady Regent of the Crystal Empire, the news of your plight saddens me, as does the recent loss of the old Regency.  I knew your father well, and I have high hopes that you rise to the lofty horseshoes you have to fill.  Upon hearing your first endeavor, and barely a week into office, I feel that my hopes will not be unfulfilled.

Unfortunately, at the moment, I am unable to spare anypony to send north to help, nor does it sound like the Empire is safe for travelers at the moment.  I can promise personal aid in the future, either from myself personally or from a very accomplished magi chosen by my hoof.  I do not intend to leave you helpless, however.

Given the close relationship our two countries have shared over the years, I feel it is safe to divulge this information to you.  Cognisant of your lack of unicorns, and as such, the limit of your arcane ability, enclosed is an alchemical recipe developed a very long time ago, one that was employed in the early defense of Equestria itself.

My hopes are that you can use this formula to fuel the Crystal Heart until such a time as somepony can be sent to provide a more permanent solution, though it bears to understand that no solution is truly permanent.  There will always be a need to refuel it after a certain interval, but we can discuss that when the time comes.

Until then, use what I have provided to the best defense of the Empire, and I wish you the best in all of your present and future endeavors.

Her Royal Majesty
Princess Celestia of Equestria

After finishing, I pick up the letter in my mouth, making sure to leave the alchemical recipe alone after taking a quick glance at the confusing jumble of ingredients and procedure.  I walk around to the back of the desk and try to open a drawer to file the letter away, as I usually do, just to be stymied by the lock, which is strange.  To my knowledge, even when Father and Mother were still alive, I was the only one who ever used this desk.

Luckily, I have a spare key in my possession and so, after a quick walk back to my room--the room I have had since I was a small filly; I haven’t even gone into Mother and Father’s room--to get the key, I return and unlock the drawer.

Before I am able to pull it open, however, a shadow steps into the doorframe.  “Ah, hello, Cadence.  I thought you were asleep.”  My breath catches in my throat.  I look up quickly only to expel it in a nervous laugh upon seeing Sombra.

“You scared me,” I say, clutching a hoof to my chest.  “I couldn’t sleep, so I came here to keep you company.”

“You should stay out from back there,” Sombra replies, ignoring me and stepping into the room.  “We are using it to store the more unstable chemicals and magical components for the Crystal Heart.”

“Well, I have to get my things out then.  Can’t have important documents ruined, now can I?  It’ll just take a second, promise.”  I lean forward and grasp the drawer handle in my mouth.

“I insist.  I will take and bring your things to you tomorrow.”  A black hoof extends and holds the drawer shut.  “Go back to bed, dear.  I’ll be there shortly.”

I spit out the handle and take a step back to look at Sombra.  “Why are you being so weird?”

“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

I pause for a moment.  “Well,” I say once I’m done thinking.  “Why don’t you pull the stuff out and give it to me now?  I can’t sleep anyway, might as well get to work organizing the things from this desk into the one in my office.”

“I said don’t worry about it,” he growls, making me flinch.  “I’ll take care of it.”

Now I’m really curious, and a little suspicious.  Sombra has never acted this way towards me before, so why is he being so secretive?  What is he hiding in this desk?  “Alright,” I say, dropping it for now.  “I guess I’ll go back to bed.”

“Good night,” Sombra says to me as I walk of the library, shutting the door behind me.


<><><><><>


Fifth Day of the Third Lunar Month, 1225

I cannot get Sombra’s strange demeanor towards the library desk out of my mind.  He has been perfectly normal since then, to the point that any outsider would have no idea, but I know, and it bothers me.  I’m afraid that maybe he tricked both Father and myself, and is only after the power of the Regency.

It isn’t that I don’t trust him, however.  I love him, I do with every ounce of my being.  But my curiosity will not let this matter rest.  I have tried multiple times to get inside the room in the days since, but he has always been there or around.  Not today, though.  Today, I’m getting into that desk, one way, or another.


<><><><><>


After several long minutes of mental preparation, I poke my head out of my office.  Nopony to the left, nopony to the right, excellent.  I slip from the room, taking care to quietly shut the door behind me and make my way to the staircase, then to the second floor, then over to the library in the east wing, taking care to make sure I am neither noticed nor followed.

At long last, the door stands before me.  Holding my breath, though I know Sombra and his team are at the Council building--the exact center of the Empire--setting up the Crystal Heart for testing, so there is nopony to stop me.  With another deep breath, I open the door, slip inside, and close it without any difficulty.

Now, it is the moment of truth.  Once again, I pick my way carefully over to the desk--now devoid of all of my things, as promised earlier--and unlock the drawer Sombra adamantly asked I stay out of.  I slide it open and inspect the contents, gasping at what I see: a small vial of strange liquid, and a liquid-filled bag, not unlike the ones used in hospitals to administer drugs.

“I thought I asked you to stay out of there.”  The voice freezes me like a filly with her hoof caught in a cookie jar.

“S-Sombra, I thought you were at the Council building,” I say, trying to quietly shut the drawer before he notices.

“I was,” he says, stalking around the desk to stand next to me, following my hoof to the still half-open container.  “It is unfortunate you found this today.  I was going to get rid of them tonight.”

“W-What are they?” I ask in a squeaky voice, taking a step back.  Before Sombra can respond, and answer flies through my head.  “...it is a Wilds virus.  It is actually a biological warfare weapon, a special type of poison that was developed while the Crystal Empire was still under the guidance and protection of Equestria....”

“I’m sorry, Marquise, but your father has perished.  I am afraid one of the ponies caring for him made a mistake, and the wrong antibiotic was administered.  You have my deepest condolences...”

“It was you,” I accuse.  My voice sounds hollow and echoes in my ears, as though traveling from a great distance.  “You killed them...”

To my surprise, sadness clouds Sombra’s face.  “Yes, it was necessary to advance the plan...”

“The plan?  The plan!?  What plan involved killing my parents!?”  What started as incredulity quickly escalates to pure anger.  “The rulers of the country, no less!”

“That’s just it, though,” Sombra replies in his calm voice, though his eyes burn with passion.  “They were ruling, but not well.”

“Ex-cuse you!?”

“If you would calm down and let me explain--”

“No!  No I will not calm down!  You are saying the most... horrible things I’ve ever heard!  I can’t believe that you think th--”  I am cut off by Sombra pushing his muzzle up against mine, forcing me to move back to stay out of his way until I’m pressed up against a bookshelf; anger replaced by fear.

“Listen to me.  Your parents were brilliant rulers, although your mother was a little strange.  But there was one major flaw in how they ruled: their dealings with the Wilds.  I worked my way through House Darkhoof to rise to the top to join the Council, so I could turn your father’s ear to my plan that would simultaneously end the single greatest threat to our nation, and propel us up to the level of Equestria.

“I tried your mother first, hoping that if I could sway her to my cause, she would be an invaluable aid to bring about my plan, but she balked.  She called me insane, refused to speak to me.  Threatened to expose me.  I could not let it happen.  However, I did not wish to hurt you, and so for the first time, I found my ascent to the top stopped by something I could not push past.  That is, until that fool Lord Sunspear opened his big mouth.

“That whole fiasco with the revolution from House Darkhoof was staged.  Had Lord Sunspear just kept his bumbling mouth shut, he would still be here, and a valuable ally no less.  After his outburst in Council, I was concerned that I would lose you, the one thing I cared about more than my plan.”  He reaches up and gently strokes my cheek with a hoof, and I bat it away in disgust.

“So, in order to protect my position and well-being, I called in a few favors.  They attacked him while he slept, and knocked him unconscious.  He spent the entire ‘revolution’ locked in a broom closet while one of my supporters, in a magically crafted guise, ran the entire thing.  After we put down the ‘attacks’, it was a simple matter to have him brought to the roof and hung.  Nopony was the wiser, and I had one less detractor in Council.

“By then, I was afraid your Mother suspected something, so, I asked for your hoof in marriage from your father.  I spent so much time crafting the perfect proposal, almost every single day I had a plan, but every time, I was too nervous to go through with it.  But then, seeing you against that sunset...”  His voice trails off.  “Anyway, once I married you, it was a simple matter to have somepony poison your mother’s drink at our wedding reception while I gave you your present.”  A drip of water rolls from my cheek onto the floor, followed by another.

“Your father was even easier.  All I had to do was switch his IV bag and let nature take care of itself.  I almost don’t even count that one, I didn’t have to do anything.”

“Why!?” I shout through a tear-choked voice.  “Why did you do this to me?  If you didn’t want to hurt me, why kill Mother and Father?  What did they do that was so bad?!”

“They were fools!” Sombra roars.  “They chose to repel our greatest resource rather than simply conquering them and using them to our advantage!”

Slowly, all the pieces fall together in my head.  “The Wilds.”

“Yes!  The Wilds!  Those fools refused to listen!  I proposed that we wait until after one of their attacks, and then prepare one of our own, take them while they were recharging and mustering their forces, then capture them!  Imagine if we had a workforce like that to mine our crystals!  We would never have to hear of another Lower City mare left widowed with two foals, would never have to hear about families cast out of their homes because they couldn’t pay rent.  The Crystal Empire would evolve into utopia!”

“That’s slavery!” I shout in rebuttal.  “You’re talking about enslaving an entire race!  Are you mad!?”

Sombra doesn’t reply until the last faint echo of my accusation is finished bouncing through the room, when he heaves a heavy sigh.  “I had hoped you would see things my way,” he says, his horn lighting up.  I wonder what he is doing, until I feel myself become immobile.  “I really do love you, Cadence.  I would have been happy to step aside and let you take the reigns of our nation into a golden age.  But it turns out you are as closed minded as all of the others.”

Sombra takes the two steps that separate us and plants a kiss on my cheek.  “Goodbye, ‘mi Amore.’  I’m sorry, but nothing can stop this plan.  I cannot allow it.”  The implications of his words counteract the single tear rolling down his cheek as I feel a needle stick into my withers.

Within moments, I lack the energy to even breathe, and everything falls into darkness.
	

> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Epilogue


“...think she is waking up....”

“....do something, Your Majesty, we are losing her...”

“Stand back...”

“Everypony clear!  Now!”

A sharp pain in my chest forces me to throw my eyes open and take a deep breath of air.  I feel somepony roll me over onto my side as a coughing fit starts, ending in drops of blood splatter onto a wooden floor below.  As soon as my shaky breathing normalizes, I roll onto my back to look at my saviors.

The first thing I see is a bright blue sky, though there is a distortion over in the very edge of my vision.  Next, closer objects slowly come into focus: two ponies--unicorns--in white coats.  A little further beyond them, outside of the carriage I’m sitting in, sits a large, white-coated pony, with a multicolored mane flowing in the breeze.

One of the coated ponies walks to the large one.  “Princess, the Regent is awake.”

“Thank you,” she says before getting to her hooves and walking over to me.  It is only then that I notice the large, white horn on her head, the same color as the wings held against her sides.  “Lady Regent of the Crystal Empire.  I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

I slowly rise into a sitting position, ignoring the coated ponies’ demands that I lie down.  “W... Where am I?  And who are you?”  I quickly whip my head around, looking for the source of all of my pain.  “Where is Sombra?”

“You are approximately four and a half hundred yards from the former location of the Crystal Empire, which currently houses Sombra, and those things I believe you ponies call ‘Wilds.’  To answer your second question, I am Princess Celestia of Equestria.”

Remembering what Father had taught me, I incline my head as far as my headache allows.  “I am honored, Your Majesty,” I try to say, but a coughing fit interrupts my last word.

If she noticed my breach in etiquette, the Princess chooses not to bring it up.  “These ponies would tell me that you have quite the story to tell, Miss Regent.”

“If it pleases Your Majesty, you can call me Cadence,” I reply.  “And, I suppose I might, but I am curious what you mean by ‘former location of the Crystal Empire.’  What has happened to my city?”  The headache is slowly fading now, being replaced by memories of my last minutes awake.

“How about a trade,” the white monarch proposes.  “I tell you my story, then give you an offer.  Whether you accept or refuse, you tell me yours.  Deal?”  I nod.  “Very well.  Allow me to begin.”  Instead of starting, however, she gracefully walks over to the other side of the carriage and sits down next to me.

“Now then,” she begins, “it all started with this letter I got in your name, though I wonder now if it ever touched your hooves.  It was a cry for help from you, help to develop and power a spell focused in a gem you called the Crystal Heart to repel the Wilds from your city.  I sent a formula for a basic spell, and promised aid later, as I was busy.

“Luckily, I was able to get away quicker, or else you would be dead now.  While we were flying to the Crystal Empire to give our promised aid, one of my guards,” whom I now notice are sitting near the harness to the carriage, staring around us in all directions, “saw what he called a ‘pink pony-shaped form lying unconscious on the ground.’”

“We landed to investigate, and quickly realized who you were.  I stayed here to provide first aid, and sent my carriage to the nearest friendly city for aid,” the two white coated ponies wave at me, “and once they had arrived, I left with my guards to get some answers.

“A very kind stallion who called himself King Sombra answered our calls, and spun a tale of how you wandered off, and how he was simply holding your place until you returned.  I was suspicious, but I returned here anyway.  It wasn’t until one of my guards mentioned seeing several ponies being led by chains from part of the city, and one of the doctors reported that there was a puncture wound in your shoulder, and traces of a very, very old poison in your veins that my suspicions were confirmed.”

She took a deep breath.  “We returned to speak with King Sombra, where I confronted him.  He said that the ponies in chains were traitors, and that the poisoning was probably an assassination attempt.  I almost believed it, until I noticed a small notebook lying on the corner of the desk,”  She holds up my diary, the one given to me by Father, “which I discreetly took and read while you were unconscious.  I apologize for invading your privacy, but I felt it was necessary.

“I was able to piece together the rudiments of what happened.  It was then that we were attacked by ponies I assumed were the ‘Wilds’ referenced several times in your journal, until I saw the Crystal Empire emblem on their breastplates.  After they were... disposed of, for lack of a better term, I decided that the threat posed by Sombra was too great to let lie.”

The great white princess sighs.  “Unfortunately, due to problems back home in Equestria, there is very little I can actually do right now.  So, I used the focal point of the Crystal Heart and threw the entire city into its own pocket of space.  I can undo it whenever we are able to face Sombra.”

I blink.  “You took my city... and put it into another dimension...?”

The princess nods.

“So... what do I do now?” I ask after a brief pause.  “I’m a Regent without a Regency...”

“That is where my offer comes in.”  Princess Celestia looks over at me with a warm smile.  “Of course, I am willing to bring you to Canterlot with me, and have you labeled as nobility and put into our Council of Elders.”  She must notice my distasteful look, for she laughs.  “I thought as much.  My other offer is to bring you to Canterlot, and make you a princess, my niece, if you will, until such a time as you can return to your throne.”

Both options are generous, very generous, especially considering that Princess Celestia has never met me, and has already saved my life.  “Why?” I ask, not realizing I voice my thought.

“Hmm?  Oh, that’s an easy one.  I knew your father.”  My breath catches in my throat and I look over at her, astonished.  “Yes, it is true.  I even saw you as a little filly, though I am ashamed to admit I could not recall your name until now.  Your father was a great stallion, and an exceptional ruler, and I feel you can do great in Equestria, either as nobility or royalty.”

The conversation falls into a lull for a moment as I contemplate the Princess’ last words.  “Can I wait to decide?”

The white princess nods.  “Of course.  Either way, however, I believe you owe me a story now.  I did read your journal, but I feel your personal account will be much more revealing.”  She bestows me another of her warm smiles, and places my journal in my lap.  The doctors pile in the carriage behind us, the guards take their positions in the harness, and we take to the sky, headed south.

“It all began with a what I thought was going to be a boring meeting of Council, early last year...”