The Talse In Thy Shadow

“I call order in the courtroom,” the sound of the dense ivory gravel rang through out the room, echoing of the wall as to give it self a chores. His eye appeared cold cold, with his stare penetrating his very soul.. “In the case of the  state vs Blue blood. The defendant is charged with five counts of first degree murder, how dose he plead”. The not of his sarcastic tone was hardly picked up by most but Blue Bloods ear have been very keen these past couple days

He slowly rose form his seat, making sure his silk mane mane falls behind his ears. Even with the time dire, some old habits still plague him. Moving in a steady pace Blue scans the room with his crystal blue eyes. He noted the lack of compassion for the trial from not only the judge but the jury as well. The thought amused him slightly for he would think the same of it him s elf.

“Your plea?” the Judge asked again with more impairments than before. Blue let out a small sigh, turning to meet the Judge's gaze. His voice  smooth as his words stuns the court house into submission.

“I plead guilty,” he stated, the absents of emotion from his own words surprised him a bit however, his resolve remained ever fast.

“Are you sure?” the judge asked, partly out of confusion. “You know this only judgment we can give is death.”

Death.

Since those nights, death would seem like a blessing for all that had happen. The only strength he had left was to return what was taken. “Your honor, my grate grand father had a debt. A debt that cost him greatly to the the point he ran from its collection,” his gaze lowered with the thought of her, the one mare he wished to be with. “That night, I took the name of my father to pay that debt, the debt that stole the future and past form one I hold dear. Death is the only punishment I can attain now.”

With his words done an the court in disarray, the creaking of a gravel once more echoed throughout the room. “Them by the courts of Equestria, I her by sentence you guilty. You are to be held in custody till the schedule date of the execution.” The awkward felling of relief washed over his mind, 'Even if its 200 years late, your peace was given to you.'

Two weeks ago,

The fact she was going to meet his father made Blue Blood a bit edgy. That stallion had always loathed his action, or just the fact he brought home at least twelve different mares. Hail Blood was his name. Unlike Blue's white coat and blond mane, his father dark crimson mane with a ever contrasting deep sea blue coat complimented his ever lasting impression on Blue. The years of grooming, education, and discipline he endure so when the day come, he would run the family business.

As much to his displeasure to his fathers cutie mark of some documentation, Blue Bloods map compass wasn't what Hail had hoped for. That didn't stop him from trying to mold him, to shape Blue's future to his purpose. Just thinking about the last time he saw Hail, caused him to cringe slightly.

“Hun, is every thing all right?” the voice of the kind mare blessed him, turning to meet the gaze of his sweet Melody Primrose. He could just lose him self in her in her enchanting emerald eyes as they seem so kind. Her teal coat with her flawless mane colored to a soothing shade of beige, Just looking at her seems to clam his nerves.

“No, Its my father. I haven't seen him in two year an the last time I,” he trail at the thought of there prevues altercation at his fathers manor. The heated debate on the family's future that is being forced upon him, and the choose of companion as well. After so said events, a letter saying he was bane from ever setting a hoof in the house hold again. “Left on a bad cord. For him to call me back is unsettling for the thought of him show any compassion scares me more.”

Melody slowly walked toward him, her eyes tone set to his. Each step posing a slight seductive hint, “Relax, I've mange to break some nasty habits of yours but your constant worrying over everything is a hard one to fix. This time will be different, I'll be with you every step of the way.” She slowly passed by him, leaving the hint of fresh lavender in the air.

Without Melody, Blue Blood would still be lost in his despite attempt at closure. With all those parties and his terrible social views, the only thing keeping him afloat was his aunt, Princess Celestia.  Even if the tie between them was from a five-hundred year old wedding, she strangely took a liking to Blue Blood. I baffled him even now that she crowned him a prince with his self centered behavior. I wasn't till he meet Melody Primrose two years ago, that his life turn for the better.

The fact they meet at the Grand Galloping Gala that year in which at the time Blues alcohol in take was quite dreadful. His memories of that night was blurred and sketchy at best for he entered the event drunk and left in a stated one wish never to be in. It was weird that he woke up in some ponies apartment, let alone in a bed with a mare he dose not remember. Even with his depression and deplorable aptitude, she forced him to stay till his hangover was gone.

Those few short day he rested there, felt like a wake up call. Not only did she tolerate him, she also treated him as just a another random pony. Her charismatic views somehow dug their way deep into his mind. Even after Blue Blood left, he soon found himself going back just to see her. But sadly his lack of time in the canterlot lower quarter, he soon found him self lost in the city's back allies and and streets.

Luck for him, Melody accidentally found him near market district. The fact he lost his way to her apartment caused her to burst into laughter. “You must be new to Canterlot, by the way my name is Melody Primrose, and you are?”

At that moment he felt conflicted, something felt strange with this mare but the reason escaped his thoughts. “Blues lones,” he lied, trying to hide the fact he was a prince. He felt that telling would change how she acted around him. Strangely that was the last thing he wonted to happen.

“So Blues, why is it that you wanted to see me?” he noted the suddle hint  of sarcasm as the look she gave was that of a genital nature. Before he had prepared him self, repeating in his mind as what to say. But now as Melody stood in front of him he felt lost for words as her eye's stared deep.

“Yes,” a cough to clear his throat. “I wanted to know if you were free this Sunday night?” ending it with a mental cures to the uninsured shakiness to his own voice. To some surprise, she  gave a small chuckle, raising one hoof to him. The sight of those deep emerald eyes hung stern.

“I may have some free time but it comes with a price,” The grin seemed to be of young filly, with a stare as to say 'Please just asked what it is.' With the churning emotions of uneasiness building inside him, he mustered what little resolve he had.

“Well I've came by a pare of tickets to a small orchestra performance this Sunday. What ever your price maybe, please allow me to at least thank you with this small token of gratitude,” The embarrassment he felt that day hunted him still, since Melody never let him forget that day or the price he payed.

“I would love to join you but only if I can fix you of your bad habits like your drinking one. That is my price,” her tone gave the joyful feeling that Melody felt by his answer. What lead to a amazing date, Slowly push Blue Blood down the path of rejoices. Melody apparently knew from the start who he was but decided to play along since it was Blue's Decision.  A road with Melody helping him through his giving up alcohol, for him to live up to his pointed title of a canterlot prince and a two year long relationship with Melody which coming next month a wedding would be added to the list.

“Well lets stop beating around the bush and go meet the devil,” Melody's comments was  childish but she wasn't to far of from the truth. Even to this day, Blue Blood still fear his fathers action, not his judgment.

XxX

The ride to Blood's family estate was a long dreadful one. Since the beginning of his family, they lived in that manor. Always retaining its hold held honor. 'One must brave the woulds demons, only then can you be called the head of the family.' A quote from Vossler Blood, the first to lead the Blood family to glory.

“I know you said the manor has been in your family since it first began but why is it so far from canterlot. Where piratically out in great beyond, there is nothing but the dense woods,” Melody questioned with a curious look out the window.

“Yes, its because of this place,” he began knowing it would catch her interested as she turn to wonder why. “Back in the day, a pony by the name Vossler Blood became a mayor to a town that longer stands. A plague hit the town, wiping out most of the residents. The rest moved out, only leaving the towns shattered remains.” He knew that didn't answer Melody's question but thinking of the past always filled him with dread. Reluctantly he continued on with a sigh.

“After the plague, Vossler surprisingly came out of no ware and conquered the business market and built an empire in it. And strangely there's no clue on how he done it,” Blue finished as he turned to stare out into the vast wilderness.

“How can there be no clue?” the sound of Melody's question wasn't surprising since many asked the same.

“Many have tried to make sense of it but all have failed. My father chucked it up to legend that used to be told around these lands. A tale of a fairy witch, that can grant any one desires. Personally I find the idea to be tomfoolery,” he paused to make note of the image in the distance. “Atlas we've arrived at the manor of blood.” The glittering eyes of Melody were apparent, for the manor was for some a wonderful sight.

To Blue Blood, it was the sight of a lonely foal hood and his painful teen years. The days of studies in solitude, Strict educate practices, and his Fathers punishments had the classic build seem all to dreadful. The very build alone stood for the Blood' family saying, 'Never to Falter'.

“Hun Its a magnificent, with it's old world structure. I've seen nothing like this around in canterlot,” the surprising cheeriness of Melody's voice was pleasing for him to hear. The fact she was enjoying the trip so far was sadly the only comfort Blue had at the moment. For him to spend a week cooped in that horrid manor with his own father, felt like being sent into the Tarturus would be more pleasant.

When the carriage manged to pull around to the main entry way for the manor, the greeting of two unknown servants waited for them. Even with them both being unicorns, the difference between them was quite large. As he stepped out of the carriage, the gray unicorn quickly proceeded to grab their luggage as he help Melody out of the carriage.  The other Lightly tan servant who was apparently a mare by the sound of her voice greeted them both.

“Sir Blue Blood, on behalf of your Lord Hail. I welcome you back the Blood family manor. May ask who your 'companion'  maybe?” The servant's voice seemed void of emotion as she spoke.

“I sent a letter to my father on who she was, dose he not read his mail?” even to himself, that response seemed a bit bitter. The servant mare showed no change in her expression as she turned to the manors strangely carved oak doors. The odd image of flowers spreed across the frame as the door it self held to what he could figure to be a field. The lion head shaped knockers by his surprise were very well kept, unlike the rest of the manor's appearance with vines nearly growing on every square inch of the building.

The sound of creaking of the oak doors opening caused the both to cringing. The mare seemed to strain herself opening the door, Quickly regain her composer. Melody gave Blue a small jab at the sight, give a slight questing glance.

Sorry,” he whispered in Melody's ear.

The small cough of the tan mare as she stepped to the side. “Lord Hail awaits you in the dinning room. Do you wish me to show the way,” he cold barely make it out, what he thought sounded like sarcasm.

“No, I do remember the way,” Blue paused when the loud sound of a crackle came from behind. Seemingly all three turned, thinking it was the other servant but found it was the looming sky who made it.

“Seems like there's to be a storm coming,” the gray unicorn stated with a bit of a farms accent.

“So it would seem, so shall we head in?” Melody stated in a mater of fact tone as she slowly walked past both Blue and the mare as she entered the manor. He gave  the mare a small nod before fallowing her in.

“My this is a bit,” Melody stated as she took in the reception area. Even in two year to twenty, this room like many other in the manor never change. Being build with dark oak lumber and the over usage of velvet red carpet for the walk ways, going up and down throughout the building gave it a very heavy mood setting. With most of his fathers as well his grand fathers collection of misdiagnosis objects such as sword  and other historical artifacts on display.

“Stuffy,” Blue suggested in a jest which she gave a cough.

“I was going to say special but that works”, the light chuckle she gave was pleasant. “Still your father has quite the collection. Is any particular reason to why?” He puzzled over the same question in the past with no avail. The echoing sound of thunder rumbled throughout out the halls snapping him back to to the depressing thought of facing his father.

“I always guess he had a reason but never bothered to ask. It seems the storm is upon of or soon will be, if you don't mind me guiding you around the manor later. I like to get this 'Talk' done and out of the way,” his a bit harsh as he turn to stare at a small corridor near the satire case first floor.  It lead to a single wood grained door, which he knew from the past lead to dinning room.

Melody gave a small nod with her kind smile, which always re-ensured him as he knew this conversations likely out come. He'll end up arguing with his father one way or another which, Blue Blood would ether be banned from the household again or be able to retired to their room early. Both to him were pleasant only for the more time he could spend with Melody and less with his father.

Blue sighed greatly before heading down the dimly lite corridor, “The dinning room is this way.” Melody shortly fallowed in a small trot, giving a troubled look. Blue noticed it in the reflection on the glass of a near by pitcher frame as he past it. The look made him feel uneasy but he quickly push the thought out of his mind, Blue Blood need focus on what his conversation with his  will be like.

He slowly pushed open  the dinning hall door open, reveling the  rooms decor and those who were all ready in side. This room, like with the rest of the manor remained unchanged from two years ago. The room had it own special flare with its overly large crystal chandelier which, hung over the long dinning table that was set as if it was a royal event. The small crackle of lighting was apparent as the view of the garden through the slenderly tall windows on left side of the room flashed with with each crackle.

It took some time before he recognized who sat in the room, waiting for them to enter as their gazes met his and Melody's.  To his left sat his cousin Gabrey as he always wore that plain red tie. Blue couldn't understand what he like about that tie, the pure contrast to his dark forest green coat was dreadful, even more so with that unruly jet black mane. The stallions general appearance seem to be from from one of those old theater performances of the early years of Equestria. If it wasn't for his interest in the family business, Gabrey might have been in the same boat Blue was in.

“My, my, look at the company he brought with him this time,” the voice of a well aged mare commented. The voice was familiar to him as it came more apparent that it belonged to his Aunt Kelta.

“Good evening my dear Kelta, how has the aging jewelry business been going?” Blue asked knowing it would hit a nerve as she gave a small 'humph' to his question. It's public knowledge that her jewelry business was failing since the nobles wanted less pearls and more gems, thanks to a new fashion designer  named Rarity.

“It's been going well,” Kelta stated as she fix a stray piece of her white mane back be hind her ear. Blue gave her simple grin which anger her more. At that moment he could feel something leaning on his side, turning to see a slightly worried Melody. He guessed it was due to the atmosphere of the room as he tried to give a reassuring smile.

“Vell if it isn't ma most favorite Uncle,” he instantly knew the voice of Larno, seeing he was standing near the far right of the dinning room. He was probably the only member of the family that didn't out right hate Blue Blood. He watched as Larno quickly walk toward him to embraces him in a hug. The smell of paint was quite apparent in his short lime green mane.

“Larno, good to see you to,” Blue said as he patted the young painters back, feeling a little light headed. The fact he was at the manor was no surprise since Larno's mothers death, his own father distance himself from the Blood family affairs. He leave Larno in charge of the relations even tho he chose the life of a painter.

“Think fast, the old man is very angry,” Larno whispered into his ear. 'Old man?' Blue thought as his gaze fell to the end of the table to where he sat. “The same, but atlas my I ask for the lady name?” Larno asked aloud for the rest of the room to hear but Blue Bloods gaze never broke from the stallion from other end of the table. The fire place just behind him gave his deep sea blue coat seem even more darker as his deep dead tone voice gave Blue a small chill down his spine.

“Yes boy, please tell us who is this 'mare' you brought before our family only meeting?” He felt frozen in place by the stallions eyes as the hint of anger was clearly apparent. Larno gave a 'Sorry but your on your own' smile and return to his seat at the table.

“Good evening Mister Hail Blood. I'm Melody Primrose,”  Melody stepped in bowing her head. As she did, some of his uneasiness faded only for a moment before his Aunt spoke again.

“So she's the next one. At least she has a brain,” her sarcastic tone caught him by surprise as his  father jump in with his own comment.

“Boy if you had a brain you will send her back to what ever corner you found her on. You see this this meeting was for you future, even if you decided to waste it.” Even Gabrey gave the look of 'Are you and idiot,' with had him stunned. He glanced at Melody who looked just as in shock as he was. 'Did they really just say that?' was the only thought his mind could think. “Are you deaf boy, send her home then we disuse your future,” Hail repeated sounding more irritated than before. Their mostly shared responses clicked a certain thought in the back of his mind.

“Father, did you read any of my letters I sent to you?” Blue Blood asked in a deadpan tone. Even at the far end of the table, he could tell his fathers questionable look. He began break out into laughter which caused the rest to stare at him in confusion.

“Boy,” he stated as his self centered laughter began to subside. “Why would I read any of your pathetic attempts to plead for my forgiveness.” Just a his Father finished, a small grin formed on Blues Blood's mouth as he chuckled to him self softly. 'Like he would ever change, he's just like this stupid manor.' Melody's voice seemed shaken as she hung close to Blue for comfort.

“Are you alright?” She asked worrying about him but the discomfort in her voice gave away that she was a upset by his fathers words. This was the one thing he could not tolerate.

“Father would kind as to what this meeting is about?” Blue's asked, seeing Kelta raising a eye brow. Even if the orange colored mare hated him, he still held seniority over her son for next in line to lead the family.

“A marge counsel,” he stated simply as if it was common knowledge. At that statement the I came apparent to why he was asked back to the manor. In front of his family he turn to to give Melody a deep, passionate kiss. The sound of his shocked Aunt and the feeling of his Father's stare burning a hole in the back of his skull at the sight.

“Don't worry, I do have some idea what I'm doing,” Blue whispered as he pulled him self away from Melody. He turned to stare back down his Father, giving him a smirk. “My apology lord Hail, but I'm no longer your puppet. If you read a single letter I sent you'll know that Melody is my fiancee and I would demand that you apologies to her for both of your rude comments,” he finished eying both his Father and Kelta who shifted in her seat, stun by his comment. Larno gave him a surprising smile as if to say 'Nice' as Gabrey just sat as if it didn't faze him at all.

“You dare to demand me boy! Do I need to remind you who keeps you off of the streets!” The strain in Hail's voice was noticeable as he bolted up from his chair. “I had enough of your rebellious attitude. I don't care who she is, you will obey my judgment.” This Strangely only brighten Blue Bloods mood as his defiant smile remained.

“You know,” he started, levitating a apple from the table. He brought it close to his mouth, taking a large bit from it. He slowly chewed before slowing, “If you read any of the letters, you'll know that I haven't needed you bank accounts for the last two years. And as I said before, I'm no longer your puppet you can pull the strings to. The only reason I came her was to announce my mirage,” Blue paused, taking another bit of the apple taking in the damage he caused. He couldn't help but hold a wide grin at the sight of the color draining form his Aunts orange coated face. He could hear Larno nearly cracking up to his right as he held his face down not to show his smile.

The most priceless was the look on his father, the sheer shock of his words showed on the stallions face. 'Ya old ma, its pay back time,' he thought as he placed the apple down near the edge of the table. “You dare mock me!” Hail's voice erupted as his horn flashed a red glow. The half eaten apple exploded, send bits of it flying all directions. The room  fell quiet with only the storm out side raging and the snicking of Larno.

Melody hung behind Blue at the sight of the exploding apple. He stated over his shoulder, “Well I guess you found another bad habit you'll need to fix.” Melody felt a little better but she still worried about what was to happen. Blue Blood cleared his throat as he turned back to his Father. “This is stated for your record. If you try to threaten ether of us again, you will face punishment,” his stated as a way to provoke his father once more.

“Punish me? Ha, what could you do boy,” the stallions disbelief in his threat was clear in his tone.

“Sadly for being a business tycoon, you could be incredibly stupid some times,” his comment and plane tone caught Hails attention. 'Oh how I awaited for a day like this,' he played in his mind. A day to finally crush that ego, a day to pay back his father for his one of a kind 'love.' “I doubt Kelta would know for she only holds interest for the next big fashion design and Gabrey because of his studding to be your replacement. Larno on the other hand knows,” at those words Larno's snickering stopped all to gather, with his eye switching between Hail's and Blue's.

“You see after our last 'talk',” he paused as he gauge his fathers reaction. “Our beloved Celestial extended a hoof to help and soon after I was give the title of a prince of equestria. Its been keeping me very busy with political duties and domestic matters,” he restrained a small laugh as Hail look held disbelief. He glanced toward Kelta who seemed to be hyperventilating and Gabrey who finally had some reaction even as little as a cough.

“Larno,” Hail started to ask before Larno jumped in.

“The answer is a yes,” he answered Hail in a dead plain tone missing any of his enthusiasm. Hail tried to regain his composure but Blue wasn't about to let that happen, not after what he said to Melody.

“Before you try to reconnect,” he stated before Hail could say any thing. “Melody isn't joining the Blood's, I'm taking the Primrose name instead. So my last ties to this 'family' will be gone. So if you would excuse me I would like to show my future wife the manor since it will also be my last time here as well. I bid you all a wonderful evening,” he finished with a little cheer in his voice. He quickly lead Melody out of the room, leaving it completely silenced with only the trickle of rain for company.