Yin & Yang

Chapters

Introduction: Opposites mix
A bond of trust and more
Opposites attract

Introduction: Opposites mix

“Mother, your concern is appreciated, but I’m eighteen already. I’m coming of age. I need a princess of my own to heir the throne.” An alabaster alicorn complained to his mother. He was a tall, strong, and well built stallion with a long floating mane and tail. The colors of which shined like that of an aurora. He wore a pure white royal dress coat and trousers, the trim a bright gold. Around his neck sat a royal jewel, passed down from his father.

“Young Solaris, I am aware of your age, but you are being inpatient and unreasonable. We shall find you a mare in due time.” The soothing voice of a black alicorn mare, whom sat in a quite large throne. She was a gorgeous mare with bright purple eyes and a pure black floating mane and tail. She wore a dark purple dress that draped to one side to show off her slender right leg.

“But I don’t want just any mare, mother! I want somepony I can love for who they are, not for how rich and powerful their parents are.” Solaris argued.

“Your father and I met in the same way you will meet your mare. Look how well it turned out for us.”

“Yes, for you. But think of me. I want to love a mare before I ever consider making her my queen. Why won’t you let me love like a normal sentient being!?”

The queen rose from her throne. “Because you are not normal, Solaris! You are an alicorn! And you shall live as such!”

Solaris balled his hands into fists in anger. “But what if I don’t want to be an alicorn!?”

“Enough!” The queen’s voice boomed. “Leave me.”

Solaris growled and spun around, before storming off. He shoved one of the guards out of his way and threw the door open as he left.

A navy blue alicorn approached Solaris as he stormed through the corridor. The stallion was a good head shorter than Solaris, wearing pretty much the same outfit as the elder stallion only black instead of white. His mane and tail were deep blue with stars dotting it's surface as it floated like the other alicorns. "Brother, why doth thy insist on enraging mother? We cannot bear to see thou in such turmoil with family."

"Let me be, Lunar. I don't have the patience for one of your lectures." Solaris growled.

"Please hear us out, brother. Mother is trying to do what is best for thee. Just think of how it would be if thou had nopony whom wished to care for thee.” Lunar tried to reason.

“I have nopony to really care for me. All mother wants is some random mare with money. That’s all she ever wants is gold. She even dresses me in it! Now leave me before I decide to lash at you!” Solaris yelled at his younger brother.

Lunar stopped in his tracks and let Solaris storm away. “Thou is wrong, brother…” He said, but Solaris was already gone. “Such a fool…”

A female draconequus popped out of nowhere reclining in the air next to Lunar. She wore a skimpy kilt-like skirt and a button up blouse that was tied together at her breasts instead of covering her slender stomach. She held in her hands a gamecolt that she was idly playing. “I’ve told you he was a fool for years, Lu.”

“That thy did, Eris…” Lunar admitted. “We just wish he would listen…”

“He won’t. Not until something chaotic happens to him.” Eris said suggestively.

“Do not even think about playing a trick on him.”

“Aww! You’re no fun!” Eris complained. She snapped her attention away from Lunar and focused on playing her game.

Lunar turned to look at the mare and raised an eyebrow at the device. “What, pray tell, is that?”

“A gamecolt.” Eris answered like it was obvious.

The alicorn tilted his head curiously to the side. “A what?”

“Gamecolt. Something that won’t be around for another thousand years. You should try it when it comes out. Pokemon is fun.”

“Okay… How did thy…” Lunar shook his head and reminded himself to not ask questions about Eris’ chaos magic. “Never mind.”

Solaris stormed out into the night air and yelled at the top of his lungs at the sky, his voice echoing through the still air into the quiet night. A few dozing birds were startled by the sudden racket and took off from their perches in nearby trees.

“Why can’t I just find a mare of my own to love? Why does it have to be what mother thinks is best for me? It’s all a load of ursan shit!”

The stallion spread his wings and leaped over the guard rail of the balcony. His wings caught the air and let him glide at high speed toward anywhere but the castle. He was sick and tired of his life being controlled by his overbearing mother, so he sought out a place of solitude.

The flight through the cool night air was enough to clear his mind of his anger toward everypony he loved and left it at a fixed angle toward his mother. The clarity let him think about how he snapped at Lunar, feeling bad for it. He made a mental note to apologise to his younger brother when he returned.

For now, Solaris sought solitude from the world. He flew over tree tops and over the small farming town that was currently thriving from one apple orchard. He loved paying visits to the Apple family. They were always so friendly and carefree. Why couldn’t he have been a apple-bucking earth pony? Life would have been so much more simple.

Solaris shook off the thought. Thinking about a life he could have had would not help him with his raging stress. He angled himself toward an area where he knew ponies were too afraid to wander into, at least not as far as Solaris dared to travel.

The Drako mountains were always his place of solitude. He had made good friends with a dragon prince and, through him, forged an alliance with the dragon kingdom. No dragons were allowed to even touch Solaris without permission.

Solaris straightened his flight path and slowed his pace as he approached a cave that he had designated as his own and landed on the cliff that extended from the mouth. The stallion sighed and sat down at the edge of the cliff with his hooves hanging over. He suddenly wished it was day. He hated being out at night. It made him feel vulnerable. At least when it was day he could see everything around him. But at least it was quiet and that’s what Solaris needed at the moment.

The alicorn settled into deep thought and slowly let his body calm down from the previous stressful moment from his mother. He went through the scenario again through his head and noticed several places where he was in the wrong, as well as his mother. “Damn… I can be a real ass at times, can’t I?” Solaris whispered to himself. “I guess Lu isn’t the only one I need to apologise to…”

A faint noize broke the stallion from his thoughts. He perked his ears up to catch the sound if it happened again. His right ear twitched. “There it is again…” It sounded like a sob. A quiet sob, but still a sob.

He turned to look back at his cave and angled his ears to catch the sound better. He heard it again, but louder. It was definitely coming from the cave. Solaris stood from his seat at the edge of the cliff and slowly walked toward the cave. It was too dark to make out any shapes in the cave, so when he approached the mouth, he lit up his horn. Suddenly the whole cave was illuminated by Solaris’ horn light. And what, or rather whom it exposed made Solaris gasp.

Sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them, was a black unicorn mare with her face buried into her crossed arms. She had a wild black mane that draped over her shoulders and down her back. Her tail was pretty much the same and trailed across the floor. Her horn was curved and red from mid base to the tip. She wore a skimpish plate armor that seemed to cover only her hooves, forearms, chest, and crotch area. Her body seemed to be firmly toned with muscles, like she was a born fighter.

The only thing about the mare that Solaris truly paied attentin to was that she was crying.

“Umm… Hello?”

The mare gasped and stiffened. “Wh-who’s there?” Her voice cracked from the previous crying.

Solaris slowly sat in front of the mare. “I won’t hurt you… I just want to know what you’re doing in my cave in such a miserable condition.”

“I-it’s none of your damn business…” She growled.

“Then could you at least tell me your name?” Solaris asked, hoping to get a more successful response from the nameless mare.

She looked up at Solaris with red eyes. Not from crying, but her eyes were actually red in color. “Umbra.” She said simply. “My name in princess Umbra.”

Solaris was frozen for a moment. Umbra’s face held a rebellious beauty about it, making her cute yet intimidating. Her red eyes were a convincing addition to the look. His heart seemed to beat a little faster.

“I’m… Solaris. Prince Solaris.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of you. The little rebellious prince of the sun.” Umbra stated like she didn’t even care.

Solaris scratched the back of his head nervously. “Umm… Yeah, I guess.”

A small smile inched across Umbra’s lips lips, making her look even more beautiful. “Anypony who can defy an equivalent of a god and still have enough self confidence to talk to somepony as pathetic as me is ok in my book.”

Solaris returned the smile. “So can you tell me why you’re here? You’re in my cave after all.”

Umbra lifted an eyebrow in confusion. “But this is dragon territory.”

“Prince Reyu Naga is my colthood friend. I claimed this as my territory when I was younger. My friendship gave me immunity to dragon territory customs, meaning this cave is mine for as long as I live. Being as this cave is the only one on this face of the mountain, this mountain is mine as well. The dragons keep their distance and let me stay in peace.”

“Oh… Well, anyway if you really must know…” Umbra looked at her hooves. “My parents died recently in a war for control of my family’s kingdom in the Crystal empire.”

“Oh no… I’m so sorry for your loss, Umbra.” What else could he have said?

“Don’t be. It doesn’t matter now. I’m not even a real princess any more. My inheritance was taken from me by force. My home is gone and even my pride is slipping from me.”

“Well… You could come with me to Everfree castle.” Solaris suggested.

Umbra shook her head. “I don’t want to be a burden on you, Solaris. I’ll just be leaving in the morning. Sorry for trespassing.”

Solaris narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think so. You’re not going anywhere, but back to Everfree with me. This is no place for a princess. I have a guest room that would be perfect for you.”

Umbra blushed slightly. “Umm... Well, if you insist.”

‘She’s a princess with nothing but her title to offer. Mother would freak if she knew what I’m thinking now.’ Solaris thought to himself. “You’ll like it there, just let me deal with my mother when we arrive.” He held out his hand for Umbra to take, which she slowly did. The alicorn stood and helped her to her hooves.

“Are you sure I won’t be a bother?”

“No, I’m not. But to hell with what my mother thinks of you. You’re in need and I’m providing.” Solaris stated. He noticed that his little display of rebelliousness against his mother to give compassion to a homeless mare made Umbra blush. ‘She looks kinda cute like that.’ He thought.

Umbra shrugged and looked back down at her hooves. “Well then fine. Just make sure I’m alone… I don’t want anypony to get hurt…” She said the last part almost too quiet for Solaris to catch what had been said, but the alicorn ignored it and treated it as a touch phobia or something.

“Of course. The guest quarters is near to my chambers. I’ll be sure to post a guard by your door at all times to make sure you’re safe. Deal?”

Umbra didn’t look at him, but still nodded. “Thank you.”

“We can leave now, if you want. Or do you want to calm down before I bring you home with me? I mean, not bring you home with me, but you know… home with me… As in as a guest, not…” Solaris stopped, noticing he was stumbling over his words. He laughed shyly and scratched the back of his head.

Umbra giggled a little and looked up at Solaris. “I think I’d like to stay a little longer, if it’s alright with you. It’s nice up here. I like how quiet it is, unlike the rest of the world.”

Solaris smiled. “Yes. That is why I chose it. I’m thinking I could start my own castle right here on the side of the mountain. Just for me and Lu.”

Umbra cocked her head curiously. “Lu?”

“My brother, Lunar.” Solaris confirmed.

“Oh, yes. The brother. I had forgotten about him.”

“He tends to be forgotten about. It angers him, but father can always talk some sense into the stallion. Don’t worry though. He’s good when you get to know him.”

Umbra smiled. “Okay… Can you turn that light off though? I… feel more comfortable in the dark.”

Solaris hesitated, but shook his head to clear his uneasiness of the dark. “Of course.” He replied and shut off his horn glow. The cave was instantly submerged in darkness, save for the glow of a few luminescent crystals lodged in the walls.

“Thank you for being compassionate to me… I don’t normally get ponies who want to be nice to me…” Umbra said suddenly after a while of them sitting in the dark.

“Why don’t you? You seem really nice.”

If Solaris wasn’t blinded by darkness, he would have seen the tear sliding down Umbra’s cheek. “I… would rather not talk about it.”

Solaris scooted closer to where he thought the mare was. “Oh, come now. It can’t be but so bad.”

Umbra curled into a ball again. “I-I’m sorry… I just can’t.”

Solaris sighed. “Fine. Don’t tell me.” He stood from his spot on the cave floor and began walking toward the exit. “I’m going to take a breath of fresh air. It’s stuffy in here.”

“Wait!” Umbra cried.

The alicorn stumbled when he felt something hard slam into his back and wrap around his midsection.

“Don’t leave me alone, Solaris…”

Solaris raised an eyebrow. “I thought you said-”

“I know what I said!” Umbra interrupted him. “I just don’t want you to leave me alone… I need somepony like you around me to keep me from going crazy… Please don’t leave me alone.”

The stallion blushed. ‘Holly mother! She can’t be admiring me already, could she!? We just met!’ Solaris shook off the thoughts. “O-of course, Umbra. You’ll be fine with me.”

“Th-thank you…”

A bond of trust and more

“Why have you brought her here!? You have no idea who she is! She could be dangerous!” The queen of Everfree castle roared at her son. “She came from a war! Dressed in armor! What are you thinking, Solaris!?”

“Umbra is lonely and hurt! I am doing what’s right! Be happy I appologised for how I acted before and leave her alone!” Solaris roared back. He was even more enraged than the last time he faced his mother. His heart raced as his blood boiled.

The queen rose from her throne. “How dare you speak to me that way!? I should singe your tail for such insubordination!”

Solaris stood his ground. “Are you saying I shouldn’t help the weak? What kind of sadist would turn away a homeless mare that her son has given kindness to? Have you no soul, mother?”

The queen gasped at the accusation. She narrowed her eyes and stormed down from her pedestal toward the prince, before backhanding him. The young alicorn’s head snapped to the side from the impact.

He slowly turned his head back to look his mother dead in the eye, the bruise forming on his face from where he had been struck, but seemed to have no effect on his glare. “Just as I thought. You resort to striking me when you can’t have your way.”

“Be silent! I will get rid of her myself if I must.”

Solaris took a threatening step toward the queen. His glare was cold and hard, almost evil. “You touch her and I’ll turn the hand you dared to touch her with to nothing but ash!”

The queen stumbled back a step from the threat. She stared at her son wide-eyed. The old mare knew that she wouldn’t last long in a fight against Solaris if one were to break out. Sure she was stronger than him, but the younger alicorn was more sporadic and unpredictable. He would catch her off guard for sure. And now that her influence wasn’t effecting her son anymore, she was almost afraid of him.

Solaris snorted. “Princess Umbra is my guest. If even one of the servants simply look at her wrong, I will throw them off a cliff. If you say a word that isn’t a compliment or a welcome, I’ll burn every valuable item you own. My kindness goes to the weak and thankful, not to the narcissistic and greedy.”

The queen was dumbfounded at hearing her own son speak to her that way, but the truth was there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.

Solaris turned and walked away. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a mare to tend to. If you have any problem with that, you can shove it up your royal posterior.”

She regained enough courage to shake off her shock. “Just wait until your father hears of this!”

Solaris froze with his hand grasping the handle of the door. He didn't even bother to look back at the mare. “My father would see my decision as just and kind. You are very in the wrong, mother.” He spat before throwing the door open and leaving.

The queen was left there speechless.

“I told you he would turn on you if you kept treating him like a possession, Comet Tail.” A strong male voice chuckled.

The queen turned to see a tall red alicorn stallion with a bright orange mane and tail that floated like any other alicorn, seeming to take the likeness of a solar flare. He wore a long red kings robe that draped down to the floor behind him. His face structure was like looking at the face of her son, but his kind eyes held so much more wisdom.

Comet looked away in shame. “Let me be, Star Flare.”

Star chuckled as he approached the fellow alicorn and wrapped his arms around her. “You have to be gentle with such young life, Comet Tail. Solaris is like a cornered animal. He will strike. And it appears he already has. You cannot treat our children so cruelly. We want them to live more modestly than that. I want them to rule with kindness. Already Lunar is starting to mimic your habits. I ask you time and time again to be kind, but you do not listen.”

Comet teared up, but looked further away from Star.

The king narrowed his eyes at his wife. “Fine… If you will still ignore me, then I shall treat you the same as you treat them and, on occasion, me.” He shoved Comet away, making her stumble and fall to the floor. “I have had enough of dealing with Solaris and Lunar coming to me about problems you cause them.”

Comet looked up at Star with teary eyes. “S-Star… please…”

“Please what? Stop? Is that what I am supposed to do now? What did you do when Solaris accidentally hurt Lunar that one day and he even helped bandage the poor young one? You beat him over the head with their wooden sword! He cried and begged you to stop, but what did you do!?”

Comet whimpered, but didn’t reply.

“You continued beating him!” He roared. “Until you learn how to treat my sons, you are restricted to minimal contact with either one. You will be sleeping in a guest room until I say otherwise. I do not want to sleep next to an abusive queen. I have had enough of you taking advantage of my kind nature.”

“S-star! Please no! I-I am sorry! I will not do it again! Forgive me!” Comet wailed and crawled toward the king with tears running down her face.

“I… am not the one who you need to be begging forgiveness from.”

Comet’s eyes widened. “I-if not you… Th-then who?”

Star’s gaze was as cold as his son’s. “You know exactly who.”

“S-Solaris?”

Star turned and walked up the ramp to the throne, before sitting in it. “Leave me.”

The queen bowed her head in shame and pushed herself up off the floor, before she left the throne room.

Solaris strolled down the corridor like nothing had even happened. He felt strangely calm about what he had just done. He may have even felt better about it. It was like all of his stress was suddenly gone, leaving him with a clearer head than he’s had in years.

He walked up to the door of the room he had given to Umbra. It was near his chambers in the sun wing and was not much smaller than his own room. The bed was soft and warm and the clothing was comfortable. He had shown Umbra where the clothing was before he left. Hopefully she had already changed out of her armor into something comfortable.

The alicorn lightly knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Umbra’s voice called from inside.

Solaris turned the handle and opened the door. It was pretty dark inside, save for a few candles that were lit on a nearby workbench that was covered by parchments for writing letters. He turned his attention to the bed, where the black unicorn princess sat in a white night gown. “Hay… How are you feeling?” Solaris asked as he shut the door behind him.

“Alright, I guess…” Umbra replied in a quiet voice.

Solaris smiled and sat down at the foot of the bed next to Umbra. “You’re fine to stay here for as long as you like. My mother shouldn’t have a problem with you taking up one of the guest rooms.”

Umbra’s eyes brightened. “Really?”

The alicorn smiled and nodded.

Umbra leaped at Solaris and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

Solaris stiffened. He wasn’t used to Umbra having much physical contact with him. She had even avoided his hand shake from before, as if she was afraid of getting dirt on her hands from his.

“Thank you…” Umbra whispered. “I don’t know what I would have done without you…”

The prince smiled and hugged the mare back. “My father taught me that everypony deserves kindness, unless they take advantage of it and hurt you.”

“I won’t do that… I promise. You saved me from being alone. I owe you everything.”

“You owe nothing. Your gratitude is enough for me, but seeing you smile would be even better. That will be my goal.”

Umbra blushed lightly. “You’re sweet.”

“Anyway… I will go a little off topic here and ask… Why is it you like the dark so much?” Solaris asked.

Umbra tightened her grip on Solaris. “I’m… the princess of shadow… I use shadow magic…

Its easier to control when its dark. I can feel the entire room then.”

“Interesting…” He pulled away from the mare. “I’d like to know more.”

Umbra sighed and looked away. “Of course you would. The problem is… I’m not giving out information like that.”

Solaris’ heart sunk. “Oh… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m a stranger living in your castle. You have a right to be curious of me, but my secrets stay just that; a secret. At least until I know I can trust you fully.”

Solaris sighed and stood from the bed. “Okay… Sorry to bother you. I’ll just be leaving now.” He said as he started toward the door, but was stopped when Umbra grabbed his wrist. He looked back to see her worried and hopeful face as she gazed up at him.

“Please don’t go. I… don’t want to be alone.” Umbra begged.

Solaris blushed, but didn’t argue as he sat back down on the bed and let Umbra cling to him again. He gently rubbed her back to help calm her nerves and smiled at how beautiful and cute she looked.

Umbra nuzzled into his shoulder. “Thank you again, Solaris. If only my parents were alive to meet you. They would have loved to meet a stallion as compassionate as you.”

The stallion blushed deeper. He laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. “I think your parents would have tried to marry you off to me.”

Umbra smiled. “Do you really think so?”

“I do.”

“Do you think your mother would have married you off to me as well?”

Solaris sighed. “No… No I don’t…”

Umbra pulled away and looked up at Solaris with a frown. “Why wouldn’t she?”

“She didn’t even want you here from the start. I had to threaten her to let you stay. I don’t know what her issues are. I don’t know why she acts like she does, but let me tell you this… She wasn’t even much of a mother from the beginning. To make matters worse, my brother takes after her.”

“Oh… That’s terrible…”

“Indeed… But father should be happy to have you stay. So don’t worry. You have two alicorns on your side.”

Umbra hugged Solaris again. “I’m sorry about your mother. No child should have to live with a narcissist.”

Solaris blushed again. He couldn’t seem to form the words to reply. It made his heart warm slightly to know that there was somepony that felt compassion toward his pain and anger.

“Maybe I could be the mare that takes the place of what love your mother never gave you.” Umbra suggested before she even realize what had come out of her mouth. She gasped and blushed deeply.

Solaris froze up, his blush growing deeper as his eyes widened.

Umbra quickly let go of the stallion and snatched herself away from him. “Oh Gods! I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for that to slip out! I-I wasn’t ev-” She was shushed by a finger to her lips.

Solaris smiled. “Hay… It’s alright, Umbra. Your secrets are safe with me. So long as you don’t tell either.”

Umbra lifted an eyebrow. “T-tell about what?”

“About this.” Solaris grabbed Umbra, pulled her against him, and gently pressed his lips to her’s.

Umbra’s heart heart suddenly exploded with emotion from the contact. Her eyes grew wide as her cheeks burned red with a deep blush. Her eyes slowly fluttered shut and her arms gently wrapped around his shoulders as she began to enjoy the kiss.

Solaris held it for a moment, before breaking the kiss, leaving the black unicorn mare in a blissful daze. He chuckled. “Enjoyed that, did we?”

The mare slowly nodded. “Y-yes… Can… Can you do it again?”

Solaris smiled and leaned in to kiss Umbra again, holding her closer to him. His heart thumped against his chest as he held the mare in his arms, gently kissing her.

Umbra kissed back this time, pressing her lips against Solaris’ in a passionate touch. Her whole body heated up from the contact and left her feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Fireworks exploded in her mind, flashing and filling her head with deffonning eruptions of emotion.”

The kiss lasted longer than last time, but like all good things, it came to an end soon enough when Solaris pulled away again. “How was that?” He asked in a loving tone.

“Wonderful…” Umbra whispered as she gazed at Solaris with half lidded eyes.

Solaris chuckled. “I won’t rush you to trust me. Just know that I can be trusted.” He made to get up again, but he was pulled back down.

“Wait… My magic was a gift from my mother when she was queen of the Crystal Empire. She said that the shadows are not something to fear. That they are something to embrace. Shadows will protect and hold strong. They’ll form to any shape and can be molded to fit others. I like the dark so much because the shadow protects me, but I seen now that light wishes to protect me as well.”

Solaris smiled. “Now was it so hard to trust your savior?”

Umbra blushed and looked away embarrassed. “I-I guess not.”

“Go ahead and get some sleep. You need it. If you need anything, I’m just down the corridor to the left. You can’t miss it. My door is golden.”

Umbra nodded and let go of Solaris.

“Here. Let me help you get comfortable.” Solaris offered and pulled back the covers to let Umbra lay down on the sheets, before he covered her to her shoulders with the comforter. “Good night, Umbra.”

“Good night, Solaris.”

Solaris smiled again and made his way out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. He then made for his own chambers. He stopped in front of his golden door and glared at it. His mother had ordered the door be plated with gold and he hated it. But at least the gold was enchanted with a defence spell.

The stallion sighed and pushed the door open as he walked inside, closing it behind him.

Opposites attract

“He… Kissed me… And it felt so… right.” Umbra whispered to herself as she looked in the bathroom mirror at her own reflection. “Like… it was supposed to happen… Maybe…”

A knock at the bedchamber door startled the mare out of her train of thought. “C-coming!” She called while scrambling to the door, nearly running into it when she got there. She threw it open expecting to see Solaris, but instead there was a huge bouquet of freshly picked flowers of several colors floating in a gold aura of magic. Though most of them darker, the flowers were still cheerful colors.

Umbra gasped as a deep blush warmed her cheeks. She reached out and took them, the magic dispersing as soon as she did. Umbra held them close and smelled them deeply. The smell of the many exotic flowers brought a smile to her face.

“Ah, there it is. That’s what I’ve been looking forward to all morning.” Solaris’ voice said.

Umbra looked up and was surprised to see the prince standing in the doorway, leaning against it. He was dressed sharply as always, though it sort of put her current attire to shame. She smiled anyway. “Well, hello to you too, prince.”

Solaris smiled back. “Please, enough with the formalities. Call me Solaris.”

Umbra giggled. “Sorry.” Why was she feeling so bubbly around him? She couldn’t place the feeling. Though she didn’t mind it in the least. This was the happiest she had been in months. “So you got these for me?”

The prince nodded. “I picked them myself from the garden. I would have picked you some Night Shade flowers, but they only bloom at certain times of the year and only at night.”

“These are fine, Solaris. I love them.”

Solaris blushed and looked at his hooves. “I just thought I would do that for you since, you know… I kissed you.”

“I loved that too.”

Solaris looked up and blushed. “Did you? Well would you like to do it again?”

Umbra blushed deeply and her heart skipped a beat. “I-I… Umm… I…”

Solaris burst into laughter. “I’m kidding! I'm kidding!"

Umbra was slightly disappointed, but she didn't show it. She enjoyed seeing the stallion she had feelings for smile and laugh. It made her feel warm, like a ray of sunshine was shining down upon her.

"Well, anyway... I came to ask you if you would like to join me in the garden tonight for a meal I helped Spices make."

Umbra's eyes widened. "Wait, y-you're not going to court me?"

Solaris looked confused. "Why would I do that? I hate courting. I also hate being nice to snobs." He smiled at her. “I would much rather show you everything about myself. Actions speak louder than words, do they not?”

Umbra took a moment to process what he had just said. Had he just said that he blatantly goes against tradition of many years of kingdoms? She felt an unusual spike in her attraction toward him at the simple thought and it made her blush slightly.

“So, are you going to join me? I acquired a nice bottle of cider wine just for the occasion.”

The questioned mare slowly nodded. “Y-yes…” She cleared her throat and repeated more firmly. “Yes, I-I… I would.”

“Great!” Solaris quickly leant in and gave Umrba a quick embrace, before running off.

Umbra was left in a blushing and dazed state. Her heart felt like it was running faster than a speeding cart. She was about to have a romantic meal in the gardens tonight. With the stallion that saved her from loneliness. She was beyond nervous and excited.

She ran back into her chambers and made straight for her wardrobe, throwing it open to search through the dresses that were kept there. She rummaged through them for a moment, but didn’t find a single dress that caught her eyes. Right when she was about to give up, a flash of red caught her attention. She moved a dark grey dress out of her way and exposed a long red silk dress.

Umbra pulled it out and looked it over. The silk seemed to have never been worn, like the original owner thought it was too priceless to even wear. The left side of the dress had a long black silk sleeve with a ring attached to it for her middle finger to slip through. The right side had nothing to cover her arm, leaving it completely strapless.

Umbra was shocked at her find. “How was this forgotten?” She asked herself as she held it up to herself to find that it was very close to her size. “I doubt anypony would mind if I wore this…”

She ran and hid the dress somewhere she would remember it for tonight, so nopony could see what she was planning to wear. The last thing Umbra wanted was to be scolded for breaking tradition with the prince. She then stripped out of her night gown and threw on her traditional ornamental armor, the same armor she had arrived in, before leaving to find the dining hall for breakfast.

Umbra eventually found herself lost in the labyrinth of a castle after only a few moments of walking. The many halls criss-crossing confused her, but at least it was quiet. The Crystal halls were never this quiet for her. It gave her a sense of calm, despite being lost. She eventually bumped into somepony after turning down a corridor.

The figure was blacked out by a shadow, but Umbra could definitely tell it was a stallion. “Thou should leave. Thy presence disturbs the sacred trust between our family.”

Umbra narrowed her eyes. “It’s not your decision whether I should leave or not. It’s Solaris’.”

“Our brother is blind to what thou hath caused!” The stallion stepped out, exposing Lunar to the light. He was gritting his teeth and clenching his fists in anger. “Our mother and father hath feuded over thee! Our mother is left with nothing, thanks to father siding with Solaris!”

“That is none of my concern…” Umbra growled. “It would only be my concern if Solaris viewed it as an issue. Now unless you are going to tell me how to locate the dining hall, we have nothing left to say to each other.”

Lunar took a threatening step toward Umbra, before jabbing his finger to the right. “Down the corridor, take a left. End of that corridor, across from the kitchens.”

Umbra was confused by the sudden display. She hesitated.

“Thy food grows cold. If thou doth not hurry, thy morsel shall be thrown out.”

This snapped Umbra out of her shocked frozen state. She growled up at Lunar. “Do not treat me as a mere underling, prince.” She spat. “I’m a princess, rightful inheritant of the Crystal Empire. You would do well to treat me with respect, just so I see it worth treating you with respect as well.” Umbra turned and stormed off, but her mischievous magic was left behind hidden in Lunar’s shadow.

Lunar glared at her as she walked away from him. “Our brother is a fool…” He said under his breath.

Umbra seethed with anger as she stormed to the dining hall and threw open the door to find Solaris already there with who seemed to be his father.

“Ah! Speak of the devil!” Solaris exclaimed happily. He waved her over to the table. “Father, this is princess Umbra. The sweet, timid mare I told you about.”

The mare blushed deeply, her anger melting away almost instantly as she shyly approached the table. A servant pulled out her chair to allow her to sit and pushed her in toward the table once she had. A butler then placed a hot tray in front of her, before lifting the lid, revealing a plate of freshly steamed vegetables of several kinds and a bowl of fruit on ice.

Sombra immediately set to eating the meal in front of her, ignoring the two royals for the time being until she was done. She then looked first to Solaris, then to his father and his kind eyes.

“I... can see where Solaris gets his attractive looks from.” Umbra said without thinking. It took her all of three seconds to figure out what she said, thanks to Star Flare’s chuckle. She gasped and blushed deeper. “I-I-I mean…”

Star Flare held up a hand for her to stop. “It’s quite alright… Umbra. You’re the first mare he hasn’t complained about in four years. In fact… He has told me enough about you for me to have already figured out what he thinks of you.” He smiled and leaned over the table toward her. “He kissed you, didn’t he?”

Umbra squeaked and hid her face, blushing madly.

“Father! Don’t embarrass the poor mare!” Solaris scolded his father.

Star burst into laughter and sat back in his chair. “You naughty young stallion you! You went and kissed her without her anypony knowing! I’m telling your cousins.”

“Don’t you dare.”

Star sat forward and rested his head on his elbows. “I will…”

Solaris crossed his arms. “Then maybe I should tell Umbra here about your fetish.”

The king’s smile deflated. “You would not…”

The prince smirked. “I would.”

“My lord, if you please. I wish to speak to you of something.” Umbra interrupted.

Star Flare broke eye contact with his son and looked at Umbra with curiosity. “Whatever do you wish to speak to me for? Is it about your empire?”

Umbra shook her head and looked away. “Sense it is that I have nopony to give me away… I request that you allow me a chance to…” She hesitated as her heart rate picked up speed and her breathing shallowed. “... to be with Solaris.”

Solaris’ jaw dropped.

Star smiled. “Ah… A brave one she is.” He looked back to his son with the same smile. “How do you feel about her, Solaris? What do you think I should say?”

Solaris opened and closed his mouth a few times, attempting to form the words he was thinking. He had to take a sip of his water and clear his throat before he could speak again. “I… We… I-I think you should give us a chance.”

“Then so be it.”

Umbra gasped. “Just… l-like that?”

Star nodded. “Just like that.”

“But… I…” The mare stumbled over her words.

“Would you rather me say no?”

Umbra threw her hands up in a helpless attempt to stop him. “N-no no. That’s not what I meant at all. It’s just…” She ran her hands through her mane nervously. “a lot to take in.”

Star chuckled. “I can tell you were not prepared for a yes to your proposal. It is fine, Umbra. I was tired of trying to give my son to rich princess’ with bad attitudes. Thank the Gods he found you.”

Umbra blinked. Not only was she not prepared, but she was completely lost. At first her being there had caused a problem. Now it’s suddenly a good thing. It was all tugging on her mind like a dirty game of tug-war. There was just one question on her mind now.

“What about the younger one?” She asked boldly.

Star Flare sighed and stroked his red beard. “His mother has had too much of an influence on him. I see it becoming worse every time I look him in the eye. There’s darkness in that boy… and I am afraid for him.”

Umbra suddenly regretted asking. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just I had a confrontation with him on the way here. He said I ruined the sacred trust of your family.”

“There was never truely any trust coming from that mare my mother forced me to marry. I kept things together for a few thousand years, but it does get tiring after a while.”

“But…”

“It would be best left alone for the time, my dear. For now, do enjoy whatever you want. I have given you full reign of a princess of my kingdom. Just keep out of trouble.” Star said, before standing. “I must now return to my duties. Letters will not write themselves, now will they?” The king chuckled as he bid the two young royals farewell and left the room, leaving them alone in silence, besides the servants still left in the room.

Solaris and Umbra were quiet for some time. The only sound came from the servants as they cleaned the table, being careful not to break any glasses or scratch the surface of the table. Soon even they were gone.

Solaris was the first to finally break the silence. “So… ahem… This doesn’t change anything about tonight, does it?”

Umbra adjusted her breast plate and sat up. “Well… I don’t know. Do you want it to change?”

The prince scratched the back of his head nervously. “No… No, not really… I still wanted to have dinner with you.”

“Well…” Umbra vanished in a puff of black magic and appeared sitting in Solaris’ lap. “Then nothing’s changed.”

Solaris blushed. “E-excellent.”

Umbra vanished again, leaving Solaris alone in the dining hall.

The prince sighed and leaned back into his chair. “I… think I’m in love…”

Umbra paced back and forth nervously in her borrowed bed chamber. Ever since that morning she had been having auto-fashion attacks every hour, freaking out over how she looked and if Solaris would like her in the red dress. She had tried the silk on several times and had looked herself over twice as many times, finding nothing to be off. Umbra still couldn’t help but worry about it.

It was about the stallion she had pretty much wooed into a love struck trance after all.

Umbra was now simply staring at herself in the gold trim mirror as she sat in a chair in front of it. The dress was nearly a perfect fit, only the sleeve was slightly longer than her arm. The red silk was a perfect match to her eyes and horn tip and the black sleeve was in just the right place to make the setup ambitious, but perfect.

She sighed. “This is the tenth time you’ve looked yourself over, Umbra… There’s nothing wrong. Get a hold of yourself.” She whispered under her breath. Umbra was so preoccupied with fretting over her nerves that when a knock sounded at the door, she squeaked in shock and fell out of her seat in front of her mirror, landing on her face. “Ouch…”

Solaris burst through the door and ran to Umbra’s side. “Umbra! What happened?”

Umbra sat up and looked up at Solaris, before blushing deeply and looking away. “I-I… was just startled… That’s all…” She admitted shyly.

Solaris was about to reply when his eyes made contact with the red dress. His words died in his throat. “Umbra… Where did you get this?”

The mare shrunk away from the prince. “I-I found it… P-please don’t be upset.”

“What are you talking about? You look amazing. Whoever this belonged to can kiss my royal posterior. Its yours now.”

Umbra made a move to argue, but Solaris put up his hand to stop her.

“I said its yours.” Solaris smiled and held out his hand to help her up. “Now… Are you ready for our little… get together?”

Umbra smiled and took his hand, using his strength to help her stand back to her hooves. She was then surprised when she was met soon after with a kiss on the lips. Like the last time, she froze up, but relaxed into it after a moment. She wrapped her arms around Solaris and closed her eyes.

Solaris gently caressed her back as they kissed, attempting to lull her further into the caring embrace. But Umbra broke the kiss before it progressed any further.

“You know… You really aren’t supposed to be kissing me as of yet, prince Solaris. We haven’t even known each other for more than two days. You don’t think you could be getting too hasty, do you?”

Solaris blushed and looked away. “I can’t help it… I can almost see what you want me to do in your eyes… Even if you don’t...”

It was her turn to blush again. “W-what?”

“Father says it’s a trait his family line share… A trait only I inherited from him. Lunar doesn’t have it.” The stallion replied. “Father says it’s how he rules with kindness so easily.”

“Oh… Well, um… S-shouldn’t we be going?”

“Huh? Oh! O-of course!” Solaris took Umbra by the hand and led her out of her chambers.