Diamond Tiara was sitting on her bed. It was a nice, big bed, with pink sheets and a pink comforter embroidered with intricate, hoof-stiched designs with gold thread. The pillows were the very softest money could buy. It was one of these particular pillows where we are met with the young filly, about ten years old. She grew up in a very rich family, her father, Filthy Rich owning a large business. Diamond Tiara could have practically anything she wanted. Well, almost anything she wanted. Her father was always busy. Always on a business trip or at a meeting, or any of the grown-up-ish things he did.
She really did appreciate all that her father did, and she always enjoyed receiving presents from wherever he traveled to. But it was her birthday tomorrow. Now, any normal filly would be wide awake on the night before their birthday, thinking about the giant party they would throw, and all of the wonderful presents she would receive. But this filly was wide awake for a different reason. She was clutching one of her beautiful, soft pillows to her chest, listening intently.
She was listening and waiting. Listening for the clip-clop of hooves against the pavement of the sidewalk outside her house. For the rattle of wheels on the chariot her father would be arriving in. At the moment, she was waiting rather patiently for her father to arrive. She would gallop down the stairs, and she and her father would share a loving embrace, locking in a hug that would seemingly last forever, while her new stepmother would walk in and join in the family embrace.
But Diamond Tiara's father never came. If he didn't arrive tomorrow, this would be the second year in a row that he had missed his poor daughter's birthday. She knew her step mother, which she loved dearly (much more dearly than her biological mother), would be there. Her friends would be there. She had much more friends after she had stopped being a bully to her fellow students. Her best friend in Equestria, Silver Spoon, would definitely be there. But her father most likely wouldn't. He would probably send a post card, like he did on her last birthday, last Christmas, and the other occasions he'd missed because of his line of work.
It was just so unfair! Why didn't her daddy ever come home? Did he not care about her? She had overheard him talking to her 'wicked' ex-mother that he had wanted a colt, not a filly. Could that be why he didn't visit her more often? Because he was ashamed to have her as his daughter?!
No. That couldn't be it. When he was home, he always would tell Diamond that he lived her, and that he would always be there when she needed him. Then why aren't you here now, Daddy? Can't you see I do need you?
After a while, her long day got the best of her, and she drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
"Diamond. Diamond, it's time to get up." A voice as sweet as honey awakened Diamond Tiara from her slumber.
Diamond Tiara opened her eyes to see the beautiful face of her maid. She had a sea-foam colored coat with a deep blue, curly mane, which was tied up in a bun. Her cutie mark was an image of a sandy beach with waves coming in, though it was covered by the skirt of her maid uniform.
"A few more minutes, please?" Diamond Tiara groggily pleaded.
Sandy Beach (which was her maid's name) chuckled as a light yellow magical aura surrounded the blanket covering the drowsy filly. With a flick of her horn, Sandy Beach threw the blanket off of the bed, exposing her to the cold morning air. Diamond Tiara moaned in protest and curled into a little ball to keep herself warm.
Sandy Beach rolled her eyes and gently shook Diamond Tiara. "Come on, Diamond! The chef made special birthday pancakes for you!"
Diamond Tiara stretched her back out and finally opened her eyes. "Okay," she said, yawning. "Did daddy come home last night?" she asked hopefully.
Sandy Beach wore a sad expression at that question. "I'm afraid not. But I'm sure he'll come while you're in school!" Sandy said, trying to cheer Diamond Tiara up.
Diamond Tiara sighed and hopped off of her bed. "Yeah. Sure."
She took her signature tiara from her bedside table and put it on. As she put it on, her hoof brushed against the bag of chocolate-covered raisins Filthy Rich got for her from Prance. He had forgotten that she hated chocolate-covered raisins. She quickly descended the stairs with Sandy Beach, walking towards the dining room, where the smell of pancakes was wafting up from the dining room.
