Broken Hearts

Celestia's eyes shot opened while her eye twitched in agitation and sparks of flames begun to emit from her mane.

Twilight could not believe her ears. She didn't want to. "What?"

Luna was enraged. She slammed a hoof onto the table and unfurled dark bat like wings while her voice broke what little calmness the room had. Her eyes glowing an angry white.

"You dare gather us for this nonsense? Surely I have wasted my time by dragging myself out of bed! You wish to marry King Sombra of the Umbrum who has does nothing but caused your empire grief and caused tragedy within your family! Has his dark magic secretly infected you so that you cannot rationally think?! What brain cells has died within you?"

"No brain cells has died within me and surely no dark magic has infected me either! I have my reasons for doing this which I discussed far before this reveal! I am doing this not for my own sake but for my kingdom's sake!"

"And what in the right world of Equestria will that do! How will this help your kingdom but drive them further apart!? Marrying a sick and wicked tyrant that drives his own kingdom to anguish is helping your kingdom?! You have no idea what this entails! Your empire shall hoof you over for treason against them!"

"Your going to marry my brother's murderer!" Twilight yelled.

Luna's horn sparked magic but a gentle hoof was all that was needed to calm her down.

Celestia stayed with her eyes closed, hoof on her sisters shoulder. "Perhaps, we should hear her out."

Luna growled but reluctantly, gave in to reason and sat back down. Giving a snarl to Cadance and eating another cucumber sandwich.

Celestia took a deep breath and opened her eyes looking down. Refusing to look directly into the alicorn that looked at her from the other side of the table.

She sighed. "Tell us why you think this is best."

Cadance answered. "The umbrum and crystal ponies are nothing more than distant relatives each with a bloodline connecting them somewhere in the Crystal Empire. They, at least to me, have a just right to reside within the empire as well. Exterminating him or his kingdom will just cause bigger problems than before. Banishing him worked but as you know he is only came back. By marrying him, I can blend the two kingdoms as one and as such try to quell Sombra's rage. This, shall he accept, will stop anymore raids or battles or feuds between us. If anything it will provide more of a benefit towards King Sombra than for us."

"How so?"

"For us, the feuds will stop and precious resources will no longer be lost on battles and wars. For him however, he will be able to rule the empire like he wanted to of course with restrictions, the umbrum will return back to their land and most of all a better one and finally, will be able to have peace for themselves just as equally. The harshness of living in Shawdonia will dwindle and the quality of life will be better for them. They will be happy."

"Do you realize the opposition you will gain? Those who will be against it? Equestria may not split but your empire may just do so. Are you sure this is for the best?"

"I doubt many of them will suddenly leave but I will handle that if the time comes. I understand that my decision will alienate quite a few...perhaps a majority but I must do what I believe is best for my kingdom."

Twilight stood up. "Cadance listen to yourself! Your marrying King Sombra! Nevermind the the fact that he's a tyrant but he is my brother's murderer! Your husbands killer! it has only been a decade since he died and now you go and marry the very being that killed him? Do you not care for Shining Cadance!"

"I do care for Shining! Perhaps more than you!" she snapped. "But I have a duty, a duty to an empire. One in which you don't! It is just as difficult for me as it is for you but I know what else to do! Shining is gone yes but now I must not wallow in despair and focus on those who are alive. Those who lives I can't continue giving away to wars and feuds when I can possibly end this! 'Noblesse Oblige'. That is what you told me Queen Celestia. The welfare of the ponies before the feelings or welfare of yourself. Did you not?"

Twilight and Luna looked towards Celestia who held her eyes closed and took a deep breath.

".....yes."

"And so that is what I'll do. Ill bring the umbrum and Shawdonia together if possible. I have thought long and hard about this and I have reached my decision. I do not seek King Sombra as a replacement for Shining, I do not seek King Sombra as an actual husband but instead nothing more than a partnership. A peace treaty was attempted in the past but that had failed but in marriage I and Sombra get what we desire with small compromise. i only ask that you three...will understand."

Twlight looked upon her with disbelief. How, just how, could Cadance do this? She understood, she understood the rationale and logic behind this choice. it was as clear was clean water and dare she say appropriate but burying her feelings was not something she could do. She did not know 'noblesse oblige'. She never had to live by it.

Twilight gave a slow shook of the head. "Your kidding...."

"I am sorry Twilight but I have made up my mind. This is what I feel needs to be done."

"Do you not understand the risks? The possible dangers that you will put yourself in? He can kill you Cadance! Assassinate you and take all the power to himself! He can easily swipe the crystal heart right from underneath our noses! These risks also could possibly put all of Equestria in danger! He can kill what you have left of your love to Shining! What about Skyla and Flurry Heart? Did you tell them any of this? Well, did you!?"

"I have not but afterwards I plan to do so. Right before I make an announcement to the public. As for the risks....I have thought long and hard about it. Which is why I have planned it that if anything should happen I will employ the help of the Elements of Harmony and the three most powerful ponies I know...which is you all. After all, you are the most powerful user of magic I know of and Celestia and Luna surely are just as capable of standing a fight. Even if he has the power of the crystal heart on his side."

The ponies stood silent as they tried to let the information seek in. Luna continued eating, having moved on from the sandwiches to the cheese and crackers. She had had enough. Twilight however, did her best to hold back her tears while Celestia, stared at the table. Trying long and hard thinking about what she should say next.

Twilight looked to her mentor.

Celestia inhaled deeply and poured out the store air, deflating her chest.

All stood silent for the words of the ruler of the sun.

"I would assume that you have made up your mind about this?"

"Yes. I am firm in my stance."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"I see....I fully understand your position Cadance and as such I support it."

Twilight could not believe what she heard.

"But whatever comes out as a result of your union with that tyrant..." Celestia spat between her teeth. "...will lie solely on you. Do you understand Empress Cadance of the Crystal Empire?"

"Yes. I fully accept."

"I understand...that this is rough for you and for all of us equally and you understand that. It seems that you are clear on both the possible ramifications and consequences that could come out of this. You have thought it through and saw both sides and have weighed the risks. I applaud you on that Cadance."

The empress smiled. "Thank you."

"Is this all you have?"

"I have one last request." Cadance horn lit up and appeared before her was a sheet of paper that was inscribed with words and a feathered pen. She slid it down in front of Celestia. "This is a paper noting the agreement to my decision. Signing it will mean that you promise to not interfere with my plans or the politics developed around it involuntarily or forcefully and will re-enforce my right to go about ruling my empire as settled and most of all my plan to marry King Sombra. I ask that those who wish to state their name to sign it...please."

Cadance levitated the pen and ink pot in front of Celestia who stood still looking at it.

Twilight watched intently. "C-Celestia...?"

The queen of the sun dipped the pen in the ink pot and signed her signature and passed the tools over to her sister who had a mouth stuffed with food.

She glanced at the paper and then snarled at her sister. "Celestia I will n-!"

"Luna please! You don't have to sign it if you don't want to but know this that I will not be reponsible for any of your interference with Cadnace and her plans!"

Luna narrowed her eyes at her and let out a low growl. "...fine." She begrudgingly took hold of the pen and wrote her name hastily. Making it appear messy on the paper.

Celestia sighed and Cadance took the tools within her own magic and placed it in front of Twilight who gave her a look.

Cadance looked back.

"Twilight..."

The alicorn looked at her with wide eyes and back at the two sisters who looked at her back. She met eyes with her mentor who slowly moved them away. Unable to look the sorrowful pupils of her student directly. Instead, she looked back at the table, closing her eyes in solemn silence. She moved to look at Luna who had finished chewing her food. The ruler of the moon simply turned her head and looked away.

She couldn't help but look back at Cadance who beckoned her to sign the paper gently.

"I'll be damned before I sign to anything."

The purple alicorn slapped the ink pot and pen away and scooted her seat away from the table. Making a hasty retreat out the room doors.

The three remaining ponies looked on until Celestia broke the silence.

"Perhaps you should go talk to her Cadance."

Cadance nodded and got up out her seat and left. Leaving the paper and tools on the table.

The empress stepped outside the doors and walked down the hall a bit before finally seeing Twilight. Staring up sadly at one of the mosaics. As she approached her, she noticed the one she looked up at, was the picture of her and Shining's marriage together.

"Twilight..."

The purple alicorn turned her back to her and answered with a sigh. "...what."

"I know this is hard...its hard for me, for us all. And it will be for most if not all of my empire and Equestria. I understand your heartbreak but know I do this out of a sense of duty not malice. You will understand when you begin to rule over a land of your own. I know you will."

Twilight stood still before finally breaking the quietness.

"All I understand is that you not only betrayed your country...but you betrayed your family."

Not willing to reside any longer, Twilight left. Walking into the long distant hallway away from her sister-in-law.

Cadance simply watched as the purple alicorn disappeared before collapsing in a pool of tears. She knew that it would be hard....

but she never figured it would be this hard.