Princess Sterling's Fate

I sat up straight in my bed, the sun beaming through my window.

Today was the day.

I slid myself off the bed, careful not to ruffle the sheets, and trotted over to the single large mirror in my room to get myself ready.

I arrived quickly, but to me it felt like it took forever.

My body felt heavy, far heavier than it should.

I looked into the mirror, straight into my own eyes, my bright sapphire eyes.

I saw a young mare, one who I had seen grow into the mare before me. She was taller, more mature, and brave. Gone were the days when she spoke with a stutter, now everything she said was confidently spoken, every word a calculated demand.

The door to my room opened and I turned to see who it was.

“Up already prin- I mean, my queen?” an older mare asked.

“Petunia, so good to see you, how did you sleep?” I asked actively ignoring any mention of my title. I technically wasn’t queen yet, that will come later today.

“Like a log m’lady” she trotted up to me, hooves clicking lightly on the stone floor “You need any help getting ready dearie?” she asked as she slid up beside me.

“If it’s not a bother” I smiled “I could use a hoof brushing my coat” I turned my head and looked at her through the mirror.

“Not at all m’lady” she smiled and picked up a brush with her mouth and started carefully brushing my coat just below my withers.

I watch her brush back my deep grey coat as I thought idly of the day to come.

The council had gone over what the day’s events would be.

First I would attend a banquet with all the most important landowning nobles of the kingdom. Next my formal Inauguration would take place with all the nobles from the banquet being expected to attend. And finally, as my first act as queen, I was expected to decide and announce the fate of Prince Chromium Silverhoof.

I secretly dreaded every part of that last bit.

I got a pit in my stomach every time I thought of those events twelve and a quarter years ago.

Everything had been explained to me by the council a few years ago and it put a bitter tinge of reality on everything that had happened.

I still can’t get in carriages.

“All finished m’lady” Petunia broke me out of thought “You want me to do your mane?” she asked.

“No, I like my mane” I said looking at its natural curl.

“As you wish my queen” Petunia curtsied “If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen Rosie probably needs a hoof getting the feast ready” she said leaving the room.

She then popped back in quickly “Oh, and don’t forget to see the tailor for your dress before you go walking the halls” she reminded.

“Thank you Petunia, I won’t” I thanked.

With that she shut the door and I was back to being alone in my thoughts.

I thought about what I was going to do to punish Chromium, it feels like it all happened forever ago, it's almost like a dream.

But it wasn’t.

I sighed and started trotting to the door to leave, passing a certain shelf as I exited the door.

Most of the day was exactly as I had been told it would be.

I went to the Tailor, got dressed, went to check on the feast preparations, then had a quick meeting with the council.

The feast started right after I sat down at the large chair, most of the other ponies at the huge table were dressed up in exquisite clothes and excessive jewelry. I gave a few words before we started to eat about “How happy I am that you could all attend” and that “I hope you all enjoy the food” I gave a small fake smile the whole time and was as polite and courteous as I could be.

Once I was done eating, I was rushed back to the tailor to change dresses into the biggest, fanciest dress I have ever seen.

It was huge and stuffy, like most dresses I was told to wear.

I was then given a well written speech by the chancellor to say and taken to the throne room.

I sat on the throne as ponies finished arriving, the Chaplin closest to my left with a marble stand next to her.

On the stand was a big fancy crown with pink hued rubies adorning it surrounding the centerpiece which was an even bigger pink ruby. The crown was made from silver, with golden trim around the edges and gem emplacements.

Close to my right were Chancellor Bright Scroll, now looking much older than twelve years ago, and Martial Rawhide, Steel Tip’s oldest son.

Jolly Faire gave a ceremonial speech before carefully placing the crown on my head.

I gave a soft smile to the ponies in the room and gave a speech like was expected, but it wasn’t the one Bright Scroll gave to me.

“Mares and Stallions, ponies of the fine nobility and all trotts of life! I want to thank all of you for coming to celebrate not only my birthday, not only my crowning, but a day of gentle change. For a long time some ponies have felt the sting of a neglectful crown, the void left by an empty chair and the results of an overworked council. Some may still have their doubts as the west reaches are still racked with famine, ruining not only the peasants lively hood, but that of the nobility which sits atop them. Your ancestors all agreed to bow their heads to a crown with the thought of safety from such calamities and the busyness that has taken hold of the council has resulted in some loss of this reassurance. But now, starting today I will take hold of this responsibility and I hope that through actions, not words! I can prove myself a leader capable of changing the status quo for the betterment of the Kingdom now Queendom! But I seek not to serve just the nobility but that of the common pony. For it is upon all their backs that this country was built, and for their safety from those that would abuse them, that it stands! No longer will the greed of the odd noble threaten the stability of the realm. Any noble who has lost property because of a peasant revolt stirred up by a greedy lord or lady who overworked the poor will worry no longer! I plan to rule the Queendom fairly and with the best judgment there may be for that of a peaceful, happy, and prosperous future!” I finished my speech with confidence.

Surveying the room I saw more than a few stunned faces.

I was about to lose my nerve when a noble pony I didn’t recognize shouted.

“Hear, Hear! All Hail Queen Sterling! Long may she live”

“LONG MAY SHE LIVE” repeated the crowd, apparently satisfied with my speech.

Ponies started conversing with each other softly, likely discussing what I had just said.

“A Bold speech my Queen, hopefully you can go through with your promises” Bright Scroll complimented in a hushed tone.

“I know I can” was my calm reply.

Bright Scroll then cleared his throat loudly, getting the attention of all the ponies present.

“Now for her first act as queen! The Crimes of the former Prince Regent Chromium Silverhoof shall be brought forth to her for judgement” my heart sank as I heard the chancellor finish.

In the day’s excitement I had almost forgotten about this part. . .almost.

The martial motioned for a few guards to bring the prisoner forth.

The doors at the end of the throne room were being held open for the guests so I saw him the moment he turned the corner.

The chains around his hooves rattled as he slowly trotted between the now separate crowd towards me. The Guards flanking him glanced around to make sure nopony tried anything before my Judgment was given.

I almost didn’t recognize him.

His mane was long and ungroomed, his coat was dirty and ragged, and he had grown a short rugged beard. Most shocking of all was his dramatic loss of weight.

The prison meals he received likely weren't as nutritious as he was used to.

He stopped in front of the stairs leading up to the throne, keeping me a good safe distance away from me.

He looked up to me his eyes glazed over, resigned to his fate.

“Former Prince-Regent Chromium, you stand before us accused of crimes against the crown, five charges of attempted regicide, and treason. How do you plead?” the old chancellor asked.

Chromium was silent for a minute, never taking his eyes off me.

“It’s true” he confessed “I am guilty on all accounts” he continued.

“I conspired to kill or put into a position to be killed the young Princess Sterling Silverhoof twelve years ago” he admitted defeat in his voice.

“I deserve whatever punishment she gives me” he said finally breaking eye contact with me and lowering his head.

Out of everything I expected this to be, this was NOT it.

I expected Chromium to shout and scream, to plead and deny every proven account of his ill deeds. To go down a blazing inferno of lies and deceit.

But this?

He was quiet and calm, submissive and accepting of the facts. There was no blazing inferno only a whimpering candle.

“Why?” I asked, breaking the crowd out of their hushed whispers. “Why did you do it?” I asked again.

Chromium’s head barely raised, and his eyes glanced up to mine.

“I thought it was all obvious” he said.

“I wanted the throne” he calmly explained.

“I understand that” I said “But you had everything! Wealth, Land, Status and you threw it all away!” I exclaimed.

“Why?” I asked quieter

He didn’t answer me right away, he looked thoughtfully for a moment. Like he was thinking of the right words.

With a sigh he answered “I wanted more” he said “I had it all but it wasn’t enough” he explained “I needed that throne, simply had to have it. I knew the regency would be only temporary and I wanted the crown for good.” he continued “Even though we were family, I didn’t know you and I didn’t care to know you.” he paused briefly and raised his head to look me more directly in the eyes “I thought that if I just didn’t see it done I wouldn’t feel so bad and wouldn’t care about having a little filly murdered” his eyes were still dull, but I could see his regret buried deep in them “But after the first three times failed I got desperate. Steel Tip was on my hooves and I managed to convince myself that I could make everything work out once I was King” He looked away in shame.

“what a fool I was” I barely heard him whisper.

I thought for a few minutes of crushing silence what to do to the stallion before me.

Clearly he was a different pony than the one I knew twelve years ago, but I couldn’t just let him go that would set a horrible president for ponies considering treason of the highest kind.

After thinking for a few more minutes on exactly what to do, I straightened my back and put on the most serious face I could manage.

“Chromium Silverhoof, for the crimes confest to before those present. I newly crowned Queen Sterling Silverhoof order that your property, wealth, and status be seized by the crown. Additionally you may not inherit any property, wealth, or any title from here onward. Your current title and status as a highborn of the realm are hereby forfeit and you are to be disqualified from succession of any type. Your descendants, should you have any, may inherit your former possession the Hoftwood estate. However any profits made from the estate until and before that time, while you were imprisoned for your crimes shall go to the state.” I declared.

“Finally, I see the twelve years you have already spent imprisoned as being a sufficient punishment” I announced.

Chromium was stunned, he likely expected death for his treasonous crimes.

“My Queen are you sure?” Bright Scroll asked “The charge of treason alone is enough to warrant the death penalty.”

I waved to him acknowledgingly “I am well aware” I acknowledged.

“I do not want this day to be remembered as one of blood and vengeance” I answered.

“My decision is final!” I announced.

The hall was filled with murmuring from the present nobles.

Many thought I was too soft with my decree, others praised my merciful act, some didn’t know how to feel.

I motioned for the guards flanking Chromium to release his shackles.

They did so, I hardly heard them fall to the stone floor as the murmurs turned into a full fledged debate.

I quieted them with a commanding whistle.

“No pony is to bring harm to Chromium while on castle grounds under punishment of the law, he will be treated like any other commoner, and any crime you commit related to him will be dealt with just as if you had done so to anypony else” I ordered.

The room stayed in a silent acknowledgement of my orders as Chromium quickly galloped away, eager to get as far away from the crowd of angry nobles as he could.

With that I dismissed the court.

The nobles left one by one, being sure to congratulate me before leaving.

I was tired after the ordeal and decided to head directly to the royal tailor to get this big stuffy dress off as fast as possible.

I went straight to my room after it was off.

As I trotted in softly I noticed the shelf next to the door leading out of the room.

Trotting up to the shelf I examined it closely.

On the shelf were a few of my most prized possessions.

An old used survival knife from the squatters I met in the woods, a little poorly made stuffed bear Rosie had made after she learned that I lost Dollie.

And a small worn doll with old stains and patches, carefully sewn on. The small doll had a pink coat, a light pale orange mane, and light blue eyes just like me.

I smiled at the latter, although I hadn’t played with her in years I still love her.

“Goodnight Dollie”

I kissed the old toy and laid down, exhausted from the days events.