The Crystal Palace was pretty hectic today. The maids and the general staff were hurrying from one room to another, as if there was a banquet scheduled. Groups of men could be seen around carrying large chests, heading towards the South Entrance. This somewhat registered on the back of his mind, but Prince Uman didn’t care at all. He was storming through the halls without a clear destination.

King Sombra… Kicking him out of the palace?!

He who was a powerful wizard?! He who was a proud prince from Saddle Arabia?!

A group of nervous maids cleared the way as the black man passed by. The hood covering half of his face couldn’t hide the sour scowl he was making.

King Sombra was a reasonable man, he knew it, and nobody would throw out a foreign diplomat unless they had a solid justification. Oh yeah, according to Dunstan they had “plenty.” Prince Uman scoffed. That old man must have worked pretty hard for this ambush. It must be nice to be King Sombra’s most trusted commander.

The most ridiculous part was what he was being accused of.

Sure, he had sometimes cast mind spells on guards.

And it’s true, he had experimented with magic on the occasional maid or citizen.

But there wasn’t a single proof of that.

Under the black hood, his eyes glinted with mischief. He remembered all those fun times he had played with Commander Dunstan in the last few months. Sometimes, the commander had gotten really close to catching him. After all, that was what had made the game really amusing.

What he didn’t expect was that Commander Dunstan would accuse him of something he didn’t do.

He rolled his eyes. ‘How pathetic. Couldn’t catch me fairly and now you must resort to slander, huh?’

Prince Uman stopped walking. In front of him, the corridor seemed to continue endlessly. The windows were arranged to let a good amount of sunlight into the hall. The man looked through a tall window to his right. For a moment, he closed his eyes and felt the sun rays bathing the long black cloak he always wore. His burnous, as it was the proper name. Not that people knew anything about his culture here. Still, the slight warmth managed to bring him some sort of comfort.

What should he do now? He couldn’t go back to Saddle Arabia. Not so soon. His parents were going to kill him. And if they didn’t, his oldest brother would. At the very least, King Sombra had agreed to be discreet about the issue. But where could he-

“Celestia, explain yourself!”

“I’m asking you to be patient!”

Some distance shouting interrupted his train of thoughts.

Prince Uman stood very silent, trying to understand what was being said. When he heard Princess Celestia’s name, he quickly hid behind an engaged column, attached right next to the nearest window.

“Tell me why are we leaving so soon!” A woman’s angry voice filled the hall soon enough. She seemed to be walking in long strides for how fast she was getting close to Prince Uman’s hiding spot.

“There’s too much to prepare, sister.” A second woman answered. “Let’s talk when we’re in the carriage.”

The sounds of steps stopped abruptly.

“I’m not taking a single step until you answer my question.”

‘Oh~ Do tell.’ Prince Uman grinned behind the column. This was exactly what he needed to cheer himself up.

He didn’t think twice before casting on himself the brand new spell he had developed. An invisible spell. He simply was a genius! And yes, he was aware that normally geniuses wouldn’t waste their magic on some random princesses… But he really needed a distraction.

Plus, it didn’t harm to know what the rulers of a nation hide from their allies.

“Not here, the long way home will give us enough time to-”. The woman didn’t finish her sentence. Instead, he heard a heavy sigh coming from her. “Luna, if looks could kill…”

Prince Uman curiously peeked from behind the column and immediately saw that Princess Celestia was walking in his direction. He could only hold his breath while the woman stopped a few inches from him and leaned against the window. She scanned the area below as if looking for prying eyes. Princess Celestia didn’t seem to have noticed him yet. Up close, he wondered briefly what was all that fuss about them. Well… aside from those wings on their backs that were impossible to miss. Celestia’s for that matter, were pristine white as those belonging to a swan. He recalled how peasants believed those wings meant that the princesses were immortal and he found it ridiculous.

However… It did give room to some speculation.

Was it a side effect of some magic experiment? Perhaps, they fused themselves with some pigeon? Suddenly, Princess Celestia turned around and went to face her sister again. Princess Luna had her arms crossed and was fidgeting, not bothering to hide her impatience. Princess Celestia closed her eyes as her hands became surrounded by a golden glow.

The black prince narrowed his eyes and then he felt a familiar wave of warmth enveloping the surroundings.

A sound blocking spell. A magic barrier, to be exact.

Prince Uman readjusted his hood, deep in thought. He was surprised to say the least. He decided to try again and take a look from behind the column. In a hall full of windows, he needed to be very careful and avoid casting a shadow, less they discovered him. The good part of the ordeal was that he had been close enough to the princesses that he had ended inside the sound blocking barrier.

He smiled with expectation.

“My dear Luna, in this second visit to the Empire I’ve realized…” Princess Celestia paused as if she was carefully choosing her next words. “It seems you’re growing far too fond of our ally."

‘What?’ Prince Uman grin was erased from his face.

"Pardon?” Luna asked clearly surprised. “What is this?”

Prince Uman began to feel disgusted. It couldn’t be what he was thinking, right?

“Please, do not tell me that’s the reason you want us to go so soon.” Luna continued with her inquiry.

“…”

“I don’t understand! Is it a crime to share a bond?” Luna asked. “Sister, I assure you he’s a true gentleman. It even shows on his letters to me!"

‘So that’s why you were acting all suspiciously? No treason or secret war preparations?’ Prince Uman looked from Princess Celestia to Princess Luna with bitterness. Why was everyone so obsessed with romance? It was like looking at his own family when they had meals together. They were eleven brothers and sisters and he was always the only one not bickering about who was with who, or wondering if they had someone to marry or not. He didn’t want to lose his time hearing this kind of conversation.

‘Wait.’ A realization dawn on him as soon as he decided to leave.

If he crossed the sound barrier, Princess Celestia would feel it.

He was trapped.

"My dear sister,” Princess Celestia started slowly. “Remember that as rulers of Equestria, our duty takes priority."

"But he is a King.” Luna clarify quickly.

Celestia didn’t answer.

“I do not see the problem when he is royalty, too." Luna pressed further. Celestia regarded the woman in front of her for a moment with an unreadable expression.

"Bound… by his mortality." Celestia said finally, knowing full well the weight of those words.

Luna gasped. She quickly tried to regain her composure.

"That doesn’t matter, at least, not to me."

"But it will." Celestia whispered. Then she took her sister’s hand making Luna hesitate for a second. Princess Celestia knew it was her only chance to make Luna understand what she was really getting into.

“I did not want to mention this…” Princess Celestia looked at her sister with resolve. ‘But if this is what it takes to make you reconsider, I will.’

“Do you remember how it was for you when our parents died?”

Luna narrowed her eyes suspecting what point she was trying to make.

“…You also grieved for them, Celestia.”

“My sadness and grief were very different from yours.” The older sister frowned with real concern. “You have a sensitive soul, Luna. That trait is beautiful but you must become aware of what it entails.”

“What are you trying to say?” Luna snapped. “That I’m weaker than you? You are wrong! Very wrong!”

Luna bellowed. “I’m just as strong as you are, Celestia!”

A hollow laugh interrupted her outburst.

“Me? Strong? Oh Luna…” When she called her name, it was filled with an unexpected sadness.

“I’m not so strong that I could see you go through that twice.” Celestia paused, praying inside that her words were reaching her.

“I love you, Luna.” She continued. Her voice normally filled with confidence was starting to crack. “Don’t you see that I’m cutting our visit short to prevent both of our hearts getting broken?”

“…”

“…”

They watched each other silently.

A heavy sigh echoed inside the small area inside the sound barrier.

“I… understand.”

Celestia perked up at those words. And feeling relief washed all over herself.

“Thank you for listening to me.” She replied “Come here.”

Celestia wrapped her arms and wings around her little sister, nuzzling the top of her head. Luna felt her warmth spreading to her. After a few seconds, she returned her gesture.

“Your hugs always make me remember mother somehow.” Luna showed a small smile. She paused and finally said: “Sister, return to Equestria without me. I want to spend some last few days with King Sombra.”

Celestia frowned at this. “Wouldn’t it be better to come clean as soon as possible?”

“No. The castle staff is working really hard to prepare for today’s banquet. I assume now with what… we’ve talked about that you want to return home for fear that King Sombra asks you for my hand in front of the rest of the dignitaries tonight.” Luna looked directly at her sister’s eyes. “He won’t put you in a tight spot. He’s not that type of man.”

Celestia just looked back at her little sister, quickly deciding not to voice her doubts. But Luna knew was she was thinking.

“Even if you don’t want to stay here, I really… want to live some final happy moments with him.” Luna lowered her eyes trying to contain her tears. “And then say a proper farewell. It’s the least I could do after accept… accepting….”

Sobs made her next words incomprehensible. Celestia hugged her sister tighter.

After a while, Prince Uman felt the sound proof barrier melt all around him.

‘Finally!’

His head now thumped for the effort it took to maintain the invisible spell for so long. He felt his energy drained.

At least it hadn’t been a completely waste of time.

It seemed there was an empty spot on the equestrian caravan now. And he did prefer to visit a warmer location.

Being as far as he could from Dunstan was a bonus.

Inside the Crystal Palace there wasn’t a single soul. Today, the so awaited princesses from Equestria had arrived to the capital and a parade was taking place in their honor. Even the complete castle staff were given a day off. The only exception were the Royal Guards who had to help keeping order in the streets and obviously continue protecting the palace. The security was thin, though. It was perfect. Prince Uman checked each corridor twice before continuing his stroll on this restricted part of the building. He knew that around this place there should be a book that could help him. Uman was currently developing an “invisible spell.” It wasn’t turning out great. He sighted. This wasn’t his area of expertise in magic so he wasn’t sure what he was doing wrong. Only a few percentage of the people he had experimented on had actually turn invisible, and without completely understanding the catalyst, he would not apply the spell on himself.

Suddenly, he heard some heavy steps from close by. His first instinct was to hide. Yet, the steps weren’t coming from behind him but from the place he wanted to go. Only royalty had actual access to this area and since he was sure that King Sombra was on the festival showing the princesses around…

‘Oh~ a kindred spirit maybe?’

He waited and soon enough a man appeared walking straight to his direction. Thick white eyebrows, a strong body built and crystal violet skin that matched his uniform. Yep, no doubt about who he was. The black prince chuckled at the sight.

“I’ve never taken you for a lazy officer, my dear Dunstan. Are we taking a stroll?” His mocking tone didn’t receive a response like normal.

The old guard just continued his way showing a deadpan expression. The hooded man walked towards the soldier and as soon as they were face to face, a pair of violet eyes glared at Uman.

“Don’t call me by my name, wizard!”

“Wow! Seeing you so silent, I thought something had happened.” He chuckled.

“Stop speaking nonsense, Prince Uman.” Dunstan suppressed a snarl. At least he seemed to try.

“Say Dunstan, what are you doing here?” Prince Uman asked in an amused tone. “This hall only leads to the Royal Library, the forbidden part.” He smirked “Or is there a secret passage I should learn of?”

“I…” Dunstan looked puzzled for a moment. The festival was today and he should be in the plaza. Why-

Commander Dunstan grabbed Prince Uman by the neck. It was so sudden, Uman couldn’t react in time. His black hood fell, revealing long raven hair braided skillfully.

“I warned you that if you ever, EVER, pulled one of your mind tricks on me again, I would make sure you go back to the sandbox you came from!” Dunstan nostrils flared. Uman felt that his feet weren’t touching the ground anymore.

“Wha-?!” He managed to articulate. “It-it wasn’t me!” Commander Dunstan looked at him furiously. “REALLY!” The wizard tried to free his neck from Dunstan clutches but it was to no avail.

Dunstan was too strong for him.

He couldn’t concentrate enough to cast a spell.

All the air in his lungs had been used on those last words.

His face started to become blue.

“Tch.”

The old guard let him go as quickly as he had grabbed him.

Uman fell to the floor and his coughs echoed in the lonely hallway.

“I’ve wasted too much time already. We’ll finish this later.”

“I really didn’t do anything this time…” The prince finally managed to say. Commander Dunstan silenced him with his eyes.

Without giving him a second glance, the commander marched towards the exit. “It will best for you that I’ve not been out of my post too long!” He barked as he disappeared from Uman’s line of sight.

The Crystal Kingdom Anthem could be heard in the distance.

The tournament of ice archery was about to begin.

Author's Note

About the artwork at the end, I tried to represent the main trio of the story and their real feelings until this point: Sombra trying to chase after happiness, thinking that he's about to reach it. Celestia worrying hard about her little sister, thinking this is the way to spare her from another scar in her heart. And Luna...

By the way, I know Sombra doesn't look a lot like his pony counterpart....

for now... tun tun TUN.

Hope to see you on the next chapter :3