The scarlet afternoon was fully lit by the sun as it arose, she wondered how the flowers smelt down below, she longed to see the facies of ponies that weren’t her reflection or the selfish eyes of a king peering down at her. It wasn’t her fault, it was being kept up in this castle all day, the only company was the passing of the maids.
She had almost wished they treated her like a friend. Though, the looks they gave her as if she were better or worse, she wanted to live with equality in her lifetime. She wanted to have the water splash on her face as it refreshed her mornings, from dawn till dusk!
The bed she sat was average, for beds anyway. She barely remembered life as a smaller child, and, as much as she wanted to remember, what kind of good would it do her now? Flurry stared out the window. This was not the life she wanted, the life she knew was possible. The flowers tempted her, and she almost jumped out to them.
Though through all the heartache and pain surging through her, she stayed. The thought of a better life served as a great fantasy she could live in one day or never, but a part of her wanted to find something better within these dark halls. Thoughts ran through her mind, both escape and redemption for her ‘father’, she had considered him a biological father, but one thing always struck her as odd?
He was so much different, everything from looks to the very way he walked. A thought struck her that maybe she had inherited all that was her from a mysterious mother, but the folk tales told such as only a few alicorns. One of them HAD to have bared her. Though, she never saw her father courting a mare, and having the ability to even have Flurry.
Though through her scrapbooks she found something quite interesting, there were a couple of candidates that could be her mother. Of course, it was impossible for her to have a normal pony to be her mother, really since when did genetics work like that? Of course, she had to connect the dots, and one thing pierced her. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, the ruler of the Crystal Empire, the place her father sought.
Truth be told, this was a tad concerning. After all, The Crystal Empire was the one place she might have a chance to find her true heritage, and her father’s nature made it difficult to ever find a way to get there unnoticed. If he truly sought it, then he would most likely kill or imprison the princess. Her mind rampaged to the moments of her father’s outbursts to even MENTION that area, but it always struck her as familiar.
The princess never really knew why; she was the princess of a dark gloomy kingdom, with the hopes this ‘Princess Cadence’ was her mother and would free her from this trap. Perhaps she was a mistake, and her mother is long gone. As her eyes peeked away from the better horizons of the window, they roamed over the gloomy areas that clashed with the beautiful landscapes ahead.
Ponies begging for coin and guards roaming the streets like they had built the ground as their own. She didn’t feel at home here. What was it too true to be the princess of this land, to be the daughter of a tyrant? She longed for the crystals she saw in her longest dreams, the ones of pure destiny it almost felt like. Though, if she left, her heart would be broke free from the chains that kept her stripped to the castle, but one single heavy weight would lay on her shoulders till her very grave.
Her father. His gaze that could shock the lives of many, his threatening walk, his razor-sharp fangs. She was so different compared to him, and she always pondered why. Despite his sleek attitude, a menacing laugh of sarcasm, and much more, she couldn’t bring herself to hate the king. He was much more than what his front foretold, and she sought for his heart and approval as long as she could remember.
Validation from him was not to be taken lightly, as the very off chance that it could be received was enough to make her heart leap out of her chest and pound violently, as a single smile or approving nod from him meant everything, as she never could bring herself to usually finish a goal because of his disapproving looks. The thought of freedom, as well as the thought of his approval and validation, flooded her mind like a thousand papers being blown away, she couldn’t bring herself to think, the largest grin to ever be formed in pony kind would form on her face.
Her thoughts were her company, almost her entire life. She couldn't find the right words to say anyway, she felt like her throat clogged the very moment she needed to speak to somepony, even her father. Speak of the devil, and she could hear his bitter sulking steps from a mile away, she knew it by heart. Though he wasn't approaching the door to her room, no his bitter tone that dripped with blood lust was raging at a maid, even in his utmost anger did he keep a sharp tone and witty spark in his eye.
He's so very charming to the local mares when he isn't lined with expensive armor and takes the moment to dress in a more refined manner. They swoon and gasp, Flurry found it quite disgusting as that was her father, but his personality chased most of them away, as her father wasn't even interested in having FRIENDS. Ever since she was a foal, he's given her empty glares, like she was no use, but then why did he keep her here?
".. One day... I'll chase the anger away, and we both can arrive in the sunset. Both of us away from the grayscale of the world show me the mare who bared me, who dared to hold onto me, to pass or leave." She whispered into the cold air, as it slowly blew into her mane, riffling it slightly."For the sunset we long! The sun will melt the ice that gathers gradually around you... and it will be just the two of us. " She whispered, even more, she was quite used to not speaking in a casual tone, her father didn't do so, therefore, she copied.
"I love you..." Her mind tried to envision him taking the words to heart, aching to find who you are. Daddy, don't give up, they love you. Don't build hope. It's much too late for the sweet air and taste that belonged to freedom, it wasn't meant for her. She retreated farther into her room, her eyes looking down. Celestia knows where she'd be if he hadn't found her, desperately holding on. Where on Earth would she be? She pondered that.
Celebrating a Birthday? She hadn't even sought to mention it this time, to even think about it, he didn't care. Since when did he ever care? She's a year older, yippee! He could hear his sarcastic drained voice saying something like that, thinking it was teenage delusions. But of course, she had given up. No Birthdays for her and she was okay with that.
A knock on her door cracked her out of her train of thought. "Hello?" She managed to say through her fuzzy images of thought still living in her mind, but the voice of her father made her jump a little, his toothy grin looking at her, he seemed more pleased than usual?
"Good day to you, I have a little surprise for you, even if you do not deserve it." Her father had whispered.
Quietly, Flurry progressed to the door and opened it quietly. She was met with the wave of scents from the castle that laid outside of her door, it smelled quite dead and had still air, unlike her room. "...Father..." She whispered quietly with a blink. She lowered his eyes at his peering gaze. Then her mind processed finally what he said. "Surprise?" Her eyes suddenly lit up with hope.
"What? Too unlikely of me? I see." Sombra bitterly turned and was about to head out, but Flurry rushed over and put a sudden hoof on his shoulder. "... "
"No! I'm just a little surprised, you've never gotten me a gift before. Not like it's your fault, you're usually quite busy. I'd gladly accept anything you have to give me." Flurry said with a tilt of her head, seemingly so very appreciative of her 'father's' attempt to at least get her something.
"... Fine. Here take it. It is not every day you age to eighteen." Sombra's head turned slightly, he looked down angrily, Flurry Heart's eyes went wide with what she saw. Not only inside was a knitting kit, but there was also a blanket that was handcrafted by probably one of the maids, it was what she adored so much. Diamonds and crystals. The blanket showed itself to be light pink, with blue diamonds and crystals on the pink which made them stand out greatly. "Do not just gawk at it like a hawk, do you enjoy it?"
"Yes, daddy, I love it!" She jumped quickly into his arms, her eyes swelling up with tears, she had never even gotten the smallest gift from him, so this was revolutionary to her! Sombra on the other hoof didn't understand the sudden affection, it was strange, he felt the urge to push his 'daughter' off, but instead, he melted into her hug for the slightest moment before finding himself pulling away. "I could make so many things with this."
"Yes, yes. Do not be making messes. I better not see a single thread on the floor." Sombra hissed quietly as he barely made eye contact with Flurry Heart, he turned to leave, but Flurry felt a bit risky after their previous encounter. He felt her hoof lay on his shoulder once again. "What is it, child?"
"Can I come with you?" She said with the slightest whisper, it was sent straight to his doubtful thoughts. He lowered his head, Flurry gave a wide-eyed look, hoping for the slightest hope of freedom from this room. He bitterly lowered his head and hesitantly nodded under hooded lids. Flurry's heart exploded with joy, and she found herself eagerly following behind her father.
She was usually not allowed to explore the castle without the escort of a maid or two, but now she felt proud, being escorted by her father for once and the king. She felt as if she could ask to go anywhere, a maid restricted her area limits since the king was not right there to tell her where she could and couldn't go, the maid just followed an exact boring path. Now, she could maybe even see the outside in a better light?
She wouldn't push anything, but as she finally left her room, the lights automatically dimmed. She felt more relaxed though, she seemed a little TOO eager, which granted a few or more glares from King Sombra. "So, dad? Am I really a princess? Am I going to be a queen someday?" She tilted her head.
"Depends on what you choose." His eyes lowered as he stared at the cold ground, what did he mean by that? In Sombra's eyes, she had a choice, but it's not like he'd let her know that choice. "Both lead you to be a Queen, well. For the most part, one of the options is less superior, and I doubt you'd be referred to as a queen."
"Do not tell me I have to marry a prince or something to be a queen! I'm quite alright." Sombra raised a brow in a judgemental attitude as if that wasn't the options. "Well, I'd always love to rule over this kingdom, was mom the last queen?" Flurry said suddenly which made Sombra halt in his steps, Flurry took it as pain.
"No. There hasn't been a true powerful queen over this kingdom for eons." Sombra said bitterly, finally, he resumed his steps throughout the castle, Flurry was following slowly behind. "..."
"So, since I'm eighteen... I decided to ask, who was my mom? I'm an alicorn, so it had to be one of the princesses. Is Princess Cadence as she likes to be called my mom? I don't think Celestia is." He stopped once again, but more urgent, she felt triumphant as if she cracked it, but he turned to her, repulsed.
"CADENCE?" He said with an amused look. "Not in my worst nightmares, but if you want to play your delusions, then indeed she can be your mother." She was Flurry's mom, but he wouldn't admit it. He didn't need her running off, and he certainly didn't want her thinking he had any connection with the Princess of Love. It was borderline disgusting.
"Celestia?" He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "... Princess Luna?" He shook his head even more urgently. She would tilt her head quietly. The most recent princess had only been crowned a bit before she was born. So she opened her mouth and asked. "Princess Twilight?" She said ever so suddenly, that gained the most disgusted look that ever formed on her father's face. "Yes, that would be weird."
"INDEED." He said, shaking his head to get that thought out. He certainly hated her asking all of these questions.
"Okay, but then who's my mom? You're telling me there's a secret alicorn somewhere that you somehow met and saw?" She said with slight confusion. Sombra glanced quietly in her direction, but he didn't reply. "Dad, you can't hide it from me forever. Are you indirectly saying I'm adopted?" She smiled lightly, playing it off as a joke.
"No, I am not. But I'd prefer you to stop asking questions. You should be content with who you are." Sombra rolled his eyes lightly and continued to progress into the castle. "... Though, I can tell you about the Crystal Empire."
Author's Note
ok, sorry for the short chapter! i wanted to finish this before i went to bed soon, i'll hit 2k-3k words next chapter. sksks.
