The Handmaiden

For a full fortnight after discovering the mastermind behind the attempt on her life, Twilight Sparkle did nothing about it.

She did not confront Rarity in any way, the reason for this being twofold. Firstly, caution was of paramount importance. This wasn't a predatory guard or a band of sellswords led by a numbskull she was dealing with. No, Twilight found herself opposite a mage, a powerful sorceress trained in the arts of magick by the Empress of all of Equestria. To approach Rarity without a plan would be tantamount to suicide.

Secondly was the simple fact that Rarity was not at the castle much at all. For one reason or the other, Rarity had requested leave just two days after the battle in the arena and, at Twilight's behest, the Empress granted that wish. It did not appear that Rarity was aware of Twilight's revelation, and Twilight wanted it to stay that way for the time being, until she could figure out how to get what she needed.

A confession of guilt to Rarity's crimes.

Fourteen days later, and word reached Twilight that Rarity was returning, at noon. Conveniently, this put her arrival after the Empress would have departed from the castle, having scheduled a trip out of the city to visit a winery in the west that was gaining in notoriety for their excellent vintages. And so, for a short pocket of time, Twilight would have free range of the castle, a free range that she exercised by visiting the Chancellor's chambers.

Twilight strolled through Rarity's room, poking and prodding through her belongings with no particular goal in mind. She already knew what she was looking for, and where she was most likely to find it, but considering that Rarity had tried to kill her Twilight reasoned she had earned the right to rifle through the woman's things. After a bit of lollygagging, Twilight found herself at the Chancellor’s dresser, the surface of which was sparsely covered and very neatly organized. There were few things of note atop the dresser, just a small lockbox that held a few bits of jewelry, a stack of letters, Rarity’s ornate letter opener, and the very thing that Twilight was after in the first place.

The door opened behind Twilight, but she pretended not to notice the rustling behind her until she heard the surprised, irate gasp from the door.

“What in three hells are you doing here, Sparkle?” demanded the Chancellor. Twilight steadied her breathing, then turned to face Rarity, who glanced down at what Twilight held and frowned even more intensely. “Invading my privacy and nicking my things, hm?”

“Oh, hello, Chancellor. Apologies for the intrusion. I was looking for you, and I heard you might be back in your room,” explained Twilight. “When I saw that you weren’t here, I suppose I just got a bit sidetracked.”

“Hmph. My watch, please?”

Twilight looked down, as if surprised to see herself holding Rarity’s glittering silver pocketwatch. With a little hum, Twilight crossed the room and pressed the watch into Rarity’s outstretched palm. The Chancellor opened it to check the time, and then quickly closed it before stowing it away.

“A thousand pardons. I saw it and couldn’t resist,” admitted Twilight. “It’s a beautiful watch, and I realized I had never seen it up close. It’s even more pretty than I imagined.”

“It was a gift from my mother before she died. It's been in my family for generations. Which is why I seldom let anyone touch it." Rarity narrowed her gaze at the handmaiden, her irritation radiating off of her in waves. "So. What was so important that you would barge into my room without my permission?"

"Ah. Well." Twilight stepped past the Chancellor and took a pause in the doorway. "Do you mind if we go for a short walk? Just through the castle."

"So be it."

The tension between the pair was nearly corporeal as they left the room, setting out for a stroll with seemingly no destination. Somehow, that sensation that she was one wrong word from igniting the Chancellor's rage, was somewhat familiar. Though she may have been used to Rarity being annoyed with her, Twilight still found the situation rather unpleasant.

"So. We are walking," said Rarity dryly. "What do you want?"

"I suppose, given that I very nearly lost my life recently, I have been considering things a bit more closely." Twilight turned them around a corner, down a long, narrow corridor that led toward the center of the castle. "Thinking about life, the things that matter, and I was struck with a question. I wanted to ask you, Chancellor Rarity, do you consider us to be friends?"

Rarity stopped for a moment, and Twilight followed suit. To the handmaiden's surprise, there was a considerable amount of uncertainty across Rarity's features. Twilight had been expecting a simple denial or affirmation, whether honest or deceitful. For her to be grappling with her answer for such a long period was in no way what Twilight could have anticipated.

"It is not that simple, Sparkle. The first chancellor, after pledging himself to the Empress' employ, took a vow of silence," explained Rarity. "From the day he took the job to the day he drew his final breath, he spoke nary a single word to anyone other than her Excellence. Of course, the Empress decided that such things were impractical to maintain, and would not enforce such vows in the future, but that is the spirit behind my position. I vowed to give myself wholly to her Empress' service. I may not marry nor bear children, nor partake in any such pleasures of the flesh."

"So what? You are not allowed to have friends?"

"I do not consider such things to be appropriate. Were things different… Well. There's no use in thinking such things."

"I see. Well, Ms. Rarity, let me just say, I consider you to be my friend. I find your wisdom, strength, and loyalty to be incredibly admirable," said Twilight. She resumed walking, and Rarity slowly trailed behind her by a few paces. "And I appreciate all of the sacrifices you've made, personally and professionally, for my benefit. Do not think for a moment that I am not eternally grateful for all you've done for me. The day I was attacked by Luna and her men, and you cleaned me, patched me up… I did not forget that."

"It is perhaps impossible to completely remove the personal aspect from this job, Sparkle," admitted Rarity. Unease crept in her voice, a slowly mounting dread that grew more weighty with each syllable to pass her lips. "Whether we are friends or not… We are destined to be here together, at the Empress' side. And I believe we can take some solace in that."

"You are my friend, Rarity. Which is why I came here seeking an explanation." Just like that, Twilight's demeanor changed. Her voice went a bit cold, unwavering and unflinching in her resolve. "Rather than revenge."

"Revenge? I do not—"

"When I first was attacked, I was afraid. I did not know who wanted me dead or to which depths they would stoop to see me in the ground. But when I found out who was responsible… I was not afraid anymore," said Twilight. "I found myself offended. To think that someone I respected and admired as much as I do you would seek to kill me, and not even have the will to do it herself… How little do you truly think of me?"

"I… Sparkle. These are heavy accusations that you are throwing about," replied Rarity. She tensed slightly, letting a few more paces go between her and her accuser. "I would not say such things without sufficient evidence, if I were you. The Empress surely would not appreciate it."

"I doubt the Empress would appreciate your actions, either. But I do not think we need to involve Celestia just yet." Twilight glanced over her shoulder, a glimmer in her eyes that seemed to put the chancellor on edge. "So let us stop dancing around the point and be open about what happened."

For several moments, Rarity didn't respond. Twilight didn't look at the chancellor, giving her a moment to collect herself. Finally, after a good long spell, Rarity let out a sigh, and slowly strode forward.

"Those idiots told you, then?" sighed Rarity.

"They let a few things slip, and I was able to work it out on my own. I suppose it only makes sense. If I'm being perfectly honest, I think I knew that you were never fond of me," said Twilight, perhaps with a bit of bitterness in her voice. "I had hoped we had grown past that, or at the very least you would be able to ignore your hate for me for the benefit of the Empress, but it seems I was wrong."

"This has nothing to do with my loyalty to her Excellence." Twilight let out a snort at that, which seemed to irritate the chancellor greatly. "You question my dedication? I would do anything for Empress Celestia."

"Even cripple your own sister?"

If the atmosphere previously was tense, then there were no words for the aura between the pair now. Rarity went pale as a ghost, grimacing as though she had been struck, which contrasted starkly with the handmaiden's expression; Twilight scowled, beaming out fury and contempt, and she wielded that anger with much the same dread-inducing efficacy as her mistress.

"You know, it never made sense to me, what happened to Sweetie Belle. Such a talented, gifted alchemist, and all of it goes up in smoke because of such an amateur's mistake." With each word grew Twilight's anger, and she closed the distance between her and the woman she once called her friend. "Sweetie Belle is a prodigy, likely among the best potions masters to ever stir a cauldron, and she somehow overlooked such a large amount of marsh mallow? But I suppose she didn't. You hid it. Invisibility would be child's play for you, and Sweetie never would have seen it."

"There is no need to involve my sister on our disagreement, Sparkle—"

"If only you would have thought to leave Sweetie alone before you burst her cauldron in her face," snarled Twilight. "And how so very apropos for you to think that this has anything at all to do with our 'disagreement'. Because everything must be about you, no?" The handmaiden shook her head in disbelief, scoffing derisively. "Trying to kill me, I could allow that. You aren't the first to seek my end and you surely won't be the last. But what you've done to Sweetie Belle, your own flesh and blood, is unforgivable."

"You don't know what you're talking about, Sparkle. I did not mean for the reaction to be so extreme, it was just supposed to blow up in smoke and scare her from trying to mix the potion. Sweetie's accident—" Again, the chancellor attempted to justify herself and, again, Twilight was having absolutely none of it.

"There was no accident! It was sabotage! Attempted fratricide, and for what? Because the Empress chose her to be handmaiden, over you? Because you weren't worthy enough? You nearly killed your sister! And some would say she'd be luckier if you succeeded." spat Twilight. "Answer me this, Chancellor. Because you may be a monster, but you're not stupid. Surely you didn't think you would get away with any of this. That I would die and the Empress would just give up on investigating and grant you my job. So how did you plan on keeping the Empress' trust, should I have died in that alley?"

"My loyalty is, was, and forever will lie with Empress Celestia. That has never changed," swore Rarity. "My devotion to her is wholly unwavering, and I forever have her interests at heart."

"Is that why you stole her alchemist? Why you sought to kill her favorite student?"

"You do not understand. To have something you want, more than anything in life, and someone else is promised it. It tears you up inside." Rarity's eyes sought Twilight's, and the handmaiden was once again infuriated by what she saw. Rarity's gaze sought not understanding or forgiveness, but pity. As if she was the victim of some grand tragedy. "I'm not proud of what I did, but try to imagine my pain. There's nothing else for me but her, and Sweetie intended to steal it away, so I thought. So I acted on impulse, and I have regretted it for every second since."

"Hm. Perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps you are stupid," scoffed Twilight. "Because surely, if you had any sense in your head at all, you would think twice of lecturing me, of all people, about not getting what you want." The Chancellor lowered her gaze, and a winding, whistling sound left her body, not unlike the final wheeze of a fallen man. "The Empress was right to choose me over you. She was right to choose anyone over you. You're not worthy of being at her side. You're not worthy of anything more than a dirt hole in the ground."

"You think I somehow don't know that?!" snapped Rarity. Finally, her sulking and self-pity gave way to fury, just as Twilight expected. "None are worthy of her Brilliance, and I am no exception! Nor are you, Sparkle. Remember that."

"I am ten times more worthy of her than you ever would be."

"Mind yourself, child. You may have grown comfortable in a dress, but never forget where you came from. When all is said and done, you're still just a dirty prisoner, whereas I… I am the most powerful and talented mage to ever serve her Empress."

"Oh, I believe you once were. Then, you made the unfortunate mistake of teaching me." The gaze Twilight leveled at her adversary was filled with enough toxic venom to fell an ox, and it had a similar effect on the chancellor's composure. "No wonder she prefers me. I'm younger than you, more talented than you, more interesting than you. Frankly, to think you ever stood a chance of earning her favor is simply laughable."

"Petty insults will get you nowhere." Despite the apparent confidence and control in her response, Rarity's voice was noticeably shaken, a very real smoldering anger creeping to her tongue. "Let us settle things like civilized ladies."

"I think we're past that, Ms. Rarity.” Twilight glanced over her shoulder, her eyes landing on the doors to the empty throne room just a few feet behind her, before turning her attention back to Rarity. “You tried to kill me. You tried to kill your sister. You’ve dishonored and disrespected the Empress with your treachery, and for what? To make yourself feel better? To forget how truly pathetic and powerless you are in the grand scheme of things?”

“Enough of this. I do not desire any further conflict, Sparkle,” said Rarity, her tone wholly unconvincing to Twilight’s ears. “You are justified in your anger towards me. Let us move past that.”

“I’m not just angry, Rarity. I’m disgusted. Sick to my stomach. You are a vile, spineless, despicable excuse for a woman. You do not deserve the Empress, nor do you deserve a perfect saint like Sweetie Belle as your own sister.” Twilight could almost feel Rarity about to erupt with violent fury, an outcome the handmaiden found herself welcoming. “You care for no one but yourself.”

“Pace thy tongue, child,” snarled the chancellor. “You do not know of what you speak.”

“Hmph. Funny.” Twilight looked deep into Rarity’s eyes, flashing her a wickedly smug grin. “The Empress had no qualms with the pace of my tongue last night.”

Time went still as Rarity processed what she had heard, and she very quickly brought her hand to her mouth, stifling any incoming sound with her fist. It was very clear that her composure was faltering, and that she was mere seconds away from an explosion. Good, as far as Twilight was concerned. From where she stood, Rarity deserved to feel this way, for all of her crimes.

“What?” said the chancellor, slowly, as if every word was a struggle. Twilight just laughed, which only upset Rarity further. “What did you just say to me?”

“Oh, I just thought, since we’re being so open with one another now, I may as well just come out and say it. I’m sure you knew, but it’s nice to be honest,” remarked Twilight. “No longer do I have to hide that the Empress and I have been fucking, for ages now. You must've known, we weren't particularly good at hiding it.”

“You… You’re trying to anger me,” said Rarity carefully. She reached into her breast pocket to consult her pocketwatch, and then chuckled darkly, her fist clenched so hard that her body trembled. She could barely speak, each and every syllable drawing her closer to tears. Twilight wasn’t proud of it, but seeing the chancellor like this brought her some dark, twisted sense of satisfaction. “Fair warning to you, Sparkle. It is working. There’s no witnesses here. The Empress is away for another few hours. You will regret trying to anger me.”

“Does it anger you to know that my tongue has pleasured her Greatness? Shame, really, that you’ll never get the chance. She’s quite the intense lover.” Twilight tilted her head, batting her lashes innocently at Rarity. “I suppose, since you’ll never share a bed with Celestia, the least I could do is tell you what it was like. Her skin is so soft, softer than the best silks in the kingdom, and yet, despite that… She’s so firm, and strong. Without the use of sorcery, she can pluck me from my feet and have her way with me.”

“Shut up. Just…. Stop it.”

“Oh, and her taste! She’s so sweet, so floral.” Twilight continued on unimpeded, paying Rarity’s growing fury very little attention. “In fact, you know what she tastes of?”

“This is your final warning, Sparkle. Stop.”

“Freshly bloomed honeysuckle. Simply delectable.”

With that, Rarity finally snapped, and let out a pained, anguished roar. She whipped her hands toward Twilight and screeched out a sloppy, mis-enunciated incantation. Despite her lack of discipline and measure in her sorcery, her mana was still more than powerful enough to manifest a bolt of lighting in her fingertips, which arced through the air and met with Twilight. The handmaiden just barely managed to get her arms up, a barrier of mana forming around her and protecting her from harm; the lightning harmlessly bounced away, scorching the rug at her feet.

“No wonder you hired Dash,” snorted Twilight. “You’re not strong enough to kill me on your own.”

“Fulmena Majora!”

Rarity’s voice shimmered with power and rage, and another bolt of lighting charged in her palm. Instead of leaving Rarity’s person and simply zipping through the air, this bolt, thick as a tree limb, beamed itself towards Twilight, the sorcery still drawing from its caster even as the handmaiden absorbed the brunt of the force and dispelled it around herself. For several seconds of continuous lighting, Rarity put her all into her sorcery. Once she could sustain the magick no longer, and blood steadily trickled from her nose, Rarity relented. The air was heavy with the acrid smell of smoke and yet, to the chancellor’s fury, Twilight stood unharmed, unbothered, smirking boldly in the face of the rabid chancellor.

“Really? Destruction magick, against me? Perhaps try some Alteration, it’s more your speed,” snorted Twilight. “Although I do not know how you plan to shout me to death.”

“Whatever way I choose to kill you, Sparkle, I assure you it will be agonizing!” Rarity clenched her fist, charging another sorcery in her hand. “You’ll long for a fate as kind as that which I gave my sister!” Twilight laughed again, shaking her head in disbelief, which only resulted in another furious shout from Rarity. “What is so damned funny, Sparkle?!”

“Your watch is fast.”

Without another word, Twilight snapped her fingers, forcing the doors behind her to open with a flourish of magick. Rarity went pale as a sheet, her legs giving out from beneath her upon seeing the throne inhabited by the Empress herself. Celestia stood up, arms crossed behind her back and gave a slow nod. This order was enough to make Rarity rise to her feet and, slowly, with trembling limbs, enter the throne room. Twilight finally let her smirk fall, and turned to join her mistress’ side, at which point she used her magick to close and lock the door behind her.

“I told you she was behind Sweetie’s accident,” said Twilight, offering her leash to Celestia, who silently accepted it. “And she confessed as such. Is this sufficient proof?”

“You did well, Twilight. But your praise shall have to wait until I deal with… This…” Celestia’s lip curled in disgust as she looked down on her chancellor, and she returned the leash to Twilight’s possession to free up her own hands. “Rarity… I do not often doubt my handmaiden, but when she told me of her discoveries… I admit, I thought she might be wrong. Or perhaps I hoped she was.”

“My Empress…” whined Rarity. “I…”

“The money you used to pay for your mercenaries. Where did it come from?” Celestia’s voice was cold, sterile, even-keeled. Far more chilling than any unhinged rage. “Your ledger is closely watched by the royal accountants, they would have noticed such a large withdrawal of funds.”

“It… It was the funds from Spearhead’s pension. I had the coin withdrawn to deliver to his widow a few weeks after his death.” Rarity kept her eyes glued to the floor, not daring to look the Empress in the eye. “When I arrived… She was dead. Killed herself, rather than be alone without her husband to provide for her. Since the coin was already processed, and the only two with any claim to it were both dead, I kept hold of it. Just in case it was needed.”

“Hmph. Had you spent your ill-gotten gold a bit more carefully, you may not be in this situation. I would pass my judgement on you, Rarity, but I would merely be echoing what Twilight said before. As such… I suppose all that’s left is your arraignment.”

“Arraignment? I…” Again, Rarity dropped to her knees, tears streaking down her face. “Yes. Very well.”

“Chancellor Rarity, you stand before the High Queen accused of attempted murder, conspiracy against the crown, and high treason,” declared the Empress. “How do you plead?”

“H-high treason?! My Empress, no! Never would I seek to harm you, no, no, no!”

“You’ve sought the deaths of both my handmaiden and my alchemist. That is almost as treacherous as attacking me." The Empress looked past Rarity, not even blessing the criminal with the gift of her direct eye contact. "Be thankful I am even bothering to go through the trouble of talking to you right now."

"My Empress… I never wanted…" Rarity reached for Empress Celestia, who pulled away from her feeble grasp. "I am guilty. But please, show mercy on me. My loyalty lays now as it always has, with you."

"How can I possibly trust you now, Rarity? Knowing that every time I leave you alone with my handmaiden, you might make an attempt on her life?"

Rarity opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out, for there were no words that would sway the High Queen. Instead, Rarity acted, slowly unbuttoning her jacket and tossing it aside. She did much the same to her blouse, pausing a moment before pulling it over her head and setting it on the ground. She kneeled upright and spread her arms, displaying her myriad of scars, welts, and burns. The Empress said nothing, but Twilight swore she saw the briefest glint of surprise from her mistress.

"Each mark on my body is atonement for my failures. This one here." Rarity pointed to a large gash on her stomach, the freshest of them all. "This was for my failure to lead Sparkle through the Calypso visit properly, forcing her to take such drastic measures." She pointed to another scar, a jagged incision just below her navel. "This one was for failing to quell the riot outside of the castle fifteen years ago. But this one… this is my favorite." Rarity tugged her bra down to show the brand of the Empress' sun, the insignia of the Equestrian Empire. "My first one. For the Hive's assault on Canterlot, that killed your last chancellor. My mum. I couldn't protect her then, so I gave myself this mark to remind myself that nothing is more important to me than you."

"You were just a little girl when Ayomi killed your mother," noted the Empress. Rarity nodded wildly, desperately, with the faintest glimmer of hope on her eyes.

"Even as a child, I knew that my pain was second to your will. With each scar, I resolved to be stronger, for you." To Rarity's surprise, to her elation, she felt the Empress' hand gently caress her face. "All I've done, I do for you, my Empress. I love you more than anything, my own flesh included."

"Oh, Rarity. You poor thing…" The Empress sighed. She stopped down, finally looking Rarity in the eye. There was nothing behind that look, not an ounce of passion or emotion, and that chilled Rarity to the bone. Even Twilight, who merely sat as a spectator, felt a chill at the look from her Empress. "This whole ordeal… It is my fault. And I apologize."

"Y-your fault? Empress, no! How could it be…?"

"I'm afraid I've enabled you, by not being totally forthright. You've been deluded for years, thinking that you are more than you truly are, and I did you a disservice by not putting you in your place sooner. The truth is, Rarity, that I do not love you as you love me." The Empress' hand drifted down, away from Rarity's face, and to her shoulder. "In fact, I do not even think it would be accurate to say that I like you. I tolerated you because you were loyal, and relatively competent at your job. But, barring that… I do not care for you in the slightest. I feel nothing for you. Were you to die suddenly, I would not shed a tear. I would not mourn. Your demise would hardly inconvenience me, in the grand scheme of things."

With each word, it looked as though a blade was plunged into Rarity's heart, until she was all but crying by the time Celestia was through. She squeezed her eyes shut, and she shuddered in anguish, all while Twilight watched on. Even days ago, the handmaiden would have felt compelled to intervene, to urge the High Queen to show some compassion, but Twilight had no patience for such things at the moment.

"My Empress… I would do anything for you…" squeaked Rarity. The Empress simply nodded in understanding. "I would kill for you, my Empress. I would die for you."

The Empress' hand slithered up, strongly gripping Rarity around the throat. Panic flared across Rarity's eyes, that panic rising as Celestia stood up, lifting her up like a child. Again, Twilight thought of interfering, and again, she thought better of it. There was no one to help Sweetie when her cauldron exploded; Nor would there be a soul to help her saboteur now.

"Yes. You will. I will at least grant you that." Slowly, the Empress tensed her hand and constricted Rarity's throat. The former chancellor kicked and thrashed, her body panicking and resisting without much input from her mind. Rarity squeezed her eyes shut, and tears raced down her cheeks. "Come now, Rarity. Is that how you want your end to come about? In darkness?" Rarity croaked out something unintelligible, but slowly opened her bloodshot eyes, bulging in her skull as if fit to pop out of her sockets. Rarity's gaze flashed to Twilight, only for the Empress to straighten her head with a firm squeeze. "Tutut. Don't look at her. You didn't do all of this for her. You're not dying for Twilight Sparkle. Who is it that you are dying for?"

"Y-you… Praise be… her Excellence…" croaked Rarity. She looked her Empress in the eye and brought two fingers to her lips. Bizarrely, as she gazed upon her executioner, Rarity grinned a dark, bittersweet little grin. Even as she drew her last breath, she took solace in knowing that it would be her beloved Empress who stole it from her. "Long… may… she… reign…"

With the last of her strength, Rarity weakly brought her hand up, not towards the sun, but instead to press her fingers to Empress Celestia's lips. The High Queen closed her eyes and gripped tighter, until a thick, moist crack signified the crushing of Rarity's throat, the following gruesome snap being the sound of her neck snapping. She did not open her eyes again until after she released Rarity's corpse, letting it thud to the ground unceremoniously. Finally, the Empress drew a handkerchief from nothingness, and used it to dab at her lips, where Rarity had indirectly kissed.

"What you said to her, to get her angry," noted Celestia. "About you and I. It was surprisingly cruel, coming from you. I’m almost impressed."

"Cruel? I merely told her the truth, my Empress," replied Twilight.

"Oftentimes, there is nothing more cruel than that."

"Considering what you said to her… your truth was far more harsh than mine." Twilight glanced down at Rarity's body, grimacing slightly as the corpse gave one last twitch before going still for eternity. "Frankly, I did not expect you to actually kill her."

"Golden Oak is full. Ever since you've implored me to cut down on the arena games, we've had inmates piling up. The only fair punishment for Rarity's crimes would be life imprisonment, or death by my hand." The Empress stepped over Rarity's body to grab Twilight by her leash, and she caressed the leather gently, tenderly. "It was only her years of admittedly acceptable performance that spared her the humiliation of a public execution."

"Hmph. If that is your will, my Empress, it is not for me to argue."

"Hush, now, you're sounding like her." The Empress chuckled darkly, then stopped down slightly to kiss Twilight. The two embraced for a moment before the High Queen pulled away, giving yet another sinister little laugh. "I hope you understand that all of Rarity's errands are now yours to complete, until such time as we find a replacement chancellor."

"Pity me. With all the busywork she gave me, I was essentially doing her job for her anyway," snorted Twilight. "Speaking of… I suppose there's something you would have me doing? Or some task you would have given to Rarity today?"

"For now, speak with Heartstrings, inform her and the rest of the servant staff that they may return to work, now that your business with my former chancellor is finished with," commanded the Empress. "I will have someone handle the corpse. Then, perhaps you would join me for tea?"

"It would be my honour."

Twilight bowed, and turned for the door. Her eyes passed over Rarity's fallen body one last time before she departed from the throne room, shaking her head as she did. To think that all of this pain and death could be caused by one woman's insecurity was unsettling, to say the very least. It all could have been avoided, had things been handled differently, with more care and caution, but instead, the most volatile road was the one travelled. Alas, there was naught to be done for it now. All Twilight could do now is soldier on, just as she always had.

As she drifted through the corridors, frown on her face, Twilight pondered what would happen now. Things would surely be different moving forward. It had been a great many years since the castle was without a chancellor, and though Twilight herself would be able to act as a sufficient replacement until a proper successor was chosen, there were still a great number of formalities to take care of. Most daunting of all, was the one thing Twilight had not planned for: How would she break the news?

“Madame Twilight?”

Twilight looked up, unaware as to how long she had been wandering, lost in her thoughts. Upon further inspection, she had only made it to the end of the hallway before someone interrupted her. Immediately, her heart stopped upon seeing the golden armor of the Royal Guard’s captain, but she quickly relaxed. The short woman before her held her helmet under her arm, as a show of respect to the handmaiden, and she immediately kissed the sun upon gaining Twilight’s attention.

“Oh. Captain Scootaloo. What can I do for you?” asked Twilight. The captain tilted her head, seemingly confused. “Is everything alright?”

“I thought the Chancellor was on her way to fetch you?” said the captain. Now, it was Twilight who was confused. “Where is Chancellor Rarity?”

“Currently predisposed. What exactly did she want to fetch me for?” Twilight was suspicious, to say the very least. Anything from Rarity had the capacity to be a threat, even something as benign as an invitation. The fact that Captain Scootaloo didn’t respond immediately only served to further fray Twilight’s nerves, and she replied with a bit more intensity than she perhaps intended. “Captain, what is it?”

“Oh. She didn’t tell you, then? About… Sweetie?” Scootaloo let out a sigh, looking down to the ground. “She’s fallen ill. It’s… It does not look good, Madame.”

That, more than anything else that day, is what twisted Twilight’s insides, until she was threatening to be sick on the floor.

“Ill in what way?” demanded Twilight. The captain raised her hand in surrender, taking a half step back.

“I’m no doctor, but she’s been bedridden for days. I just visited her and Chancellor Rarity a bit earlier, but I was called away. Duty and all that.” She returned her helmet to her head, though it did nothing to mask her sorrow at the poor alchemist’s plight. “We do not know each other well, ma’am, but we are both lucky enough to call Sweetie a friend. If you would be so kind as to be with her while I cannot, until Rarity gets back?”

“Of course. I’ll go right now.”

“I’ll have one of my men meet you at the castle gate, to escort you into town.” Scootaloo barely got the word out before Twilight began marching away, and she had to shout over her shoulder in order to relay her next question to the handmaiden. “Do you have a preference in your guard, ma’am?”

Twilight barely heard, and her answer came without much input from her.

“Whichever one has the fastest horse.”