Lyra Heartstrings was sitting at her writing desk in her little one-bedroom house in Ponyville. It hadn’t been long since she had moved to Ponyville following her graduation from her mom’s School for Gifted Unicorns, but she was settling in quickly. If she was being honest with herself, her admittance to the school was due to nepotism, given that despite her lineage, her magic was nothing special. Still… she was a unicorn, and it was a great honor.
She was making new friends in Ponyville, and she was generally happy about her new life. Meeting Bonbon had been a real treat… as they seemed to share an unshakeable bond. But… she also had to tell her mother about all the recent developments. That was something that wasn’t always easy for her to do. Still, she had to try.
Dear Mom,
I am happy to report that I have settled into my new life in Ponyville. While I was unsure at first of moving to such a small town, it was definitely the correct decision for me. Seeing Twilight Sparkle also move to Ponyville shortly after I did was a shock but given that she doesn’t know who I am other than being another graduate of your school, I don’t expect there to be a problem.
The last few weeks have been rough for me. I wasn’t able to see you after the events of the return of Nightmare Moon and I was worried about your health. I also miss being able to walk with you in the gardens or having tea with you in front of a roaring fire. They say you don’t know what you have until you’ve lost it but… life moves on regardless of if you want it to or not. I do hope that you can find time or the occasional excuse to visit Ponyville so we can bump into each other.
Onto another matter… I found a pony that I’m quite fond of. Her name is Bonbon, and with your permission, I’d like to start dating her. I swear I won’t bring any scandals to the crown.
I know that my decision to leave Canterlot and not take up the burden of my birthright is hard for you, but I’m just not that pony. I can’t wear your crown. And I would never try.
Please know that I love you, and that I will always be your little princess.
All my love,
Princess Lyra
Placing the letter in an envelope and placing a stamp on it, sealing it with a special seal that would denote its importance without giving away anything, Lyra placed the letter in the mail. She knew it would take a few days to reach the castle, and that was fine. All the rules had been obeyed.
With all the activities of Morning Court having been finished, Celestia had retired to her private rooms. A letter from her only daughter was a welcome distraction from her normal duties. After having read it, she composed a reply.
My beloved daughter,
I am happy to hear that you have settled into your new life, and I am also pleased to report that my health is fine as well as the health of your Aunt Luna. I do hope that you can find time to visit the Castle the next time you find yourself in Canterlot to meet your aunt for the first time.
As to the news of a special somepony, of course you have my permission to date. If it gets serious, you have my permission to marry, just remember to invite me to the wedding and save me some cake!
It wasn’t easy for me to let you leave but I raised you in secret for a reason. Blueblood didn’t have a choice but to be a Prince, however, I wanted you to be able to choose your life.
I know that it was stressful at times, and attending my school for gifted unicorns upset you to a certain extent given that there were other unicorns more gifted than you despite your lineage, but I am glad that you had the chance to choose what you wanted instead of being told what you had to do. I do miss those long nights of helping you with your homework, but I also understand that you do not want the burden of the crown. At times, I don’t want it, but I have no choice.
Still… If you change your mind about being a working royal, your crown is waiting for you in the Canterlot Castle Treasure Vault. I’m even willing to name your special somepony as a princess if you decide to marry.
I do have plans to visit Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle will expect me to personally check up on her progress in learning the Magic of Friendship, so I expect that we will get to meet discreetly as often as is possible.
I want you to know that I will always love you, my little princess, but you are free. Do as your heart wills you to do. Follow your dreams. Live. Live the life of a pony who can do whatever they want without the newspapers writing a five-paragraph article about it.
But please, keep in mind that I am hoping for more letters. I love you, and I want to keep writing to you. Please don’t forget me.
All my love,
Mom.
The letter was placed in an envelope, a stamp placed on it and sealed in a discrete way. A way that wouldn’t be apparent but would allow it to find its destination without hinderance. The letter was placed in a pile for mail that was to be delivered in a traditional fashion.
Celestia sighed. “I love her so much. I hope that she doesn’t forget me while enjoying the life that me and her aunt could never have. I’m glad about my choices now. My daughter can be happy and free. And that’s all I ever wanted.”
