It was a very long and exhausting journey for princess Mi Amore Cadanza, the kind of journey she hopped to never have to face again after the disaster that almost was her wedding. At least this one was to be expected, the resurgence of an entire empire in the frozen lands of the north after a thousand years was a major event. An event that both Celestia and Luna had prepared for since the empire originally disappeared. With a powerful tyrant bend on enslaving the last mentioned empire with dark magic, you take no risk.

She could not had resented her aunt Celestia for sending her and her husband to help deal with the threat, they knew that her power over love was the best weapon they had for the situation. It's just... why did it have to happen so soon after that cursed day who should have been the best in her life ! Anyway... Now, thanks to the help of Twilight sparkle, her dragon assistant and the other elements the crisis was averted, Sombra was defeated, and she was now in charge of an empire.

Cleaning up the mess that Sombra left behind and getting the Crystal ponies back to a normal life was not that difficult, the event with Chrysalis and her changelings had long prepared her in that regard. Plus, as the princes of love she had inherent experience for helping ponies in despair. Besides, a festival being the event needed to vanquish Sombra made them start in the right direction. Unfortunately, this was only half of the problem.

When Celestia told her that she should become with her husband the new monarchs of the Crystal Empire, she had barely manege to not instantly flee and bury herself 7 feet down. She was absolutely not ready to be a ruler, nor was Shining Armor who had had been soldier for most of his life. Directing soldier was completely different from ruling civilians, and as the Alicorn of love, ruling and telling ponies what laws they had to live by was not her thing. She thought that she made it clear when she had left her Blueblood heritage to her brother...

Cadance stopped her dark line of thoughts, smiling as she just remember about Vladimir. She could not prevent her gaze from reaching an old family portrait she had recently hang on the left of her new royal bedroom. It was simple photo of her and Blueblood sitting and smiling on the old family courtyard, sitting proudly over the ocean below the manor. She was really missing her brother, for all his seriousness and dark vision of the world, he was still a loving brother.

In fact, she could really benefit of his help and guidance right now. He was the born political leader between the two, his ability to manege any kind of politic/bisness problems and dealing with the pit of vipers that was nobility will one day be the reason for his ascension. It is just... very sad that Vladimir's relentless dedication to his role as an heir, tainted his vision of the world in such a sad shade of black.

*Toc toc toc*

"You may come in !" Said the princess as she turned around to witness her husbund, Shining Armor half opening the door.

"My love ? Its me ! Diner is about to be serve so you can come down now. Unless you are too occupied ?"

"humm ? Oh, no ! I'm ready, I was just... thinking about my brother."

"Oh... are you okay ? I can bring you food here if you want..."

"I'm fine my love, I promise. I'll be her in a minute, okay ?"

Shining Armor nodded after he was reassured by his wife's reassuring smile. He left shortly after, leaving Cadence taking one last gaze at the family photo before sighting in sadness. During his long absence, Vladimir had barely keep contact with the rest of his family and his friends at the capital. His letters were sparse and mostly brief, but they were always filled with love each time. How she longed right now for a new letter from her dearest brother.

It was almost 10 pm now, and the new royal couple was peacefully eating in the dinning room of the crystal palace. They were finally enjoying a long enough moment of peace and quiet, where they could finally rest and truly enjoy the beauty of the crystal empire. Both took this opportunity to tell the other a summary of their respective day. Once done, Cadance told her husband how her trains of thoughts brought her to reminiscent about her older brother.

Armor was always eager to ear about the mysterious yet well known brother of his wife. He has never met the prince until now, since he had already departure for the Blueblood estate when he met Cadance for the first time. Of course, as the captain of the royal guard he was well aware of him, his reputation in the castle preceded him after all. But like most of the ponies he never knew the real Blueblood, or Vladimir as his wife would call him. And now that they were related, they would have to meet and know each other one day.

As Cadance explained how she missed her older brother, especially now as his help would be really appreciated for their current situation, they were interrupted by a guard who came in to inform Cadance that she just received a letter. Curiosity took over the princess as she had no idea who could send her a letter right now. It would not be Twilight as she told her that he next letter would come tomorrow, as for Celestia or Luna they had no reason to send one so soon after the event. However, she soon jumped in existment as she saw the blue and yellow compass seal of her brother on the letter.

"Its a letter from Vladimir ! Incredible, I was getting desperate with one and a half year of waiting since the last one ! I cant wait to see what he is up to !"

"Then, how about we read it together ?"

"Good idea !"

For Princess, Mi Amore Cadanza.

My dearest sister,
I send you this long overdue letter with many regrets filling my mind, knowing that I have failed to provide you with proper updates about myself for almost two years. It has now been five years, since I left the luxurious and duty full life in Canterlot to claim our ancestral lands that I rightfully own. You know well that I take my responsibility as the sole heir of our glorious family heirloom, with the utmost seriousness and dedication it deserve.

The reason for my long and regrettable silence, while not justifying it is as follow. I bare hope that this justification will be enough to quell down you resentment towards me, dearest sister of mine. I have dedicated the last year and a half to greatly improve our domain, from our Manor and its surroundings to the Hamlet below that you are so found of. The old road as now come to see better days.

Now, after many months of hard and restless labor, my work is finally reaching its culmination. Many ponies, from all places and professions come to inhabit and prosper on our lands. I have great plans for our home, and I have an unwavering certitude that it will reach highs only achieved back before the princesses. In three days, I will journey back to Canterlot so I can present to our Aunt, my vision of the Blueblood's house opulent and imperial futur.

The upcoming grand gala that will be hold on that fateful day, shall be perfect for this announcement. I hope that it shall be as well, for our well deserved reunion. Meeting you again, with your recently earned husband will be my greatest pleasure. Besides, I think that in person congratulations are in order, your majesty.

Sincerely,
your beloved older brother,
Duke Vladimir Blueblood.

Author's Note

Greetings, everyone !

This, is my very first fanfiction on this site, but not my first ever. I have been writing a lot more on wattpad under the name of HectorDeTroie. I must warn that I'm not an expert when it comes to MLP by far, but I do think that I read enough on this site and done enough research to have a good enough overall idea.

I kindly ask you to be merciful with me, and not be too mad that I take a few liberties when it comes to the lore and what is canon. I'm also french, so my English may not be the best. Anyway, enjoy this story !

Sincerely,
A new writer on this site :)