27th of January, 996 post somnum lunam.

My new life begin this faithful date, as I start my long journey back towards our family's lands. Here, aboard a luxurious and yet unsteady carriage, I write the first lines of my diary, away from the confort of my private quarters inside Centerlot Castle. It is with a tormented heart that I abandon my dutiful yet enjoyable life back at the capital, surrounded by my family. But alas, the grim news of father's death brings me responsibilities that I cannot ignore nor run away from. Not that I would ever dream of doing so !

Still now, I see the last gaze given to me by my younger sister and aunt before I depart. The eyes of my beloved sister were filled with sadness, yet shined with the light of her infinite and everlasting love for her brother. I could only promise her to keep in touch as best as I could, and to come back when possible. As for Celestia, she kept her usual facade of stoicism during public events, as we had taken care of goodbyes before my departure was publicly announced. Her last words were enough to make me know that it was hard for her.

"I will miss you dearly, Vladimir. Your help and personality had help me keep going far more that I could have ever hopped alone. Luna would have loved you so much."

Their absence in my futur years will be hard to surmount. But now, the number of responsibilities falling upon me demands an unwavering determination. More than ever, I'm ready to take over the mantle of Duke left behind by father's passing. Besides, I would lie to say that I'm not entirely happy to leave Canterlot behind. For all its pristine houses and cobblestone streets, for all the pearly marble and gold sublimating the city, it was still home to rot. The capital city was home to both the best and worst that Equestira had to offer.

The noble class of our kingdom, a despicable community of luxurious depravity and a theater of oversize egos. This place, in which I had the displeasure of living in, is nothing but a nest of parasitic bugs endlessly feasting on the good of society. This entire journey back to the family manor, could be spent reminiscing about all the great projects Celestia and I had to battle over because of those richly dressed parasites, giving us outrageous reasons and arguments to hide their petty greed. And still, it would not be enough to cover it all !

A sudden bump from a misplaced rock on the road and the panicked excuses from my coach driver brings my mind back to the present. I simply dismiss his attempts at apologizing and order him to concentrate back on his job. Thanks Celestia I was not writing when the bump happened... Whatever, at least this accident chased away those distracting thoughts. from what I can see outside we are nearly reaching the Old Road, I must steady myself for what is about to come. I can only hold to the hope that things are not as bad as I think.

----------------------------------

Here we are, after 3 days of rough traveling the Old Road is greeting us. As soon as we start using it my eyes witness the results of years, going by without proper care being given to this path. Misplaced paved stones and potholes are all over before us, forcing the coach driver slalom between these road defects so we not risk to destroy a wheel and have us continue on hoof. This was already a foal omen of what I could have expected from father's latest works. Since the lost of our Beloved mother, the patriarch of our family had fallen low.

Never my sister, Celestia or I would have ever anticipated what had become of him. One of the most serious and dutiful pony you could ever meet, had fallen into many vices as he mind withered away like a burning candle. He was convinced that mother was cursed, that "a vile and ancient dark magic had risen from bellow the manor to drag her into the abyss". After that, h became alcoholic and demented, forcing Celestia to put him in house arrest. Keeping father's decadence out of the public was a hassle, and would be the greatest humiliation that our family ever faced.

After fifteen minutes of following up the Old Road, we reached the surveillance outpost who marks the beginning of our family lands. There, a dozen of royal guards assigned to defend our home were waiting for us. They greeted us in an almost ceremonial way, and the captain in charge of the garrison told me how my arrival would go. First, they would pass through The Hamlet where its inhabitants would greet me with "hopeful joy and eagerness", then we would go straight to the Manor. Those words really did not bode well...

We soon reached The Hamlet with our new found escort, and thankfully it was not as bad as I had envisioned. While the little town had clearly depopulated, the houses and communal buildings still held firm and sturdy. What saddens me is the somber atmosphere reigning over this place. I remember days when the sun shone, and laughter could be heard from the tavern. Now, by coming here you would believe to have found a refuge, barely standing in the middle of a crumbling world. I will not stand for this in any capacity !

When we passed through the streets, a light seemed to have pierced the veil of darkness that had befallen on those poor souls. They looked up at me, ceasing their activities to witness my presence, and all came rushing to meet their new land's lord. They bared the same look many pony would show in the presence of my dearest aunt Celestia, and its making me dread reaching the manor, for it is where I will witness the extend of father's failings. No, I shall not let my mind descending into despair, for it is hope that these ponies dearly needs.

For the duration of us passing through The Hamlet, I passed my head through the window and with all assurance and determination I could muster in my voice, I hereby vowed to them : "Fear not, ponies of those noble lands ! Your darkest times comes to an end !" Ten minutes later we reach the manor, and it has clearly seen better days. How can things had gone to this ? I remember our venerable home, it was opulent and imperial. Now, it is but a shadow of its past self. I shall settle down, bury our father, send a letter of my safe arrival back to Canterlot, and get to work.

Author's Note

A very good chapter, if I say so myself. Quite proud of it !
But, what do you think ? worthy to be narrated ?