Lilac saw that the other Alicorn's left Twilight alone who was just walking around and talking to the many guests. She took a deep breath, made sure her head dress – a very small silver circlet with three drop shaped orange diamonds, matching her eyes. She hates wearing that thing, but this is her estranged cousin’s coronation, she should look the part if she wants Twilight to take her words seriously.

Lilac waited for a chance to talk to her cousin. Meaning she waited for Twilight to be alone. She does not want to interrupt a conversation and she is simply too shy to approach a group.

Lilac saw Twilight to be alone so she approached her. “E-Excuse me…” Should she call her princess or can they just call her Twilight? They are cousins but… Better be save than sorry. “Princess Twilight?”

Twilight noted her. “Oh hello? Wait, you’re Lilac Twilight, right? Amethyst’s youngest?”

“Yes! I am surprised you recognize me.” she said unsure. “C-Congratulations that you’re crowned and-and, I want to apologize-” “Ah! Twilight! My niece!”

Lilac looked to see who interrupted her. It was her mother. She stepped away so that her mother, aunt and sister can stand in front of Twilight. Lilac noted her father, uncle and brother in law were not there, but so was her niece. She returned her attention to her mother. ‘What is she doing here?’

“Amethyst?” Twilight was equally confused about Amethyst’s antics. “The last time I checked, you didn’t consider me as such.” she pointed out.

“Well, we realized that we were wrong.” explained Amethyst.

Her sister Veil added, “We want to fix our family.”

Twilight just looked very unimpressed at them. “Really? You needed over two decades to realize that? Or did you just change your mind because of my wings?” She spread her wings to get the point across. “Either way, I am not interested in building a relationship with you. Now if you excuse me, I was talking to Lilac, before you lot interrupted us. Come, Lilac.”

Lilac followed her cousin as they walked away to a more secluded part of the castle. Twilight then said, “You wanted to apologize for something?”

“I wanted to apologize for everything and I want to connect with you.” answered Lilac. “Not because you’re a princess! I just, I always wanted to ask about Spike and how it is to care for a dragon.”

Twilight was surprised. Not that Lilac wants to connect, or that she is interested in Spike, but that she apologizes. “But Lilac, you have never done a thing! We never really talked and that is more on our mothers.”

“I… Easy Light said the same thing.”

Twilight smiled. “You still talk to him even thought Radiant is dead?”

“He may be married in but he is still Uncle Easy.” Lilac then realized, “Then again, it makes sense you would assume the others ditched him. Well, they kinda did. Only I and a few others keep in touch with Easy Light. Mainly because of the necklace.”

“Do you know where he is? I want to talk to him.” said Twilight.

“Oh! He should be checking out the cake selection.” remembered Lilac. “His cake addiction never changed. Probably never will.”

Easy Light was about to take the last white chocolate pistachio tart, but instead of lime green light, it was surrounded by a golden aura. Looking up he saw no other than Princess Celestia. “Oh, the princess!” He stepped away and bowed.

“Easy Light? I haven’t seen you since the court order.” she replied, “Have you gotten your late wives necklace back?” Her apprentice didn’t want the necklace, so Twilight proposed that Radiant Twilight’s husband should get the necklace instead. He has a lot of her stuff, but Celestia had a hunch that Twilight wanted to bite back at that part of the family.

“Nah! Veil and the others say they will give it to Twilight, but I doubt they keep their word.” he answered and took a different tart instead. “I doubt Twilight would want the necklace, but…”

“Actually, Uncle Easy.” Twilight came – followed by Lilac Twilight. “I am sorry I rejected her necklace, but…” She flapped her wings. “The necklace I wore carried a glamour and some one,”, she looked to Celestia, “, really tried to keep the number of ponies in the know low. I am sorry, Easy Light.”

“Oh! That explains so much.” he said. “I just thought you really wanted to avoid drama.”

“Well, that, too.” she admitted. “Mainly for mom’s sake.”

“Apropos Velvet, I suppose you kept the name for her sake?” he asked. “Doubt it was for Veil. I suppose you would take the necklace now if Veil and Amethyst would let go of it?”

“Yes.”

“Apropos.” chimed Lilac in. “They pretended they would want to mend things with Aurora, but she rejected them.”

“Really, Lilac? Of course they would try that.” he mused.

Then Celestia chimed in, “You call her Aurora?”

“Calm down, Celestia. She’s my cousin.” said Twilight. “And we Twilight’s always call us by the other name, even if it is the secondary.” she explained.

“Oh, then.” Celestia saw a representative from Yakistan. “Ah, the yaks! It was nice to meet you, Easy Light and Lilac Twilight, but we have princess duties to do.”

Before Twilight followed her aunt, she told Lilac and Easy, “Visit me in Ponyville, especially you, Lilac!”

“So, you talked to her. Good job, Lilac.” he praised her. He then floated cake to her. “Food for your nerves, your mother looks like it had been raining for days.”

After many representatives talked to Twilight, congratulated her and Luna or criticized Celestia for her secret keeping, the party took its end. Which meant Celestia’s distraction was over and her mind was on Sombra again. Should she tell Twilight that she knew Sombra would return? She kept enough secrets as it is.

A week later, Twilight was drained. She spend the week in Canterlot to get used to her role. When some things are resolved, she’ll return to Ponyville, but for now, Canterlot it is. The city was the same as always, but things were still different. Even Crowley couldn’t keep the attention away, now that she was Princess Twilight Aurora and not Lady Twilight Sparkle. So she decided to go undercover. Her Pegasi disguise got a few updates.

Instead of turning dark blue, her streaks became silver, her coat got even paler and her Cutie Mark became a silver scythe moon. Now she was Velvet Dawn. Her mother gave a few pointers regarding this disguise spell. Apropos Luna, she accompanied her. They wanted to do a private outing, but their status as princesses doesn’t give the privacy for that.

So two unassuming Pegasi were on a shopping spree in Canterlot, including a borough with many popular shops and cafe’s. Well, mainly popular with the younger generations.

“Is that this Lilac Celestia mentioned?” asked Luna, pointing out the young unicorn.

Twilight looked into the direction. It really was her cousin Lilac. Her name sake coat was visible from afar, so was her white and light purple mane and orange eyes. “Oh! Good. I meant to talk to her without Amethyst in ear shot.”

“Are you sure you want to reveal your disguise to her?” asked Luna worried.

“Yes. And it is not like I can just change this one. Not to mention I created two back ups.” said Twilight. “A Unicorn and an earth pony.”

“Oh well.”

They walked closer to her when Twilight noted something. Lilac is a blank flank. She is notably older than the Cutie Mark Crusaders and that trio are already considered late bloomers. ‘That explains why she acts so shy. Amethyst and the others must give her issues because of this.’

“Lilac?” said Twilight, getting her attention.

Lilac looked up from her book and smoothie. “Uh… how can I help you?” She closed the book and pulled it to her with her orange aura. “Um, who are you?”

Twilight tapped her necklace, her true looks flashing fast into visibility. “But in this disguise, it is Velvet Dawn.”

“Oh! Aurora. Cool.” said Lilac. She looked to Luna. “Mm, who is she?”

“This is mother, call her Midna in public.”

Lilac’s mind short circuited, knowing she was in the presence of Princess Luna. Said princess and an idea to snap it out of it. “What are you reading there, Lilac?”

“A book about dragons.” she admitted. “One of the few I could find.”

“Right! You said you’re interested in dragons.” remembered Twilight. “You really need to visit me in Ponyville in a few weeks.”

“Right, your birthday is soon! Well, adoption day, I suppose. Mom’s always frustrated this time of the year.” said Lilac. “Will you celebrate princess style?”

“No. Honestly, I do not like the attention. This year at least will be a small, private round.”

“Define ‘small’, Princess of Friendship.” pointed Luna out. “You may have declined a ball like Celestia wanted, but this still won’t be a small gathering.”

“It must be nice to have so many friends…” said Lilac darkly.

“You have none?” asked Luna. Twilight glared at her, implying her questioning isn’t nice.

“There aren’t many people who want to be friends with a blank flank my age.” explained Lilac. “I’m even for late bloomers late. Then again…”

“Amethyst?” guessed Twilight.

“She only allowed me to do lady-like stuff that apparently isn’t my special talent.” explained Lilac. “And the one hobby I choose freely isn’t it either.”

“Mm… I know a group who specializes in helping with cutie marks.” said Twilight. Since she gave the CMC lessons, they discovered their own marks, to help others! They may be younger than Lilac, but it is worth a try. “Maybe you come a week or two earlier, I think you should give them a try.”

“You think the Cutie Mark Crusaders can help her?” wondered Luna.

“They can try.” offered Twilight.

Lilac wondered what kind of pony calls themselves that, but she supposed she has to figure that out for herself in a few weeks.

House Orion was meeting in their ancestral home once again. Easy Light was just leaving with his late wives necklace and Amethyst was in a very low mood, so her relatives – even her sister Veil – were avoiding her. Lilac read the room as soon as she stepped into the salon. She normally would have hidden away in her arts room, but she wanted to get it over fast.

“Mother?”

“Oh, you call me mother, so you want something.” said Amethyst. “What is it, Lilac?”

“I do not want something, but I have news. I found a group that specializes in helping late bloomers.” explained Lilac. “I just need your permission to go to Ponyville for this.”

“Ponyville? How long?” asked Amethyst, looking up from her mirror.

“At least three weeks.”

“So, it ends around Twilight’s birthday.” She knew which Twilight. So did Lilac. They both did. “Then again, you spoke to her. Fine.”

Lilac was surprised she was allowing it.

“But! Don’t try to do anything about the situation.” demanded Amethyst. “You’re too inexperienced to do anything about it. And keep me updated. I assume you will be staying with Twilight?”

“Yes.”

Amethyst softened hearing that. “Good. But seriously, I expect a letter every three days at least. Especially if you get your mark!”

“Yes, mom.” she said happily. “If you excuse me, I need to pack some things.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” wondered Spike. “Lilac is…”

“My cousin. Amethyst’s daughter. But not like her.” said Twilight. “Lilac’s fine. Not to mention, most of her attention will be on you and her mark anyway.”

“Me?” he asked, pointing at himself weakly.

“Lilac has a high interest in dragons, so she wants to talk to you.” explained Twilight. “Who knows, maybe her mark is related to dragons.”

“But she won’t be another student, right?”

“Maybe? Then again, I’m busy enough with Starlight as it is.” As she said that, said Unicorn appeared between them in the guest room. “Oh, Starlight! You got a hang on the teleportation.”

“Not really, wrong room.” she pointed out. “Why are you fixing this room?”

“My cousin Lilac Twilight will spend some weeks with us.” she explained.

“Lilac Twilight? Wait, House Orion? Velvet’s relatives?” she figured out. Starlight got worried. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“You sound like Spike!” said Twilight just slightly annoyed. “Lilac’s nothing like that lot. And you should know how late bloomers feel.”

“Oh, she is-Are you introducing her to Sweetie Belle and her friends?”

“Yes. When the trio comes for their lessons.” said Twilight.

“That is still going? But they have their marks!”

“I know, Spike, but these lessons were never about their Cutie Marks.” said Twilight. “Scoota needed wing training, Apple Bloom needed lessons on business and etiquette and Sweetie Belle on magic. Not to mention their weak subjects, but that part is done now.”

“Well, she is your cousin, so I won’t tell you what to do.” said Starlight. “Well, if you need me, I try to teleport to the Sugar Cube Corner. I need sugar, teleportation is tiring.”

Author's Note

Two things on the agenda:

Firstly, considering the many criticizing (very valid, understandable and accurate) comments, why is the like/dislike ratio 22/0 as of writing this note?

Feel free to give a thumbs down, too. I am aware this fic has issues. Which I try to avoid in the next fic.

I think I know the two main reasons for the many issues, so I think I can avoid them next time. (No outline and a bad editing routine)

Secondly, assuming you all remember the AN about the bonus chapter:

The laptop is running again, for the most part, I now have a WiFi stick.

I decided to post the mentioned bonus chapter as a separate One Shot.