Elanor's short mane stood untamed atop her head as she stared into the mirror, her fiery red eyes adding to her wild appearance. Her large ears drooped back in embarrassment as a soft brush began to caress her unruly hair, slowly taming it.

"What were you thinking, Elanor?" exclaimed her panicked aunt, Luna. Using her magic and the brush, she tried to style the mane, making Elanor look more presentable with each stroke. "Cutting off all your beautiful long hair like that! What will your mother say?" she scolded.

Elanor winced at the mention of her mother, her silence speaking volumes. Luna could tell the lesson was learned.

"Oh, sweetheart, I know you don't want to go to the Grand Galloping Gala, but it's a very important event. It would mean so much to me if you were there," Luna said softly.

Elanor's ears perked up as she looked at her aunt's reflection in the mirror. "Why?" she asked, curious but hesitant.

Luna chuckled and leaned in close to her niece's ear. "Because I don't want to go either," she whispered.

Elanor let out an understanding chuckle as her aunt placed a little tiara atop her freshly cut mane. She always felt beautiful when her aunt pampered her like this.

Elanor's chuckle faded into a thoughtful silence as she adjusted the tiara on her head. "But if you don't want to go, why are we going at all?" she asked, her voice soft and uncertain.

Luna sighed, her gaze meeting Elanor's in the mirror. "Because sometimes, duty calls us to places we'd rather not be," she explained gently. "Your presence at the gala will show strength and unity to our kingdom. It's important for them to see us standing together."

Elanor nodded slowly, understanding the weight of her aunt's words. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, trying to summon the courage she knew she needed. "Alright, Aunt Luna. I'll go."

Luna's face softened with pride and affection. "That's my brave girl," she said, giving Elanor's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Now, let's make sure you're ready."

As Luna finished the final touches on Elanor's mane, a knock on the door interrupted them. "Come in," Luna called.

The door opened to reveal a servant, bowing deeply. "Your Highnesses, it is time for the gala."

Elanor's heart pounded in her chest as she followed Luna down the grand corridors to the ballroom. The ornate doors swung open to reveal a vast hall filled with nobles and dignitaries, their chatter falling silent as the royal family entered.

Empress Celestia stood near the head of the room. Her fiery mane flowed elegantly down her back, contrasting sharply with her cold, piercing eyes that immediately locked onto Elanor. The empress's gaze lingered on Elanor's short, wild mane, a flicker of disapproval crossing her face.

Elanor felt a shiver run down her spine under her mother's scrutinizing stare. She walked with measured steps, trying to exude confidence despite the unease gnawing at her. As she approached, Celestia's expression remained icy.

"Elanor," Empress Celestia greeted, her tone cool and distant. "I see you've made a... drastic change to your appearance."

Elanor swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Mother."

Celestia's eyes narrowed slightly. "It's certainly... different. I trust Luna has helped you make the best of it."

"She has," Elanor replied, glancing at her aunt for support.

Luna stepped forward, her tone gentle yet firm. "Elanor looks lovely, Celestia. She's ready to represent our family tonight."

The empress's gaze shifted to Luna, and for a moment, the tension in the air seemed to ease. "Very well," Celestia said, her voice losing some of its harsh edge at the sight of her sister. "Let us proceed with the evening."

Elanor took her place beside her mother, the weight of Celestia's cold demeanor pressing down on her. She forced herself to smile and engage with the guests.

Until the one guest she dreaded the most entered the room.

The Sparkles and Mi Amors.

To avoid being ridiculed by Flurry Heart once more, Elanor quickly left her mother's side to join the guests further away. She loved Princess Twilight and Cadence very much, but their children were a pest in Elanor's life. But the one she dreaded the most was the perfect, little Princess Vespera Sparkle!

Her mother just couldn't get over how good Vespera's magic skills were—Vespera this, Vespera that. It was almost a disease!

It's not her fault that she has no magical powers, that she was born to look like a monster...

Elanor watched from a distance as Vespera entered the room, her graceful demeanor immediately attracting the attention of the crowd. Empress Celestia's face lit up as Vespera approached, and she wrapped a wing around the young princess in a warm, affectionate embrace that Elanor had never received.

"Vespera, my dear," Celestia cooed, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "You look absolutely radiant tonight. Look at your mane! It has grown so long since I've last seen you!"

Vespera blushed and smiled up at the empress. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Elanor's heart ached as she watched the scene unfold. She felt a pang of jealousy and longing for the affection her mother so freely gave to Vespera. Despite her resolve to stay strong, tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly turned away, not wanting anyone to see her distress.

Luna, ever perceptive, noticed Elanor's discomfort and gently guided her to a quieter corner of the ballroom. "Elanor, are you alright?" she asked softly.

Elanor shook her head, unable to speak. Luna wrapped a comforting wing around her niece, her touch soothing.

"It's gonna be okay, my little star," Luna whispered. "We can go outside if you need."

Elanor nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herselt. As they stepped outside, Elanor glanced at her mother laughing with the little unicorn that ruined her life, the moment she was born...

Enjoy this while you can Sparkles.... It won't last for too long...

Author's Note