One could hear the muffled clinking of glasses and the subdued chatter of Canterlot’s high society, mingling with the graceful strains of a string orchestra. Servants glided almost silently through the hall, balancing trays with artfully arranged dishes in their hooves. The air was heavy with exotic aromas and expensive perfume. Golden sunlight poured through the intricate stained-glass windows, painting colorful patterns on the immaculate hardwood floor. Above the castle arched a cloudless sky, and the song of birds drifted in through the open windows. Celestia had clearly left nothing to chance in making this day an unparalleled event.

Twilight Sparkle, clad in a sky-blue ball gown embroidered with silver stars, sat at the end of the long table, flanked by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Her hooves rested nervously in her lap as her gaze swept over the guests. Nobles and notable celebrities occupied the seats, each wearing a smile that was polite yet distant, while the chill in their eyes cracked the warm façade.

It was Twilight’s coronation banquet, a celebration in her honor as the new Alicorn princess of Equestria. A thought that still felt alien to her. One of her lavender wings twitched involuntarily, drawing a fleeting expression of displeasure from her. She knew she would need some time to get used to these unfamiliar limbs.

“Twilight, my dear, you seem so tense,” Celestia remarked with a gentle sidelong glance and a smile. “Is the food not to your liking? Or is there something troubling you?”

Twilight forced a smile that didn’t entirely convince even herself. “No, Princess. The food is fantastic. The chefs truly outdid themselves. I don’t even recognize half the dishes they’re serving.” She paused, her gaze dropping to her lap. “It’s just…” Her voice grew softer. “I feel a bit out of place. Maybe I’m in the wrong company,” she added quietly.

Celestia adopted a playfully dramatic expression and drew in an exaggerated breath. “Are you suggesting you don’t enjoy my company?” Her eyes sparkled with feigned indignation, yet her voice held a loving undertone.

“What? No, Princess, that’s not what I meant!” Twilight blurted nervously. Her ears twitched slightly, and she lowered her head, embarrassed, when she met Celestia’s gaze. It was apparent she hadn’t caught the humorous note in Celestia’s voice. “You know I always enjoy your company, but…” Her voice faltered, and she swallowed nervously before continuing. “All these important ponies at the table. They smile, but I can feel their cold, hard stares on me. I know many of them aren’t really happy about the reason for this banquet. That I’m not truly one of them, and… honestly, I’m not sure I even want to be.”

Celestia draped one of her large white wings around Twilight and gently drew her closer, as though shielding her from the cold gazes that seemed to cause her so much distress. “Don’t bother seeking their approval. You aren’t one of them, and you’re not meant to be,” she said with a warm smile, gesturing lightly to herself, Luna, and Cadance. “You are one of us. And believe me, we’ve accepted you for a long time now.”

Twilight rewarded Celestia with a slightly more genuine smile. “I think you’re right. I suppose I just need some time to adjust to all this.”

Twilight’s thoughts drifted as she listened to the conversations around her. Most of the guests chatted about trivial matters: a new, expensive shrub in someone’s garden, a peculiar incident in Canterlot Park. But every now and then, biting remarks reached her ears. Some were subtle, little more than whispered words, while others were openly mocking. They discussed her posture, her appearance, her status. One voice even dared to call her “Celestia’s pet.”

Twilight’s stomach clenched, but she remained silent. She couldn’t deny how those words picked at her deepest insecurities. Yes, Celestia meant well, but she was mistaken. Whether Twilight liked it or not, she was now part of the nobility, and the others saw her as competition. Worse still, they viewed her as an intruder, a disruption to their meticulously preserved order. What were their inherited titles and lofty bloodlines worth if a commoner like Twilight Sparkle could simply surpass them? Not merely into the nobility, but all the way onto a throne.

A faint clinking broke Twilight’s train of thought. Her ears flicked, and her gaze lifted as a butler with snow-white fur and slicked-back golden mane appeared before her. His posture was faultless, his movements precise, as he set a wine glass of the finest crystal before her. The black waistcoat he wore bore the crest of House Blueblood, embroidered with flawless precision.

“Madam,” he began in a voice that reflected the elegance of the evening, ”may I do you the honor of serving you a drop from the exquisite private collection of the House of Blueblood? A bitter-sweet red wine, vintage 200 a.L. A real treat for the palate.”

Twilight blinked, her uncertainty briefly masked by a mixture of astonishment and surprise. The butler waited patiently, his stance as unwavering as the snow-capped peaks of Canterlot.

Finally, Twilight nodded. “It would be my pleasure.” On cue, he poured a fine vintage from an elegant-looking bottle into her glass. He bowed deeply once again and trotted away with practiced grace. Twilight watched him briefly before her attention returned to Princess Luna and Celestia, who were immersed in a lively discussion about the organization of the palace guards.

Lost in thought, Twilight raised the glass with her magic and examined the deep red wine shimmering in the stained-glass light. She took a small sip. It was indeed quite sweet, with a distinctive flavor. She only noticed a second, more bitter aftertaste a moment later. Just as Twilight was trying to make sense of this bitterness, something changed almost instantly.

A burning sensation crawled up her throat, followed by a sharp pain in her chest. Her breathing became ragged, and the world around her began to waver. The glass slipped from her magical grasp and shattered with a shrill clang against the floor. Twilight gasped, her wings twitching uncontrollably as her head hit the edge of the table. Voices rose all around her, and hurried steps thudded. Celestia’s voice pierced the haze, urgent and desperate.

“Twilight! Stay with me!”

Someone was holding her in their hooves. The pain tore through her thoughts. She felt a fierce heat and heard a few muffled, shouted words, and then all that remained was a deep, relentless darkness that enfolded her.

Author's Note

It took a while, but I've written something again. Chapter 1 will follow soon, I'm curious to see how you like the storyso far.