1

Princess Pearl gazed at her crown nestled in the cushion on her dressing table. The ocean pearls and sapphires adorning the gold gleamed in the sunlight pouring in from the gigantic windows of her bedroom. Her eyes lifted to meet her reflection in the elegant vanity mirror.

In one hour, I shall be queen.

The white pegasus lifted the crown between her hooves and placed it on her head, adjusting a few stray locks of her snowy mane.

This shall be the last time I wear this crown. From this eve forward, I shall wear my mother's.

Queen Majesty had passed away in her sleep only three nights before. Natural causes, the physician had assured her six surviving daughters. Pearl, as her mother's eldest and heiress, would be crowned the new Queen of Dream Valley. Her lip quivered fearfully and she lowered her gaze. Nothing had ever terrified her more.

"My lady," a clear male voice called softly from behind her. Her startling blue eyes flicked up to meet his cool gray gaze in the mirror. Winterglaive, the captain of the Royal Guard stood in her doorway. He was a handsome pegasus whose mostly white coat was frosted the color of arctic water up his legs, down his neck and back, and over his face. A white blaze parted his face like an iceberg and a mane of ocean cerulean fell like a gleaming waterfall over the ceremonial golden armor he wore. "Your coronation is about to begin."

Pearl nodded once. "Please give me only another minute. You may wait outside my door." Before he turned to leave, he gave her that look that she knew all too well and sent a shiver through her belly. She smiled briefly, and the quick flash of his own grin before he left was enough to give her the courage she needed. He was her oldest and dearest friend, and she would need him by her side in order to endure what was to come. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

She pushed her velvet cushioned seat back and reached for her cape. The fabric was of the finest satin in Dream Valley and a soft summer-sky blue, the color of the royal family. She swung it around her and fastened the golden clasp, which was carved in a beautifully ornate rose design. The corner of her eyes caught the movement of another figure in the doorway. She turned her head.

Her younger sister, Princess Amethyst slunk into the room, dressed in a dazzling deep purple and gold cape of her own. "My dearest sister, how many hours do you need to dress yourself?" Her voice echoed off the high, vaulted ceiling unpleasantly.

"Forgive me, if I have held you up, Amethyst," Pearl said politely. She would not be intimidated by her sister's smug remark. Her mother had taught her better than that.

The cool lavender of the unicorn's coat gleamed flagrantly and what should have been a lovely face was shattered with an audacious smirk. "No, no, you just take all the time you shall ever need," Amethyst sneered and flashed a false and syrupy smile. "It is your big day after all, don't let the rest of us keep you from looking your most magnificent. I'll see you at the coronation, sweet sister." She turned and abruptly left the chamber.

Pearl sighed and followed shortly. Outside her room stood Winterglaive, along with two of his fellow guardsmen, Nuzzledark, a massive black stallion, and Arbalest, a dark forest green stallion. They bowed deeply to Pearl and Winterglaive smiled at her. She gave a short smile in return and began her walk to the Royal Hall where her coronation was to begin, flanked by her three escorts.

Winterglaive leaned close as he strode alongside his princess. "Are you all right, my lady?"

She turned her head slightly and offered a small smile. "I'm fine, thank you. Just nervous."

"You know I am yours," he said. "I will pledge myself to you during your coronation, but I pledge myself to you now."

Pearl stopped and studied his face. She longed to borrow his courage for the day. "I know. I am proud to have you as my captain. Your loyalty is everything to me."

Arbalest smiled—though, not a pleasant one. "We live only to serve you, your Grace." He gave a slow, shallow bow, his yellow eyes biting into hers.

The princess stood as tall and as regal as she could. "Thank you, guards." The ponies left her room and proceeded silently down the chamber hall to the main hall. This would be her final journey from her old bedchamber. She could hear the cheers and cries of joy and excitement outside. Her stomach tightened, but she held her head high. The dark hall brightened as they neared the end and the sunlight flooded the floor and outlined the curtain over the grand balcony opening. She stopped only hooves from the curtain and took in a deep breath, closing her eyes as her ears filled with the cheering of her people awaiting her outside. A servant pony pulled on the rope and the curtain flew open, blinding Pearl.

The princess stepped into the light.