Diamond slowly opened the door to the dining room, her hooves sore from piano lessons. It was normal of course, and if anyone watched the pink filly, they would have seen no signs of her discomfort. Not in front of her father, at the very least. She clambered slowly onto her chair, before turning towards Filthy Rich, who sat at the other end of the long table. She swallowed hard as the glare of the chandelier made it hard to see, and instead kept her eyes to the food laid out for them. Not that she would have been able to meet his gaze anyways.

Her mind immediately tried to smack the thought away. What she had done was for her happiness for once. Just because it wouldn’t be what her father approved of, or part of his grand plan, not to mention her getting caught, and thus being forced to tell him… Diamond looked down at her plate, a shiver running down her spine. “G-good evening, father. How are you?”

Filthy glanced over the large pan of vegetarian lasagne, and at the voice, before nodding as a servant brought him some of the main dish. He took a bite of the pasta, with his chef standing resolute beside him. Even after over a year of loyal service, the poor stallion sweated at this moment, and immediately trotted away when Filthy nodded his approval. Turning back to his daughter, he cleared his throat and smiled. “Quite well actually. Due to another one of their scams going awry, we finally were able to press those foolish Flim Flam brothers into joining our Research and Development department. The first thing on the list; a Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 that will make cranberry cider. Should revolutionize the market!”

Diamond Tiara’s spirits rose at the news as she looked back up, her eyes adjusting to the chandelier’s light. Her dad had gotten it long ago, because it was what classy ponies did, even if it was too bright most of the time, and annoyed many ponies. At least when you got used to it though, you could admire just how beautiful the crystals were. They were much of what kept Diamond going, and what made her believe last weekend would work in the first place. Now though, she had to confess.

She nodded to a servant as they brought her some lettuce and carrots, before steeling herself one more time. “So, dad, you know about how I had Button over the other day, right? To help me with my homework.”

Filthy stopped as he was about to sip from a silver goblet, raising an eyebrow towards his daughter, before lowering it and nodding. “As much as I disapprove of you having not been able to do the assignment yourself, I suppose some time with a boy like.. him, is fine. So yes, I remember, and hope you two had an enjoyable, and productive night.”

Diamond took in a deep breath, her eyes closing halfway as she thought about just how enjoyable that night was. “Don’t worry father about enjoyment, for It was probably the best of my life.” The silence that echoed through the room afterwards snapped her out of her day dreaming, and she blushed a bright crimson as she sat up. “I-I mean that as in, well,” she swallowed hard, pausing to try to get the courage to finally say it. Say what she had always wanted to be able to say openly. “I...I told him that I liked him, and he may just have, um, said he liked me back. At least a bit.”

Filthy simply continued to stare at his daughter as he took another sip of his drink. Setting it down, he took in a long, slow breath. “When you say like him, I’m assuming you mean more than you’re letting on.”

Diamond took in a deep breath, pushing down her nerves, and setting her face to the cold, stone slab that she needed for such proceedings. “Look dad, I have my rights as a pony, and therefore am allowed to pursue what I need to be happy. However, my relationship with Button Mash will not stop me from seeking a business degree in college, or in my plans to take over this corporation when I am grown. So, with this in mind, I see no reason for you to object to our relationship.”

Diamond’s mind didn’t quiet yet. She knew what her father may say, and she had to be ready for it. The moment his cup touched back onto the wooden table, the two would have the longest debate of their relationship. She was certain, which made her nerves fray even worse when her father said nothing, but instead stared into his cup. The smile on her face, of which she was unaware of, fell in time with her father’s head and a cold sweat broke over Diamond’s body. “Fa-father, I know you have reservations, but I ensure you that if you-” She took a sharp intake of breath as her father held up a single hoof, silencing her.

Filthy stared across the table for another moment, before lowering his hoof. “Do you truly think you like this boy romantically?”

Diamond met his gaze, blushed slightly, and then nodded. “I do.”

For a moment, Filthy’s eye twitched, the words bringing uncomfortable images to his mind. Images that were quickly pushed to the side, as they were of no use to the older stallion at the moment. “Well then, I suppose I should meet the young colt than, and most likely his parents as well.” He glanced over at his daughter again and smiled as he saw the growing smile on her face. “And luckily, we have the event I’m holding for my business partners at the Ponyville Museum’s Main Hall coming up at the end of the week. That should be a wonderful time to test him. See how he handles our side of society.”

Diamond broke out into a cold sweat at those words, before she lifted her glass. She knew what she said was a lie. That she knew nothing of what would happen due to this, but she had to try. “To Button doing well then, as I-I know he will.”

Filthy nodded, raising his glass back towards her, before returning to his meal. His mind reeled against the idea of his little filly having a boyfriend. She was too young to have one, and to have chosen so poorly as a simple video game enthusiast with a widowed bride for a mother was almost inconceivable to him. He didn’t blame himself though. He knew she was smart enough not to go too far, or do anything that she may regret. Just as he had back in the days of his youth, and had never regretted. Just for the briefest of moments, to ensure his little princess didn’t see, he tipped his goblet to a bright, pink mare with a large smile on her face, standing in a portrait besides Filthy, and a baby Diamond Tiara. “Yes, she’ll be just fine.”