Shock and awe, that was the best way to describe the silence the orphanage found itself in as a beautiful crystal pegasus mare adorned in magnificent royal attire entered the building. She had a light purple mane with stripes of white along with a hint of pink while her body was a dark pink color and her tail matched the color of her mane all the while her wings matched the color of her body however the tip of her feathers were a vibrant white color. The guards all stood stoically as if ready to pounce on anypony who tried to attack her, this may be an orphanage but they were trained to keep an eye out for any danger no matter where the queen was as is expected of royal guardsman. Queen Valerica Sera Mi Amore walked with a very vibrant aura one that immediately puts all eyes on her some of her subjects often find it hard to tell if it’s due to her beauty or her being a queen, many of them surrender to the fact....it’s probably both. Everypony in the orphanage, stallions, mares and colts alike, immediately regained their composer and took a bow to honor her presence.

“Please rise my beloved subjects there’s no need to be so formal.”, Queen Valerica motions with her right hoof before resting it back onto the orphanage’s floor, beaming a vibrant smile as she walks further into the building. “I may be queen but I want you all to simply consider me as a normal visitor today.”, Valerica chuckles playfully before looking around at the crowd of ponies who stood before her. “How is everypony today? I hope you’ve been faring well”, she then lift’s her right hoof and points to various colts before her. “And as for you dear children I certainly hope you’ve been sparing your caretakers your chaotic wrath.”, she ends her statement with an amused giggle.

As everypony begins to rise all of the colts immediately run up to Valerica and begin to hug her while also complimenting her and bombarding her with various questions. This causes the caretakers to giggle amongst themselves while some let out a simple “Dawwwwwww”, some of caretakers are even tempted to hug her themselves though they struggle to restrain the urge. The royal guards, despite understanding the intentions of the children, stare menacingly at the colts watching their every move and while it might sound cruel they are simply doing their duties after all danger can come in many forms as the changelings have proven time and time again. After escaping the loving children Queen Valerica spots Starfire and Starburst Raindrop along with a certain pair of brothers and calls out to them.

“Starfire!, Starburst!, oh how I’ve missed you two!. The colts here are looking amazing and well mannered might I add hehehe, thank Celestia for recommending you two!.”, Valerica trots over to the Raindrop couple, recognizing who it was calling out to them the couple also trot over to her along the way and they all embrace each other in a trio of hugs and laughter.

“We’ve missed you soo much Valerica”, the couple says at the same time in perfect unison. As the Raindrop couple converse with Valerica, Sombra and Sombasi stare with eyes wide open, their pupils dilated, mouth agape and are at a complete loss for words as their parents just casually greeted the queen and chat with her as if she wasn’t a queen at all...as if she was just another pony in the empire. Unbeknownst to them that’s actually how the queen likes it. Taking notice of the two colts the queen turns to them.

“Hello there my lovelies, you two must be the colts Starfire and Starburst often tell me about. Quite a handsome pair of youngsters if I do say so myself.”, Valerica smiles and winks after her statement before she starts giggling. Blushing at the compliment Sombasi put his right hoof over his head with a chuckle.

“Hehe, thank you your majesty.”, Sombasi replies as Sombra kneels before The Queen before addressing her.

“Good evening your majesty, it’s a pleasure to have you before us.”

“Eeeeeek! You two are simply adorable!”, a very excited Valerica says before she begins to do a very particular song/dance.

“Sunshine, sunshine,
Ladybugs awake,
Clap your hooves,
And do a little shake.”

“Sunshine, sunshine”, Valerica has two of her hooves on the floor particularly her front right leg and her hind left leg while the other two are lifted and she repeats this a couple of times while switching them around. “Ladybugs awake”, Moments before this part of the song she lowers both of her front legs and her head to the floor while doing a peek a boo gesture before she then gets on her flanks. “Clap your hooves”, sadly she didn’t have a partner for this portion of the song/dance so she did it to the air in front of her as if some invisible pony were present. “And do a little shake”, she turns sideways before she shakes her flank a couple of times.

The Queen becomes very flustered as she realizes she just did her families dance, which has been taught and passed down in her family for generations, out of habit. The entire orphanage goes silent for a brief moment, their eyes wide open, before everypony erupts to loud laughter. Even some of the royal guards couldn’t help but to release a small snicker before they caught themselves and tried to return to their stoic expressions. Many of the colts began to mimic her dance as some took partners to reenact the spectacle while others imitated her without a partner present as she did moments before. Sombra just stared on with his jaw dropped while Sombasi was laughing his flank off. The Raindrop couple were nearly in tears as Starfire Raindrop regains her composer realizing she didn’t introduce Sombra and Sombasi to Valerica.

“Oh, forgive my manners Queen Valerica”, Starfire says as she trots over to the brothers while holding her right hoof over them. “These colts are two of the many we have here in the orphanage...”, Starfire moves her hoof over to Sombra. “The taller colt is Sombra”, Starfire then moves her hoof to Sombasi. “While the shorter colt is Sombasi. Boys, this is Queen Valerica although I’m sure you already knew that.”, Starfire giggles and returns back to her husbands side.

“Aww yes”, The Queen replies with a hoof to her chin before setting it down again. “Sombra’s talents have reached even my ears thanks to some talk amongst some of my guards and even the other ponies around the empire. You seem to be quite gifted.”, Valerica shoots Sombra a smile causing him to blush she then turns to Sombasi pointing her left hoof at him. “As for you Sombasi, a certain librarian informed me that you were the pony who caused quite the commotion earlier today when I visited the public library.”, This makes Sombasi’s eyes shoot wide open while he sweats nervously and begins to stagger his words.

“Y-ou he-ard abo-ut th-at?”, Sombasi barely regains his composer before he sighs in defeat and lowers his head in shame. “Forgive me your majesty I’ve...dishonored this orphanage and my parents with my actions.”, His words surprised Valerica, she didn’t expect a colt to be so...humble. Valerica uses her left hoof to lift Sombasi’s head to meet her gaze before she councils him.

“Now, now, little one...there’s no need to be overdramatic.”, she removes her hoof from Sombasi’s chin before she continues. “You are a very kind soul Sombasi and quite humble too even more so than some of the nobles I deal with on a daily basis.”, Valerica puts her right hoof behind her head on that last statement while looking away almost annoyingly before regaining a pleasant expression and looks back to Sombasi. “Listen my little pony, when one makes a mistake the best thing they can do is to learn from it and never try to repeat it. Everypony messes up now and again no matter who they are including me hay even the royal sisters in Canterlot are no exception. Mistakes are inevitable, learning from them is necessary, thus is one of the many trials of life. Remember these words well young Sombasi.” An applaud in the form of stomping hooves and ponies who sat on their flanks to clap their hooves together can be heard as the queens words could be heard by everypony around her including Starbust and Starfire while Sombra rolls his eyes before chuckling. Valerica’s words hit home for Sombasi as he smiles and nods happily along with his eyes becoming almost misty as if he wanted to cry but held it back.

“Thank you very much your majesty”, Sombasi then kneels and rises again. Queen Valerica nuzzles Sombasi before moving back and puts her left hoof onto his head and pats it.

“Tis the duty of a Queen to see to the needs of her subjects my dear, including comforting them through their own uncertainties.”, suddenly, Starburst Raindrop recalls what his wife said in their earlier conversation before Valerica’s arrival about asking Valerica if Sombra could see The Royal Library along with Sombasi mentioning a possible magical tutor.

“Oh that reminds me!.” Starburst yells in realization as he walks towards the queen and his two sons coming to a stop near them. “Sombra, Sombasi, isn’t there something you two would like to ask the queen regarding a certain royal library and a possible magical tutor?.”, This causes both of the brothers ears to shoot straight up as they both trot up to Valerica which causes both Starfire and Starburst to giggle. Sombasi allows Sombra to take the lead and ask his question.

“Your majesty, forgive me if I sound too forward or out of turn but would it be ok if I could take a look at the royal library? In addition to learning more about magic I also would love to learn more about The Crystal Empires history along with Equestria if it won’t be any trouble to you?. They teach us well at school and the public library is quite adequate but I can’t help but feel the royal library holds further knowledge.”, Valerica ponders on this before answering.

“Weellll, normally I’d be hesitant to allow many into the royal library outside of royalty for you must understand there are some books and tomes that possess important revelations and I don’t want anyone to abuse them.”, Sombra’s ears began to slowly drop to the sides of his head and he internally thought the answer would most assuredly be a no. “That said though”, The Queen interrupts his inner thoughts which also shoots Sombra’s ears back up in anticipation. Valerica points a hoof over to the Raindrop couple. “I owe your loving guardians a great debt for what they do here at the orphanage. Celestia informed me of their amazing work back in Canterlot and having seen it first hoof I can definitely agree.”, This causes both Starfire and Starburst to blush, Starburst in particular puts his left hoof behind his head. “Therefore, I shall leave it up to them but on one condition dear Sombra”, Valerica lifts a hoof in front of Sombra to emphasize the conditions she will purpose. “Should your guardians give their permission I will only allow you to learn from specific materials. Not all of it will be available to you, I hope you can understand.”, Sombra was admittedly disappointed by this but he also knew he’d never get another chance, he complies.

“Yes your Majesty, I understand completely.”

“Excellent!”, The Queen said most excitedly before turning her gaze to Sombasi. “Now then, Sombasi, I understand you’d like a magical tutor yes?”, without hesitation Sombasi quickly responded although he did have a hint of sadness for what he was about to say.

“Yes your majesty, my magic isn’t as...exceptional as Sombra’s not to mention I’m fairly below average compared to other unicorns of our age in the empire but...”, Sombasi was suddenly filled with determination and planted his left hoof with confidence. “I want to be better, I want to learn more, I want to stand proudly by my brother as we accomplish many great things in the future in service of The Crystal Empire!” Starfire and Starburst both were filled with pride and were proud of Sombasi’s proclamation, Sombra chuckled with a smile forming on his face knowing how loyal his brother is to him. Queen Valerica looked upon Sombasi with a smile and patted Sombasi on his head with her right hoof, she says to herself internally:

“-What a pure hearted child-”, Valerica giggled before pointing a hoof towards Sombasi. “Oh I’ve got just the teacher in mind for you Sombasi, let’s just say I have a favor I can cash in.”, Valerica winks at Sombasi before turning to the Raindrop couple. “So dear friends, do these fine colts have your permission?”, Starburst motions for his wife to answer before leaning into her and kisses her on her right cheek which causes her to giggle before answering Valerica:

“Very well, they have our permission Queen Valerica.” Getting Starfires answer, Valerica lets out a very excited and enthusiastic declaration.

“Then let it be so!”, the group continues to chat and enjoy each others company as time goes on.

Luna’s moon is now beginning to rise although The Raindrop Couple, The Queen and The Brothers seem to not have noticed yet. The other kids of The Orphanage have already began to head to their rooms and some of the caretakers are beginning to take their leaves. One also can’t help but respect The Royal Guardsponies as they stood firm throughout the entire ordeal maintaining order both inside and outside The Orphanage. The Queen gasps in embarrassment as she looks out a window nearby finally realizing what has happened.

“Oh sweet Celestia look at the time!, guards.”, this causes all of the guards in the building to attention ears perked up and eyes focused as Valerica begins to give out orders. “You two by the door will remain here with me while the rest of you go on outside and rendezvous with the guards stationed outside. I’ll follow shortly I just need a second.”, immediately and without hesitation the guards yell in unison:

“Yes your majesty, it shall be done!”, as they all salute with raised hooves. As per her order the two guards who were stationed at the entrance remained as all the others began to head outside. The Queen then gave the Raindrop couple a certain look, a look that only they could understand. The Queen had something urgent on her mind and only they could hear it. Starfire is quick to act and turns to Sombra and Sombasi.

“Ok boys, it’s time for you both to wash up and head to your rooms. Your father and I need to speak with the queen for....accommodations.”, Sombra and Sombasi took notice of their mothers words, specifically it was the way she said “accommodations” as if it was used for something else. The two shrugged it off though and proceeded to the washrooms. Queen Valerica then motioned for the two guards who stood behind to follow her before asking the Raindrop couple:

“Is there someplace we could speak in private, preferably any rooms here with soundproof walls?”, Starfire and Starburst had a good feeling of what Valerica wanted to speak of, they motioned for her and her guards to follow. They reached the Raindrop couples bedroom, the couple made sure to install soundproof walls so the children of the orphanage didn’t accidently hear any of their “night activities”, the Raindrops were a young couple after all by unicorn standards at least and do plan on having biological children of their own soon. Before entering their bedroom Valerica ordered her guards to remain at the door to keep watch, the trio then take their seats on two couches the Raindrop couple have placed in their room as well as a rectangular table which sat in the center. The Raindrop couple sat on one couch as the Queen sat on the other facing each other perfectly. The Queen speaks first:

“Let me start by saying I’m soo proud of the two of you, you’ve done wonders for the orphans here and I couldn’t be any more grateful.”, Valerica bows her head in a grateful manner before a small amount of hesitation took over her as she tries to find a way to put into words what has been on her mind. “Now... In regards to Sombra and Sombasi please forgive me for acting like this was the first time I’ve met them, we all know the truth... I trust you two know where I’m going with this?”, this made Starfire nervously grab her husbands right hoof while he leans in to comfort her, Starfire responds though her words have a hint of fear to them.

“Y-yes Valerica... We have a good idea...”

(to be continued in Chapter 4 - Truths and Omens.)