“Princess Cadance, thank you so much for your advice last week! My son and I are getting along much better now!”

“It’s no trouble at all. Really.”

It’s always the same.

“Princess Cadance, good evening, Your Highness! Is there anything that I can do for you?”

“No, no. I’m just taking a walk. And please, call me ‘Cadance’.”

“Of course, Your High- I mean, Lady Cadance. Whatever you wish.”

Ponies are always looking up to me, just because I’m a Princess. Ponies are always asking if they can do anything for, and are always admiring me for all of my hard work. My hard work which, truthfully, I only accomplish because of my Princesshood.

I don’t like it. I can’t stand it. I hate ponies putting me on such a high pedestal, kissing my hooves, and trying to win my affection. I’m tired of running this entire Empire, just because it’s in my blood. I’m tired of always having to impress aunt Celestia with all my hard work. I got straight As in school, just to earn praise from her.

And, I’m tired of coming every night to…

“Welcome home, sweetheart.” Him. My husband, Shining Armour. “How was everything?”

“Same as usual,” I answer with my usual cheery voice, before I lean in and kiss my beloved husband on the lips. “I’m still getting used to things, though.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it soon. You’re a fast learner, after all.”

Only because I’m expected to be. Can you imagine a Princess who gets a B in school? Why, just think of the scandal! “Yes, well, I’m really tired right now, and just want to get some sleep.”

“Again?” he asks in a disappointed voice. Yes, Shining. Again. Your love is great, really, but I need a break every now and then. I need you to stop smothering me, for Celestia’s sake!

“Sorry, dear. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.” Maybe. “As usual, please make sure that nopony interrupts me.”

“Why do you always want to sleep alone? Is there something you want to tell me, Cadie?”

Yes, a lot of things, actually. But I can’t say them. I can’t ever say what’s on my mind, because I’m a Princess! I’m only allowed to say things that make ponies see me as the lovely, kind pony that they want as their leader. This Royal blood of mine has shackled me to this life of being a goody-goody, never-do-bad Princess of Love!

And who’s ever heard of a Princess of Love telling her husband that she’s getting tired of his over-affectionate ways? Or telling her subjects to take a hike?

“I just want to rest, Shining. Please.”

As expected, he trusts me instantly. “Of course. Sorry, honey.” After one final kiss, he decides to go outside and meet some of his comrades at one of the Empire’s bars. I, on the other hoof, have plans of my own… and they don’t’ involve sleep.

As soon as he is out of the room, I trot on over to my Royal chambers, and lock them from the inside with my magic. I then approach my vanity, and look myself over in the mirror.

The first part of this transformation is always the hardest.

With a grunt, my horn lights up, soon followed by my entire body. I feel a slight pain throughout my body as it begins to change, but I’m used to it by this point. My legs start to grow shorter, along with my body. I also grow a little chubbier, but not at all ‘fat’.

My head becomes shorter, and more round, and I can see my mane receding before my eyes. I can also feel a draft on my legs, confirming that my tail has grown shorter, though not by as much as my mane.

A little re-colouring here and there, remove my Royal attire, put on this cheap little trinket from the corner shop… Perfect!

Now to head out and have some fun of my own…

I land in the quiet little town of Ponyville. This is the town that my sister-in-law Twilight Sparkle lives in, but there’s no need to worry about her. As good as she is at defining a pony’s true nature, she still isn’t able to see through disguises entirely. She can’t deduce a pony’s true identity, no matter how smart she is.

“Oh, right. Gotta hide my wings and horn.” And I do just that. A simple masking spell is all it takes. Nothing special for a Princess… Only, right now, I’m not a Princess. Well, not by the official definition.

It’s night-time in the Empire right now, but day-time in Ponyville. How that works, I have no clue. You’ll have to ask aunt Celestia or aunt Luna for the answer to that.

I move into the town of Ponyville, looking around for her. The first pony I was able to befriend in this form. The pony that I had been looking forward to seeing this whole week. And it doesn’t take me long to find her.

“Hey, Silver Spoon!” I call out, getting the grey filly’s attention. “What’cha up to?”

“Hi, DT. Not much, besides being so totally bored.”

“Yeah, same here.” And I know just how to alleviate some of this boredom. “Wanna go mess with the blank-flanks a bit?”

“Sure. Why not?”

“Any idea where they are right now?”

“Just follow the loser vibes.” We both laugh at that one. “But seriously, no clue. Let’s go check out their clubhouse, see if they’re there.”

“Good thinking.” I turn around to lead the way, and Silver Spoon follows me. Hmmm… maybe I should visit my ‘dad’ after this. He probably thinks I’m still in my room, sleeping the day away.

I’m so glad that Ponyville’s daytime coincides so nicely with the Empire’s night-time and early morning. When I married Shining Armour, I was afraid that I would have to give up this double life of mine, but then the Empire came along, and really saved my flank.

I bump into somepony as I’m walking, causing them to knock over their drink. “Hey, watch it!” I shout out, startling the pony, who I recognise as Lyra Heartstrings. “You could have spilled that in my beautiful mane!”

“Hey, you’re the one that bumped into me!”

Oh yes. I love this. I love being able to pick fights with ponies, and to have them actually respond, rather than back away, for fear of offending me further. I love it when ponies are willing to challenge me, and not just submit to my every whim.

“Now now, Lyra. Let’s not make a scene.” Oh, great. Her marefriend’s here to ruin my fun. “C’mon, let’s just go buy another drink.”

“But-”

“She’s just a child. Let it go.” The new mare, Bon Bon, turns to me. “And you should be more mindful of where you’re walking. And maybe show a little more respect towards ponies.”

A lecture. Nopony ever gives Cadance a lecture. Not since she graduated from school, and became a full-fledge Princess.

“What are you, my mum?” I ask disdainfully, earning a quick scowl from the mare, before she drags her now-fuming marefriend away.

Oh, how I love this form. And, it only gets better. Because there are three little fillies, somewhere in this town, just waiting for me to give them a hard time about their lack of Cutie Marks. If aunt Celestia ever found about this… I wonder what she’d do? Almost makes me want to get caught.

“Let’s go, Silver Spoon.” The filly nods, and follows me through the town once more.

Author's Notes:

This little short spawned from some ideas I've seen floating around about Cadance being Diamond Tiara's mother.

I thought to myself, sarcastically: 'What if she isn't DT's mother... What if she's actually DT herself?'

... And then, this happened.