svtfoe-cressieverse:

Memoirs of a Queen - Contemplation of a Mother

“An interview, then? I fail to see the point, my intentions and person are as public to any person that can open a book, be it monster or not…A pearl of wisdom? I would imagine you of all people wouldn’t want knowledge from the “Monster Eradicator”, you know? Your people are as sympathetic to them as they are, albeit I suppose…considering the circumstances, the more I learn of it, the less I see how it could have been any other form…no, no, my apologies, I didn’t mean as an insult it’s just…well…everything is very different; it’s very much hard to adapt to how this Mewni is, and I don’t speak only about the introduction of our distant, Earth cousins…“



”…very well then. I shall bequeath you a lesson that I’ve had a long time to reflect…“

"I’ve grown up, with the expectations of Queenhood, from my cradle to the moment I took the crown and wand, the fact I would be Queen of Mewni was as fateful and certain to me as the air I breathed, the soil I’ve stepped upon and the rays of the sun beating on my brow.”

“It’s what the people needed, and something my older brother couldn’t provide; family is the most important thing, yes, but it’s essential that a ruler observes the facts as unbiased and neutral as possible, so their decisions are unburdened, and weighted only for the good of the land and our people…Jushtin wasn’t a good ruler: He was bohemious, irresponsible, with a sharp mind and a witful tongue, a true diplomat, but lacking the true attribute monarchs have: To take the hard decisions, to have the determination to power through mud, blood, sweat and tears, for the sake of all.”

“I say that, as a sister that loved him very much, despite our distance…after all, the decade of distance between our births made that, no matter how much I admired his mind, we simply spoke two different languages, and one was fit and one wasn’t.”

“…do I think Jushtin resented me? Perhaps. Perhaps he still does…”

“But, giving yourself to doubt is a sure way to one day, lose your head to a blade at your back…I would know, looking at the scar in my throat.”

“…What made me resent, and hate monsters. Hah! You’re really not wasting time, aren’t you…? I suppose it is, for this generation to wonder what manner of logic would lead someone to make a genocidal campaign…no, no I’m aware of my own logic, it was genocide, and I’ve pushed for it: I won’t be unfaithful for who I am, I hold no regrets or second giving of my intentions, but I can recognize when a campaign went from reclaiming to slaughter.”

“Tangents aside, what made me truly see them as a threat…well, I could only need to look outside; Look at the window, to see the usual pillars of smoke, coming certainly from another monster attack, of the people used to it…used to the reality that a monster could harass them, for simply seeking to settle and create a life on this land that we’ve-”

“…yes, I’m aware the Monsters were first but- well, certainly, however- Yes I- I-…”

“Stop. Interrupting. Me.”

“…are you done? Good. Then look at my face, and tell me what would you do if you were in my situation, Queen Butterfly; would you lead negotiations? I certainly tried, you can only check my chapter in the book, the father of my child almost died. Parley? Would you fully trust it, and leave your back open? Because I did, and that is how my daughter met Globgore, the Prince of Darkness.”

“Yes, yes I’m aware, they’re quite the…loveable couple. I cannot stand him, but I certainly love my daughter and my little granddaughter. But…Star, what if it wasn’t Globgore, but was, say…Toffee.”

“How do I know of him? I knew Seth, I know what is like to see hatred with your own eyes, and to deliver it equally…would you do it? Would you gamble on the off-chance that maybe, just maybe, they’re somehow dating? That you’re wrong about everything, maybe you should just set down your sword and just talk things out? Because Comet did that, and paid the price for it, as I did.“

"My pearl of wisdom, however, isn’t that you should distrust monsters- yes, it’s odd coming from me, I’m aware, and in any other period, this would be an attached lesson, surely.”

“However, what made me certain in striking against the horde was…simply put, the fact that my people needed it, and even if they were accustomed to it, considering a monster attack became just a symbol an hour that passed, doesn’t mean I couldn’t strive to give them a better way of life…and so when I became queen, I did. Every waking moment, every breath, every conscious thought of my life was dedicated to this…after all, this was only a natural progression of what I’ve been groomed, and raised to do…to be queen, to fight for my people’s sake. In…this case, literally.”

“…why, even after this, Alphonse fell in love with me I do not know. Even as he knew, he wouldn’t be King, we wouldn’t marry, he wouldn’t ever be able to truly tell her she was her- w-wait she knows? She always knew? Oh…oh, she’s so smart! My little Eclipsa, well not so little anymore, she was always so perceptive, you know?! Why, she could just run miles around some of our soldiers, her wit just boundless, just…oh, I am so, so happy my granddaughter inherited this, surely…those eyes are not of her father, those eyes are pure, completely Butterfly!- He…hehe, I might have gotten a bit carried away. Yes…hmm, where was I?”

“Nonetheless, I’ve dedicated so much for this goal, Star…that I forgot to be there for my daughter. I wouldn’t approve of her dating a monster, no, but that simply meant how little I knew of her; I always thought that one day, when this war is over, I would finally be able to sit down and…truly enjoy her. Smile, give her the Mewni she deserved and enjoy a family as my mother did. Each day, each day I felt I was doing it for her!…well, one day I died. I’ve lost my head, and that was the end of it.”

“I’ve made my daughter go through countless trauma, to be frozen in crystal by someone I considered a comrade-in-arms, and denied her everything I always wanted her to have…maybe, that is why I was okay, when you’ve tried to destroy the magic…maybe, for once, I could do right to my own family, not as a queen…but as a person.”

“So here is my wisdom, Queen Star. Remember, that before a ruler, you are a person. Don’t be afraid to do what must be done, but be for your own family…or else, you’ll be surrounded by strangers you think you know, and you’ll fail to truly understand what they needed.”



“…y-yes I’m fine, I just…can we go see Eclipsa now? Oh-oh…that’s…understandable, yes, I can see how her work keeps her…busy….I…- Oh, Meteora is coming! Well, then what are we waiting for! Today I need to teach her how to use a Claymore, what if a Monst- I-I mean, a thief might threaten her family! Yes, yes I know she’s a kid right now, this is the best age to grow the muscles, see how Cressida is doing! A lady of five summers, and can already raise a gladius! …Yes, yes I was training her today, I thought you would know.”

“…why the stare? Did I do something wrong? We could always teach her archery instead!”