Of course, that didn't really sit right with Masquerade. She loved her new sovereign, she really did, but she was a product of a different time and still relatively innocent regarding court intrigues. It was clear to anypony who bothered to look that the Crystal Empire was all but a weak, yet prestigious vassal to Equestria. Sure, one day it might grow to be a powerful kingdom in its own right, but now? Its ruler was a relative of Celestia, although the relationship was vague, married to a former Equestrian royal guard captain who was in turn the brother of the latest addition to the ranks of immortal alicorns. Said alicorn herself was famously devoted and loyal to the sun princess. The empire, its secrets, and its weapons were firmly under Equestrian influence. It was a wonder Cadence was even allowed to make her own laws at all. 