Lord Branded gained his lordship a few years ago as a favor from Princess Celestia herself. He parades that fact quite proudly and everypony he's ever met has heard his story at least three times. When at the party a mare he'd never seen before playing the cello, he was excited to talk to her, but before she could get off break, that stupid murder happened ruining his chances. Then he found out that she was a detective and called in her partner to talk with the suspects. He was ecstatic, two mares to share exploits with!

As he waited impatiently, he watched as the uptight Archduke and Archduchess made their way out of the dining room. He waited with bated breath, hoping for his name to be called out. To his ultimate disappointment, Duke Embezzle's name was called out. Then after a quiet silence, he didn't stand up. In fact, the stallion looked like he was in one of his states. Apparently he was born with a disease that causes him to go in a state of unresponsiveness. He would stare off into the distance with a blank expression. Archduchess is very protective of him when he goes into one of his states. She went up to that cute gray detective and explained what was happening to her son. She frowned and then called out his name. HIS name!

It took all of Branded's willpower to not jump up and shout. He calmly got up and trotted with his head up high. He was ecstatic to find the other detective was waiting as well. She had these adorable purple shades that made Branded want to squeal.

"Lord Branded."

"Oh, you don't need to call me Lord, Branded is fine." He grinned. They weren't amused. That was fine by him.

"Lord Branded, we just want to hear your story. Start from when you entered this house." The gray mare said seriously. "After that, you may leave."

"Before we do all of that, I would like to know your names." He smiled, relying on his charms.

The gray mare looked at the white one who shrugged in return. "Detective Octavia Melody and this is Detective Vinyl Scratch. Now, please tell your story."

"But of course."

Branded, a mere stallion, was walking through the gardens of Canterlot on his way to work. His work was working at a law firm...

"Excuse me, but what does this have to do with the murder?" Octavia looked annoyed. Vinyl looked impassive. He smiled, tough crowd.

"Everything, my dear, everything."

The law firm was boring but stable. It was on this walk to his job that he stumbled upon a guard looking frantic.

"My good sir, what has gotten you in such a tizzy?"

"CAKE!" Was the only word that came out. The guard attempted to bypass Branded but smacked into a tree and collapsed. Now, being the smart stallion he was, he put the two and two together. Princess Celestia must be wanting cake again and sent her guards.

Thinking it was a better task than going to work, he made his way to the local bakery and picked out several cakes. He sneakily put it on his boss's tab with a sly grin and cantered out of the shop with cakes in tow. He marched up to the front gates and into Sol Court. Princess Celestia was sitting passively on her throne while other nobles were arguing amongst themselves.

Branded held his head up high and trotted to the Princess. She looked down on him curiously but he didn't allow himself to be intimidated. He marched right up next to her and ignored all the confused and seething looks the other nobles were giving him.

"Princess. Your cakes."

Silence.

Then uproarious laughter from the nobles. Were it not for the kind gaze of the princess, Branded would have lowered his head in shame.

"Thank you, my little pony. Tell me, what could I offer you in return?"

"Your thanks is kind enough." Branded said modestly.

"Nonsense! Perhaps a lordship. Would that suit you?"

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Branded fell to the floor and kissed the floor upon which Princess Celestia rested her hooves.

"And that's how I become a Lord." Branded said smugly.

There was a heavy sigh from Octavia as she dragged a hoof across her face. "I said the story from when you entered this house."

Lord Branded could've sworn she muttered something like 'cretin' under her breath, but a mare as fine as her wouldn't say foul language! He grinned in response.

"Forgive me, it's just that I'm very proud of my lordship. Now, for my story..."

Lord Branded smiled as he trotted up to the front door. He knocked and waited patiently. He grinned charismatically when Margherita opened the door with a heavy scowl.

"Margheritaaa! It's been a while!"

"Could have been longer."

"We should catch up later!" He said after trotting past her to enter the festivities. Ponies mingled with each other in the living room, all with various snacks and drinks.

Branded decided it was appropriate to get himself a drink as well, so he headed for the kitchen. To his delightful surprise, he found Mint there pouring herself a drink.

"My dear Mint!"

"Branded." She sighed heavily and tried to slip past him. He didn't let her.

"Tsk, it's Lord Branded."

"If you say so, Branded."

"Leave the poor filly alone, Branded." Thatcher appeared behind him, swirling a glass of brandy.

"My sincerest apologies, Thatcher." Branded stepped aside reluctantly and let Mint slip past him.

"Branded." Thatcher faced him.

"Thatcher." He faced Thatcher.

"It'll be a night to remember."

"It sure will be." He had a feeling both of them had different ideas on what was going to happen. His idea relied solely on Margherita. "Well, old stallion, thank you for inviting me."

"Anytime."

Branded slipped past and headed towards Margherita who was standing by herself.

"Ah, Margherita."

"Branded. Are you enjoying yourself so far?" She was facing her son. He was facing her.

"I am, thank you for asking." He smiled.

"What do you want?"

"Cutting straight to the chase, I see. Well, what I want, as you so crudely put it, is your hoof in marriage." His smile widened.

Her reaction wasn't what he expected. Champagne shot form her beautifully crafted lips as she laughed like a maniac. He stared in shock at this horrid display of disrespect.

"My dear stallion," she said after a while of shame burning under his pelt.. "You...are quite delusional." She giggled and touched his nose almost tenderly. She trotted away and he couldn't do anything but stare after that swishing tail. He stared absently for a while before he could snap himself out of it.

He sighed, his heart feeling heavy. Then his eyes wandered to the cellist playing at the front of the room and his heart took flight. He grinned and came up with a plan. He would wait for her shift to end and he would ask her out. It would end with the two of them married and her, appreciative and caring wife.

He waited patiently and gazed at the mare before him. The way she moved her hips and the way her bow seemed to dance upon the strings of her cello. It was mesmerizing. He did not care for music but this particular piece seemed to soar into his heart and settle there.

Then a flash of lightning destroyed it. He growled angrily at the sudden disruption and didn't seem to notice that the light was gone. He only took notice when Thatcher announced that everything was perfectly normal. That made him pause.

"So, you're saying that when lightning strikes nearby, the lights will always go out?" He asked with a smile. Perhaps he and that mysterious mare could have a romantic moment underneath the thundering stars.

"Yes." Thatcher replied.

"Mmm." He hummed appreciatively

The lights flickered on and business went on as usual. It didn't take long before the next lightning strike happened and the world was cast into darkness again. Branded's thoughts immediately went to snuggling up with that mysterious cellist and whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

The lights flickered on and business did not go on as usual. Poof Matcher lay on the carpet with a knife stuck in his chest. Blood pooled around and Branded felt some bile coming up his throat. He immediately eyed the knife and noticed a curious thing, it was a kitchen knife only used by staff and servants. He should know, he worked as on before he got his law firm job. He quickly glanced around and saw that the only staff member that was here was Van Dime.

"It was the butler!" He exclaimed. The cellist seemed to look at him and his heart fluttered slightly which was quickly replaced by bile. He quickly excused himself and released the horrid taste from his mouth.

When he came back he found out that the cellist had quarantined the house and was now writing a letter to Princess Celestia. He didn't feel more attracted to her than now.

"Alright, that's enough. Thank you. you may leave now." Octavia said sharply, a bit of red touching her cheeks. Branded grinned.

"As you wish."