I parted ways with Phelddagrif once we returned to Ponyville. He offered to escort me home, myself expecting nothing less from him at this point, but I alas had to politely decline. Luna had already ushered in the night, and I knew Twilight would make a fuss if he did not retire to his temporary lodgings soon. Plus, it was only our second date, and I didn't want to fan the flames of rumor any further.
Reentering my boutique, I gleefully cantered upstairs. Elation outweighed skepticism as I processed just how fabulously dinner had gone. The evening was everything I had ever wanted in my wildest dreams and more, yet it actually happened! Unable to contain myself, I quickly levitated the dress and jewelry off of my body and flopped onto bed, cartwheeling my legs and giggling like a foal.
"Hi, Rarity. What exactly are you doing?"
I sat up with a start, whipping to face the door with a blush. "Sweetie Belle! What are you doing here?"
Sweetie hopped up unto the bed with me, wrinkling her pastel green pajamas. "Mom and Dad kicked me out again for one of their 'private nights'," she said, rolling her eyes. "If they're being weird like you just were, I can definitely see why they would."
I scratched the back of my head sheepishly, as always trying not to think too hard about what exactly occurred on a 'private night'. "I don't think that's the case, dear. You're all settled in the guest room, I take it?"
She nodded. "Uh-huh. But that's not important." Sweetie then propped up her chin with her hooves. "What is important is that you tell your sister all about your date with the handsome prince! Did you guys kiss? Were there rose petals everywhere?"
Rose petals? Celestia, her naiveté was simply precious. My grin returned in full force. "No, I'm afraid there weren't any rose petals. But we did kiss."
"Aww..." she cooed. "I wish I could have been there." Then, she smirked. "I guess I'll have to wait for the wedding."
My eyes widened. "W-wedding?"
Sweetie nodded. "You do love Phelddagrif, right? And he actually loves you back? So doesn't that mean you're gonna get married?"
Almost as soon as the shock from hearing Sweetie bring up this line of inquiry wore off, the weight of that last question hit me like one of Applejack's kicks. What was my future with Phelddagrif, exactly? He would be leaving for Hippopolis the day after tomorrow, and I couldn't very well go back with him; I had my work, as well as my duties to Equestria. He certainly couldn't stay here, either; he had a whole kingdom to run! Good heavens, was I really so lovestruck that I never even once considered that a relationship between us might not work out? Moreover, if given the opportunity, did I actually want to tie the knot with him?
"Rarity?"
"Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle, I must have zoned out for a minute there."
"Yeah. You did. Well?"
I couldn't stop my ears from folding down a bit. "Honestly? I'm not quite sure right now. It depends on a lot of things going right. But I do love him."
Sweetie's brow tightened. "That's not really an answer."
Sighing, I patted her on the head. "Why don't you go to sleep so I can think about it some more, hmm? Perhaps I'll have a satisfactory reply for you later."
She sighed. "Oh, all right. Good night, sis."
"Good night, Sweetie."
As I watched her leave, the weight of her words once again settled in, and I became thoroughly lost in thought.
* * *
Phelddagrif and I sat together on a blanket in the middle of the park. I leaned softly against his side, soaking in his warmth through my coat. The rest of me was basking in the sunlight as it filtered through the clouds. A little ways away, Lyra sat in her usual spot, the melody of her harp wafting along on the breeze. In short, the atmosphere was practically perfect.
And yet, my fear lingered. This was the last day I would be able to spend with Phelddagrif in the foreseeable future. Could we keep this relationship going? Should we? For all the charisma my aura tends to project, I haven't any real experience making this sort of decision.
That was when Phelddagrif turned. "Rarity, my dear, what's wrong? You've seemed distracted all afternoon."
I reflexively shied away a tad. I suppose I'd just have to rip the proverbial bandage off now. "It's... what exactly is going to happen when the day's events conclude?"
Phelddagrif processed this. "You mean, when I must return to my homeland."
I nodded, pressing myself more tightly against him. "This whole experience... meeting you, falling in love... it was magical. It was all I ever wanted. But..."
Phelddagrif sighed, boring his sharp gaze into mine. "You don't think it will last."
The beginnings of tears began to well up behind my eyes. "I so very much wish it could. You're my... my prince. Though I know I could never keep you all to myself. We're both much too giving for that. You have your subjects to look after, and to be separated by such a distance..."
"Yes. I too have been thinking along those lines for a short while now, though I tried my best to stamp them out and just... enjoy the moments as they came." He wrapped a strong foreleg around my barrel. "In wracking my brain for answers, I remain at a loss. Even a land guided by a hoof with far more wisdom than any I have met is not true paradise. If I stayed, the hippos would be just as unhappy as you would be if I left."
"No," I said, shutting my eyes. "I cannot believe that. I would be more unhappy."
"Rarity... be reasonable. The time we spent together was sublime, and I know I will never forget you. But for both our sakes, we must move on." Phelddagrif then forced himself to smile. "I hear that young dragon actually has a crush on you. And I know you have a thing for purple."
"Haha, those are both true statements," I replied with a soft sniffle. "Really, though, I appreciate what you're trying to do, cheering me up and all. You don't need to put on a brave face for me, I know the same turmoil is wrenching your heart as is mine, Phelddagrif."
After a silence as profound as any words, he turned away, staring off into the distance.
In that moment, surrounded by great calm yet filled with budding sorrow, I was sure that nothing short of a miracle could prevent the heartbreak in both our futures. As sure as I could feel Phelddagrif's heartbeat through his chest.
"One regina ex machina coming up!"
I practically leapt out of my skin in surprise, or at least I would have if Phelddagrif's hoof hadn't been on top of me. Head spinning rapidly, I quickly came face to face with one of the last ponies I expected to see today and let out the breath I was holding. For crouching inside a bush was none other than the princess of the Crystal Empire herself: Cadance.
"Princess Cadance!" I exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
The princess in question extricated herself from the bush, shaking off a few stray twigs. "I go wherever my heart leads, Rarity. And by the looks of things, you two need some royal intervention."
Phelddagrif, meanwhile, blinked in disbelief, eyes flickering back and forth between Cadance and the bush. "Umm, it's a pleasure to meet you, your highness."
"Please, no need for formalities," said Cadance. "To couples in love, I'm just a steward, helping ensure blissful days to come."
"In that case, by all means, welcome," said Phelddagrif.
"You've come a long way, Cadance," I said, still in a bit of a shock. "And I'm grateful, of course. But did you really have to jump out like that?"
Cadance smiled playfully. "Yes. Yes I did. Anywho, I've been keeping tabs on you two, and I must say I'm impressed. You're practically made for eachother, which is why this whole set of circumstances is so unfortunate. Luckily, I have just the thing."
She then conjured up a pair of silver lockets with her magic. Each bore her heart-shaped cutie mark, and were identical save for the much longer chain on the second. "These lockets are linked by a charm of my own design. If at any time both are open at once, a two-way portal will appear, allowing the owners to visit eachother. The spell takes a lot of power, though, and draws that power out from the mutual love of the wearers."
I gasped. "Really? That sounds perfect! And you're just giving them to us?"
"Yep, they're all yours," Cadance replied, beaming.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, I did not hesitate in lunging for Cadance, tackling her to the grass in a hug. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
As Cadance laughed, Phelddagrif faux-pouted. "Hey, what about me?"
Cadance rolled her eyes at him. "What, are you jealous? Or would you like to join in?"
After a long pause, Phelddagrif began stuttering incoherently. Cadance giggled madly.
"Oh, you big sillyhead, she was joking," I assured him, parting from Cadance with a blush. "Besides, she's married."
"I do swing both ways, though," added Cadance as she wiggled her eyebrows.
Really, Cadance? I suppose princesses can just get away with that sort of behavior.
Apparently my expression showcased my disapproval, as Cadance moved to leave before things could get more awkward. "Anyway, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone now. Take care, and may your love never fade," she proclaimed. Then, her horn lit with power, and she vanished in an explosion of multicolored hearts.
"Well, she seems quite the character," said Phelddagrif. He then scooped the two lockets off the ground with a wing. "These really were exactly what we needed, though."
I returned to his side, wholly content. "Regina ex machina indeed. All our fears, eradicated in an instant! That's why she's the Princess of Love, I suppose."
Phelddagrif smiled. "Now nothing will be able to keep me from you, darling."
"I'm your darling now, eh?"
"To me, you are that and more," he replied, pulling me in close.
Goodness, that line was cheesy. Surely he should not be allowed to continue. Fortunately, I knew just the thing to shut him up. Locking my eyes onto his, I dove in for a deep kiss, my lips pressing tightly onto his. Heart aflutter, I reached out with my magic and grabbed the longer necklace, clipping it around Phelddagrif's neck as we continued to kiss.
Regrettably, it had to end sometime, and Phelddagrif eventually broke away. Taking a few shallow breaths, he reached over to place the other locket around my neck. Then, he knelt down and softly nuzzled my cheek. My tears from earlier finally escaped, but now as those of happiness.
"I love you, Phelddagrif."
"I love you too, Rarity."
Suddenly, there was much applause. A crowd had manifested nearby, with Lyra, Bon Bon, Roseluck, Thunderlane, and more all stomping and whooping in approval. Too overcome to be embarrassed at this point, I just embraced my prince once more and continued to weep in joy as everything else melted away.
* * *
"Well, I guess this is goodbye for now," I said.
I stood alongside my friends outside the castle once more, the early morning light making everything pop in sharp contrasts. All eyes were on Phelddagrif as he readied himself for the long journey home. A small bag containing his suit and other souvenirs now rested on his back where Suraj's ornate chair once sat.
"Oh, I'm sure I'll be giving you and your friends a tour of Hippopolis soon enough," replied Phelddagrif.
"I'm so glad you're willing to reciprocate," said Twilight. "This was a monumental occasion, and I hope to extend our newfound friendship to the whole of our respective nations."
"Indeed. I must thank you for your hospitality, Twilight," said Phelddagrif, smiling. "I'm very glad I came to visit. Even though your company in particular was not the highlight of the trip." This statement was accompanied by a lingering glance in my direction.
Everypony quickly took notice, with Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Starlight audibly cooing in approval. Rainbow and Applejack averted their eyes, as if the very idea of anything 'mushy' was off-putting. Spike just looked disappointed, the poor dear.
"Hehe. Just because lectures are my default method of conveying the wondrous possibilities connecting with others brings doesn't mean it's the best method for everyone," said Twilight. "I couldn't be happier for you and Rarity."
"Likewise," added Suraj, who had done a remarkable job of blending in until now. Then, addressing Phelddagrif: "I may soon have to start calling you King."
"Oh no, not you too," I groaned. Why is rushing things suddenly the order of the day?
"Yeah, let's not be too hasty, here," said Pinkie. "After all, I'm gonna need oodles more time than usual to make sure your bachelorette party really takes the cake!"
Not being able to stop myself form picturing what events might occur at such a party had me doing my best Fluttershy impression. The actual Fluttershy was equally flustered. "Umm, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable attending an ordinary bachelorette party, let alone one of Pinkie's," she said.
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to talk some sense into her one o' these days," assured Applejack.
"I dunno, I'm not sure Pinkie would be Pinkie if she suddenly had sense," said Starlight.
This got a chuckle out of Dash. "Yeah, definitely. Just like how Rarity wouldn't be Rarity if she suddenly stopped putting lace and junk on everything."
At this, Phelddagrif's eyes narrowed. "I'll not have you insulting my marefriend's craft, Rainbow Dash, even if you are friends."
Upon witnessing this display of chivalry, I swooned, nearly losing my balance.
Rainbow raised an eyebrow at me and smirked. "Whatever you say, big guy. But it looks like it worked out for you."
Not bothering to reply, I galloped over to Phelddagrif and initiated one last cuddle for the time being. Slowly, I leaned over to whisper in his ear. "I'll keep my locket open every night."
Phelddagrif just smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek. No more parting words were needed between us.
Then, he pulled away. "I suppose I shall be going now. Take care, everyone."
A chorus of well-wishes echoed back in reply. As he waved back, Phelddagrif and I locked eyes, and I saw a new warmth in them not present when we first met.
Watching him fly off into the distance on wings of light, I grasped the locket around my neck, feeling with certainty in my heart that this was a new, beautiful beginning for the both of us.