Back at the house of Mayer Mare, a party was being thrown in honor of Cadence for returning home. Everypony was enjoying the festivities, including a certain decorated hero.
Blueblood was sitting at the table with Cadence, her mother, and the rest of the soldiers. Everyone was conversing back and forth, swapping stories and adventures that they have been on and plan to go on. As the conversation’s continued, Mayer Mare turned to Blueblood.
“So Prince Blueblood, how long are you staying in Ponyville?” she asked.
“Just for a few days, then I’m on the road again. Everypony always seem to need the help of a prince.” Blueblood chuckled out.
“Aw…that’s too bad. That’s such a short time. It’s such a shame that there’s nopony to keep you company. No family, or friends…or wife…” Mayor Mare added, eyes drifting lazily to her daughter. Cadence blushed and ushered an exaggerated sigh. She looked back at Blueblood and realized that he caught the gesture as well, keeping his gaze averted from her with a slight blush on his face.
Not wanting the awkwardness to continue, Cadence put a hoof on his shoulder, drawing his attention back to her. “Don’t worry about my mother; she’s just looking out for me.” She assured with a slight chuckle, with Blueblood visibly calming down, she changed hanging the subject. She gestured to the medals on his chest. “Wow, look at all your medals! I can’t even count them all.” She looks back at Blueblood with pride in her eyes, “You have had an amazing life, Blue.”
Blueblood’s chest welled with pride as he felt his face warm up from her compliment. The way she was looking at him now was how he always wanted to be looked at. Sure, he always got that look from everypony he knew, but to get it from the mare he loved was something else entirely. He never wanted to stop staring at her beautiful amethyst eyes that welled with pride.
Cadence looked down at his chest to look at all the different when she noticed one that was only halfway showing that looked like a green tornado. Wanting a closer look, she reached for the medal, “What’s this one f—“she started to ask when Blueblood suddenly stood up away from Cadence’s touch.
“It’s nothing!!” He belched as he stood up, tucking the medal back in the folds of his clothing. He can’t let her know. He can’t let anyone know that that medal is the only reason that he’s been so successful. That the bravery and strength that it took to save so many lives was because of that pin. He couldn’t let anypony know, especially her. If she found out, that look that he always wanted from her would go from pride to disappointment. He couldn’t let that happen.
Noticing that he was still standing and everypony was staring at him, Blueblood embarrassingly coughed into his hoof and took his seat. “I mean, this one is nothing compared to the other medals that I’ve earned.” He countered nervously. Seeing the wariness in Cadence’s gaze, Blueblood switched the subject. “But I want to talk about you. How was Canterlot?”
“Oh Blueblood, it was so inspiring.” Cadence excitedly exclaimed, previous scene forgotten. “The city is so beautiful. I only wished we could’ve seen each other. We were practically living right next to you.” She said sadly.
“I know. But rules are rules, and a prince’s job is never finished.” He sighed sadly. Wanting to keep listening to his love, he changed it to a cheerier topic. “What kind of things did you do in the city?”
“There was so much to do; I don’t think I would have done it all if it took me a lifetime! But all the museums, the books, the culture. It was so enlightening.”
“Wow, it sounds like you’ve learned so much.” Blueblood softened his gaze, “You are going to make some stallion really happy.”
Cadence smiled at him, eyebrow raised, “Oh really?”
“Well of course. Behind every great stallion, is a beautiful mare.”
Cadence’s smile dropped at his statement. “Excuse me?”
Blueblood looked at Cadence with confusion. “Um…”
“Is that how you see a mare?” she questioned.
Blueblood thought about what he just said and realized his mistake. “Oh! That’s—“
“That a mare just stands behind the stallion just to make him happy?”
“No! That’s not….what I mean is….” Blueblood didn’t know what to say. That wasn’t what he meant at all! But when he tried to explained, all that came out was nonsense.
Put off by Blueblood’s comment, Cadence closed her eyes and breathed in, hoof going to her chest and breathing out, extending her hoof; just like Twilight showed her. When she calmed down, she slowly stood up.
“I believe I have lost my appetite for the evening.” Blueblood, Mayer Mare and the soldiers stood up to escort her wherever she needed to go, but she waved them off. “No no, don’t get up. I’m just going upstairs to check up on Spike, my baby.” She spit out, stomping her hoof to the ground. “I need to be with a more mature companion. Goodnight.” And with that, she went up the stairs to her room, slamming the door behind her.
Blueblood watched her go with a heavy heart. She hasn’t even been back for a whole day and he already screwed up. Blueblood mentally slapped himself in the face for saying such a sexist comment. That wasn’t what he meant at all, but even he couldn’t deny that it sounded bad. Cadence is a headstrong feisty mare. Of course she would be upset. He gave a tiny grin. He had to admit though, that personality of hers is what makes her amazing.
“You picked a feisty on for yourself, sir.” One of the soldiers commented, earning a laugh from the rest of the group.
Determined to do what he could to apologize, Blueblood stood up and walked away; deciding that he would let her cool off before he went to apologize. But not before he punched the soldier in the face.