As the sun began to shine through the window over the rather large bed of the royal couple, a lone pink hoof poked it's way out from under the covers, desperately trying to find a pillow to grab and cover her face with. Her horn remaining unlit with magic, despite it being the easier option.
"Mmmff too early." She muttered poking around in vain. "Ugh, what's wrong with me today? I feel like I swallowed a raft."
She searched for a pillow or even an extra blanket for a few moments before before finally giving up, her bladder telling her that sleep wasn't going to happen. Rolling over onto her belly she let out a small squeak as her rather extended belly, full of life, touched upon the bed sheets.
"Geez, what's with me today? Everything feels all off and wonky." She yawned arching her back a bit to stretch her limbs. As she did this, her large magnificent wings tore free from their wool prison to be enveloped in the sun's glory. Though the small exercise was pleasant, it didn't solve the horrible sensations in her body.
"Am I sick?" She thought out loud as she tried to shake the sleep from her body. "I feel bloated, my muscles feel cramped, my voice sounds weird, and to top it all off even my wings are sor-"
She blinked. Wings?
Turning her head she saw two very nice pink wings protruding from her very pink back.
Wings!?
"W-why do I have wings!?" Panicked, she followed her pink coloring around to her hooves, both a very lovely matching shade of pink.
"W-why is my fur pink? Why are my legs so slender? Why is my voice so feminine?"
She was about to ask more questions, when a particular sensation caused her entire world to stop. From inside her, around the area of her 'belly' came a swift, and rather sturdy kick. Her eyes wide, staring straight ahead, she slowly placed a hoof upon her midsection, the rather defining sensation of two things moving inside her greeted her touch.
Looking down at her rather massive belly, she took a deep breath, and screamed.
* * *
In the next room over, Shining Armor awoke with a start, scrambling out of bed and rushing across the room and out the door to a pair of startled guards who were staring at some sort of parchment attached to Cadance's door. Shining recognized them as Typhoon and Fencer. A trustworthy pair hoof picked by himself from Canterlot. Which made their loitering around all the more confusing.
"What's going on?" He demanded marching up to them. "Wasn't that Cadance that screamed? Why are you two still out here?"
"Um w-well it's just... the note..." The guard replied slowly, pointing one of his white wings to it.
"What about the note? Is it a ransom note? Stop gawking and go see if my w-, if Cadance is alright!" Even now he still had trouble thinking of her as his wife. After everything she had done with that persona spell. He wanted to love her, he wanted to trust her again, but... he was beginning to wonder if that was really possible. Still now was not the time for such thoughts.
"Sir with all due respect." Fencer said, holding himself as at ready as he could. "We feel you should read the note before entering."
"I don't understand, why is it so important..." The words died in his throat as he saw the familiar hoofwriting upon the document. It was Cadance's own! Followed by her royal seal!
Dear Shining Armor or Twilight,
By now you've likely come around on your morning check to make sure I haven't hurt the foals within me.
That's the only reason I'm not in jail isn't it? You both say you want to move past what happened, but I see the truth in your eyes.
You both hate me, or fear me. It doesn't matter. I deserve it. I deserve to suffer. Yet you won't lift a hoof to harm me will you? All because of the foals. The innocent lives that don't deserve the pain that should be inflicted to the mare they happen to be growing inside of.
I can't call myself their mother. I don't deserve that. I shouldn't be a princess. I have no right to rule over this kingdom. Not after what I did. Not after what I almost let happen...
I know I promised never to use magic again, but I had to break that promise this one time. I had to, I couldn't see any other way to fix this.
In the same book that taught me the persona spell I found one more. A body swap spell that I've gone through great lengths to cast this night.
Inside my room is not me, but a pony who has proven themselves a much better boon to this country. A hero who saved it.
The pony who was able to save you...
I don't know if you can love her knowing who's inside her, but they are much better candidate for being royalty then I ever was.
Besides, in time they may find my body a gift. Gone are all the problems they had. Now they can be rich, strong in magic, and beautiful with a large family.
Maybe they'll hate me, it doesn't matter. I'm already a criminal.
I'm sorry...
Mi Amora Cadenza
As he read through the letter, a growing sense of dread had been forming in his stomach. It wasn't hard for him to guess what he was about to find in this room.
"Damn it Cadance, what have you gone and done now?" He groaned as he pushed open the door. Stepping in he felt the now familiar sensation of the enchantment detector wash over his body, showing he was clean.
There on the other side of the room, staring blankly at herself in a full length mirror was Cadance. He eyes full of panic, worry, and fear. He could hear her irregular breathing already. Steeling himself for the storm that was about to come, he called out a name:
"Evening Storm?"
The alicorn slowly turned her head toward him once he spoke. Her body trembling.
"S-Shining?" The former unicorn stallion and student of Twilight said in a voice not his own. "Why am I in your wife's body?"