"They're staring at us."
"Indeed they are." Rarity took another sip of her wine, carefully maintaining eye contact with the alicorn in front of her. "After all, you are the sole ruler of Equestria now."
"I guess." Twilight Sparkle sighed. "It's silly, but part of me was kinda hoping that it'd be like when I first ascended, when barely anypony paid attention to my title unless I was working in some official capacity. Looks like the Head Princess doesn't get the same luxury."
"I'm afraid we'll simply have to become accustomed to our dates becoming public spectacles." A sly smile played on Rarity's lips for the ponies watching them, and then a far more genuine one appeared for Twilight. "Imagine the scandal if you were to sweep me off my hooves right now and place a kiss upon my lips."
Twilight's cheeks flushed, matching the heat Rarity felt at the idea. Part of her wished that her marefriend would actually do it, would actually show off their love to the world in such a brazen manner before carrying her off to the Palace like something out of one of her romance novels.
Fortunately, the princess had enough sense to play by the rules tonight, instead rolling her eyes. "It's not like our love life isn't already being plastered enough across all the newspapers since we announced our relationship publicly. No need to make the paparazzi's jobs easier for them."
"I suppose." Even now, Rarity could see the occasional flash of light in her peripheral vision. She swirled her glass of wine with a hoof, taking a moment to inhale the rich scent of the very expensive vintage. "How much do you suppose the owner of this fine establishment is charging them for access to us right now?"
"Enough that I should be taxing him for it." Twilight snorted. "We could've gotten that school in the south end rebuilt by now with the money."
"At least we still have the soundproofing spell to hide us from eavesdroppers," Rarity replied. "Otherwise the admission rate would be much higher. Speaking of which, have you decided on what to do about Fancy Pants' proposal?"
Twilight frowned, lifting her own wine glass up to her lips as she considered her response. "It looks good on paper, and I trust Fancy Pants to be honest about his charitable works, but I'm worried that the other nobles will think I'm favouring him too much."
"It's a valid concern," Rarity agreed. "Perhaps I could speak to Fancy about delegating some of the responsibilities to appease the right ponies. Golden Wish, perhaps."
It was cute how Twilight's face scrunched up in distaste at the name, but Rarity would have to remember to give her some pointers on keeping a reasonable poker face. "She's going to skim some off the top using some perfectly legal loophole that I can't figure out how to close yet. You know that."
A shrug. "Sometimes, one must throw a few bones to the wolves to keep them tame."
"I still don't like it."
"Neither do I, dear, but this is how the game is played, no?"
"One day, it won't be like that." And now Twilight was pouting. Rarity would've loved to lean over and give those lips a quick peck, but etiquette had to be observed.
"And what a glorious day it shall be," she said instead. "But until then, the show must go on."
"Yay." Another sip of her wine. "Do you ever think about how things are so different now from what they used to be when we first started dating?"
Rarity laughed. "Darling, when we first began seeing each other, you were a unicorn who still thought that Celestia could do no wrong, and I had faint dreams of opening a store in Canterlot. Saying that things are different now is quite an understatement, all things considered."
"Mhm." Twilight stared into her glass. "I miss those days, sometimes. Things were… simpler, back then."
Rarity cocked her head in thought. "They were, yes. I remember when my greatest concern in life was obtaining tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala. If only I had seen then that you were far more deserving of my heart than Blueblood, things might have happened much earlier. Still, as much as those times were pleasant, I wouldn't wish to go back to them."
"No?" A scholar's curiosity from Twilight. She had this way of questioning you that didn't feel like she was judging you, and Rarity loved that about her.
"Of course not, my love." And Rarity laughed again. "Why would I ever want to give up all I've accomplished? To go back to being a pony with so little capacity to help others?" She paused and smirked. "Go back to being a pony who still didn't know all those ticklish spots on your barrel that elicits those delightful little giggles I so adore."
"Rarity!" Oh, how wonderful it was that she could still fluster her like this after all these years. At least that hadn't changed. "Anyways, I do have to agree with you. I hate that a soundproofing spell is a standard part of our date, and our dinner conversation involves trying to figure out who's the least likely to steal charity money, but I wouldn't trade this for the world."
"You bear the weight of the world well, Princess." Rarity offered her a slight bow of her head, acknowledging her status for just a moment.
"Only because I don't have to carry it alone," Twilight replied instantly. "I don't think I could've done it without you. Or the rest of our friends. But especially you."
There was a loud scraping sound as Twilight pushed her chair back and stood up. Her eyes burned with a determination that captivated Rarity. "You've been my rock since the very beginning, the one I could lean on when things got tough. You helped guide me through becoming a princess, and you helped me see what nobility was really meant to be about.
Rarity's breath caught in her throat as Twilight stepped closer. "We've supported each other through the good times and bad, and we've seen each other at our best and worst and still haven't run screaming. Our relationship isn't what it used to be, but it's still survived and even grown stronger.
"I think..." she paused, taking a deep breath. "I think I'm ready for things to change again."
When she got down on one knee, everything clicked in Rarity's head, and her heart began to pound madly as Twilight brought out a small velvet box from her dress and popped it open to show her the brilliantly-cut diamond ring inside.
"Rarity, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
Time stopped. Rarity was dimly aware that everypony in the restaurant was laser-focused on them, and were no doubt alerting all the gossips in Canterlot and beyond. But none of that mattered in that moment.
Twilight had asked her for her hoof in marriage. She wanted Forever with her, and there was only one possible answer Rarity could give to that.
"Twilight, dearest, darling, sweetheart. Of course I'll marry you. Nothing would make me happier."
The flashing lights of the cameras were almost blinding as Twilight swept her up into a passionate hug. "Oh, I'm so glad you said that. I love you so much, Rarity."
"And I you, Twilight Sparkle." A wide grin, carefree and unabashed, plastered itself on Rarity's expression as pressed small kisses against whatever part of Twilight she could reach, be it her forelegs, neck, or shoulders. "I cannot wait to begin the rest of our lives together."
"Me too." They pulled apart, and Rarity saw that Twilight's smile was as wide as her own. "So, what do you think the headlines will look like tomorrow?"
"I'm not certain," Rarity replied, "but I have no objections to giving them some positively scandalous pictures to use on the front page."
To Rarity's delight, neither did Twilight.