“Hi, Chryssi,” Shining Armor started as the queen of the changelings approached. “It’s been a little while since we saw each other on an official date, hasn’t it? Since you were in the Crystal Empire, right?”
She couldn’t believe she was feeling ashamed of herself for doing that, but she was. “That…” she stared, expecting him to be angry. “That was not about being with you,” she explained. “That was simply a battle tactic, nothing more. Not about romance or stealing your lover or whatever you ponies think that was about. I was only looking to feed my hive, so you should be looking for a date elsewhere. In fact, it’s a bit pathetic that you’d be seeking me out when I’m clearly not interested.”
That was a lie. That was a big lie and she knew it. But it wasn’t because she actually liked the stallion, she didn’t. She was only doing this because she liked the love she got from the two of them, nothing more.
No! She wasn’t doing this for that! She was doing this to take the Crystal Empire! How could she ever slip up and think it was anything else? She knew they were trying to get their friendship to work into her head, and it was working! She couldn’t let herself fall for their tricks!
“Oh, you’re absolutely fine,” he assured her. “Both Cadance and I have forgiven you for that. Actually, it’s what made us want to consider dating you. You were just always so affectionate with me, it was absolutely adorable. The way we cuddled together? Cadance couldn’t believe it when I told her.”
“I- you… we didn’t cuddle that much! I don’t remember that… and if we did, it’s only because I was eating your love and trying to feed my hive! Nothing more!”
“Oh, I’m sure it was nothing more,” he smiled slyly. “But at least Cadance believes me now. She told me you snuggled her all night while you two watched movies together.”
“I- gytrkfvjd! Why are you doing this to me?” she asked, wanting to fall over and die of embarrassment right there. “What sick joy do you get out of making me relive those awful memories?”
“Can’t possibly be that awful since you’re blushing,” he quipped. “Besides, it’s super adorable to see you make flustered noises. You’re so adorable, you make it too easy!”
“I’m not easy! How am I easy?” she demanded to know, stomping a hoof in defiance.
The stallion took a step closer to her, his muzzle inches away from hers. “Because you get so cute and blushy and shy when I tell you that you’re the prettiest, most adorable, most beautiful changeling I’d ever laid eyes on, especially with those amazingly gorgeous piercing green eyes of yours.”
He smiled kindly as he said it, a gesture that nearly caused the queen of the changelings to fall over. Luckily though, he was there to catch her, swooping down and placing a hoof behind her back as he leaned forward. He gave her a handsome smile as he tilted his head, staring right into her eyes for a long moment before gently setting her back on her hooves. She blushed profusely, but smiled shyly at the move he made.
“Wow, that was sm- sm- sm…” She was about to say ‘smooth’ but stopped herself before she could. She, however, didn’t have an alternate response at the ready. As well, Shining Armor could see what she was clearly about to say.
“Sm- sm- smooth?” he asked, giving her a wide smile now and raising an eyebrow as he imitated her stutter. “It was, wasn’t it? But you know just how smooth I can be, don’t you?”
“No, I was not going to say smooth!” she declared. “I was going to say sm- sm… sm- smite worthy! Yes, that’s it! It’s smite worthy that you think you can dare put your hooves on the back of a queen such as I!”
“Ah, you got me, your majesty!” he played along, clearly joking. “My apologies,” he told her, giving an overexaggerated, overdrawn bow. “Now, though, are you ready for the evening? Or do you need time to gather yourself or dress up?”
“Don’t act so sarcastic,” Chrysalis replied, suppressing a smile. “Let’s just get this over and done with. What do you have planned? More movies about beasts intended to reform through the power of friendship?”
“Oh, I was thinking we could go out to eat,” he told her. “I actually made reservations for the two of us at a local restaurant here in the Crystal Empire! I think you’ll love it! They call it ‘Italian’ in the mirror world of Equestria. It’s great!”
“I- and you expect me to go out in public where ponies will see me?” she asked nervously, sending a glance his way. “Or will you be expecting me to put on some cutesy pony disguise for you?” she asked, frowning at the thought of it.
“Oh, I’d never ask you to cover up your natural beauty, Chryssi,” Shining smiled, the bug's frown turning into a scowl at the nickname he stole from his wife. “And what are you worried about it ponies see you? Are you afraid they’ll faint at the sight of you because you’re drop dead gorgeous?”
“I- ah, y-yes,” she got out. “Of course I do. As they say, looks can kill, and I don’t need my looks to kill anypony just yet. So…”
Yes, that was it. A queen such as her just had too much natural beauty to show off for ponies to handle, ponies who weren’t royalty like Cadance and Shining Armor. It certainly wasn’t because she was afraid of the looks she might get at the sight of her, or ponies wondering what she might be doing with the stallion. That wasn’t it at all.
“I mean, even if you weren’t so amazingly beautiful, which you absolutely are, you’d have to go out eventually to greet your subjects. After all, when you become queen of the Crystal Empire, how are ponies supposed to bask in your glory if you never show them your face?”
“O-of course,” she stuttered. “They will be doing plenty of basking, after all.” With that, she quickly started walking ahead of him so he couldn't see how embarrassed she was. “Show me where this restaurant is,” she demanded.
“So how was your time with Cadance?” Shining asked casually as the two walked under the evening light. “Did you eat her love as much as she said you did?”
“I- that’s a private issue,” she huffed, flicking her mane. “How much love a changeling eats of another pony is quite a rude question to ask.”
“Well, if you say so. I only asked because Cadance said she fed you quite a lot, and you gobbled it all up and then cuddled her all night.”
“She’s twisting what happened,” she complained. “It was only for warmth. I would never-”
“Oh, you don’t have to lie, Chryssi,” Shining smiled. “You can tell me that you like her. She is the most amazing pony in all of Equestria, and a pretty good cuddler, in my experience.”
“...” She paused, flattening her ears and scowling in embarrassment before saying, “It was acceptable. Nothing more.“
“Aw, are you saying they weren’t snuggles fit for a queen?”
“This is going to be a repeat of my time with your wife, isn’t is?” Chrysalis asked. “You’re going to hound me all night about how adorable you think I am, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Oh, Cadence loves that stuff, and I think it’s adorable, too.” She frowned, raising a hoof to say something before he continued, “But if you don’t want me to, I won’t. As much of a tsundere as you are, if you don’t want me to fluster you, I’ll try not to… unless you do want me to?” he asked, raising an eyebrow and giving a little smirk.
“No, I do not enjoy being embarrassed,” she remarked with a huff. “I can’t imagine anypony who does. Now tell me: what exactly is ‘Italian’ food?”
“I don’t know, but Twilight and Cadance both love it, and I agree with them. They serve pasta mostly. Things like macaroni and spaghetti and rigatoni and ziti. Plus, they have lasagna and pizza there, too. It tastes great, and it’s the best restaurant in the whole Crystal Empire. Maybe all of Equestria.”
“Well, I’m not entirely sure what a ‘lagana’ is, but I assume it will have to do,” Chrysalis decided. “But I’m trusting your opinion to be a good one. If it’s not, I will let you know.”
“And I will so deserve it,” he said firmly. “It’s great though, I’m telling you,” he assured her as the two walked up to it. “You’re going to love it.”
Perhaps she was going to, but she sure didn’t love the stares she was getting. The receptionist who greeted them about fainted at the sight of her. Which, of course, was expected, seeing how queenly she was, but still rather annoying nonetheless.
“H-how c-can I h-help you two, Prince Shining Armor and… C-c-c…” the receptionist stuttered out, barely able to keep herself upright.
“Chrysalis,” Chrysalis finished for her, sending a threatening gaze her way. “And you can help us by not sending that stupid look you have on your face our way.” She took a step forward, staring into the receptionist’s eyes, causing the mare to falter backward and fall on her flank.
“Oh, stop it, Chryssi,” Shining Armor reprimanded lightly. “Be nice.” He then used his magic to help the receptionist to her hooves, telling her, “She’s not herself when she’s hungry. Princess Cadance will tell you that. But luckily, we’re here, so she should be nicer by the time we’re done. Isn’t that right, Chryssi?” he asked, turning back to the changeling.
She only scowled and stomped past him into the restaurant, ready to get the second date over with.