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// Chapter three Adjustments 
// Story: The Three Knight Errant 
// by Ebony Gryphon 
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	Chapter three Adjustments

Shining lowered his head dejectedly on the table that he and his wife were currently sitting at, though his wife seemed to be enjoying his annoyance at their household’s newest addition. Ears flicking slightly at the soft sound of a tea plate being place next to him, the tea cup it was holding still steaming. His blue eyes lifted up to look at the human who bowed slightly at the waist, a small smile on its lips as it said kindly, "Your tea, Lucara."

Mumbling something akin to appreciation, he took the earth equine route of drinking after he lifted his head up from its position. Gently holding the cup between his hooves, and raised it too his lips, wincing slightly as the water burned him a little. Cadence, frowning for a moment at her lovers manners, smiled brightly at the human.

"Why, thank you Talios, that's very sweet of you."

The usual prim butler smile softened into a real one, and with a small bow of his head and a soft "Of course Master." 
He walked backwards a few steps, and folding a towel across one arm, he assumed the standard stoic house servant stance.Giggling softly at the formality, she looked back at Shining, and seeing the way he was running a hoof through his blue mane, her usual good mood dampened. Sighing, she uses her telekinesis to lift her own cup of tea, and closing her eyes took a small sip, and then said "Blueblood?"

A muzzle plant and a groan was all she needed. Shaking her head, she tsked gently, "My love, I really wish you would try to be kinder..."

At that word, Shining’s head pops up, an unbelieving look upon his face.

Holding up a hoof to stop his tirade, she said gently, "I know, at times... he appears to be the loudmouth brigand you and so many assume he is, but for all his faults, his loyalty is always to Equestria, and while it doesn't always show, his heart’s more often than not, in the right place."

Lowering his head down again, he grumbled, "Caddy, you remember what he said don't you? That garbage about me and you not being of the same proper birth, and that's not even the worse of the nonsense he spews."

Frowning somewhat at the whining tone of the usually wonderful mate, she took another bracing sip, then spoke, her gentle still carry some sternness, "Shiny, you know what his... father did to him. And when he got too old for that perverts tastes, he sent him off to that boarding school, where all day all he heard was how that line of thinking he gave to us was right. All I ask is that you try."

Grimace still set, he cast an uncharacteristic look at his beloved, and said, ''Cadence, do you really think it wise to speak in front of...'' he paused and gave a slight tilt of his head in Talios's direction.

For a moment a sort of silence covered the kitchen, the prim smile fading from Talios's face as he closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath with an equally long exhale, he broke the uncomfortable situation, his tone in a monotone,

"Shining...'' at this the stallions ears perked up. In the few hours he had known him, the human had always addressed him as lucara, and with another exhale the human continue,

“Shining armor, I am the loyal servant of the house of Mi Amore Cadenza, and that same loyalty I give to you." As he spoke, Talios opened his eyes, the stoic mask slipping as the mirror to his soul showed his hurt.

"I know I have not earned you trust yet, but as a loyal servant, you can bet your life that I will never break my oath to my Master. Nor shall any words said between you, ever be repeated by me to others." With that, the man turned to Cadence and with a curt bow said, "My Master, I have other duties to perform, so with your permission..." and at the slight wave of her hoof, the human walked from the room.

Sighing, Cadence looked at her mate, eyes not angry, only disappointed, she conveyed softly, "Shiny, I love you, but sometimes, you’re a real plothole."

Sticking out his bottom lip in a further foalish gesture, he put his head back on the table, his self-loathing reaching new lows.

...

Hours passed, the sun sank beneath the horizon, and the moon was raised in its place. Foals were tucked into the beds, and lovers walked beneath the gentle glow of Luna's gift. Even though Shining and Cadence had further enjoyed each other’s company that evening, he still laid on his back. One hoof behind his neck, the other under his mare, who was currently enjoying her stallion’s chest as a pillow, the beating of his heart like a lullaby. Detesting the idea of ruining the moment, she knew she had to plow on regardless.

"Shiny..." at her voice he made a grunt of annoyance, and pulling his hoof away from its embrace, rolled off the bed and onto all four hooves, snarling, "I know, I know...." and with that, he began to mutter as he paced the floor next to their bed. All Cadence did during was watch calmly, letting the stallion vent. Seeing that this wasn't going to be voluntary, she offered gently "This is about Chrysalis isn't it?"

For a second Shining nodded a raspy yes about to affirm her suspicions.  Instead he clenched his jaw tightly, and with a quick shake of his head, instead muttered, "No, no... It’s not just that."

Opening his eyes again, he stopped and glanced at his bride, her concern breaking through his wall. Laying his hindquarters down with a flop, he gazed down at the floor. Tears were beginning to leak, as his voice shaky said,

"Caddy, I know you trust him, and I know what I said really hurt Talios, and... and I want to trust him... I... I just can’t..." As his lower jaw began to tremble, Cadence removed herself from under the sheets, and cuddled her stallion, wrapping her forelegs around him in an embrace. Shoulders beginning to shake as he sniffed, and let out a sob.

"Caddy, I see the way he walks, his movements... before they cornered him, he managed to take down some of my finest guards barehanded.... and his eyes, his eyes...” he closed, a different sort of shudder running down his body.

Smiling gently, she kissed the white furred cheek of her beau, responding. “Well, I know one being blue and the other green is unsettling...'”at those words, Shining let out a bitter laugh, tears still falling as he nuzzled his wife’s neck.

"Cadence, if I ever lost you... I.... I'd...'” at this, she silenced him with a kiss, her tongue stopping his from his dark words. Pulling away, they gazed into each other’s eyes, then silently crawled back into bed, this time Shining resting his chin on top of the alicorn’s neck. For a few minutes there was only the soft breathing of them both, then a snort from the male, followed by "I'm going to have to apologize, won’t I?” followed by a giggle, and a cheerful "Yep."

.....

The hinges of the bedrooms door squeaked their protest as they opened. The gentle rattling of a tea set brought the two from their slumber somewhat. Prim smile now in its proper place, Talios opened the curtains, saying brightly, “Such a waste to spend the day wasting it in bed, wouldn't you agree?” Blinking his eyes owlishly at the impromptu daylight, Shining muttered out "Oh, fuck off would you?"

Turning to the two, he wagged his finger sternly at the stallion, saying "Now Lucara, which is hardly the response of the royal consort." Scowl deepening at his mares giggling, he harrumphed and snorted. Smile now one of general amusement, Talios walked forward and in one swift pull, yanked the covers from them both, earning a gasp and a shout at the sudden exposure to the crisp morning chill. Raising her head from the comfort the pillows, Cadence smacked her lips a few times, and licks her lover’s cheek in greeting. Then with a statement of needing a bath, she left the chambers, leaving the two males alone.

As Talios bustled and straightened, laying out the breakfast and clothing of his charges, Shining climbed from the bed. With a yawn and a stretch similar to how a cat does, began to do pushups. After a few sets, his eyes following the butlers movement, he stopped, and with a cough said "Talios..."

Turning from his duties, he responded with a soft yes, Eyes locking with the humans, Shining grunted, "Sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you." And with a small nod, and a gentle "I know, Lucara...” they both went about their respective days.