//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: Step-Parents // by Azreale //------------------------------// A unicorn mare hung her head low, ashamed of her words. Before her, the Prince and Princess shook their heads sadly at her, with the Prince attempting to hide tears. The Princess put a comforting, loving hoof onto her husband’s shoulder in a futile attempt to make him feel better, yet Cadence knew that there was nothing that she could say to ease her dear Shining Armor’s pain. “I know you might hate me now, but I just wanted to come here and tell you myself. I figured that I owe you at least that.” The mare mumbled, peeking up at Shining Armor through her mane, which had tumbled in front of her face. “If you would rather I leave, I can do so now.” “N-No, mom. It’s fine…” Shining Armor stuttered, rubbing his eyes and sighing loudly. “It’s just… shocking, I guess is the only word for it.” “I know that I don’t deserve your trust anymore, son. I just hope you know that I love you so much. Both of you,” She beamed at her daughter-in-law, who returned it with a weak smile of her own. “I don’t know how a mare like me ended up with such wonderful children such as yourselves.” Velvet raised her head as Shining Armor hopped off of his throne and trotted down to the floor, where he embraced his mother in a deep hug. “I love you too, mom. Nothing you could do would ever change that,” He pulled away, shuffling in place awkwardly, unsure if he should ask the question that was on his mind, “So… what will you do now?” Velvet cocked her head to the side and fixed him with a quizzical look. “What do you mean, Shiny? What will I do with what?” “You know!” Shining paused, leaning forward with wide eyes, “You know, where will you go now? Are you gonna move in with this new stallion? Are you two even still together?” The second that the words left his mouth, Shining clamped a hoof over his mouth, and Cadence let out an unimpressed gasp. “Darling! That’s not appropriate!” The Princess scolded, masking her displeasure with a short, nervous laugh. “Velvet, please. You don’t have to answer that.” Cadence tugged sharply on Shining’s shoulder, pushing him backwards towards the throne. “If there’s anything we can do to help you, please, don’t hesitate to ask. You can stay here in the castle for as long as you would like.” “Oh, dear, that won’t be necessary!” Velvet immediately perked up. “And don’t worry Shiny; everything is going to be fine! In fact, I’m staying here with him now!” Cadence and Shining exchanged confused looks. “Him as in...” “The other stallion, yes.” Velvet clarified, her smile not wavering once. “He offered to let me stay here until this whole divorce finalizes and whatnot! He’s such a sweetheart!” The older mare’s eyes glazed over as she swooned in place at the thought of her stallion. Cadence took a cautious step forward, carefully choosing her words so she wouldn’t overstep her bounds. “Velvet, are you saying that this stallion lives in the Crystal Empire?” She asked slowly, looking to Shining for support. Velvet snapped back to reality once she heard Cadence speak, and fixed her new daughter with a humorous grin. “Of course he does! Why do you think I came here in the first place?” Velvet laughed, but immediately realized the way she had worded her statement, and sobered quickly. “I-I meant, of course I came here for you too, Shiny! But it just so happened that my dearest also lives here, and I figured that living with him for a little bit would be the best thing for us until everything normalizes again!” “I see…” Cadence said slowly, sitting back down on her throne. “Tell me, Velvet, if I’m imposing in any way, but will we get to meet this new boyfriend of yours?” Velvet put a thoughtful hoof to her chin, pondering for a moment. “Well, I suppose I could formally introduce the three of you, if you really want to. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind personally getting to know his employers!” The older mare laughed heartily, swinging her forearm around her son and nuzzling him. “I think that would be a great idea!” “Whoa whoa whoa, repeat that? You’re saying that this guy not only lives in my kingdom, but works for us too?” Shining’s mouth hung open, and even Cadence’s eyes were wide and filled with a twinge of worry. Velvet blinked and stared absent mindedly at the two before face-hooving. “Oh yeah, sorry Shiny! I forgot to mention that detail until now, silly me! Yes, he works here in the palace! In fact, he should be getting off work sometime soon!” Velvet glanced out the window to her left at the slowly setting sun that was disappearing over the horizon. “If you want, I can go find him and bring him here for you two to formally be introduced! I know where he’s stationed.” “Sure…” Shining started awkwardly, not absolutely sure that he even wanted to meet the new stallion. Cadence wordlessly nodded, and Velvet skipped off with glee down the corridor and turned a corner, disappearing from sight. Shining sighed and went to rest his head on his wife’s shoulder. “Cady, I don’t know if I should be meeting this new guy…” He informed her quietly, just in case his mother was still in earshot. “Why not, my darling? While I’m very sorry to hear that she and Night Light are no longer in love, I am still overjoyed to hear that she has found somepony that cares for her, and she cares for in return. I think it will be good for you to meet him and see that there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about!” “But he works here! What if I’ve been rude to him in the past? What if he and my mom get married and he makes my life into a living Tartarus? What if he hates me because I’ve been rude to him!” Shining’s eyes went wide and his voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “What if he’s gonna do my mom in order to get back at me?” “Shining!” Cadence interrupted him, shaking his shoulders hard. “That is enough! Whoever your mother has picked to be her new mate, it will be because she loves him, and he treats her right! Stop being so ridiculous! By your logic, one could say that you married me for the sole reason of having more seniority over me than Twilight does. I remember how jealous you got watching me play with her day in and day out,” She exclaimed slyly. “Stop being so childish. I’m sure you’ll get along with him just fine.” “I guess you’re right… I’m sorry Cady. I’m sure I will like him. He just better be a good stallion – my mom deserves only the best!” He declared, earning a giggle from his wife. “Now then, if I’m not mistaken, the Night Guard will be taking over soon?” He asked. Cadence nodded. “Yes – and here is the captain now!” The Princess and Prince stood up as their Captain of the Day Guard entered the room, saluted to Shining Armor, and bowed before Cadence. “Princess Cadenza, Prince Shining Armor, at this time, at six o’clock in the evening, the Day Guard has officially retired.” The newcomer bowed low again and waited. “You may rise, Flash Sentry. Thank you.” Cadence said gently, nodding her head to him once, a universal sign of respect. Flash Sentry rose, smiled brightly at his rulers, and turned to leave. “I’m sorry Shiny, I couldn’t find him!” A familiar female voice echoed throughout the hallway, drawing the attention of the three ponies in the room. They all looked as Velvet trotted back towards them, head low, a frown on her face. “I was really looking forward to introducing you two!” “It’s fine, mom. Some other time, I suppose.” Shining shrugged as he went to wave Flash Sentry off, but he found that the stallion wasn’t looking at him. “Captain? You’re dismissed.” “Oh, thank you, sir!” Flash suddenly snapped his gaze back to Shining, saluting quickly, before trotting over to Velvet with a big grin on his face. “Velvet!” Velvet’s head shot up at the sound of her name. “Velvie, what are you doing here?” “Oh, Flashy! I was just looking for you! I wanted to formally introduce you to my son and daughter-in-law! I’m sure you already know them as Princess Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor, but today, they are simply Cadence and Shiny!” Velvet trotted up to the throne and nuzzled Shining’s horrified face in an embarrassing, motherly fashion. “Say hello, Shiny!” “I…” “Wha…” “Oh my…” Were the only noises to be heard. Shining was glad that Flash seemed to be as shocked and speechless as he himself was. Velvet still beamed with pride, and Cadence coughed awkwardly. “Velvie, I had no clue… you’re the mother of… Oh sweet Celestia!” Flash stuttered, finding it difficult to form coherent words. His eyes were as big as saucers, and though he himself was no small stallion, he felt positively tiny under the sharp, angry glare of his Prince. “Prince Shining Armor-“ “Shiny.” Velvet enunciated, reminding him that formalities were not needed. “Prince Shining Armor, I had no clue that I was starting a romantic relationship with your mother… had I known-“ “Enough!” Shining interjected, furiously rubbing his eyes and resting on his wife. “That’s enough for today. I need to go lie down.” Without another word, Shining stood and stomped out of the room, head low as he shook his mane back and forth. Cadence stretched out her hoof after him, but put it down once she saw him leave. She turned back to her two subjects standing before her, Flash still stunned and Velvet still beaming. “It was a pleasure to meet your new boyfriend, Velvet, but I must go calm down my husband.” She said, putting on a fake, obviously forced smile. Flash Sentry squeezed his eyes shut, his coat more red than orange. “Of course, of course, Cadence. You go talk to him – he always did overreact to things like this when he was younger… that boy is so silly!” Velvet laughed as she stroked Flash’s mane affectionately. “We should be off. But how would the two of you like to join us for dinner tomorrow evening? It would be a wonderful opportunity for you three to get to know each other better!” “Velvie, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea…” Flash mumbled, brushing her hoof off of his head. “They’re the Prince and Princess, I’m sure they’re very busy-“ “Oh, nonsense Flash! Of course they’ll join us, won’t you Cadence?” Velvet cooed, nuzzling the stallion beside her. Cadence squeezed her eyes shut and nodded frantically. “Yes, of course Velvet. Whatever you want. Now please, I must be off.” The Princess declared, standing up and already showing herself out. Her two hoofmaidens that perpetually stood near her at all times rushed to her side wordlessly, ready to serve her in any ways possible. The Princess followed the path her husband took, feeling almost equally as distressed as he did. “Oh, alright Cadence! We’ll be at Casanova’s tomorrow at eight! Hope you two can make it!” Cadence knew that tomorrow at eight, her life was about to get very, very miserable.