Shining sighed as he trekked back down the palace corridors to his room in the Royal Quarters. His hoofs dragged heavy on the floor, his pace lagging and weary, his body stumbling about, as if in a trance or a dream.
He had failed to warn the Princess of the impending danger, so now what did he do? His sister would inevitably put her plans into action, but what could he do? Betray her? In a way, he already had. He had given away the plan, yet to no avail. The question that remained then was: could he do anything else? Could he actually stop his sister physically?
Shining despaired as he rounded the corner and saw the door approaching.
What would he say to Cadance now? Did he tell her to flee why she still had the chance? Twilight would surely suspect something if he did. There would be no telling what would happen then. He knew it was never a wise policy to upset his sister. Her retribution would be deadly...
Shining approached the door and slowly turned the knob. He hesitantly entered the darkened room, expecting to see Cadance waiting for him, but this was not the case – the room and the beds were empty.
“Cadance,” Shining called softly.
The only reply was a soft groan from the bathroom.
Shining trotted to the other side of the room where he saw his wife lying on the bathroom floor, huddled over toilet, vomiting.
Shining immediately raced to her side.
“Honey, are you alright?” he asked.
“Could...be better...” Cadance said panting.
Shining held her by the hoof as she tried to regain her composure.
“What happened?” Shining asked.
“Nothing,” she replied. “Just a little nausea is all.”
“Was it something you ate?”
“I don't think so...”
“Here, let me get you some...”
Before he could finish, the Princess of the Crystal Empire lunged forward, and wretched once more into the toilet. Several minutes of heavy breathed and strained gagging passed before Cadance could talk again.
“How do you feel?” Shining asked.
Cadance gave him a wary glance.
“Like crap, Shining dear,” she said, trying to be as polite as possible.
“I mean...are you alright now?” Shining stammered.
“Yeah,” she replied, leaning on the door frame. “Hopefully.”
“Good, good,” Shining said, nodding. “I'm glad to hear that.”
“What about you?” Cadance asked. “Did you get everything sorted out with the Princess?”
Shining's face flustered.
“Oh, well...yeah, we did.”
“You seemed really despondent when you left. You sure, everything's okay?”
“Yeah, it's fine love,” Shining said. “I was just concerned about the safety precautions for the Princess at the funeral tomorrow. You know, the old 'captain of guard' inside of me taking over again.”
Cadance smiled as she wrapped her hoofs around his chest.
“You're always so thoughtful, sweety,” she said, kissing his cheeks. “Always putting other's concerns before your own. That's why I love you.”
Shining grimaced.
“Yeah...” he said, looking down.
“But didn't you ask me something before you left? Cadance asked. “You wanted to me forgive you for something?”
“Oh it was nothing,” Shining said. “Just thought I had forgotten something.”
“Oh, okay then...” Cadance said, holding him. “Shining...” she said, sitting down the bed. “I have something to tell you...”
“Yes?” Shining asked, petting her mane.
“I'm pregnant.”
The words fell heavy on Shining's heart. For a long while, the room remained silent as Shining stared into his wife's eyes, unable to form a reply
“I got the results back from the doctor before we left,” Cadance continued. “I wanted to wait until after the funeral to tell you, but I guess the cat's out of the bag now,” she said, motioning towards the toilet.
Shining said nothing as he stared into the void of the darkness.
“Are you mad at me for not telling you earlier?” Cadence asked.
Shining let a single tear roll down his cheek as he turned towards his wife – his face filled with agony and joy.
“No, not at all,” he said, his voice cracking as the tears began to flow. “It's wonderful...”
Cadence held her husband as he cradled his face in her shoulder, coaxing his head with her hoofs.
“You're going to be a father, Shining,” she said, smiling. “Aren't you excited?”
“Yes,” Shining said, wiping his eyes. “More than I could ever say. It's just...”
“Just what?” Cadance asked.
“I'm just...so happy,” Shining sniffled, rubbing Cadence's back. “For the both of us.”
For a long time Shining held Cadance in his embrace, not a single word passing between them. In that time, though, a thousand thoughts ran through the young Prince's mind – visions of a peaceful existence in the Crystal Empire, raising a family, and getting old with his wife and progeny. Yet, in the back of his mind, the dark reality of the situation loomed ominously over his vision of the future. He knew that why his sister lived, such thoughts were but fleeting fantasies. There was also the guilt, curdling up in the pit of his stomach – guilt for how he had betrayed Cadance.
But now he would surely have to do something. He couldn't stand idly by and allow his wife and unborn foal to fall prey to his sister's lust for power. No, something had to be done, but for the moment, at least, Shining allowed himself to hope – if only to banish his lingering fears of what was to come. A time would come for action, Shining thought, and then he could admit freely what he had done and beg for forgiveness, but for the time being, he had to wait and bide his time – an opportunity would surely present itself soon, and when it did, that's when he would act. For now, though, he contended himself with the affections of his loving wife.
“Cadance, dear,” Shining said. “How would you feel about going away?”
Cadance looked puzzled.
“Going...away?”
“Yeah,” Shining said, holding her close. “We'll go somewhere together – just you and me. How does that sound?”
“Oh Shining...” Cadance said, taken back. “That sounds wonderful. But what's brought this on?”
“Everything at court has become so hectic lately,” Shining replied. “I just thought it would be nice to get away for it a while and spend a little time together, you know...”
Cadance leaned on her husband's shoulder.
“When?” she asked softly.
“Right after the funeral,” Shining said.
Cadance startled.
“That's a little soon, isn't it?”
“The sooner, the better,” Shining said. “Wouldn't you agree?”
Cadance looked down.
“Is something wrong?” Shining asked.
“No, nothing,” Cadance replied. “Just surprised, is all.”
Shining leaned in and kissed Cadance on the forehead.
“You know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you,” he said softly.
“But Shining, where would we go?”
“Someplace – anyplace – just somewhere far away. Somewhere nice and secluded; a distant island, perhaps.”
“Sounds romantic,” Cadance said, planting a kiss on his cheek. “But do you mean it? Really mean it?”
“Every word.”
Cadance sighed contentedly as she laid down in the bed.
“You're the best, Shining,” she said lovingly.
Shining laid his hoof across Cadance's cheek.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better,” Cadance said. “Still a little nauseous though.”
“Is there anything you'd like me to get for you, dear?”
“No, just...stay with me,” Cadance said, lightly patting the bed.
Shining smiled.
“Of course, dear.”
Shining laid down next to his wife and held her close, listening to her steady breathing as she drifted back to sleep. He knew that tomorrow he would have to face his sister's wrath, but he didn't care. For the first time in what seemed to him like an eternity, he felt his heart at ease, and for once, he allowed himself to dream...