by Misago
~~~
The chaos would have made Discord proud.
In fact, looking around the currently ongoing Hearthwarming Eve Party for the Royal Family and Friends, Cadance wondered where exactly the spirit of chaos had gone off to. He seemed to be the last person to skip out on an event like this.
In one of the corners, there was some sort of poker game going on, with Spike, Applejack and Rainbow Dash apparently loosing badly to Fluttershy. The dance floor was occupied by a big red Stallion who, to his obvious discomfort, was trying to match the steps of a trio of fillies Cadance remembered from her wedding. And Luna was decimating the buffet table, accompanied by the party organizer, the one and only Pinkie Pie.
Cadance herself was currently sitting off the side with an indulgent smile at it all, occasionally dabbing a wet towel to Shining Armor's head. Her husband had foolishly decided to try and out-drink aforementioned party planner.
"Are you enjoying the party?"
Cadance turned her head to see Celestia approaching her. She was keeping a slow pace, and Cadance had to laugh as she noticed the giggling heads of one purple alicorn princess and one white unicorn fashionista poking out from under her wings. As Celestia noticed the source of her amusement, she only rolled her eyes.
"Caaaa-dy!" Twilight crowed.
"They had a bit too much to drink, I am afraid," Celestia said, nudging Rarity's head with her own. Rarity stumbled a bit, and only the large white wing held her upright. Both her and Twilight broke out into raucous --and quite unladylike-- laughter.
Still smiling, Cadance shook her head. Celestia, meanwhile, tried to get Twilight to move forward.
"I'm sorry to spring this on you, especially since you are already busy with one drunkard", she said, inclining her head towards the groaning Shining Armor, "but could you watch Twilight for a while? I will go and put Rarity to bed."
"Sure."
Celestia lit up her horn, encasing the giddy Twilight in the golden flow and floating her over to Cadance.
As soon as Twilight reached her, however, Rarity lit up her own horn, and from somewhere under Celestia's wing, something red and green darted out, only to come to a wobbling halt directly over Cadance and Twilight's heads.
Cadance, still trying to prop the grinning Twilight up in her arms, shook her head.
"You have to kiss her now!", Rarity slurred from under the wing, obviously quite happy with her poor attempt at mischief.
While trying to educate the Princess of Love about a custom like that bordered on blasphemy, there was no sense in being a spoil-sport. So Cadance ducked her head to to give Twilight a little smooch.
Twilight was faster.
Just as Cadance had prepared herself for a nice peck on the lips (the custom called for it, after all), she had a hoof brushing her cheek and another on her chest. Then came the kiss.
Instead of the expected drunken, messy slobbering, Twilight's lips were so soft and gentle that it took Cadance's breath away. She felt Twilight move against her, applying just the right amount of pressure, and she could not suppress a little moan of pleasure. The hoof on her cheek moved carefully, slowly, tracing her jawbone in the most sensual way.
Just as suddenly as it had begun, the kiss was over.
Twilight, apparently still conscious enough, took a deep breath and roared "I have kissed all the princesses in one night! I am now the queen of princess-smooching!" With that claim, and a soft giggle, her head fell forward into Cadance's chest, and soon enough happy little snores could be heard.
Cadance did not notice much of that. She also did not notice the discussion in front of her ("So, she kissed all the princesses, hm?" "It is the custom, Rarity! What was I supposed to do?" "Well, it seems you owe me something, darling."). Her mind was utterly, utterly blank.
"Cadance, is everything alright?"
Celestia's question shook Cadance from her stupor.
She looked down at the sleeping Twilight. Beautiful, wonderful Twilight.
"No. I think I'm not."