//------------------------------// // How Could I Forget // Story: For Those We Love // by ForgottenDreams //------------------------------// Princess Cadance looks over the edge of the crib. A gleam within her eye shines with love as she looks down at her precious little bundle of joy. Little Flurry Heart lets out an adorable yawn as she sleeps in peace. Cadance kisses her baby on the forehead before she leaves the room. Hanging her head low Cadance staggers through the halls. Using her magic she opens the grand doors to her royal bedchambers. With a loud thud she drops face first into pillows. A sigh of sweet relaxation echoes off of the walls as Cadance snuggles her ever so comfy pillow. A sleeping princess sings sweet soft snores of simple serenity. When suddenly she bolts upright remembering what tomorrow was. Her anniversary! Rushing over to her closet she looks to she if she had anything special to wear for the evening. It was filled with elegant dresses. Most of them were designed by famous designers from all over Equestria. Though some of them were fashioned by designers within the Crystal Empire. Any one of them would suffice, but this is the first anniversary as a family, and she wants it to be special. Grabbing a quill, and parchment she writes a letter. The instant that she signs, and seals the letter she uses her magic to teleport it to it's destination. She can't believe that she had forgotten her anniversary! Going over to her dresser she opens up a secret compartment. There within the compartment was a tiny little box wrapped in light blue paper. A glistening gold ribbon accentuates the gift. With a discerning eye Cadance inspects the box. She smiles as the box was still in pristine condition. She places it back into the compartment. Using her magic she summons for her best maid. After a few quiet moments pass by; the doors to the royal bedchamber begin to open. A light pink crystal pony in a maid's uniform walks in. The blonde curls of both her mane; and tail bounce with her stride. A cutie mark of a slice of strawberry cake adorns her flank. She curtsies once she gets close to Cadance. "My lady! To what do I owe the pleasure of you summoning me? Is something amiss?" says the maid as she smiles at Cadance. "I am sorry to burden you with this, but I need you to take care of this with upmost importance, and discrepancy! It must be completed by tomorrow evening," Cadance hands over a scroll. To which the maid graciously accepts. Her eyes scan over the scroll. An eyebrow involuntarily rises as she reads its contents. The moment that she finishes reading it she wads it up, and eats it. "I shall have what you need by midday my lady," the maid salutes to Cadance before she rushes out of the chamber with blinding speed. Cadance smiles as she watches her best maid run out the room. Letting out a loud drawn out yawn Cadance saunters over to her welcoming bed. Tomorrow was going to be truly special. " Aten hut!" a single unified sound of soldiers standing at attention fills the courtyard. Shining Armor goes about inspecting the royal guards under his command. Strutting in front of them in full armament. Shining eyes them with intense precision. Making sure to scold each and every one of them. If even a slight smug, or button was out of alignment it didn't matter. They must be perfect! He even had made a couple of the newer recruits cry when he scolded them. Standing in front of them Shining puffs out his chest. "About face!" with deadly accuracy they turn about. " Dismissed!" like a machine the soldiers march out into the streets. Out to their designated patrols. As the last of the guards leave the courtyard Shining lets out a deep breathe. A butler walks out of the palace, and up to Shining. "Impressive as usual your highness, but shouldn't you be preparing for tomorrow?" says the butler. "Huh? What's so important about tomorrow?" asks Shining as he raises an eyebrow at the butler. " Don't tell me you forgot what tomorrow is!?" says the butler as he face hooves. " Well I know that tomorrow is the seventeenth," "Yes and?" the butler rolls his hoof as if he is trying to get the gears turning. " Our archers have long range target practice. Plus we should have our order of new helmets from the blacksmith coming in," "And!?" one of the butler's eyes begins to bulge as a tiny vein in his forehead throbs. "And what?" *Tick*Tick*Tick* "OH MY CELESTIA!!! MY ANNIVERSARY!" Shining yells as it finally dawns on him. Shining is now prancing in place. All the while the butler next to him gives him a deadpan expression. The butler tries to calm down the panicking prince. When all else fails. *SLAP!* Shining rubs his cheek. " What was that for?" The butler puts a hoof between his eyes letting out an exasperated sigh. " Excuse me for the violence, but it seemed to be the only way to calm you down. Sire there is still plenty of time before your evening date with princess Cadance. You can still salvage this," "Y...you are right! So what should we do?" Shining stares at the pony completely wide eyed. His lower lips quivering as if he just got caught with his hoof in the cookie jar. The butler tries to say something, but is completely dumbfounded by Shining's sear stupidity! Walking away the butler mumbles to himself. "For crying out loud! How could he be this thick!? What does she see in him anyways?...Why I..." the rest of the butler's rambling becomes completely inaudible as he turns the corner. "....Was it something I said?"