The Key
“Stop worrying,” Cadence told herself yet again as the train slowed down as it neared Canterlot’s train station. “Shining will be able to handle Flurry for the weekend … without any major fiascos. Hopefully...” She fished out Fleur’s latest letter and read the last line, Please come post-haste. Fleur was one of the few friends with whom she still corresponded with after leaving the capital to rule over the Crystal Empire, but the letter was worryingly short for the elegantly-written unicorn. It mentioned that she needed help with something, and that only she could help her, though it didn’t mention what she needed help with.
But Cadence had a hunch.
Many months ago, Fleur had stopped answering questions about her husband in their letters. Questions about what he was up to and how he was faring were left suspiciously unanswered in Fleur’s replies, even though Cadence pressed the issue as much as she dared. She had no intention of pushing her friend away by prying too much, but as the Princess of Love, something felt off in her gut. Fleur always valued her privacy, and was not all that talkative, but this was something else entirely.
Common sense, if not her element, told her that Fancy Pants and Fleur’s marriage had been declining for the last several months. Now, with Fleur begging for her to come see her, she would have bet a hundred bits that it was hanging by a thread, one on the verge of snapping at any moment. The excitement of the wooing chase died more quickly for some than others, leaving only the will and the mutual dedication of the marriage partners to hold the bond together. She prayed that their marriage hadn’t lost that special spark that kept couples together, for if that had happened, their love may have already been lost. The biting chill of guilt began to weigh down on her as she feared that she had waited too long to step in. Hers alone was the sacred duty to guard against the pitfalls of apathy whenever she saw them come between a couple; she had waited until her very friend had cried out for help to spread her wings.
Cadence reread Fleur’s letter one last time, trying to discern any more clues from its short message before she arrived in Canterlot, but the train blew its horn a few times, announcing their arrival. Tucking Fleur’s letter back into her saddlebag, she licked her lips and fluffed her wings as the train rolled to a stop. She had had her personal train car attached to the end of the train so that she could travel without having ponies bugging her. It’d happened once, and it was one times too many.
Wanting to avoid getting mobbed by the ponies leaving the train cars ahead of hers, she sat down near the exit and waited patiently, her tail swishing about behind her in excitement as she peered through the window, looking for Fleur. A minute passed as she sat there, watching everypony simply stand on the platform. “Why are they all standing around?” she asked herself softly, wondering if Celestia or Luna were nearby, for nothing else could explain why they all crowded the platform. Another minute passed before she noticed ponies walking away with their luggage. “Oh, right,” she said with a short laugh. “Guess I’m just so used to having my guards bring my bags up to my room.”
As the train station’s platform finally cleared, Cadence pushed open the door and stepped out of the train car, her head on a swivel as she looked around for her friend. With everypony walking towards the city’s gate, Cadence spotted Fleur sitting on a bench at the other end of the platform, her head hanging low. Throwing a wide grin on her face, Cadence lifted a hoof and waved at her, catching her attention. Fleur’s expression brightened as she waved back and returned her smile.
Flicking her mane to the other side of her neck, Cadence trotted over to her and nuzzled her cheek. “Fleur, it has been much too long, dear. I hope everything is well?” she asked as she sat down in front of her.
“Well...” Fleur glanced down and off to the side as she rubbed her foreleg. “Not quite, and that’s why I asked you to come. I... I need some advice,” she said, biting back a whimper. “I know that I haven’t told you a lot through our letters, but...” Fleur looked back up at Cadence with tears brimming in her eyes. “Fancy Pants told me he doesn’t know if he loves me anymore, then he left on a business trip,” she said, unable to keep her voice down. “I desperately need your help, my old friend.”
Cadence’s eyes went wide as she glanced from side to side real quick. Noticing a few ponies stop and glance their way, she opened both of her wings and lifted them up, the tips of her wings touching behind Fleur’s head. “Shh... it’ll work out, Fleur,” she murmured, laying a light kiss on her cheek. Fleur gazed into her eyes with a hopeful glint, but said nothing. Cadence shot her a soft smile and stood up, laying a wing over Fleur’s back. Fleur latched onto her wing with a hoof and tentatively returned her smile.
“Y-You think so?” Fleur choked out.
Cadence nodded. “I know so! Who else would be more qualified to help you than the Princess of Love?”
“Nopony?” she asked with a terse laugh.
“Ding ding!” Cadence applied pressure to Fleur’s side as she nodded towards the path leading towards the gates. “Now, come on, let’s do some shopping and get your mind off of those mean, nasty thoughts, then we’ll figure everything out!”
With the sun high in the sky, Cadence let Fleur guide her into a bright-pink shop that she didn’t recognize: The Budding Rose. “Is this a new shop, Fleur?” Cadence asked as the door swung shut behind her, the little bell above the door ringing.
Fleur shook her head. “No, it isn’t. I come here to take my mind off of things. It seems like shopping is the only thing that gives me comfort nowadays,” she said with a sigh as she cast a forlorn gaze downwards, her eyes settling upon a set of matching heart-shaped necklaces.
“I can see why. I know you’ve always loved jewelry more than any other mare, but... wow, that’s expensive,” Cadence said, stopping to look at a pair of diamond earrings. “Four hundred bits? For a pair of diamond earrings?” she whispered to herself. “What kind of shop is this?” She looked around and noticed that a lot of the items were priced higher than most shops she knew of. Rings fit for a princess lined the display cases, followed by flowing white dresses behind them. “...Oh, hold on a second,” she muttered to herself. She wracked her brain as the shop’s name tickled a certain memory from long ago. “Is this the place where you got your wedding gown?”
“Mhm,” Fleur said after a few moments of silence. She lifted the necklace up with a hoof, barely able to make out the words, You hold the key to my heart, on the back. “Coming here helps me remember a time when everything was simply perfect. Fancy Pants treated me well, he bought me lavish gifts every so often, and he was actually interested to hear about my day, and I in his. I... I just don’t know how I can make things like that again,” she said, feeling her heart wilt in her chest.
“Well, I’m sure I can help.” Cadence sat down next to her and rubbed her back with a hoof. “That necklace looks pretty cute,” she said, looking at the necklace in Fleur’s hoof. “Oh, look! There’s a second one, too!” Cadence lit her horn and lifted them up into the air, holding them up in the light. Both had a small diamond in the middle of a light pink, heart-shaped piece of gold, held up by a thin gold chain. “We should totally get these,” she said with no small amount of glee in her voice as she slowly twirled them around in the air. “Yep, we’re getting these!”
Fleur’s ears flicked back. “As much as I’d love to, I can’t afford it.”
Cadence giggled. “Oh, don’t worry about it; I’ll pay! Being a princess has its perks, after all.” She nudged her towards the front counter with her muzzle.
“Wait, why? They’re really expensive,” Fleur said, slightly cocking her head to the side. You hold the key to my heart... she thought before looking up at her with an inquisitive gaze. Does she have feelings for me? Like, romantic feelings? She felt her heart start to race in her chest, for such an expensive gift was highly unexpected.
“Because we’re besties, and that’s what besties do,” Cadence replied simply as if it was the most obvious answer. She winked at her as they walked up to the counter, where a light green unicorn was reading a magazine. Cadence placed the two necklaces on the counter and reached into her saddlebag for her bit bag. “How much do I owe you?” she asked, shooting a warm smile at the cashier.
The young mare looked up from her magazine, her jaw dropping open wide in shock. “P-Princess Cadence? Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry I didn’t see you when you came in!” She jumped out of her chair, nearly falling over in the process as she bowed low. The chair tipped over and slammed against the wood floor, making Cadence wince from the sharp sound.
Cadence giggled. “Please, you needn’t do any of that,” she said, propping her forelegs up on the counter as she hoped to put the mare at ease.
“Yes, my princess!” She stood back up with a sheepish smile on her face as she straightened back up. “Will this be all?” she asked, picking up her little chair.
“Yeah, this is it. We don’t need a bag, either.” Cadence pulled out her sizable bag of bits and plopped it on the counter.
“Wonderful!” The cashier pushed her glasses up her nose, then said, “These are normally one hundred and fifty bits each, but... I’ll sell them both for two hundred if I can get a picture with you!” she said, holding up a small camera between her hooves as she threw on a wide, hopeful grin.
Cadence couldn’t help but grin as she watched the mare squirm in her seat. “Sure, I don’t see why not,” she said, opening a wing for her to sit under. “And how could I pass up such a wonderful bargain?”
The mare squeed with pure joy and darted out from behind the counter, then sat down under Cadence’s wing. She let her wing rest upon the mare’s back, then used her magic to hold up the camera for them. “Ready?” she asked, quickly running a hoof through her mane to ensure that she looked good.
“Yep!”
Click!
“There ya go!” Cadence said, levitating the camera back into the mare’s hooves as she stood back up.
“Thank you so much!” the mare exclaimed as she wrapped her forelegs around her, gently nuzzling her. “My daughter is gonna love this!” she said as she pranced behind the counter.
“Oh?” Cadence asked. “Is she around?” she asked, glancing around the shop.
“I want to say yes, but she’s off playing with her friends right now,” the mare said, her shoulder slumping a little bit.
“Well, maybe some other time,” Cadence said. “I love this little shop of yours, by the way.”
“Aww, thank you! It warms my heart to hear you say that,” she said as she placed her front hooves over her heart.
“You are most welcome. Now let me get you those bits,” Cadence said as she started counting them all out. Counting them in stacks of ten, she made quick time. “One ninety-nine, and two hundred!” She used her magic to push the bits towards the cashier, then held up one of the necklaces with a hoof as she turned to look at Fleur.
Fleur couldn’t help but let a soft smile slide on her face as she lowered her head. She held up her mane, allowing Cadence to fasten the necklace around her neck. “Thank you. This means a lot to me...” she said, letting her mane fall back into place. Standing up, she lit her horn and grabbed the other necklace. “Will you allow me?” she asked, gazing up into Cadence’s eyes. Cadence smiled at her and nodded, making butterflies flit about in her stomach. You hold the key to my heart, she thought once more, mouthing the words as she fastened the necklace around her friend’s neck.
“What was that, dear?” Cadence asked as she straightened up, the necklace slipping down into place over her heart.
Fleur’s eyes went wide momentarily. “N-Nothing,” she sputtered, avoiding Cadence’s gaze for a few moments. She cleared her throat, then glanced back up. Cadence stared at her for a few moments more, then relaxed.
“Hm...” Cadence knew something was up, but she didn’t press the matter. “You feel like getting some lunch? I’m starving!”
Fleur giggled, covering her grin with a hoof. With her tail swishing about behind her, she nodded and said, “I thought you would never ask!”
“Great! I used to go to this little place a few blocks away years ago, back when I was still dating Shining; they make the best salads, and if it’s still there, then lunch is on me!” Cadence chirped, placing a wing over Fleur’s back. She looked at the cashier, then said, “Thanks for the necklaces. I hope you have a wonderful day!”
“Thanks, you too, princess!” the mare said, waving goodbye.
Fleur and Cadence walked outside, her mind a flurry of mixed emotions as the softness of Cadence’s feathers did little to lessen her inner turmoil. Since Fancy Pants and I are on the verge of divorce... That thought drove a spike into her heart. And since Cadence is acting a lot more... touchy than usual— “Hm?” she asked, shaking her head.
“I asked if you felt like a salad or something with more substance?” Cadence blushed as she glanced away. “I... I actually feel like devouring a hayburger right now,” she said with a chuckle. “Or maybe three, but don’t tell anypony!”
“I suppose I can cheat on my diet, but only for today,” Fleur said with an ever-widening grin. “And only because you mentioned hayburgers. I haven’t had one since last year!”
Cadence’s eyes went wide in mock shock. “Then we must not dilly-dally; we must go at once!” she said, giggling like a little filly as she tugged Fleur down the street. “Forget that place I mentioned, Shining always took me to this awesome burger joint on the other side of the shopping district. Hehe, my mouth is watering already!”
They trotted down the street without any other words being spoken, though Cadence’s actions kept plaguing Fleur’s thoughts. Her heart squirmed in her chest, torn between Cadence and her husband. Are things okay between them? Fleur thought, thoroughly puzzled as she kept pace with Cadence. Do they have an open marriage...? Ugh! Why does love have to be so complicated? she thought, her ears flicking back.
As they turned the corner, Fleur suddenly stopped, the words on the necklace echoing in her mind as Cadence’s wing slipped up over her head. Surely she must have seen the message on the back of the necklace! Friends don’t buy friends such expensive gifts unless... unless she’s into me. Is this her way of letting me know that she loves me? I... I have to find out! Ignoring everypony else around them, she cleared her throat, making Cadence stop and peer at her with a curious gaze.
“What is it?” Cadence asked.
Fleur gulped as her mouth went horribly dry. “Do you love me, Cadence?” she asked, her tone revealing just how unsure she was of her words. She sat down, trying to hide the fact that she was trembling from her possibly soon-to-be new marefriend.
“Of course I do! What kind of question is that?” Cadence cocked her head to the side as she turned all the way around to face her.
“Well... you’re acting like...” Sweet Celestia, this is it... the make it or break it moment. “Like you’re taking me on a date. You’re taking me out to lunch, and you bought me a necklace in a shop meant for couples about to get married.” She couldn’t help but notice several ponies stop and look their way, curious as to why she was spilling her heart out to one of the princesses. Fleur held up the necklace that sat around her neck and read aloud, “You hold the key to my heart,” then let it go, feeling it settle back down over her heart. The fluttering of a frenzied hope, coupled with the deep uncertainty of such a relationship with the princess of love herself made a nervous shudder move up her frame. With salty, warm tears brimming in her eyes, she said with the bravest voice she could muster, “Since my marriage with Fancy Pants is all but ruined, I... I think I can try a relationship with you, my dearest friend, if... if you are willing,” she choked out. She held out her right hoof, futilely trying to keep it from trembling.
The princess’s heart nearly broke at the gesture. Her friend’s sincere and heartfelt offer was strong enough to redden her cheeks, but with resolve, Cadence flicked her tail once as she sat down in front of her. She took Fleur’s quivering hoof between her forelegs and squeezed. “I... You know I cannot do that, Fleur,” she murmured, choosing her words as carefully as she could. She glanced around, noticing that their audience had grown threefold, hushed whispers running amongst the crowd. Okay... gotta end this quickly and quietly... she thought, wanting nothing more than to preserve her friend’s dignity. Fleur whipped her hoof back, breaking her from her thoughts.
I’ve made a fool of myself in front of all these ponies... What have I done?! Fleur thought as her head darted back and forth. I’ve ruined our friendship... Without another thought, she bolted, pushing her way past the crowd as a need to be alone overwhelmed her.
“Fleur, wait!” Cadence yelled out, holding out a hoof as if it would make her stop running away.
Fleur did not stop.
Cadence trotted through the Canterlot Gardens, looking with gritted teeth and darting eyes for her distraught friend. The pit in her gut was bottomless, and at every failed attempt at finding Fleur, her stomach lurched in nausea, for Fleur wasn’t at her house; the servants had told her that they hadn’t seen her since early that morning. She hoped that she was at their old favorite spot in the gardens; a secluded hill that overlooked the land surrounding the mountain. They had always gone there after school to share gossip and talk about cute colts when they were fillies, and Cadence could think of no other place for Fleur to be.
She crept through the bushes, doing her best to not make a huge racket. She made out the outline of a pony as she neared the clearing, and as she got closer, she saw her friend laying on top of the hill. Cadence emerged from the shrubbery, coughed lightly to announce her presence, then lay down next to Fleur without saying a word.
Minutes passed in silence as they waited for the other to speak up. Does she feel uncomfortable around me or something? she thought, looking at Fleur out of the corner of her eye. Dark mascara ran down her face, no doubt from her tears from earlier. Cadence licked her lips, and after a quick fluff of her wings, she draped one over Fleur’s back and scooted over, pressing her side up against hers.
“I’m so sorry,” Fleur finally said, her voice rough. “I’m such an idiot.”
“It’s okay, Fleur,” Cadence murmured, rubbing her back with her wing. “I’m sorry I made you feel like our little get-together was a date; it was definitely not my intent.” She let loose a soft sigh, then said, “There can never be anything more than friendship between us, but I love you dearly as my friend.”
Fleur nodded, even though her gut still twisted itself into a knot. She wasn’t sure if it was from her feelings or from her hunger. “I understand, but...” She let loose a heavy, defeated sigh. “What am I going to do? About Fancy Pants?” she asked, looking up at Cadence as if she had all the answers.
“You’re going to get your marriage back on course, of course,” Cadence said with confidence, hoping that Fleur would feel as such. “And I know just how to do it.” She lit her horn, using her magic to pull the necklace from around her neck. Holding it up, she admired its sheer beauty for a few moments, then concentrated her magic on it and Fleur’s, pouring as much of her special love magic into them as she could. With the spell complete, she levitated hers in front of Fleur. “You should give him this,” she said, a smile growing on her face as she dropped into her open hooves.
Fleur’s eyes went wide as her ears flicked back. “What? No, that’s yours! I can’t just take it from you like this,” she said, looking up at her with shock.
“Yes, you can, and you will. To me, it’s a beautiful necklace that celebrates our friendship, but to you, it’s the way to rekindle the love between you and Fancy Pants.” Cadence nuzzled Fleur’s cheek, then pulled back. “And to see you and Fancy Pants rekindle that love means a lot more to me than having the necklace.”
“I... I don’t even know what I would say to him.”
“Tell him what you told me: you hold the key to my heart, then give him the necklace and hold onto him tight as if your life and happiness depended on it. I cast a spell on these necklaces, making whoever wears them remember how special their love is for the other. I don’t think it’d work on anyone else, as I had you and him in mind when I cast the spell. Now, I do want to point out that it’s not going to magically make him fall in love with you again; I don’t like influencing others against their will like that. It will simply make him remember,” she said with a playful nudge. “And if my marriage was on the rocks and Shining told me what you should tell Fancy Pants, I would be that same love-struck mare I was again when he first proposed to me. Wouldn’t that feel amazing if you were in his shoes?” Cadence felt her heart throb as she remembered that special moment. Part of her wanted to rush back home to be with him, but she had a marriage to save.
“Y-Yes, I suppose,” Fleur said, her voice regaining a bit of hopefulness and confidence. “Are you sure you want to give me this, though? You spent so much on me already...”
“I am one-hundred percent certain. At the very least, it’ll get you two on the same page. Take things slowly, maybe go on a few casual dates, and above all else, make sure he knows that he’s the only stallion for you. Stallions like to know that they’re appreciated, after all.”
“They certainly do... and this might just work.” Fleur wrapped her hoof around the necklace, then wrapped her forelegs around Cadence’s neck. “Thank you so much, Cadence... You have no idea how much this means to me,” she said, tears of hopeful joy streaming down her face.
“It is my pleasure, Fleur.” Cadence returned her friend’s hug, then let loose a content sigh from a job well done.
“Hehe, you know... I wish that I had saved my little outburst until after lunch,” Fleur said, feeling her stomach grumble. “I’m positively starving,” she said with a groan.
“Good thing I stopped at the hayburger place and got some food to go before I came looking for you, then,” Cadence said with a laugh as she pulled out a couple of tinfoil-wrapped burgers for them. “I had a hunch that you were pretty hungry.” She tossed one to Fleur and opened hers up, a tantalizing smell teasing her nostrils. “Just don’t tell Shining I ate one; he’d get so jealous!”