“I really wish Rosemary could join us,” Cloudy said with a sigh, glancing down the hallway towards her now open lover’s bedroom before ducking back into Collar’s room and closing the door. It was easier to think of it as a bedroom than a prison cell when she thought about Rosemary. “She’s more of a guest anymore than a prisoner.”

“It’s going to be strange enough with the two of us going together but separately to a social event,” Collar replied, glancing at her and plainly wanting to come closer to her, to do more. Kiss her like he usually did before they went out. Then his eyes wandered to the gold band sitting on the jewelry platter in front of his mirror in the bathroom. By itself, it meant little among the other bits and baubles on the tray. Wearing it.

“You should wear it. Screw the theatrics.”

“I would, but I’m quite happy to drop that stone on Roseate’s head at the right time,” Collar said, using a spell to shift the ring about, then shuffled it under a chain that belonged to one of the official roles he rarely took up. “I do like how Rosewater’s revelation threw Roseate off at first. It gave us a few weeks of her being uncertain before she tried anything else.”

Cloudy hid a sigh behind a smile and butted her head against his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re married, you know that, but I can’t see the reason behind the deception.”

“We can’t have Roseate resign as soon as we announce without Rosewater having a foal to hold her position.” Collar shook his head slowly. “We don’t know that Rosary would be any better than Roseate.”

Cloudy grunted. “I think you should roll the dice.”

“I know. And, if things fall out other than how we plan, we will.” Collar rolled a shoulder in a shrug far more casual than she knew he was feeling. “But today… today is a happy day. Ponies need to see the three of us friends, despite the change in apparent relationship. They need to see that I am not resentful to you, and you need to see that you don’t resent her.”

“That part, I can do. I don’t resent her. Or you.” Cloudy shook her head. “Just the acting.”

“I know.” Collar kissed her cheek lightly, lingered, and laid his chin on her head when she didn’t respond. “It won’t be for long. And I don’t resent you or Rosemary. I’m glad things worked out as they have, actually.”

Cloudy spent a moment studying her mane from different angles in the mirror. “I’m not sure I am.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to be, to be honest.” Collar’s voice thrummed through her skull, quiet as it was. “That uncompromising openness is the reason I fell in love with you in the first place.”

“I thought it was my charming smile,” Cloudy purred, leaning against him. “You do know how to flatter a mare.”

Collar chuckled, then sighed and kissed the top of her head. “It’s okay, isn’t it? That I’m asking you to not be so open right now? With either me or Rosewater.”

“I’m going to treat her as a friend. In the spirit of Merrie.” Cloudy stepped away from the mirror and nipped his shoulder. “I won’t tell anyone we’re already lovers, but I’m not going to treat her like she isn’t.”

“I know.” Collar let out a long breath, not quite a sigh. “I’m really looking forward to our camping expedition.” He held open the door for her, then closed and locked it as they left. “When were you planning to go scout for us?”

“Tomorrow. Or the day after.” Cloudy shrugged her wings and ruffled her feathers. “The weather this year is wilder than usual. Even the Primfeathers are having a time trying to wrangle clouds.”

“As long as we can leave for our trip in a week or two, I’ll be happy. Be sure to let Rosewater know as soon as you’ve found a spot as well.”

“You don’t want to tell her?”

“Oh, I do, but I want you to be seen being friendly with her, Cloudy. On your own, and not just because you and I are… were—”

“Are.”

“Are lovers.”

Cloudy held back repeating herself, flattened her ears, and glanced around the hall. Only a few servants were around, and Collar’s voice had been low enough that none of them had likely heard. Repeating it in the open… repeating it when she knew he knew…

“I’ll tell her. I’ll have to let the bridge guards in on the fact that I’m acting as a go-between, though. I can’t just fly to the Garden and not cause trouble.” She waved a hoof in the air, marking a line that she immediately crossed. “They might be separate from Merrie in quite a few ways, but the laws still hold sway there.”

Collar sighed and nodded. “I know. Which way do you think you’ll look? Out east is, well, apparently some new settlements.”

“North. Far enough to be outside of the city’s patrol area. I don’t want you to have to worry about visitors, Collar.”

“Makes sense. Close enough that the wild beasts in the area aren’t tempted by a fire, though. If it’s a regular summer patrol stop, that’s fine. Nopony’s going to venture that far during the winter.”

Not unless they have orders to, Cloudy thought, glancing at him. Or are pushed to by other powers in the city.

He nodded as if he could read her thoughts. “Just make sure it’s nice. I don’t want to have to set up a tent on a bunch of roots or rubble.”

“He doesn’t ask for much, does he?” Cloudy grumbled.

“Only the best.” He winked at her, reminding her of the other part of the plan. The part they could in no way share in a public space. Not in Damme, at least.

She sighed internally and grumbled at him. “Fine. Only the best.”

Rosewater stared at the small vial of light gold, wrinkling her nose as she swirled it around, mixing the chemicals and intensifying the smell until she could make out the most subtle of notes in it. She hated this part of trying to figure out what part of her cycle she was in.

But she needed to know. Especially for tonight. She glanced at her companion, helping her and making sure she was ‘alone’ and not entertaining a stallion.

Petal, beside her, frowned and raised her nose briefly. “I don’t think so. I remember when I was helping Silver. Or, rather, helping mother help Silver. Is that the right reagent?”

“It is. I’ve prepared it enough times for others. Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t mistaking it.” Rosewater sighed and poured the vial out into a bucket and followed it with a caustic neutralizing agent, thankfully clearing the air. “It’s surprising how many times ponies come to a perfumier for help with identifying a scent.”

Petal rolled her eyes and snorted. “Fine. Point made. Are you done stinking up the greenhouse?”

“If I could do this in an outhouse, I would,” Rosewater grumbled. “But I need to be sure.”

She dropped the silencing spell from the glass walls, letting in the muted bustle of the garden during the morning back in. Laughter and the creaking of wagon axles and wheels dominated as ponies prepared to make the trek along the riverwalk to the Primrose bridge.

“Still going with the plan for tonight?”

“I am. The weather is still going to be pretty bad. Even if I wasn’t trying to make up an excuse to stay over, I wouldn’t want to be out in the sleet.”

“Sleet tonight. Stars.” Petal shivered. “I’ll have to send a warming brazier to the bridge guards. They’ll appreciate it, I’m sure.”

“It’ll be gone before morning, Bliss tells me. Warm front from Canterlot way coming up along the coast. But it will probably be the last one.” Rosewater put away the reagent, a silty compound made from a particular type of river clay that intensified certain scents. It made collecting the stuff an odiferous task, but a necessary one, as it was used often enough for more mundane reasons, including to make sure drinking water was uncontaminated. “I need to drop this off before I go to the bridge. Anypony would figure out what I’m trying to do with it if they smelled it on me.”

“If anypony doesn’t already suspect, they’re blinder than bats in a blizzard.” Petal shook her head, sighed, and opened a box near the door. “Drop it in here. It won’t look amiss, and Seed uses enough of it to make a little more not that odd seeming.”

“Thank you, but I need a certain purity. I don’t suppose a certain somepony lurking behind a hedge would mind taking it to my room?” She asked the door.

Zephyrine’s squeak was all she needed to confirm the fragrance she’d caught wafting in on the hocks of the neutralizing agent. A moment later, the young mare, with her ears flat almost to her skull, opened the door.

“I, um. Thought it was odd that Seed’s greenhouse was so quiet. I didn’t hear anything, honest.”

“I know,” Rosewater said gently, holding out the small pouch. “You’re a part of our circle already, Zephy. Can you take this to my room? Petal and I need to head out to the bridge before the Garden delegation leaves.”

“Oh. Of course.” She hedged after putting the bag inside her travel pouch. “So… are you?”

Rosewater laughed and flirted her tail. “No. Not now. But I think I am close. Maybe another week or two.” She winked. “Not that that won’t stop me from having fun.”

Zephirine’s coat shivered and she stamped a hind hoof.

“Don’t tease her. She’s been literally itching to see a certain mare again. And she doesn’t even know her name.”

“Petal!” Zephirine cried, then dropped her voice, cheeks flushed and hissed, “Stars, do you want her to find out?”

“Unless she’s landing right behind you just this instant, I highly doubt your mystery mare will hear of it, Zephy,” Rosewater said more gently. “Would you like me to try and find out her name for you?”

“Could you?”

“I could try.” Rosewater gave the younger mare a light nuzzle against the cheek. “The rest would be up to you.”

“Oh. Yes. Please. I-I know it’s up to me.” Zephirine straightened herself and ruffled her wings. “I just want a chance to get to know her. She was so… stars, her feathers!” Her wings ruffled again, pale pink plumage fluttering, the tips fading to a darker pink like her mane. “I want to get tips on how she keeps her plumage so… vibrant.”

Petal laughed brightly, flicking her tail against the younger mare’s hip. “And maybe that talk can lead to more?”

“I mean… I can hope. I know she’s a Dammer, though, so I’d just be happy to be friends and maybe grooming friends?” Zephirine looked so hopeful Rosewater’s heart almost melted.

“I suppose if I see her, I can let her know your platonic interest,” Rosewater hedged carefully. “Can you describe her in fifty strides or less?” She nodded towards the archway leading out towards the village.

By the time they reached the archway, Rosewater had enough information to actually identify the mare. Sunrise was one of her Mares in Waiting, but she would need to let Sunrise know and ask her permission to share her name with Zephirine.

Stars, who knows. Maybe Sunrise is just as smitten. For all she knew, they’d only ever seen each other once. But she’d heard of quicker ‘falling in love’ stories. Or, at least, falling in fascination.

At the arch, Dazzle, Prism, and Tremor were waiting, all three of them in what could generously be called Garden Guard vestments, the tabards used for the various festivals acting as impromptu guardspony’s uniforms.

They stood at attention, each one with a day bag slung over their shoulders and hanging against their barrel in exactly the same position, bulging in nearly the same ways for each of them, with the difference being Tremor’s thicker, shorter bag built for an earth pony.

“At ease,” Rosewater said softly. “I trust no other duties for today had to be overlooked to take up guard duty, Lieutenant Dazzle?”

He saluted after the Merrier style, hoof to breast and head bowed slightly. “No, my lady. I made sure replacements for our regular duties were found and informed before evening yesterday.”

“Good. I am ready. Let’s make this look good, please. We’re representing the Garden and Merrie today. I doubt my mother will make an appearance, but if she does, I want no trouble.”

“Stars, it’s good to see you taking your place as the Lady Heir,” Petal murmured against her ear. “Do you still need me, or should I look forward to Seed being a lazy lump when he arrives?”

Rosewater laughed. “There’s a difference?”

“Well, he’ll either be a late lazy lump, or an on time lazy lump.”

Prism snickered. “Best go back and kick him out of bed.”

“You might be surprised. He actually got up at dawn this morning. Something about being excited to see his auntie go on a real romantic outing.”

“Did… did he drink so much he forgot about the gala?” Rosewater asked in a low voice, trying to hide the grin.

“Well. No, not as such. But he did have his own distractions to keep his attention. The sneak.” Petal smiled and looked over her shoulder before the group started out. “So, you’re serious about the guard.”

“I am.” She didn’t elaborate and didn’t need to out in the open. That she’d said it aloud at all without a silencing spell risked it getting back to her mother. But she wanted it to. The more understanding that there would be a stalemate, she hoped that the stalemate would continue. “I would appreciate it if I could hire them on a more permanent basis.”

Dazzle cleared his throat, stopped himself, and fell back into line.

“Dazz, please,” Rosewater said gently, stopping to let him catch up, “You’re more than just a guard. You’re a friend.”

“I know, I just wanted to add that I’d volunteer my time—” He held up a hoof when she started to object. “—within reason. I mean, if you’re low on funds. I’m not going to object to being paid to do a job, but I also won’t leave you hanging just because I didn’t get paid for a couple hours.”

“Same,” Prism said, grinning. “I mean, waking up in bed with you is already pretty rewarding.”

Rosewater snorted a laugh and nipped her neck lightly. “Stars, Prism.” A quick glance at Dazzle showed a friendly smile and no hint of jealousy. She was sure he’d had a chat with Prism before, and likely with Petal and Seed as well. It still felt…

You’ve declared for Collar. You can’t be with another stallion. It made it easier to push the guilt aside and accept that she had to, for now, imagine she was trying to follow a Dammer’s mores for courtship.

Tremor grinned and shrugged when both of her other guards flicked a look at him. “Civic duty,” he said simply.

“So.” Petal pranced for a few paces, high-stepping and clicking her hooves against the road. “I am certainly looking forward to today. A certain pegasus is supposed to be there. A kind pegasus. A brave one, even.”

“Oh?”

“He actually came to us. And he was so polite and so very earnest. I think you’d like him, ‘Water. And he’s the one.”

“Oh, stars!” Rosewater gasped, feigning surprise and certain she looked like an idiot with her terrible acting. “He was at the gala? I asked Collar, as you asked, but I couldn’t get anything out of him and didn’t want to push.”

“He was!” Petal leaned in closer. “And he’s a well… maybe I shouldn’t say it so open. I’d rather not get him in trouble. But, stars, it gives me hope that even a—” Petal hummed loudly and grimaced. “Stars! I’m sure you saw him there. You know who it was?”

“I did and I do!”

Inanity and small talk were relatively easy to manage, meant nothing but let her keep up the story that she was unaware of Stride’s identity, and was just talking about nothing as they made their way down the river walk during the morning rush.

Ponies of all walks of life and color made their way along the smooth stones, the chill of the river water’s mist and the low susurrus of its flow over the rocks along the bank and against the pilings for the bridges was a calming, cathartic soundscape to walk through. It was one reason why, when she’d been keeping her schedule from estate to perfumier, she made sure to walk with her ponies.

Even if she was alone in her walk, she wasn’t alone.

Now, she was even less alone than she had been, and the difference was tangible. Her steps felt lighter as she laughed and joked with her friends about the days past, dreamt about the day to come, and made promises for the day.

Her one true plan, she kept to herself and away from the prying ears listening to her every word. No doubt Crown was getting bored listening to her make small talk and playing to a narrative she was trying to build of a mare in love, but taking it slowly with a lover from a culture whose mores spoke to building a rapport between partners over a long period of time, building equity in a relationship before making love.

For her, for most of the city of Merrie, making love was simply a part of the emotional landscape for friends and life partners.

At some point, she would either have to feign frustration with Collar’s mores, which wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense because Cloudy and Collar had been making love since almost the beginning of their relationship.

By the time they made it to the Primrose bridge and the impromptu fairgrounds set up on either side of it, Rosewater had run out of things to make small talk about. The weather was as well-trampled as she could make it, and the goings on of the garden, who was declaring for whom for the winter months, and the new relationships and pregnancies in the village were all small bits of gold in the day.

It makes me wonder why I wanted to stay away. The threat of Roseate, of course, but what was a storm to the Garden but a temporary setback. Life would always go on, and all she’d done was deprive herself.

But no more. “When do you think Silver will declare? And which of her husbands?”

“That was never a guess on whom, love,” Petal said, sticking out her tongue before rearing up to walk on hind hooves for a few steps, one forehoof braced on Rosewater’s shoulder. “The real guesswork and bets the bookies are taking is when you are going to declare for Collar.”

“Who says I’m going to make the first move?” Rosewater said with a giggle. “He’s been making the moves, not I, Petal. It’s actually very refreshing not to be the one leading the dance. Even if I do make little hints now and then. He often surprises me with what he does with those hints.”

“And you surprise him, as well?”

“Of course! Our courtship started with a surprise, after all. He expected me to demand, and instead I offered a secret. I still remember the look of surprise on his face when I told him Rosemary and my true relationship.”

“Well then, you’ll be surprised to know that Collar is already here. And so is Cloudy.”

Hardly surprising at all. “Oh? With Cloudy?”

“You’re not going to turn all the way into a Dammer, are you?”

“No, I’m just wondering…” Rosewater smiled thinly and shrugged one shoulder. “I just wonder why, is all. Is she here because there’s no hard feelings, or because of other reasons? She is still in love with my daughter.”

“Oh.” Petal’s ears flicked back, then snapped forward. “Oh! You think she’s going to ask permission? Like a Dammer would?”

“I doubt it. Not openly at least.” Rosewater cocked her head as if listening to something. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if she wanted to try and smooth things over by being congenial. Collar, at least, might still be feeling chafed at needing to forego his relationship with her.”

“And understandably. He was with her for… a year and a half? I’m surprised they haven’t already had babies.”

She’s afraid of what motherhood means. “As I understand it, things were… complicated. But if she’s here now as a part of a social event with Collar, it means she wants to make it clear she doesn’t mean me any ill will.”

“Oh. Well.” Petal coughed. “I wouldn’t think that needed to be stated.”

“Not for me, for her city and the ponies that accepted her.” Ahead of them, the outer edge of the festival was picked out as flags attached to stakes, and beyond it temporary pavilions in a riot of pinks, reds, and whites marked out the Merrier space. Not a lick of blue to be seen aside from incidentally in coats and manes or tails. “This is really the only way she can cross the river anymore. I wonder if her family will be here, too.”

“I have no doubt they wish they could,” Dazzle murmured on her other side. “But the little bit of information we got from intelligence before I left suggested they were threatened to never speak to her again in the open.”

That won’t do. Rosewater flicked her tail and nodded. “Thank you, Dazzle.” She glanced at Petal next and fuzzed the air around them for a brief moment. “See what you can do to bring them to the Garden. I will pay to house them in one of the guest suites if we must.”

“Yes, my lady,” Petal replied with a smiled, her eyes glinting and head rising more proudly.

The look said, It’s good to have a Lady again.

Fragrances too rich and too varied for Collar to make sense of flowed through the tents like rivers of delight, enticing him to follow one and the next, and the next to its source and sample the wine, the pastry, or the savory roasted delight giving off the wickedly magical aroma.

He even caught sight of a chandler through the maze of tents, a pair of candles burning on either side of the tent in glass bowls that both protected the flame and concentrated the scent for an errant breeze to pick up and send on its way.

Cloudy at his side was dancing her way from stall to stall, following the impulses he pushed aside, laughing with the vendors and only occasionally pausing to make a purchase. Purchases she would have to find some way to keep low-key, or he would have to exert his influence to allow her to keep them.

Or she’s buying them for Rosewater, you ninny. Still, watching her partake while doing his best not to seem like her lover anymore, which frustrated him more than he wanted to admit to anyone, let alone himself, was a balm to his soul. The last trade event, during the spring, had been one she’d stared at from a rooftop, occasionally twitching, and clearly wanting to go down to participate.

Except her association with him had prevented her from partaking as she’d wished.

When she came back with yet another small parcel bulging out the space in her small day bag, beaming, he almost kissed her. That smile, always that smile. He felt its counterpart on his lips and nudged her shoulder instead.

“You’re enjoying yourself.”

“Stars above, yes. Collar, I have missed this more than I can say. This is…” She worked her jaw, the smile in her eyes fading somewhat. He could almost see the words she wanted to say etched into her coat. “I want her to see I’m not upset at her. I’m… glad. Very glad. That she’s courting you, Collar. In the open, I mean. I can do things for her. Like buy her something thoughtful.”

It was another reminder just how close the difference between friend, lover, and married partner were. In most cases, there was no difference. Friends and lovers were the same, and married partners were just the two words combined with a little string of law.

And he could help her with that deception. “Well. As this is the first time I’ve been able to indulge in the same with a mare who’s able to take things home with her… could you help me pick out a few items before she arrives? If it wouldn’t be—”

“Yes! Stars, yes, Collar. Let me help you!”

He laughed and nipped her neck lightly. “Alright, don’t make me force you into it or anything.”

They backtracked, and he actually allowed himself to follow some of the scents that inspired thoughts of Rosewater. One of the candles from the chandler, smelling like a bath of rose syrup drowning a pile of apples, he bought right away, and spent several minutes with the jittering young mare that ran the stall discussing what else he could buy for her.

She guided him again and again to a white candle that had little smell to it, but she insisted would bring him dreams, which wasn’t the direction he was going for until Cloudy butted in.

“Dreams of her, ninny,” she chided him, giving the mare a smile. “You’re Roselyn, right? Roselyn Dream?”

“And you’re Cloudy Rosewing,” Roselyn confirmed, grinning. “Yes.” Her eyes darted from her to Collar and back again. “Tell him to buy it.”

“I’m trying to buy things for her. I can’t very well buy scent magic to bring home with me.”

“Nothing magical at all about this candle. Unless you happen to have a scent mage to activate the fragrance. Otherwise… well. I’m told it brings…” Roselyn glanced around and leaned in closer. “Romantic dreams.”

His tail twitched, flicked, and he had to force down imagery of Rosewater baring herself to him. Later, boy. “Oh? And if it is activated?” Perhaps Rosemary might be able to help. Or enjoy the candle when Rosewater wasn’t with him.

“Mmm. I think I’d rather have you find out on your own.” She gave him a sly wink and pushed the candle across the counter towards him. “But you’d better not be sleeping when you do.”

Again, he pushed down images of Rosewater standing over him, her eyes heated, the scent of sex heavy in the attic air. Their plan for tonight. He hoped she’d bring the cards.

Roselyn grinned all the wider.

“Fine. I’ll buy the candle for myself.”

“Good stallion,” Cloudy murmured against his ear.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

Vine straightened her neck and nodded. Too stiff. She tried to relax and nod again, and felt like her head was on the end of a reed whipping in the wind. “I-I need to, Silk. This is a chance to approach him openly and with reason.”

“You’re still going to talk to Seed instead of Collar?”

“I thought we agreed going to Collar was too risky.”

“It is. I just wanted to make sure you remembered, Vine.” Silk gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I… I worry, Vine. I want to…”

“Keep me safe.” Vine felt her cheeks heat at the thought, and bobbed her head slightly. Better. She did feel better when Silk was there to keep her safe, to look after her. The weaker sister. The damaged sister. “I need to do this, Silk. I can’t keep hiding behind you. Stars know…” I want to. “She can’t keep hurting me by threatening you. This is something I can do to make that happen, Silk. Please, don’t worry about me. If something goes wrong, I can pull a Glory and let myself get captured. Or something. I don’t know yet.”

“Stars, Vine, you’re only going to the commerce event. You’re not raiding Damme at rutting noon.” Silk nipped her neck lightly and nudged her towards the door. “Please, do be careful, though. I’ll have dinner ready when you get home.”

It was almost as if they were married. No! Stop it! She flinched away from the thought.

“Family can still have dinner together, Vine,” Silk said gently. “We need to move past this… wrongness. We need to trust somepony to help us, who won’t immediately tell everyone.”

“I know. Which is why I have to do this. For us, Silk. So we can be sisters. Good sisters.” Vine cinched the strap on her day bag for the fourth time, checked the straps were straight twice more, and gave herself a pinch on the rear to push her out the door.

“Have fun!” SIlk called from behind her. “Oh! See if you can find any of those snap-cakes they sell in Damme. I’ve had a craving.”

Vine chuckled and added that to her mental list, went over it again, murmuring to herself as she dodged around ponies automatically, giving them all a few tails’ length. The crowd at the event…

She wasn’t looking forward to it.

Author's Note

I apologize for the late chapter. The words have not been coming quite so easily, and work has been especially busy and mentally draining this last week.