The weeks passed. Stag took Ambrosia on one date every week, and visited nearly every other day.

A change happened in Ambrosia's behavior. Fewer and fewer individuals went missing after going into the Everfree, and Ambrosia's subjects began mingling with Ponyville residents.

It was now Midsummer's Eve, and Stag was preparing for his weekly date.

"Turning into quite a Casanova, aren't you?"

Stag looked at Double.

"Double, I promise you, I could never love her like I do you."

Double smirked. "I know."

During the entire time since receiving the news, Double had been... really indifferent to the whole matter, a rather shocking thing to some of her pony friends.

Naturally, these friends were fairly high-ranking members of the Equestrian Guard: Barricade, Night Shade, and Harbinger, Captains of the Pegasus, Night, and Earth Pony Guard, respectively.^

~Several Weeks Ago~

At the table where Double and her friends played a weekly game of cards, Harbinger was silent. The old earth pony stallion stared at the changeling mare. But it was Barricade who spoke first.

"So, let's see if I have this right..." the massive yellow and pink mare paused. "Due to some sort of old changeling practice, the prince, your HUSBAND, has to sleep with another mare and get her pregnant?"

Double peered over the top of her cards. "Yep."

Night Watch put down a three of a kind. "And you're just okay with that?"

Double put down a royal flush, adding the bits on the table to her winnings. "Why wouldn't I be? It's not like they're getting married. Besides, doesn't Equestrian law say a stallion can have up to 10 members in a herd?"

Harbinger began dealing out the cards again. "Yes, but few stallions actually go so far as to do that. Most only have one, and I've never heard of a stallion having more than three."

Double looked at her cards. "Look, it's different. This is the sort of spice we have to help strengthen our bond. We've been married 200 years. Some go on romantic retreats, I let Stag have free periods where he gets to sleep with some changeling or earth pony mares."

Barricade placed her bet on the table. "So why is he so nervous about this time?"

Double placed her own bet. " Because this wasn't one of our 'free periods'."

Night Shade placed a few bits down. "...Wait, earth ponies?"

Double looked at the noctral mare, reading any facial cues. "Yeah. It's a turn-on for him when we roleplay."

Harbinger grimaced as he placed his own bet. "A little too much information, Double."

"Sorry."

Double won again, and Night Shade was out of bits. She glared at the changeling mare, currently disguised as a slenderpony mare.

If she had any facial features, Double would have smiled. "There's no rules against changing into a species with the ultimate poker face."

~

Stag arrived back from the date, and promptly trudged up to his room. Double was waiting. Stag sighed.

"It's happening tomorrow."

Double looked up from her book.

"Nervous?"

"Yeah..."

"Don't be. I know just how to get you ready."

"How could you..." Stag's voice trailed off as he noticed Double's attire. It was a green negligée, perfect on her body.

"Come, my king. I'll make sure you're relaxed by tomorrow."

Author's Note

^She of course had met other higher ranking officers in the guard, she just had never formed a close friendship with them. Among them were:

Nathriel, Captain of the Night Vanguard

Blade Dancer, Colonel-in-Chief of the Solar Guard

Contessa Svelteyanka ‘Svelte’ Philomela Von Nocturne, Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Guardians of the Night and Captain of Her Highness Princess Luna’s Royal Bodyguard.

Ironsides Portcullis, Head of the General Staff of the Royal Guardians of the Peace

and Britannia Whinneyvere Buckingham-McScone, Captain of the Royal Equestrian Expeditionary Force, Lieutenant Warder of the Royal Treasure Vaults and Night Commander of Princess Luna’s Ancient Order of the Nocturnal Realm.