The dinner was a cause of celebration. Cadence had been found by her foalnapers and has been returned safely after being gone for several weeks. It was a dinner that was after all the pomp and circumstance that gave the heroes of finding her, those heroes being Sherlock Hooves and John Trotson.
At the table that had the finest silver, china, and crystal glasses that only royalty could afford sat five ponies: Cadence, her husband, Princess Twilight, Sherlock, and Trotson were all eating away at the appetizers.
Sherlock wasn't known to enjoy himself when it came to other ponies, that being in a small group, in public or anywhere else, he didn't really enjoy being around ponies in general, so he did the next best thing, he observed.
“It’s so good to have you back here again,” Shining said, giving his wife a quick and predictable kiss. Sherlock rolled his eyes but Twilight caught his attention when her cheekbone and her left ear twitched. He raised an eyebrow.
“And I’m glad you were able to come back safe and sound.” Twilight smiled, whilst raising a hoof for the waiter to bring some more wine. He saw that near the tip that there was a small cut. A paper cut from several hours ago. Her eyes were a little red, perhaps from lack of sleep until just recently. As the waiter poured her a glass, Twilight adjusted her necklace (that matched the earrings she was wearing) a little.
“Consider yourselves extremely lucky that you were able to contact us.” Trotson said politely, “And to find her highness just in time as well.”
“Once again, I thank you for that,” Cadence replied. “But for the past several hours I have been thinking, but I still can’t put my hoof on how you do it?”
“Do what?” Sherlock asked.
“How were you able to figure out where I was taken to?”
“Deduction, simple detection was all.”
“How was it simple?”
“Your Highness, all the clues as to where you were was right there out in the open, the trick is to look.”
“But you were just able to pick up details that were microscopic,” Shining pointed out.
“I know, it’s the tiniest of details that can tell you everything. Take Trotson here,” Sherlock turned to his partner. “Look at the uniform he’s wearing, there’s still folded creases which indicates that he hasn't worn them since his military service. His proper, upright stature suggests that he’s showing respect from a military standpoint. His mane was combed and gelled heavily, trying to keep his appearance sharp throughout the ceremony and most likely this dinner.”
“But Sherlock,” Cadence stopped him. “You and Trotson have been working together for some years and I think you might have already known him by now. So what about somepony that you haven’t met, say, Twilight for example, what can you deduce from her?”
“Um, your majesty,” Trotson said in alarm. “I’m not sure if that’s a-”
“Oh come on, it gives me something to do.” Sherlock interrupted.
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“But they want to see it done.”
“But not with these ponies.”
“I wouldn't mind.” Twilight piped up.
“See, she said she wouldn't mind.” Sherlock retorted.
“Well… Alright, fine.” Trotson turned to the purple alicorn, “Just remember; you agreed to this.” And with that, he leaned back in his seat ready for the upcoming fireworks that were about to begin.
“Your Highness,” Sherlock said, turning his attention to Twilight, “Would you please stand up from your seat for a moment?”
Twilight said she wouldn't mind at all and stood up beside her chair. Sherlock got up to examine the purple princess. Taking in the details about the jewelry, the mane style, her facial features, he even sniffed the air around her before turning back to his seat.
“To begin with,” Sherlock said as Twilight retook her seat at the table. “You have been up reading late last night.”
Shining laughed, “Well that’s no secret.” But Sherlock ignored him and continued his deduction, “Your red eyes suggest that you not only do reading but very heavy reading that you had probably had spent long hours on. Now, normally I would say that the red eyes were due to the amount of stress considering the foalnapping until I saw the cut on your right hoof. A paper cut that must have been made between ten to twelve hours ago.”
“Well, very good,” Trotson said. “I think you should sto-”
“And just by looking at you, I've already deduced who your special somepony is.” This statement that Sherlock made had gotten all the attention from not only from the entire table but from the whole room of the staff that was present.
“W-What?” Twilight asked.
“Twilight! That’s wonderful!” Cadence said happily, “Who is it?”
“I think it’s rather obvious your majesties,” Sherlock said before continuing back to his deduction. “The jewelry was a near give-a-way. Now in all of the pictures I've ever seen with Princess Twilight, outside of her crowns, she almost never wears any jewelry. And never at such a level of extravagance either. Next, her mane, as well as her tail, has not only been trimmed and combed but it’s all done very recently judging by the small pieces of her hair on her coat. And then, there’s the perfume, the smell of lilac and roses can be only traced to one particular brand. Floral and Fonda, which is one of the most expensive brands on the planet. Now, with all of this, why would a mare put on the best jewelry, shows off the best mane cut and wears expensive perfume? It’s because she wants to impress somepony. But who? Again, the jewelry provides a clue, pink diamonds, yellow gemstones, amethysts, and rubies.” At this point, Twilight was increasingly getting more and edgier the further that Sherlock spoke.
“As well does the perfume, especially when it’s meant for a mare.”
“A mare?” Shining asked.
“Twilight has made it clear, especially in her coronation that the flower of choice was lilac. Considering its tradition that royals should be surrounded by their favorite flower during their coronation. Luna was, of course, moonflowers, Celestia with lilies, and Cadence with-”
“Roses.” Cadence finished his sentence, her eyes widen.
“Correct. And finally, there’s the twitching. Whenever Cadence and her husband show affection, there’s always that twitch. I saw it during the ceremony, our walk to this room and especially at this very table. I could have written it off as a nervous tick but that wouldn't make sense considering the events of today. So if the jewelry, the mane cut, and the perfume were to show signs of anything, it would say that the twitches are a sign of jealousy. But why would Twilight be jealous? And from whom? The fact that you’re here within an hour after Cadence have been found; the fact that the whole ‘Sunshine’ dance seems to indicate that you two probably know each other for a very long time; and the fact that out of all the ponies in not only here but throughout all the media that Twilight is much closer to Cadence then even Celestia has left me with a conclusion. She’s actually in love with Cadence but couldn't admit it because she’s already married to her brother. Hence, that’s where the jealousy has sprung from.”
Sherlock turned back to Twilight, “So your majesty, am I wrong?”
Splash!
Twilight threw her drink at Sherlock’s face. Even when dripping, Sherlock wore a smug on his face.
“He’s right,” Twilight said, tearing up. “I… I’m so sorry.”
And with that, Twilight ran out of the door.
“Twiley! Come back!” Shining called out as he and his wife got up from the table.
“Now see what you've done?” Trotson asked.
_*_
Cadence and Shining Armor now stood in front of one of the guest rooms that Twilight was in, where they could hear her cries through the door.
“Shining, I want to talk to her.”
“But I’m her brother.”
“I know, but this time, I think I want to talk with her. I’ll call you when I need you.”
“If you say so,” Cadence reached for the door. But before she could open it, Shining added: “Just be careful with her.”
Nodding, she opened the door. “Twilight?” She stuck her head in to find Twilight, still with the jewelry on, was crying uncontrollably on her bed. Cadence quietly made her way towards the bed, taking a seat next to her. Putting a hoof on her head, she said, “There there Twilight. I’m not mad at you in the slightest. It’s alright.”
“N-N-No i-it isn't!”
“Twilight, it is. As I said, I’m not mad at you. In a way, I’m rather flattered.”
The purple alicorn looked up, “As well as a little confused.” Cadence added, “Twiley, why didn't you tell me before? Was it because I fell in love with Shining?”
She nodded, “You two were just so… happy. Shining was happy when you’re around as the exact same as you are with him. Cadence… I wanted to say something. I wanted to tell you how amazing of not just as a princess, but what an amazing pony you are. You are the kindest, sweetest and even the most caring pony I've ever known, and considering I’m friends with Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity, that says a lot. I was going to tell you, but…”
“But, what?”
“What if I get in the way?” Twilight asked, looking her straight in eyes, “What if I become a bother to you and make things difficult for Shining? What if you never felt that way towards me? What if…” Cadence gave Twilight a hug as she once again burst an ocean of tears.
“Twilight, I, first of all, I think that you still should have given me a clue about your feelings towards me. Second, I do care for my Shining, but as a princess of love, all I can say is that you have one of a few choices to choose from. Either you let me help you move on so that you’ll be able to find somepony else to make you happy.”
“Or?”
“Or, since you’re an alicorn now, you could wait. Shining, though I love him deeply, I know that one day, your brother will not be around anymore. And when that dark day comes, maybe you can help me back into the light, to show that I can love again. I can’t make this choice for you, so you’ll have to decide on your own. Okay?”
Twilight nodded.
“Now then, shall we get back to dinner?”
