Flare of Hope

"Now, Flare. You must remember that in public, you have to carry yourself like royalty. Especially now that everypony knows who you are."

"Fuck that, I'm buying an apple!" Without even a second thought, he was gone, leaving the two mares to their respective facehooves at the unconventional, reluctant royalty.

"So, Miss Star," Cadance started, as they followed Flare's path at a much slower pace than the stallion, "I hear that you and my cousin were rather close, before the two of you came to Equestria. Is that true?"

Star nodded, keeping pace with Cadance. "Yes, your highness. We were actually much closer than we are, now."

Cadance laughed. "Oh? Because the two of you seemed to be rather close, last night, in the study."

The unicorn's face turned a deep red, as her eyes went wide. "How... How do you know about that?"

Cadance shuddered slightly. "Bad luck. Don't worry, I won't tell anypony about you two."

Star's cheeks held their red tinge. "With all due respect, Princess, if you know about us, then why did you bring Flare's courtship up at breakfast?"

Cadance smiled. "Please, just call me Cadance. And I brought it up, because I know that the sooner the two of you come out about your relationship, the better it will be for both of you. Trust me. I just wasn't exactly expecting my aunt's reaction."

"To be honest, I was surprised, as well. I mean she took to the idea rather quickly. And now, I've got to worry about Twilight Sparkle trying to take him."

Cadance giggled softly. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that, Star. I think Flare has a bit more sense than to go after another mare. Besides, why would he, when he has such a wonderful advisor. And I must say, you are quite the jewel of an advisor. Very focused. Very diligent. Now, I won't ask you to do anything about his attitude. You're a powerful magician, but nopony's a miracle worker."

Star giggled along with the princess. "Thank you for your praise, Cadance. I try my best. And as for Flare's attitude, I wouldn't even try to change him. I think his actions make him more appealing to the public. Like a lovable Joe Everypony. Plus this is exactly how I always knew him. He can be very passionate about anything that is important to him."

"So you think that's why he's harbored his feelings for you, this long?"

"Maybe. I just hope nothing bad happens to him. I mean, what if he gets hurt?"

"You're in love with him, aren't you, Star?"

Once more, the blue unicorn's cheeks turned bright red. "Well, I... um..."

"That's definitely a yes. Does he know?"

"Well... no. I've wanted to tell him, but I've just been so afraid to. And I don't even know why."

"Well, don't worry. I won't tell him, and I won't tell anypony about the two of you."

"Thank you, Cadance. That means a lot to me."

"What means a lot to you, Star?" Flare had somehow managed to sneak up behind the two ladies, and was smiling widely, holding a small bag of apples in his horn's thrall.

The advisor jumped slightly at the sudden intrusion to the conversation. "Oh. Hello, Flare."

"And hello, Advisor," Flare said, while nodding subtly toward Cadance.

"Flare, she knows."

"How?"

"She saw us."

Flare's mouth opened, as if he were going to say something, and his eyes went wide, as he slowly turned his head toward Cadance. "You... you saw us...?"

"Unfortunately. Believe me, watching you... mate with... anypony is definitely not on my to-do list. However, I already promised Miss Star that I won't tell anypony about you two. In fact, as much as I enjoy teasing you, I'm going to leave the chance to tell your mother to you. And she's the first pony who needs to know."

Flare stood, a bit shocked. "How am I going to tell her that I'm with Star? Especially after you got her all in a fit over hooking me up with Twilight?"

"Hey, Buster! I didn't get her on the idea of setting you up with Twilight. She did that on her own."

"Well, what did Aunt Tia think, when she found out about you dating the Captain of the Guard?"

"Oh, I don't remember. Something about 'if he breaks your heart, I'll banish him to the moon for all eternity,' or something like that."

Flare gulped nervously. "That doesn't exactly sound that reassuring."

"Well, your mother also isn't that strict with you. Now, can we start walking, again? We look rather odd, standing in the middle of the street."

"Cadance? Do you like mmmmmmmm-bananas?"

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It was a new day. A beautiful, sunny day in Canterlot. The birds were singing, the butterflies were fluttering. As the morning sun hit the window of Prince Flare's tower, the light stretched, and covered the two ponies in the bed. The previous night was hardly as eventful as the one that caused Cadance's short moment of psychosis, but Flare prefered having Star with him all the time, and insisted that she be allowed 24-hour access to the castle. And on another piece of perfect planning, Star made a point to inform the castle servants that she would be taking over all responsibilities for waking the prince in the mornings, ensuring that they had a decent amount of privacy. If these two things didn't catch the Princess of the Night's attention, nothing would. Surprisingly, a week had gone by without anypony thinking it suspicious.

Flare looked out at the morning sunlight, then down at the mare, who was huddled into his chest. He smiled, as he used his magic to close the curtain, easing the intensity of the light in her eyes. Star sighed, happily in her sleep. Yes, today was the day things would get awkward, and they both knew it. Today, Flare started learning from Twilight Sparkle. The only thing that made this bad wasn't the letter that his mother sent to the Unicorn only the day before, but it was the letter that she received in reply.

"Dear Princess Luna:

While it seems a bit strange for a common pony like myself to become romantically involved with an Equestrian legend, I am honored to have been given the chance to get to know the only known male Alicorn in existence, and am even more honored that you would recommend me to court your own son. Therefore, I humbly accept.

Your Faithful Subject,

Twilight Sparkle."

Yep. The day ahead was definitely going to be interesting.

A few minutes later, Falling Star finally emerged from her slumber, and looked up at the Alicorn who had his arms wrapped around her. "Today's the day, isn't it?"

Flare looked down at his powder blue lover. "What do you mean, babe?"

She breathed in deeply, stretching her hindlegs straight out, as she nuzzled into Flare's soft neck fur. "The day you start your training with Twilight, of course. I'll admit that I feel like your personal yeoman, now that I'm not teaching you anything."

"Oh, come on. You know you'll always be Equestria's best teacher, in my book. And now, you're Equestria's best Yeoman." SMACK! "Alright, I deserved that."