Though On the surface they seem like a loving couple. In reality the romance in Princess Cadence and Shining Armor's relationship has died. They keep up appearances to keep the populace comfortable but they don't spend much time together other than that. Cadence can't figure out why Shining became so distant. He of course still cares but the love he had for Cadence left when he figured something out about himself he never knew.

Hearts and hooves day approaches and a shy Alicorn travels to the Crystal Empire hoping to find a new life to start over and forget his dark past.