Chapters A couple months had passed since the birth of Princess Flurry Heart and then her magical mishap which summoned a nasty snow storm on the Crystal Empire. Life had returned to normal for most of the inhabitants of the empire, except two. Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor were still getting used to life as parents. Shining Armor couldn't be happier as he had become the model father, catering to his new daughter's every need but something didn't seem right with Cadence. While she was a natural at providing the new princess with her needs, she just didn't seem happy. She wasn't happy at all, she felt miserable and Shining Armor could tell it.
Another morning arrived and it was not the sun that woke the two up, it was the cries of Flurry Heart. Shining Armor jumped up out of bed to see what was wrong while Cadence slowly crawled out of bed. When she arrived in the newborn's room she noticed that her husband had already changed her diaper and had given her a bottle. She said, "You know Shiny, I don't know what I'd do without you."
Shining Armor replied, "Well I love Flurry just as much as you do." He had put their newborn back in her crib but also noticed that his wife had a slight look of sadness on her face. He continued, "Honey, is everything ok?"
Cadence replied, "Yeah, things are ok."
Shining asked, "Are you sure about that? You just don't seem to be yourself lately."
Cadence didn't like where this was headed and this question irritated her. She snapped, "What do you mean I don't seem to be myself lately? I've done my royal duties and I've taken care of Flurry just like I have been. Nothing has changed."
Her snapping woke Flurry up and caused her to start crying. Shining smiled at her and said, "It's ok Flurry. Mama is just stressed."
He picked her up and began to rock her to sleep. While Cadence is the one that is able to spread love, it bothered her that her husband was so easily able to comfort their daughter. A few tears began to flow down her cheeks as she began to cry, "I don't know what's wrong Shiny, but I'm not happy. I just don't feel like I used to. I feel like I just want to crawl in a hole and hide."
This was not like his wife at all as, with the exception of Twilight, she is the most sociable of Equestria's princesses. Her unhappiness was hard for Shining to understand as immediately after Flurry was born, she was as happy as could be. He asked, "Honey, why don't you feel like you used to?"
She continued to cry, "Look, I don't know. I don't know if it is simple hormonal changes causing me to feel like this or what, but I don't feel as beautiful as I used to. I don't feel like I can mingle as much because I have to put Flurry Heart first and I really miss mingling with my subjects, I miss being able to just travel without having to worry about anything and I miss being able to go visit with Twilight."
Shining laid their now sleeping daughter in her crib and replied, "Honey, nopony ever said you couldn't go out and mingle and nopony ever said you couldn't travel or go visit with Twilight." He smiled at Flurry and continued, "And you know that I'll take good care of Flurry. You wouldn't have to worry about a thing."
Cadence continued to cry, "I know, that is what bothers me so much. You seem to take better care of her than me and a mother is supposed to always be there for her foal, no matter what. It seems like you are always there for her while I'm not."
Shining pulled her close and replied, "Honey, you are a princess and you have a lot of duties."
Cadence snapped, "I know but you're a prince and you should be fulfilling your duties in making sure the guards are doing their job instead of pawning that off on the second in command. Sometimes I feel like you care more about Flurry than you do the soldiers and even me!"
Again Cadence's yells woke Flurry up. Cadence heard this and only became irritated. She yelled, "You know what? I need some time away from here! Maybe if I have some time away from here I can be the super-parent you are." She sighed, "You know what, I need a few days away from here. Maybe if I spend some time with my aunts I'll feel better."
Shining was shocked that his wife would just up and leave like this. He asked, "What? What about Flurry Heart? She loves you honey, she will miss you."
Cadence sighed, "You know what, she loves you a whole lot more than she does me. I'm sure she'll do just fine without me around for a week."
Shining asked, "You're going to be gone for a week?"
Cadence replied, "Yes, a week. Hopefully by then I can get out of this funk and be as good of a parent as you."
Before Shining could say anything Cadence stormed out of the room crying angrily, "Why can't I be a good parent? Why can't I be as devoted to Flurry as Shining Armor?"
She headed to the train station and ordered to be taken to Canterlot. She thought that if she could spend a few days with her aunts and simply relax, that maybe she could calm down enough to handle both the responsibilities of being a good mother and being a good princess.
Cadence boarded the royal train for Canterlot and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. For the first time in months she felt like she could simply relax. She said to herself, "Finally, I can just relax! No royal duties, no duties of motherhood! I can just be laid back."
The royal attendant heard this and asked, "But princess, aren't you worried that some disaster might happen? Aren't you worried that Shining Armor may not be able to handle Flurry Heart?"
Cadence sighed, "I'm sure everything will be fine and Flurry loves Shining." She got a smile on her face and continued, "You know something? It has been over a year since I've had a drink. Could you get me a hard cider?"
The attendant gasped, "A hard cider? Are you sure you should be doing that?"
Cadence did not take kindly to her attendant questioning her. She snapped, "Yes, a hard cider. I'm not pregnant anymore and I need to unwind."
The attendant nodded and did as the princess requested. Cadence couldn't help but smile as she took the first sip of alcohol she had tasted in over a year, "Oh this tastes so good! I almost forgot how good it is!"
Her attendant replied, "I'm glad to see you're enjoying it."
While Cadence wanted to have several more she realized that she could not just show up at the castle buzzed so she limited herself to one. When the train finally pulled into Canterlot, the sun had been down for a couple hours so she knew that Luna would be the one she would see first.
She disembarked from the train and headed directly to the castle. When she arrived in the throne room she saw Luna sitting there. Luna saw her and asked, "Cadence, how art thee doing?" She looked behind her and continued, "Where art Shining Armor and Flurry Heart? We would think they would come with thee."
Cadence replied, "Well they stayed behind because I just needed some time away."
Luna asked, "Why dost thou need time away from thy newborn and thy husband?"
Cadence asked in return, "Luna, can I talk to you about something?"
Luna replied, "Yes, thou can."
Cadence began, "I don't know what is wrong but I have been sad lately. I just don't feel the same amount of happiness as I used to and what you will probably think is really horrible is that I feel tied down by Flurry Heart. I miss just being able to go out and do anything I want without having to worry about anything."
Luna's jaw dropped open. She gasped, "What, thou feels tied down by Flurry Heart? We thought thou loved her more than anything!"
Cadence replied, "I do love her but the stress of royal duties and the duties of motherhood are overwhelming." She began to sob, "And Shining Armor seems to devote all his time to Flurry Heart. He seems to be the model parent while I feel like caring for her is like punching a time clock and I'm the one who is supposed to spread love! Why can't I bring myself to love her as much as Shining does."
This was something that shocked Luna so much she didn't know what to think. She said, "Well we dost not know what to think of thy situation but we do know this. A mother's love is most vital when it comes to a foal growing up into a good adult. Thou canst just let Shining Armor be the primary one to raise Flurry Heart, thou must do thy part as well."
Cadence was not thrilled by what Luna was telling her. She went to Canterlot hoping for comforting words while it felt like all Luna was doing was lecturing her. She sighed, "I know but I feel like simply waking up every morning is a task in itself, much less everything else."
Luna sighed, "Well, we are not sure what kind of advice to give thee. Perhaps a few days away will help thee. We would suggest that thou dost not do this on a regular basis. Flurry Heart needs thee, the Crystal Empire needs thee and we are most sure that Shining Armor needs thee."
Cadence sighed, "Oh alright. I do hope that Celestia will be able to provide me with some emotional comfort when she wakes up. No offense but it seems like all you did was lecture me."
Luna sighed, "We were only speaking the truth to thee and we are most sure our sister will find it most unpleasant that thou hast just left thy duties for a few days."
Cadence sighed in disgust and headed into the dining hall. While she knew that there would be nopony there that would prepare any food, she just wanted to rest her head on the table and get away from Luna's lecture. Dawn was still a few hours away so she would be able to get some rest before she spoke to Celestia. While she hoped that Celestia would provide at least some comfort, she couldn't help but worry that Luna would be right and she would get lectured again.
A Discussion with Celestia
A Discussion with Celestia
Several hours had passed and Celestia finally got up. She could see a look of frustration on her sister's face. She asked, "Sister, what is wrong? You seem upset."
Luna replied, "We are most upset. Cadence arrived last night without Flurry Heart or Shining Armor."
Celestia gasped, "What? Why would she come here but not bring them?"
Luna replied, "After we do our royal duties we shall let her speak to thee over these matters."
Celestia asked, "Where is she right now?"
Luna replied, "She is in the dining hall right now. We think she found the advice we gave her last night most unpleasant and needed to get away from us."
Celestia sighed, "Well I'll see what she has to say and give her what advice I can give her."
Luna and Celestia headed outside to do their royal duties before having breakfast. Luna was especially looking forward to this as she was going to be heading out to see the Apple family before heading to an international summit in Fillydelphia. When they arrived in the dining hall Cadence had her head laying on the table and was sleeping. Celestia asked, "Do you think we should wake her up so I can talk to her or should we let her sleep?"
Luna replied, "We think we should wake her so we can eat."
Celestia nudged Cadence with her wing causing her to wake up. "What? What? Where am I?" She first saw Luna and continued, "Oh, hi Luna." She then saw Celestia and continued, "Auntie Celestia, it's so good to see you!"
Celestia smiled, "It is good to see you too Cadence." Her smile changed to a look of concern as she continued, "Cadence, where are Shining Armor and Flurry Heart? I thought they would be with you."
Cadence sighed, "Can we wait to talk about that until after breakfast? I was interrogated by Luna about that last night and I want us to be able to talk, just you and me."
Celestia replied, "Yeah, we can do that."
Breakfast seemed a bit tense that morning as Cadence was nervous about how things would go with Celestia and she couldn't help but wonder what Luna had already told her. After breakfast they headed to the throne room. Celestia saw Luna heading to the exit and asked, "Luna, where are you going? I thought you would be headed to your sleeping chambers."
Luna replied, "We hast decided to go and visit the Apple family before we hast to go to that unpleasant summit. Visiting with them always makes us feel happier and after what we found out last night, we need to engage in some cheerful conversations."
Before either princess could reply, Luna took flight towards Sweet Apple Acres. Celestia looked at Cadence and asked, "Cadence, what was all that about? What does she mean that she needs to engage in cheerful conversations after last night?"
Cadence replied, "Well I arrived here late last night and I tried telling Luna about my feelings and why I came alone. While I was hoping for some comfort and understanding words from her, all she did was lecture me about how I needed to be there for Flurry Heart and how I can't just let Shining Armor be the primary one to take care of her."
Celestia asked, "Why would she have to tell you that?"
Cadence replied, "Ok, I'm going to be honest. I resent Flurry Heart, I really do. I feel like taking care of her and doing my royal duties is making it to where I just can't go out and mingle anymore. Shining and I can't just travel to come see you or Twilight without having to worry about anything."
Celestia gasped, "Really?"
Cadence continued, "Yes and it seems like Shining Armor cares more about Flurry Heart than he does me. It seems like he invests most of his time in comforting her and providing her with any and all of her needs." She began to cry, "I feel like he is trying to be a better parent than me!"
Celestia put her wing around Cadence and replied, "It's ok Cadence. He's just being a good father. I'd rather he be like this than not caring about her at all."
Cadence continued to cry harder, "And we used to sleep in a tight embrace and now he lays there right on the very edge of the bed because if he even thinks he hears her cough or cry in the night, he rushes out of the bed to check on her and almost all the time when he comes back, he tells me that she was peacefully asleep."
Celestia began to run her hoof through her niece's mane and replied, "I'm sorry Cadence. I really don't know what to tell you about this. Maybe once she gets older he will stop worrying about her all the time and give you more attention."
Cadence sighed, "And what makes matters worse is that we have a nanny that has the job of listening for her and keeping an eye on her at night but Shining just can't let her handle things while we are asleep." She gave Celestia a tight hug and continued, "And it has been a very long time since we have had any sex."
Celestia asked, "How long has it been?"
Cadence replied, "Well we stopped once I hit three months in my pregnancy and then I was cleared by the doctor a month after Flurry was born. I thought for sure Shining would want to get intimate right away but oh no, he has to listen for Flurry in the event she needs us."
Celestia said, "Well I'm sure that before too long he'll want to get intimate again." She laughed, "You know how stallions eventually get! He'll want it and lots of it!"
Cadence screamed, "When? Once Flurry Heart turns four? When she is old enough to rule in our stead if need be?" Her cries became more angry as she continued, "I just want some intimacy! I want to feel loved! I want to be held! Is that too much to ask?"
Celestia replied, "No, I don't think it is too much." Celestia's stomach growled and she continued, "How about we have a mid-morning snack. Maybe some food will calm you down."
Cadence asked, "Ok but can we talk about this more later?"
Celestia replied, "Yeah, we can. Beyond what you've already told me I don't know how much more there is to tell but even if you just need to talk about anything, I'm here."
They headed to the dining hall for their snack. While Cadence felt relieved to have got so much off her chest to somepony who actually seems to care, Celestia was unsure as how to handle this. While she could understand Cadence's desire for more attention, she just couldn't fathom Cadence resenting her daughter and she was really confused as to why Cadence would cry to her about wanting intimacy.
While they were eating their snack, Cadence sat unusually close to Celestia. While she enjoyed the company of her niece she couldn't help but wonder why she would sit so close to her. She asked, "Cadence, you know I love your company dearly but why are you sitting so close to me?"
Cadence replied, "Well I just want to be close to somepony, even if she happens to be my aunt."
After what Cadence had said earlier she could realize that she would want to be close to somepony but why her? Why would she want to be so close to her? At this point Celestia wasn't overly concerned as she was more focused on her cake when suddenly she felt a hoof touch her upper leg.
"Aaah!" She looked at Cadence and asked, "Cadence, why did you touch my leg?"
Cadence replied, "I'm sorry Celestia. My hoof just slipped."
Celestia knew something strange was going on. First she cries to her about wanting intimacy, then she sits uncomfortably close during their snack and then she touches her leg. She put her wing around Cadence and said, "Cadence, after we finish our snacks I think we need to talk about this much more in-depth."
After they finished their snack Celestia looked at Cadence and ordered, "Follow me."
Cadence obliged and when she saw where they were headed, she couldn't help but wonder what this talk was really going to be about. While she would never admit it, she did find her aunt sexy and had always dreamed of meeting with her in her sleeping chambers but would it be what she hoped for.
When they arrived Celestia pointed at her bed and ordered, "Sit down."
Cadence happily obliged and Celestia closed the door before sitting next to her. She put her wing around her niece and asked, "Cadence, can I ask you a question?"
Cadence replied, "Yeah, you can."
Celestia asked, "Did you sit real close to me and touch my leg because of your need for intimacy?"
Cadence replied, "Yeah." She was nervous but decided she would tell Celestia something she had been scared to tell her. She continued, "Aunt Celestia, I'm going to be honest. I know it is wrong and you'll probably think I'm disgusting for thinking this but I think you are so beautiful and so sexy. Many nights, even back when Shining Armor and I were intimate, I would hoof myself and imagine I was with you."
Celestia gave her a seductive smile and replied, "Oh really? You are such a naughty girl!"
She stared deep into Cadence's eyes and moved in for a kiss. Cadence opened her mouth slightly so Celestia could give her tongue if she wanted. Right before their lips met Celestia ordered, "Lay on your back."
Naturally Cadence obliged and allowed her aunt to crawl on top of her and kiss her passionately. Cadence was in pure bliss at this moment. The thing that she had desired for quite some time was finally happening. Celestia was exploring every nook and cranny in her mouth. Soon Celestia pushed herself up a bit to where her marehood was aligned with Cadence's.
Cadence asked, "Aunt Celestia, are we.....?"
Celestia interrupted, "Yes, we are."
Celestia began to grind her marehood up against Cadence's. Both mares were squealing in ecstasy. Cadence wrapped her legs around Celestia's and began to take part in the grinding as well. Celestia suddenly stopped and got off of Cadence. Cadence asked, "Celestia, why did you stop?"
Celestia smiled, "Oh you'll see! Oh yes, you'll see!"
Celestia began to suck on her chest and started moving down. Cadence could only watch in anticipation as she knew where Celestia was headed. Being very ticklish she began to squirm the further down her aunt headed. Celestia said, "It's alright Cadence, there is no need to squirm."
Cadence couldn't help but squirm but once Celestia reached her target and began to snack on her, Cadence began to moan in ecstasy, "Oh Tia, it feels so good! Oh Tia don't stop! Please don't stop!"
Celestia continued to suck on her and run her tongue deeper and deeper into her. Celestia was moaning in delight as Cadence was very sweet. Celestia kept this up for an hour before Cadence's moaning became more intense, "I'm gonna cum, I'm gonna cum, Auntie Tia I'm gonna CUUUUM!"
Just as she said that Celestia's mouth was filled with the sweetest thing she had ever tasted. She pounced on top of Cadence and said, "Wow Cadi, you are so sweet!" She pinned Cadence down and forced a rough kiss on her. Celestia was enjoying this and wanted to force her will on Cadence. Rough kisses were something that Cadence had never experienced before but she moaned in delight while it was happening.
Celestia crawled off of Cadence and said, "You know Cadi, you have provided me with the most pleasure I have ever experienced."
Cadence smiled, "Really?"
Celestia smiled, "Yes, Really but I'm not done with you yet!"
Cadence quietly said, "Yes!"
Celestia remembered how Cadence had said she had not had sex in quite some time and decided that she would penetrate her more than Shining Armor ever could. Celestia lowered her head and began to insert her horn into Cadence. Celestia began to release small amounts of energy into Cadence, causing her to shake and squeal. Finally Celestia had over half of her horn in Cadence, as much as she felt comfortable putting in her given the length of it. After all, she didn't want to injure her. Cadence moaned, "Oh Auntie Tia, that's the deepest I've ever been......"
Celestia interrupted, "I know Cadi. I could feel how far you've been penetrated." Celestia pulled her horn out and continued, "And I have one more thing, something I know you will like."
Before Cadence could even say anything Celestia had sat on her face. She ordered, "Eat me sexy girl!"
As Cadence began to suck on Celestia she had bent down to start sucking on Cadence's marehood again. Celestia decided she would give Cadence a little power so she turned them to where she was on bottom. Both mares were again squealing in ecstasy and since Cadence had released her nectar not all that long ago and Celestia had a lot of endurance, this special moment lasted for hours. Finally when they both climaxed, they got up and held each other close. Celestia asked, "Cadence sweetie, did you enjoy today?"
Cadence dreamily replied, "Yes, oh yes I did! I have never experienced something this wonderful before."
Celestia pulled her closer and said, "Ok Cadence, I'm going to admit something to you since you admitted something to me. Ever since you matured, I have found you incredibly sexy. You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this with you." She gave Cadence a loving smile and continued, "I know it is so wrong for us to be doing this but it feels so right."
Cadence dreamily replied, "It feels so right to me too!"
Celestia asked, "How long did you tell Shining Armor you would be gone?"
Cadence replied, "A week."
Celestia asked, "Well then, what would you think of staying with me until the day before Luna returns? I promise you that we'll do this a whole lot more!"
Cadence embraced Celestia and replied, "Yes, oh yes I'll stay!" She began to rub her hoof on Celestia's clit and without thinking she continued, "I wish it could be just you and me like this forever! I wish we could do this for all eternity!"
Celestia blushed, "I wish we could too but you have duties and a foal in the Crystal Empire and I have my duties here, not to mention that if Luna ever learned of this, she would expose the both of us to the public. If that were to happen, we'd likely get banished and Luna would crown herself queen."
Both mares sighed in disappointment realizing this was the case but they did realize that they would have several more days of this wonderful bliss. While they both knew that what they were doing was wrong, it felt so right to them and they secretly hoped that after Cadence headed home, they could still have private meetings further on down the road.
Five days had passed and the day for Cadence to go home had arrived. After Celestia did her duties she headed to the dining hall expecting to see Cadence waiting for her, but she was not there. "Cadence, where are you? Cadence, are you ok?"
She got no response so she headed to the one other place she figured she would find her, her sleeping chambers. She headed in to find Cadence laying there with her legs spread wide open. She said, "Cadence, it is time for breakfast."
Cadence begged, "Please Auntie Celestia, would you take me one more time?"
Cadence stuck her lower lip out knowing that Celestia would cave in. Finally Celestia replied, "Alright Cadence, but just one more time. I have my concerns that Luna may come home early and I don't want you to stay gone so long that Shining Armor may worry about you."
Cadence smiled, "Thank you! You have no idea how much this means to me!"
Celestia crawled on top of her and replied, "I think I do. We have both given one another the love and intimacy we both so desperately needed." Celestia then began to kiss her niece passionately and do to her what has made them both so happy for the past several days. Since Cadence would be leaving later that day, Celestia made sure it was the hottest and most raunchy fun that they had had.
A couple hours passed and the two were laying in bed, covered in one another's juices when both their stomachs began to growl. Celestia asked, "I don't know about you but I think we should probably wash off and get something to eat."
Cadence replied, "I agree. We really can't go down into the dining hall like this!"
Once the two washed up they headed down to the dining hall for what they believed would be breakfast, but it was not. Their last time of "fun" had taken so long it was lunch time. Like they had during her whole time there, they sat close together to eat their lunch. Celestia had her wing around Cadence and was massaging her shoulder. "That feels so good Auntie Tia, it feels so good!"
Celestia replied, "I know it does. I know a good massage always makes you feel better."
Cadence asked, "How did you know I needed it?"
Celestia replied, "I can feel the tension coming from you. I can tell you are nervous about going home."
Cadence sighed, "I am. I am worried about what my subjects will think about my extended absence and I'm worried that Flurry Heart may not recognize me after being gone so long."
Celestia replied, "Oh I'm sure everything will be fine and I wouldn't worry about Flurry Heart not recognizing you. Yes she has seen more of Shining Armor than you but there is always a special bond between a mother and her daughter that will prevent that." She pulled Cadence closer and continued, "But I am worried about you. I know we have expressed our love and bonded in a way that most mares do not and that could make things tough on you." She sighed and continued, "And it will be tough on me too. Having you with me, having somepony to be intimate with and having somepony to hold at night has made me feel wonderful and I just hope that I can handle not having you here with me."
Cadence smiled, "Really? It will be tough on you too?"
Celestia replied, "Yes, it will be." Celestia pulled Cadence close and began to passionately kiss her. It was something that both mares never wanted to end but would end all too soon as they heard a door open and heard hoofsteps heading towards the dining hall.
The two quickly broke their kiss and embrace before whoever it was could catch them. Luna had arrived home early and when she saw that Cadence was still there, she wasn't overly happy. She saw the two and said, "Well sister, we are home." She then glared at Cadence and continued, "Cadence, we thought thou wouldst have headed home by now."
Cadence replied, "Like I said when I got here, I just needed some time away."
Luna sighed, "We know but a whole week? What didst thou and our sister talk about for a whole week? Certainly thou didst not need a whole week to voice thy concerns to her."
Cadence replied, "I didn't but I just wanted some time away."
Celestia added, "Sister, this time away has done her a lot of good. She feels better now and is ready to take on the responsibilities she has back home."
Luna asked, "So, what didst thou do to help her feel better? Didst thou go on thy own trip?"
Both of them blushed when Luna asked about what they did but knew they could never reveal it. Celestia replied, "No, we just talked about various things, we reminisced about the past, we walked around the palace grounds, nothing special."
Luna sighed, "We see. Well we are headed up to our chambers to take a nap. Our return trip was long and the summit was, as usual, most unpleasant." As she headed up the stairs she continued, "Perhaps thou should be our diplomat at this summit next year. We felt like banishing them all to the sun we were so frustrated with them."
Luna headed upstairs and Celestia smiled at Cadence. She whispered, "I think I'll take Luna up on her offer and go in her stead next year and I want you joining me!"
Cadence asked, "Really?"
Celestia replied, "Seriously and we could skip a few meetings and have our own private meetings!"
Cadence asked, "Certainly we can do this again before then can't we?"
Celestia replied, "Of course we can. I'm sure both of us can come up with excuses as to why we need to be gone." She pulled her close and whispered, "I doubt it will be able to be for a week but I promise we'll try to do this as often as possible."
Cadence said, "Thank you Auntie Celestia. I look forward to it."
Given that Luna had retired to her chambers Celestia gave Cadence one more deep, passionate kiss before letting her go. She said, "Well I think you probably better get going before it gets too late."
Cadence nodded, "I probably should." She embraced Celestia one more time, "I love you with all my heart Auntie Celestia, I truly love you."
Celestia had tears in her eyes, "I truly love you too my sweet niece. I promise you, we'll do this again."
As Cadence exited the castle Celestia couldn't help but openly cry, "I wish she didn't have to go, I really wish she didn't. I'm going to miss her so much."
The same was true with Cadence as she headed to the train station although she knew she had to keep her crying unnoticeable as she headed through the streets. When she arrived at the train station the royal train was waiting for her. Once she boarded the train she began to cry in agony, "Why? Why can't I just stay here? Why can't I just stay with my Auntie Celestia? I love her so much."
The guards and her royal attendant didn't know what to think of this but they figured is was just the type of love that family showed one another, especially given Cadence's nature when she gets emotional. They had absolutely no idea that the type of love Cadence was crying about was romantic love.
While the train ride home for Cadence seemed to go by quickly, it was still agonizing for her. She knew that it would likely be a few months if not more before she would be able to unwind with Celestia again. Despite her crying becoming less apparent the closer they got to the Crystal Empire, her sadness was still clearly visible.
Her personal attendant noticed this and asked, "Your Majesty, are you going to be ok? I don't think it would be in your best interests to be like this when you get home."
Cadence sighed, "I know but I can't help it." Without thinking she slipped, "You have no idea how wonderful of a time Celestia and I had. It was the first intimacy I......."
Her attendant gasped, "What? You and Celestia were intimate?"
Cadence whispered, "Don't tell anypony but yes, we were."
Her attendant was appalled at what she did. She asked, "Your Majesty, do you know how wrong that is? Not only did you cheat on Shining Armor but you committed incest with your aunt."
Cadence snapped, "You know what? What I do is my own business. I needed this. Celestia and I both enjoyed it and I'm warning you, if this gets out to anypony you'll wish you had kept your mouth shut."
Her attendant sighed, "Yes your Majesty, my lips are sealed."
An hour later the train pulled into the Crystal Empire and Cadence headed towards the castle. She forced a cheerful smile and waved at her subjects as she walked by them but she was anything but cheerful. Deep down she dreaded getting to the castle and having to deal with all her responsibilities.
When she arrived at the castle she was greeted by Shining Armor. He hugged her and said, "Honey, I'm so glad your home."
Cadence sighed, "It's good to see you too."
Shining Armor was concerned that his wife's greeting was so nonchalant. He asked, "Are you ok? You seem like you are still really down."
Cadence snapped, "I'm fine so just drop it, ok?"
Shining Armor was nervous, very nervous over his wife's attitude. He almost wondered if she wasn't going to be worse until he heard a cheerful "How's my little filly?" come from upstairs.
He headed upstairs to find Cadence holding and nuzzling Flurry Heart. "Who's a cute little filly? You're a cute little filly!"
Shining couldn't help but smile as he saw the Cadence he knew so well holding and bonding with their foal. He asked, "Honey, I take it you are feeling better now?"
Cadence replied, "Yeah, I am. Seeing Flurry Heart has made my day a whole lot better."
He gave her a kiss on the cheek and asked, "What about me? Doesn't seeing me make you feel better too?"
Cadence sighed, "Yeah, you do too."
She then turned her attention back to Flurry Heart and continued to talk to her. While she was doing this one of the guards rushed up and said, "Your Majesty, there are some ponies here to see you. They need an issue resolved."
Cadence glared at the guard and replied, "Tell them that I am spending time with my daughter. I'll put up with them later."
The guard gasped, "But your Majesty, it is part of your royal duties!"
Cadence's scowl at the guard only intensified, "Look, I'm going to tell you again, my daughter is far more important than some petty squabble that could probably be resolved without me."
The guard sighed, "Alright, but they won't be happy."
Shining Armor was a bit concerned when Cadence said "my daughter." He asked, "Honey, when you said 'my daughter' is more important, didn't you mean our daughter?"
Cadence replied, "Yeah, I meant our daughter."
After a couple of weeks things had returned to normal for the most part for Cadence. She realized that she had no choice but to juggle her responsibilities as a mother and a princess despite it being rather stressful. While her bond with Flurry Heart grew exponentially, she just couldn't bond with Shining Armor like she used to. While she did love him, it was Celestia that she desired and this did cause her desire for intimacy with Shining Armor to decline significantly. Every night, she would lay there remembering her wonderful times with Celestia and would hope that someday, once Flurry Heart had grown up and could rule the Crystal Empire on her own, that she could be with Celestia for all eternity.
