Overdue Apologies and Sprinkled Rose Petals

Note: This chapter serves the purpose of providing the back story. Feel free to go straight to the next chapter. I just thought this one would clear up why Rarity and Blueblood are bumping uglies.

Furthermore...MLP is property of Hasbro, with characters property of Lauren Faust. I claim no ownership to anything but this story.

Prince Blueblood groaned. Every single thing about the Grand Galloping Gala tonight had been a complete disaster. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, his white coat and golden mane and tail marred by spots and stains of baked goods. The third washing, and he could still find icing and cake in areas he was certain were clean. He was about to step into the bathroom once more when a loud knocking came from the closed door. "Prince Blueblood?" The guard outside called out. "You have a visitor to see you."

Blueblood huffed. "Tell them to wait. I'm not even remotely presentable to-"

"Blueblood," The stern female voice announced. "Let me in. Now."

The prince stammered slightly before running to the door and opening it. Two ponies stood outside. One was the usual guardspony.

The other was Princess Celestia.

And she did not look happy.

"Auntie," Blueblood grinned sheepishly. "Hello. Please, come in."

The white alicorn with an everflowing tail and mane stepped inside the spacious room before allowing the door to close behind her. She stared down at her nephew, the spots of cake making him look like a young foal. She looked at him for another moment before saying, in a rather blunt tone, "I am disappointed, Blueblood."

"Disappointed, Auntie?" The prince asked. "How so?"

Celestia began to elaborate. "There is a reason ponies look up to us, my nephew. They respect us because we respect them. We do not allow our status to get in the way of formality when it comes to such events as the Gala." She shook her head slightly. "But it seems you've forgotten that."

"What do you mean?" Blueblood furrowed his brow at his aunt's accusation.

"I mean I have been having my guards report to me as you went about at the Gala with your guest," Celestia elaborated. "And what I've been hearing was the most blatant acts of selfishness I've had the displeasure of knowing about." Blueblood froze. He KNEW he saw some of the stallions at the gala before. Now he realized they simply swapped their traditional armor for tuxedos. Celestia walked to the mirror, looking at her reflection and his, before speaking again. "Having a mare open a door for a stallion? Having her use one of her articles of clothing to let you cross a puddle? Having her purchase food which you promptly spat out in front of the vendor?"

Blueblood began to tremble slightly. "Auntie, please, you must understand, the Gala...it was complete mayhem! I only-"

"That does not excuse you from abandoning your chivalry whatsoever," Celestia interrupted him, spinning around to face him. "Do you know exactly who was following you around tonight, Blueblood? Who you used as a pony shield before she finally had enough of you?" Blueblood shook his head. "What would you say...if I told you that that poor mare happened to be one of the Elements of Harmony?"

The prince wondered why his jaw hadn't hit the floor. He had heard his other aunt, Luna, had been saved by the Element-bearers, but to actually have them at the gala? And to anger one of them? "R...really?" He asked.

"The Element of Generosity, to be exact. An element you, my nephew, are sorely lacking."

Blueblood stammered again. "Auntie..."

Celestia glared at him, silencing him again. "If you're speaking to make another excuse, stop. I was hesitant to invite you at all. But your mother insisted. She told me it would be good letting you out with common ponies instead of servants and guards who waited on you forehoof and backhoof. And what happens? My nephew, who can have responsibility thrust upon him at any time, demonstrates every selfish trait we've worked to avoid!"

Blueblood looked up at his aunt before sighing and bowing his head. "What...what should I do?"

Celestia expected this question, and provided an answer. "The first thing we shall do is to send you to Ponyville and apologize. Secondly...we are to re-educate you in proper etiquette, from the ground up. Is this understood?" Her nephew nodded in response. Staring at him for a moment, she sighed. "Blueblood...understand, I care for you a great deal. But it is possible that your selfishness could lead to harm at the hooves of somepony you may anger or disrespect. As much of a problem your attitudes may be, that is something you don't deserve." She placed a hoof on his shoulder, causing him to look up at her. Slowly, she smiled down at him. "You must show respect in order to earn it, Blueblood. You can change. But only if you want to."

The next day, Blueblood was given a round-trip ticket and was put on the train to Ponyville. He was also given directions as to where the Carousel Boutique would be found, along with an order not to put on any sort of dressing; He arrived with no bowties, no tuxedo fronts, just his white coat and the compass cutie mark on either of his flanks. Within an hour upon reaching the village, he managed to locate the boutique. He approached the building, sighed, and knocked. A moment later...she appeared. She opened the door with a smile that instantly faded the moment she laid eyes on him.

"...You?!" She reeled back. "What in Equestria are YOU doing here?"

Blueblood inhaled through his nose before speaking. "I've come to apologize for what happened last night at the Gala. I was showing none of the proper attributes of being a member of the royal family. None to the other guests...and especially none to you. I'm here to ask of another chance with you. To fix what I've broken."

She listened to his apology before turning her nose up. "You're only saying that because someone made you. No doubt Princess Celestia. How a charmless buffoon like yourself is related to her in any way, I will never know!" He stopped the door just as it was about to be slammed in his face.

"Rarity...please," He begged. She stopped pushing on the door. That was the first time since meeting him that he called her by name. She opened the door to look at him once more.

"Why are you really here?" She asked him.

Blueblood took in a breath of air before speaking again. "As I've stated before, I'm here to ask of a second chance from you. But also to tell you I'll be going away. I don't know for how long. All I know is that I've agreed with my aunt that my manners are in need of a drastic retouching." He paused, Rarity looking at him intently. "I only ask that you wait for me. That we see what comes about once they deem me worthy of passing. Would you wait and see?"

Rarity glared at him for a moment until closing her eyes. "I'll give you ONE opportunity. Ruin that, and you are never to appear on my doorstep again, unless you want Opalescence using your face for a scratching post. Is that understood?" Blueblood, eyes widening upon the thought of such pain, nodded feverishly. "Good. Until next time. Provided there IS a next time."

This time he let the door close all the way. Sighing, he made sure he still had his ticket, and began his trek back to the train station. He had more than enough packing to do.

§§§

"A prince?!"

"Yes Sweetie Belle, a prince."

Rarity continued to finish up her sewing as her little sister, Sweetie Belle, stood behind her. Sweetie having heard Rarity talk with her friends about a stallion she was waiting for, finally had enough of being kept in the dark. She asked Rarity who she was waiting for, a question which was promptly answered. The younger pony's head began to reel. "Okay...how do you know a prince?"

"I met him at the Grand Galloping Gala almost a month ago," Rarity explained. "And I feel I should mention that he was the most uncouth stallion I've ever known."

"So why are you waiting for him if he's so bad?"

"He asked for a second chance just before he was sent off to improve his manners. And now I have no clue as to when he'll be back." She stopped sewing. "I'm not even sure if there's going to be an improvement."

Sweetie grew even more confused. "I'm...not really getting any of this. If he's still a jerk, why are you giving him a second chance?"

Rarity sighed and turned to her sister. "If he was able to realize his mistakes, it certainly is worth a try. Besides, with all of the second chances I've been given, it's nice to give one of my own."

No sooner did she finish this sentence than the sound of something knocking on wood echoed through the boutique. "I'll get it!" Sweetie Belle called out as she bounded out from the room towards the front door. Rarity listened as Sweetie Belle greeted the visitor. "Hello? Whoa...hey, are you...uh-huh. Okay, I'll get her. RARITY!!"

Wincing as her sister shouted, Rarity followed her usual route to the front door. She calmly chastised her sister as she approached. "Sweetie Belle, what have I told you about shouting so many..."

She stopped her correcting as she saw what Sweetie opened the door to. Or more exaclty WHO she opened the door to.

Prince Blueblood stood proudly, still sporting no formal wear whatsoever. He was using his magic to hold a bouquet of flowers. Noticing the stares of the two unicorns, he cleared his throat. "I beg your pardon, but do you mind if I come in?"

"Hm? Oh, no, of course not!" Rarity shook herself out of her light surprise of seeing him so soon again. She and her sister let the prince in, where he floated the bouquet over to Rarity.

"For you," He smiled. Rarity lifted the flowers with her magic, looking at the collection. Every single one was fresh down to the smallest petal. He took notice of her inspection. "No expense was spared. I made sure each one was as clean as could be before arriving here."

Rarity nodded. "Sweetie, be a dear and find a vase for these." Sweetie Belle walked away from the front door and towards the kitchen, leaving her sister and Blueblood alone for the time being. "And how was your schooling? Your re-education, as it were?"

Blueblood shook his head lightly. "It opened my eyes. Auntie had me writing to her about my progress. Much like her student Twilight, now that I've thought about it. But that's in the past. I've come here to discuss the future."

Rarity's eyes widened. "So soon?! But it's only been a few minutes! Don't we need more time before making that decision?!"

"...What?" Blueblood grew confused, then realized what he just told her. "Oh, no! No, no." He laughed at his mistake. "My apologies. I meant 'future' as in 'this evening'. I've made reservations at a restaurant in Ponyville. Aside from the bouquet, I'm here to ask if tonight is a good time for you. Keep in mind I don't have to pay until we arrive."

Sweetie returned with the vase as Rarity thought about Blueblood's offer. "I don't have any more orders to fill. And I just need to finish the stitchings on what I'm working on." She turned to her sister. "And then there's the matter of leaving YOU alone."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sweetie scoffed as she gently laid down the vase. "I can take care of myself just fine!"

"You can take care of yourself, yes," Rarity agreed. "But the boutique - and especially Opal - is another story. I'll see if we can arrange a sleepover with your friends for the night." The younger unicorn beamed in delight before nodding her approval and leaving to prepare just in case. Rarity turned back to Blueblood. "As long as everything here is accounted for...I suppose eating out tonight wouldn't hurt."

Blueblood smiled slightly. "I understand. You'll let me know if anything arises, yes? I'll be staying at this address."

He floated a small piece of paper over to Rarity, who agreed to let him know of any trouble. They said their goodbyes, and the door to the boutique was closed.

§§§

As the two of them soon found out, they finished their dinner anticipating the next time they could see each other again. Rarity was impressed by Blueblood's improvement in his behavior, while the prince found himself enjoying her talking about her work and various other aspects of her life - including how they found that she was the one who would bear the Element of Generosity. Her ability to sacrifice something as personal as her tail to a sea serpent was nothing if not admirable.

As the days moved into weeks, and weeks moved into months, they were seeing each other more and more. Naturally, it didn't take long for the papers - both respectable and tabloids - to begin making assumptions. Though the claims were constantly denied, they both realized they were going to have to come clean eventually.

They found their chance while Rarity was staying in Canterlot, coming across a gentlecolt Blueblood knew all too well: Fancy Pants. He wasn't quite sure how she pulled it off, but they managed to give the papers as many photo opportunities as possible, from art gatherings to the launching of a new airship.

Finally, they decided to end the speculation once and for all.

Blueblood, unfortunately, found himself late to the Canterlot Garden Party. And upon arriving, it clearly wasn't anything like the previous ones. Hoping to the powers that be that this wasn't another Gala-level makeover, he managed to find Rarity with her friends, her mood being much brighter than it was for the past few days. Then and there, the two made the announcement that most of the ponies (excluding her friends, of course) weren't expecting to be made: The two unicorns, a prince and a dressmaker, were a couple.

For them, it was a tremendous load off of both of their shoulders. They were together, and those who were against it honestly didn't matter to either of them. For Rarity, one of her wildest dreams were coming true. For Blueblood, it meant Aunt Celestia's confrontation was proven to be a success; He was one step closer to becoming the prince Equestria expected him to be.

Now he just hoped he could continue to be the stallion Rarity wants him to be.

...Still here? Hm. Well, that's the back story. The next chapter has what I'm sure you really came for. But thanks for reading this, anyway!