The next morning, everypony was waking up from yesterdays recital. As they were waiting in the dining hall, Spike woke up and saw that Celestia wasn't in the room with him. Just then, he heard the shower and realized that she was just freshening herself up. Having breathed a sigh of relief, Spike got out of bed and immediately started getting dressed. As he did so, he thought about how long it has been since he made his confession to Celestia. When he had made his feelings clear to her, he had never been more happy to learn that she had reciprocated the same feelings towards him, even if they came a little prematurely when he was practicing his confession to Rarity. Regardless of what happened after the night of the Gala, he was happy, but he felt that something bad was going to happen to him if word got out about his 'time' with Princess Celestia. Just then, he heard,

"Good morning, cutie~."

He turned around and saw Celestia come out of the shower, completely naked. He smirked as he gave a small chuckle and replied,

"Good morning to you too, gorgeous."

She got out of her bed and walked towards him as he continued getting dressed.

"That was some recital, huh?" Spike asked.

"It was. Usually Cadence would be the clergy for this event." Celestia said as she bent over and kissed Spike's neck a few times.

"Yeah. It's so strange that Luna would wanna take over." he said mesmerized.

"Well, she is my sister, and believes it fall to her that this wedding goes without a single mistake." she replied as she started to get dressed.

"The same way that other ponies feel when something big is gonna happen to them?" he asked as he put his shoes on.

"Yup. Nothing can ever drive them away from their goals, even if it spells failure on their part." she responded as she combed her mane.

"I know. She was so tense yesterday. I know that she wants this event to go without any hitches, but the interruptions are putting her on edge. Really hope she doesn't snap."

"She won't. But if she does, it would matter little to me because the wedding will continue anyway." she said, giggling.

"Too true. Can't say the same for the others though."

"Well, everypony has learned about our secret, so no use hiding like foals now."

"Hmm. I wonder what they're doing right now?"

"No idea. Must be tired from yesterday's rehearsal."

"They have to be. They always come out with their dark eyes."

"We do tend to go over the top. Needless to say that I really enjoy it."

"Yeah. It feels a lot like the first time."

Celestia giggled at the thought of it after getting dressed. When Spike was finished, the two exited their room and immediately headed towards the dining hall.

"I wonder if we can get through this without any hitches today?" Spike asked.

"Who knows? But it wouldn't be the first time that anything has gotten sidetracked." Celestia said.

"True, but I can't wait to have some more of those delicious homemade pancakes that you make."

"Oh thank you. But if you manage to eat some of Luna's cooking without any wincing or whining, I've got a special surprise for you tonight~."

"Oh. Looks like I've got something to look forward to tonight."

The two kept talking as they walked towards the dining hall. As they made it, they saw everypony with worried and scared expression on their faces.

"Huh? Whatever is the matter?" Celestia asked, feeling concerned.

"Yeah. Why are you all looking at us like somepony just died?" Spike asked in a confused manner.

Just then, Twilight walked over to Spike and asked,

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah Twilight. What's the matter?" Spike asked, not knowing what is going on.

Twilight turned towards Starlight, telling her to come over. Starlight came over with this letter in her hand and said,

"Spike. This letter is for you."

"Huh?" Spike asked, now completely clueless.

Spike took hold of the letter and looked at it. It read,

Dear reptile,

"You may not know who I am, but I will make this personally clear. If you marry the princess, if you elope with her, if you even have a child with her, I will personally see to it that I, and every other pony that has rallied behind me, will deliver painful, furious justice upon you. You may know this peace for a brief time, but your agony and death will be the symphony that will satisfy the ponies that want your blood for the travesty that you have wrought upon us all. So let me make this clear as crystal... if you marry the princess, I'll kill you."

Spike dropped the letter as he had felt a huge, unnerving chill crawl up his spine. It was like he fell into a trap. A trap that would permanently ensnare and most likely dispose of him. He had no idea what was gonna happen to him next. As he was lost in thought, he was hearing the echoes in his ears.

"..."

"...Spike..."

He felt it all slipping. He was now the target of some angry ponies who now want to kill him because he wanted to marry the princess. The echoes grew louder while he was still deep in thought.

"...Spike..."

"...Spike..."

"SPIKE!!!!!"

The shouting suddenly knocked him out of his trance. He was now being stared at by everypony around him in the dining hall. He was now sweaty, not knowing what to do nor how to react. Just then, Celestia looked at him and asked,

"Spike... are you okay?"

His eyes were darting all over, completely nervous. His eyes now had red veins and were completely narrow, he was slightly twitching, and he jittering from his mouth.

"Spike, look at me." Celestia said.

He looked at her, albeit nervously.

"I won't let anypony hurt us. Not now. Not ever." Celestia said, assuringly.

"Are you feeling alright? Do you need to be alone?" Twilight asked.

"I... I..."

"Everypony, we need to stay inside this castle. If anypony tries to get inside, we will see to it that their crimes towards my husband will not be allowed to go unpunished. Relay it to all the guards."

"I will do so immediately dear sister." Luna said as she teleported away.

Celestia quickly teleported Spike back to her room. After locking the door and closing all the windows, she went over to Spike and hugged him.

"It's okay. Nopony will hurt you... and if they do... they will suffer a fate far worse than death..." Celestia said in her dark, warped, voice with Spike still shellshocked from reading the letter.

Author's Note

Sorry for the huge delay everybody. I was busy over the past week. I had to go to a funeral, I was busy with helping another person's story, and I had a small case of writer's block. Thank you all for your patience and I will be continuing the next chapter next week. Happy 4th of July!!!