She had never felt more alive.

Even looking forward to these boring events and galas, made sure to never miss a single one. Could never know which one he would attend. Sometimes even with changed appearance and a different role depending on his scheme that evening.

Always with some time for her, no matter whom else he needed to swoon that evening.

Those little stolen moments kept her sane now, far better than her own games of labelling and memorizing everypony at the events.

These moments which would have the gravest consequences if ever caught. Her status and name dragged through the mud, herself with it. Chocolate Tail gone from her life the second such thing would happen, never looking back as he would leave her to rot. Maybe even use the commotion for some of his many schemes, short or long term.

She didn’t care.

Or maybe she did care. Yes.

The very danger of all this only made these moments so much sweeter. Their dirty little secret that could make her lose everything.

Never had she been with a stallion who could satisfy her so. Stolen moments of minutes, twenty minutes their record before forced to return to the party les she would be missed and looked for. Somehow he didn’t need more to leave her a shivering mess and then quickly have he restored again.

Of course the honour wasn’t all his. The danger, the filth, feeling so dirty and daring. Forced to be quiet with ponies on just the other side of the hedge or curtain or table or wherever they saw fit to sneak their little ‘encounters’. A few close calls, which had only made it so much better.

It had even improved her home life. Whenever waiting for the next event and encounter she could find herself so impatient. So wanting. Even her husband could do. Being with him while imagining her secret encounters with another stallion, a thief and fraud. Looking the old lord straight in the eyes as she rode him, knowing everything he did could not compare.

He confused it for love and passion for him.

His kindness and care in return was no source for complaint. After all, before she was nothing more but an accessory, given to him by her parents for an alliance between family lines.

The only problem was the growth in attention he showed her, making it riskier to sneak away for her secret meetings. A kiss on the cheek and a heated promise to be right back usually kept him from asking questions, as he tried to return his focus to the conversation while watching her saunter away. Excused with needing fresh air, powder her nose or other such random excuses.

Old fool.

If he only knew of the stallion who now held her close. The heated moment between her and a lower class unicorn pretending to be at home among the elite.

The quiet wet sounds between their lips, tongues dancing in a performance of dominance and submission with nothing else to shelter them but a loose curtain in an empty hallway.

Chocolate Tail, or whatever his real name was, showing her every bit of attention she never knew a stallion could. His hooves everywhere yet ever so careful to not disturb her perfectly setup hair. She had given up big dresses long ago, too much of a hassle to smooth out, too much noise of clothe when pushed around for access.

A decorative saddle was easy to adjust back into place and quite fitting the circumstances. Like a secret mockery to all who had no idea what was going on, quite literally, behind the curtain.

Her chocolate stallion brushing every bit of her exposed coat, making Midwinter Grace moan before giggling at his playful shush. Such a fun game, making noise and then shush. Sometimes they took great chances right by the party, other times just having childish fun in empty halls.

“I have an idea for tonight…” he whispered into her ear with that husky voice of his, as a hoof caressed the base of her tail, making it tingle. The tail already eagerly raised, so used to a short foreplay session before going straight to the fun part while they had the time.

“O-Oh…?” she moaned softly at his teasing hoof. Licking his lips with a wanting whine.

He leaned in to whisper more, her ear twitching at his words. A shiver running through her at the very suggestion. Was that even possible?

“And you can do that?” Midwinter asked in shock.

“All just Smokes and Mirrors.”

She was not sure what that meant, so much she didn’t know about him. She didn’t know his true name, not even his real cutiemark. Who knew what talents he held?

His continued whispers, promises and assuring had her knees go weak. The risk, the scandal, they could only be caught like that. This was no mere tiny event between a few elite, this was a grand gala only dwarfed by the Grand Galloping Gala itself.

Looking into his eyes, seeing that grin of his, understanding he was just as turned on by this idea of his as she was… she nodded with bright eyes. Yes. Oh yes.

Stepping back from each other she had to adjust her saddle and ensure her mane was still perfectly style as when she left the party. His hooves always careful with these details. They had to play this perfectly.

She heard that tingling of magic, looking around to see nopony. Chocolate Tail was gone.

Before she could call his name, she felt a nibble on her ear and a form pressing against her side. Turning her head she saw nothing. He really did it. He really could do such a thing.

He was no longer a faked dyed brown pony. He was now nothing, but the sensation of coat against coat with nothing catching the eye. She had never before met a pony who could master an invisibility spell like this.

“Ready when you are,” he whispered into her ear.

Yes.

Ready for a scandal.

Her legs trembling under her, as she turned to walk back towards the party.

Midwinter had only been gone for a few minutes, enough to powder her nose and return to her husband’s side nicely refreshed. Earl Grey wouldn’t even have had time to miss her.

If only he knew what he wouldn’t even realize to be witnessing.

Author's Note

Dangit, just more setup. I rather just cut these up into chapters than set it up in one big text, for some reason.

Next chapter WILL be the actual smut, I promise!!
This story turned out more story than expected despite trying to hold myself back.