Showing His Place 3: A Life Anew

Chapters

Chapter Two: The Trip to Canterlot
Chapter Three: A Positive Outlook
Chapter Four: Cadance's Grand Celebration
Chapter Five: Private Armor's Afterparty
Chapter Six [Epilogue]: Reflections
Chapter One: A New Morning

Chapter Two: The Trip to Canterlot

Three Days Later

Even with how many duties and responsibilities there may have been for the Crystal Empire’s rightful leaders, that didn’t mean the two couldn’t find some time to venture outside the city for some much-needed relaxation. Cadance was really wanting to attend Canterlot’s highly-regarded Garden Formal Party, but she was worried she would have to miss it another year due to her obligations as Princess. Fortunately, both Sunburst and Princess Luna offered to spare some time to oversee the magic-fuelled city over a weekend, much to the Alicorn’s surprise. Both she and Shining Armor theorized that Twilight pulled some strings to get them to comply at the last minute, but neither of them seemed to mind when it meant getting a brief vacation in Canterlot.

So because of that, the two made all the arrangements to travel out with their daughter Flurry Heart by train. Of course, Cadance also made sure that Sombra was given permission to come with them as well, without interfering with his strict probation. The Ex-King may have been under house arrest at the Crystal Castle for his rehabilitation, but the Princess knew that things could get bad for him if he was left alone without her or Shining to keep him safe. Not to mention, his good behavior for the public was convincing enough to grant him a “supervised trip” alongside Cadance and Shining for their innocent vacation.

Of course, the three of them all knew that the excursion also served a deeper purpose beneath the surface. Not only was it a great time for Princess Cadance to attend that social, but it also gave her and Sombra the chance to have their own little “Honeymoon.” Shining was fully aware of that fact, but tried not to dwell about it too much while tending to Flurry Heart on the train. Even if his former wife was taking her new relationship more seriously, the stallion was grateful that he at least had the chance to reconnect with his family again.

“Aaaaahhhh…” Cadance sighed with a relieved smile while she laid back in one of the Royal traincar’s plush and roomy seats. Shining sat across the aisle from her while holding Flurry Heart in his forelegs. Meanwhile, Sombra was sitting right next to his wife as she said with a casual smile towards Shining, “So, how long has it been since we last saw your parents, Shining? Was it that cruise we all went to?”

Upon realizing that she was right, Shining exhaled sharply with his eyes closed while shaking his head. “Wow, I… I think it is, actually. Geeze, that’s been like, what… Almost half a year now?”

Flurry Heart didn’t seem to grasp much of their conversation, and just cooed sweetly while nestled against her father’s chest. Fortunately, the baby Alicorn wasn’t looking back at her mother while Sombra scooched in closer beside Cadance. He casually rested his hoof on top of her thigh, and looked back at Shining as he said, “Honestly, I don’t think that’s too long to be separated from your family. Heck, you were a soldier, remember? I’d figure you would have the experience to be away from your parents for long periods of time.”

Despite Sombra’s truthful point, Shining bit his lip uncomfortably as he nodded his head. “Yeah, I know that,” he replied as he tried to look away from Sombra and his nonchalant display of affection. “But still, it’s… it’s kinda different to be away from family as a teenager on duty leave. I mean… nowadays I’m more worried about them than they probably are about me. Not to mention, I don’t want them to miss out on Flurry Heart growing up.”

The adorable foal gurgled with a wide smile as soon as she heard her name, which caused Shining to smile back at her and bob her on top of his knee. Cadance giggled as she watched the two, but also nestled in close beside Sombra while his hoof continued to rub her leg. “You know,” she noted as she tried to bring Shining’s attention back towards her, not seeming to care how she may have looked from his angle, “considering how much craziness has been going on in the Crystal Empire since we began leading it, I’d be hard-pressed to think they wouldn’t be worried sick about you. Parents tend to worry about their kids no matter what age they are.”

Despite blinking a couple times upon seeing how comfortably she was seated against her husband, Shining still nodded gratefully as he smiled at her. “Ummm… yeah, I… I guess we have dealt with a lot that goes outside Guard protocol, huh?”

“Not to mention,” added Sombra as he used his other foreleg to wrap around Cadance's back and pull her in even closer. His smile widened while he continued to rub the inside of the Princess’ thigh, clearly enjoying how much it was making Shining blush. But alas, his shit-eating grin didn’t seem to interfere with his friendly tone of voice as he said, “I have a feeling your parents might be awfully worried about having a former baddie like me roaming around your castle~”

Shining’s smile tried not to quiver in deflation, but he kept his demeanor positive enough to keep Flurry’s focus on him instead of Cadance's new husband. Fortunately, the Princess quickly glanced back at Sombra with a firm stare as she said warningly, “Honey… you remember what I told you before we left, right?”

Sombra sighed and rolled his eyes with a nod, looking like he was being tasked with answering a question by his teacher in front of the class. “Yes, yes I do, Cadance. And I promise you, I’ll be on my best behavior. Believe me, the last thing I’d ever do is embarrass your Guard in front of the parents.”

Even with the infectiously adorable coos he heard from his daughter clutching his chest, Shining’s muzzle skewed worriedly while overhearing their discussion. He wasn’t sure which part of it was troubling him the most: that Sombra may have been planning to embarrass him in front of his parents, or that both of them have seemingly accepted his role as their ‘Guard’ so soon following their agreement. Even though he knew he didn’t have the right to complain, the fact that things were changing so drastically outside the bedroom was leaving him feeling conflicted.

Nevertheless, the stallion maintained his composure to keep himself silent while Cadance smiled towards him cheerfully. “Don’t worry, Shining,” she said in a soft and reassuring tone of voice. “We might not have any rules anymore, but that doesn’t mean I can’t impose limits myself for the sake of civility. Especially in regards to family, which I will always consider them to be.”

Sombra sighed begrudgingly while still nestled in close to his Princess, and said with a reluctant nod, “Yeah… not to mention, I’m sure I’d probably be gelded if anyone outside of your sister learned about this arrangement.”

Shining knew that Sombra was likely right, but the idea of being exposed by the public made him wince strongly for his own safety. Even if it was presented in the most respectful and loving way possible, he couldn’t imagine many scenarios where the outcome wouldn’t involve Sombra’s head on a pike, and the reputations of himself and Cadance destroyed beyond repair. Despite the efforts they’ve gone through to maintain an innocent appearance, he was just as aware as they were that they were treading across dangerously thin ice. Heck, considering how smart Flurry Heart was getting, part of Shining was worried about having her here right now; for all he knew, she could end up drawing pictures of Sombra and Cadance in the future that could turn too many heads.

Fortunately, his train of thought was interrupted by the convenience of the actual train he and the others were in. The group began to feel the slightest change in speed as the brakes started to apply, indicating that their Canterlot stop was close by. Flurry Heart zoomed out of Shining’s forelegs to fly over towards the window, and marveled at the sight of Celestia’s castle that could be seen in the distance. While the Alicorn foal squeed excitedly, Shining was able to sigh in slight relief upon seeing how carefree she looked; she might be a smart filly, but he had a feeling she wasn’t paying much attention to Cadance and Sombra right now.

And given how Cadance was now practically nuzzling against Sombra’s side, that was most definitely for the best. While the Alicorn’s husband chuckled softly and nuzzled her back, Shining tried to ignore their displays while the train intercom turned on above them. “Attention, all passengers,” said the voice through the muffled-sounding speakers. “The train will arrive in Canterlot Station in less than two minutes. Please collect your belongings, and prepare yourself for departure.”

While Shining got up to grab Flurry from the window, Sombra and Cadance took that moment to sneak a loving kiss away from her daughter’s line of sight. The kiss only lasted a second at most, but Shining could hear the smootch of their lips audibly enough to make him shiver while his back was turned to them. Nevertheless, the stallion was grateful that when he apprehended the squirming baby, Cadance and Sombra acted far less conspicuous the instant they got up from their seats to grab their bags. Of course, just as the train made its stop at the Canterlot station, Cadance caught Shining’s attention as she took Flurry Heart with her magic.

“Ummm… I don’t want to impose too strongly,” she said while looking at him with a sightly cautious smile, “But since Sombra doesn’t have any magic to take the luggage himself, could you maybe do it while I carry Flurry? It would mean a lot.”

Shining huffed with a sincere smile, and nodded his head before lighting up his horn. “Yeah, that’s no problem,” he assured the Princess before lifting up the multiple suitcases and bags with his magic. The stallion groaned from the strain as he lugged all the items onto his back, but kept his composure while his teeth were gritted. “Nnnnghhh… Man, this takes me back to Guard training.”

“Seems fitting~” remarked Sombra with a sly and knowing chuckle. Fortunately, Shining was able to ignore that teasing jab while Cadance helped secure the load he was carrying. “Oh, and I don’t want you to forget,” she said while moving one of the lighter bags closer to his neck, “I’m needing to get a dress for the Garden Formal, so I was hoping you could find me something nice at that store on Lilac Drive, okay?”

Shining’s eyes widened as he heard that, and he looked back at Cadance to see her giving a satisfied smirk. The Princess winked slyly before adding in a whispered tone, “And… if you see anything that would look good for tonight, be sure to get that too. Your Prince insisted on it~”

Since Flurry Heart was too focused biting on her stuffed snail toy, there was nothing to keep Cadance from grinning naughtily at her former husband. Even though he felt like he was going to cringe from how pathetic he felt, he was able to breathe out calmly and nod with a smile back up at her. “Ummm… A-Absolutely, Cadance~”

The Princess smiled back with a gracious nod, and leaned in to nuzzle beneath Shining’s neck. “Thank you so much. I’d go myself, but I have a feeling Sombra would behave himself better if I kept my eyes on him.”

Sombra scoffed with an offended look on his face, and rolled his eyes to retort with, “Cadance, I’m not a toddler!”

Cadance glanced back at the ‘Prince’ with an expectant stare, and replied in a more matter-of-fact tone, “So, you’re telling me that you wouldn’t try to tease Shining if I wasn’t around?”

Sombra looked like he wanted to say otherwise, but muzzle remained locked-shut before averting his eyes from her; not to mention, it was obvious that he wanted to snicker when he saw how much Shining’s legs were buckling from the weight of all that luggage. Because of that, all that Cadance gave was a pert, “Exactly~” before returning her attention to her Ex. Fortunately, the stallion didn’t seem to have much trouble as soon as he got in an upright stance. After seeing how protective she acted for his sake, Shining sighed and said with a grateful nod, “Ummm… thanks, Cadance.”

“Hey, it’s not like you wouldn’t do the same for me.” While Sombra shook his head and looked away annoyedly, Cadance floated out Flurry Heart with her magic so Shining could give her a kiss on the head. “C’mon now~ Here’s a pick-me-up!”

After kissing the top of the foal’s head to make Flurry coo giddily, Shining smiled and made his way towards the exit. When the train made its stop, the stallion couldn’t say he felt too silly carrying everyone’s bags. In fact, he was rather grateful that Sombra wasn’t ordering him to do anything more than that upon exiting the train. Honeymoon or not, Cadance's word was basically law when it came to this vacation: Love in the daytime, and Lust in the nightime.

Of course, Shining soon realized that despite that rule, Cadance's husband didn’t need to do anything else to tease him for now. As soon as the train’s exit doors were opened, Shining stepped out first while carrying enough luggage to make him grunt with each step. Unfortunately, the first thing he saw when he exited the train was his sister, whose smile looked particularly wide while staring at him knowingly. While Cadance and Sombra walked off the train with Flurry in tow, Shining looked around as he realized Twilight was the only pony to greet them. Because of that, the stallion couldn’t help sighing in defeat as he glanced back at her. “H-Hey, Twilight! S-So, ummm… How have you been, Sis?”

Despite trying to give an innocent smile following that question, Twilight just narrowed her eyes on him and said, “Well… considering what Cadance told me a few days ago, I have a feeling you’ve been busier than me~”

Shining huffed with a flatter stare while his ears lowered immensely. Unfortunately, that just made Twilight smirk more wickedly before adding with a narrowing of her eyes, “Yeah, that’s right, B.B.B.F.F… I’m fully aware~”

He may have felt optimistic before leaving the train, but that devilish glimmer in his sister’s eyes made Shining audibly gulp.

Fortunately for the sake of Shining’s composure, nothing seemed amiss as the four ponies (as well as Flurry Heart) went across Canterlot to reach the home of their parents: Night Light and Twilight Velvet. Along the way, Sombra actually gave some interesting insight as he pointed out various landmarks, and noted which things have changed or been altered since he last visited this city a millennium ago. Shining hated to admit it, but he was actually just as intrigued by the stallion’s knowledge as Cadance and Twilight were. It almost felt like he was getting a full-fledged tour of Canterlot as a newcomer, even though he and Twilight had lived in the city for most of their lives.

By the time the group arrived at the quaint suburban home for a home-cooked lunch, Sombra had enough practice wooing Cadance and Twilight to be an absolute gentlecolt for Shining’s parents. Despite both of the “Royal Grandparents” being fully aware of his past, Sombra abided by his wife’s orders as he treated both of them with the utmost respect. He listened to everypony’s stories, acted Royally polite during their meal, and refrained himself from saying anything too inappropriate or suggestive. In fact, the Ex-King even let Shining and Cadance sit next to each other at the dining room table, just to avoid any awkwardness.

As for Shining, he couldn’t have felt more content as he enjoyed a loving meal with the ponies he cared about. And with Cadance acting perfectly civil alongside him and Flurry Heart, Shining almost felt a sense of normalcy while listening to his parent’s cheerful recounts of Canterlot gossip. Even though he wished Spike was around to enjoy the meal as well (apparently, Twilight allowed him to stay at the Friendship School to assist with Starlight Glimmer), Shining felt grateful that he was able to savor the rare moment with the mare he loved. A simple meal with family may have not been a lot to most ponies, but Shining saw it as a much-needed moment of reflection to feel grateful for what he still had.

Even if Cadance was taking her new relationship to serious levels, Shining didn’t detect any animosity or insincerity from her as she remained close by his side during dinner. If it wasn’t for Sombra staring at the two studiously, or Twilight’s coy-looking grin every time Shining looked back at her, the stallion would’ve felt like nothing changed at all between them. In a way, having Cadance being so sincere and caring helped to confirm that nothing really changed overall. And because of that, Shining felt much more content with himself by the time dessert was being served.

“Alright, everypony!” said Twilight Velvet with a cheerful smile as she trotted into the dining room with a massive chocolate cake hovering in her magic. While she carefully lowered the plate down on the waiting serving stand, Cadance had to restrain her daughter so she wouldn’t fly straight into the dessert. Fortunately, Velvet didn’t mind the sounds of Flurry’s annoyed squirms while she floated out the serving knife. “This just cooled down enough to put frosting on, and there’s more than enough for everypony~”

As she began to cut the first couple of pieces from the tremendously moist-looking cake, Sombra’s brows raised with an impressed smile when he got a glimpse of that gooey cross-section. “Oooooh~ Are those strawberries in there?”

“Indeed they are,” chirped the mare with a prideful wink back at him. “Considering how there are three Princesses, a Prince, AND a former King in the same room, I wanted to make the occasion special~”

Sombra gave a polite shrug as he smiled back at her thankfully; however, the former Tyrant wasn’t above shooting a cheeky stare back at Shining for a split-second after hearing what Velvet said. The stallion thought that would be the end of it, but he was sadly mistaken as Cadance raised her hoof. “Well, ummm… actually, Velvet…”

The mare paused her cutting to look back at her daughter-in-law, and Shining was trying his hardest not to look bug-eyed as he did the same. But regardless of how worried Shining may have appeared, Cadance put her hoof back down before motioning it towards Shining’s direction. “You know… there might be a slight error in that estimation right now…”

Shining’s heart sunk into his chest, and he bit his lip as he tried not to squirm in place. At the corner of his eyes, Shining could see Sombra grinning wide directly at him. Meanwhile, Twilight covered her blushed face with a hoof while seated next to their confused-looking Dad. Shining knew that Cadance was going to say something awful, and could only clench his muzzle shut in hopes that it would be a painless reveal.

“I mean…” Cadance then smiled as she floated Flurry Heart into Shining’s hooves, and kept her hoof pointed at her. “Just because Flurry is an Alicorn doesn’t necessarily make her a Princess, Mom. She’s just a baby~”

Shining Armor never let out a silent sigh so heavily in his life, and had to bite his lip to help counteract any blush that would’ve arisen from that fakeout. Both Sombra and Twilight struggled not to snicker at how squirmy Cadance made her cuckold, but Velvet and Night Light didn’t seem to notice anything was amiss. “Ohhhh, don’t be like that, Cadance!” jeered Night Light with a carefree wave of his hoof. “I know you and Shining don’t want her to feel too privileged as a member of Royalty, but I think she IS a Princess. Both legally and biologically.”

Cadance just rolled her eyes, and didn’t try to argue the semantics while accepting a plate of cake that was floated towards her. Shining placed Flurry Heart into her highchair, and tried to keep a close eye on her while she devoured her slice of chocolate cake. Twilight already had a plate herself, and she stuck a fork into the moist center before saying, “Well, you can’t necessarily blame them for wanting to make Flurry feel normal. I mean… Blueblood was raised as a Prince since birth, and look how he turned out.”

Both of the parents groaned with disappointed grimaces upon hearing that name, clearly indicating that the two were familiar with that stallion. “Ughhh… Okay, yeah,” noted Night Light with an apprehensive shrug, “I can understand avoiding that.”

“Actually…” Twilight Velvet seemed to be pondering an idea for a second before glancing back at her daughter. “Twilight, why haven’t you and your friends tried to reform him?”

“Wait, what?!” gawked the younger Princess, looking almost offended by such a notion.

“Well, why not?!” asked Velvet right back at her. “I mean, you guys have a pretty good track record with that sort of thing, don’t you? You reformed Discord, Starlight Glimmer, that Tempest lady who was here a while back…”

“Don’t forget him,” added Night Light while holding his fork with his magic, and pointing it directly towards Sombra. “I mean, Sombra had a pretty bad past, but you managed to make him into a great guy! I mean, he’s one of the most polite ponies we ever had here! If you can do that, then why not Blueblood?”

Sombra had his brows raised in surprise, and seemed downright honored to receive such a kind sentiment from Shining’s Dad. But while the former Tyrant smiled and nodded back at him, Twilight sighed and tried to point out, “Well… When it comes to reformation, the pony or creatures we managed to help were those who actually wanted to change. And as far as I know, Prince Blueblood is not a pony who’s willing to change his ways.”

“Not to mention,” noted Cadance after taking a bite from her cake, “It usually takes a lot of time and effort to properly rehabilitate someone with bad impulses. If you really want to help someone with bad habits, it helps to give them something important to place their focus on.”

Cadance made sure to give a cheeky smile towards Sombra, who managed to shoot a wink back at her without the parents noticing. Twilight Velvet sighed, and nodded in approval to Cadance's point as she cut herself the last piece. “Well, I can certainly agree with that. As long as you have a proper goal in place, anything is possible.”

Sombra locked eyes onto Cadance from across the table, and made sure to glance down at her abdomen as he said with a knowing grin. “Yes, I wholeheartedly agree, Mrs. Velvet~”

Cadance smirked a little wider back at Sombra, and gave the faintest nod of her head for her Guard to see. Shining winced while tending to Flurry Heart, and darted his head around to make sure nopony caught that exchange. Luckily, neither of the parents seemed to notice anything was amiss while Velvet waved her hoof in dismissal. “Ohhhh, you don’t have to be so formal, Sombra! Just Velvet is fine.”

“I apologize, Velvet,” Sombra replied with a raised hoof, before cutting himself a portion from his slice of cake with a fork. Just as he was about to pop it into his muzzle, the Ex-King casually added, “I was merely following my Special Somepony’s advice about staying polite~”

While Sombra took a bite from his cake, and gave an impressed hum from tasting the well-baked dessert, everyone else was staring at him wide-eyed. Even Cadance seemed a little worried, which made Shining feel absolutely terrified. Twilight looked around the table with a bitten lip, looking like she was preparing to light up her horn in case anything went south. Meanwhile, Night Light blinked a couple times while staring back at Sombra before he said, “Wait a minute… You… You’re in a relationship?”

Sombra swallowed his bite of cake before giving an innocent shrug with his hooves raised. “Wellllll… kinda, yeah. But for the sake of her safety, I will not say who the mare specifically is. Given my… controversial return to Equestrian society, I’d rather not have her be villainized by the presses if word got out, you know?”

Night Light raised his hoof as he nodded with a clenched muzzle, indicating that he didn’t need any further clarification. Velvet didn’t seem to want to press the subject either, but she did glance over to the relieved-looking ‘couple’ to ask, “Wait, so… did either of you know about this?”

Cadance's smile looked a little strained as she shrugged awkwardly, and then looked back at Shining to nod to that question. “Well, we… are aware that he’s seeing somepony special. Neither of us are against it, but… yeah, we’re not willing to discuss who it is either.”

Shining breathed out softly as he nodded his head. When he saw the look of relief in Cadance's expression following Sombra’s ambiguous answer, he was honestly rather grateful that she felt the same way he did on the matter. Of course, he was also rather glad that Flurry Heart was too busy with the chocolate smeared across her face to take much notice of the situation. Meanwhile, Night Light seemed to turn his focus onto Twilight in regards to Sombra’s unexpected news. “So… Did you know that Sombra had a Special Somepony?”

Shining groaned while sinking his face into his hoof, barely able to appreciate the awesome cake his Mom made. Unfortunately, Twilight seemed a bit less worried than Cadance as she answered, “Well… I actually have met the two a couple times together. And… honestly, I think they make a wonderful couple~”

Shining looked up to see Twilight giving him a cheeky grin following that opinion. Fortunately for him, his sister returned his attention back towards their Dad to add, “I mean… I happen to know that she used to be in a serious relationship with somepony else, but… I guess she just had better chemistry with Sombra~”

Sombra smiled wide as he nodded thankfully towards her. “Thank you, Twilight,” he said with a grateful tone behind his cocky-looking grin. But alas, he tried to keep himself humble as he shrugged his shoulders, and decided to add, “And to be fair, the mare’s former mate wasn’t a bad guy at all! He’s actually someone I deeply respect, but… I think both of us knew what was the better choice~”

Shining wanted to sink into his chair, but could only bite his lip before seeing Sombra motion towards him. “Shining, you know who I’m talking about, right?” he asked with a leering grin and a tilt of his head. “Would it be alright if you… maybe gave your insight?~”

Shining was silent for a moment as he glanced back at Cadance, who merely shrugged and shot him a playful smirk. Twilight seemed rather pleased as well, and narrowed his eyes on him in wait. Shining wanted to move his attention to something else, but he couldn’t while both of his parents were looking directly at him. After a long moment of silence, the stallion closed his eyes and sighed in defeat. “I, ummm… Y-Yeah, I… I know him…”

Shining then sat back upright as he took another breath, and tried to explain who the ‘stallion’ was with everyone listening. “He… he really is a fantastic stallion, just like Sombra said. And I… I honestly didn’t expect things between him and… and Sombra’s new mate to have changed the way it did. But, ummm…”

Shining readjusted himself in his seat in slight discomfort, but his pause only lasted a second or two before continuing. “Well… I think in the end, he… he realized that he… he wanted her to be happy. And… and despite how much he loved her himself, he… he wanted her to be with someone who was more... fulfilling, I guess? And… And even though I know he’s still close with both her and Sombra, he…”

Shining had to think for a moment to find the right words, which wouldn’t have been so taxing if it wasn’t for the multiple eyes focused on him. While Flurry Heart finished licking her empty plate as it hovered in her magic, Shining sighed perly before finishing his assessment. “... He… honestly feels perfectly fine, I think. I mean… It’s a weird thing to want, I suppose, but… I think he realized that he loved her enough to allow somepony else take his place. And… I’d like to think they respect him for doing that…”

Cadance looked over at him with a blushed and prideful smile on her face. Twilight seemed happy as well, but had to bite her lips shut to keep from giggling. Both Night Light and Velvet shrugged with accepting looks, even though it seemed like neither of them really understood what Shining was getting at. Meanwhile, Sombra just nodded in approval towards the stallion as he said, “Believe me, Shining Armor… We sincerely do~”

Just a few hours following that eventful lunch, Shining made sure to follow by Cadance's request as he trotted into the heart of Downtown Canterlot. As for Cadance and Sombra, the couple decided to stay at the parents’ house for a little longer so Shining’s parents can fawn over their granddaughter. Fortunately for the stallion, Twilight decided to accompany him so he wouldn’t be completely alone. And unlike the earlier lunch, the Princess seemed slightly less cheeky in regards to what she knew of her brother’s personal life.

“So… if you don’t mind me asking, Shining…”

Even though he could tell her tone of voice was being polite, Shining still sighed sharply while keeping his focus on the rack of dresses in front of him. That response made his sister’s muzzle skew worriedly, but she only paused for a second before asking, “Are… are you okay? I mean… you seemed a little upset as soon as you left the house, and I--”

“I’m fine,” Shining said in a firm, but still clearly bitter tone of voice. He tried to avoid looking back at her, but he could still sense her offended scowl from how bluntly he snapped at her. He could hear Twilight taking a sharp breath, as if she was about to say something in response to his attitude. But before she could open her muzzle, Shining pinched the bridge of his snout with a hoof and added, “S-Sorry. I… I’m sorry I said it like that, okay? I… I really am fine, I’m just… ugh…”

Shining didn’t know what else he could say, and just kept his muzzle pointed away from his sister. Twilight still looked a little miffed, but her expression relaxed after hearing that apology. Her lips then pursed shut in contemplation before she decided to ask, “Is… Is it because of what happened at lunch? Because if I wasn’t supposed to do that, I really am so--”

“N-No, it’s not that,” Shining said in interruption once more. Fortunately, this one was accompanied with him looking back at her insistently. “Seriously, you… you didn’t do anything wrong at lunch, alright? Mom and Dad don’t know anything, which was pretty much all I wanted today.”

“Well… alright then,” she replied with an accepting huff, even though her brow was still raised curiously on her downtrodden brother. While Shining went back to looking across the rack of garments aimlessly, his sister waited another moment before saying, “Just so you know… I really won’t judge you if something is on your mind, okay? I mean… I really do like messing around with you regarding your… thing~ But that doesn’t mean I stopped caring about you as my brother.”

Shining paused as he closed his eyes and sighed, knowing that his sister meant that assurance sincerely. Even though he knew she was just as perverted as his Ex (if not more), the stallion couldn’t deny that she was also just as compassionate. Even though he felt stupid for dwelling on such a thing, he knew it was better to just bring it up instead of bottling it in. “Well, ummm… If you really mean that, then… Then I suppose I can explain…”

The stallion took a moment to look around the shop, which was thankfully empty of everyone except an inattentive clerk. Fortunately, Twilight took advantage of Shining’s pause to light up her horn, and cast a sound-proofing dome over the two of them for some added privacy. He smiled back at her after seeing that wall of glowing purple magic surrounding then, and took a breath before trying to explain. “Well, I… When I was first dating Cadance, I… I came to this store to buy her some lingerie as a Hearts and Hooves present. And, uhhhh… I mostly did that because…”

Shining clenched his muzzle shut briefly, and huffed through his nostrils before lowering his head. “Ummm… She… She wore it the first time the two of us… Y-You know...”

Twilight’s eyes widened rather quickly, and she covered her mouth with a hoof to conceal her surprise of learning such a thing. “Oh… Oh, wow…”

Shining closed his eyes with a solemn nod, and then brought his head back up after exhaling deeply. “Yeah. So… because of that, I… I’m not sure how to feel about coming back here to buy something for her to wear for… for...”

Despite how morose the stallion looked while blushing deeply, Twilight placed a hoof on his shoulder to catch his attention. The moment he looked back at her, the Princess carried an insistent smile as she said coaxingly, “... for her to wear forrrrr?~”

Shining huffed while closing his eyes again, but his blush grew heavier for his smirking sister to see. Even though he was already feeling sensitive about being here of all places, he knew he couldn’t refuse to respond right now. So after another breath, Shining kept his eyes closed and muttered meekly, “... for… for her husband… P-Prince Sombra…”

Twilight giggled slyly to Shining’s remark, and pulled him in for a reassuring hug while the sound-proofing spell was still up. “See? Was that so hard?~”

Shining tried to pout from his sister’s insistent teasing, but the added physical contact made his hind-legs quiver from his chastity cage continuing to strain. He wanted to hope that she didn’t sense that, but he was sadly proven wrong after she pulled back and giggled again. “Well… I guess something is still hard about all this~”

“Ugh!” Shining rolled his eyes and shook his head to his sister’s immature jab. “Twi, can you please take this seriously?! I mean… I know I shouldn’t be so hung-up about buying her a dress and lingerie here, and… I want to be grateful everything is still a secret and all! But… It just…”

During his momentary pause, Shining took a breath while his face was clenched from the growing anxiety of everything. Twilight’s smirk dropped a little, and she took a respectful step back in case her brother got too emotional. Fortunately, only a couple seconds passed before he sighed with a more relaxed expression, and kept his eyes pointed away from his sister. “I… I know I’m not losing her, but… I wanted to keep this, at least…”

Twilight knew that her brother basically begged to be put in such a demeaning role alongside Cadance and Sombra, but she could tell that this moment was leaving him feeling hesitant at best. Fortunately, the Alicorn seemed to have an idea as she pulled her brother in close, and hugged him from the side while speaking. “So… let me ask you something important, Shining…”

The stallion kept his muzzle shut, but he reopened his eyes to look down and see his sister’s supportive smile. As soon as she had his attention, Twilight raised a brow as she asked, “When it comes to the dress you want to get her… how do you want her to feel while wearing it?”

Shining huffed with a tilt of his head, and pondered that question over before replying, “Well… I want her to feel beautiful. But, I’m pretty sure it’d be impossible to screw that up. Heh heh… B-But ummm…I... I also want her to feel… wanted. Like… I want her to feel like every stallion in the room would be envious of whomever is with her…”

Twilight’s smile widened from that answer, looking happy that he had that state of mind. “Anything else?~”

Shining nodded his head, and took a second before adding, “Well, uhhh… I also want her to… stand out a lot. Like… she’s been wanting to attend this social for years, and I… I want to feel like she’d leave the party empty if she weren’t there…”

“So… something sexy?~” guessed Twilight with a cheeky grin. Shining’s cheeks remained deeply blushed, but he was able to smile weakly while nodding back at her.

“Ummm… Y-Yeah~ And, uhhh… I want her to… I honestly want her to… feel just as confident in public as she does around Sombra…”

While Twilight raised both brows in surprise, Shining raised a hoof to say insistently, “I don’t want her to come out or anything! But… I want her to feel like… like nopony could try and intimidate her…”

Twilight gave a prideful smile upon hearing that, but decided to ask one last question for his sake. “And… Why do you feel you want her to feel that way?”

Shining gave a befuddled glance back at his sister, and stared at her like she just spoke in fluent Yakyakistani. “Why? I… Be… Because I love her! Why do you think I feel that way?!”

“That’s all you need to remember,” said Twilight with an insistent smile as she continued to hold her brother from the side. “Shining… I’m sure you’re aware that I did a lot of research regarding your… relationship. And through my studies, I was able to better understand just why you’d find pleasure from this sort of power-exchange, and… I’m also able to see right now that you love her more than anything. And I don’t think I need to tell you that she loves you too.”

Shining instantly nodded to that statement, not needing a second to really contemplate that fact.

“And right now, you’re wanting her to feel absolutely perfect. Not just for this party, but to make both you and Sombra happy. And considering how special this event really is -- you know… due to how you and Cadance are changing things up…”

His jaw may have clenched shut a little, but he didn’t try to react too strongly while nodding in understanding back at her. As soon as he did that, Twilight shrugged with a smile before looking back at that rack of beautiful dresses. “Don’t you think that… she wanted you to come here so you know how special she sees this night too? I mean… given that it’s kind of their Honeymoon, you might as well make it count for them~”

Shining sighed with his head lowered pathetically. However, his blush was just as noticeable as his smile after thinking it over. Even though he still felt a little uncomfortable about being here for this, he was able to see it under a different light after that explanation. He wasn’t necessarily destroying his memory of this place, but instead… he was giving it a new meaning to encompass who he was now.

“So… what do you think you should do, Shining?” she asked with a caring grin, knowing that her brother wouldn’t be as hesitant to answer her honestly now. The stallion still appeared timid about everything, but he was able to take a deep breath before lifting his head back up to respond accordingly.

“I… I’m…”

After another moment, Shining looked back at those dresses as he smiled more confidently, and said, “I’m going to make Cadance look absolutely perfect for Prince Sombra~”

Twilight nodded in satisfaction before turning off her sound-proofing spell, and walking towards that rack to help her brother out. “Well, let’s get to it, then! I was honestly thinking she should wear something red…”

By the time the sun began to set over the Canterlot horizon, the highly-esteemed Garden Social was already in full-swing in the rear courtyard of Canterlot Castle. Even though it was a rather high-class event with unpronounceable appetizers and an orchestral quartet, the positive and upbeat mood made it feel rather lively. Of course, a large reason for that may have been the presence of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, who showed up to the venue wearing a stunning red cocktail dress. She also had her mane tied up into an expertly-woven bun, that was held in place with two ornate sticks. Even though everypony knew she was a happily married mare and a mother, even Twilight could spot a few stallions trying to sneak glances at her enviously curvaceous form.

Of course, despite how ravishing she may have looked, it seemed that Sombra was gartering just as many stares just by being in attendance. Even though he wasn’t causing any trouble, and even wearing a handsomely well-tailored suit of pitch-black with a red tie, it was doubtful that any ponies would be willing to talk with him outside of fulfilling a dare. Fortunately, the grey stallion didn’t seem too perturbed by his isolation while he walked around the venue, and kept his eyes pinned on the dancefloor. Even though a lot of eyes were cautiously focused on him, it didn’t seem like anypony was able to see how much he was keeping his attention on Cadance.

Out on the dancefloor, Cadance smiled contentedly while she stood on her hind-legs, and slowly danced to a beautiful orchestral number with Shining Armor. The white stallion was wearing one of his tailor-made tuxedos for the occasion, which had a deep blue color that looked rather fetching on him. By all intents and purposes, Shining looked great for the occasion while he danced with the Princess for everypony to see. However, despite how handsome he may have looked, the Royal ‘couple’ kept a respectful distance while stepping in tandem to the rhythm of the song.

Up close, Shining couldn’t hold back his admiration while holding Cadance in his hooves, and seeing up-close just how beautiful she looked in the dress he picked out. Cadance smiled back at him just as genuinely, and carried a faint blush on her cheeks while they continued slow-dancing. Outside the dancefloor, Sombra and Twilight were standing side-by-side while watching the two enjoying the night for themselves. Even though both of them knew exactly how jarring their relationship really was, neither of them could deny that the two looked absolutely adorable together. If both of them had their memories erased right then and there, they probably wouldn’t have seen anything amiss from how lovingly Shining and Cadance stared at one another.

“Cadance, you… you have no idea how wonderful you look tonight~” said Shining in the most sincere tone possible, and a warm smile that perfectly matched.

“Oh, Shining… You look amazing too~” Cadance said while smiling back at him just as dearly. Even if Sombra couldn’t hear the two from where he was, he could tell from how she looked that she wasn’t being dishonest in the slightest. She then smirked more playfully before pulling her hoof up, and giving Shining’s snout a light tap as she went, “Boop!~”

Shining tried not to snicker from that cute little jab, recalling how the two used to do that all the time while dating. The stallion smirked mischievously back at her, and did the same snout-tap with a “Boop!” of his own. That action caused Cadance to giggle audibly, as well as a few of the other dancers who were within earshot of them. While Sombra stared at the two with slight confusion, Twilight giggled a little before nudging him to whisper, “Don’t worry. They do that a lot.”

Sombra wasn’t worried about the two, but he still smiled gratefully back at her and nodded in acceptance. Soon after the two returned their attention to the dancefloor, the song finally ended to warrant a round of applause. While most of the party-goers clapped respectfully, the dancers all thankfully bowed before making their leave. However, while Shining walked off to grab himself something from the refreshment table, he didn’t seem to notice Cadance trotting towards the orchestra.

“Hey, guys~” she whispered as she caught their attention. The four musicians seemed rather surprised by Cadance's presence, but none of them were able to bow out of respect before she lit up her horn. The two sticks holding her bun came down, and allowed her mane to drop across her back and give a devilishly wavy style. The removal of her bun also revealed that she was hiding something inside of it for this occasion. Much to the musicians’ surprise, the Princess had a folded-up wad of paper which she floated over to the four. “If you don’t mind, I’d really like to make that a request for tonight~”

After the paper was unfolded, the orchestra read through the sheet music to see what it was the Princess wanted them to perform. There may have been a couple raised brows, but none of them seemed to protest as they looked up at her with approving smiles. “Your Highness,” said the stallion who was still sitting on his piano bench while bowing his head, “it would be an absolute honor~”

“Thank you very much.” After bowing back to the four respectfully, Cadance made her way back to the dancefloor while the orchestra prepared for their impromptu number. On her way, the Princess made sure to look out towards Sombra and nod her head in approval. Even though it was clear that Shining was unaware of what was going to happen next, Sombra grinned eagerly wide before straightening his tie, and trotting towards the stage as well.

Cadance lit up her horn again so she could grab the nearby microphone by the orchestra stand, and floated it towards her so she could take it with her hoof. After softly tapping the bulb a couple times to make sure it was on, the Princess grinned antsily as she took a breath before speaking. “Ummm… Can I have everypony’s attention, please?~”

Shining instantly darted his head back towards the stage upon hearing Cadance's voice over the loudspeakers. Meanwhile, the Alicorn smiled with a deepening blush as she saw everyone in
attendance taking notice of her. Of course, she also heard a few murmurs and lights gasps the instant Sombra trotted out onto the dancefloor as well. Fortunately, nopony seemed to say anything in protest while Cadance remained in place without worry. Shining quickly ran back to the side of the stage to stand beside his sister, and whispered cautiously, “Twilight, what’s going on?”

Shining’s sister shrugged her shoulders to indicate she didn’t know, but grew an intrigued smirk while looking out at the two. “I have no idea, but I’m really curious to see what they have planned~”

Shining blushed with his muzzle wrinkled worriedly, but he couldn’t help staying in place as he looked out at them as well.

“Everypony in attendance,” began Cadance as she spoke through the mic and looked out towards the gathering crowd. “First of all… I want to thank all of you for this absolutely wonderful night. I know that… well, given my title, it’s hard for me to attend every stuffy soire that happens in this city~ Heh heh…”

A large portion of the crowd chuckled knowingly to that statement as well, clearly willing to show more humor for Royalty’s sake. Fortunately, Cadance was quick to add in a more sincere tone, “But… I can safely say that I really missed coming to the annual Garden Social since I became head of the Crystal Empire. And I… I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful this night has been…”

She paused for a second to glance back at Sombra with a warm, and genuine-looking smile. She then motioned back out at the audience towards Shining’s general direction to say, “... for my husband and myself…”

Another round of applause rolled across the crowd, with many of the clapping ponies motioning towards Shining while he stood in the forefront with an immense blush. Even if Cadance technically motioned to him, there was no doubt that she planned that suggestive motion for him to see. She brought Sombra out in the middle of this party, and basically referred to him as her husband without anypony turning suspicious. Even though his face burned hotly in respect of such a bold move, Shining’s fretful feelings weren’t enough to keep him from overhearing his sister snickering beside him.

“And furthermore,” continued Cadance as she stepped in closer beside Sombra, and looked back at him with a friendly smile. “I’d like to thank all of you for allowing Sombra to attend this social as well. Even though we’re all fully aware of his past mistakes, he has shown nothing but the utmost dedication and kindness when it came to proving his redemption. And with the help of myself, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and especially Shining Armor…”

There were a few more claps that came from the ponies nearby Shining and Twilight, but it was more withheld since they knew Cadance had more to say. While Twilight watched with an impressed smirk in regards to Cadance's cleverness, Shining tried not to look too flustered while he smiled with his bottom lip bitten. Meanwhile, Cadance brought a hoof back towards Sombra, and placed it on his shoulder as she followed up her previous words:

“... The Prince and I are both deeply… and eternally grateful that despite all the controversies we faced… that you’re all as willing to provide Sombra with a second chance as we have.”

Once again, everypony applauded the Princess and her kind words, with only Shining and Twilight catching on to what she actually said. That time, Cadance literally placed her hoof on Sombra and referred to him as the Prince. But due to how she worded the whole thing, nopony seemed to think she was actually referring to him. Shining could only stand still as he tried not to gawk, unsure if he could be mortified or amazed with Cadance's wordplay.

But whichever feeling it was, it made him exhale shakily while his chastity cage strained hard beneath his tux.

“And because of that,” said Cadance as she let go of her mic, and let it float in her magic to indicate she was almost finished, “Sombra and I were wanting to present a routine together, to help solidify our bonds and show you all what unity can do for our future. This is also a means to let you all see Sombra for who he really is. Not as a King. Not as a Tyrant… but as a partner~”

With that, Cadance floated the microphone aside and pointed over to the orchestra. The musicians all nodded happily, and got themselves ready to perform the surprise number presented on Cadance's sheet music. The Princess and her husband stood on their hind-legs while facing one-another, and smirked mischievously before the music began to play. The sounds of lingering violin swills, deep piano arrangements, and passionate guitarwork soon flooded the Garden Social, and caused Shining’s eyes to widen a split-second before everypony else’s.

Without hesitation, Cadance and Sombra’s bodies worked in shockingly outstanding synchronicity as they moved their hooves in tandem across the dancefloor. The two may have only been “married” for a couple of months at most, but the timed steps and sweeps of their legs carried enough discipline and understanding of each other’s bodies to make it look like they’ve been together for years. Unlike her earlier dance with Shining, which was undoubtedly sincere and special for the two of them, Cadance didn’t look the least-bit hesitant about keeping her body close to Sombra’s as they shared their own personal tango. As their gazes remained studiously locked onto one-another, Shining had to bite his tongue when he saw how much burning desire was lingering within their half-lidded eyes.

For most of the other attendees watching the performance, many impressed hums and whistles could be heard in response to Cadance and Sombra’s skilled hoof-work together. But despite how close the two may have been locked in each other’s hooves while they made sweeping steps and spins across the stage, it seemed that Shining and Twilight were the only ones to know how genuine their passionate feelings for one-another really were. Nevertheless, despite how inexplicably well the two may have been performing such a sultry routine without raising any brows, Shining’s ears still lowered in awkwardness as he heard various murmurs from ponies around him.

“Oh, wow! Sombra is really something, isn’t he?~”

“I know! And he looks surprisingly good in that suit~”

“Man, Cadance looks stunning in that dress~ Why didn’t she have her hair down before this?”

“She looks like a totally different Princess! I… I kinda like it~”

“Goddess, Shining is such a lucky stallion! She’s amazing~”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but… I think I’m a little jealous of Sombra right now.”

If Shining wasn’t tightly pursing his lips shut while trying to keep a smile on his face, he likely would’ve agreed with that last guy. Of course, considering how amazingly well Cadance and her husband were dancing with each other, the stallion couldn’t say any of the statements he overheard were wrong in the slightest.

With her mane down and her inhibitions unfiltered, Princess Cadance looked absolutely tantalizing while moving in flawless motion across the dancefloor. She may have been stunningly beautiful before, but her new appearance and demeanor really did make her look like a completely new mare while locked in her new Prince’s seductive clutches. Meanwhile, the effortless steps of Sombra’s hooves displayed an immense feeling of power that Shining could feel from several feet away; and with that dark suit complimenting his charcoal coat perfectly, it didn’t seem like anypony aside from the cuckold was able to spot how his tie carried the exact same color as Cadance's cocktail dress.

About halfway through their routine, Cadance made several alluring turns of her body while Sombra spun her around, which caused an impressive level of applause for such a high-end event. As the Princess savored the feeling of embracing her new stallion so openly without turning any heads, not even the flashes of lights from press cameras seemed to falter the passionate smile plastered across her face. Even when Sombra picked her up for a full-body spin, making sure to hold her as tightly as possible with his hooves against her most questionable regions, the stallion’s talented moves were enough to leave everypony cheering without question.

By the time the song came to a close, Sombra finalized the routine by letting the Princess fall back from his chest, and then quickly catching her with his hooves for a theatrical dip. While Cadance was left clutched in Sombra’s grasp and breathing heavily, her blush couldn’t be contained as she smiled and heard the thundering applause from all around her. Sombra was grinning wide as well, and sighed in satisfaction as he looked and saw the countless ponies cheering for them. Even though he claimed the Crystal Empire’s new leader as his wife, everypony was still applauding him and treating him as a “changed stallion” following that titillating tango.

Meanwhile from the side of the dancefloor, Shining kept his smile as prideful and genuine-looking as he could while he clapped alongside everypony else. The entire ordeal felt unbelievably mind-boggling, but the fact that he and Cadance made it through unscathed left him with a profound sense of relief. Twilight was cheering as well, but she couldn’t resist giving a couple knowing nudges against her brother’s side while admiring how far Cadance had changed in the past few months. Just as Cadance and Sombra got back on their hooves to bow respectfully, Twilight leaned in to her brother’s ear and whispered, “Well, Shining… I have a feeling Sombra is gonna hit his mark tonight~”

Despite how quickly that implication made his heart sink down in his chest, all that came out of his still-smiling muzzle was a weak and trembling breath while he nodded his head.

Just a couple hours after that momentous celebration, the three ponies were looking quite cheerful as they trotted down one of the empty wings of Celestia’s castle. As per Cadance's request, Celestia was willing to provide Sombra one of her guest suites for him to spend his weekend. Even though it was obvious the Princess had no idea that her former enemy was now fucking her niece, she trusted Cadance enough to also oblige with her request to keep any staff or guards away from his quarters.

Because of that, the Princess and her Prince were laughing quite openly as the two drunkenly trotted down the hallway side-by-side, with Cadance tightly latched close against Sombra’s side. All the while, Shining trotted awkwardly beside the couple with a notable gap between them, obviously looking like the third-wheel he knew he was. But despite how openly Cadance was showing her affections while nuzzling Sombra and giggling lovingly, Shining kept a close eye on their surroundings so nopony would accidently spot them like this. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Sombra reached his personal quarters for the weekend, which was conveniently at the very end of the hallway furthest away from the main castle.

“Mmmmmmm… Hhmhmhmhmhm~” Despite Shining Armor being right beside her, Cadance hummed contently as she grazed underneath Sombra’s chin with her blushed muzzle. She sighed sweetly upon catching his masculine scent beneath that faint layer of cologne, and gazed up at him with serious bedroom-eyes while smiling excitedly. “Oh, Sombra… you have no idea how badly you riled me up while we were on that dancefloor~”

Shining’s cheeks nearly exploded with a heavy blush, but he kept his composure while biting his lips and struggling not to envision what Sombra will do with her tonight. Of course, the poor Guard’s legs buckled a little the instant he heard her Prince reply in a deep and sultry growl, “Ohhhhh, believe me, my beautiful Princess… I intend to perform a much different kind of tango on you as soon as you get into my bed~”

Shining tried his hardest not to whimper while his muzzle wrinkled tightly, and his chastity cage strained hard from his direly-trapped stallionhood. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do when he looked over to his former wife, and saw her clutching Sombra with her hooves around the back of his neck. “Oh, honey~” she purred while eyeing him with pure lust that was practically dripping from her waiting grin. “Considering how ready I am, you better Rock… My… World~”

Shining finally broke composure as he looked away from the two with a heavy shudder, and clutched a hoof over his mouth to keep from moaning audibly. Unfortunately, Sombra noticed that reaction enough to smirk at him teasingly and say, “Oh, Guard?~ Isn’t there something we needed from you about now?”

Shining needed a moment to gather his thoughts, and let out a trembling breath before he nodded his head. Despite how badly his hooves were quivering antsily, the stallion was able to light up his horn to conjure up an item he bought from that store. With a flash of his magic, a petite pink bag appeared within his aura as he floated it over to his Ex. “Uhhhh… I… I bought this for you…”

Cadance was still holding tightly onto Sombra as she looked back at him like he was a second thought. However, her face lit up the instant she saw that bag, and she audibly squeed as she let go of her husband and took Shining’s gift. “Ohhhhh, Shiny!~ That’s so thoughtful of you!”

Cadance snuck a quick peek inside of the bag, and grinned devilishly upon seeing the dark red lingerie her former husband bought for her. It actually looked rather close to the kind of attire Shining bought for her a long time ago, when he and Cadance had sex for the first time prior to his Guard academy graduation. Her smile turned more natural as she felt a twinge of nostalgia from seeing such a thing, and she couldn’t help looking back up at Shining with a gracious smile. “Wow~ I… I’m really thankful you did this for me. That means a lot.”

To emphasize her point, the Princess put down Shining’s bag before leaning in, and giving him an innocent kiss on the cheek. While the stallion blushed dorkishly from that meager gesture, Sombra sighed with a roll of his eyes while opening up the door to his room. “I suppose I should give you my thanks as well,” he said towards Shining with a sincere, albeit slightly begrudged-sounding tone. But alas, his smile still looked genuine as he said, “You did an outstanding job overlooking the Princess, Shining. And because of that, I’m happy to relieve you of your Guard duties for the rest of the night~”

Shining’s smile dropped quite significantly upon hearing that measure, but Cadance didn’t try to dispute it as she took her bag and rushed into the room to get herself ready. Meanwhile, Sombra’s grin turned much more vindictive as he put out his hoof, and assured the Guard, “But don’t worry too much, Shining. If you prove yourself to be diligent enough for your Prince in the next week or so, I might let you watch the recording of tonight’s events~”

Shining tried his hardest not to look disappointed, despite how badly he felt like he earned his right to be in the room while Cadance was being plowed by that cocky stallion. But nevertheless, the stallion knew there wasn’t much he could do without going against the Prince’s orders. And with Flurry Heart waiting at home with his parents, Shining reluctantly sighed with an understanding nod before shaking Sombra’s hoof. “Ummm… A-Alright then, m… m-my Prince,” Shining said in a weak and pathetically meager-sounding tone. “I… I promise I’ll do what I can.”

“You better~” purred Sombra as his shit-eating grin turned more apparent. He then let go of Shining’s hoof, and turned himself around quickly enough to smack the stallion’s face with his tail. He then slammed the door shut, just missing Shining’s face by a couple inches. The Guard wasn’t sure how long he remained in that spot before he begrudgingly walked away, but he was able to hear Cadance's muffled moans beginning just as he made his awkward exit.

Due to his bewildered and frustrated stupor, Shining didn’t remember much for the remainder of that night while he walked back to his parent’s house by himself. He could recall having to explain to his Mom and Dad that Cadance had a little too much at the Garden Social, and decided to rest at the castle for the night. He could also recall Twilight waiting in the living room after their parents accepted that excuse, and giving a few teasing remarks as to what she thought Sombra was doing at that moment. And Shining also remembered tending to Flurry Heart for a good portion of the evening when she got fussy, which was honestly a saving grace to help undo the massive strain of his chastity cage.

But after that whirlwind of an emotional night following Cadance and Sombra’s passionate tango, the one thing that stuck out in Shining’s mind the most was when he returned to their quarters early the next morning. While the couple remained sound-asleep in each other’s clutches without any disturbance, Shining took the liberty of cleaning the room up before any staff could find anything too suspicious. During that time, the stallion was a little upset to find that despite how much money he spent on Cadance's dress and negligee, both garments were torn to shreds from Sombra’s prowess the previous night.

Chapter Three: A Positive Outlook

Two Weeks Later

It may have been rather early in the morning, but the Crystal Empire was abuzz with excitement as a large crowd formed around a particular street corner. While several of Shining’s Guards were posted around the perimeter to keep commoners at a safe distance, a large red ribbon was draped out along the outside of a corner building. The top of the newly-built establishment had a beautifully-painted sign hung over the open entrance, which read, “The Early Bird Brunch Cafè.”

Meanwhile, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were standing in front of the restaurant side-by-side with infectiously-cute smiles on their faces. The Princess had her horn lit to better hold Flurry Heart with one of her forelegs, while Shining was busy holding a massive pair of metal scissors with his magic. Beside the happy couple, two young stallions in matching sweater-vests were looking excitedly giddy upon seeing the massive crowd in front of their business.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts,” spoke Shining in prideful and boisterous tone of voice. He smiled wide as he motioned a hoof out towards the two stallions and said, “It is with great pleasure that on this day, Cadance and I are able to help welcome a new business into our beautiful city. And with the wonderful dedication of this cafè’s founders, Chinois and his husband Brunoise, we’re both more than honored to open a new addition to their multi-city franchise.”

The flashing lights of multiple cameras fluttered from the crowds as Crystal Ponies applauded to Shining’s kind words. Even though the Empire’s rulers were a little surprised that a Brunch cafè could carry so much buzz, neither of them could blame a city of time-transplanted ponies to be curious about a recently-popularized meal trend. So because of that, Cadance kept her smile for the cameras until the applause died down so they can continue the unveiling.

Unfortunately, the Princess tried to contain the slightest wince as she felt a sharp bout of nausea out of nowhere. Her eyes clenched shut for only a split-second as her muzzle clenched inward, but it was noticeable enough to make Shining look at her with slight caution. However, Cadance then breathed in deeply before reopening her eyes, and exhaling smoothly to begin speaking. “A-And furthermore… Shining and I couldn’t be happier to also make this day a landmark in our wonderful Empire’s history. For with this business, Chinois and Brunoise will be also be the very first same-sex couple to become business-owners in the Crystal Empire.”

That addition caused another round of lovely applause, which made the two stallions hold each other close with touched blushes on their faces. Despite how jarring a lot of changes may have been for the Crystal Ponies, Shining and Cadance were beyond grateful that their citizens were able to embrace the progressiveness of a modern-day Equestria so naturally. Shining motioned for the couple to come over as he held out the scissors, and let each of them take hold of the larger handle with their hooves. Meanwhile, Princess Cadance suddenly froze for a second as her head dropped down, and a strained grimace tried to emerge on her face; fortunately, the Alicorn was smart enough to cover her face with Flurry Heart in her magic, just in case any camerapony tried to take a poorly-timed picture of her queasy expression for a tabloid.

Luckily for her, most of the cameras were flashing on Shining and the new business owners as they got the scissors in place. As soon as the two oversized blades were open with the ribbon between them, Shining looked out to the crowd and announced, “I, Prince Shining Armor, hereby announce the Early Bird Brunch Cafè to be officially open!”

He then held the top half of the shears firmly while the stallions closed the blades shut, eliciting a satisfying snip that cut the ribbon in half. While the crowd of Crystal Ponies cheered and got ready to enter the new restaurant, Shining floated his scissors over to a nearby Guard so it could be safely put away. Unfortunately, just as the stallion was about to turn off his horn, he was taken by surprise as Flurry was hastily shoved into his forelegs. Without warning, Cadance bolted from the entrance of the cafè, and rushed away from the crowds towards a nearby alleyway.

Despite several of the Crystal Guards running off to check on their Princess, Shining kept his daughter firmly grasped in his magic as he ran off as well. The sudden exit caused a few confused murmurs and whispering, but not enough to halt the influx of ponies who made their way through the cafè doors. Meanwhile, a wall of soldiers formed a barrier to cover the side of a nearby business, and had their backs turned out of politeness while Cadance was leaned against the wall with her head hunched down.

“Mmmmphhh… Nnnnghhh… Urk…”

“Cadance!?” shouted Shining as he ran towards the Princess with a worried look on his face. The closely-knit line of Guards immediately opened up a gap for their leader and Flurry to pass through, but then quickly closed back up before any of the cameraponies could get a candid shot of the Royal couple. As soon as the father and daughter got within sight of Cadance, both of their eyes widened when they saw her hunched-over and struggling not to vomit.

Fortunately, despite how audible her strained gags may have sounded, it seemed like the Princess was able to keep from throwing up on the street. Flurry Heart whimpered with a pertified look on her face, clearly worried that something was wrong with her Mommy. But for Shining, who had stopped in his tracks the instant he saw what Cadance was doing, his eyes were as wide as frisbees while he stood in stunned silence.

After a moment to catch her breath, Cadance had her eyes tightly shut as she made a sharp sigh and pulled her head back up. “I… I’mfine,” she blurted in an out-of-breath voice, almost as if she was struggling to only allow words to come out of her mouth. The Alicorn took a couple more deep breaths before she reopened her eyes, and grew a more natural-looking expression beneath her strained blush. “I… I just got a little nauseous, that’s all…”

Cadance was grateful the Guards were all looking away from her and Shining, since it was clear from her widening eyes that she was looking just as overwhelmed as he did. Flurry Heart may have looked confused, but there was no denial what was running through Cadance and Shining’s minds when she finally glanced back towards him. The Princess had a profoundly deep blush that was radiating off her face, and no words were coming out of her mouth despite it being hung open slightly. As for Shining, his left eye twitched a little while his face carried a look that bordered between petrified shock, and withheld enthusiasm.

Neither of them said anything, but both of them knew exactly what they were thinking in that moment. As Cadance looked down at herself, one of her hooves went beneath her barrel to gently touch the underside of her belly. Since Flurry Heart was still in one of his forelegs, Shining had to sit on the ground as his other hoof came up over his mouth. His heavy breaths were slightly muffled from that action, but the thick fetlocks around his foreleg weren’t enough to fully cover the deepening blush that grew across his cheeks.

When Cadance was finally able to look back up at Shining, all she could do was huff with a nervous smile before saying faintly, “We… W-We should head back to the castle…”

Despite trying their hardest not to eavesdrop, several of the Guards protecting the two had their faces covered to hide their overwhelmed smiles upon realizing the obvious news. Even though it would’ve been absolutely devastating if any of them knew the truth of the matter, Shining looked just as pleasantly stunned as the Princess as he nodded back at her with a weak smile of his own. “I… I agree…”

Back at the Crystal Castle, Sombra was comfortably seated on Shining’s couch and reading a newspaper. While the stallion’s beddings were laid forgotten on the ground after the Prince kicked them off, Sombra chuckled with a cocky grin as he eyed the front page of the Canterlot Times. He may have seen the various pictures countless times from every publication he could get his hooves on, but he was still immensely proud of himself over a week after the presses went out. On the front page of the paper, a stunning photograph of Sombra and Cadance covered most of the space while the two were in the middle of their lovely tango routine. Above the photo, the boldly-fonted title read, “Sombra and Princess Cadance make a surprising smash at Canterlot’s Garden Social.”

“Oooohhhh…” Even though he read that title dozens of times already, Sombra still shook his head with a devilish snicker before saying to himself, “Ohhh, you silly naive ponies… You have no idea how much of a ‘Surprise Smash’ we have~”

While the dark Prince cackled to himself in delight while re-reading the article itself, the bathroom door was closed shut just a couple feet away. Inside of the lavish and spacious restroom, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were sitting anxiously in silence on the edge of the bathtub. Both of them tried to keep themselves relaxed while breathing heavily, but neither of the ponies could ignore what was resting on the edge of the vanity sink. Even though the item was bought less than a day after Sombra’s first night with the Princess, it was obvious that neither of them were prepared to actually need to use it.

Much like when the two were trying with Furry Heart, Shining Armor wasn’t above helping Cadance when it came to properly taking her pregnancy test. Even though the Alicorn’s magic would’ve allowed her to hold the stick herself with relative ease, both of them knew that this sort of endeavour should’ve been a joint effort. So instead of waiting outside next to Cadance's husband, Shining used his own magic to hold her stick while she went. He was absolutely certain that Sombra thought it was just some extra way for the stallion to further demean himself, but Shining honestly didn’t see it like that at all; not only did he do the exact same thing with Cadance before Sombra came along, but it also gave them some time to really discuss their plans while the stick dried over the sink.

Shining’s legs pressed together tightly, and he tried to look around anywhere else in the bathroom besides that stick. Even though the directions clearly said it would take at least ten minutes for the results to show up, it felt like it was going to last hours while the two sat in awkward silence. Cadance bit her lips tightly shut while she fidgeted her hooves, and had her muzzle pointed down towards her waist. Fortunately for the two, despite how intense and controversial that moment may have been, it didn’t seem like either of them were actually upset or remorseful about everything that lead them to this moment.

In fact… Shining and Cadance seemed a little optimistic, judging by the faint smiles both of them had on their blushed faces.

After letting out a sharp exhale, Shining finally looked back at her as he tried to speak over his nervousness. “Well, ummmm… I… I guess this had to happen eventually, huh?”

Cadance made a brief huff that came out slightly hiccuped, almost as if she was trying to chuckle to that statement. The Princess had a million different thoughts running through her head, and her heart may have been racing in a mixture of worry and anticipation, but she was able to breathe out somewhat calmly to reply, “Yeah, I… I can’t say it’s too surprising nowadays…”

In retrospect, Princess Cadance honestly seemed a little shocked as she thought back to everything she was able to embrace so far. Even though she and Shining agreed to try cuckolding as a joint curiosity, neither of them would’ve predicted that somepony like Sombra would’ve made such a significant impact on both of their lives. Not to mention, it wasn’t until fairly recently that Cadance was actually open to the idea of something as serious as pregnancy; while she was sure that the Cadance from a few months back would’ve been downright stunned, or even appalled that she was going beyond fantasy nowadays, she couldn’t necessarily say she was regretting it while waiting for the results now.

Shining let out a hasty sigh, and placed a hoof on Cadance's thigh as he asked, “So… Wh… What were you thinking?”

When Cadance looked back at him, she was happy to see that Shining had a hopeful (albeit fairly weak) smile on his muzzle. Because of that, Cadance smiled back with an exhale before shrugging her shoulders. “Well… even though it might be a bit soon, I… I was kinda hoping we’d discuss possible names…”

Shining’s eyes widened quite a bit, and he needed a second before tilting his head and asking, “Wait, r… really?”

Cadance nodded her head, and added with a more casual tone of voice, “Well, to be fair, Sombra told me he was unsure about providing names himself. The best ideas that came to his head were stuff like ‘Gloomy Heart,’ or ‘Solemn Sabre.’ And, uhhhh… considering how obvious those choices may sound from the Crystal Ponies’ point of view, he figured that we should pick the names to avoid any suspicion.”

Considering how risky things would get if that pregnancy test turned positive, Shining was grateful enough to nod his head in agreement with Sombra’s points. Even if Cadance's foal wasn’t his, the stallion appreciated that Sombra was respectful enough to allow him such a high responsibility alongside the Alicorn. Of course, as soon as that reminder went through his head, the Guard’s cheeks blushed tremendously while he crossed his hind-legs.

“Y-Yeah, that… That’s probably the best idea for all of us…” Shining had to open his mouth as he exhaled sharply, almost like he was hoping that would cool down his face somehow. Fortunately, that breath did help clear his head enough to think logically on the matter. “Well, ummm… Con… Considering how the baby might look, we… we might wanna try and name it after something night-based. Or… maybe even astrological.”

Cadance considered that idea over for a second, and gave a light shrug while her muzzle made a thoughtful pout. “Honestly, I… I can see that working pretty well. I mean… your father has a pretty dark coat, so I doubt many ponies would be skeptical of that gene skipping a generation.”

“Yeah, exactly!” Shining stated with a more natural smile. He turned himself towards Cadance while still sitting on the bathtub’s side, and added, “Not to mention, we can get some good name ideas from Twilight on the matter, since she’d probably help us best given our situation.”

“I couldn’t agree more~” Cadance turned herself towards Shining as she got in the same seated position. While the two ponies remained on the side of the tub, it seemed that the pee-stick was completely forgotten while they conversed with more upbeat tones. “So, speaking of Twilight… do you think she should be our Crystaller for this one?”

“Wait, really?” he asked in slight confusion as one of his brows raised. “I mean… wasn’t the fact that she’s a Princess a big reason why we chose Sunburst for Flurry Heart? I mean… it might be better to find somepony whose schedule won’t be so hectic.”

Cadance shrugged her head before retorting with, “Well… while that might be true, we also need to consider finding a pony we can trust. And unless Sombra ever gets a loose tongue and tells somepony about us, which I highly doubt he will, I feel like Twilight is our only option.”

Shining paused briefly enough to skew his closed muzzle, and look away from the Princess to process that thought. Given their predicament, he was just as aware about the risks of a possible foal as Cadance was. Even if they were in the perfect living situation to raise another child, the fact that it’d be Sombra’s meant they had to be overwhelmingly cautious. However, despite the fact that Twilight was the only pony who knew of their arrangement, Shining still seemed apprehensive as he pondered the option.

Just as Cadance was about to glance back at that pregnancy test, she saw Shining’s brows raise sharply to a new thought. “You know…” The stallion turned back towards her with his eyes widened significantly, and caught her attention when she saw his newly-intrigued expression. “... If we were needing to find a Chrystaller we can really trust, couldn’t we… Couldn’t we appoint Sombra?”

Cadance's head reeled back as she quickly grew a baffled look. “W-What?!” she asked in a stunned tone, although it wasn’t clear if she was treating Shining’s idea as a positive or negative. “You… You really think that could work?”

“Well, why not?” asked Shining as he brought his hooves up and shrugged innocently. “I mean… due to his house arrest, Sombra will always be nearby, won’t he? Not to mention, it’d be a great way for him to spend time with the foal without arousing any suspicion. He could be just as involved with the child as either of us, and nopony would try to question it, right?”

Cadance had a hoof up as she opened her mouth, but nothing came out of her muzzle for a couple seconds. After blinking a couple times in silence, the Princess turned her head away as she stared off wide-eyed and considered such an idea. Shining may have not been a mind-reader, but he couldn’t help smirking when he saw how easily that idea was turning the gears in her head. By the time Cadance put her hoof back down, she was able to grow an impressed smirk before glancing back at him. “That… That might actually be feasible…”

After another moment, the Alicorn huffed with a widened smile as she added excitedly, “Plus! Could you imagine the good publicity he’d get from that?! Like… I bet he could be able to walk around the Crystal Empire freely if we made him Crystaller! Ohmigosh, this could be a dream come true for the public’s view of his reformation!~”

Shining and Cadance made a couple of winded giggles from such a thing, and pulled each other in for a tight hug to seal that agreement. Even though he was happy that Cadance was so accepting of his idea, Shining’s smile still seemed a little uneasy when they finally pulled back. While the stallion looked away and rubbed his foreleg with a hoof, Cadance's smile weakened before she asked, “Is… is something wrong, Shining?”

“N… No, not really…” Despite trying to give that response genuinely, Cadance didn’t need to be a detective to know something was amiss. Fortunately, she also knew that Shining wasn’t one to keep his thoughts secretive for too long. Heck, if the stallion was that type, there’s a good chance that Sombra never would’ve been invited to their bedroom on that first fateful night. So while Cadance waited patiently with a reassuring smile, Shining only needed a moment before he took a breath and tried to speak up. “I just, ummm…”

The stallion didn’t want to appear too timid while alone with Cadance, but he couldn’t help looking down at the bathroom floor between them before he could continue. “... I… I know I shouldn’t be, like… feeling upset about everything by now. And I’m not, I swear. But I… But now I can’t help but feel weird about… about not feeling upset…”

Cadance needed a second to process what Shining was trying to say, but eventually raised her brows in understanding before opening her muzzle. “Ohhhhh… So, you… you feel weird because you think you should feel weird? Even though you’re not?”

Shining huffed with a flustered pout, but still gave a meager nod while his head was pointed away from her. “I… I dunno. It’s stupid.”

“Oh, no it’s not!” assured Cadance with a carefree roll of her eyes. She quickly pulled Shining in for a comforting hug, and held him close to her as the two remained over the thin lip of the bathtub. While the stallion blushed hard from feeling such a close contact again, the Princess waited a couple seconds before saying casually, “Honestly… given what we’ve been doing the past few months, I think a LOT of stallions would’ve stopped everything before it even began. But with you, it… it seemed like everything suited you near perfectly, didn’t it?~”

Even though he knew she wasn’t trying to be teasing, Shining still blushed hard while he nodded his head weakly. “Y-Yeah, I… I suppose I am a bit different in that regard…”

“Exactly~” Cadance then pulled back to stare at Shining directly, and stated with a sincere smile on her face, “And that’s why you’re such an amazing stallion, Shining Armor. Even when you had the Princess of Love all to yourself, you went out of your way to make sure I received as much affection as you could offer me. And in the end, I… I can’t say I could think of anypony who would give so much without asking for anything in return…”

Shining’s muzzle trembled a little as he smiled faintly back at her, and he blinked repeatedly to try and keep his eyes from welling up from the sentiment.

“And I just want you to know,” the Princess continued while smiling at him with nothing but the purest admiration in her expression, “that you have absolutely nothing to feel weird about. You’ve given me such a wonderful life, and a daughter that we’ll always cherish as our own. And even if this new arrangement is a bit… controversial in multiple ways… I want you to be just as accepting of yourself as you have for me enjoying it~”

Shining knew that the Princess meant that dearly, and was also aware that she would never judge him if he were to be honest with her. But at the same time, the stallion still needed to close his eyes as he breathed out shakily and thought over her kind words. After a few seconds, Shining sighed with a weak shudder before he looked back at her and asked, “So, ummm… what do you want me to do specifically?”

Cadance smiled at him warmly before taking his hoof, and bringing it in to rest on top of her stomach. “I want you to be honest with me~”

Shining’s eyes widened a little, but he stayed silent while his mouth hung slightly open from his conflicting emotions. Meanwhile, Cadance maintained her calm and comforting tone as she looked him directly in the eyes and said, “Shining… After all that the two of us have done together, you never once tried to complain or stop what we’ve been doing. You’ve allowed Sombra to give me so much, and even sacrificed many things yourself for the sake of both of our enjoyment. And even now… when there’s a very strong possibility that I’m carrying his baby…”

Even though that thought was making his heart race before, hearing her say it out-loud made Shining bite his bottom lip hard. As he squirmed a little in his seated position, Cadance kept her smile as she finished her reply. “... you just told me that you didn’t actually feel weird about that fact. Most stallions definitely would, but… you feel differently about the idea… don’t you?~”

Shining wasn’t sure if Cadance was trying to tease him or not, but he knew that he couldn’t deny how truthful she was being. And considering how she wanted him to act the same in regards to this moment, the stallion only needed a second before sheepishly nodding his head. When he looked back up at her with a hopeful smile, Shining was happy to see that the Princess looked just as content as the stallion himself wanted to feel.

“So, I want you tell me…” Cadance placed both hooves over Shining’s while it was gently held against her belly, and she looked at him with an enamored gleam in her eyes as she asked, “If… it turns out that I am carrying Sombra’s foal… How will you really feel about it?~”

Shining let out a brief huff as he looked down between them for a moment, and needed to close his eyes while collecting his breath. While he knew that he had to answer accordingly, the Guard could feel just how wildly his nerves were tingling in anticipation. Despite knowing clear as day that the answer shouldn’t have been right, he knew deep down in his heart that it somehow was. So after breathing out in a calm and quivering exhale, Shining finally looked up at her to say with a devoted smile on his face, “If… If you were carrying another child, I’d… I’d feel…”

His pause lasted only a second, but it was enough to help him breathe out and say truthfully, “... I’d feel proud.”

Cadance's smile grew wonderfully wide, and she pulled Shining in for another much-needed hug. The stallion clutched her in return with a smile of his own, and tried his hardest not to tear up while his eyes were clenched shut. After a long and loving moment spent in silence, Cadance was the first to pull back as she said with an excited huff, “Well then! Do… do you… think it’s ready?~”

Shining already knew what she meant, even before she motioned over to the pregnancy test still laying over the sink. The Guard smiled as he nodded his head in optimism, and helped Cadance off the tub after getting up himself first. The two waited just one final moment as they stared at each other with genuine smiles, neither of them seeming regretful or scared in the slightest. Instead, Shining and Cadance shared one final kiss on the lips for good luck, and then walked over towards the test together.

Meanwhile outside, Sombra was laying on Shining’s couch length-wise with a bitter groan. He tried to squirm and shuffle himself into a good position, but was clearly uncomfortable enough to mutter under his breath, “Jeeze, is this what he really sleeps on? I swear, I should get him a futon for his birthday or something…”

But before he could start thinking too hard about Shining’s bedding, Sombra jolted up from the couch the instant he heard a sharp gasp through the bathroom door. His red eyes widened as he shot back up on his hooves, and he stood with an expectant look as he stared over at the still-closed door. He could overhear a couple hushed whispers, as well as other noises that could either be crying or laughter. But despite how taxing it felt for him to need to wait for the news, Sombra tried to maintain his composure while his hooves fidgeted against the floor.

After what felt like an eternity, Shining and Cadance bursted from the bathroom just moments after seeing the results. Cadance had a wide and excited grin on her face as she stood on the brink of tears, her horn brightly lit to hold her pregnancy test with her magic. Meanwhile, Shining was trying his hardest to cover his overwhelmed expression with a hoof over his mouth. Even though it would’ve been obvious to Sombra what the result was, he still felt the need to ask in a quivering tone. “C… Cadance, are… are you…”

The Princess’ mouth clenched tightly shut while she kept smiling, almost like she was trying to conceal the secret for a little longer. But instead of saying anything to him, Cadance let out a quick breath before turning towards her Guard. “Shining, I…”

The stallion glanced back at her for a moment, and his eyes widened when he saw the expectant grin on her face while motioning towards Sombra. “I… I really think you should tell him yourself~”

Shining’s heart felt unbelievably heavy from hearing such a request, but his head still turned back towards Sombra to see his wide and waiting grin. He wanted to feel embarrassed about saying such a thing (especially in context of their taboo relationship), but he could tell that Sombra was just as graciously hopeful as the two of them were. So instead of feeling fidgety or worried about his apprehensions, Shining closed his eyes as he took a breath. And as he looked back at the waiting Prince, Shining felt all of his previous apprehensions drift away from his conscious as he said with an excitedly prideful smile:

“P...P-Prince Sombra… C… Cadance is pregnant with your baby!!~”

Cadance squealed in elation, and held out the pregnancy test so Sombra himself could see the Plus Sign clearly displayed on the stick. Sombra brought both hooves over his mouth as he gasped, and he looked like he was about to cry in utter joy. “I… I… I’M GOING TO BE A FATHER!!!~”

Sombra’s face was lit up brighter than a Hearth’s Warming tree as he lunged in unexpectedly, and grabbed both of the ponies with his forelegs to lift them from the ground. Unlike his usually sadistic or teasing demeanor, Sombra looked absolutely overjoyed now as he spun around the room on his hindlegs and laughed in utter glee. Shining and Cadance couldn’t help giggling as they tried to hug the Prince back, even though their hind-legs were swinging several inches off the ground from Sombra’s enthusiastic spins.

When Sombra finally let the two go and finished laughing in delight, he took Cadance with both hooves to kiss her deeply on the lips. The Princess was more than happy to return the gesture as she kissed him back, which didn’t seem to bother Shining in the slightest. While he stood with a teary-eyed and proud expression on his smiling face, he only blushed a little as he watched the two share that long and lingering kiss. After the two finally pulled apart with a wet pop, Sombra shuddered antsily before taking a quick breath and turning back towards Shining.

“Guard,” he addressed formally as he brought out his hoof, and gave a respectful smile to Shining Armor, “I want to thank you deeply for all of your help~”

Despite Sombra’s ever-present grin meant to tease the stallion, Shining was too happy to really care as he shook Sombra’s hoof firmly. “I-It’s not a problem, my Prince. A-And, ummm… Let me be the first to congratulate you for becoming a father.”

Sombra’s grin widened even more, obviously loving the fact that he got Shining to say something so nice after knocking up his former spouse. But instead of pushing any buttons, Sombra kept himself respectful for the occasion after letting go of Shining’s hoof. “Now then!” he said with a giddy clap of his hooves. “Since we have confirmation, I think now is as good of a reason to hold a celebration!~”

“What!?” shouted Cadance with a surprised look on her face. “Wait, do… do mean a party?! Like, today?!?”

“Why not?!” asked Sombra with a raise of his hooves and an antsy smile. “Cadance, you’re pregnant! Again! I highly doubt that any Crystal Ponies are going to mind throwing an impromptu celebration for that!”

Shining couldn’t help shrugging his shoulders as he added reluctantly, “Honestly, I’m… kinda with Sombra here. I mean, ponies might get suspicious if you weren’t excited for this, wouldn’t they?”

Even though she knew Shining was right, Cadance still seemed more than a little flustered as she held a hoof over her chest and breathed heavily to the thought of celebrating her pregnancy publicly. She wasn’t necessarily against the plan, but it seemed like she needed a moment to fully process it first. “... Ohmigosh… I… I can’t believe this is happening~”

“Just take some time, okay?” assured Sombra while resting a hoof on top of her shoulder. When she looked up at him, he carried a warm and affectionate smile as he said, “I promise you, everything will be alright~”

Cadance took a second while her lips were pursed shut to let his promise sink in, but she was able to nod with a look of trust before breathing out pertly. Sombra then turned his attention back to Shining Armor, and stood in a more dominant stance as he acted as his superior. “Personal Guard Shining!”

“S-Sir, yes Sir!” blurted Shining instinctually as he stood upright himself and gave a salute to the former Tyrant. Even though Sombra would’ve usually laughed at how quickly Shining responded like he did as a Royal Guard, the Prince knew there were more pressing matters at hoof.

“Shining, I expect you to go around the castle and get a celebration organized immediately! Get whatever decorating and catering services you can arrange, and be sure to let every staff member know the good news! I want this party to be absolutely perfect! Do I make myself clear?”

Given how excited he was himself, Shining wasn’t the slightest bit embarrassed by the order as he gave a salute and a sincere, “Sir, yes Sir! I’ll send a memo out to Twilight and Pinkie Pie right now!”

“Excellent!” cheered Sombra with a sincerely pleased smile, which almost made him look innocent despite his peeking fangs. Shining looked equally as giddy as he went in to give Cadance a congratulatory nuzzle, and then rushed off towards the bedroom door. However, just before the stallion could open the door and leave to start the party, he was stopped by the sound of Sombra’s suddenly domineering voice. “WAIT… I have one last request…”

Cadance and Shining both looked back at Sombra in confusion, with the stallion’s hoof just inches from the doorknob. Sombra’s eyes were locked onto him as he grinned maniacally wide, and tilted his head in a sinister way that made Shining shudder. “Guard?” he said in a low and venomously gleeful tone that was practically dripping from his Cheshire smile. “When you tell the staff that Cadance is pregnant… Tell them it’s mine~”

Shining and Cadance both gasped in absolute shock, their eyes as wide as dinner plates with looks of absolute terror. The Princess went pale as a ghost, and looked like she was going to have a heart attack on the spot. Shining looked mortified enough to do the same, and he nearly fell to the floor from how badly his legs trembled from such a request.

Luckily, Sombra only managed to last about three seconds before his grin broke, and he started laughing haughtily. “I’M KIDDING, I’M KIDDING!” he quickly shouted with a hoof up in insistence. “I’m seriously joking, Shining! Do NOT do that!”

Shining let out a heavy and deeply-relieved sigh as he collapsed beside the door, needing a moment to come down from that terrifying feeling he experienced. Unfortunately, Cadance wasn’t nearly as approving of Sombra’s humor as he would’ve expected; before the Prince could start laughing to himself from that poorly-planned joke, Cadance grew an intense glare on Sombra before punching him on the shoulder. Hard.

“OW!!” Sombra faltered back from the pissed-of Princess as he rubbed his arm, and winced from the surprisingly-strong sting she left. “Okay, I’m sorry! I’m sorry for doing that!” he said sincerely, which was just barely enough to make Cadance step back with a peeved pout on her face. By the time Shining could finally get himself back up, Sombra groaned painfully and said, “Wow, you… You’re scarily strong for a pregnant mare, you know that?”

While Cadance huffed bitterly and looked away from him, Shining awkwardly stood by the floor for a moment before saying, “Uhhhh… I… I’m gonna go get the party ready…”

Sombra sighed with a hoof over his face, and nodded as he let the Guard leave. “Yes, carry on, Shining. Do what you think is best…”

After giving a confirming nod, Shining finally exited the bedroom before locking the door behind him. About a minute of silence passed between the Princess and her husband, with Sombra feeling increasingly guilty with each second that went by. Even though he knew he shouldn’t have done such a thing while she was pregnant, Sombra was hopeful the moment could pass before the night’s celebration. The Prince skewed his muzzle in thought for a second, and gave a meager shrug before suggesting jokingly, “Do… Do you want to use this as an excuse to try angry sex?~”

Cadance turned back to gawk with a dropped jaw, seemingly offended that he would even think about such a thing. However, her expression froze briefly enough for Sombra to notice, and her eyes peered upward for a second so she could think it over. Even though she was still rightfully mad at her husband, the Alicorn eventually relented as she shrugged her head, and replied, “Well… I suppose it’s worth trying once~”

Sombra motioned over towards the bed, and said with a hearty grin, “Thaaaaat’s the spirit~”

Chapter Four: Cadance's Grand Celebration

Several Hours Later

By the time the sun was beginning to set that day, the Crystal Empire was absolutely ecstatic about the news of Princess Cadance's pregnancy. A few of the Crystal Guards who covered for Cadance during her morning sickness may have slipped up about possible rumors, but Shining’s enthusiastic confirmation sent the Crystal Castle into an absolute frenzy. Almost every business in the city tried to contribute whatever they could to the evening’s festivities, and the Crystal Ponies’ exuberance showed no bounds as the streets were quickly decorated in celebration. By the time Twilight Sparkle and her friends were informed of the news and teleported to the city, the level of speediness and dedication that went to preparing Cadance's party even left Pinke Pie gawking.

But for Shining himself, he was still grateful for his sister returning to the Crystal Empire to assist nonetheless. Despite how tenaciously his subjects may have been working to get everything ready, there were still a countless amount of smaller tasks that he likely would’ve missed if it wasn’t for Twilight’s attentiveness. Even though he didn’t want his sister to start helping just after teleporting, it was obvious how grateful he felt when she had her checklist on the ready. And since Spike was busy outside the castle helping with some more extravagant decor, Shining and Twilight were able to talk more comfortably away from prying eyes.

The two walked side-by-side through the interior of the Crystal Castle’s ballroom, which was already buzzing with activity as dozens of staff were setting up tables and hanging streamers. Fortunately, as per Shining’s request, most of the Crystal Ponies kept a respectful distance from the siblings so they wouldn’t be eavesdropped on. Twilight also kept a sound-proofing dome of magic over herself and Shining as they walked, mostly as an added precaution considering the things both of them knew.

“So, how are you feeling about tonight, Shiny?~” asked the Princess with a notable smirk while she looked through a list on a rather long scroll. Most of the entries had at least one check-mark on them, which was comforting enough for Shining to know this party would likely stay on track. However, the lingering truth of why this was happening left him to blush hotly as he gave her a timid smile.

“Well, I… Honestly?” he said with a small shrug after pausing for a second to contemplate his words. “After Cadance and I talked it out, I… I honestly don’t have any problem with doing this. I mean… I know how it may look from other ponies if they knew, but… Right now, I’m just proud of Cadance for having another foal! We discussed the idea for a while, so… why not make it happen like this?”

Even though she wanted to tease him for the fact that it wasn’t his foal Cadance was carrying, Twilight couldn’t deny how legitimately happy Shining looked. The stallion may have done a lot over the past few months, but it seemed that the acceptance of Cadance's pregnancy really helped him feel more comfortable about his status as a cuckold; or at least, the stallion would find more pleasure in things that previously would’ve just hurt him. While she doubted he would downright embrace his new self (at least not publicly), his honest response left Twilight smiling warmly before she said, “Well… regardless of societal norms, let me just say that I’m just as proud of you as we both are for Cadance. It takes a lot of guts to not only allow such a thing to happen, but to do it without regretting the decision afterward.”

Despite the fact that his smile widened gratefully from his sister’s assurance, his blush still deepened a bit while his head lowered meekly. “Uhh… Y-Yeah,” he said with a meager shrug, seemingly still getting used to maintaining his confidence outside the bedroom. “I-I mean, I… I know I still have some other things left to do, but… I can’t say I’m as worried about those as I used to be~”

Upon seeing how sincere Shining appeared with that statement, Twilight’s smile grew warmer as she nodded in understanding. She may have not been completely aware of all her brother might have to endure next, but she doubted they’d be as significant as Cadance's pregnancy. Unless Shining were to be gelded (which to be fair, could be possible given Sombra’s past and sadistic nature), Twilight was doubtful a lot more could be done while keeping everything behind closed doors. But of course, given how everything started from the beginning, the Alicorn didn’t want to say anything too soon.

So instead of asking what the stallion might end up doing next, Twilight just shrugged before saying with a cheeky smirk, “Well, as long as it doesn’t end up with you guys being caught, I won’t try to judge what makes you happy.”

Upon hearing that clarification, Shining just sighed and shrugged in agreement. “Yeah, no kidding,” he replied with a brief chuckle and a shake of his head. “Jeeze, who would’ve thought they’d get away with that Garden Social stuff?~”

Twilight giggled with a notable blush herself while keeping a hoof over her mouth. “Hehehehe… Oh, man~ I’m not gonna lie, even I was surprised nopony caught on to her statements!”

While her brother nodded with a bit lip and apprehensive shrug, Twilight huffed before adding in a more devilish-sounding voice, “Although… if they were willing to go that far for that event… It kinda makes me wonder what they’d be capable of doing tonight~”

Shining’s ears lowered while his cheeks burned brightly, and he turned his head away so his sister couldn’t see the bashful expression he was trying to supress. Even though the young Princess couldn’t see his muzzle, she was sure that Shining was trying his hardest not to smile to that thought. Luckily for the Guard, Twilight was sympathetic enough not to snicker too audibly.

“W-Well, ummm…” Shining had to take a breath while trying to think of something to counteract her snarky words. After a couple seconds, he un-clenched his lips just enough to say, “... considering where we are, I’d be surprised if the two of them did anything too crazy in front of the Crystal Ponies.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that~” Twilight jeered with a studious tilt of her head. Even though her horn was staying lit to keep their shield up, the Alicorn had enough magical talents to conjure up an item to be teleported on top of her back. Shining narrowed his eyes in confusion as he saw what his sister brought into their sound-proof space: A small, cute little white gift-bag with an electric-blue bow tying the top flaps shut. The stallion wanted to reach out and give the item a curious poke with his hoof, but his foreleg retracted from the bag as it gave a sharp vibrating pulse.

“Oooohh!! Hehehehe~” Twilight blushed with a surprised giggle while covering her muzzle again, and looked back to eye that gift-bag herself. The item turned dormant for a couple seconds, before another vibration caused an audible hum to come out from the bag for an equally long amount of time. Both siblings watched for a moment as the bag continued to repeat that process in a slow and studious rhythm, not showing any signs of stopping.

Vvvvvv… Vvvvv… Vvvvv… Vvvvv…

While Shining turned increasingly puzzled, Twilight just giggled more audibly before she could give a response. “O-Oh, wow!~” she said while the blush deepened over her amazed smile. “I can’t believe they’re doing that right now!~”

“D-Doing what right now?” asked Shining as he glanced back at her in befuddlement. “And who?”

As soon as she realized she had to explain her gift to her brother, Twilight tried her hardest not to laugh out-loud. Fortunately, her muffled snickers only lasted another couple of seconds before she could put her hoof back down. Meanwhile, the item in that bag continued to vibrate in long pulsations, and slowly started to increase in tempo.

Vvvvvvv… Vvvvvvv… Vvvvvvv… Vvvvvvv… Vvvvvvv…

“Ummm… Weeeeellllll…” Now it was Twilight’s turn to start looking blushy, as her cheeky grin widened and she shuffled her hooves antsily. “I… may have been working on this gift for a while. You see, I… took the liberty of making you something that’ll help you stay closer connected with her, even when she’s not around. It’s connected with Princess Cadance's emotional magic, and will help you sense her feelings from wherever she is. Specifically, her… more impulsive feelings, if you catch my drift~”

Shining’s brows lifted in realization, and he lit up his horn to pick up the bag from his sister’s back. As he undid the bow and opened up the present, his muzzle skewed confusedly when he pulled out what looked to be a plastic bracelet. Of course, the item itself had a shimmering, almost multicolored hue that constantly changed upon the angle that light reflected from it. Of course, those colors changed more intensely each time it vibrated in growing succession within Shining’s magic.

Vvvvvvv! … Vvvvvvv! … Vvvvvvv! … Vvvvvvv! … Vvvvvvv!

“Is… Is this a bracelet?” he asked as he stared at the pulsating item puzzledly.

“Welllllllll, it could be worn like that,” Twilight said with a skew of her head, almost as if she was apprehensive about that option on Shining’s behalf. She then added as she grew a more mischievous smile on her face, “buuuuuttttt… that item might be hard to explain if you wear it that way. Especially since it only vibrates when… Cadance has something inside of her~”

Shining’s eyes shot wide-open, and the realization of what he had became crystal clear while the “bracelet” continued to pulsate even faster.

Vvvvvv!! Vvvvv!! Vvvvv!! Vvvvv!! Vvvvv!!

Twilight had to bite her bottom lip with an envious shiver, clearly envisioning the same thing her brother was upon hearing the building tempo of that device. “Hehehehehe~ It seems like the two are having their own celebration right now~”

Vvvvvv!! Vvvvv!! Vvvvv!! Vvvvv!! Vvvvv!!

Shining shivered meekly as well, and tried to keep himself in control while the vibrations came out harder in his magical grasp. He could only imagine how Cadance must’ve looked in that moment, probably bent over in their old bed and mounted while Sombra rutted her fertile plot senseless. Or maybe they were in the bathroom to “washen up,” since Shining knew for a fact that the two began to fuck as soon as he left the bedroom. Heck, the two could even be somewhere else in the castle right now, just to up the ante and make their twisted union even more taboo by pushing their exhibitionist limits. With each second that passed, Shining’s thoughts grew as wild as his restrained stallionhood as he felt just how rapid those vibrations were getting.

VVVVV!! VVVVV!! VVVVV!! VVVVV!! VVVVV!! VVVVV!!

“... O-Ooooohhhhhhmigosh~” Shining groaned in a weak and overwhelmed exhale of a voice, clearly not prepared to grow so pent-up from something as simple as a vibrating bracelet. Nevertheless, Twilight didn’t need to use her magic to see how badly her brother’s chastity cage may have been straining from the titillation of his own perverted thoughts. While Shining’s expression clenched firmly in frustrated arousal, and his face burned hotly with a blush while squirming in his hooves, Twilight took the liberty of taking that item from his aura before he could drop it.

“You know what?~” she said as she grinned devilishly wide at him and decided to give him a better use for that “gift.” Her horn brightened immensely to intensify the strength of their sound-proofing dome, and soon turned that transparent wall of magic into a frosted tint of lavender. As soon the the two were completely concealed in the space, the Princess grinned evilly wide enough to make her brother wince in his fidgety state. Since no ponies were able to see them, Twilight pulled down Shining’s pants with her magic before floating the bracelet down towards his crotch.

“Since you’ve become so accustomed to your new lifestyle,” she said teasingly while grinning from ear-to-ear, not seeming to care how loudly Shining gasped when she clasped that ring around the base of his locked privates. Since she wasn’t technically touching her brother’s junk (not to mention, both of them knew he had to do far worse for her after that ‘wedding night’), Twilight didn’t seem too unnerved while using her magic to shrink the ring down to firmly wrap around his cock and balls. Meanwhile, Shining couldn’t hold back his strained moans as he spasmed wildly to that cold magic, and the contrasting feeling of Twilight’s gift sending constant vibrations to his leaking cage.

VVV!!VVV!!VVV!!VVV!!VVV!!VVV!!VVVVVVVVVVVVvvvvvvvvvv… Vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv…

Shining had no idea how his egghead sister did it, but he just felt his wife experiencing an orgasm from another stallion while he was in a completely different place. He wanted to yell at Twilight for putting him in such a state (especially now of all times), but his muzzle was too tightly-clamped in tantalizing torment to even think of saying anything more than a pained groan. Meanwhile, Twilight just giggled to herself cheekily while pulling her brother’s pants on, and leaving him edged super-badly as she made the forcefield transparent again. Fortunately for both of them, it seemed that all of the castle staff were too preoccupied with their own duties to have even glanced at the changing bubble nearby.

While Shining Armor was left whimpering with his cock throbbing hard within its unrelenting cage, and his hind-legs straining from the lingering aftershocks of that ring vibrating faintly around the base of it, Twilight just leaned in with a shit-eating grin as she said in a sickly-sweet voice, “You can consider that my… personal gift for you today~”

With that, Twilight gave Shining no warning as she undid her magic, and trotted off to leave him dangerously blushed and fidgety while out in the open. While the stallion jolted upward and looked around like petrified housecat, his sister just giggled sadistically as she trotted off elsewhere. Shining bit his lip hard as he stood like a statue, and hoped more than anything that he could get to a bathroom or cold shower immediately. Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case as he breathed out shakily by himself, and saw Twilight’s parchment of preparation tasks floating over towards him.

The stallion groaned bitterly through gritted teeth, and tried his hardest not to collapse as he looked through the scroll himself. Despite how badly he wanted to get hard, or even orgasm one last time, Shining Armor knew he couldn’t do that right now when he had approximately… twenty-three tasks left to oversee.

“Ughhhhh…” Shining’s head slumped down in titillated dread, and he shuddered from one last vibration above his cage as he muttered, “Thi… This is going to be a long day…”

Fortunately for the happy couple, as well as Shining Armor and the rest of the Crystal Empire, all of the necessary tasks were completed just in the nick of time for Cadance's celebration to unfold. Given how packed and lively the ballroom became from the hundreds of enamored Crystal Ponies, there was no doubt that this would likely be the biggest party the city experienced since Sombra’s defeat. From the blissfully spent castle staff who worked their tails off for this event, to the lively citizens and tourists who came from all-around to take part in the night’s celebrations, there didn’t look to be a single pony or creature whose smile looked untarnished. In fact, it seemed that even the presence of Sombra down in the ballroom didn’t falter any ponies’ moods in the slightest.

But alas, the Ex-King made sure to keep himself safely distant from any large groups as he tried to navigate through the party on his own. Even though he was undoubtedly blessed to be part of such a significant day in his life, Sombra tried to remain alert as he stepped around cautiously in his black suit. Even if the Crystal Ponies were more focused on his wife’s pregnancy than his own presence to glance towards him, he knew that he affected countless lives to make himself feel too safe in the moment. So while various ponies laughed or drank amongst their groups in cheerful reminiscence, Somba tried to find somepony he could trust before he could worry about a stray knife being thrusted into his back.

Fortunately for the former Tyrant, he found some much-needed solace as he walked close to his old throne. The crystal structure was now left empty of his prized pelts or cushions, and now stood behind a thick velvet rope to stand as a memorial within the formerly somber place. Even though he understood why the crystal seat remained in place without being touched, Sombra couldn’t help wincing a little to the sight of his old monument of power. Of course, despite how distracting that old chair may have been, Sombra tried to avert his attention towards the pony he was seeking out in the first place.

Shining Armor, who was standing nearby the old throne while looking out at the festivities, had a wide and honored smile on his blushed muzzle. Even though Sombra seemed a little more apprehensive to be out in the open than his Guard, he was able to smile more naturally as soon as he stood beside him. A couple Crystal Ponies may have taken notice of the two figures standing side-by-side away from the cheering crowds, but nopony tried to venture towards them when it seemed like they were wanting some space. So while the party continued with jaunty music and many laughs abound, the Prince and Shining took notice of one-another while standing in semi-isolation.

“Well…” Sombra said that first part rather briefly before taking a calming breath, happy he could get something out to start a conversation. Fortunately for him, Shining seemed rather happy as he glanced back at his Prince with an optimistic look. Sombra wanted to continue speaking, but took a second as he looked around the massive space that used to be his own. After looking back at his old throne briefly, the Ex-King sighed before turning his attention back towards Shining. “I have to say… I would’ve never thought in a million years that I would be present for an event like this.”

Shining huffed with an overwhelmed smile of his own, and shook his head in agreement before he replied, “I know, right? I mean… even without our personal stuff, it… it’s hard to believe you and I are able to stand here like this.”

“It really is, Shining Armor… It really is…” Sombra nodded faintly as he looked back out towards the crowds of Crystal Ponies, and tried to remain positive among his lingering thoughts. Unfortunately, a sharper exhale escaped his muzzle before he said, “And just think… if it wasn’t for you and Cadance, I likely wouldn’t even be alive right now. Let alone living back here with so much to appreciate again…”

Shining nodded weakly as his muzzle clenched shut, knowing that there wasn’t much he could say to help with Sombra’s ever-present troubles. Even if he and Cadance forgave the Ex-King for his past, they knew that there were likely dozens, if not hundreds of Crystal Ponies in this very ballroom who probably felt differently. And even if Sombra was fully forgiven in the near future, the secret that both stallions carried would shatter that dream in a heartbeat. But despite that lingering truth hanging over their heads like matching Swords of Damocles, Shining Armor stayed attentive towards his Prince as he heard him speak following another sigh

“Y-You know, I… I never really thanked you for standing up for me those first couple months…”

Shining’s brows raised upon hearing that statement, not expecting Sombra to speak so solemnly about something that happened almost a year ago. Nevertheless, the stallion could recall how difficult those first few weeks went by with trying to reform such a bitter relic of the past, while also dealing with countless pleas from the Crystal Ponies to imprison or execute him for his crimes. While he didn’t blame them for a second for feeling so vindictive, Shining was glad he stood his ground in following his sister’s lessons of forgiveness. Even if that lead to Sombra eventually overtaking his life in such a profound and overbearing way, the pony knew that he wouldn’t have taken his choice back for a second.

“And…” Sombra continued to speak in a faint and truthful tone of voice, which helped to keep Shining’s mind from trailing off in reminiscence. “... Even though I’m sure you’re aware of how grateful I am for both you and Cadance's generous deeds, I… I really do feel that I should tell you stallion-to-stallion how deeply that means to me.”

Shining blinked a couple times, clearly taken aback as he heard how honest Sombra’s words were coming out within his solemn tone. After taking a deep breath, Sombra gave his Guard a loving smile as he extended his hoof and said, “Shining Armor, I… I want you to know that despite how I may treat you sometimes, I will never forget how wonderful of a stallion you are for myself and Princess Cadance. You’ve given the two of us so much to be grateful for in the past few months, and I… I couldn’t even begin to describe how much that means to me.”

Shining may have known that Sombra truly respected him as a friend, but hearing such an assurance prompted him to smile wide and respond accordingly. Even though he wanted to hug the Prince tightly in assurance, he withheld himself enough to settle with a respectful shake of Sombra’s hoof. The older stallion smiled warmly as the two made that genuine gesture of respect and admiration for one-another, neither of them needing to say a word to emphasize how close they became.

“Well, I… I’m really grateful to have you around too, Sombra,” he said before letting go of the Prince’s hoof. After making a quick glance around to make sure nopony was trying to listen in, Shining smiled back at his friend and said in a more upbeat tone, “I mean… I know how weird it is to actually say that. E-Especially now, but… B-But I know that there’s no reason to lie to myself anymore. I…”

Shining paused briefly enough to close his eyes, and take a deep breath to prepare himself for what he said next. He could feel his cheeks blushing hard, but he ignored that as he looked back up at Sombra and said, “I... have absolutely no regrets about asking you to come to our room that night. A-And… And if I were to go back to that moment, I… I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

Sombra’s brows rose in genuine surprise, but his smile was wide as it was grateful as he nodded in admiration. “Well… I don’t think it needs to be said now, but… I certainly don’t regret showing up either~”

The two then chuckled with sly and knowing smirks on their faces, trying to keep their demeanors in check so nopony would look at them suspiciously. Fortunately, neither of them seem to be eavesdropped on as Sombra sighed pertly, and decided to ask in a more hushed tone, “So, ummm… Shining? If you don’t mind me saying, I… I’ve contemplated giving you something special tonight as a reward for your friendship~”

Shining’s head tilted in surprise, and he stared up at him as he asked, “Uhhh… A reward?”

Sombra’s eyes rolled back while he smiled innocently, and he gave a cheeky smirk as he replied with, “Welllllllll… Considering how well you’ve been acting recently, I… figured I should give you a much-needed gift~”

Shining blinked a couple times, and tried not to smile in optimism despite feeling a glimmer of hope. “Wh… What kind of gift?~”

Sombra looked around for a second to make sure they were safe, and then leaned in to ask rather devilishly, “Shining… Before I came along and... well, you know… have you and Cadance ever wished to do anything that you haven’t yet?~”

Shining’s eyes widened significantly, and he had to take a moment to keep himself from thinking anything was amiss. “Do… Do you…” Shining looked around as well before getting in close to Sombra and whispering, “... Do you mean in the bedroom?”

“No, I mean in the kitchen,” Sombra replied sarcastically while shooting a flat stare back at him. “Yes, I mean in the bedroom, Shining Armor~ Is… Is there anything you two may have wished to do but haven’t?”

Shining was looking more surprised with each passing second, and he had to breathe out hoarsely before tugging at the collar of his suit. While Sombra stood expectantly and waited for a response, the stallion had to take a moment to properly think his Prince’s question over. “Ummm… W-Wow, I… I honestly didn’t think I’d ever hear you ask me that…”

Sombra huffed with an understanding shrug, and felt comfortable with saying, “Well… Considering how much you’ve done for me, I… sort of figured you would appreciate me doing something for you~”

Shining wanted to ask if that was a joke, but one look at Sombra’s waiting smile made it clear that it likely wasn’t. The Guard smiled a little more notably, and blinked a couple more times before realizing how serious his Prince was. “W… Wait, do… do you mean…”

Sombra just gave a warm smile as he nodded his head. “Yes, Shining. I want to give you something special, so… I want to know what you always wanted to do with her. And if you tell me now, I… I doubt she would mind letting it happen for you tonight~”

Shining’s hoof shot over his mouth while he stood wide-eyed, looking like he was dreaming. Despite how much he was able to accept himself as a cuckold, the opportunity to actually be with Cadance himself again made his heart skip a beat. He looked like he wanted to cry tears of joy, but was luckily able to maintain his composure while in such a crowded ballroom. Nevertheless, the stallion still needed a moment while he collected his breath, and fanned his blushed face with a hoof to calm down. “Ohmigosh… Ohmigosh, I… I… I can’t believe it…”

Sombra sighed more sharply while rolling his eyes, making his impatience clear towards the stallion. Fortunately, Shining was quick to huff in acceptance of his Prince’s offer before saying with a flustered smile, “O-Okay! Ummm… Well, I… I suppose if I had to answer honestly, I… I think the one thing I never got to do was… Ummm…”

Shining’s blush deepened quite a bit, which made Sombra grin naughtily upon seeing it. The Guard then looked around in paranoia before he leaned in close to Sombra’s ear. He cupped his hooves over it as he whispered his answer, not wanting to even contemplate saying it out-loud for any Crystal Pony to accidentally overhear.

After saying that specific word, Shining pulled back with a heavy blush and an awkwardly clenched muzzle. Meanwhile, Sombra just scoffed with a confused grin while eyeing the pony and shaking his head. Unlike Shining, the Prince was far less cautious of their setting as he asked in puzzlement, “Really, Shining? Your… Your answer is anal?”

Shining cringed hard as he darted his head around, hopeful that nopony heard Sombra say that. Meanwhile, the Prince just covered his face with a hoof while chuckling to himself in amusement. After making sure the two were okay, Shining let out an upset-sounding sigh as he stared back at Sombra and said, “W-Well, we… we never got around to it, okay?! And, uhhhh… Well… Neither of us were sure how to really, like… prepare for that sort of thing. Like… hygienically…”

“Ah,” replied Sombra with a raised hoof, “say no more.” Even though he was still a little surprised the two never did that, Sombra didn’t saything too judgemental to the Guard about his inexperience. However, Sombra did take a moment to think over that response before smirking mischievously at the pony. “Heh~ So… You’re saying that you experienced it before she did, huh?~”

Shining’s pout was unmistakably miffed as he looked away from him in embarrassment. While the pony blushed profusely upon recalling that… unexpected addition during Sombra and Cadance's wedding, the Prince just cackled to himself silently while eyeing the cuckold. “Oh, jeeze… No wonder that’s been on your mind~”

Shining winced even harder, and squirmed in place as he tried to counteract Sombra’s teasing jabs. Unfortunately, all that could come out of his wrinkled muzzle was a strained-sounding, “Mnnnghhh…”

Sombra chuckled a bit more subtly after hearing that, and eventually relented as he sighed and rolled his eyes. “Oh, alright then,” he said in dismissal, not wanting to rile Shining up too badly in a public space. However, the Prince wasn’t one to let an issue like Shining’s slide after the promise he made. So after waiting for Shining to settle down, Sombra reached into the pocket of his tux to pull out a small bag of bits. “Here,” he said while handing his money to the timid stallion. “We still have plenty of time before we start speeches, so I want you to go get the essentials you’d need to make this right~”

Shining jolted a little in surprise, and just stared back at him wide-eyed before he could ask, “Wait, r… r-really?”

“Why of course~” assured Sombra with a comforting grin on his fanged muzzle. “If you haven’t been able to perform such a simple feat, you might as well give Cadance the chance to experience it tonight~ So… I want you to head to a shop and buy some lubricant, as well as anything else you might need. Alright?”

After blinking a couple times in stunned silence, Shining was able to process Sombra’s request enough to nod his head with a meager smile. “A… A-Absolutely! If… If you say I should, th-then who am I to say no?”

“That’s the spirit~” Sombra smiled at his Guard proudly while patting him on the shoulder with his hoof. Shining nodded back at him with an antsy grin, looking downright giddy to actually have a chance this unexpected. However, just as Shining was about to pull away to head to a pharmacy, he was stopped when Sombra’s grip tightened a little. When Shining looked back at his Prince, his eyes widened when he saw Sombra’s expression turn more serious.

“But… With that being said, Shining Armor… You must understand that this isn’t just some opportunity I’m offering you for nothing. Despite what you may have given me, I’m going to need something big as payment for this chance. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Shining immediately started looking worried again, but he was able to breathe in before nodding with a bitten lip. “Mmnghh… I… I-I understand…”

“Alright then.” Sombra gave a confirming nod after seeing the Guard’s cooperation, and pulled his hoof away to reach into his suit pocket. The Prince looked around discretely as he got in close to Shining’s side, and whispered brashly, “Quick, take this and put it in your pocket.”

Shining went to reach into Sombra’s jacket, but froze with a shocked gasp the instant he saw what the Prince was holding on him this entire time. The Guard’s eyes widened in intense worry, and his hoof trembled while sticking out a couple inches from Sombra’s pocket. Meanwhile, Shining Armor’s hot pink collar, leash, and ‘CUCK’ tag were seen clear as day inside of the Prince’s waiting jacket.

“I said take it!” Sombra hissed as discreetly as he could, which was just enough to make Shining comply without thinking. The Guard was blushing profusely as he took his taboo items with his hoof, and quickly shoved them into his own pocket before anypony could see the exchange. As soon as he pulled back and breathed out sharply, Shining winced upon seeing the serious stare his Prince was giving him.

“Now… I need you to listen to me carefully,” Sombra said in a deep and intimidating tone, making it clear that his cuckold of a Guard had to listen. “Shining Armor, I know for a fact that you carry the same trust with me as you do with Princess Cadance. And with that, I also know that as of recently, you’ve come to fully accept yourself into the role you’ve been assigned since the beginning. Is that correct?”

Shining was blushed heavily in nervousness, but he kept his muzzle closed as he nodded sheepishly up at Sombra.

“Good,” he stated dutifully before he continued. “Now, I know from Twilight that you’ve come to feel more comfortable with yourself as well, so… I want you to be able to prove to me, without a shadow of a doubt in your mind, that you’re willing to show just how serious you are about the life you wish to have under Cadance and I.”

Shining nodded his head shakily a second time, but his eyes darted around to make sure nopony was staring that the two while Sombra was acting like this. Fortunately, the two seemed to be surprisingly isolated while the Prince continued with a hoof pointed at Shining’s jacket. “Some time before this event is over, I expect you to use what you have accordingly, Shining Armor. I won’t tell you what you need to do, nor will I tell you when you need to do it. But some time tonight, before we’re back inside of our bedroom, I expect you to know how to present yourself when the moment comes. Because if you want to earn my respect, you need to show me that you know your place...”

Sombra then leaned in close to the Guard’s trembling and blushed face, and asked with a sickly-sweet smile that made his fangs glisten. “And do you know what your place is, Shining Armor?~”

Shining closed his eyes as he nodded his head, not needing to look at his Prince to know he needed to say it. While his cheeks grew much deeper with blush, the Guard gulped worriedly before looking Sombra in his menacingly red eyes. He then exhaled softly before opening his mouth, and saying in a somewhat-audible whimper, “I… I’m… I’m a cuckold…”

Sombra gave a firm and satisfied smile as he nodded in confirmation, and responded with, “That’s right, Shining. And if you’re willing to prove to me that you understand that just as well as I do, then I might make your evening worth it~”

Shining knew that what Sombra was asking him was beyond insane, and likely something Cadance would’ve stopped any other time in this relationship. However, as his heart swelled in a strange mixture of realization and optimism, the Guard’s desire to prove himself and have a chance to be with Cadance prompted him to nod his head firmly. He then took one final breath before he looked up at Sombra confidently, and said, “I… I understand completely, Sombra.”

Since it was too dangerous for Shining to give a salute to him in this open space, the Prince allowed him to leave immediately so he could get the necessary items. The Ex-King then sighed with a satisfied hiss, and glanced back at his old throne before scoffing playfully. “Heh~ And to think,” he said to himself in a hushed tone, “I used to think I needed that to have power~”

By the time Shining returned from acquiring his necessary items at a nearby convenience store (where he endured an obvious smirk from the clerk during the transaction), Princess Cadance's Maternity Celebration was going into full swing with music and positive vibes all around. Even though the Princess received the majority of the night’s praise and presents from Crystal Ponies, Shining was happy to have been pulled aside a few times for celebratory drinks and personal gifts himself. As for their daughter Flurry Heart, the filly was given more than enough attention from her Aunt and Grandparents to appreciate her Mother’s special night too. Of course, even with all the elated and blissful ponies that flooded the Crystal Ballroom that night, there were very few with smiles as prideful or unfaltering as Sombra’s.

Fortunately for the former Tyrant, it didn’t seem like there was any hint of suspicion from the party’s attendees as the night went on. Even when Sombra spent a fair portion of the night standing beside Cadance while she received her praises for having another foal, the close proximity between the two didn’t raise any brows. In fact, the stallion seemed to be tolerated a lot easier by many of the party-goers, including the Crystal Ponies themselves. While he knew his status likely wouldn’t be improved too much by his positive presence, he was able to appreciate spending at least one night among the ponies with a more peaceful state of mind.

About an hour into the festivities, a massive buffet was laid-out that would’ve rivaled many of Las Pegasus’ most exclusive resorts. Fortunately, that was just around the time that Princesses Celestia and Luna arrived to partake in the evening’s celebrations as well. While Twilight was beaming with pride at how successfully everything was going, Shining admittedly had the tiniest twinge of guilt upon seeing how much the Crystal Ponies contributed to this event. Even though he knew better than to dwell on the massive elephant in the room, he couldn’t help but worry how horribly things could’ve gone if even just one of them knew the baby wasn’t actually his.

But despite how terrifying those hypotheticals may have been playing out in his head, Shining Armor couldn’t deny that he also felt immensely proud of Cadance for embracing this night for what it was. Regardless of what the truth may have been, the fact remained that he was helping her raise another child; and in the end, Shining knew he was going to be just as dedicated and caring of a parent with Sombra’s foal as he was with Flurry Heart. Each time he caught a glance of that beautiful Princess, he felt a deep warmth inside of his chest when he saw just how brightly her smile was glowing throughout the night. And by the time most of the dishes were served and everypony got themselves seated, all that Shining felt was a strong sense of contentment while he sat next to Cadance at the main table.

Well, that and a slight sense of intimidation, since Sombra was seated next to Cadance's other side at that same table.

Luckily for the three, even the Princesses weren’t too judgemental about their former enemy having such a prime seating spot at the head of the ballroom for this occasion. Because of that, Princess Cadance seemed to consider his presence to be the perfect opportunity to make an announcement. So while Shining Armor was finishing his eggplant parmesan, and Twilight was tending to Flurry Heart beside her parents, Cadance only waited a moment before she pulled herself up from her seat. Sombra raised a brow curiously, but only smirked in silence while the Alicorn tapped her empty glass with a fork.

The metallic clinking may have been fairly soft among the sea of chatting and giggling ponies in the audience, but it was also subtle and distinct enough to catch everypony’s attention rather quickly. When most of the murmuring and whispered voices died down, Princess Cadance smiled gratefully before clearing her throat. “Fillies and Gentlecolts,” she began in a slightly overwhelmed, but still thankful tone of voice, “I have to say... considering how quickly this all came together since I learned the news myself this morning, I… I couldn’t have asked for a better example of unity and friendship in this wonderful Empire. And after seeing just how generous and caring you all were throughout the day, I just… I want to express my deepest thanks to each and every one of you~”

Everypony in the ballroom gave the Princess warm and boisterous round of applause, clearly appreciative of her kind words. Shining and Sombra clapped their hooves as well, both of them looking equally as honored as their Princess did. However, considering how the Alicorn was standing between the two seated stallions, neither of them could look over at each other to nod in approval while she continued. “And with that being said… I do feel that now is the right time to make another announcement.”

Shining and Sombra both looked up at Cadance with surprised expressions, neither of them sure what the Princess was going to say. Even though it was doubtful she’d choose now to come out about anything too secretive (unless Cadance had a death-wish), both stallions had to bite their tongues with the slightest feelings of uncertainty. Luckily, the Princess’ peaceful smile and tone didn’t falter in the slightest as she motioned a hoof towards Shining Armor. “For you see… Shining Armor and I were lucky enough to have the time to discuss certain things before my pregnancy was confirmed. And with that, we… managed to come to an agreement we’d like to share.”

While the audience clapped and stomped in approval once more, Shining’s eyes widened while glancing up at her. Cadance smiled back with an approving nod, making it clear to the stallion that she expected him to share the news himself. Even though he wasn’t against making that sort of announcement (especially at an event like this, where the publicity could be overwhelmingly positive), Shining felt his heart shoot up to his throat as he looked around the massive space. Almost every pony or creature he knew was in attendance for this event, and he was about to make one of the biggest (and possibly one of the most controversial) announcements of his life.

And with that realization, Shining’s fur stuck up along the small of his back while recalling Sombra’s earlier words towards him:

… I won’t tell you what you need to do, nor will I tell you when you need to do it. But some time tonight, before we head back to our bedroom, I expect you to know how to present yourself when the moment comes...

The stallion’s hooves clenched tightly, and he had to swallow a couple times in a half-hearted attempt to keep his throat from going dry. Cadance may have not figured out what was running through Shining’s head, but she could tell that something was on his mind when she noticed how red his cheeks were becoming. Part of her wanted to assume that Sombra told him something he shouldn’t have said, but one quick glance back at him showed that he was unaware as she was. Because of that, the Princess turned her attention back towards the audience as she tried to give the Guard a little more time to collect himself.

“N-Now, ummm… Just for quick clarification, I’m sure that some ponies in this room might be very surprised, or… maybe even a little confused as to what we made an agreement on. But… in the past few months, I think it became clear to both of us just how drastically things can change. Whether it be how we treat each other, or… how we may see ourselves in relation to those actions…”

Even though Shining didn’t want to be seen doing anything odd at a time like this, it seemed that most of the audience had their attention set on Cadance while he slipped low into his chair. Twilight Sparkle, who was seated next to her brother’s other side, raised a brow as she looked at him confusedly. Fortunately, nopony seemed to note the younger Princess’ reaction while Cadance kept speaking professionally. “And… no matter what ponies might say, I think it should be clear to all of us just how important harmony really is. Whether that comes from seeking redemption, or accepting forgiveness, there should be no bounds as to what we can all achieve if we embrace the power of friendship.”

Due to the pleased round of applause that came with Cadance's well-spoken addition, nopony seemed to overhear Twilight’s shocked gasp. They also didn’t see the look on the Princess’ paled face, even though it was clear something was up due to how tightly the mare’s hooves were clasped over her mouth. Nevertheless, the attention was still kept on Cadance while Shining Armor began to get up from his chair. “So, without further ado,” she said with a courteous smile as she kept her eyes out towards the crowd, and had a hoof pointed towards the Guard, “I’m very pleased to have Shining Armor continue in my place~”

As she sat herself back down, the audience cheered and clapped in approval as the attention was brought towards the ‘Prince’. Sombra clapped his hooves as well, but his ears perked up when he overheard a few giggles and hushed murmurs from the crowds. It wasn’t until he heard Cadance silently gasp that he looked back towards her, and then up to the stallion she was trying not to gawk at. The instant he caught sight of Shining Armor, the Prince’s blood-red eyes shot wide-open.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts,” began Shining Armor as he spoke in a unfaltering and confident tone, not seeming to care at all that his pink collar was now proudly adorned around his neck. Even though his leash and tag were thankfully still in his pocket, it was obvious that many of the ponies in the room were staring at the strip of pink faux-leather that was peeking from beneath his tuxedo collar. But regardless of how much his collar stuck out against his black jacket and white coat, the stallion spoke with a wide and caring smile towards the crowd. “As many of you may know, Princess Cadance and I were unbelievably grateful to discover that as of this morning, she was confirmed to be carrying her second foal…”

Even though a large majority of the ponies in the crowd seemed confused as to the reason for Shining’s attire, he still received a modest round of applause for his opening statement. Cadance was staring daggers towards her husband, which caused Sombra to give a brief raise of his hooves and a bewildered smile in denial. Princesses Celestia and Luna had their eyes narrowed on Shining in slight suspicion, but didn’t say anything about his impromptu look. And while Twilight Sparkle covered her face with one of her hooves, she overheard her parents whispering to one another from the seats next to her.

“Honey, that looks like yours~” Velvet said with a sly-looking smirk, which caused Night Light to sink his face into his hooves to hide his blush. Unfortunately, Twilight heard that clearly enough to make her jaw drop in utter shock.

“And while the two of us couldn’t be happier with such an exciting reveal,” continued Shining as he spoke with an unwavering, and completely shameless demeanor that seemed to mask the presence of his collar, “... we both knew from experience, that some decisions had to be made immediately. Otherwise, we…” After a moment, Shining huffed before continuing with a guilty shrug of his shoulders. “... well, given how hectic things got with our first baby, Cadance and I wanted to be more prepared this time just in case~”

That mention managed to get a good round of laughter from the crowds, many of whom recalling first-hoof what their Prince was referring to. Twilight’s friends, who were seated at their own table close to the Royals, all snickered with knowing grins on each other in recollection. Fortunately, the laughter died down quickly enough for Shining to continue speaking confidently on the matter.

“So with that being said, we… actually came to an agreement on something important this morning. Even though we’re both aware how soon this may be confirmed… there’s no doubt in either of our minds that this is something we both feel is best…”

Shining took a deep breath, and maintained his smile as he looked out at everypony with his collar unhidden. “For you see… Princess Cadance is right about the importance of friendship, and also about how significantly the bonds we make can change the world around us. Whether our bonds help us learn more about others, or help us embrace ourselves more confidently, there’s no doubt that friendship can make us look at things differently throughout time. We’ve seen this happen time and time again following the vanquishment of Nightmare Moon, when my dear sister and her friends used their Elements to implement vast changes throughout this nation. Whether it be by the reformation of Discord, our newfound alliance with the Changeling Kingdom, or even the countless other ponies who have found change through Twilight Sparkle’s assistance, we shouldn’t doubt how powerful those bonds can affect our world for the better.”

Shining paused to allow another round of applause, which came in quite prominently in comparison to before. Even Twilight was honored enough to clap her hooves, and smiled at with her brother with the same level of impressment as she had with Cadance at that Garden Social. Meanwhile, Shining motioned out a hoof towards Sombra as he continued flawlessly, “For example, if it wasn’t for the immense generosity and kindness Cadance and I were able to give towards our former enemy, we wouldn’t have been able to realize just how good of a friend and ally he could be. For over the past few months, Sombra had shown nothing but the highest respect for both Cadance and myself, and has proven to both of us just how noble and kind he can be away from the throne he once oversaw. And while we’re both aware that there’s still a long road ahead for him, we have nothing but the utmost faith and trust in him to move towards a brighter future.”

Even though there was a notable decrease in hoof-claps following that addition, a large number of Non-Crystal ponies still applauded respectfully to his kind words. Sombra blinked a couple times while looking up at him, clearly surprised that the Guard could say such a thing with such genuine kindness in his heart. And with that collar being seen clear as day around his neck, it took everything in Sombra not to smile too wide with a look of pride.

“And to prove that notion,” said Shining as he looked back out towards the audience, and took one final breath in anticipation for his reveal, “... as well as to give a symbol of hope towards a brighter future for the Crystal Empire, Princess Cadance and I are happy to announce that we have chosen Sombra… to be our Official Royal Crystaller for our upcoming foal.”

Any applause that could’ve came from that announcement was quickly interrupted by an intense round of shocked gasps. Many of the Crystal Ponies had their mouths hung-open in utter shock, looking downright offended that their Leaders would allow such a thing. Shining and Cadance tried their hardest not to wince, and looked back at each other in worry that their idea may have not been the best. Meanwhile, Sombra was wide-eyed while seated in stunned silence, and had his hooves over his mouth to cover his touched expression.

Luckily, Twilight Sparkle was the first to make a response before any boos could begin around the ballroom. The younger Princess stood up on her chair with an honored smile, and brought her hooves together to begin a slow clap. For the first few claps of her hooves, nopony did a thing while staring at the Royal couple worriedly. But before the Princess could consider stopping, she heard another slow clap beginning to accompany her; she looked down at her friends’ table, and saw Rainbow Dash nodding back at her as she became the second clapper.

Two soon became three, as Starlight Glimmer joined in with solidarity. Soon enough, the rest of the Elements of Harmony all started to clap for the couple, much to Shining and Cadance's tearful thanks. Even though many of the Crystal Ponies still seemed apprehensive, any instant responses to the news couldn’t contain the growing applause that went around the ballroom. Like the end to a cheesy sports movie, that one clap helped to slowly bring everyone around in support for Cadance and Shining’s controversial decision.

In less than a minute, even the Crystal Ponies were able to reluctantly clap and applaud in support of everypony else in the room. By that point, Sombra was literally beginning to tear up as he stood from his chair with a shocked, but undoubtedly grateful smile towards Shining and Cadance. His wife got up from her chair to stand beside the Guard, and their joined applause alongside the rest of the room caused Sombra to cover his trembling mouth with a hoof. Just as the journalist ponies in the back began to take pictures of this historic event, Sombra lunged in to hug both of them at the same time with a wide and emotional smile.

Nothing was said for several minutes as the lovely moment passed its course, with even the Royal Sisters smiling and applauding while teary-eyed. Despite the stallion’s horrid past, as well as his still-lingering fangs and red eyes, there was no doubt that Sombra looked like a completely changed pony by the time he pulled back from Shining and Cadance. The smile he gave to both of them showed nothing but the purest thanks, not needing any words to emphasize how close their friendship really became. Even a few of the Crystal Ponies appeared touched when they saw that exchange, which kept them from trying to protest what was undoubtedly a beautiful moment.

The two tried to get Sombra to stand up and say something himself, but the Prince quickly sat himself back down and waved his hoof in dismissal. “U-Ummm… I-I’d rather get myself composed first, i-if that’s alright,” he said hoarsely with an overwhelmed smile, clearly looking like he was gonna start crying if he didn’t have the chance to settle down. Fortunately, Shining and Cadance seemed alright with that response as they brought their attention back to the crowds. While the Princess kept herself standing at the head of the long table, she motioned for Shining to sit back down while clearing her throat.

The moment Shining sat back down, Twilight had to lean in and whisper, “Shining… Pardon my Prench, but why the buck are you wearing that?!”

Since nothing bad happened to him, Shining showed no regret on his face when he smiled confidently back at his sister. “Sombra asked me to prove myself when the moment was right,” he whispered without any hint of shame while he shrugged his shoulders. “And… I think I did just that~”

Even though she was grateful her brother survived that ordeal unscathed, the Princess still huffed with a strong shake of her head with a befuddled look. “Oh, man… he better be offering you something big for that~”

Shining’s smile widened in an instant, and he leaned in closer to whisper antsily, “As a matter of fact… Sombra sai--”

“Now,” began Princess Cadance as she brought herself back to the attention of the ballroom, “before any ponies feel the need to question the motives of Shining Armor and myself, I just want to clarify just why we felt that Sombra was a valid choice for our Royal Crystaller…”

Shining stopped his explanation towards his sister, and looked back at Cadance alongside everypony else. During a brief pause in her words, Cadance glanced back at her Guard with a faint, but still suspiciously noticeable smirk. Shining wasn’t sure what the Alicorn was planning, but his brows raised worriedly when he saw her give a sly wink before turning back towards the crowd.

“For you see…” Princess Cadance lit up her horn, which caused a bright blue aura of her magic to illuminate before the audience. But from Shining’s perspective, his attention went down to the bottom of Cadance's dress as he saw a hue of her magic within it. Meanwhile, the Alicorn continued her speech without any hint that something was amiss. “... over the past few months, Sombra has shown immense progress towards bettering himself, and to be seen as a productive member of our society. And despite the controversies that his presence may have brought to this castle, there’s no denial that he has not acted the same as he had before. And the reason for that is very simple. Sometimes, when it comes to overcoming your past...”

With that pause, Cadance discreetly floated out a small item that she had been hiding underneath her dress. The moment Shining saw up-close what she had in her magic, his eyes widened sharply enough to make it look like he was about to have a stroke. His face paled intensely, and he breathed in deep through his nostrils while struggling to hide his look of unbridled fear. By that point, Sombra was able to wipe any tears from his face as he leaned back in his heat, and shot Shining a wide and deceptive grin.

Meanwhile, the Princess between them kept her focus on the crowds while she held up a small golden key. Twilight tilted her head in confusion for a second, but then quickly turned back towards her brother wide-eyed. Of course, Shining’s pupils were shrunken to the size of pins as he looked up at his smirking Princess, and saw the key to his chastity cage hovering in her aura. He didn’t want to think this was going to happen (especially not now), but he was proven terribly wrong as he heard her finish her statement:

“... the best way to move forward is to put your demons behind you, and to lock up those troubles before breaking the key~”

Shining’s legs clenched tightly beneath the table, but that strain was nothing compared to the massive throb he felt his cock giving inside of his plastic prison. His breathing started to turn quick and rapid, making him feel like he was going to suffocate in dread. Even if he was keeping himself looking collected on the outside, he was mentally shitting himself while tugging on the side of his collar with a hoof. Part of him wanted to think this was just a joke, or maybe a misunderstanding between Cadance and Sombra; unfortunately, the instant he leaned back to look towards Sombra, he was met with a devilishly wide grin as Sombra gave a mocking shake of his head.

“What?~” asked the Prince in a cheeky whisper as he narrowed his eyes on him. “I said I’d give you the chance to let Cadance experience something new tonight. Did you really think I meant you would do it yourself?~”

Shining felt his heart sink into his chest like it was attached to several bricks. By the time he looked back ahead towards the waiting crowd, it wasn’t long before he noticed Princess Cadance looking back at him with a sensual-looking smirk of her own. She may have not known about Sombra’s “promise” towards Shining earlier that night, but it didn’t seem like she would’ve cared nonetheless. And despite how Shining’s mouth was trying to open and close like a fish out of water, it was obvious that nothing could be said to stop this from happening. Not only did Sombra promise him this would occur, but Shining agreed to it back when he and Cadance discussed what she was going to do.

She was going to break the key to his chastity cage. From then on, Shining was going to have his stallionhood locked up for good. He would never be able to masturbate, or even achieve an erection without experiencing the painful constraints of his cage. He would never be able to achieve orgasm again, despite how badly he was hoping to that night. And despite what he assumed Sombra was going to give him, Shining knew that he would likely never be inside of a mare again.

But despite all that, Shining couldn’t cross his legs tightly enough to keep his cock from throbbing intensely hard inside of his cage from the anticipation.

So while the cuckold sat in stunned silence without any sign of resistance, Cadance looked back out to the crowds while holding the key close to Shining’s face. “Sombra has proven himself time and time again, to be a more than suitable stallion for the job. And through his dedication towards myself and Shining, as well as his passionate drive and compassion, I can safely say that I have no doubts that he’s a better pony in every way~ So with that being said… my husband and I are honored to solidify this event by locking the past behind…”

Cadance then closed her eyes to brighten up her horn, and caused the key to illuminate strongly within her magic. Like a piece of metal being thrown into a furnace, Shining could only watch through hollowed eyes as the key to his chastity cage changed colors from the growing heat the Princess was giving it. The golden metal soon turned a bright shade of red, and then became a blisteringly white-hot to show how sensitive it became from her aura. And just as Shining felt like he had it in him to speak up, it was too late as Cadance said with a final breath, “... and… breaking the key!~”

With one final surge of her magic, Princess Cadance opened her eyes just in time to see Shining’s key shatter like a piece of fine crystal. The Guard’s mouth was hung open in gawked shock as he saw that metal key break into dozens, if not hundreds of individual fragments before his very eyes. He wasn’t sure if he felt more pain from his heart breaking to such a horrible sight, or from his cock straining unbelievably hard in his restraints. But whichever feeling it was, the collared cuck felt a strong bout of numbness sweep throughout his system the instant Cadance gave that key another zap of her magic, and turned all those fragments into a fine dust that sprinkled down like glitter.

Everyone on the ballroom applauded happily, as the remnants of Shining’s chastity cage key floated down into a pile of dust in front of him on the table. Shining tried his hardest to bring up his hooves and applaud as well, but his forced smile was just barely hiding how immensely hurt he felt from that sadistic display. From now on, the Guard had to live with the fact that along with being a cuckold, AND having his former wife taken from him, that the two have gone out of their way to put him in permanent chastity. As far as he was concerned, Shining knew that his chances of ever using his stallionhood were as eviscerated as his key.

But despite that horrifying revelation, Shining was mostly upset that his cock was still trying to grow hard in his now inescapable prison.

Chapter Five: Private Armor's Afterparty

Later That Evening

While the party continued in full-swing inside of the ballroom, Princess Cadance saw it best to make her leave a little early after the speeches were complete. Fortunately for the fruitful Alicorn, she was escorted away from the cheerful festivities by her husband, as well as a slightly shell-shocked Shining Armor. Even though she only partially knew of Sombra leading Shining on before the party, she hoped that the Guard wasn’t too overwhelmed by her theatrical key-breaking to not appreciate her commitment to their relationship. Or at least, she was hopeful that he could look past it quickly enough to continue on with the same tenacity as before.

As for Shining himself, it was clear that he needed a moment to fully process what he just endured over the course of the night. While he knew that his key had to be broken due to his agreement to both Sombra and Cadance, he honestly didn’t expect it to occur so soon following her confirmed pregnancy; not to mention, he certainly wouldn’t have predicted her doing it in such a grand gesture with nopony being the wiser. Nevertheless, the Guard knew that despite his disappointment, he sorta brought that onto himself when he didn’t read between the lines of Sombra’s vaguely-worded promise to him earlier. So despite how badly his member ended up aching within that now permanent encasement, Shining only needed a moment to let reality sink in while he followed Cadance and Sombra out of the ballroom.

Fortunately for the three, the rear hallway meant for castle staff was completely barren as they made their way through the back doors to leave the event. Because of that, Cadance wasn’t above playing up Shining’s new status as she turned around with a cheeky smirk and asked, “So, Guard… have you made the proper arrangements for us?~” With that last word, the Princess’ grin widened as she extended out one of her wings to wrap around Sombra’s back; the Prince replied with a giddy shudder, and grinned back at his wife while rubbing against her side rather unsubtly.

Shining sucked some air through his teeth while looking between the randy couple, and the dangerously unlocked door behind the three. But alas, the stallion was able to breathe out with a sharp huff before stating, “I-I, ummm… I talked with Twilight and my parents, and they agreed to look after Flurry Heart tonight. I also made sure that no Guards or staff would be in our wing of the castle tonight.”

Despite how frazzled he may have still felt, Shining was able to give a light smile towards the Princess following that statement. Meanwhile, Sombra narrowed his eyes on the Guard before he asked with a grin of his own, “So, Shining… would you mind me asking why in absolute Tartarus you decided to wear that for your speech?!~”

Shining’s eyes widened worriedly, and he glanced downward to realize he was still wearing that pink collar around his neck. The married couple giggled with impressed smirks while looking back at their cuckold, whose face ended up growing a heavy blush of red upon realizing what was wrong. Sombra could see just how quickly Shining’s pupils shrunk inward, and he covered his mouth to keep his laughter from growing too audible. Meanwhile, Shining’s left eye twitched a little before he was able to open his muzzle and try to speak. “W… W-Wait, you… you mean…”

“Psssh!~” Sombra scoffed with an obvious roll of his eyes, and shook his head as he replied, “Wait, did you think I meant for you to do THAT as part of your ‘payment?’ Shining! I… I’m not gonna lie, I’m more upset that I didn’t think of that myself!”

Sombra then reeled his head back as he laughed more heartily, which left Shining to lower his head like an embarrassed pup that piddled on the floor. Cadance had to cover her mouth as she snickered as well, but was able to sigh before she gave a more informed response. “Actually, I… I think he was hoping that you’d offer to be leashed from here to the bedroom. Granted, I didn’t hear the conversation you two had myself, so I’m sure there was some context that was misheard. Personally, I was against the idea since I thought it was too risky, but…”

After shaking her head with a befuddled smile, Cadance could only shrug as she said, “You know what? Considering what you just did, I think you made Sombra’s idea seem downright amateur!~”

Shining may have still felt awkward about his impromptu moment, but that jab from Cadance made him giggle bashfully as well. Sombra made an offended-sounding huff as he gawked at his wife in shock; however, considering how truthful Cadance's reply really was, Sombra merely groaned and rolled his eyes away from the Princess and her Guard. Eventually, Shining was able to speak up while he sheepishly tugged at the side of his collar. “Heh heh… W-Well, ummm… All that Sombra told me was to, errr… make use of what I had before the event was over. And I… I kinda assumed he meant before the three of us left.”

Cadance made a quick glance back at Sombra upon hearing that answer, which caused the Prince to clarify with a shrug, “Hey, I meant before the event was over. Technically speaking, the party is still happening, so it’s not like I was wrong.” However, despite how cheerfully Cadance shrugged her head in acceptance of that misunderstanding, Sombra sighed before returning his attention back to Shining. “But, umm… honestly though? I can’t deny that what you did was absolutely outstanding, Shining Armor. Even though I wouldn’t have expected you to accept your place so openly until after your key was broken, we’re both still proud of you nonetheless.”

Shining blinked a couple times, almost taken aback when he saw the genuine smile that Sombra was giving him. Cadance's wing may have still been draped over the Prince’s back, but her smile towards their Guard was just as caring and prideful as Sombra’s. “I have to agree with him on that one, Shining. I mean, I’m just as surprised as he was that you did it, but… I’m also really happy that you’re able to embrace yourself for who you are~”

The Guard raised his brows after hearing both of the couple’s sincere words, and eventually grew a more content smile as he nodded back at them. Despite his embarrassed blush, Shining still breathed out less shakily before he said, “Ummm… W-Wow, uhhh… I… I guess it’s a good thing nopony caught on, huh?~”

Sombra chuckled as he nodded back at him firmly, and added in a cheekier tone, “Well, the fact that you chose not to wear your tag or leash may have helped out a lot with that~”

Shining’s muzzle wrinkled tightly as he looked away from his Prince, and tried not to groan in pained realization that he almost did do that. Luckily, Cadance was able to remain supportive as she tried to catch the stallion’s attention. “Well, that doesn’t change the fact that what you did was really brave. And… I just hope that you don’t have any regrets about it.”

That last remark made Shining’s brows raise in thought, and he looked down at the ground between himself and the couple to process how he felt. His heart was still racing rather fast, but that was mostly because of how he still felt from Cadance's little key-trick. But upon thinking back to that speech he gave, and just how he felt as he stood before everypony in his collar, the Guard honestly couldn’t say that he felt any shame about his choice. Even if it wasn’t what the Prince had planned for him, Shining was certain that he’d most likely do it again if he had the chance.

Not to mention, regardless of whether or not that key was gone, Shining was fully aware of where he stood among Princess Cadance and Prince Sombra. Back at that party, the Guard felt absolutely no regrets about expressing himself as best as he could. He may have not been stupid enough to actually admit who he was before everypony, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t alright with showing himself to the few that knew. And at that very moment, Shining Armor wasn’t too worried about his pride as he looked back at the Alicorn, and shook his head with a smile.

“I… I honestly can’t say that I do, Princess Cadance,” he said in a polite and cordial tone, just as a Guard should address a married mare of Royalty. While Cadance smiled back at him with a glimmer of pride, Sombra grew a satisfied smirk upon seeing Shining’s look of acceptance. The stallion took a deep breath while standing before the two, and sighed before standing in a more upright stance. “In fact, I... I wouldn’t be against complying with Prince Sombra’s idea too.”

Both of the couple’s eyes widened in surprise, with Sombra looking absolutely delighted by Shining’s newfound pride. “Oh, my goodness!~” he said with a cheeky grin more reminiscent of Discord’s. “You even addressed me properly in public! That’s quite an impressive feat~”

While Shining’s head lowered sheepishly with a blushed smile, Princess Cadance took the liberty of lighting up her horn for some added protection. Even if the three weren’t being eavesdropped, the Alicorn made sure to lay out a quick sound-proofing dome over them just in case. As soon as the three were encased within her blue aura, Cadance smiled at her Guard and said with a smirk, “Well, then… I’m guessing you don’t mind how I broke your key anymore?~”

Shining sighed again before shaking his head without hesitation. “Umm… A-Absolutely not, my Princess,” he tried to say confidently, even though his timidness could be heard behind his growing blush. When he brought his head back up, the Guard was able to breathe in before adding, “I… I’m fully aware of my place~”

That response made Sombra grin mischeviously wide, and he leaned in with narrowed eyes while the three weren’t able to be heard. “Say it, then~”

Shining nodded his head with a smile up to his Prince, but he lit up his horn before he could open his mouth. The Guard used his magic to float out the tag and leash from his jacket pocket, and dutifully put them on his collar without being asked. As soon as his “CUCK” tag was hanging prominently across the top of his tie, and the other end of his leash was floated over to Sombra’s hoof, Shining Armor carried a prideful stance while he said with a blush, “I-I’m a cuckold! And… My place is to serve the two of you however you may please~”

Even though the stallion felt unbelievably flustered by saying such a thing so openly, the addition of that sound-proofing dome made his truthful statement come out much easier. Cadance giggled with an enamored smile as she used her free hoof to pull Shining in, and give him a much-deserved hug. Sombra reluctantly gave the Guard a couple pats on the back as well, but made sure he had a tight grip on Shining’s leash as he gave it a hard tug. The pony was pulled back with a surprised grunt, and was soon met with Sombra’s wide and unrelenting grin. “If that’s the case… I intend to see you lead the way for us as we go back to our bedroom~”

Shining’s smile may have stayed spread across his face, but it was obvious that order made him freeze up with a clear look of fear on his face. Even though ninety-five percent of the castle staff were back at the party, Shining knew for a fact that there could be several Guards posted around the perimeter on the way to their castle wing. Not to mention, the stallion originally thought that he would be beside Sombra and his wife as he went back with them; but with the realization of him being leashed out in the open, even his acceptance of being a cuckold wasn’t enough to cover how worried he felt about Sombra’s demand.

Fortunately (or perhaps, unfortunately in Shining’s case), Cadance seemed to show support for her husband’s plan as she bent in close to the Guard’s face, and asked with a sympathetic smile, “Oh, Shining… aren’t you proud to be our little cuck?~”

Shining’s head lowered in growing nervousness, and his blush didn’t dissipate for a second as he meekly nodded his head up at her. “... y… yes I am…”

“And do you want the chance to stay by our bed,” she continued with a growing grin, “and watch what Sombra does with me?~”

The stallion closed his eyes and sighed with a look of defeat, unable to even contemplate being given the same treatment he experienced in Canterlot. So despite his justified worries, Shining nodded once more and said, “M… M-More than anything, my Princess…”

With that answer said clearly enough for Cadance's approval, the Princess unlit her horn so the sound-proofing dome was gone. She then stood proudly beside her grinning Prince, and pointed down the hallway while giving her command. “Guard Shining Armor, I hereby order you to lead the two of us to our bedroom! You shall not stop until we reach our elevator, and you shall not make any direct contact with any ponies we might come across. Do I make myself clear, Soldier?~”

Shining may have felt absolutely fearful about what he was about to do, but he wasn’t above complying with his Princess after coming this far. Since he was already far past the point of no return, the Guard didn’t try to show any reluctance as he breathed out in compliance, and bowed before the married couple. “Y… Yes, my Princess! I… I understand completely…”

With that, Shining took one final breath before standing back up with his collar and leash fully exposed for the outside world. Even though he knew just how dangerous this moment could be for all three of them, the Guard managed to soldier on as he began walking ahead of Sombra and Cadance. By the time his leash finally spread out long enough to stop touching the ground between its two points, Sombra finally followed his Guard while Cadance nestled in close beside him.

“Mmmm…” The Prince grinned devilishly as he peered back at Cadance, and made sure Shining wasn’t listening in as he whispered, “You did plan out the route so no Guards could see him, right?”

Cadance scoffed as she stared back at him with a disbelieving smirk. “Honey, of course I did! I might’ve let you knock me up, but I’m not stupid~”

The Royal couple may have been aware that the risk of Shining’s exhibitionist display was fairly minimal, but the Guard himself was infinitely on edge throughout his walk between the ballroom and their castle wing. Even though Princess Cadance made sure that their route was clear of any Guards or stray castle staff to spot them, Shining was as fidgety as a housecat as he peered past every corner in growing worry. Meanwhile, Sombra and his wife couldn’t help snickering silently as they watched their cuckold struggling to comply with their demands as obediently as he could, while also keeping their illicit debauchery hidden to basically nopony. Not to mention, the sight of Shining’s plump and bluish-hued balls made Sombra smirk knowingly to the fact that he’ll never use them again.

By the time the three finally arrived to the unmanned elevator, Shining’s breath of sweet relief was beyond heavy when he finally stepped inside the metal structure. Sombra didn’t say anything as they walked in behind the Guard, but their antsy smirks made it clear that he wasn’t going to feel too relaxed soon enough. As soon as the grated doors closed behind them, and the elevator made its slow ascent to their floor, Shining was barely able to breathe before the married couple took advantage of their “privacy.” Without warning, Sombra grabbed Cadance by her shoulders as he pushed her onto her hind-legs, and rammed her back against one of the confined walls; he then lunged in with a lustrous growl as he locked his muzzle with hers, and began to ravenously make out with the Princess in front of the flustered Guard.

Shining’s blush remained just as deep as it was during his walk, and he could only stand awkwardly while he stared at their passionate makeout session. Cadance latched onto Sombra’s back tightly with both hooves, and moaned through their heavy kiss while her eyes rolled back in passion. Sombra didn’t relent as he continued to hold her with a rumbling growl, and only pulled back just enough to let Shining see his tongue creeping into her open mouth. Of course, the leashed pony could also see his Ex’s tongue slipping into Sombra’s mouth as well, which caused his hind-legs to squirm in slight discomfort. Nevertheless, the pony’s enjoyment could be clearly seen while his lips were bitten tightly shut in arousal.

“Mnnnnghhhhh~” Sombra pulled his lips back from his wife’s muzzle with a wet pop, and left her panting heavily while he eyed her with a lecherous grin. “Ohhhhh Cadance~” he said with a deep and animalistic purr, which Shining could tell was making her shiver antsily. “You have no idea how badly I wanted to eat you out during that dinner~”

“Aaaahhhh!!~” Cadance reeled her head back as she moaned impulsively, not even looking back at Shining to see his blushed reaction to that remark. “Ohhhh, Goddess!~” she said with a shudder and a wide grin, which was still glistening with her husband’s saliva. “I… I really want you to do that next time, honey~”

Shining’s face contorted from the strain he was experiencing both emotionally and physically, but he kept his eyes locked on the two as they openly conversed in front of him. “Oh, really?~” asked Sombra as his grin on her grew even wider. “When you say ‘next time,’ do you mean the next time we have a fancy dinner? Or the next time I impregnate you with my foal?~”

Cadance was looking unbelievably riled-up while she was braced against the elevator wall, and Shining could see her legs buckling under weight while she moaned, “B-BOTH!~ I… I want you to do whatever you can to me in public!~ Mnnnghhh… I… I’ll order our Guard to stand watch~”

Shining had to bite his hoof while he quivered antsily to that suggestion. Not only was the idea itself hot as Tartarus, but the fact that Cadance suggested such a thing like he wasn’t even there made him feel unfathomably small in comparison to that domineering Prince. But despite that subtle twinge of despair the pony felt clenching around his heart, it was nothing compared to the primal throbs from his cock while it was locked inside of his unbreakable chastity.

“Then it’s settled~” growled Sombra before he lunged back in, and made out with Cadance just as vigorously as before. While one of his forelegs kept the Princess pinned against the wall by her back, his other moved down to tightly clasp between her quivering legs. The Alicorn gasped with a sharp moan the instant she felt that unexpected invasion of his hoof, but she didn’t seem to mind at all as she kept kissing him deeply. Meanwhile, Shining was left to tremble with a faint moan as he watched the Prince grind his hoof invasively against his wife’s already soaked marehood. Then in a moment of shock, Shining gasped with a very high-pitched shiver the instant he felt his “bracelet” vibrating around the base of his cage again.

Oh, shit! Thought the Guard to himself in a panic, realizing how badly he was going to hold up upon remembering what he was still wearing. I never took off Twilight’s ring!

“Mmmmmm… Is that what I think it is?~” purred Sombra as he gave a delighted grin towards Shining’s writhing state. Cadance was growing thoroughly riled-up as Sombra kept digging his hoof between her delicate folds, but she was still able to giggle upon realizing the same thing her husband was. Since the Guard was too busy squirming through his strained whimpers to reply to Sombra’s rhetorical question, the two went back to sloppily kissing in front of him. The distinct sounds of schlicking could be heard over the couple’s primal makeout session, but it was the growing scent of Cadance's arousal that left the poor Guard trying his hardest not to quiver enviously.

While Sombra kept rubbing his wife’s clit and leaving her direly on-edge, he held her close as he pulled away again and said, “I swear… Given how eager you are to let me pleasure you whenever I please, I’m surprised you didn’t divorce that pathetic cuck sooner to be with me~”

Shining heard a muffled grunt escaping his own muzzle while he tensed up from that teasing statement, but the Prince didn’t seem to pay any heed towards it. Meanwhile, the Princess let out another shivering moan while she squirmed on top of Sombra’s hoof, and said with a blushing grin, “Hehehehe… W-Well, it… it certainly wasn’t hard to take the opportunity when he begged me to do it for him~ Mnnghhh… Y-You should’ve seen how badly he was squirming to let a REAL stallion take me~”

Even with how hot the action was getting, Shining had to look away with a pursed muzzle following that response. He knew that Cadance was just trying to get him riled-up and humiliated for the sake of both his and Sombra’s pleasure, but it still made him feel so defeated as he thought back to that night. While he meant for that discussion to be a respectful agreement between husband and wife (which it was at first), Cadance soon took advantage of his compliance to test just how submissive he could’ve gotten for the opportunity. And while he certainly didn’t regret his decisions (even after knowing it would bring him to this), it was still jarring to think about how drastically a relationship could change in the span of a single night.

Luckily for the Guard’s conscience (as well as his chances of losing focus on the couple he was privileged to witness up-close), a sharp yelp from Cadance helped him stare back towards the antsy couple. Sombra slowly dragged his tongue up the length of Cadance's outstretched neck, and left her squirming with a bitten lip while he said, “Ohhhhh, my sweet and lovely wife… How did you ever manage to feel some proper satisfaction before me?~”

Even though the sight of Sombra eyeing Cadance so lustfully made Shining instinctively wince, that reply made him breathe out with the slightest hint of clarity through his nostrils. Even if he submitted himself to chastity through questionable means, the sound of the Princess’ blissful moan made it clear to Shining that he made a sound decision. As the Guard was left fidgeting badly and biting the inside of his cheeks, he tried not to whimper in jealousy as he heard her reply, “Oh, honey… I couldn’t imagine anypony pressing my buttons like you! Especially not our Guard anymore~ Hehehehe…”

Shining tried not to inhale too sharply through his teeth, even though it was clear from his strained expression that his Princess’ remark was beyond insulting. Even though he wanted to feel offended, the Guard’s ring continued to pulsate alongside the consistent intrusions of Sombra’s hoof into that wet and gushing pussy. With each hard press of the Prince’s keratin between her supple lips, and every enamored moan the Alicorn let out in response to those titillating motions, Shining could barely stand still while his bracelet kept buzzing incessantly beneath his aching cock.

After what felt like an eternity within that confined space reeking of Cadance's sex, the elevator finally dinged upon reaching their floor. The grated doors automatically opened to reveal the empty hallway leading to their bedroom, and no Guards to catch their former Tyrant groping their current Princess. However, even while the doors remained open, Sombra and Cadance continued to make out in the open as their lustful moods heightened with each passing second. Meanwhile, Shining looked between the open doorway and the antsy couple while his legs fidgeted in growing agitation.

“Ohhhhhhhh, Sombra!~” Cadance’s blissfully eager voice echoed down the crystal hallway as she made that boastful exclamation, not caring one bit if any ponies were within earshot to catch it. Even though Shining winced uncomfortably with his ears pulled downward, he could only stand in place while Somba kept a tight grip on his leash. Meanwhile, his former wife continued to moan needily between her lustful kisses with his former enemy. “Goddess, you… You have noooo idea how badly I need your cock right now!~”

Sombra pulled back from Cadance’s muzzle unexpectedly, and remained on his hind-legs as he backed up against the opposite end of the elevator. The Prince unbuckled his belt, and quickly pulled down his trousers to let his throbbing erection stand out in the open. Despite not being in their bedroom yet, Cadance immediately got down on her hooves while she eyed that superior stallionhood hungrily. While the Princess groaned in pleasure and licked her lips, Shining was pulled in tightly enough by his leash to wind up standing right beside Sombra on his hind-legs too.

“GUARD!” barked Sombra as he turned his head towards him with a domineering glare. “Pull down your pants too!”

Shining tried not to moan with a shameful grimace, but he complied to his Prince as he nodded his head. “S-Sir, yes Sir!~” Without any way refusal, Shining fumbled with his hooves a little as he tried to get his pants undone as well. After a few seconds, Cadance was left smirking with a giggle as the Guard’s pants dropped to his hooves, and his chastity cage was completely exposed next to Sombra’s massive cock.

“Daaaawww!~” From the way Cadance cooed at Shining’s petite plastic casing with such a condescendingly sweet tone, it seemed like she saw that unusable nub as a little trinket more than she did an actual cock. The Guard wanted to cringe when he saw how hard his Ex was struggling not to giggle, but her blushed and amused grin caused him to only whimper feebly. Between his quivering legs, Shining’s sealed cage twitched incessantly while his stallionhood tried to make itself known within its pink prison. Unfortunately, the only response his strained throbs elicited was a teasing flick from the Alicorn’s hoof. “Ohhhh, look at his little thing, honey! It’s like he’s trying to get himself hard for us~”

Shining’s ears pulled downward again, and his face grew hotter when he heard Sombra cackling beside him. “Well, he better try to remember how that used to feel for him. Because as far as I’m concerned, our Guard will never be erect again~”

Sombra made sure to get in close to Shining’s ear with that last emphasized statement, which caused the Guard to shudder with a pained look and a tightly bitten lip. Meanwhile, Princess Cadance kneeled herself down between the stallions’ vastly contrasted members as she smirked teasingly up at them, and gave a firm nod of her head. “Oh, I certainly hope not either~” she said with an especially mean-looking grin as she locked eyes with Shining’s flustered expression. “By this point, I don’t think he deserves that kind of distinction~”

Despite how horribly callous she said that with such an enticed-looking smile, Shining’s legs buckled while he tried to withhold a deeply aroused moan from escaping his muzzle. Unfortunately, the poor Guard’s shameful shiver before both of them made it obvious that he may have felt the same way the Princess did. As soon as the stallion breathed out with a trembling huff, Sombra stood upward more prominently while his eleven-inch monster dangled in front of Cadance's face. “Well, that’s most likely for the best,” he said as he gave a cocky grin towards his whimpering guard. “Hey, honey… do you think our Guard deserves a little lick from his Princess, for not abandoning his duties during harsh times?~”

The Guard breathed in sharply through his nostrils, and he tensed up greatly while his little cage began to dribble a pathetic-looking string of precum from the slated tip. Even though he didn’t want to get his hopes up, Shining still trembled as Cadance looked up at him with a thoughtful smirk, and brought her hoof out slowly…

… only to grasp the throbbing length of Sombra’s superior shaft while shaking her head. She grinned even wider as she stared up at her Guard, and replied with a deceptively cheerful, “Never~”

Shining couldn’t hold back his guiltily audible moan as soon as she said that, nor could he keep himself still as he watched his Princess lean in and sink the plump head of Sombra’s cock into her hungry maw. Her mouth opened wide to make that meaty cockhead fit inside, but Shining could see just how far her lips had to be spread apart while it was tightly wrapped around that daunting thickness. Her eyes closed as she stopped paying any heed to her Guard, and she focused on her husband while moaning to herself softly. While Shining stared with a heavy breath down at Cadance, and watched her use her muzzle on that member like she had many times before, Sombra groaned with a satisfied grin as he reeled his head back and savored the moment. “Mmmmm… That’s a good wife…”

Sombra brought his free hoof down to grip the back of Cadance's mane, and held her in place while more of his massive cock was crammed inside of her mouth. Shining could only squirm while he struggled to stand on his hind-legs, and had to keep his muzzle clenched shut to counteract any enamored noises that could’ve accidentally slipped out. But even with his eyes glued to that debaucherous sight unfolding right beside his locked and needy cock, all that Shining could think about was that last response Cadance gave up to him.

Never…

Never…

Never again~

“Nnnnghh!!~” Shining clenched his eyes shut as he writhed strongly from that realization, knowing that he likely never would be able to use his own stallionhood again. He wanted to feel mortified by such a cruel fate, but all that the Guard could feel was a strong and lingering sense of closure combining with his aroused shame. Even though he knew that he wanted to use his cock again, even for just one last time, the dire truth of the matter was leaving him more pent-up and eager than he ever felt in his life…

And he couldn’t deny to himself how much he liked that.

“Aaaaahhhhh…” While the Prince had his back braced against the wall and Cadance blew him vigorously, he reached into one of his jacket pockets to pull out his key to the bedroom door. “Sh-Shining,” he groaned in growing arousal while he kept his eyes closed, not even bothering to look at the trembling Guard while enjoying his blowjob. “Guard! I… I have a surprise waiting for you in the bedroom. G… Go inside and put it on immediately. Then… w-wait for us by our bed while we finish. That’s an order!”

Sombra then let go of Shining’s leash with his other hoof, and allowed the pony to drop down on his front hooves to comply. Despite how badly his legs were tensed-up and fidgeting (especially when he dropped down to his Ex’s angle, and was able to see just how far Sombra’s cock was sinking towards the back of her throat), he was able to breathe out with a strained muzzle before nodding dutifully. “Y… S-Sir, yes Sir…”

After giving a sheepish salute towards his Prince, the stallion awkwardly left the elevator while Cadance kept sucking that meaty cock without distraction. As he trotted with a limp due to his near-debilitating arousal, Shining couldn’t stop blushing when he could overhear the wet slurps of the Princess’ lips sliding up and down his shaft. He could also hear Sombra’s low and pleased-sounding groans as he embraced the exhibitionist display without any shame, and murmored deeply enough to have his voice reverberate down the hallway. “Aaaahhhhh… Th… That’s right, Cadance. Give that cock the attention you wanted…”

By the time Shining Armor finally unlocked the bedroom door and slipped inside, he nearly collapsed with a shaky moan as he tried to move past that tantalizing display he was forced to witness. He wanted to feel hurt after everything he already endured that day, but his strained chastity cage continued to ache and emphasize how badly he wanted more. Fortunately, the Guard didn’t need to look around too hard to see what Sombra left for him. In the middle of the bedroom, right beside his couch, one of the Crystal Empire Armory’s basic Guard uniforms was laid out neatly for his use. Shining bit his lip as he stared at the plain grey plating for a moment, and tried to remember how long ago it was since he wore such a lowly attire. Even though he knew he wasn’t considered a ‘Prince’ by Sombra or Cadance anymore, he honestly didn’t think he had to dress like a basic Cadet again.

Nevertheless, as he heard Sombra’s moans growing more audible past the closed bedroom doors, Shining huffed in acceptance before lighting up his horn. In less than a minute, the stallion was able to don the familiarly basic torso and hoof platings that many of his newbies were forced to wear. And unlike his regular helmet, which was made of high-quality metals and had padding on the inside for comfort, Shining’s current helmet was as basic and cheap and the rest of his armor. The moment he donned the entire getup by himself, and took a glance at his appearance through a nearby mirror, the Guard had to take a confirming breath as he realized how far he allowed himself to go.

He may have been a Prince outside the bedroom (at least, most of the time), but right now, Shining Armor felt like the lowliest Soldier awaiting his first mission.

“Aaaahhhh!! Aaaaaahhhhh!!!~ AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!~”

Shining’s focus went back to his current predicament as he heard Sombra’s lustful moans from out in the hallway, indicating that he just reached orgasm outside of the Guard’s line of sight. Even though it felt weird to think about it without much guilt, Shining wished that he was able to see Cadance taking that load from his Prince up-close. But alas, the Guard was able to stick to his orders after breathing out firmly, and taking his stance beside Cadance and Sombra’s bed. While a minute or two passed in silence, Shining remained in the stern and stoic stance he recalled doing for days on end back when he was a fresh recruit; except for now, he was awaiting his Royalty’s presence for a much different reason.

“Mmmnnnghhhh…” Shining could hear Sombra’s blissful groan of pleasure from the other side of the door, and was then greeted with his presence as the Prince walked in with a shit-eating grin. While he used a hoof to undo his tie and remove his jacket, he nodded with an approving smirk upon seeing Shining in his new armor. “Ah! There we go!” he said with a satisfied tone of voice. “I was hoping you could wear one of the Guards’ uniforms from my actual reign, but uhhhhh… apparently all of those were destroyed after you two reclaimed the Empire.”

Shining pursed his muzzle shut with a conflicted look, seeming unsure whether to feel grateful or disappointed that Sombra didn’t have one of those controversial relics for this night.

“However!” Sombra’s smile remained as he looked his Guard up and down with a pleased expression, and went in to give the top of that plated back a couple taps with his hoof. “I must say, you look absolutely perfect as our Official Guard, Shining Armor! You should be proud that you have such an exclusive position, despite being our Private now.”

Before Shining could respond to that statement, Sombra sighed and rolled his eyes with a shake of his head. “Oh, that’s right! I almost forgot…” He then stood in a more domineering stance above Shining, and barked, “SOLDIER! Bow for your Prince!”

Shining closed his eyes with a worried huff as he did just that, blushing hard as he bowed before his former enemy while dressed so embarrassingly basic. Meanwhile, Sombra placed his hoof on top of Shining’s shoulder and decreed, “From this moment on, Shining Armor, you are hereby demoted to the rank of Private while in the presence of myself and Princess Cadance. And yes, that includes when you’re around us outside the bedroom as well. Do I make myself clear?”

Since his head was bowed, Shining was hopeful his Prince couldn’t see the pained grimace on his face. Even with how badly bruised his ego suffered that insulting ‘demotion,’ Shining was able to breathe out shakily and reply, “I… I understand, my Prince.”

“Good!” After allowing Shining to lift himself up from the floor, Sombra left him to trot back towards the still-open doorway. The moment he poked his head out to see where his wife was, Sombra had a faux-surprised gasp before looking back at Shining with a cheeky grin. “Oh, my goodness!~” he said with a comically exaggerated look of shock, which included clasping the side of his face with a hoof. “Private, I think I have your first mission already!~”

Sombra then stepped away from the doorway, and allowed Princess Cadance to stride in with her dress slightly dissheveled. While Sombra closed and locked the door behind them, the Alicorn walked her way towards their Guard like she was planning this. The Guard’s eyes shot wide-open as he got a good look at the Princess’ face. Not because of her lustrous half-lidded gaze, or her waiting smirk as she licked her ruby-red lips. But instead, Shining’s gawked and blushed expression was due to the fact that multiple ropes of Sombra’s thick cum were draped all across Cadance's face to leave a sloppy bukkake.

Shining was frozen in shock as he watched the Alicorn trot up towards him, seeming just as antsy to test the Guard’s worth as Sombra was. Meanwhile, the Prince snickered with narrowed eyes on Shining as he said, “Private Armor! I’m needing to get hard again, so I’m ordering you to clean my wife’s face as thoroughly as you can!”

His lecherous grin then widened even more before he added, “Oh… and you need to use your tongue, Rookie~”

Shining already knew that would be necessary before Sombra even said it, but he still took a breath before gulping in confirmation. “S… Sir, yes Sir,” he muttered meekly while nodding his head. Cadance kept herself still as she stood before her Guard, but couldn’t help chuckling to herself as she saw how her former husband looked in such a nostalgic getup. Fortunately, her warm and waiting smile remained as she watched Shining close his eyes, and lean his head in with his muzzle open.

The first drag of his tongue went straight up the side of Cadance’s cheek, and Shining was instantly met with the strong and bitter flavor of Sombra’s cum. He wasn’t sure if Sombra just naturally tasted that way, or if the Prince purposely altered his diet to make his semen that strongly-flavored. It was distasteful to say the least, and his muzzle wrinkled with a strong grimace as he lapped up the first rope without much hesitation. However, even with the sound of Cadance giggling from his tongue helping to distract him, the Guard tried his hardest not to gag as he swallowed that first mouthful of the slimy substance. Meanwhile, Sombra could be heard purring in approval as he sat at the foot of the bed, and watched the demeaning act with a hoof kneading at his half-flaccid sheath.

Shining’s eyes remained clenched shut as he continued to lick up every glob of that strong-tasting cum from Cadance's face. After the first couple of laps, Shining tried not to groan apprehensively as the taste lingered badly inside of his muzzle. Cadance could see that her Private may have been struggling with his task, but remained silent with a supportive smile with each gulp Shining hesitantly took. By the time the majority of Sombra’s bukkake was licked-up with growing disdain, Shining had to pull back and try not to gag while some strings remained drizzled across Cadance's mane.

“Keep going, Private!” barked Sombra while he grinned devilishly and grasped his twitching member openly. “I expect you to swallow every drop before you take your post tonight~”

Shining nodded instinctually to his Prince’s order, but he still needed a moment to take a couple breaths and keep from retching. Despite how strongly that unpleasant flavor was building up in his mouth, Shining tried to keep himself strong for the sake of his ‘mission’. Even though he knew he couldn’t make any requests, part of him was really hopeful he could clean her of Sombra’s cum from other regions tonight too; given how that was the only form of “sex” he was able to experience, Shining wouldn’t have minded licking up more of his Prince’s thick loads for an opportunity as meager as tasting her again. But before his mind could veer off into impulsive thoughts, Cadance placed a hoof on his shoulder just as he was about to open his eyes again. When he looked back up to see the Princess’ smiling (and slightly matted) face, she gave a cute giggle before saying with a shrug, “You know, I… I think you look really good as a Private again, Shining~”

The idea of being demoted still stung a little, but Shining was able to smile back at her with a bashful blush before replying sheepishly. “Ummm… Th-Thank you, your Highness~”

“Less talking! More licking!~”

Shining sighed upon hearing Sombra’s dominant tone, and took a breath before he went back in to finish the job. He had to literally suckle down the length of Cadance's mane in individual strands, just to collect every sticky string that was matted into her hair from Sombra’s overzealous finish. He also had to re-lick a couple regions of the Princess’ face, just to collect the random strands of jizz he missed while his eyes were closed. Even though he still looked discomforted swallowing the remainder of Sombra’s cum before the couple, Shining was able to stomach the taste by the time he finished with a clean mouth.

“Therrrrreeee we go!~” cooed Sombra with a satisfied-looking grin, and his cock standing erect once more between his legs. As Shining looked back at his Prince to nod accordingly, he had to bite his lip upon seeing how brightly that shaft was still glistening from Cadance's saliva. Nevertheless, Sombra didn’t pay any notice to the Guard’s blush as he stated proudly, “Excellent work, Private! With that level of dedication, maybe you’ll work your way back up in the ranks~”

Shinings head tilted in surprise as he asked with a raised brow, “R-Really?”

“Pbbbt! No~” replied the Prince with a cocky grin as he scoffed teasingly. “Your demotion is as permanent as your cage, Private. Cadance and I both agreed it was best for you.”

When Shining glanced back towards his Ex, the mare shrugged with a blushed smile and replied, “I meeeaaannnn… It sorta does fit you now, doesn’t it?~”

Shining blushed with a reluctant expression as he looked down briefly. But despite how much his muzzle wrinkled in apprehension, he was able to think it over for a second before nodding his head. Since he wasn’t really a Prince anymore, he might as well accept himself in his new rank with the same notoriety he had as a cuckold. So after a sharp exhale, the Guard looked back up at her with a weak smile and said, “I… I guess this is more fitting of my place, isn’t it?”

While Cadance smiled back at him with a nod of her own, Sombra purposely cleared his throat so the two could look back at him. The Prince pointed to his wrist like he was wearing an invisible watch, and stared directly at his wife with a haughty grin on his fanged muzzle. “C’moooonnnnnn, Caddie… I have something new to show you~”

As soon as Sombra said that, Shining’s eyes widened with the shocking realization of what was going to happen next. It was at that moment that he finally took notice of the end-table on the bed, and saw the bottle of lubricant he bought earlier that night. Since his own stallionhood was left completely unusable, Shining knew that there was nothing he could do to stop the Prince from claiming his wife’s other hole before he could. Even with how badly he was hoping to do it himself, the Guard winced strongly to the idea of Sombra having anal with Cadance instead.

Unfortunately, the strain from his unbreakable cage was felt even stronger by the Private, which helped to keep his blushed muzzle tightly shut.

“Oh, honey?” cooed Sombra sweetly as he pulled himself towards the middle of the bed, and laid back with his cock standing straight up. “Just to clarify, you did get yourself prepped earlier tonight, correct?”

Cadance nodded her head with a lustrous smile, and crawled into the bed with Sombra while Shining stood in frozen dread. “Oh, absolutely Sombra~ After seeing how badly our Guard suffered from his first time, I wanted to be a little more prepared~”

The two giggled with knowing smirks as Cadance settled into the bed beside her husband, and nuzzled him sweetly from the side. Meanwhile, Shining had to look away with an embarrassed blush as he recalled that uncomfortable first time he experienced himself. Even though he was grateful Twilight Sparkle’s strapon didn’t tear anything during that brutal cherry-popping, the stallion cringed to himself upon remembering how long he ended up walking funny afterwards. Although in retrospect, the Guard couldn’t necessarily say he hated the experience either; not just because it helped solidify his newfound relationship with Cadance and Sombra, but also because he couldn’t deny how amazing prostate stimulation actually felt.

Nevertheless, the Guard was able to return his attention towards the couple when Cadance picked up the bottle of lube with her magic. Meanwhile, Sombra looked back at Shining with a domineering grin as he said sternly, “Private! Since it’s obvious that you’ll never have sex again… I think it’s only appropriate that you stand Guard for the two of us while we have sex from now on!~”

Shining exhaled weakly through his nostrils, and nodded while he stood in a more regal stance before the bed. Sombra smiled in approval, and added in a more formal tone, “So because of that… Private Armor, you’re being ordered to stand exactly as you are, and to remain in proper Guard position throughout our intercourse. You can not move. You can not moan. And you certainly can not orgasm, even if you were able to. Is that understood, Soldier?~”

Shining Armor breathed in before giving his Prince an obedient salute, and barked back, “Sir, yes Sir!~” He then stood upright like a living statue, and remained in that position while his face carried an emotionless stare outward.

Cadance smirked up at him with her eyes narrowing mischievously, making her look as if she wanted to test the Private’s composure right off the bat. She went back towards her husband, and grasped the base of his cock with her hoof to begin stroking the length slowly. While the Princess hummed sweetly to herself, and Sombra laid back with a blissful sigh upon feeling her loving touch, Cadance’s smile returned towards Shining’s gaze without pausing her movements.

“Mnnnghhh… I hope you have a good look, Shiny~” she said condescendingly, which was then followed by a giggle when she saw how stoic the Guard’s composure remained. She then upped the ante as she bent her head down close to that plump cockhead, and added in a more ruthless tone, “Because I can promise you one thing… your cock will never get this kind of attention from me anymore~”

Shining remained firmly in place, but the Alicorn noted the slightest twitch of his left eye upon hearing her say that truthfully cruel remark. Unfortunately, Cadance was only starting as she then turned herself around, and got her backside pointed towards the blushing Guard. While Shining tried to keep his expression unbroken, the Princess bent herself over to lift up her tail and expose her glistening marehood. Even though the sight of that winking, glistening pussy was beyond enticing for the locked-up Private, he was somehow able to keep himself from whimpering audibly to the long sought-after sight.

“Mnnnnghhh… You like seeing that, Soldier?~” she asked while looking back at Shining with a sultry grin, making sure to give her plump backside a teasing wiggle. Despite his lowered status before the Royal Couple, Shining Armor was showing some impressive levels of self-control while he remained standing still, and kept his expression set like stone. Even Sombra couldn’t help looking the Guard up and down with a slight glimmer of respect for his diligence, even though his muzzle was still smirking wide while chuckling to the sight. Meanwhile, Cadance kept swaying her hips to try and break her Ex’s composure, making sure that her marehood was spread open invitingly wide to let her wetness show. “Ahhhh… I bet you wanna mount me right now, don’t you?~”

Sombra wanted to keep their Guard in place for the duration of their evening, but the idea of adding a little more humiliation prompted him to speak up. “Private Armor!” he belted in a commanding tone as he took that bottle of lubricant from Cadance, and uncapped it to begin pouring over his waiting cock. While the Princess kept showing off her untouched pussy towards her immobile cuckold, her hoof began to stroke more of Sombra’s length to help coat every inch in that much-needed lube. Meanwhile, Sombra smirked curiously as he said towards his soldier, “I’m giving you permission to answer to your Princess, Shining.”

That response seemed very well-appreciated, since Shining let out a deep and shaky exhale the instant Sombra said it. Nevertheless, the Guard still kept himself still as he glanced down at Cadance’s waiting and alluring stance, and took a breath to keep from speaking too hoarsely. “I-I, uhhh… Yes… Yes I do, Princess Cadance…”

The Alicorn peered up at him with a wider grin as she giggled to Shining’s sheepish response. While her hoof continued to slide up and down Sombra’s waiting shaft, causing the Prince to groan and shiver in delight from her experienced form, Cadance brought her other hoof back to teasingly rub along the supple outer-lips of her glistening cunny. She hummed sweetly while she played with herself, making sure that her Guard got a good look at her wet hoof toying around a little with her throbbing clit. The entire spectacle was likely extremely difficult for Shining to endure, but he was able to stand still and watch in a statuesque manner; of course, the Alicorn was able to pick up a couple faint metallic clinks, which could could only assume were drops of the Guard’s precum dripping inside of his armor..

“Hehehehehe… Do you really think you could get that tiny thing inside me now?~” she asked in a mean-spirited, but still coaxingly sweet tone behind her alluring smile. “Nnnnfffff… I… I bet I wouldn’t even feel it anymore~”

Shining’s eyes struggled to stay open while he exhaled sharply through his nostrils, and bit his tongue to remain in a sound stance as Guard. Sombra’s eyes narrowed on him as he grinned immensely, making it look like he just thought of a wickedly fun “reward” for the locked stallion. Even though he didn’t want Shining to break his previous orders so soon, the Prince seemed rather intrigued as he asked him, “Oh, Private? I believe my wife asked you a question, did she not?~”

Another strained breath came out through the Guard’s gritted teeth, and he almost broke his stolidity as he reopened his muzzle to answer accordingly. His eyes couldn’t stop darting between his Prince’s lustfully menacing gaze, and the cruelly sensual sight of Cadance rubbing her pussy in wait. “Ummm… I… I’m not sure if I’m able to, y… Y-Your Highness…”

“Hmmmm…” Sombra’s smirk intensified while staring at his stoic and blushing Guard, and he grew curious enough to ponder that answer himself. After giving Cadance a light tap on the shoulder to pause her efforts, she waited for her to look back towards him before asking, “Honey? Considering how complacent our Guard has been acting… would it be alright to allow him to try?~”

Shining’s eyes widened in shock, which was luckily the only visible movement the Guard could be seen making in response to that request. Fortunately, the couple were staring at one-another as Cadance raised a brow in intrigue, and grinned devilishly with a shrug. “Weeellllllll… I doubt he’ll be that useful in the state he’s in now,” she stated in a honest tone, making herself audible enough to make sure he heard that. “Buuuuttttt… I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to humor the Private a little~”

The instant Cadance looked back at Shining with a welcomely wide and saccharine smile, Shining’s nostrils flared out while he breathed in sharply to such a surprising turn of events. It was at that moment that the Princess bent herself down into a presented stance, and gave him a better view of her pristine and drooling marehood. Sombra cleared his throat to gather Shining’s attention, and leaned back with his hooves behind his head while commanding, “Private! I’m giving you permission to come into our bed, and attempt to mount Princess Cadance for my entertainment! If she can’t feel anything in a span of… oh, two minutes, I suppose?~ Then you shall pull yourself back off, and return to your earlier duties like before. Do you understand?~”

Shining was already shaking in anticipation as he eagerly nodded his head, and gave a quick salute to his Prince. “Sir, yes Sir!~” He then hopped himself into the bed, and almost fell over due to the jarring softness he hadn’t felt in so long. Even though he wanted to lie down and appreciate the mattress he missed rather badly, the waiting prize of Cadance’s presented form took paramount in the Guard’s antsy mind.

The instant Shining got himself braced on top of his Ex’s back, Cadance jolted from the quickness of his actions. “Oooh!~” she said with a surprised smile and a giggle. “I guess you want to prove yourself, huh?~”

“Y-Yes, my Princess!” blurted Shining as he got into a proper stance atop the Princess’ back, and tried to ignore Sombra’s studious stare on him. The Private tried to move his hips inward to make contact with her voluptuous backside, but couldn’t help groaning briefly in frustration due to his cock straining painfully in its confines. The smooth, petite plastic of Shining’s chastity cage pressed weakly against the outer lips of Cadance’s pussy, but she ended up shivering more from the long-forgotten feeling of his weight on her back again. Considering how long it’s been since he actually got this sort of opportunity again, the Guard tried not to think too hard about how jarring the experience as a whole must’ve felt for either of them.

The stallion’s muzzle was skewed in a mixture of nervousness and discomfort, but he tried his hardest to actually penetrate between Cadance’s glistening lips with the head of his cage. Unfortunately, the Princess’ unaudible squirms from beneath him made it clear that his efforts were fairly unappreciated by her. Shining grunted with his lips pursed shut as he tried to move his hips in even tighter, but the added contact proved to be worthless when it came to getting inside of her. Instead of feeling himself slipping between those smooth and velvety lips to make her moan like he once had, all that Shining could feel was the painfully titillating pressure of his cage binding his member tightly, and keeping him from even feeling semi-erect; not to mention, the only response he heard from Cadance was a faint, but still unsatisfied-sounding huff.

Despite his growing desire to actually get himself inside of her again, the Private struggled to make himself useful while his cage awkwardly pressed against those closed lips without any penetration. Meanwhile, Sombra just openly cackled at his Guard when he saw how strongly contorted his look of frustration was getting. While one foreleg remained behind his head for comfort, his other went down to stroke his lubed cock by himself. “Ohhhhh, goodness!~” he jeered with an amused grin while he shook his head. “If only you could see yourself right now, you worthless little freak. Do you even realize how pathetic you look right now?~”

Shining had to close his eyes to try and focus on his efforts, even though he was unsure how much time he had left. In a last-minute attempt to give himself some form of relief, his hips began to move back and forth against Cadance’s backside to give a measly attempt at something close to “thrusting”. Even if he was just pressing his casing against the Princess’ unusable cunny, the added sensation against his cage was just enough to make the Guard bite his lip and groan with an enamored blush. He was sure that he was failing immensely, and likely not giving Cadance much pleasure at all from her end; however, considering how this was the closest he’d come to having sex in months, Shining tried his hardest to appreciate the moment as he continued pumping his hips, and muttered shakily, “I… I-I’m aware how this may look, m-my Prince. Bu… B-But I’m trying…”

“Psh~ Barely,” Sombra retorted with a mocking scoff. He looked down at his wife, whose amused blush did very little to conceal the disinterested expression on her face. Even though she was smiling a little in appreciation of the Guard’s efforts, Sombra could tell she was mostly waiting for his two minutes to be up. “Honey, are you feeling anything at all from his efforts?~”

Despite the soft and involuntary groan that escaped her muzzle while the Guard kept pressing against her sensitive marehood, Cadance shook her head as she smirked up at him and said audibly, “Ar… Are you kidding me?~ I… I almost want to laugh at how bad he is!” As soon as she heard Shining huff out a pained groan from hearing that, Cadance snickered mischievously while letting him keep going for another moment. “H-Honestly, it’s like he’s… like he’s playing pool with a rope back there!~”

Sombra reeled his head back as he cracked up from that quip, completely ignoring Shining’s hurt expression. But regardless of Cadance’s mean remark, Shining tried his hardest to enjoy the experience while he thrusted against her and pursed his muzzle shut. Even though this could barely be considered “sex” by even the most prudish ponies, Shining was able to appreciate the moment long enough to moan a little from the constant presses of his cage against his locked cock.

“Oh my Goddess, are you actually enjoying that?!” gawked Sombra as he stared at him with a look of amusement and disgust. Cadance heard her Guard’s moan clearly enough to giggle a little as well, which only intensified the shameful pleasures Shining could experience in that moment. Unfortunately, his attempt to pleasure Cadance himself was cut short when Sombra got up from his spot, and pushed the Guard off of her with his hoof. “Okay, your moment is over, you little weirdo! Get back in position, and that’s an ORDER!”

Even though Shining shivered painfully from that abrupt interruption of his very limited pleasure, he was able to sigh in defeat and nod his head meekly. Unfortunately, the Private’s hind-legs couldn’t stop trembling from his pent-up strain as he tried to stand upright, which caused his leg-platings to shuffle and clack a little. But while Shining struggled to keep himself still and regain his stoic stance for the remainder of his duties, Sombra kept his focus on Cadance as he sat himself down in front of her still-presented position. As the Prince sat with his superior cock still coated in lubricant, he reached out for that bottle to uncap it once more for his wife. “Alllllllllright, my lovely mare… Now it’s time to feel a real cock inside of you again~”

Shining silently gulped as he finally got himself to stand still again, even though he had no idea how long that could last. Since he wasn’t allowed to move, he couldn’t remove that pesky ring Twilight gave him before Sombra could begin. And given how badly that “bracelet” vibrated every time Sombra was inside of her, he could only imagine how intense the session was going to feel when it came to anal. But alas, despite his growing worries that risked his composure to break into a pained wince, the Private stood silently while he continued to leak inside of his armor, and watched Sombra pour a generous drizzle of that clear fluid over Cadance’s exposed tailhole.

“Aaaahhhh~” Cadance bit her lip with a tantalized shiver as she felt that cold lube coating her waiting entrance, which was already puckering a little for her husband. Even though the Princess made sure to have herself prepped for that night, even the Guard could tell from his angle that she was going to be an incredibly tight fit. Nevertheless, Sombra made sure his application was slow and nurturing as he rubbed that wrinkled ring of flesh with his hoof, and massaged the oils around every inch for added assistance. The Princess moaned from feeling his touch again, clearly preferring it over that laughable display Shining tried earlier. “Mnnnghhh… You… You don’t have to hold back now, honey~”

“Well, I don’t want to hurt you either,” stated Sombra with a warm and reassuring smile towards her. “Especially when you’re carrying my foal now.”

Cadance seemed like she wanted to retort due to her eagerness, but pertly sighed and shrugged after that last detail was said. Fortunately, Sombra only needed another moment before he gave a satisfied smile, and capped the bottle to place nearby. While Shining watched the two with a blushed and statuesque expression, Sombra grabbed the mare’s plump cheeks tightly with both hooves before guiding her back. It was at that moment that Shining realized his Prince wasn't going to mount her like he had attempted. Instead, Sombra was going to have Cadance ride his cock in front of Shining, just to add another notch to the list of things she never did with him.

Despite her pregnancy, Cadance was still agile enough to lift herself up and hover over that dauntingly thick cock Sombra possessed. From Shining’s angle, he got a perfect view of the action as her glistening tailhole slowly lowered closer towards Sombra’s waiting and crowned cockhead. He may have seen that superior stallionhood penetrate her countless times in the past (and even assisted a few times for added humiliation), but he still tried not to shiver in envious pleasure as that plump head pressed against her puckering hole. The Alicorn breathed out with a soft and strained groan, and needed a second to brace herself while her eyes were clenched shut.

“Okay… Okay, I think I’m good…” While Cadance muttered to herself in prepatation, Sombra sat silently with a patient smile as he rubbed her flanks softly. The sight made Shining bite the inside of his cheeks again, silently wishing to himself that he had the chance to have such an opportunity before it was taken from him. But alas, the Guard knew it was probably better for him to watch nowadays, since Sombra would be able to ensure she’d experience it properly. So instead of remaining jealous while standing still, Shining tried to remain supportive as he heard her begin to groan even louder.

“Mmmmnnnnnnggggggggg…” The Princess began to lower herself on top of Sombra’s cock, hoping to use her weight to help assist in the painful process. However, Cadance still carried a sharp grimace on her face as she winced from the added pressure, and felt her tailhole trying to open up. Shining was able to see that one of the sides of Sombra’s cockhead had to slip past that opening first, just to help open her up enough to cram in the rest of his meaty girth. Even though the sight of such a tantalizing thing made his chastity cage continue to strain, the sounds of Cadance’s high-pitched groans made him struggle not to wince sympathetically.

Fortunately for both of the stallions involved, Cadance didn’t try to relent as she kept pushing down, which allowed more of that plump head to sink past her ring and stretch it out even more. Even though Sombra was holding her securely with a trusting stance, he was able to smile proudly as he saw her trying to take him with diligence. “Thaaaaaaattt’s right,” he said with a soft and assuring whisper. “You can do it, Cadance. I believe in you…”

Shining wanted to voice his support as well, but remained still as to obey his Prince’s orders. Fortunately, it seemed that Sombra’s words were just enough to make Cadance keep going. Even when she let out a pained yelp during her strenuous pushing, the Alicorn could be seen giving it her all as her strained face grew a heavy shade of red. And with an especially heavy groan from the back of her throat, Cadance cried out in a mix of overwhelming pressure and relief the instant his cockhead slipped inside with an audible pop. “GNNNNGHHH!!~”

Shining’s face clenched in as he hissed as hard and as silently as he possibly could. Fortunately, all that Sombra could overhear was the heavy buzzing that ring around the Guard’s cage made while vibrating. The Private had to bite his lips tightly together to keep from groaning in pained pleasure, but it almost felt like torture when that vibrating refused to let up. Meanwhile, Cadance made sure that thick cock was buried inside of her the entire time her Ex was left fidgeting in his titillating torment.

“GNNNAAAHHHHH!!~ Mmmmmmmm… Nnnnnnnffffffff~” Cadance paused her efforts while she was awkwardly squatted on top of Sombra’s shaft, with his head firmly inside of her to leave her hind-legs shivering. Shining’s lips pursed tightly shut as he blushed to the sight of her outstretched tailhole, which was wrapped tightly around Sombra’s girth to emphasize just how inexperienced she may have been. But despite knowing from personal experience how painful that could be, the Guard didn’t say anything while shivering from his tenacious ring, and hearing her shudder with a hoarse and eager moan.

“Aaaaaahhhh… I… I’m soooooo glad I had you for this~” she said with a weak and shaky tone, which Shining could tell was undoubtedly genuine. Meanwhile, Sombra hissed in pleasure as he quivered from the Alicorn’s near-painful tightness around his cock, but still grinned with an approving nod.

“Believe me, my Princess,” purred Sombra in a slightly strained tone while his hooves petted her flanks tenderly. “I’m grateful to give you this first experience as well~”

Shining tried his hardest not to wince from that truthful remark, even though it reminded him of how long he spent wanting to ask her for that chance during their marriage. But with that opportunity gone for good, Shining was left feeling complacently hopeless and on-edge while he was left standing Guard for her and her new mate. And as the seconds passed with both of those ponies breathing heavily and groaning in pleasure from one-another, the Private was left to stew in his own guilty arousal while his cock was untouched but endlessly teased by that damn ring.

“Aaaaahhhh!!~” Cadance was able to adjust to the stretching faster than expected, and soon allowed herself to lower her body even more against Sombra’s cock. Shining could see inch after inch of that meaty shaft slowly disappear from view, while Cadance’s tailhole remained stretched tightly around it to leave the Prince groaning with a pleased smile on his face. Despite how blushed and strained the Alicorn may have appeared from Shining’s angle, her breaths came out in increasingly pleasured moans as she let more of her husband’s cock fill her in such an unfamiliar region. Her Ex may have had no idea how much she was able to actually take, but he knew he was going to be left writhing as long as his bracelet kept buzzing around his swollen blue-balls.

The Princess’ moans deepened as the seconds passed with Sombra inside of her, much to Shining Armor’s torturous pleasure. As she got herself more accustomed to that monstrous cock burying itself inside of her, she never once pulled out to give their Guard even the slightest semblance of relief. Instead, Shining was left to grit his teeth in undying tantalization throughout the ordeal, and continue to drip copious amount of pre in his metal plating. Eventually, the poor stallion was left to stand shakily while tears began to bead at the corners of his eyes, despite knowing that could easily break his Prince’s orders. Fortunately, Sombra paid absolutely no notice to the tortured Guard while Cadance began to slide herself back up his veiny length.

Shining had no idea if Cadance was going to slow because it was her first time, or because she knew it would leave him clinging to the edge with no possible means of personal release. But regardless of the reason, the Princess took her sweet time as she slid herself up to that plump cockhead, while her tailhole remained firmly wrapped around Sombra’s girth. Then without warning, the Alicorn pushed herself back down at a surprisingly quick rate to elicit a heavy moan. Of course, Shining ended up wincing with a heavy whimper at that exact same time, since that action caused his vibrating ring to pulsate strongly around his cage.

Cadance repeated her motions at an slow and steady rate of speed, which Shining wasn’t sure was a good or a bad thing. Even though his strained and dripping cage was going to be left locked and untouched nonetheless, the added pulses of that ring that came with her tenuous slides across Sombra’s shaft were leaving him endlessly riled-up. The Guard’s balls were swelling from the growing titillation as they dangled behind his muzzing cage, and were sporting a heavier shade of blue with each minute spent in that torturous ordeal. Even though the sounds of Cadance’s hefty moans kept him at bay as she got herself into a pleasurable rhythm, Shining wasn’t sure how much more he could take before he collapsed from the overwhelming strain of chastity.

And even worse… Shining wasn’t sure if he actually had it in him to make it stop.

“Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!~” Sombra reeled back as he gripped both of her flanks tightly, and moaned with each sensual motion of her tight hole sliding up and down his throbbing shaft to bring him closer to release. By the time Shining was left involuntarily squirming in his clanky armor, Cadance was growing just as enticed as she openly moaned and embraced her first time taking it from behind. Her groans were still notably strained due to the lingering pain she felt, but her desire to continue overrode any discomfort as she hopped up and down that cock at a faster rate. While Shining was left fidgeting with his face tightly clenched shut, his ears twitched as he heard his Prince moan out, “Aaaahhhh!! Sh… Shining! You… You could’ve had her allllll to yourself! Thi… This could’ve been YOU! B-But now, you… you have NOTHING! H… How does that feel, huh?!~”

Shining couldn’t stop writhing in his restraints while he stood in his armor and tried not to buckle from the strain. Unfortunately, the pain he was feeling from that ring combined terribly well with Sombra’s truthful words. He really did have everything before his Prince came along, and made him give it all up for Cadance’s pleasures. He used to be a Prince with a loving wife, with more than enough respect and confidence to savor the life of luxury he possessed. But now... he was left a divorced Private who was forced to endure his former enemy fucking his beloved in front of him, just after knocking her up and ruining his chances of ever getting hard again. The overwhelming reality of that change hit the Guard like a brick to the face, and he was left blushing hotly while he moaned painfully in his frozen state.

“Mnnnghhh… You… You better answer me, Private!” barked Sombra as he grew closer to completion, and gripped Cadance even harder to rut that ass relentlessly. “How… Does… That… FEEL!?!~”

“AAAHHH!!~” Shining let out a pained cry of pleasure as he stared at Cadance taking that massive cock in front of him, and fidgeted each time his ring pulsated around his cage. “It… It feels…”

The precum that was pooling inside of his armor finally began to dribble out near the back, and made it look like he was wetting himself from his admission. Shining’s eyes clenched shut, but that was all he could do before he bellowed out, “I-IT FEELS AMAZING, MY PRINCE!!~”

“THAT’S!! BUCKING!!! RIIIIIIIGHT!!!~” With that last heavy exclamation, Sombra pulled Cadance down as he thrusted deep inside of her. The Prince practically roared as his strenuous cry echoed within the bedroom, and left the Princess reeling in absolute pleasure from his cock unloading inside of her. Her fur stood on end for Shining to witness as hefty spurts of Sombra’s cum flooded her insides, shooting as far back as it could reach to fill every inch with his thick and fertile seed. And due to how tightly Cadance’s hole was clasped around his member, Shining wasn’t given any relief himself as his cage continued to vibrate intensely, his eyes were deprived of the sight of just how much Sombra came inside of her.

The couple were left moaning in tandem as both of them reached their climaxes in front of their Guard, clearly loving every second that passed within each other’s passionate embrace. Despite how winded both of them became after that strenuous session, Sombra and Cadance shared a long and lingering kiss while their bodies rocked from the aftershocks of their shared orgasms. By the time Sombra was finished unloading into her, the Princess fell forward into the bed in a half-comatose stupor. Of course, considering how the Alicorn just spent several minutes doing most of the physical work, Sombra wasn’t the least bit surprised that the filling left her completely exhausted.

Shining had no idea how he hadn’t collapsed on the floor, or somehow orgasmed himself due to how pent-up he was getting from what he just endured. But against all odds, the Private was somehow able to keep himself standing by the time the Royal couple both succumbed to the long and lingering lengths of their orgasms. He could hear how tremulously Cadance cried midway through Sombra’s climax, and could smell her arousal while she squirted a hefty amount all over their bed. As for their poor Private, the stallion was leaving a considerable puddle of his own while precum was dripping at a steady rate from his aching cage; even though most of it was still within the underside of his armor, Shining could hear it dripping out from the back by the time the two were finished in front of him.

Shining wasn’t sure how long he was kept in that incessant buzzing state while Sombra was buried inside of her, but the sensation stopped quickly enough to make the Guard gasp and shiver relentlessly from the much-needed relief. Unfortunately, Sombra only had his flaccid member pulled out for a second or two, before he grabbed a nearby plug that was on the end table. “Mnnnghh… Just so you know,” purred the Prince tiredly as he reached back towards his wife, and slipped the plug inside of her hole to avoid more leakage. “Be sure to inform me of any other fantasies you had regarding you and Cadance, will you?~”

Shining was unbelievably tense and writhing on the edge as he kept fidgeting in his leaking armor, unable to stay still after that torturous ring turned on again. But even while he was left squirming in torment, Sombra just smiled at him evilly and said, “Just remember, Private… if you remain a good little cuck for us, then we might let you watch us act out some of them~”

While the Princess hummed tiredly and shivered from the welcome fullness, Sombra fell back onto her embrace as they laid together in the plush bedding. Neither of them seemed to care about Shining as he was thrown right back into his endless edging, despite the small puddle of pre that was growing between his hind-legs. Instead, Cadance just turned off the lights with her magic, and succumbed to a much-deserved rest while Shining’s ring was left buzzing without mercy. “Mnnnghhh… G-Good night, Private~”

With that, Shining was left standing completely alone in the dark while his body was torturously left in such a painful high. And even as the couple fell to sleep, with Sombra snoring loudly as he nuzzled the back of Cadance’s neck, Shining’s ring could still be heard buzzing within his bulky and shaking armor.

While Shining Armor stood with a wide-eyed and pained grimace throughout most of the night, he wasn’t sure how in Equestria he could last by the time morning came. Unfortunately, the Guard also didn’t seem to care either, since the experience as a whole left him silently desperate for more.

Chapter Six [Epilogue]: Reflections

Several Months Later

Even though the Crystal Empire’s weather was absolutely beautiful one Autumn morning, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance decided to spend the day to themselves in their bedroom. With the window left slightly ajar, the two could overhear Sombra’s genuine laughter as he enjoyed a game of badminton out in the courtyard. In the months following his appointment as Royal Crystaller, it seemed that the Prince was finally able to acquire some much-needed friendships apart from the Royals he was accustomed with. The event also helped to lessen his probation limits tremendously, even though the Prince preferred to stay on castle grounds whenever he could. But despite his lingering worries and controversial past, the two couldn’t be happier that Sombra was not only able to be tolerated by the Crystal Ponies nowadays, but actually accepted to some degree.

Of course, the two ponies kept to themselves while Cadance was laid back on Shining Armor’s couch, and her hooves were clasped over her swollen stomach. Shining, who was seated at the end of the couch by her hind-legs, had his head softly rested on top of her baby-bump as he listened with a blissful smile. He could hear the faint and subtle thumps from inside Cadance’s pregnant belly, just as he had when she was carrying Flurry Heart years ago. Even if the fact remained that it was Sombra’s baby inside of her right now, the Guard couldn’t have felt more complacent about it as he held her with such a devoted feeling of admiration.

In fact, he felt great about that fact, and was already hopeful their Prince could impregnate her again as soon as their son was born.

A son, Shining thought with a prideful smile, unable to hold back how amazing that sounded in his head. And one day, he’ll grow up to be a Prince. Just like his Father…

While Cadance rested with a tranquil smile, Shining Armor sighed as he rubbed that belly with a look of pure contentment. Sure, he may have not been “married” to Princess Cadance anymore. And sure, he may have not been a “Prince,” or even a “Head Guard” to either of their eyes. But despite knowing in his heart how drastically things may have changed over the past year, the stallion felt no remorse about where his life was now. As far as he was concerned, he actually felt rather safe where he was; he was still with the mare he loved, but now felt himself to be more carefree after Cadance and Sombra placed him where he belonged.

Where he knew he belonged.

Even his chastity, which used to be a grueling ordeal at first, now carried that same sense of comfort and security Shining was able to appreciate nowadays. Of course, as his thoughts trailed back to that eventful night following Cadance’s pregnancy, Shining’s eyes widened when he realized just how long it had been since he was locked up. Technically speaking, he hadn’t been able to use his member at all since Cadance and Sombra’s wedding. Following that eventful night, the Guard was left to allow his Prince to take over any duties he couldn’t have done himself within his constraints. But strangely enough… Shining couldn’t envision himself taking back that role anymore.

As the seconds passed in thought, the Guard eventually smiled as he realized how fine he felt about that ever-present fact. He may have lost such a significant right for himself as soon as that key was broken before his eyes, but now it just seemed like a pleasant memory. In fact, it was doubtful that he would have been upset if he was never freed from his new confines. It may have sounded silly in his head, but Shining was a little uncertain about being unlocked by now; even if Cadance did break his lock so they could actually have sex, part of him knew deep down that he’d never meet to the standards set by his Prince. As long as Sombra was able to keep satisfying her, Shining didn’t see any reason to provide something he wasn’t suited for himself. Not to mention, he knew that it wouldn’t have been right to change anything now.

After all… Shining knew exactly where he was supposed to be. He wasn’t meant to be a Prince, and certainly not a lover that could provide himself for a Princess. In the end, he was simply a Guard, who was meant to protect and support the ponies he loved. And with that, Shining knew that despite his constraints, he was left with more than enough to make him feel happy. He already had Cadance in his heart, just as she had him within hers. And even with Sombra’s foal inside of her now, the two still had a daughter of their own who they loved endlessly. In a weird way, nothing really changed apart from the physical aspects of their relationship. Even if he couldn’t be with her that way now… Shining knew he had something far better than that...

He had a deep, and welcoming sense of closure. He now had the knowledge of who he was meant to be. And with that…

Shining Armor truly knew his place.

The End

Chapter One: A New Morning

To most of the citizens of Equestria, the revived and thriving metropolis of the Crystal Empire was a stunning miracle in their nation’s history. Given the city’s dark past, and the inspiring revitalization it received following the vanquishment of its former tyrannical ruler, it seemed that the Crystal Empire was showing nothing but the brightest future for its citizens and beyond. Despite the fact that the Empire was nestled in the heart of Equestria’s Frozen North like some sort of reverse-snowglobe, nopony could try to dispute the city’s unbounded progress and innovation over the years. Many factors may have been noted for the Crystal Empire’s rousing success, but there were two that seemed to be more significant than any other: the Empire’s new and rightful leaders - Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and her husband, Prince Consort Shining Armor.

Of course… if anypony were to discover the truth regarding the happy couple, which laid in full view just behind their bedroom doors, chances were good that the Crystal Empire would never be the same again.

As the morning sun peeked over the eastern horizon of Equestria, the first of Celestia’s shimmering sunlight hit off the top of the Crystal Castle like a beacon to awaken the Crystal Ponies below. Slowly, that first beam of light peeked its way through the window of Cadance and Shining’s bedroom, despite how thick their curtains may have been. The space of the massive crystal abode began to take shape as the darkness dissipated with each passing second, and the furniture could slowly be seen once more. In the middle of the room, the large rounded bed stood triumphantly over the rest of the space as two figures rested soundlessly beneath the thick fur bedding; sprawled all across the floor around the bed were various articles of clothing, as well as a few personal items that a Princess should never be seen with in public.

If somepony were to peer in closer to the bed itself, the distinct scent of sweat and lingering arousal could be recognized almost instantly. It wasn’t clear whether that post-coital aroma stemmed from activities the previous night, or as a combination from all the nights spent in such indulgent bliss. But regardless of the answer, it would’ve been obvious due to the mess that Princess Cadance had quite an enjoyable night. And as soon as her head poked out from beneath the thick comforter, Cadance's face carried the deepest look of contentment and pleasure while sleeping peacefully.

However, the pink Alicorn wasn’t the only pony beneath the fur covers. As she rested, Cadance hummed sweetly in her sleep as she felt a hoof pull out from behind her to wrap around her chest. If the room were still entwined in darkness, it would’ve been easy to assume whose hoof that was while she nuzzled it sweetly in her slumber. But as the bedroom grew brighter with each passing moment, it soon became clear that the foreleg holding the Princess didn’t carry the pristine white color of her husband’s coat. In fact, the hoof could be seen as much thicker, and had an all-too familiar charcoal grey coat that didn’t belong to Shining Armor…

Just as the morning light from outside illuminated the room to make the crystal walls shimmer, the pony resting in bed with Princess Cadance pulled his head from the covers as well. Sombra, the former Tyrant and Ex-King of the Crystal Empire, was seen resting in the very bed he used to own when he was the ruler of this castle. He may have not been the leader anymore, but it would’ve been hard to claim otherwise as he laid sound-asleep with the Empire’s Princess in his grasp. Even when the dark stallion leaned his head in with a tired hum to nuzzle her neck, Cadance didn’t show any concern or discomfort as she grew a faint smile and sighed blissfully.

Meanwhile, a brief groan away from the bed revealed that a third pony was sleeping in the room as well. But unlike Cadance and Sombra, who had the entirety of the massive bed to themselves while sleeping in close embrace, the white stallion with an electric blue mane was awkwardly laying on a nearby couch that was situated close to the bathroom door. And due to the thin blanket he had which barely covered most of his body, it was easy to see that the stallion was actually the Crystal Empire’s co-leader, Prince Shining Armor.

The stallion had his head crooked at an uncomfortable angle while it laid against the armrest of the couch, and two of his hooves hung from the sides aimlessly. But despite the jarring juxtaposition between Cadance's bedding in comparison to his own, Shining seemed surprisingly content as he slept just as soundlessly as the two ponies in bed. However, unlike Cadance or Sombra, Shining was the one to experience a harsh wakeup the instant his alarm clock rung just inches from his head.

RRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGGG

“Mmmmmrrrrrghhhhhh…” The stallion’s eyes opened tiredly to reveal how reddened they were from a lack of sleep, as well as the heavy bags that hung notably beneath them. Without even moving his head, the unicorn made an effortless swipe of his foreleg to hit the top of the alarm clock and silence it. It was unclear just how many nights were spent for Shining Armor to acquire the hoof-coordination for such a skill, but it was definitely enough to master it without trying anymore. But alas, while Cadance and Sombra continued to spoon in each other’s embrace, Shining sat up on the couch to stretch out his back and forelegs.

While in his upright and seated position, the Prince’s plastic chastity cage could be seen peeking out from between his legs. Like most stallions, Shining wasn’t one to avoid the natural occurrence of Morning Wood; unfortunately, the unforgiving restraints that wrapped tightly around his sheath ensured that his member was left to strain direly with no hope of relief. And just beneath that twitching cage, the pony’s balls looked like they may have swollen out by a third their original size; and due to his flawlessly white fur, the bluish tint of frustration and restraint could be seen clear as day as twinges of discomfort shot up and down his hind-legs.

But strangely enough, even with how morbid the Prince’s living arrangements may have appeared, there didn’t seem to be any hint of regret or disappointment on his face as he yawned with a pleased smile.

“Nnnnnnnghhhhh~” After finishing his quick stretch, the stallion pulled himself off the couch as silently as he could. Even though he was sure his alarm stirred Cadance or Sombra awake, he wanted to be careful not to disturb them too badly. Due to the crystal floors, Shining had to wear a pair of four fuzzy slippers on his hooves so they wouldn’t needlessly clack with each step he took. As he tread the floors discreetly in his embarrassing footwear, Shining lit his horn at a relatively low level while picking up the countless items strewn around the bed. Given the situation, the Prince knew that he had to clean up the bedroom himself instead of letting any staff discover the truth.

His cheeks began to blush as Cadance's clothing items floated in his pink aura to be tossed in the nearby hamper. First was the Alicorn’s stunning purple dress, which now had a pretty severe looking tear across the back from where it was ripped off of her last night. Then were her pantyhose, which he tossed in the trash due to the rips and tears it suffered from Sombra’s fangs. And then there were her panties, which were left discarded and still damp from her unrelenting arousal the previous night. As soon as Shining picked them up with his magic, he gulped upon seeing they were a pair his sister had custom-made for Cadance. He had no idea how Twilight could’ve had it engraved with such a label without raising some brows (unless she did it herself, which was unlikely), but the inscription made his cheeks burn hotly as he read the text laid atop the still-moistened crotch:

Property of King Sombra

Even though he saw those panties being worn by her multiple times, seeing that chilling reminder still made Shining shiver with a tightly-bitten lip. But alas, despite how briefly his magic made those panties clench in his grasp, the Prince kept his composure while floating it into the laundry hamper for personal scrubbing. After that, Shining’s blush only grew heavier as he picked up the other items that were scattered across the floor. Those included Sombra’s Royal cape (as well as his matching fetlock guards), a petite pink vibrator, a wooden paddle that was used for spanking, and a small rubber buttplug that Cadance was wearing for the duration of the day prior to their escapades.

With each toy and garment that Shining picked up in silence, his unused cock throbbed intensely within his chastity cage from remembering each item being used the previous night. Whether it was the primal lust stemming from Sombra as he pounced onto Cadance and ripped off her dress, or how badly she was moaning in rapture while the Ex-King toyed with her clit endlessly with the aid of that vibrator and his tongue; each memory flooded the stallion’s mind as he recalled them in vivid detail, and made him bite his tongue to keep from moaning in pleasure himself. The last item he picked up was the familiar pink collar and leash, which had the other end still attached to the bedpost that held the very Prince in place the entire night.

Instead of taking the collar to be cleaned like the other toys, Shining hung it neatly on top of the post where it belonged. In the morning light, the golden tag that read ‘CUCK’ was shining brightly while it dangled from the front of the leash. The sight made Shining exhale sharply through his nostrils, while his clenched muzzle wrinkled and blushed to the thought of when he would wear it again. Even though the sight of that collar being out in the open constantly worried him, he hoped that the secret he and Cadance shared wasn’t likely to be discovered anytime soon.

Or at least, considering how Princess Cadance was technically married to Sombra by official decree, Shining hoped to Celestia that nopony would ever know the whole truth.

“Nnnnnnnnn…~” Just as he began to walk away from the bed, Shining’s ears perked up as he overheard Cadance's soft and loving voice. The Alicorn groaned softly as she gave a light stretch beneath her bedding, and then sighed before settling deeper into the mattress. Shining was able to look back at her just as she did that, and smiled warmly upon seeing how tranquil she appeared in the morning light. Of course, the stallion’s smile was quickly accompanied with a sharp blush the instant he saw Sombra nestling in closer against Cadance's back, and hugging her tightly with both forelegs to illicit a pleased-sounding mew.

A low, and deeply audible growl came out of Sombra’s muzzle, sounding like the purr of a predator that was resting among the remains of his most recent kill. Even though the older stallion’s eyes were still closed, Shining could tell he was awake from the way he saw his lips curving up to give a sinister-looking grin. Cadance let out a stronger murmur as she began to awake as well, which prompted Sombra to open his muzzle wide to expose his glistening fangs. While Shining tensed-up from the sight of those intimidating mandibles, he could only stand in silence as Sombra lolled out his thin reptilian tongue to grace across the back of his wife’s neck.

Specifically, Sombra’s wife’s neck.

Or even more specifically, Shining’s Ex-wife’s neck.

“Mmmmmmm…~” Cadance smiled more notably as she squirmed from Sombra’s tongue matting her fur, and she giggled weakly while trying to pull away from his grip. “Hehehehe… H-Honey, come ooooonnnnn… I just woke up…”

Sombra gave a deep and menacing chuckle to that response, which likely would’ve terrified the Crystal Ponies back when he was still in rule. But from Shining’s perspective, all that he saw was Cadance giving an enamored blush as she hummed even deeper to her new husband’s voice. Sombra then leaned in close to the Princess’ ear, and said more cheekily, “Oh, don’t be like that, Cadance… If anything, you should be grateful I didn’t take advantage of you in your sleep~”

“Pbbt!~” Cadance openly scoffed to that reply, and turned her head around to gaze back at Sombra with a smirk and a raised brow. “Well, I technically was asleep before you licked me!”

“Oh, it was just your neck!” Sombra retorted as he rolled his blood-red eyes. “We both know I’ve tasted far more than that~”

Cadance's eyes narrowed on Sombra the instant she saw his grin grow familiarly wide. Shining wasn’t sure if she knew he was watching the two as they snuggled in their bed, but it seemed as if Sombra’s response gave her the hint. Nevertheless, the Alicorn sighed with a small blush before she looked back at Shining and said, “Well, well, well… if I knew you were gonna be a Peeping Tom first thing in the morning, I wouldn’t have had you take off that collar~”

Shining turned his head away bashfully as his face grew a deeper shade of red, and the plethora of Cadance's toys continued to hover in his magic for the couple to see. Both of them openly giggled from seeing Shining’s sheepish response to that jab, and Sombra took advantage of that moment to pull Cadance in closer to his chest. “Soooooo…” Sombra yawned for a second before continuing to speak in a deep and already lustrous-sounding tone of voice. “... Shining, would you mind explaining why you’re peering in on me and my wife?~”

Shining’s muzzle clenched for a split second while his eyes were closed, struggling not to show much of a reaction to that reminder. Even though it’s been well over a month since Twilight officiated that “Wedding” between Sombra and Cadance, the former Tyrant seemed to enjoy rubbing that fact into the Prince’s face every chance he got. The stallion wanted to say something about how tedious or irritating it was, but he couldn’t necessarily speak up against it when he felt how strongly his chastity cage was straining between his legs. So instead of trying to defend himself, Shining let out a calming breath before reopening his eyes to say, “W-Well, I… I was just picking everything off the floor before you two woke up, that’s all…”

Shining knew how pathetic that excuse sounded, but it didn’t seem to upset Cadance as she smiled affectionately back towards him. “Aaaawwww~ That’s a really nice gesture, Shining,” cooed the Alicorn with genuine thankfulness in her voice. Shining knew that Sombra would likely stare daggers at him, but he still looked back at her to nod gratefully with a warm smile of his own.

Then without warning, Cadance leaned up from the bed to light up her horn, and catch Shining by surprise as she gripped the back of his head. The Prince was leaned in towards the bed, and his face blushed immensely as he saw her muzzle coming in with her lips pursed. Shining closed his eyes tightly in preparation, contemplating whether or not to purse out his own lips as well. Unfortunately, all that Cadance gave him was a brief, albeit very kind kiss directly on Shining’s right cheek.

Sombra didn’t say anything, but he still groaned audibly as he rolled his eyes in annoyance.

“Oh, don’t be so jealous, Sombra,” she jeered while looking back at him with an insistent stare. “His collar is off, remember? You know the rules.”

“Yeah, I know,” he stated with his brows raised while looking upward, still looking frustrated with the odd conditions of this relationship. While Shining pulled away from the two with his lips tightly shut, the Ex-King sighed before adding with a stare back at her, “But I feel like those rules might warrant some revision sometime~”

Even when he wasn’t staring back at him, Shining could still feel the presence of Sombra’s muzzle smirking upon making that suggestion. Meanwhile, he saw Cadance huff with an odd-looking wrinkle on her muzzle while she was nestled against the Ex-King. “Sombra, you know you’re not the one to make that sort of claim.”

“Well, shouldn’t I?” Sombra asked as he peered back at her with a raised brow, and a seemingly casual expression despite his faint smile. “If you don’t mind me saying, Princess… One of the biggest reasons you and Shining insisted on those rules was because you didn’t want me to interfere with your marriage, correct?”

That question was simple enough to warrant a brief nod from Cadance, but the truthfulness of the matter carried enough implications to make Shining look back at them worriedly. While the Prince’s blush deepened and his ears twitched, he studied the mare’s face as Sombra continued to speak honestly. “Well… given the fact that you and Shining are technically divorced, I truthfully have to question if we should even have limits anymore. I mean… do we really have to assume that Shining would say no to anything we might try from now on? Or if his opinion would even matter otherwise?~”

Shining’s lips tightened with a fretful look growing on his face. Despite the fact that Sombra made that claim as factually as he could, the Prince couldn’t deny that the implications made his heart race a little. Of course, Shining’s own feelings on the matter seemed to take up the least of his worries, as he caught sight of how Cadance reacted to the question. The Princess had a split-second moment where Shining could see her muzzle pursing shut, and her cheeks redden like she wanted to think that fact over. Or more specifically… the stallion assumed that Cadance's expression hinted that she already had thought about it some time before…

But like an involuntary twitch, Cadance sighed pertly as her expression relaxed to a more neutral look. Meanwhile, Sombra waited a moment before he exhaled and spoke in a more sympathetic tone. “Listen… I’m fully aware that you and Shining have a bond that can never be broken, alright? And I’m sure that if you were to choose who you’d want as a soul-partner, you’d pick Shining every single time. I completely understand, and I don’t want to break that connection any more than you do.”

After that sincere assurance, Sombra closed his eyes for a moment as he took a breath. “However… the fact remains that your relationship has drastically changed since I became involved. You’re not the same couple you used to be, and I’m sure that both of you are just as aware of that fact as I am. And considering all that happened so far, I just have to ask. Do… you really think either of you would regret fully embracing this lifestyle?”

Shining and Cadance both looked back at him with widened eyes, as well as notable blushes across their cheeks. Cadance appeared especially flustered, and actually had to gulp a little before clarifying, “When… When you say fully…”

Sombra merely shot a devilish grin back at the Princess, and gave an affirming nod of his head while narrowing his eyes. “I think you know exactly what I mean, Cadance~”

The Alicorn quickly turned her head away, and breathed out sharply to try and extinguish the burning blush she now had. Shining’s face was growing redder as well, but his eyes were locked onto Cadance's appearance upon hearing Sombra’s response. Seemingly without thinking, one of Cadance's hooves came down to absentmindedly run across her belly. That action caused Shining’s eyes to grow especially wide, which then made Sombra’s mischievous grin do the same.

“You know I’m right, Shining~” purred the former Tyrant as he stared directly at him with an almost charming smile on his fanged muzzle. “You haven’t shared your bed with Cadance for months now, correct?~ And during that time, you can’t deny that I’ve satisfied her far better than you ever have…”

Shining’s head lowered sheepishly as he tied to look away from those truthful accusations. Meanwhile, Sombra kept his eyes on the blushed Prince while Cadance turned towards him and said, “Sombra, I’d prefer to discuss that with him myself. In private?”

“I’m just being honest,” retorted the Ex-King as he nodded towards her respectfully, before looking right back at Shining to finish his case. “Shining… I know that she loves you far more than me. And to be perfectly honest, I actually kinda admire the fact that you take her happiness into account more than your own pleasure. But considering the circumstances, which you consented to entirely, I really just want you to think of two important questions:”

Despite the lack of digits on his hooves, Sombra brought up both forelegs as he sat upright on the bed. “One… How far would you be willing to go in regards to continuing this relationship? And two… not putting love into the equation, who do you think Cadance actually wants?~”

Both of those questions were rather heavy to consider before breakfast, but that second one made the Prince gulp with a look of worry on his face. Cadance seemed troubled as well, but it seemed that her blush was indicating her own conflictions were different from her Ex’s. Sombra didn’t say anything else, and just slumped back into bed after noting both of their uneasy expressions. “You know what?” he said as he backed away from Cadance and brought up his hooves in innocence. “If you two want, you can discuss it in private during breakfast or something. I won’t be down in the dining hall anyway, so you know I won’t try to interfere. I normally wouldn’t do that, but… I have a feeling you two might need it.”

Even though the looming worry of such a conversation was awkward for both parties, Cadance and Shining both nodded back at Sombra while their muzzles were closed in thought.

A couple hours later, Shining and Cadance were finally alone in the dining hall following their Royal breakfasts. Despite how diligently both ponies tried to eat as much as they could to avoid waste (mostly as a means to delay their discussion outside of any staff ears), there was still a figurative mountain of food that was carted away while the Prince and Princess were left stuffed. Fortunately, their spent states were obvious enough to warrant the castle staff to leave them alone in private. And as soon as the doors were closed behind them, Shining and Cadance looked across the large table towards each other.

Cadance made sure nopony was listening to them as she looked around the room and asked, “So… the midwife is tending to Flurry right now, correct?”

“Ummm, yeah,” said Shining with a confirming nod. “She said we can pick her up as soon as we’re finished here.”

Cadance nodded back at him, and then looked down at the table while her muzzle skewed slightly. “Hmmm… well, alright then…”

Several seconds of awkward silence passed between the two, both of them clearly hung up over Sombra’s earlier words. Even though they knew he was right about them discussing things as a couple, the fact remained that neither of them were ultimately sure if they still were. But alas, Shining was the first to try and speak up while fidgeting with his hooves a little. “So, ummm… How… How should we start to talk about this?”

Given how uneasy Shining sounded from that question, Cadance tried not to cringe while her muzzle remained tightly shut. She had to breathe out through her nostrils before reluctantly speaking herself. “Well... I hate to say this, but… it’s not like Sombra is completely wrong about some things…”

Even though he nodded back at her, Shining seemed troubled by hearing such a response. He may have agreed with her notion, but the Prince couldn’t help but ponder what she meant by ‘some’ things. He wasn’t sure if he should dwell on the detail too much, but that belly-rub he saw earlier kept coming back to his mind to make his face flush hotly. “Yeah, I suppose,” he replied in a meek tone of voice, which made him wince a little upon hearing how pathetic he may have sounded. But considering what he had been doing (or more specifically, not doing) for the past few months, he doubted he could deny such an adjective to describe him nowadays. “But, ummm… Honestly, I… I kinda wanted to ask something about… about this.”

Even if they were in private, Shining seemed beyond apprehensive to say anything too incriminating outside the bedroom walls. Cadance didn’t seem to feel too differently on the matter, and just nodded in confirmation for him to continue. Because of that, the stallion was able to take a breath before looking back at her with a strong blush atop his timid face. “Cadance, how… How seriously do you consider you and Sombra’s, well… you know…”

Once again, Cadance softly sighed before nodding once more. She put down her cup of tea as she breathed out in contemplation. “Well… technically speaking, you and I are still legally binding on paper, so… I think it’s more to do with whether we take Twilight’s Officiation more seriously than that…”

Even though he understood why Cadance would give a response like that, part of him wished she didn’t make a comment so neutral on the matter. However, he wasn’t able to relax too soon after that statement as he heard Cadance ask him, “So, ummm… Shining? Considering how you mentioned it, do… Do you consider it a legible thing?”

His muzzle wrinkled sharply upon hearing that question, and he had to look down at his hooves as he processed it internally. Without looking up at Cadance's face, he tried to speak through his shivering breaths as he said, “Well… I… I mean… I know that I shouldn’t…”

Cadance waited a few seconds to see if the stallion would say more than that, but she knew that he was wanting to add a “But” to that statement. After a while, Cadance breathed out and decided to complete the response herself. “But… you do consider it real, don’t you?”

Shining peeked up at her briefly as a look of guilt could be seen in his stunning blue eyes. He didn’t give a nod of his head, but he didn’t shake his head either. Instead, he just looked down with a sigh and muttered, “I… I don’t know…”

Cadance wanted to say she was surprised by hearing such an answer, but she couldn’t deny that she likely would’ve replied the same way. Even though she was profoundly worried about where this discussion would lead them, the Princess could feel her heart racing as she tried to move the discussion elsewhere. “Shining? Do… Do you remember when we first agreed to try this in the beginning?”

Shining brought his head back up, and bashfully nodded while his blush remained. “Y-Yeah. I… I think we both had the idea to try it together, didn’t we?”

“That’s right,” she said with a blush of her own as she nodded. “And… And I think it’s safe to say that despite it being a small idea at first, we… we both ended up enjoying it far more than expected, didn’t we?~”

Shining knew he could’ve tried to claim otherwise, but spending almost four months sleeping on a couch while a former villain rutted his spouse made that option seem fruitless. Not to mention, the Prince couldn’t help blushing even heavier while a shameful smile grew across his muzzle. “W-Well, ummm… Yeah, I… I guess we both really have. Heh heh…”

Seeing how nervously Shining giggled following that answer, Cadance smiled a bit more naturally while studying her Ex’s appearance. Upon seeing that blushed and beaming smile, the Princess knew deep in her heart that he was her ultimate soulmate. And regardless of sexual desires, there was no way the two would ever truly break apart. Even though the idea of contemplating such taboo ideas made her question her mindset, Cadance knew it was proper to ask the stallion, “So, ummm… If it’s not too much to ask, I… I was wanting to know what it was that you really want. Like… more than anything else..”

Shining blinked a couple times, and could see the insistence in Cadance's tone while she stared back at him warmly. It was that same kind of smile Shining would see from the mare when she truly wanted to make sure he was happy, and when she considered his feelings about something important. Even with Sombra’s consensual interference between them, Shining could tell that the Alicorn would never stop loving him regardless. Because of that, the Prince’s cheeks blushed vibrantly as he took a breath, and answered in an honest tone, “I… I honestly want you more than anything else. I mean… I think my current, errrr... situation is keeping me from thinking about much else aside from you, you know?~”

Shining made a brief notion downward to emphasize what he meant, which made Cadance giggle with an affirming nod. She may have not been a stallion, but she could only imagine how pent-up Shining had become since this taboo arrangement began. Even if she granted him a much-needed release at her “wedding,” Cadance was sure that he was still more riled-up than ever because of that unrelenting chastity cage. However, before she could give a suitable response to that mention, Cadance couldn’t open her muzzle before hearing Shining continue.

“B-But, ummm…” The Prince looked down towards his fidgeting hooves once more, and tried to maintain steady breathing despite the deepening blush burning across his cheeks. “But… Even if I wanted you for myself, I… I can’t deny how… how much I absolutely love seeing you so happy. And… And even with how I’ve been lately, I… I can’t help but see you as being more important than myself. S… S-So…”

The stallion was growing more nervous with each passing word he tried to sputter out, and was too focused on his own feelings to notice how much Cadance was blushing as well. While the Princess tried to keep a neutral expression, Shining wasn’t able to conceal a guilty smile as he said with a shrug, “So, I… I kinda feel like when… when you say what I want, I… I mostly want you to have what you want…”

One of Cadance's hooves came up to cover her quivering muzzle, and she blinked a couple times while staring at Shining with stunned admiration. Even with how he had been treated over the past few months, Shining was still gracious enough to sacrifice his own fulfillment for the sake of hers. If it wasn’t for her own feelings on the matter, Cadance would’ve likely remarried him right there to show how much she appreciated him. But alas, all the Alicorn could do was breathe out shakily before saying, “I… W-Wow, I… I wouldn’t have expected you to say that…”

After a brief huff with a nervous chuckle, Shining scratched the back of his head with a hoof and tried to add meagerly, “I-I mean, I… I wouldn’t hold it against you if you didn’t like the idea of continuing. I just… I want you to know right now, that I… I feel a lot happier myself, when I see how happy you are~”

Even with the Prince’s brief assurance, Cadance could tell from his tone that he likely wasn’t wanting to stop this relationship himself. She knew that would’ve been a controversial thing for many wives to hear from their husbands, but for Cadance it made her feel… different somehow. She wasn’t sure how to describe it, but she certainly felt like a notable weight had been lifted from her shoulders upon realizing Shining still wanted this. Despite all that he had to witness and endure for the sake of his wife’s newfound pleasures, he wasn’t against continuing being a cuckold for the sake of her. In fact… the Alicorn had a feeling that Shining wouldn’t want to go back if she gave him that choice right now…

And it was in that moment that Cadance realized what the feeling inside of her really was: Relief.

She… She was relieved that Shining wasn’t against continuing. Because deep down herself, she knew that she wanted to keep going too.

Regardless, it still took Cadance a moment to collect her breath while she blushed hard to that quivering realization. After that, she breathed out hard before looking back at Shining with a nervous smile herself. “So, ummm… so that’s… that’s what you really want, Shining?”

She put her hoof out to rest in the middle of the table, offering it for Shining to take. While she smiled kindly with that gesture, she watched as Shining meekly nodded his head, and then took her hoof with his own. “Of… Of course I do, Cadance. I mean… no matter what Sombra may have, I… I know I’ll always have you in my heart. And… and I truly want what makes you happiest. And… I want what you want…”

With that, Shining tightened his grip on Cadance's hoof as he gazed lovingly back at her, and tried not to appear too sheepish while he asked, “So, ummm… With that being said, I really want to ask you something…”

Cadance seemed a bit worried as to what Shining may ask, mostly since she still didn’t want to hurt him too badly if she needed to be honest. However, even the deepest breath couldn’t prepare her for what Shining decided to ask with insistence. “Cadance, if… If you had to choose, ummm… which one of us you wanted to be with… Like, not romantically, but purely sexually…”

Cadance bit her lips shut upon hearing the beginning of that question, and could feel her heart thundering in an unsteady mixture of anxiousness and honesty. Even though she already knew her answer, her nerves tensed-up the instant she looked back at the loving stallion who asked, “Which… which stallion do you want, Cadance? Do… Do you want me more? Or… D-Do you want Sombra…”

The Princess remained silent for a few seconds, and took a quick sip from her tea as she thought about how to answer. Even though she knew it should’ve been easy to say (especially with Shining’s consent), her breath quivered a bit by the time she put her teacup down. She closed her eyes as she breathed in deeply, and waited until she exhaled to look back at that loving stallion still holding her hoof. As she saw the love-stricken admiration in his eyes, and the kindness in his smile, she knew that her answer might not be what he wanted to hear. But at the same time, she had a feeling that the answer she gave would be one he needed to hear her confirm.

So with a pert sigh, Princess Cadance held Shining’s hoof just as tightly as she gave her response. “Well, I… I guess if you mean from a purely sexual standpoint, I… I can’t really deny it, should I?~”

Shining blushed a little deeper over his smile, and merely shook his head so she could say it. And despite how lovingly the two stared at one another with nothing but the deepest trust and affection in their smiles, Cadance didn’t feel any hesitation as she answered, “I… I guess I would choose my husband then…”

She then relaxed herself the tiniest bit, just so she could add with the slightest glimmer of mischief in her smile, “My… current husband~”

Shining was frozen for a second, most likely as a means for him to process what she actually said. But as soon as he breathed out shakily, his relieved smile looked just as natural as his flustered blush. “W… W-Wow!~ I… I honestly wasn’t sure if you actually felt that way, but ummm… I’m… I’m glad I know…”

Despite how pathetically his head lowered upon making that truthful reply, Cadance didn’t feel any less love for him than she had before. Actual attraction may be debatable, but she knew she was beyond lucky to have found somepony as accepting and humble as Shining Armor. But with that being said, Cadance only needed a sharp breath before she pulled her hoof away from Shining’s and said, “Well… Okay then! I… I suppose we’re… We’re actually doing this, aren’t we?~”

Cadance tried not to giggle nervously, but Shining could tell she seemed rather anxious upon smiling widely with that question. He knew it was wrong to feel happy for her, but the Princess’ enthusiasm to continue prompted him to breathe out peacefully, and accept his fate with one final nod. “Well, if… if you want to revise your rules with Sombra, then… Th-Then I won’t stop you~”

Cadance may have been happy to hear that assurance from her Ex, but her muzzle soon crept into a more confident smirk as she shook her head. “Actually,” she replied as she eyed the stallion, and caused his brows to raise in surprise. “... considering how you’re so alright with accepting what I want… perhaps I don’t want any rules anymore~”

Shining’s eyes widened immensely, and he breathed in sharply through his nostrils while his body tensed up. While the Prince blushed profusely, Cadance giggled as she rolled her eyes and said, “I mean… if I consider Sombra to be my legal husband now, then… it’s not like I should follow any limits my Ex-husband may have, should I?~”

Shining sunk low into his chair, and squirmed with a wrinkled muzzle while his former wife smirked at him devilishly. “Mnnnghhh…” The stallion looked more than a little uncomfortable, but Cadance didn’t detect any signs that he wanted her to stop either. Instead, Shining took a quick breath before trying to speak up, “W-Well, I… I suppose that… That makes some sense, I guess~”

Despite his discomfort, the Prince still shot a meager-looking smile back at her to show he wasn’t going to let up. Because of that, Cadance grew a more lustrous grin while seeing just how much she was getting to him. “Because if I were to be honest, Shining… I kinda have been holding back a bit with Sombra. There were a lot of things I really… really wanted to do with him~ But at the same time, I knew it would be wrong to try anything without my husband’s consent. However… that might not be the case now, is it?~”

Shining knew what she was getting at, but his own afflictions didn’t keep him from nodding his head in confirmation. After letting out a soft whinny, the stallion looked up at her timidly and said, “I… I suppose you don’t need my permission anymore... do you?”

Cadance shook her head, and narrowed her eyes on him as she said, “That’s right, Shining… And I think you can tell me why~”

Shining winced with his eyes closed upon hearing that statement. Even if she didn’t make it a Royal order, he knew that Cadance expected him to answer her properly. Even though the realization still stung after weeks later, the stallion took a breath before replying weakly, “Be… B-Because… Because due to Official Decree… you and I are no longer married…”

“That’s right,” stated the Alicorn with a newfound glimmer in her eyes, and a seductive smirk on her face that made Shining shudder in his hidden restraints. Cadance then pulled herself up from the table, and said, “And with that being said, I think it’s only best to go upstairs, and let Sombra know there are no rules anymore. From now on, he’ll be my Husband, while you stay by my side as my personal Guard.”

Even though Cadance had a lovingly sweet smile on her face while saying those things, Shining gulped when he heard just how confidently sinister she said them. He wasn’t sure if she was doing that for his own shameful enjoyment, or if that was how she really wanted to act from that moment on. But either way, the Prince could only sit shakily in his seat while she slowly trotted towards the door. “As soon as I leave this room, I’ll take your silence as confirmation for me to continue with what I want to do~ Of course…”

Cadance paused just as she was a few feet from the door, and smirked back at him as she asked, “... given the circumstances, do you want to know what I specifically want?~”

Shining may have looked scared shitless, but he still nodded his head firmly while remaining silent.

“Well… alright then~” Cadance took a breath as she walked back towards the table for a moment, and made a quick glance around before speaking openly about her plans. “First off… if both of us are in agreement that we’re divorced, I’ll see to it that Sombra and I follow our technically lawful roles. Both inside, AND outside the bedroom~. I obviously won’t make that detail public knowledge, but I’ll be sure to treat him as my husband however… and wherever I can get away with it~”

Shining could tell from Cadance's widening grin that she truly meant that, even though he was worried just how she’d actually pull something like that off. The idea of Cadance treating Sombra as her husband in public set off countless red flags in his head, but his muzzle remained tightly shut while she continued to list off what she wanted from this new arrangement.

“Secondly… I’ll be taking Sombra’s advice about what to do when I become pregnant. Not if I get pregnant, Shining… When~” Her smile turned wickedly wide after saying that part, and seeing how much it made the Prince squirm with nothing but a pained groan. Part of her wanted to feel bad, but his refusal to make her stop prompted the Alicorn to add cheekily, “And when that happens… I’ll make sure to fulfill my husband’s promise regarding your key~”

Shining tensed up strongly as soon as she said that, not needing any context as to what she meant. Even though he remembered agreeing to that measure when Sombra first fucked her in front of him, the idea of her agreeing to such a measure made his heart sink down to his stomach. But regardless of the looming threat to his stallionhood, that didn’t seem to keep it from straining tightly inside of his tiny chastity cage. In fact… it seemed like his body was almost wanting her to go through with it…

“And finally…” Cadance leaned over the dining table to get in close to Shining’s frazzled face, and grinned with a menacing sneer more reminiscent to her current husband’s. “Considering how Sombra is now technically my husband, that would make him the true Prince-Consort. Because of that, the instant I leave this room, you’ll be obligated to follow any and all orders he gives you. If he wants you to do something, no matter how embarrassing or demeaning, you will be ordered to do it. You will treat him as your superior, which he is. You will acknowledge him as the better stallion, which he is. And no matter how the Crystal Empire and Equestria may see you officially, you will acknowledge Sombra as your Prince and my own~”

Of all the things Cadance could’ve ordered from him, that one seemed the most controversial somehow. Even if Sombra wasn’t an actual member of Royalty, the idea of him having that kind of power rightfully scared Shining. However, the stallion also knew from his conversations with Sombra that he had no intentions to ever return to politics, nor to ever try to rule as a leader again. So even though the idea of submitting to him as a Prince (and at any time nonetheless) made him worried about his reputation, he couldn’t help but think back to that first time Sombra walked him on his leash down that hallway. That moment was beyond mortifying, but he was still able to trust Sombra enough to know he would never actively ruin his public status. And despite Cadance's new devilish demeanor, he highly doubted that she would risk that either; at least, not without the chance of being run out of town by a mob of angry Crystal Ponies.

Shining wasn’t sure how long he thought about that final measure in front of his Ex, but it was apparently long enough to know his response when she leaned in closer and asked, “Do you understand, Shining Armor?~”

Shining closed his eyes for a second as he took one final breath, and exhaled confidently before looking back up towards Cadance. “Y… Yes, Princess,” he said with a tremendously fretful blush, and a bashful smile as he nodded his head. “I… I understand completely~”

“Alright then!~” With that, Cadance leaned in and gave him a proper kiss on the lips. Shining was wide-eyed for a second, but instantly shuddered in her embrace as he kissed her back with an enamored peck. As soon as the two pulled away, Cadance smiled affectionately at the stallion she loved so deeply. Even with the knowledge both of them had in regards to what might happen next, neither of them seemed too worried as the Princess trotted back towards that door. “So… Any closing statements, Shining Armor?~”

Shining knew he could’ve easily stopped her, or said anything to keep her from leaving that room. However, even as she opened that door and glanced back at him, the “Prince” kept his muzzle tightly shut to keep from speaking up. All that he did was breathe out softly through his nostrils, and smiled lovingly back at her as he shook his head and said, “... Have fun~”

Cadance grinned happily back at her former husband, and made that first step out of the dining room to confirm their agreement. “Alright then. It’s settled~”

As soon as Princess Cadance left the room to find her husband, the door closed completely before Shining collapsed on top of the table. “O-O-Ohhhhhhhhmigosh…” Despite knowing just how badly this could turn out, Shining couldn‘t have looked more turned on as he writhed helplessly in his chair, and bit his hoof to keep himself in control. “Ohmigosh… This is happening… This is really happening…”

By the time he finally pulled his head back up, Shining’s smile looked just as scared as it did excited. His hooves were shaking like mad, but he could barely contain himself as he got up from his chair, and struggled to walk normally out of the dining room by himself...