As Mathias slowly opened his eyes, he noticed the side of the bed that Twilight had occupied was empty. Sitting up, he soon heard the sound of running water in the bathroom. Mathias rolled his eyes, mocking himself sarcastically. Then, he saw a wrapped set of casual wear on a chair nearby, along with a note.

Mathias picked up the note, and read it to himself, chuckling as he finished.

You'll find these to be helpful today, since you didn't prepare yesterday. Make a note of that in the future when you spend time with the Princess, Young Lord.

Ceris.

Mathias changed into a casual shirt and pants, with his cape and a jacket to match. As he retrieved his sword, a knock came on the door.

He opened it, and a messenger handed him a scroll before departing quickly. Mathias looked over the message, dropped his jaw in surprise, and rushed over to the bathroom door.

"Twilight?" he called out loudly.

"What is it, Mathias? I'm getting dressed!" Twilight called back. "Can it wait a few moments?

"Not really!" Mathias sighed. "Your brother and sister-in-law have arrived in Cydonia and are waiting for us in the Great Hall."

There was silence.

Then the door blasted open, hitting Mathias directly in the face. As he staggered, and fell to the ground, Twilight, now fully dressed in a pale silver, lace-lined dress, simple and elegant, came out, she gasped upon realizing what she had unintentionally done and helped Mathias up.

"I'm so sorry!" she cried. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Mathias rubbed his sore cheek and composed himself. "Shall we see what your family is up to?"

"Lead the way." Twilight said as Spike hopped up onto her back, and they proceeded out into the hallway that led to the Keep.

====

As the three of them entered the vast main hall, Shining Armor and Cadance immediately rushed over and embraced her in a tight hug that lasted for several moments. Mathias stood to the side quietly, and when they broke apart, Shining gave Mathias a look of suspicion.

"You're Prince Mathias?" he asked.

"That would be me, Prince…"

"Shining Armor." the ivory-coated Stallion replied. "My wife, Princess Cadance."

Cadance gave him a nod of greeting and a smile, and Mathias gave a quick bow.

"Now that we're all here…" King Orion called. "Shall we proceed with breakfast?"

With King Orion in his throne in the center, Shining and Cadance took the left side of the honor table , with Twilight and Mathias on the right. As servants set out plates of eggs, toast, water and juice, and small plates of bacon to the Cydonians, both Shining and Cadance looked surprised at the meat.

"I wasn't aware ponies could eat meat." Shining asked. "How can you?"

"It was a necessary adaptation we had to develop." Orion replied. "As Mathias most likely told Princess Twilight during the voyage here, generations ago, harsh weather rendered most of the harvest inedible. Meat and fish were the only sources of food we could rely on during that time, as edible bread was in short supply."

"When the weather passed and the status of the harvests began to return to normal, we started to keep meat on the plates of the people, and it spread quickly. We cook it so that it is easier on the teeth to chew, yet still flavorful."

"Rest assured you are not required or obliged in any way to have any if that is what you desire." Orion finished. "But if you wish to sample it, it is your choice."

"Thank you, King Orion." Cadance replied. "Though...may I ask how the livestock are treated? Wouldn't keeping all those animals in one place lead to health problems?"

"I'm glad you asked that." Orion nodded. "Every butcher that sells the meat and fish, and the breeders and fisher-ponies who supply them are subject to regulation to maintain cleanliness of facility and purity in the meat produced every four to five months by officials of the Crown."

"Furthermore, any criminal activity regarding the quality or availability of food is harshly dealt with. Just two months ago in the eastern provinces, officials shut down a cadre of landowners hoping to fix their selling prices on their beef and split the difference of their sales amongst themselves. They were all caught, tried, and imprisoned summarily within a week."

"That's Interesting." Shining spoke. "Within a week, you said?"

"Yes. We do our best to ensure swift, blind, and impartial justice to all." Orion nodded. "Let us not ignore our breakfast, though. I find it is less appetizing to eat when it's cold."

====

Breakfast concluded some time later, and eventually, King Orion allowed the four royals a private room where they could talk about the personal matters that led to Shining and Cadance's journey. As they departed from the Great Hall and were seen to the room by two Praetor Guards, Mathias looked over at Shining Armor.

He could feel the protective air around him for his sister, and Mathias reminded himself to keep that in mind. After all, this whole affair was so sudden that Twilight's family wasn't there for her departure, and were told of it after it had already passed.

Mathias understood what it felt like, all too well, as he had been thrust into a change like that before.

When his brother Alexander privately told him that Mathias was to be given his brother's status as the heir to the Cydonian throne and subsequent inheritance, among many other privileges and duties, Mathias had felt like he was in a wading pond, then cast out to sea without aid.

It had taken time, but Mathias had adapted to what had come his way, and then the news came to the Cydonian court that the fourth Alicorn had ascended in Equestria, and the new Princess was officially eligible to fulfill the terms of the Treaty of Agamid.

The messenger bearing the news had burst into the court chamber, out of breath, and proclaimed it loudly for all to hear. Mathias remembered the reactions from all around quite clearly.

There was quiet from all sides, even the King was stunned silent. Then the roars of glee and cheering erupted like the sudden blast of a volcano. Mathias had nearly fainted when he was told of it by his family.

And then, three months later, he went to Equestria and met that Princess himself, his newly betrothed. Mathias knew of the stories of the Elements of Harmony and their deeds, and what he didn't know, he soon learned quickly.

Now,that change had come yet again. And this time, it would be far more influential on his future than ever before.

Mathias sighed and shook himself back to reality as they arrived at the designated chambers. As they all sat down, Mathias cleared his throat and spoke.

"Prince Shining Armor, Princess Cadance...what concerns do you have?"

"I've got plenty of them." Shining said tightly and summarily. "Alright, Prince Mathias...let's talk."

Mathias nodded in agreement, though Twilight noticed him shiver slightly from anxiety. She took in a breath and held Mathias's hoof to reassure him as the conversation began, both hoping for the best of the possible outcomes to pass.

However, had Mathias looked at Shining closer, he would've seen him shiver as well.

Author's Note

Update!

Yeah, this chapter featured worldbuilding, lots of development, and more. I'm proud I actaully condensed it all properly in the end.

Next time - Mathias and Shining Armor work their issues out over a sparring match, and Twilight and Cadance privately speak as well regarding Twilight's future.

And in Equestria, Celestia speaks with the Equestrian Court regarding their own disputes with the sudden departure of Princess Twilight...