The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 107 – An Untimely Romance

• Three Days Earlier -

“Really princess, I must thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to walk with me like this.” A chivalrous stallion stated while escorting the mare beside him down the castle stairs toward the gardens.

“Oh well how could one refuse such a courteous offer from a legendary stallion like yourself?” Luna replied, allowing him to take the lead as they stepped off from the polished castle granite together. “I may be a princess, but in your absence tales of your heroic deeds are still talked about even today whenever the once proud Equestrian Legion is brought into conversation.”

Flash Magnus chuckled uneasily but still smiled to be respectful of the compliment. “To be honest, that’s proven to be a little hard to get used to. Back then I wasn’t thinking about being heroic. I was just a member of the legion. Just one of the many who came together to make it the great force that it was. And when I saw an opportunity that needed doing, well I didn’t give it any further thought than just fulfilling my duty.” The two strolled on together absentmindedly taking in the sights of the carefully orchestrated foliage. “Now, over a thousand years later, hearing about myself being some big war hero… makes me wonder if they are really referring to me. Because I don’t remember things ever feeling that way."

Luna gave a chuckle from behind one of her hooves as she told him, “Your modesty is admirable. But as one who also lost more than her fair share of time from Equestria, I believe that I may understand how you feel better than most. At the very least, ponies still remembered who you were through this day in age. Upon my return from imprisonment many a pony no longer even knew that Celestia ever even had a sister, let alone believing Nightmare Moon to be anything more than an old ponies tale.”

Magnus stopped and turned to her with an intense expression, “A villainous title that is most undeserving.”

Luna was surprised by this and stepped back with a shameful blush while shaking her head. “No, I’m afraid that it was beyond well deserving. My actions were my own and I cannot even fault my sister for what happened. But I have come to grips with that and have faced my demons. Now, I can only make amends as a proper princess would for her citizens.”

The two shared a quiet moment in relaxation together. They explored the gardens seeing the picturesque statues and well maintained topiaries that abounded. They paused to admire a little garden stream that sprung from a fountain as well as a bird's nest up in a tree which made Luna smile kindly to see.

Upon finding a stone bench to rest, Magnus beckoned to the princess to join him and sit together. “Your modesty and grace are really what should be praised princess. Your loveliness is the most inspiring beauty that I find to behold in this garden.” He said while attempting to not be overly charming.

Luna smiled but was a bit taken aback. “And you think yourself to be so informal as to speak to me in such a way?” It was clear she had not been offended but all the same made her request as where he was coming from.

With a smile that was intended to be charming this time he said, “Well as informal as a mare who I once knew personally, oh so long ago.”

Luna gave a deep sigh in response because she knew he wasn’t wrong. “Oh, I remember.”

With a nod Magnus went on saying, “Back then, things in Equestria were so different. The legion was well spread in power. Canterlot was the seat of ruling, managed by your sister after having the reigns passed down by your parents. And then of course, the cutest little younger sister… youngest ever on record to be officially given a seat of royalty as the second princess to Canterlot. You and Celestia exchanging the day and night to keep an ever present eye upon the land...”

“I was not that young, I’ll have you know!” Luna seemed to pout.

Magnus merely laughed as he nodded, “Fair, fair enough. But my how the times have changed seeing as back then, I had been older than you…. Older than you by enough to make such a request quite improper. Though never did I expect the outcome of things, where after being lost to time I should find myself awakening with you now aged beyond my years.”

“Oh?” Luna turned to him with a bit of a sassy tone to her voice. “So first you proclaim me to have been a child, too young for her station, and now thou casts me as an old mare?”

Not having missed the fact that she was clearly joking, Magnus just raised his hooves up in innocence while laughing it off. “Never, I wouldn’t dare say as such Princess. But times are different now. And you are no longer that younger mare who you used to be.” He pointed out.

Now Luna lowered her head while memories of an age past swept through her mind. “That is… very true. That old… young mare, I am no longer.” However after a moment’s pause she suddenly raised her head in confusion while asking him, “Wait, what did thou say? A request quite improper? Forgive me Sir Magnus but it must have slipped thine ear. What request has thou asked of me?”

“Please princess, while we are outside the ear of formal company it would delight me if you would call me Flash.” He said to her without hesitation.

“Alright… well then, Flash.” She stated while seeming unsure about the situation. To escalate matters, her ears perked as she almost jumped out of her skin when he suddenly leaned forward and held her front hooves with his own.

“Luna… I care about Equestria, and all the citizens in it.” He said while speaking quite passionately. “I understand that the legion as it was before no longer exists. But the vows that I took to protect this land and uplift the spirits of those around me still hold true in my heart. That is why I know in my core that this could only bring happiness to all.”

Meanwhile Luna was sitting there almost petrified while listening to him. After clearing her throat she looked into his eyes and asked him, “Uh, well while that is a noble aspiration indeed… what would bring such happiness, Sir Mag- …. uh, Flash?”

With a straight face and steady resolve he told her, “A marriage of convenience, between a historic hero and a current ruling noble.”

“Sir!” Luna gasped as she yanked her hooves away but did not go as far as to flee from sitting beside him.

“Please, do not be so alarmed! I assure you that only good could come from this.” He pleaded with her.

The surprise had brought a slight blush to her cheeks but otherwise Luna now decided to steel her features. Straightening her posture and crossing her hooves in front of herself she turned to face him with an indiscernible scowl.

When she did not respond and simply stared at him in waiting, Magnus nodded to explain his viewpoint. “It doesn’t matter whether it is today or a thousand years ago. Ponies will always be excited by royal events and a political marriage would do wonders to raise their spirits while giving them something new to talk about. You and I, joined in wedlock. As you stated yourself, the citizens view me as a hero while you yourself stand as a redeemed princess. The poeticness of it surely is not lost on you.”

Luna balked in surprise at his forwardness. “Surely, it is not. However, for you to even propose such a thing! And how doth thou know that I would even take you for such a proposal?” She asked of him, yet sharing no feelings of either disdain nor acceptance to his idea yet.

Magnus did smile a bit as he lead with, “As stated, this would be a marriage of convenience Luna… Not one of love. Now of course, in time, I would certainly hope that you would grow fond of me just as I am certain I would have no trouble in doing so for you. You are unquestionably of marrying age by this point, and with me now being your younger you would gain a husband who remains youthful and full of vigor.”

“What madness doth thou dare imply to attract me with?!” Luna roared, now taking the opportunity to step up from the bench away from him.

Again the pegasus was quick to raise his hooves in innocence. “Stating simple truths and nothing more. But Luna, it would be as unfitting for us to waste this opportunity as it would be for you or I to take the hoof of any other.” He suggested.

To this Luna turned away from him but looked back over her shoulder. “What do you mean?” She questioned him sourly.

With a sigh Magnus said, “Despite being lost for so long, I am still in my prime. I do not possess the luxury of time as you princesses do. And I have no desire to live out my days in a partnerless lifestyle. Although, my sense of honor would hold me unfit to make a pairing with any mare of this age. You and I are relics of a day long since past. Yes, we both still stand here today. But this is not the world we were raised in. This was not supposed to be our time. For me to go into the city and find passion with a local mare would be no different in my eyes than stealing her from one she could have met who was born within her own time."

Now Luna raised a hoof to her chin. “I believe I can see what you mean. If that is how you truly feel then I will not question what you have decided for yourself.”

Continuing further Magnus said, “Likewise Luna, you and I already share a familiarity. I knew your parents. I am already in good relations with your sister. We know a bit about each other’s personal customs. I can even name your favorite drink. But I would never disgrace you by asking for your royal hoof based purely upon intimacy alone."

“Thou proclaims it to be a disgrace for somepony to find intimacy with me?” She turned back to ask him, more to dispel the thought than to take offense to what she was certain he had not meant.

Sure enough while shaking his head Magnus explained, “You are a Princess of Equestria! You have no time for formal romance. I lend sympathy to your work ethic, dear Luna. The toils of which you endure to protect ponies from their dreams night in and night out must be taxing indeed. And even still, after waging battle every evening you still find the energy to be awake during the day when matters of the state call you to attention.”

With a downward shrug Luna admitted, “Well yes, I do suppose that my day to day livelihood does keep me rather busy.”

With a nod Magnus went on. “And I, when should I have the freedom to run gallivanting across the countryside looking for love? The legion may be gone but once a soldier, always a soldier. You know that I have taken up training the cadets for the Canterlot guard. And in my off time I have even been assisting at the Wonderbolts compound. You and I are two ponies who are married to our jobs. As such, a marriage of convenience would be ideal. We would both understand when the other would be too busy or feel too tiresome for romance. And yet… should we find moments together, moments like this… it would make them all the more meaningful when they could be achieved.”

Now Luna was silent as she stared at the ground thinking over his words. “Forgive me.” She said while sitting back down. “Perhaps your proposal.. ahem, your suggestion, doth retain some merit after all.”

With a modest smile Magnus nodded. “I am pleased to hear you say so. I seek not to take advantage of you Luna, but merely to arrange a joyous news to be spread across the land while in kind expelling the loneliness from our hearts whenever time may allow.”

Luna nodded and sat in silence for a moment. After a lengthy pause while Magnus allowed her time with her thoughts she eventually asked, “And why doth thou approach me with this offer? If thine purpose is to establish a political union for the citizens, why not then make thy proposal to the older sister and high ruler of the realm?”

It was clear from Magnus’ response that he had already given this thought and was well decided on his answer. “It is understandable that naturally the older sister would be approached first. But the circumstances with her are not the same as you and I.”

“How so?” Luna questioned, feeling unsatisfied with that answer.

“Celestia LIVED out the last thousands years. The two of us did not. We share a commonality in that loss. I’m sure that should Celestia have desired a partner within that time then she would have done so. As it appears she did not, she is already married to her post. But while you and I are also dedicated to our positions, we could bond more as peers than I fear Celestia would be able to with myself.”

Luna masked her true feelings well as she stated, “So what you're saying is that while my sister would be the obvious choice, our like past makes me the more convenient option for equality in a partner.”

“Yes, exactly.” Magnus stated, emphasizing the point in which he was sure she would agree upon while completely missing how she cast her gaze aside. “We are so well fit for each other, you and I. And I hope that you can see that.”

“And what of… you and I?” Luna turned to him and asked. “What happens between us when our story ends?”

Magnus tightened his lip because he was expecting this question. He felt prepared for it as he answered, “I will honor my duty until I am relieved from my post… Whether that be as a soldier, or as a husband, or even for my life in this world. And while I would honor you as my wife for as long as I live, once that day comes to an end you would have the ease of knowing it was a marriage of convenience to begin with. As I already stated with both of our busy schedules and with opportunity being so scarce for us to have time for one another, on the day of my passing I would hope that a life spent mainly apart would ease your sorrow for my final depart.” Luna nodded that she understood.

Time passed between them as neither of them said a word after that. Eventually Luna stood and beckoned the pegasus to once more be her escort through the garden. The two paused at the sights and now everywhere that Luna looked she saw signs of unions between the little animals. A male and female squirrel darted back and forth together. Additionally a pair of love birds sang blissfully in a tree. She kept to her silence while reviewing her feelings on the matter and Magnus gave her the respect as to come to a decision on her own.

Once they had reached the end of the garden path and returned to the castle steps Luna stepped quickly to ascend ahead of him. “I am not at this moment inclined to completely reject your offer.” She announced with a bit of pompous regal distanceness from him in her voice. “However, I have not as yet accepted thy hoof in marriage so it is improper for you to be addressing me so formally by name, Sir Magnus.”

“As you desire, Princess.” He responded civilly. “But if I may?” He asked quickly when she had turned to take her leave of him. Luna stopped and merely waited to hear his final request as she stared back at him. “The gala… It will be upon us so soon. I would ask, should the princess so desire to leave her throne and take part in the festivities, might I have your first dance? And I shall pressure you no more for an answer until after the opportunity to court you properly upon the dance floor as a gentlepony should?”

Luna was still for a moment but then she nodded. “You might.” She answered and Magnus pestered her no further as she retreated to her tower above them.

• The Day of the Gala -

“Psst, Spike!” Rayne whispered as their group began splitting apart while they walked to the chariots that were outside Twilight’s tower. Stepping quickly he avoided where Twilight and most of the others were headed and instead boarded the chariot that Rarity and Spike were getting on; likewise making sure to force Pinkie Pie on their chariot as well.

“What is it Rayne? What’s with all the sudden hush, hush?” The little dragon asked while looking up at him with the two mares staring curiously.

Rayne sighed and glanced over his shoulder at the chariot guards standing so close in front of their seats. He waited for them to rush up into the air before turning back to his co-seaters and speaking softly. “Listen you guys, I know that you might not approve but I meant what I said. I really do love Luna. I promise, I’m not being over dramatic, I’m not trying to just go tail chasing with the princesses, I-”

“Rayne darling, please do get on with it before we land.” Rarity insisted.

With a nod he told them, “I’ve actually known for some time that if it would be anypony, it would be her. It would take too long for me to explain my reasonings during a single chariot ride but trust me on this. And remember, I was sure about you two as well. No pony thought you two would actually make it but you have. And I know that I can make this work with Luna if I just got the chance. But I’m afraid that Twilight or one of our friends would stop me if I make a move on her tonight.”

The light gray unicorn and the little purple dragon looked up to each other and held hoof in claw with each other. Then they turned back to Rayne and Rarity said, “What can we do to help?”

“We’ve got your back tonight!” Spike added in.

Rayne smiled towards them as Pinkie just clapped her hooves excitedly, listening in as Rayne whispered to them all about his plan.

• Later that Evening -

“Luna is looking so stunning tonight.” Magnus said as he kept to the outskirts of the party while awaiting his chance.

Standing beside him was a golden pegasus who just laughed as she sipped at some champagne while wearing her formal uniform. “Haha, you’re really nuts, you know that? What I wouldn’t give to have known what your commanding officer would say if he could see you now.” Spitfire teased.

“You can laugh it up all you want, but mark my words, I will marry that princess and if luck be on my side then I will have her answer by tonight.” Magnus assured.

“And you really think you’re going to do that by standing here and avoiding her all evening?” Spitfire snickered, albeit already a little tipsy from her drink.

“A promise is a promise. Should Luna rise from her seat it shall be my hoof who graces her first to the dance floor.” The conviction in his voice was strong. But meanwhile Spitfire was cheering him on through a set of giggles.

“Haha, whatever you say.” She snickered.

“Heaven….” They both looked over as the voice of a stallion sang out from the corner of the room.

• Some Time Later -

“Bwuahahahaha!” Spitfire broke out into laughter as Luna hurried away from the ballroom towards one of the balconies. “First to gra-ce her ho-of on the dance floor, indeed!” She drunkenly guffawed.

Magnus ground one of his hooves into the tile floor in frustration. He couldn’t believe that another pony would dare to make an open intention to Princess Luna like that. However not a moment later did Magnus lift up his chin and then proclaim with confidence. “It is alright. Nothing has been lost. In fact I believe I owe that stallion a thank you, as it would appear he has given me the opportunity to speak with Luna now that she is alone."

Spitfire ceased her laughing as she watched Magnus step over to the end of the refreshment table. He lifted a platter cover revealing a bowl of ice that contained a pitcher of beverage not served to the rest of the guests this evening. After pouring the chilled contents, it was just enough for exactly two glasses. Then Spitfire just watched as the male pegasus strutted his way over to gloat.

“Well… that didn’t turn out too smoothly in the end, now did it?” Magnus asked toward the dark stallion who then turned around seeming none too amused by his banter. The two males sized each other up with the pegasus wondering how this small town pony could step in from out of nowhere and do so while so impeccably dressed. “So you’re Rayne, huh?”

“And you are?” The dark stallion asked.

Not wasting the opportunity to flaunt his title over the interloper he said, “Oh, forgive me. Flash Magnus, ex legionnaire of Canterlot long, long ago. Nowadays I help train the current guardsponies and also do some work with the Wonderbolts as well.”

There was a look of surprise on the small town stallion’s face. Deciding to not waste the upper hand while he had the stranger by surprise Magnus taunted, “So… Princess Luna, eh?” He declared with a chuckle. “And an open request of her hoof before the entire gala? Bold… very bold.” He stated in mock respect. “I’ll admit, not the way that I would have done it.” He added while holding up the pair of crystal glasses that he had with him.

“And that would be?” It was clear the dark stallion knew he was at a disadvantage and decided to play defensively to not give anything else away. This satisfied Magnus to know that he had his competition for Luna’s hoof feeling backed into a corner.

With a smile Magnus replied, “Oh just a couple glasses of gooseberry extract and fizzied grape juice. You see, Princess Luna has a fondness for tart flavors so the bitterness of the goodeberry combined with the subtle bite of carbonation makes this one of her favorites to enjoy at social gatherings.”

For all his gloating, Magnus did not expect the other suitor to suddenly come across as so charming. He smiled wondering if he had intimidated Rayne out of the chase. “You know Magnus, I think I can see why every tale ever told about you always left you depicted as a hero.”

“Oh, well thank you sir. And why may I ask do you point that out?” Magnus asked with genuine interest.

“Because sir, you really seem to know how to save the day.” The dark stallion answered with a bow.

With a nod Magnus quietly thought to himself, “It would seem that this stallion has fallen in with the rest of the crowd in praising me for my past deeds.” Then he closed his eyes and shook his head with a smile of victory. “Oh yes, well I suppose that somepony…” but Magnus stopped for a moment realizing that he didn’t understand how exactly he had just saved the day for this other stallion, “hey, wait a moment-” He stammered as he opened his eyes to find Rayne as well the pair of drinks to both be missing. “Noooo!” He growled furiously while stomping the ground so hard that he cracked a tile beneath the red carpet in the room.

It did not alleviate his mood when a drunken chuckling came from behind him. “Hoo, hoo! Whoo! You sure showed him! Ahahaha!” Clearing his throat Magnus steadied himself and then stepped forward to march directly for the balcony. But he froze in surprise when a golden wing stopped him. “Uh-uh, not so fast.”

“What is the meaning of this?” Magnus roared around. But even while drunk, Spitfire was not the type of mare to become intimidated.

“I like you Magnus, I have a lot of respect for you. But you and I have a working relationship. It’s just business, nothing more.” She stated as if somehow spontaneously sober. “But that stallion… the dark coat, wavy mane, deep blue eyes… I think he might be something special to a friend of mine. And in the Wonderbolts we stick up for our friends, even our friends of friends. Consider this me cashing in on a favor that I owe to somepony.”

Magnus just scoffed. “That is ridiculous! This has nothing to do with you, get out of my way.” Then he proceeded to step past her.

However with just a glance from Spitfire, Magnus suddenly saw both Soarin and Thunderlane both block the path up ahead while pretending to not be paying attention. But all the same, their intention was clear. “This is a lovely party, Magnus.” Spitfire said while glancing over her glass she was holding. “It’d be a shame if somepony broke it up by doing something rowdy.” Before he could even growl she added, “You’re right, this isn’t my business. You wanna chase princess tail then go right ahead. But first, that other stallion is going to get his chance. If he strikes out tonight then it’s going to be his own fault, and not because you interfered.”

• -

“Rarity! Spike! What are you… you… you’re blocking me on purpose?!” Twilight exclaimed in disbelief as Starlight rushed up by her side looking surprised.

“Twilight… I’m sorry… I” Spike began, not being ready to emotionally challenge his adoptive sister who raised him. But fortunately he was not alone as Rarity placed a comforting hoof on his back.

“Twilight… yes. Yes we are.” His unicorn girlfriend declared.

“WHY?! I thought you agreed with us!” Starlight exclaimed.

Even Rarity was having trouble standing up against a friend like this and her discomfort was apparent all over her body language. But that did not stop her from holding firm to what she believed in. “If you wish to know my opinion, then you’re right. I do agree with you. I think that Rayne is being emotional, and foolhardy, and he certainly isn’t being at all rational!”

Now the Princess of Friendship growled as she called out, “Then WHY are you stopping us from stopping him?!”

“BECAUSE!” She shouted louder than she had meant to. “Because… So was Spike...” She said and instantly both Twilight and Starlight’s expressions softened. “How is Rayne really being so different now than Spike was while pursuing me for so long? We’ve all agreed that even though we took his feelings for granted before… that I took his feelings for granted… that this is something you now approve of?” She asked while pulling him in close to her.

Twilight’s mouth fell open as there were so many different points to argue about this that she didn’t even know where to begin. But Spike looked up and said, “If Rayne says he loves her… not just likes or desires her but really loves her… then who are we to stand in the way of that? Rayne saw the impossible when he believed that Rarity could actually love me like I love her. So if he achieved the impossible once already, why can’t we trust in our friend to do it again and make this be something that’s really okay for Princess Luna?”

From the mouth of babes, Twilight and Starlight both frowned not wanting to be the villain to argue against Spike’s point. “Twilight, Starlight… If you think about it...” Rarity began. “Half of Rayne’s cutiemark is blue, is it not? Who's to say that Luna really isn’t who he is supposed to be with? And perhaps it was fate that he should be here now for Luna to be with? Can’t we at least just leave that up to Luna to decide?”

Twilight didn’t seem happy, but she nodded that she agreed. Meanwhile Starlight just blew her mane up from out of her face where it had fallen and said, “It won’t be much of a choice... that stallion could charm the scales off a snake.”

• Back Out on the Dance Floor -

“Excuse me, but may I be so kind as to ask for your company sir?” An elegant yet gritting voice spoke out.

Spitfire’s eyes suddenly burst wide in shock at seeing Celestia standing behind Flash Magnus. Without delay she bowed out and Magnus turned around to face her. “Princess Celestia? What a surprise, how may I be of assistance to you?”

Raising her head up high she smiled to the other party guests while speaking softly to him alone. “I am not quite certain yet. But in the off chance of a disruption to the evening, yours is a character who I know I can trust to behave with civility.” She stated as they started walking together. “Would you join me please as I stretch my legs and take a walk to check on my sister?”

“Oh, I can think of no greater delight.” Magnus replied as he knew that with Celestia by his side he would no longer be hindered.

Unfortunately, any sort of tactful approach he might have planned to charm Luna away from the other stallion were interrupted by Celestia being the one to outburst. At the sight of Luna hanging in the stallion's arms, the two of them face to face and ever slowly their eyes closing together, Celestia could not withhold her perturbation. “What in the name of Equestria do you two think you’re doing out here?!”

• Not Long Later -

“So… this is how things are going to be now, are they?” A still perturbed voice said aloud beside the shoulder of a mare holding back a snicker.

“I never said that.” Luna replied as her laughter made her voice crack.

Celestia stood side by side with Luna while staring out at the rain as they watched a dark stallion merrily trot himself away through the city. Both sisters gave a deep sigh but for very different reasons. “This is revenge… isn’t it? You’re now planning on using Rayne to get back at me for Hot Streak when we were younger. Is that what this is about?”

Luna just balked and raised up her hooves innocently. “Rayne approached me all on his own. I had no knowledge of his intentions until they were made clear in front of everypony.”

The stallion was long gone even as the two of them remained together still staring off into the rain. “But he will be back, I suppose? And with the intention to call upon you again?”

Luna just smiled while trying to keep a straight face from knowing how deep the jealousy must have been eating at her sister. “I suppose that he may.”

Celestia stood in frustration as she thought to herself for a minute. “You know, I do believe that Magnus might have a fancy for you as well. He seemed awfully pleased with the opportunity to escort Rayne away from you.”

To this Luna sighed and turned away from her sister before heading toward her tower. “Oh I know he does…. He proposed to me for my hoof in marriage.” She explained as if it were some frivolous detail before taking her leave of the party.

“Oh… did he now?” Celestia nodded before balking in surprise. “WAIT?! HE DID WHAT?!!!” The princess of the sun shouted, causing nearly half of the attendants at the gala to jump in surprise.

Author's Note

So this was obviously a flashback chapter that filled in a lot of unanswered questions. Rayne had in fact asked for Spike's help and Rarity was in on it. Yes I repeated the conversation between Rayne and Magnus but I changed the perspective to be from Magnus' point of view. But the most important detail that previously wasn't know about was the garden scene in the beginning.

So first of all I hope everyone appreciated the art by Laura JF. And if care it wasn't obvious, this garden scene took place before the gala. So Rayne didn't know that any of this happened when he took the drinks from Magnus at the party. Rayne doesn't actually know that Magnus has desire for Luna. But if you notice, the ways that the two stallion's approached Luna were VERY different. Magnus told Luna that she would be convenient while Rayne told her that she was worth it. Magnus still made her feel like the second choice while Rayne made her feel like a priority. But Magnus did give Luna a lot of reasons to where love didn't matter, while Rayne is just romancing her for love's sake. Luna honestly has a lot to think about.

So as a reminder from my earlier chapters, Flash Magnus and Spitfire have become very well acquainted after working together at the Wonderbolts compound. Box they're not dating, but they've become informal with each other enough to where she can laugh at him without him taking offense. But just because they've gotten closer doesn't mean that she doesn't have other loyalties. The earlier scene where Dash and Spitfire fool around wasn't just for fun. If Dash hadn't voiced her feeling about Rayne then at this point Spitfire wouldn't have felt compelled to help a friend of Rainbow Dash to have a fighting chance. And if Magnus had gotten to Luna on the balcony before Rayne had then who knows how that could have changed things.

Now at the end you see a private conversation between Celestia and Luna. Yes, Celestia is jealous but not insanely so. What Rayne did to Celestia was actually kinda rude, so it makes sense that she'd be mad. But she's also accepting. She doesn't want to deny her sister from ever tasting love... But they're sibling relationship could be on healthier terms and perhaps Celestia doesn't know how to be protective of Luna in the proper way? However, Rayne flirting with Luna and Magnus proposing to Luna behind her back are two very different things. You can expect this to be a continuing arc in future chapters.

Lastly and as always, THANK YOU FOR READING! (please remember I'm a sucker for comments & reviews of my work :p)