Throughout the lands of Equestria the stallion who goes by the name Shining Armor was quite famous, and why wouldn’t he be? Attached to the name was an ivory unicorn who has risen above his station and obtained a position that both Stallions and Mares alike could only dream about. A pony that all young colts could looked up too, what all the stallions aspired to be, and a male specimen that all the mares, whether they were available or not.

Just from his reputation alone, there was already a bit of a legend forming around him. A Unicorn Stallion who came from humble beginnings, born to parents who were not nobles but instead actually had to work for everything they had, wanting to make sure to provide for their children. Not being born into wealth and privilege, he knew that if he wanted to get anywhere in life he was going to have to work hard with his own two hooves and work hard he did. From when he was a teenager, he trained every day, he always dreamed of protecting Princess Celestia, to stand steadfast against Equestria’s enemies, to be the one pony that any pony could count on. To be the knight in his name sake.

Of course, he wasn’t no where near as intelligence as his LSBBF but he made sure to study hard, because the royal guard wasn’t looking just for strong ponies, they also needed sharp minds that could keep their wits about them and adapt to even the most dangerous of situations, and after his many challenges, he rose through the ranks of the royal guard. Step by Step, he showed them all that he wasn’t just some regular guard to be placed in a random hallway and then forgotten. No, he wasn’t going to settle for that, he was determined to show them what he was truly capable of and by Celestia herself, he accomplished just that. He managed to become the youngest captain in the history of Princess Celestia’s royal guard.

He managed to achieve his dreams, he was Princess Celestia’s sword AND shield, he would have been satisfied with just that but it seems that he was destined for even bigger things.

“Sir!”

As Shining armor was walking through his castle. That’s right his castle, he still could hardly believe it. After many trails and tribulation’s he accomplished what so few ponies have before. He was a Prince, he was an actual a royal, sure it was through marriage but the fact remains still the same. He wasn’t just a captain of the royal guard, he was PRINCE Shining Armor, task with ruling the crystal empire along with his lovely wife Princess Mr Amore Cadenza or Cadance as he prefers. If you told him that he was going to become royalty when he was still cadet in training he would have laughed in your face, but now… He gave a nod in acknowledging two crystal guard ponies who quickly stood at attention in his presence. Once he past them, he couldn’t help but give light smirk as if he was privy to a private joke that no pony else knew but him.

The feeling of silent glee disappeared as he continued on his way. Part of him felt it was kind of rude to not say anything to the two guards ponies, or at least give them a polite greeting but he had other things occupying his mind at the moment, like finding his wife for one. Earlier that morning he left the crystal empire. He made sure to tell the guards that if any pony asked why he was leaving, to state that he was on ‘official business.’ Of course no pony really questioned it, and why would they? He was their prince, no one in the empire would doubt his word and even if they did, there wasn’t anything they could really do about it.

Of course, known only to him, his ‘Official business’ was just something he would say to hide his true actives. To visit his ‘best buddy’ Chiffon Swirl. She was now known as Mrs. Cup Cake, she was now married to that lanky stallion after all. Thinking about her filled him with mixed emotions. He has known her for a very long time, even longer than his loving wide. Both coming from hard working families they hit it off rather well when it came to friendship. They would talk about various things, like who they thought was cute, of course that was weird because he would talk about the mares who had the juicy round flanks and she would talk about the well built stallions, but regardless they still had fun. There were a couple of times that she tried to teach him how to bake and his cooking skills was the equivalent of an Ursa Major learning how to tap dance, it just wasn’t going to happen.

Their relationship took a rather interesting turn when they were talking about new couples at their high school, and he actually admitted that he never had relations with a mare ‘that way’ before. Of course this left her surprised, after all he was a good looking stud that all the young mare’s would droll over. It seemed impossible that he hasn’t done it with a mare at least once.

“How have you never been with a mare before? I mean, even you can’t be blind to how all the mares would stare at you? I mean they flirt with you like all the time.”

“I…I don’t know, I guess I never thought about it before.”

Of course, that exchange left him feeling a little embrarssed. All the stallions were talking about how only ‘wimps’ and ‘losers’ were still virgins at their age. Of course Everypony assume that Shining was already getting some action because he was handsome and he was hanging out with Chiffon Swirl all the time. Of course that wasn’t the case because she was just a child hood friend and he never looked at her that way before, on the contrary he had his eye on his sister’s foal sitter, Equestria’s newest princess at the time, Princess Cadance.

“Well….I…I’m a virgin too.”

He himself was a little floored over that bit of news, after all, she was rather cute and so cheerful. But when he looked at her face and saw how embarrassed she acted and how red her cheeks got, he just knew that she was telling the truth, but just couldn’t imagine why she was still….that way. Perhaps she was waiting for the perfect stallion to come along?

“Want to……you know?”

Oh, he knew exactly what she meant and the offer was tempting…too tempting. Of course there was a snag, he was rather smitten with the young Alicorn and was planning to ask Cadance out next weekend, could he really do that just days after sleeping with another mare, but on the other hoof, he was completely new to this kind of thing. All of his friends told him that the secret when it comes to wooing a mare was confidence. You had to at least pretend you know what you were doing, but that was the problem. How could he even pretend to know what to do if he didn’t even have a general IDEA on what to do? He knew he only had one shot with Cadance and he had to make it count. He couldn’t afford to come across as a total spaz, and here was his best friend, offering to help him ‘practice’.

Yeah, that’s it, practice. This was going to be just practice, he would take his friend offer build up confidence in himself and when Cadance and him would get down, he wouldn’t seem like a loser. He would know what to do and she would be In good hooves, HIS hooves, not to mention his first time would be with somepony he trusted. So steeling himself he made up his mind and turned to look at Chiffon.

“y-yeah....”

They say you never forget your first time, and he could say for certain that statement was indeed true. His first night was interesting to say the least, it was a bit slow and clunky, they actually had to check out a library book on instructions on what to do, but once they understood the basics and got the hang of it….oh yeah. He never felt anything like it before, he didn’t know such sensations even existed, Her Soft, slightly husky body, her full pouty lips, her hair which smelled like frosting, the way she would grab on to him and hold on for dear life as he took her over, and over, and over again that very night. He was like a wild beast, claiming his prize and she was his willing victim, at the mercy of his every desire.

They spent that entire weekend ‘practicing’ and by the goddess did he make the most of it. When it was over he wondered why everypony wasn’t always rutting, why would they EVER want to stop? If every pony just kept on rutting there would be no war. Of course now that he is older it was rather silly to think that at the time, but considering he lost his virginity and was on top of the world, he figured he could cut his younger self some slack.

Of course they agreed this would be a one time thing and would go back to just being regular friends, after all it was just ‘practice.’ Unfortunately, that arrangement wasn’t going to last. What happened later he could only describe at the time as a double edge sword. Much to his delight, Princess Cadance said yes to his request for a date that upcoming weekend. He thought he came across as bit too nervous and awkward but she would just give him a smile and agreed to give him a chance. Of course he made sure the date went by perfectly. He left nothing to chance, he even borrowed some bits from his dad, money that he would have to pay him back once he could afford to but she was worth it. Her smile just made his heart flutter, and while he seemed like a smooth stallion in school, with her he seem to be a bit of a bumbling klutz but for some reason she seemed to like that about him.

There was one hiccup and it was a big one. She wanted to take slow, she wasn’t the type of mare who would just jump into bed with any stallion who took her out on a few dates, while they were just dating he understood, but she had that same mindset even when they were officially going steady. The perfect maiden relationship, a pure innocent mare, who was waiting for marriage to be her first time, it was truly something out of a story book, There was a problem though, he was a Stallion, Damnit!

Ever since his first time with Chiffon Swirl his hormones had been raging. He fell into that mindset that almost all young stallions his age was at, thinking with his dick. Of course, he played the dutiful colt friend and acted like he understood which seem to make her happy, and while he still cared for her deeply, he was becoming increasingly pent up and frustrated. He just discovered sex, and now if he wanted this relationship to work he’d had to stave off it until they got married? How in Tartarus was he suppose to last that long? When were they going to get married? in a year? Two? Ten? He wanted to Buck her and Buck her hard! He voiced his frustrations to the only pony he felt he could talk about this kinda stuff with, Chiffon. He just went on a ran in which she mostly stayed quiet and listened but when an opening represented itself….

“Well…..you could release that tension with me.”

To this very day, he still remembered those exact words. How his heart was beating in his ear drums, how his while body was burning with desire. He tried to argue that they couldn’t do that anymore because he is with Cadance now, not to mention that they were just ‘best buddies’. Now, he didn’t know exactly when she became so forward but she added a ‘sway’ to a flank every time she took a hoof step towards him. It seems that he wasn’t the only one transformed from that weekend. He found himself unable to move as she closed the gap between them, her lips were so close that he could practically taste them even though their lips were just barley touching. It wasn’t full on contact but it was enough to arouse him and with a sexy, sultry voice whispered.

“She doesn’t have to know….”

His mind was racing a mile a min, did he just hear her right? His best buddy was offering herself to cheat on his mare friend. Princess Cadance, such a sweet trusting pony, she always believed the best in everypony no matter their background and on top of that she was absolutely gorgeous. She just seemed to sparkle whenever the sunlight hits her, she was a mare who could literally have any stallion she wanted, they were like luggage to her, all she would have to do was grab and pull and they would be like putty in her hooves. Being with her made them both the talk of the entire School. They were both great looking ponies, she already a princess and he was a young stallion who was going places. A pony would have to be brain dead to even considering cheating on her.

And yet…..The thought of what was being offered, the gift that was placed before him was just too enticing. Just the mere thought of betraying Cadance gave him a thrill unlike anything other. Regular mating was great but this…this was on another level, and Chiffon Swirl, who was cute in her own right in a down home kind of way but her looks wren’t on the same level as Cadance. However, that was part of the thrill in all this, that he would cheat on Princess Cadance with this ‘Mud Pony’. After licking his lips, he made his decision he proceeded to grab her by the back of the head and claimed her lips and together they once again became one.

Thus, this is how it went for high school, in public he would continue dating Cadance, take her out on dates, and be the doting coltfriend she deserved, but whenever He and/or Chiffon Swirl got the ‘itch’ they would get together or sneak away in order to satisfy it. Whether it was a quickie in a janitor’s closet or spending an entire night in a bed room, they made sure the itch was always scratched and the fact the deeds it was lace with deception and betray made it that much hotter for them. Chiffon liked the idea so much that she started taking photos as ‘souvenirs’ every time they would do it.

He still cared for Princess Cadance, and tried his best to be by her side, the pull of that cerulean mare was just too strong. He had to be careful so that the two would never ‘officially’ meet. Luckily they were in different classes and pretended they didn’t know each other when Cadance was around so that wasn’t too much problem, and when one of their friends unknowingly tried to let it slip that they did know each other, they quickly squashed that line of talk when the Alicorn was around.

In the final months of high school was when Chiffon Swirl started ‘officially’ dating a stallion named Carrot Cake, He went to a specialist school for cooking so it wasn’t hard to hide their arrangement from him. When Shining asked her why she was dating him she said that he found him rather cute despite his rather bland appearance. He had an idea of owning a bakery in a simple town, an idea that intrigued her ever since she got her cutie mark. Of course this didn’t stop their nights together, if anything this just added another layer to their game.

Sometime after graduation, Chiffon Swirl and Carrot Cake moved away to a town called Ponyville, and Shining remained. He refocused his efforts on dating of Princess Cadance and continuing his path as a royal guard. Now that Chiffon was gone and he was spending more time with Cadance, he was starting to feel bad for all those times he cheated on her with swirl. She was just so trusting, it was hard not to feel guilty, Well he was sure he got it out of his system. He was determined to be the perfect stallion for her, one that would be worthy of her hoof in marriage. For years they seemed to have the perfect relationship, they had eyes only for each other and everyone agreed they were indeed the perfect couple. So finally after a special dinner date he pop the question and she said yes.

With his wedding coming up his friends wanted to throw him a bachelor party, to give him ‘one last shot of freedom’ before he took the plunge. He didn’t find the joke amusing at the time but he agreed to it. If nothing else he would invite Swirl, she was his bust bud after all, NOT best friend of course that belonged to his little Twily. It would be good to see her again, he moved on and he was certain she did as well, So why not invite her to be part of the night out, and they could spend the evening catching up, their time together was great but he was certainly over her by now.

On that night, when she came to the bachelor party, he didn’t know how wrong he was. He took one look at her and everything came back…everything. Those times they had sneaking off to have a quickly just barley out of view of the public, the nights where they would go at each other over and over again while their future partners were completely oblivious. She was older now, mature, her body filled out VERY nicely. She had curves and he wanted more than anything to use them every which way.

At first they strike up a friendly conversation, they talked about their current lives, catching up on old times and new, and told jokes, but the tension between them just kept growing and growing. He knew she was experiencing the same feelings as he was. He wanted to resist, he TRIED to resist, but it was one wink, one simple gesture that completely broke his will. It said, ‘I know you want me, well here I am, come claim me.'

And that he did, 5 years of lust and longing he didn’t even realize he had, just broke through the surface, so without saying another world he got behind her, bent her over in front of him and once more claimed her as his mare. Apparently they were so loud that one of his friends went back to check on them, of course instead of being shock he was cheering them on, not that they really cared at the time if he was cheering for them or disgusted with the act, nothing was going to stop them. Mrs. Cake did managed to get just enough sense to tell the other pony to look in her bag to get out her camera and take pictures while they were in the middle of their debauchery.

When Shining and Swirl were finally done, they made him promise not to tell anypony. although he wanted to, he promised to keep his lips sealed, the point of the party is to let loose and have fun without consequences, but as far as he knew that was the only time they actually bucked and the treacherous couple wanted to make sure it stayed that way. After the third pony left they stayed behind to clean themselves up and agreed to have more ‘meetings’ like this. After all, what harm was it for two old friends to get together once in a while and ‘catch up’ with each other. Of course it wasn’t going to be like back in school since they had their own separate lives but they would figure something out.

Sometimes it was rather tough to get away and meet up for one of their get togethers, but they always seem to find a way. Like taking a ‘vacation’ outside of Canterlot while his wife would continue her training under Princess Celestia grooming her for when she would be her own ruler, or Swirl now known as Mrs. Cup Cake, would go on a ‘business’ trip to see a potential client. They always made sure to meet up in different towns and cities and always under a false alias. He knew he should hate himself but he couldn’t deny that those were some of the best times of his life, perhaps they even produced offsprings from one of their sinful unions. He couldn’t be 100 percent sure but it was a possible that the cake twins were in fact his foals. So far, the biggest thrill was when Cupcake would become close to his wife, acting like her friend while she was pregnant flurry heart. The way cupcake would speak to Cadance about the joys and complications of pregnancy, How she would give her advice on what to do when certain things arise…..the way she would sneak glances at him and wink. It was enough to drive him insane with lust, luckily for him, he more than made sure to release his built up ‘desires’ into her the very second that they manage to sneak some alone time together.

He must admit there were times he would feel shame after their get togethers, it was just so hard look at his wife when he would come back tried and all but reeking of another mare. She was just so pure, so trusting of him. Sometimes when he looked into the mirror he would get sick over the stallion staring back at him. He was putting everything at risk, just for filthy thrills but he just couldn’t help it. He didn’t know what it was about that mare that just drew him to her every single time. How they revealed in this tawdry affair fueled by the trill of betrayal. Perhaps it was the act it’s self, being with Cadance is wonderful, but it was just so….vanilla. It was good but simple, sometimes she seemed so....fragile and you had to treat her like a porcelain doll. Of course she wasn’t actually frail but that's how it felt when they made love. Cupcake on the other hand, she let him do whatever he wanted, save for extremes and allowed him to buck her every which way. Whatever the reason, he knew this couldn’t go on forever, but he just didn’t know how he was going to break it off.

Why couldn’t he just be satisfied?

This brings him to now, He was seemingly walking with a purpose, his ‘official business’ outside of the empire hit a bit of a snag. Cupcake didn’t arrive in Trottingham to meet him at one of their usual spots. This was rather strange because she NEVER missed a meeting before. Sometimes she would be a little late but she always made sure to show up, but after going well past the time they agreed upon, he decided to just head back to the crystal empire.

Of course he wasn’t just going to go back to work, he was feeling rather frisky and he needed to unleash all this stress he had been building up thanks to dealing with royal concerns. Thankfully he had a back up plan to help him with that, his sexy hot wife. It won’t be as stimulating, but he couldn’t really complain. Thinking now about Cadance, he started to notice that she seemed a bit different lately. She was spending more and more time with the empire’s citizens, chatting and helping them with menial tasks. Also she was spending more time with the crystal council discussing politics and what not. Not to mention semi-frequent trips outside of the empire. Seems that she was always busy as of late, two days ago a guard mentioned to him that Princess Cadance was spending an evening reading to foals at the orphanage. She always did care about their crystal ponies and he’d be the first to admit that it was heartwarming to hear her doing such task. She seemed happier almost carefree, like everyday was a new opportunity waiting to be siege. But, no matter how busy she got she always made sure to spend quality time with their little Flurry heart. He never seen her like this, not even back when they were first dating, she always seemed so prim, proper, and a little reserved. Now, it was like she was becoming a completely different mare slowly becoming more….bold. He had to admit he rather liked it.

So imagine, his surprise when he arrived from the train station to find one of the guards waiting him. The guard pony informed him that his wife wanted to see him at the castle right away. Maybe she was feeling a little frisky herself, she seemed to have more energy to spare as of late. Talk about convenient, but hey, who was he to complain? Maybe, she had something extra special planned for him.

Arriving upon the closed doors of their royal bed chamber he took off his royal guard helmet and held it at his side. He took a deep breath and let out a smile, he couldn’t help but feel a little giddy over possibilities of what was behind that door. Maybe she wanted to try some food play, there was a technique he red about using a radish, eggplants, and a Hammer that he was dying to try out. Perhaps he could convince her to try Some Sadomasochism perhaps, she could be a dominatrix and he his willing victim, It would be refreshing to see her cut loose on him for a change. He had to one last breath to calm himself down and wipe the grin on his face. Then when he was sure he was ready he used his magic to turn the knob and open the door. What he saw beyond brought a smile to his face, the main lights In room were dimmed, In fact they wasn’t on at all. This would have been worrying were it not for all the various red candles placed through the setting. Some of the candles were positioned to show a clear pathway towards their huge bed and there was just enough luminescence in the room for him to notice rose petals scattered throughout room.

He just couldn’t help but give a near silent chuckle. He found this all so familiar. He did something like this on their honeymoon night, he wanted their first time together to be extra special. His face dipped slightly as he remembered his bachelor party prior…and the constant strings of betrayal which followed. She was such a wonderful mare to do this for him, he was beginning to feel a twinge of guilt but quickly push that down. He didn’t see Swirl today, and there was no way he was going to let this setting go to waste.

He closed the door behind him and stepped into the room, a smile of anticipation gracing his lips. Once he arrived, his smile grew slightly as he saw a blanket of rose pedals on the bed. Eyes slowly adjusting to the lighting he saw a shadow on the bed and while he wanted to keep the low light setting, he used a bit of magic to illuminate his vision a bit and saw that place right on the edge on the bed on top a silver platter was two items. A crimson letter folded neatly in a heart design with ’To: Shining Armor” written on it. It was a rather large size so he figured it consisted of several pages but that’s was alright, and underneath that was a black envelope packet.

“Oh Cadance….” He whispered softly to himself, perhaps this was all a special game she prepared for him, like a romantic scavenger hunt where he would have to comb the empire looking for clues and once he found him they would make passionate love right there in her hiding spot. Maybe that is why she seemed so busy lately, she was busy setting all of this up. “And It is not even hearts and hooves day yet.”

Not wanting to waste another second, he raised the letter with his magic and began to read it In earnest.

Captain Shining Armor,

If you are reading this, then you have returned from your one of your dalliances with with that cum slut, Cup Cake or perhaps I should call her Chiffon Swirl? I suppose it doesn’t matter at this point. That’s right Captain, I know everything now. I know you have been cheating on me with that mare since we first started dating. I found out about it weeks ago through none other than Carrot Cake, that’s right, Cup Cake’s very own husband. At this point, you are probably wondering ‘how could he have found out in the first place? You two were so careful!’ and truth be told, from my investigations into this, hearing the tales from the whorse’s mouth even I have to admit the system you had in place was very well done, and the acting you two pulled off certainly pulled the wool over our eyes for years. After all, who would question the captain of Princess Celestia’s royal guard learning a magic transfer spell similar to Spike’s for the purposes of sending messages directly to other officers in order to be more efficient? Unfortunately for you there was one flaw in your sick, twisted machinations. Can you guess what that is?

“Oh….BUCK!” Shining let go his magic and let the letter fall back onto the bed. He had to take a couple of steps back form it and focus on just breathe. This was it, the moment he had been dreading for years. He was now completely outed. It felt that his chest was going to collapse in on its self. His mind was working in overdrive, and his breathing was becoming more and more haggard. HIs worst fear as been realized, his wife discovered his secret affair, and worst yet she personally talked to Cup Cake about it so it was more likely knew way more details about this than even he would dare to admit. He tried taking deep breaths, trying desperately to calm himself down, focus on his breathing. it was something they taught him in training. He needed to be cool under pressure. But this was way, way worse than a simple guard situation. He’s rather fight the full fury of Queen Chrysalis with a broken horn and all four of his hooves tied, than deal with this for even a second.

“Wait…” Shining thought out loud. His mind focused on the last part he read before letting go of the piece of paper. His eyes slowly grew wide with fear as he looked back over to the black packet on top of the silver platter. He summoned his magic to open and dump its contents on the shiny plate, and sure enough his fears were confirmed, 4 photos, all shot in various positions of him along with his ‘best buddy’ Chiffon Swirl. He shook the packet a bit more if case there was any other photos but instead he heard a ‘clink’ sound. He no longer wanted to be bathed in this Romantic mockery setting so he used more his magic to make his lighting spell even brighter so he could see better and there along with the photographs was what appeared to be a small silver key with a pink heart attacked at the end.

He never seen this key before but it was clear that his wife wanted him to have it, why? He couldn’t even begin to hazard a guess but he was going to find out. Feeling a little calmer he picked up the red letter once again and continued reading.

By now I imagine you stopped reading briefly to see what was in the packet I left for you, that is if you haven’t looked inside it already. That’s right Armor, there is no doubt any more is there?. Truth be told, when Mr. Carrot Cake first informed me about your extramarital actives, I didn’t know if I completely believed him. That perhaps this was all of ploy from Queen Chrysalis to torment us, but the more I thought about it, the more the clues were there. How sometimes you would have this far off look In your eye, like the one you would get after we made love, even back then I found that odd considering we didn’t do anything like that. There were also those times where after what should have been an easy day, you would appear before me sweaty and exhausted. Even when I was certain that nothing exciting happened that day.

The more I think about it Armor, the more it all made sense. The fact is that while you were cleaver you weren’t as subtle as you think, of course in my naïveté I believed every single one of your stories that you would make up, why? Because I loved you. I knew you would never betray me. You were my whole world Shining Armor - my partner, my only lover, and you betrayed me completely. For weeks, I had been questioning whether you actually loved me, or was I just a trophy wife only there to stroke your ego so you could brag to all of Equestria that I was your mare?

I suppose it doesn’t really matter, because it is time you learn the point of all this: I want a divorce.

I am sure your mind is racing with a million questions and arguments against this decision. Don’t worry, I will answer some that I feel at the most relevant. If I was there you would probably cry out something like, ‘I know I bucked up big time’ and ‘we can get through this and find a way to make this marriage work’ and let’s not forget the million and one ways you will say ‘I’m Sorry’ over and over again. My only responds to you is : ‘I don’t care and I don’t want this marriage’. I want to make this perfectly clear for you Captain Armor so I hope you have enough clarity to pay attention to what I am about to say.

Over time, I’ve come to realize that I don’t want apologies from you. I don’t want you ‘to change’. I just want out of this marriage and live my life outside of it. I will not live my live with some pony who’d only have shame when they are caught. You might argue that I am rushing into things, that there are too many ponies to consider, our families, our friends, all of pony kind. Shining we were essentially THE celebrity power couple, the pinnacle of perfection when it came to love and happiness. Thinking on those points, I came to realize why I gave you a chance in the first place. Oh sure you are a great looking stallion but that didn’t really matter much to me and you were cute when you tried to play it cool but, mostly it was pity.

You were so desperate trying to impress me that I couldn’t resist in giving you a chance and to your credit you certainly made the most of it as I really did fall for you, but even back then I wasn’t complete sure. You were adorable but I didn’t know if I wanted to jump into that kind of relationship, not because you were bad but because I wasn’t ready, but I gave into peer pressure, whenever I voiced my thoughts about ‘taking a break’ all my friends and family kept saying I was crazy, that he was going places, you two are perfect for each other and though she would never admitted, Celestia would try to nudge us together, after all this was around the time she took in Twilight. The point is that I have been considering other ponies happiness but my own for too long. I have spent so much of my life on what they wanted to see of me that I didn’t just stop and consider myself once in a while.

I knew what you wanted Armor, even I’m not that blind, but I didn’t want to appear like one of those mares, even now I feel that an act as powerful as making love shouldn’t be jumped into just for the thrill or some other desperate need. Perhaps other ponies felt that way, ‘I know you certainly did’ but to me It should be a beautiful and special time and you perverted that.

You are not ENTIRELY to blame, however. The fact is I became a princess too early. There was so much I wanted to do and so much I wanted to see, I wanted to experience so much not just in Equestria but of the whole world, but once I transcended into becoming an Alicorn princess, I was under constant training and supervision of Princess Celestia. There were responsibilities I had to uphold, ponies that I had to consider before I could even make a decision that was the slightest bit selfish. Everypony had to come before me, and with that mindset drilled into me over and over it was easy to say ‘yes’ in becoming your wife, not because I actually loved you but because it would make every pony happy to see us get married. You know what they say about young love right?

In someways I am jealous of your little sister. She got to work towards leadership at her own pace sure there were threats she had to face but she always had the rest of the elements right there by her side. Sometimes I wonder if she truly knows just how lucky she is.

I now know that it is my life, it’s my happiness that has to be the most important consideration in it. Not my family, not my friends, not even my aunts. No pony else wears my fur and no pony else has to live with the consequences of my actions, I do. Thus I am not just divorcing you, I am also leaving, I am going to do what I want for a chance. I am going to explore the world and see what is out there. Don’t worry about the empire, I have talked to the council and we have set things up so that they can watch over things while I am gone. You know what’s funny about that Captain Armor? It turns out that with some tweaks here and there the empire practically runs it’s self during times of peace, of course you would know that if you paid even the slightest bit of attention instead of just playing solider and bucking behind my back. They don't know all the details of our situation but enough to get the jitz but don't worry, I left orders for them to not confront you directly.

Now, please don’t misunderstand, The reason I am telling you through this letter and not in person is because if I said all this to your face, it would give you the false impression that I still cared. A face to face break up at this point would be too good for you. No Shining Armor, This is exactly what you deserve, some simple pieces of parchment and some dried ink. This is most fitting to a heartless stallion such as yourself.

Which brings to perhaps the most important factor in all of this. The only thing you ever produce that wasn’t tainted.

Flurry Heart

Don’t worry, I made sure that she will be well taking care of when I’m gone. As you are reading this, she is currently in the protective care of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. When I told the them what I wanted for Flurry Heart I made sure Cup Cake was there to confess everything, I even brought along some insurance to make sure that this wasn’t all a ploy. Needless that were quite ’upset’ with you, I left them with specific instructions that you were allowed no where near her. After all, you convinced Everypony that you were a Stallion of integrity and honor. In font of all of Canterlot, with Princess Celestia herself marrying us, you swore to love, honor, and obey. But, you betrayed the mare you claimed to love above all us, the one you said had your heart and soul for all eternity. If you were capable of repeatedly betraying the mare claim to loved above all, I shudder to think how you would betray my precious Flurry Heart. I will go to Tartarus before I let a Stallion like that near my daughter, father or no. But not to worry I will be back for her, I could never stay away from my precious heart for too long but I know that if I just were to remained here, I know I will become bitter and resentful and no foal should have a parent like that especially when they are growing up. How can I take care of my little filly when I haven’t even gotten myself in order yet? Thank the stars that she almost completely takes after her mother because as far as I am concerned: You were just her seed doner.

Don’t worry, about your reputation be damaged or your deeds being made public, only a handful of ponies know about the real you besides of those I have mentioned previously. Oh, Pinkie Pie and Applejack also know, I am pretty sure you can guess why. With Applejack being the element of honesty, trying to lie with her around is virtually impossible in a sense. However, I didn’t tell your parents or Princess Twilight Sparkle. If they should learn about this, it won’t be from me and I made sure that all the ponies I listed took a pinkie promise to not tell what has happened, that is unless they are asked about it and at that point I leave it up to their personal discretion.

I would imagine that you are probably trying to think of some way to salvage this, some kind of plan, and I encourage you to try one. It should be amusing to see you try something. Thinking about exploring some loophole that you THOUGHT I missed. But I want you to keep this in mind, before to decide to try your luck. I didn’t tell you everything, only what I felt was the most relevant to get this message across, and to vent a little bit.

One more thing, The key that you have no doubt found by now opens a small box I left you ontop of my dresser. In it, you will find proof of my claims as well as my last gift to you.

So that’s it, I hope you have a nice life Captain Shining Armor. Now you can dabble with all the mares you want guilt free. So be with as many other mares your heart desires, heck, why not cut loose and try a stallion, I believe lieutenant Flash Sentry seems to have the hots for you. But I can’t love you.

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza

As he finished the last page of the letter, Shining’s entire body was shaking. It all just seemed so surreal. His vision was blurry and twist like he had a sense of vertigo. With every word, he could feel his very the huge pressure of his actions weight heavier and heavier upon him. He couldn’t bring himself to even scream, what would be the point of it? What right could be possibly have to be angry. It wasn’t like she was in the wrong. After so long it was finally catching up to him and he was now paying the price for his arrogance and infidelity. He deserved this, every last bit. But as he mind tried to process over what was happening, he realized that he hasn’t even begun to truly pay the price.

Cadance didn’t tell Everypony about his deeds only a few but it was a strategic few. How long would it take for the crystal ponies to ask him about their Princess’s whereabouts? They would want answers and what better way to get them than asking her ‘loving and loyal’ husband. Sure the others that knew the story, Cadance had them ‘pinkie promise’ not to tell ponies directly, but he knew what she was really doing. She was slowly backing him into a corner, she was essentially slowly but surely isolating him, because sooner or letter it was all going to build up to the point where it would eventually overwhelm him and what story could he possibly tell to quell the ponies’s curiosity? Anyone who was important in the matter knew the truth, she even had Applejack for Buck sake. There was no pony he could really tell, not even his family because they eventually would want details on what was happening and Twily, goddess curse her knack for seeking knowledge, would be the worst one. it was quite clear that she was making him feel the way she felt when she found out about his affair.

Trapped.

From his stupor, his eyes suddenly shifted over to the key. Part of him didn’t want to, that small voice deep in the back of his mind cried out to him to not proceed, that it would break him but he knew…he just knew he had to see what was in that box. He NEEDED to see what was in side. Steeling himself he weakly took hold of the key with his magic and he dragged his hooves over to her dresser. The Box it’s self was hot pink with Cadance’s Cutie Mark design engraved on top. Using the key he opened the box and looked inside. He saw what he expected to see, divorce papers. The moment he read that part in his now ex-wife’s letter he knew. He looked through the papers and saw the final confirmation. Right there in bold black ink where the signatures. On the last page at the bottom right hand corner he saw his former wife’s signature and in the bottom left corner and where his signature would go he saw two stamp both in the style of each one of the royal sisters as well as their own signatures.

‘By Royal Degree: Princess Celestia’

‘By Royal Degree: Princess Luna’

Normally only one of the sisters would be enough to supersede both parties signing but the fact that both of them signed the document spoke volumes. He moved the papers aside and looked backed into the box and there it was, Cadance’s last ‘gift’. It was a single Photograph, placed upward and turned around so that the back was facing him, she wanted him to personally turn it around, he could already feel his heart tear as he used his hoof to turn the picture around so that he could see it, and with a single look, tears begin to leak from his eyes.

It was an image of his ex-wife, laying down on her belly stretched out on what appeared to be some kind of night colored fur skinned rug. Her mane let loose and was falling around her sensual body. Hey eyes were half close and she was giving a playful smile, everything about this just screamed: seduction. But what truly hurt was where her eyes were pointed at, he clenched his teeth trying to hold back a sob as he notice the small but powerful detail. Her eyes weren’t looking at the camera, but past the camera like the pony who was holding the camera. At the bottom the picture, in cursive handwriting worthy of the mare known as the Princess of love was the title: ‘Forever Yours’.

This was it, her last gift to him, In a cruel twist of poetic justice, she gave him this one lone photograph. With this single item, he would have her forever…..and never will again.

“My Cadance………What have I done…..”

He could no longer hold back the tide of his emotions, his training has failed him, he was destroyed completely and he had no pony to blame but himself. He didn’t even have the strength to keep up his light spell and thus within the darkness of the Royal Bed Chamber…

The Erstwhile Prince wept.

Author's Note

Well there you go, the next chapter!

Have to say, it was interesting getting this chapter down but I hope it is decent enough for you all to enjoy!

Once again I am sorry for the mistakes and misspells. A friend of mind backed out of being a potential editor for me. *Sighs* I guess the search continues.

Once again thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this installment. The final part will be up soon.