Author's Note

New chapter :)

Celestia's explanations

Princess Celestia swiped her head from right to left in decline for the hundredth time, just as the white unicorn was seething with rage. Cadance kept him company, watching over the shoulder, in the hope that her lover would not hurt any royal guard in contact.

"My sincere apologies for some inconsistencies, Shining Armor" the alicorn princess assured him with a helpful hoof. "But it's not like what you think. You're obviously mistaken"

"My wife told me everything!" his voice once took on the note of a trombone and once an opera singer. "I know very well that you sold my sister for a poky bits"

Her starry mane waving as always, Princess Celestia levitated the newspaper on the edge of her seat, so she could freely look at her former student's brother.

"Easy, easy there" her warm voice still remained caring. "I didn't send Twilight for marriage, but to tighten our relationship with the Hippogriff race"

The white unicorn squinted. "...What are you talking about?"

"Did I ever said that I was a good friend of a hippogriff royality?..." the alicorn princess pondered and then winked. "Yes, that's the case, isn't it, sister?"

The sunbathing blue alicorn next, lifted a magazine from her face and nodded.

"A better opportunity for diplomacy arose when Mr. Sky Beak visited my doorstep the day after Twilight's coronation" the taller princess continued. "The poor thing was so desperate that he shed a stream of tears at cooperation"

Shining Armor raised his eyebrow, slightly pampered from rush of thoughts. "...What?"

"Let me explain more"

Princess Celestia cleared her throat before explaining further details of her memory.

"Though absent, Twilight was offered the role of ambassador, that is, a permanent resident of Mount Aris. For research" she said with a emphasis on the last words. "You know what I mean?"

"And you all decided about it without my little sister's consent?" the white unicorn growled.

"Do not worry..." the alicorn princess assured once again with a smile. "I'm sure she'd love to move there. It's always warm there and warm sea. Clean living"

Shining Armor held his head in thought. He felt confused.

"B-but... Cadance mentioned something about Twilight having a family there..." he said with worry. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Princess Cadance glanced at her aunt with perplexed look on her face.

"Exactly. Somecreature, who slipped me the letter, mentioned something about LOVE and FAMILY"

"...that he would LOVE to have a partnership with us. The pony race" Princess Celestia corrected with a stricter tone. "You are taking words out of my mouth"

"...uh, the FAMILY part?" the princess of love insisted, really curious behind literal meaning of it and curious.

The white alicorn softly sighed, leaning back on her sunbathing chair. Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were very surprised by this a little unusual calm build of emotions.

"About that..." she pointed out. "Mr. Sky Beak already has a family, two children related to my childhood friend and queen of hippogriffs and seaponies, Queen Novo" she smiled and then spoke. "Sure, Mr. Sky Beak wants Twilight to research the Hippogriff's way of life, but I know there is no bad intention from his side"

"Of course, of course" Shining Armor nodded in approval. "I recall my little sister saving the hippogriff race from the hands of Storm King... How much grateful they were to her"

"...Don't forget she saved us too" his wife added. "Petrification was not one of the most convenient"

"That's what I am talking about!" he snapped. "I can't believe you let that blue parrot just take Twily like that, even for something like research. You were her mentor after all"

"Trust me, Shining Armor" Princess Celestia sat up straight. "Twilight knows what she's doing. As you mentioned, she saved you more than once, then why you don't want to give her a try? She gave you a chance with Cadance"

The colors of the brother of the purple mare took on a more better color, as the stallion grew calmer. Finally he gave his sister a chance.

"Well, alright, maybe I'm exaggerating. But I have my own reasons for that"

The pink alicorn nuzzled her husband with a softened expression. Only she in the group knew what he meant.

"You are worried. That's understandable, honey. But Princess Celestia is right. You have to give her a chance to get to know the lifestyle of others"

The four of them stood there without speaking for several indefinite minutes.

"We talk here, but what about Flurry Heart?" Princess Luna finally asked, noting the absence of the little alicorn. "The little filly always sticks to you. Did you leave her somewhere on the playground?"

Princess Cadance shook her head in response. "No. She is now under the care of babysitters"

"Nice to know..."

There was an awkward silence in the place again. Until Shining Armor came with another question.

"Isn't Mr. Sky Beak... uh... married?"

"First you call him a parrot and now you ask about his married life. If it's just your sense of humor" Princess Celestia giggled. "But yes, he WAS married, now he is free"

"What happened, If I may ask?"

The alicorn princess sighed.

"Two simple words. Separation and Divorce" she explained. "Ocean Flow abandoned the old toys and found a new one"

Hearing these words, Shining Armor sensed a bad pain in his gut, but preferred not to show it next to Cadance to avoid her worries.

The pink mare stared at her aunts with raising question in her mind.

"Do you have a replacement for the ruling of Equestria?"

The royal sisters shook their heads.

"Why are you asking?" insisted Luna.

"You know, Twilight was supposed to be the new princess of Equestria, but well, she lives in Mount Aris, and you have retired. So... who is your regent?

There was no answer.

Both sisters looked at each other. Sweat seeped from their foreheads and landed on the floor.

Were they supposed to take somepony as a replacement?