“Speaking of love,” I told Fluttershy, “I always wanted somepony to marry.”

“Goodness—I don’t know,” she answered. “Marriage is a heavy burden to carry.”

“I’m a unicorn of my word, Fluttershy,” I countered. “Can’t you trust me to carry such a burden?” I pleaded.

“It’s not about you, Lonesome,” she explained. “It’s about me.”

“Oh? Why do you say that?” I asked.

“Well, you see,” she answered, “I’m responsible for a whole menagerie of animals right here at home.”

“I could help you take care of them,” I offered.

“That’s very kind of you,” she answered, very much pleased by my offer.

“So is that a yes or a no?” I asked, getting concerned.

“I’m afraid I have to say no,” she finally answered.

My face fell. “Then I guess I really will be lonely after all,” I sighed.

“I’m so sorry that I disappointed you,” she apologized.

“It’s all right, Fluttershy,” I answered, consoling her. “Maybe somepony else will marry me instead,” I thought. “Well, I guess that this is good-bye,” I told her. With that, I turned around and left Fluttershy’s cottage with my head held low.

“Good-bye, Lonesome Knight,” answered Fluttershy, now heartbroken.

Author's Note

This chapter features a reversal of the traditional rejected marriage proposal. It’s a reversal in that the party who rejects the proposal (Fluttershy), not the party who proposes (Lonesome Knight), gets a broken heart.