The train engine made noise as it came to a stop. As soon as the door opened, Twilight and her friends stepped out and into the Crystal Empire train station.

"Boy hasn't it been a while since we've all been here" Applejack was the first to speak.

"Oh indeed it has darling" Rarity replied "Oh how I've missed seeing the sights here"

"Yup" Pinkie bounced up and down happily "It's a good thing they needed us here for the story's sake so we had to come here"

"Uhhh...what?" Rainbow asked Pinkie, looking at her with a confused face.

"Spike?" Starlight said "What, in Celestia's name, are you wearing?" she asked the little drake who was covered from head to toe in clothes that made him look like an undercover detective.

"Shhhhhhh" Spike tried to shush her "Don't say my name!" he whispered

Starlight facehooved. She forgot Spike was a sort of a Celebrity here.

"Well I was here only recently so i can't say it has been a long time. But it's still nice to come here eitherway" Twilight said as she was looking around searching for some pony

"Where are Shining Armor and Cadence by the way?" Applejack asked, understanding what Twilight was looking for

"I would be right here" Shining's voice was heard and they all turned their heads to see him standing there and smiling. Twilight ran to him and hugged him

"Shiny!" she said joyfully "Missed you so much"

"You were only here a few days ago" he chuckled and hugged her back

"Doesn't mean I can't miss you" she broke the hug and looked around "Where's Cadence?"

"I'm here!" Cadence was heard calling from afar. Twilight turned and saw her quickly trotting towards them with Flurry in her magic "Sorry" she said when she reached them, breathing heavily from how much she ran "had to change Flurry"

Twilight ran to her and hugged her as well. Cadence hesitated for a moment but after a second she returned the hug. Wanting to be included in the hug, Flurry escaped her mother's magic and went and wrapped herself around her aunts head. An action which made everyone present giggle

"So" Cadence started speaking "How is everypony?"

"Oh we're fine princesses, don't ya worry a bit" Applejack replied

"Yes. But how are you feeling Cadence" Twilight said "Last time i was here you were...a bit off"

Cadence giggled sheepishly "Oh that. Pfft. I was just tired from my trip is all. No need to worry Twilight"

Twilight looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. Cadence was really good at lying. But seeing that Cadence seemed to be feeling better Twilight just went with it "Okay, if you say so" she said "But why didn't Shining write a letter to tell me you were okay?"

They both turned to look at Shining, although Cadence's face bore a more annoyed look. Shining simply scratched his head and smiled sheepishly "Ummmm...i was going to do that. Today. In person"

Twilight facehooved "He's never going to change is he" she asked

"Nope" Cadence replied

"Ow ow ow" Pinkie started making noise so she could have everyone's attention "I have an idea. How about we-"

"Start a party" Rainbow interrupted her, knowing very well what she was going to say

"START A PARTY!!!" Pinkie shouted in excitement "I was actually going to say go sight seeing but a part is way better. Thanks for the idea Dashy"

Rainbow facehooved and internally cursed herself for opening her mouth and giving Pinkie ideas

"How about we just go sight seeing instead darling" said Rarity " we can do the party later.... perhaps"

"Okie dokie lokie" Pinkie sad as she started bouncing around

They all started walking towards the palace where they will be staying for the rest of their stay. Pinkie happily bouncing forward on the front followed by the rest. Cadence kept her pace just the right way so she, Shining and Twilight could be just next to each other with Shining on the middle so that she could observe them better.

Thoughts were running through her head as she was watching them, careful to not let them know she was doing so. How had she not noticed before? She could sense when ponies love one another, how could she had not known this was going on. Maybe she confused it with platonic sibling love? Her powers weren't really specific if two ponies love each other in a platonic way or romantic way. She had ended up making her mess when she saw two ponies fighting and used a lover spell on them so they would stop fighting and go back to being lovers. But apparently her powers had tricked her since there wasn't any romantic feelings between her in the first place and they were actually mother and son and she got them in trouble with her love spell. She stopped doing love spells after that. Could it be a similar confusion had caused her to not see that Shining and Twilight had feelings for each other. Or maybe it was Shining's love for her that had hidden his love for Twilight? That could also be a chance. After all she was with Shining when she saw them together so she may have been confused by Shining's love for her and not realize he also loved Twilight. That could also be a possibility. Or maybe they only fell in love during her stay on BlackFlag and this is something that started recently. Who knows. She may only know the answers to those questions if she asked them and she needed to understand more about their relationship before she could even talk to them about it. They surely weren't showing it right now. That means this probably wasn't something that started recently as they had clearly learned how to hide it. Although debatably it would be more like Twilight to put a barrier that would prevent those outside from hearing or seeing anything within it. Probably lust was strong enough to defeat Twilight's paranoia and precaution. If that was the case then Cadence was thankful for it otherwise she would have never learned of this to begin with. Now that she was aware she wouldn't rest till she finds a solution to this situation. Aldo she could actually come to learn a thing or two about how two siblings can have romantic feelings for each other. It was her duty as the princess of love to know and she was going to know even if it was the last thing she did.

"Cadence"

Sure she would have to fight her jealousy and the urge to just throw it at them right then and there but she could handle that

"Cadence"

All for-

"Cadence!"

"Huh?" Cadence was interrupted from her thoughts when she realized Twilight had been talking to her. She and everyone were giving her worried and confused looks "Oh. Sorry" she giggled sheepishly "I was lost in my thoughts for a moment"

"You sure you're okay" Twilight asked worriedly

"Yeah yeah I'm okay no need to worry" she said reassuringly "What were you trying to say"

Twilight gave her a suspecting and worried look but she decided to accept her explanation "I was trying to ask if you wanted to get something to make a stop at this restaurant since Rarity is really persistent about checking it out" she said pointing at a restaurant right next to them with a sign writing 'The Red Star'. It was a big, blood red building that seemed rather luxurious from the outside.

"Here?" Cadence asked. She knew this place. More specifically, she knew who ran this place. This was gonna be awkward "You sure?"

"Why yes princess. This place looks simply simply and i simply must see if their food is any good. If you don't mind that is. Why? Is this not a good restaurant?"

"Oh no no it is a good restaurant. In fact it is very new it was just recently built" Cadence added

"Well i was wondering why i haven't noticed it before. Well if it is new then i simply must check it out" she said as she walked ahead towards the fine looking establishment.

Twilight shrugged in annoyance "Well looks like the Belle made the decision for everypony"

"I heard that" Rarity called

"Good" Twilight replied with slight hostility "i intended you to"

Cadence stepped in "It's okay Twi. We can make a stop here. it wouldn't hurt" she said reassuringly yet somewhat half heartedly as she didn't know how to feel about bringing them to this place.

Twilight felt a little calmer "I guess. If you say so" she too started to walk towards the restaurant followed by the others. Cadence was the last to follow

"Oh boy" she whispered "here we go"

"Oh. My. Goodness" Rarity awed as the looked at the interior of the restaurant. The inside was the same red colour as the outside, apart from some parts that were painted black. The walls were decorated with different paintings and the tables were fixed in such a way that one would think they will have to save a lifetime in order to make a reservation here, even though quite a few ponies were currently dinning here, most of which didn't look like upper class "This place is simply marvelous"

Everyone seemed to share her opinion on that matter. Soon a black unicorn crystal pony stallion with white hair, a multicolored heart cutie mark and a fancy suit approached them and greeted "Welcome to the Red Star. How may we service you today?" he spoke in a french accent, much to Rarity's enjoyment.

"Why, thank you for the hospitality good sir. I saw that a new restaurant was opened here and since i and my friends had come over for a vacation we decided to check this place out"

"You decided" Twilight said in a low voice but just enough for rarity to hear and throw her at glare

"Why, we are honored you took to consideration to visit our establishment. And bring their highnesses with you" he said wile bowing down in respect before the three royals. Although Cadence knew very well it was more mockery than respect and she could quite clearly see the smirk he was trying to hide "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Half Moon. I will be your waiter. May i fix you a table?"

"Why, that would be delightful" Rarity replied gleefully as Half Moon started to lead them towards a table where no pony was sitting.

"Please. Take a sit" Half Moon said and everyone took sat down on the table. Everyone apart from Cadence.

"I'm sorry can you tell me where the restroom is?" she asked Half Moon.

"Of course your highness" Half Moon said, having taken the message "Follow me"

"I'll be back in a bit everypony. Don't order without me" she said to the rest as she followed Half Moon to where the restrooms were

Once they arrived Half Moon started to speak while smirking at Cadence 'Here are the toilets your highness. Would you like me to 'help you sit on the stool' so you can relieve yourself-AUCH!" Cadence grabbed his mane on her magic and pulled him inside the restroom and made sure no pony was inside to see them. Then she locked the door so nobody could enter levitated Half Moon on the air.

"Listen here Half Moon" she started talking with a hostile tone "If you put anything weird in or foods or drinks you are going to drink the water out of this toilets while they are not flushed and then I'll personally tell Abe to chain you upside down, whip you a thousand times and have a dozen minotaurs sodomize you to death!"

Half Moon was looking at her wide eyed "Goodness calm the fuck down Cadence i'm sorry for making that flirty joke geez. Hanging out with Abe surely is affecting you the wrong way. And no i will not put anything in your food or drinks I'm not that stupid so let go of my hair"

"Just making sure you know the rules" Cadence said as she put him down

Half Mood went to a mirror to fix his hair "You know, sometimes the fact that you rule this place worries me knowing how harsh you can be at times"

Half Moon also worked for the village but lived here so as to sell drugs so as to boost their economy a bit. Cadence offered him to come here on the Crystal Empire and helped him built this restaurant as a front business. On the bright side the food was good although Half Moon had an annoying habit of drugging ponies without them knowing.

"Remember who helped you build this restaurant in the first place" she replied with hostility before sighing and trying to regain her calm demeanor "Anyways. How is business going?"

"Front business or the other business?" he asked

"Both"

"Both are doing good. Ponies love both our food and our drugs"

"Good to hear" Cadence said as she went and unlocked the door "Now wait a few moments after I leave before you come out"

Half Moon shrugged "Yeah, like ponies are ever going to think you would fuck me"

Cadence wanted to yell at him again for being this vulgar to her but then a thought came to her mind

"Can you do me a favor?" she asked

"Do I have a choice?" Half Moon asked sarcastically with an annoyed look

"Can you lend me some aphrodisiac?

Half moon looked at her with confused eyes "The fuck would you need aphrodisiac for?"

"You don't need to know. Can you?"

He though about it for a moment but then replied "I think I might have some left. How strong do you want it?"

"As much as possible"

"Okay. When do you want it?"

"Now"

Half Moon was even more confused "Right now?"

"Did I stutter?" Cadence said

"N-No" Half Moon did

"Also I would need another thing"

Cadence came back to the table where everyone was waiting for her. Conveniently enough, Twilight and Shining were sitting next to each other and had saved her a place right next to them. She just went and sat down with them.

"I'm sorry for taking so long. You know how these things are" she said sheepishly hoping they would buy it

"Oh worry not princess" Applejack said "We all can have moments when we need a little bit too long on the toilet. Trust me. Ah know" she cringed a little internally at some sort of memory.

"Can we please like. Don't do the princess thing" Cadence asked "We're not strangers here"

"Oh sorry prin- ehh...Cadence" Applejack replied "Just force of habit"

"I really hope you don't do that with Twilight"

Twilight at hearing that chuckled like crazy "Oh no they don't" she kept chuckling but then her face turned serious as she turned to look at her friends "They wouldn't dare"

All the main five, Starlight and Spike winced and started smiling sheepishly, especially Rainbow who was experiencing PTSD from what happened once when she decided to take teasing Twilight a little bit too far after she became princess. Cadence and Shining looked at the scene awkwardly, not knowing what to make of it.

"Ummmm....i don't know what's with that but how about we order?" Shining tried to end the awkward situation

"Yes I agree" Cadence also took the menu up to read it

"Oh absolutely" All of Twilight's friends agreed simultaneously while they awkwardly took the menus and hid their faces with them.

"Good" Twilight said causally as she too started looking at the menu "I have my eyes on you"

Everyone shivered at that but Rainbow was the one to make a silent cry "Why?" she whispered quietly a small tear forming in her eye "I've learned me lesson, Why?"

Trying to get out of this situation, Rarity decided to actually read the menu in front of her face. There she was actually surprised so much she forgot what just transpired.

"Uhhh this isn't right" she spoke

"What's wrong Rares?" Applejack asked "Is anything the matter?"

"Oh nothing darling it's just the prices seem a little.... ridiculous"

They all looked at their menus to check at the prices but they were just confused.

"I don't see anything wrong" Applejack replied

"Seems fine to me" Rainbow said

"Yeah they're not like supper expensive or something" Pinky added

"Well that's the problem. This looks like such a high class restaurant you would expect the prices to be a little high. But his prices are just....cheap"

A chuckle was heard and they turned to see Half Moon who was waiting to take their orders "Well ma'am, we don't do that here. Here at the Red Star we try to keep our service accessible to all no matter their economic status. Which is why the prices are that low"

Rarity gave a confused look "But how do you finance this place if you keep such low prices?"

"We have our resources ma'am you can rest you worries and trust my word when I say we're more than capable of surviving as a business. So we just generously offer our services to everypony no matter class. I would expect you to know a thing about generosity aren't I right, madame Rarity?" His tone had a bit of hidden smugness in it when he said that last sentence.

Rarity was silent. She didn't know if that was a personal attack or not but whatever it was she wasn't looking to press on it any further "Yes yes" she sheepishly laughed "Makes sense, let me see what to order" she went back to reading the menu but not without stealing a glance at Half Moon "So what would you suggest?" She asked him

"Why, I'm glad you asked. We have a special dish today from a traveling chef who is a close friend of our restaurant. May I suggest a plate of Beshbarmak?"

"Uhh what even is that?" Cadence asked with a suspicious look

"Foreign cousine" Half Moon replied simply with a smile

"I'll take it" Rarity said almost too vigorously

"Alright madame" Half Moon wrote down "and the rest of you?"

"I'll take some apple soup" Applejack said

"Do you ever consume anything without apples in it AJ?" Rainbow Dash teased

"So says the cider addict" Applejack replied with a smug earnings a glare from Rainbow.

"I'll take the maple pear tart" the blue pegasus said causing Applejack to glance at her angrily while Half Moon took note.

"Just a salad for me please" Fluttershy said

"Uh uh uh" Pinkie raised her hoof "Do you have cupcakes"

"Yes, we do" Half Moon replied

"I'll take seven"

Half Moon looked at her with a confused face "Uhhh....you sure about that?"

"You know what, you're right. Make it ten" Pinkie replied

"Well who am i to judge" he wrote that down as well "I assume the little dragon would prefer something with gems in it. May i suggest a Red ruby tart?"

"Boy you read my mind" Spike said happily

"And you madame?" Half Moon asked Starlight

"Hmmm i don't know" she said "I'm looking for something new to try but I'm not sure what"

"May i suggest you something exotic?"

"Sure"

"Would you prefer a plate of Araignées frites??"

Rarity's eyes went wide. She wasn't sure if she heard that right or not.

"Ummm doesn't that mean-"

"Sounds good" Starlight interrupted "I'll take it"

"Umm darling. I'm not sure if you'd like that based on the name"

"I'll take my chances"

"Wouldn't you like to know what it is you're ordering?" Half Moon added

"Surprise me" Starlight said confidence

"Sure can do" Half Moon replied as he wrote down while Rarity winced in discomfort hoping that the name wasn't literally what the dish was.

Back at the village, Abe and Scarlet were sitting on a couch watching the whole event happen on a sort of magical surface on the wall as they ate popcorn.

"She really should have asked what those are" Abe giggled as he took some popcorn with a claw that had replaced his left front hoof.

"Well at least they're delicious" Scarlet added, munching on some popcorn herself.

Scarlet giggled "Thank you" she said while continuing to watch the event shown on the magical surface

"And what would their highnesses like to order" Half Moon continued

Cadence ignored his hidden mocking and decided to instead see what to order

"Hmmm i don't know. Maybe...." she thought for a moment "What do you think Twilight?"

"Huh?" Twilight was confused at the sudden question.

"What would you order?"

"Oh. Uhhh" Twilight looked at the menu "I guess I'll take a carrot cake"

'As i expected' Cadence though to herself 'You still like food with carrots in it'

"Sounds good. I'll take one as well" she said much to Twilight's confusion. She didn't understand why Cadence would ask about her order before ordering the same thing. But maybe she shouldn't overthinking about that. Maybe Cadence simply had a hard time choosing and wanted some suggestion.

"Well make it three" Shining added surprising Cadence a little. She didn't know Shining liked carrot cake. It could be that he ordered it because she and Twilight did. Or perhaps he and Twilight had similar tastes in food and Cadence just wasn't aware. You would think she would be aware if her beloved liked carrot cake.

"Alright three carrot cakes" Half Moon wrote it down "And for drinks"

"I think some cider would do" Twilight replied

"Oh and" Cadence spoke "Would you bring something for Flurry too" she said as she used her telekinesis to take hold of the foal that was playing with Pinkie's mane

"Okay, cider for everyone and something for the foal. Anything else?" he wrote down and when he heard no response he closed his note "Alright then I'll go tell the chef to prepare your meals. Be back in a bit" and with that he left.

"Nice fella don't you think" Pinkie was the first to talk.

"I don't know" Spike said "He seems a little sketchy"

"Says the one dressed like a spy" Rainbow teased, referring to Spike's over the need use of clothes

"Hey!!" Spike responded with annoyance "This are necessary"

Everyone had a little laugh at Spike's expense, much to his annoyance

"So Twilight" Cadence decided to start a conversation "How long will you be staying?"

"Excuse me?" she replied

"I'm asking how much time we have to spend together"

"Oh. Well" Twilight though for a moment "A few days should be fine. I made sure there are no duties i need to take care of back in Ponyville and even if it was i don't think Starlight would allow me to stop my vacation"

'Just enough time i guess' Cadence though

"Because you sure as heck need one" Starlight started "You work yourself too hard!"

"Well duh!" Twilight went to counter "It's almost as if it's literally my job"

"Sarcasm is unbecoming of you" Starlight said teasingly, causing Twilight to shrug

"Like you're any better" she returned with a smirk

Cadence decided to step into the conversation. She put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder to grab her attention "She's right, Twilight. You don't have to stress yourself so much. It's important to take a break from time to time."

Twilight looked at her and smiled " Thanks Cadence. But you know me I just like do do things perfect i sometimes forget to take care of myself in the process" she giggled " Hey, maybe you can show me your secret vacation spot and we cam go there together to take a break and spend some sister time together!"

Cadence winced.

"Well.....I'd love to" she laughed sheepishly "but that place is secret for a reason" her tone was more serious when she said that.

"Oh. Okay" Twilight replied having taken the hint.

"Chef Gustavo!" Half Moon called as he entered the kitchen "We need a plate of Beshbarmak ready"

"On it!" Gustav said as he got to work with the ingredients laid before him

twenty minutes later

"This must be a joke" Starlight complained while looking at her plate. The plate was nicely decorated and would look really delicious if it wasn't for the fact it had literal spiders on it.

"This isn't a joke madame" Half Moon replied politely "That is what you ordered"

"I didn't order spiders!" she snapped at him

"You did' Half Moon looked unfazed " Araignées frites is french for fried spiders"

Starlight went wide-eyed "What kind of restaurant serves fried spiders!"

"You asked for something new and exotic madame, we served you something new and exotic"

"You didn't tell me it was spiders!"

"It was in the name. So I did"

"What kind of restaurant serves spiders?!"

"A restaurant with a diverse clientele" Half Moon said with a little hidden smugness "But i assure you madame, you won't regret ordering this plate"

"Why you-"

"Starlight" Twilight stepped in just as Starlight was about to lash at him " Please, don't make a scene" she looked around to make sure nopony was paying attention to them. With three royals on one table it was a little hard not to draw attention.

'B-but" Starlight wanted to talk back but she understood Twilight's worry. She turned to the one pony she knew would be with her on this. To her shock, Rarity was snout first on her plate eating in a very unladylike manner like a wild beast. She looked up and froze when she realized everyone on the table was looking at her in confusion. She smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of her neck while cleaning herself with a napkin

"Sorry. I kind of got distracted by the food" she said awkwardly.

Cadence facehooved. This all went into chaos very quick. It was obvious why Half Moon was one of Abe's favorites. She could see him nodding in approval with a proud smile if he was here. In fact it was almost as if she could hear him laugh right now. Strange. It almost sounded like she could hear both Abe and Scarlet laughing. Her thoughts got distracted when she felt something touch her hind leg. She looked down and saw that it was a small bag. Looking back at Half Moon she understood it was what she asked him for so she carefully picked it up without anypony noticing and sheltered it within her wing.

"Well I'll leave you to enjoy your food then. Bon Appétit" Half Moon said and started walking away to another table.

"Wha-but-wait-" Starlight tried in vain to stop him but he was already gone. With a sigh of defeat she looked down at her plate. It would be rude to not eat something after you ordered it and she was kind of hungry. Well it could be worse.

Cadence on the other hoof had her attention elsewhere. She was making sure to pay attention to everything Twilight and Shining did. If one wasn't looking they would probably not see anything amiss. However if you really payed attention you cold see them stealing glances at each other in a manner not fit for siblings. She noticed again that they were very careful not to be noticed. Had Cadence not be aware of what was going she probably wouldn't have noticed either. Twilight started eating her carrot cake, containing a moan of pleasure as she took the taste of it in. Soon followed Shining who's reaction wasn't as exited as that of Twilight but he still seemed to be enjoying it quite a lot. Finally Cadence too decided to join in on eating. Carrot cake has never been particularly her favorite. At least not when compared to cherry pie. She had only tried it once or thrice and even then just because Twilight asked her to. Yet it always surprised her that despite being made with carrot it never really tasted 'carrot-y'. You could barely taste the carrot actually. It was more sweet and crumbly and she could even taste that this one had some nuts in it as well. It now makes sense that Shining ordered this since he really likes nuts. And Twilight had actually shown a preference for carrot cake with nuts over carrot cake without nuts, more than once. So perhaps these two do really have similar tastes. So that is one thing they have in common. Other than the fact they were siblings. That will never stop confusing her.

Cadence decided to try something else. She leaned in towards Shining in a loving way and started nuzzling. He was a little surprised by the sudden gesture but soon he smiled and nuzzled back. Cadence made sure that Twilight saw the act and secretly kept her eyes on her to see her reaction. Strangely enough she didn't notice any jealousy. She just looked at them and smiled. Which just confused Cadence even more. Like, not even a bit of jealousy? How can one not be jealous for someone you love. Maybe Twilight learned to suppress jealousy after Shining and Cadence married. If this has been going on for that long. That would make some sense.

Either way, it was confusing. Maybe there was some book regarding this. But she's not really going to ask Twilight if she has any material on that. That could give her out and also would be an awkward conversation to have with her sister in law.

"Oh my" Starlight's voice caught everyone's attention. She was happily eating her food, seemingly ignoring its contents "These are actually good"

"Told you!" Scarlet said while taking another hoofful of popcorn

Author's Note

Sweet mother anarchy I'm finally out of writers block oh my goodness that was a horrifying experience lol. Sorry for the delay everyone I'll try to write more often from now on.

If you think the spiders were bad i wouldn't suggest looking up what Rarity's plate is made off
On other news i also prepared a new story that should be out tomorrow.

Stay tuned!