The Prince's Predicament

After a shower, Shining joined Luna and his wife for dinner. He didn't know whether or not his food would be drugged again, but he had told Luna that he could now tell whether or not it was, and she could confirm it, spitting it out if she so desired. If Cadance still didn't believe him, At least Luna would, and that would prove that he wasn't going crazy.

"So as a result of that, I had a really nice meal," finished Shining, going over the safe version of last night's events. "Then we went back to their place. They were drinking heavier than I was, so we... I, decided that I was going to crash at their place overnight to make sure they didn't choke on their own vomit, or anything. You know I care for their safety."

"That we do," smiled Luna. "We've not stuck around the homes of our subjects, but we have seen them safely to bed. We do appreciate and envy the care you have for our beloved subjects."

"Yes, we all care for our little ponies," nodded Cadance as the doors opened and the serving staff brought in their meals. Tonight, dinner would be ratatouille, with all fresh ingredients and clean tools. If there was to be a poison of some variety in the food, it would show up here. If he had imagined it, there would be nothing but a pleasant meal in good company.

Luna waited with bated breath as Shining picked up a forkful of eggplant and brought it to his lips. He was nervous, visibly so. He'd just told her how last night's bar food didn't taste poisoned at all, and to be coming back to the first table at which he'd been hit... She knew his apprehension well, but they both knew it had to be done.

Shining spent quite a long time chewing. Not because it was rubbery, or that it tasted off, but he couldn't tell if something was wrong with it. The taste was there, and it was faint, but he couldn't pin it down. Every time he would try to confirm it, it would move, and it made him wonder if he had imagined it due to expecting it to be there.

"Something wrong, Shining?" asked Cadance, looking his way.

Shining took a deep breath and gave the whole thing one last taste. He couldn't find a tangible answer. It was gone now. He swallowed. "No, just savouring the flavour."

Cadance nodded, but Luna watched closely as Shining took another bite. She could swear she saw a single spark fly off the tip of Cadance's horn and land in her own bell peppers, but it may have just been nothing, as it happened in her peripheral vision, if it happened at all.

Shining had eaten all of his ratatouille and a slice of strawberry pie. He had noted nothing particularly wrong with the rest of his dinner, and dessert was fine. He still had to apologize to the chef, but he figured he'd do that after Luna was satisfied, which would likely be when he was satisfied.

"Now, then, Prince Shining Armor," started Luna, as they were on their way back to their rooms. "Have you been putting up the abjurations we recommended?"

"I have," answered Shining. "Small ones, personal-sized."

"Abjurations?" asked Cadance.

"Force fields," clarified Luna. "We recommended that Prince Shining Armor put up a shield to block out any attacks that may come from outside of his range. If somepony has been assaulting him in his sleep, these would help to shut out any unwanted visitors from his dreams."

"Aren't dreams your domain?"

Luna nodded. "Alas, we are not the only one capable of accessing and changing dreams. The Knight of Nights, for example, is a group of three gryphons who do the same thing we do from their lair under Griffinstone. Only one at a time, however, and they all don the same costume to do so. Tia also mentioned that a group of ponies arose just after our departure to force "lesser beings" to their will through dreams. They were unsuccessful, as they set loose an ancient aberration that killed them all, that our sister had to destroy, but still, they had the ability. Even some today have the ability to walk the paths of dreams, though many are kept in check by Oneiros."

"Oneiros?"

Luna held up her hoof. "Long story, and we have already said too much. In the meantime, rest well. We shall be watching from our bedroom. If something goes wrong, we shall come running to correct it."

As Luna disappeared into her room, Shining and Cadance turned to their door. "Why didn't you tell me you were having such nightmares?" asked Cadance. "You've been so distant, lately."

"I didn't want to worry you," answered Shining. "Plus, I wanted to hold off until my apology was ready."

"Apology?"

Shining nodded. "I did something last week that I've been feeling pretty bad about. It's not what caused the nightmare, but I've been working on an apology for it. A good one."

"You could just tell me what you have now. I'm sure I've already forgiven you."

Shining shook his head. "No. I want my apology to mean something. I'm not just going to say I was wrong and be done with it. I want to fix it. I'm making pretty good progress on it, too. You're going to love it when you see it, but I still need some time to put the finishing touches on it."

"Oh, Shining..." Cadance drew him into a kiss. "I have an apology for you, as well. I've done something I shouldn't have. I didn't trust you, and I've been going against your wishes, and I feel kind of bad about it. So I had an apology of my own for you. But this one's waiting for you just in there." Cadance pointed to their bedroom door.

Shining smiled. "You know I'd just forgive you. You didn't have to give me anything."

"Well, I'm not really giving you anything," said Cadance, opening the door. Diamond, the waitress from the restaurant, was sitting in a chair, wearing a short dress. "More like inviting you to have a fun time with a pretty mare."

"Your highness," bowed Diamond.