The Prince's Predicament

"No, I don't think so," chuckled Diamond.

"Of course it does!" smirked Shining back. "You think I don't know my own measurements?"

"I think you used to," answered Diamond. "How about you prove me wrong?"

"I think I will."

Shining walked over to his closet. Cadance had needed to leave early, and she had left Shining with the task of finding a guard to walk Diamond home. Shining would have liked to spend the morning with her, as he was finally feeling up to it, but alas, a travelling scholar needed to speak with her, personally and urgently.

Shining opened the door and pulled out his regalia. "Look here, the tag on the inside is fitted with the measurements, hoof-written by the very tailor that put them together."

Diamond nodded. "And those pants don't fit anymore."

"They did last week."

"That was last week. Try it now."

With a snort, Shining began putting on the regalia, starting with his shirt. If Diamond was going to claim that he'd gained weight, he was dead wrong, as the shirt was even more loose now than it had been. Around the waist and chest, there was even more room than normal, so he wasn't gaining weight, but losing it. Then came his vest and jacket, and even they felt loose. Especially around his shoulders.

"See there?" he bragged. "Still fits just fine."

"Looks a little baggy," smirked Diamond. "But those aren't pants. Put on the pants, highness."

Shining turned around and shook his flank, teasing Diamond in turn for teasing him. As he pulled up his pants, however, he found that he couldn't squeeze his arse past the waistband. He didn't understand it. It wasn't just fat, but his hips; the bones in his legs seemed to have shifted. Sucking it in, he could only just fit in.

"See?" he grunted. "Fits just fine."

"Just fine? Look in the mirror!"

Shining turned and looked in the mirror. He looked ridiculous. This outfit had been perfect at the charity dinner he'd hosted two weeks prior. It was ridiculous that it didn't fit now. His shoulders had shrunk, his hips had widened... He quickly removed his pants before he popped the seam. These would have to be let out.

"Okay, fine, I look horrid," he conceded.

"Only when you're wearing clothes that don't fit," smiled Diamond. "You look good, I just..." he shook his head. "You quoted me your measurements, and I refused to believe you. Now you know why."

Shining removed his regalia and put on his armor. He'd taken pride in the fact that it fit him well throughout his military career and into his marriage. Now it rattled around his shoulders and didn't quite sit properly over his flank. A few quick adjustments in the belts fixed that right up, but it dealt a nasty blow to his pride.

Still, at least he knew now, rather than finding out when he put it on later for an event, and had to emergency tailor it to fit in less than a day. A non-issue would be great, but he'd settle for a non-emergency.

"Don't be too upset," smiled Diamond, waltzing over. Like I said, you're still damn sexy. I wish I had a body like yours."

Shining pursed his lips. "What's wrong with yours?"

Diamond gabbed part of her gut and pinched it. "I have all this flab. I'm going to have to have my clothes refitted soon because they're becoming a bit too tight. My whole identity is hidden behind a mask. If I looked like you, why would I ever feel the need to hide? If I looked like you, everypony would like me, at least as much as they would having not met me."

Shining shook his head. "I think you'd be fine. At least your clothes fit." He sighed. "Tell ya what: If you send me your measurements, I'll have a suit made for you, and we'll go out and see."

Diamond looked a bit uneasy. "You're sure about this?"

"I'll even dress up for it," offered Shining. "If they all think you're as bad as you say, I'll owe you an apology. A good one, too."

Diamond thought about it for a moment. "How about this? We make it a date. If they treat me well, you can decide what we do in bed. If they don't, I decide. Sound fair?"

Shining smirked. "It'll probably be the same thing, either way."

"So everypony wins."

Shining shrugged. "Okay. It's a deal."

"It's a date."

As Shining walked out into the hallway, Luna was waiting for him. "Good morning, Prince Shining Armor," she bowed. "You look as though you have slept quite well. We are pleased to see that."

"I did," smiled Shining. "Thank you for that. This is Diamond Dust, she stayed here last night, and was a comfort."

"Diamond Dust," nodded Luna. "We recall suggesting that you become the pony you would like to see in the world. Has that been going well for you?"

Diamond blushed, but did not answer. Her face said enough.

"Prince Shining Armor, there is something we must discuss. If you would, we suggest you send your new friend home. It is imperative that we speak as soon as possible."

"Of course," nodded Shining, waving a guard over. As soon as Diamond had given him a kiss on the cheek, she was off. Shining had her dress size and address, anyway, so he knew he'd see her again.

As Luna closed the door, she turned to Shining. "You are aware that Diamond Dust is actually a stallion under that dress, are you not?"

Shining nodded. "Found out this morning."

"It is a sad thing, truly. He was being bullied relentlessly, so now he hides behind the makeup. We wish him well, but now, let us talk about you."

Shining nodded. "You were there, weren't you?"

Luna nodded. "We saw everything. It is all as you claim. Except, we are not convinced that it is a nightmare anymore."

"It's not?"

"You enjoyed it, did you not, Prince Shining Armor?"

Shining chuckled. "I did, yes. Finally having some control over it, even a little bit, did wonders for me."

Luna pursed her lips. "We are still concerned that it is a terrible thing to have happened to you. Quite frankly, that it happened at all is quite concerning, and to see it for ourselves, even to know that you were fighting it the whole time, bothers us to a fair degree. And yet, we are no longer concerned for your safety."

"You're not?"

Luna shook her head. "Not as we were, at any rate. "The fact that we were able to enter your dream at all means that whatever alchemy was done to you has worn off. If what you told us is true, and you have not tasted the poison since the restaurant, we are convinced that it has not been added to your food since."

"I thought I had tasted it last night, actually."

Luna shook her head again. "Then we would once more have been unable to enter your dream. Still, this leaves us with an array of questions. For now, we suggest you go about your day as if nothing is wrong. We shall confer again tonight."