The Prince's Predicament

When Luna awoke the next morning, she felt awful. She knew it had to be done, and she knew that her hoof was more practised and more careful that Cadance's. Shining had had the same dream again, but with the added caveat that his hooves were unbound, and he could wrap them around the automaton's neck. She had the capacity to change more, and did away with the whips in favour of spanking, but unlike reality, she did not shroud Cadance in shadow. She had watched the entire event, and Cadance hadn't said a word to Shining. Best not to cause any undue strife, and wait for the better opportunity she knew was coming.

She didn't have to wait long. Before she'd even climbed out of bed, she heard a door slam, and stomping hooves. She knew somepony was mad, and she had to step in. She bolted to the door and poked her head out. Shining was apoplectic.

"Prince Shining Armor!" she called.

"Not now," he growled.

"We know what was said! Come, speak with us!"

Shining turned and glared at Luna. "You knew?!"

"It was we who demanded that you hear. Come, speak with us."

With a snarl, Shining begrudgingly walked into her room, and she closed the door. "How long have you known?" was Shining's first question.

"We found out yesterday at lunch. We demanded she tell you as soon as we find out. Had she not told you in two more days, we would have."

Shining glared up at her. "That would have hurt worse!"

"We know. That's why we wanted to have her tell you, instead."

Shining lowered his head. "I can't thank you. Not for this."

"We take no pleasure in it," replied Luna. "Unfortunately, there is little time to recover. We need to decide right now what happens here. Calm your heart, Prince Shining Armor, and think of your citizens."

Shining took a deep breath. "I won't abandon them. But perhaps it's best if I don't stay here."

Luna shook her head. "As foul a taste as it leaves in our mouth, we have been thinking on this for all of yesterday. This is not a problem with an easy solution. Were you to annul your vows, and end up separated, your status as "Prince Shining Armor" would also be annulled. You would once more be "Captain Shining Armor," or at best, "Lieutenant Colonel Shining Armor." We recommend you stay together, on paper, anyway. We would ask that you continue to protect the Crystal Empire."

Shining swallowed hard. "I couldn't even protect myself. How am I supposed to protect the empire on my own?"

"We did not say you had to be alone."

Shining glanced up. "You're not seriously suggesting I sit next to her and pretend everything's fine?!"

"Of course not!" scoffed Luna. "That would be ridiculously foolish at this stage!" She took a deep breath. "Find your most trusted advisor. Who is that?"

Shining shrugged. "It was my wife."

"Who is next?"

"Twilight?"

"Somepony who can be here."

"General Exact."

Luna nodded. "He shall be your right hoof."

"She," corrected Shining.

"We offer our apologies," bowed Luna. "We have not met her personally. Nevertheless, she shall be your right hoof. You, Prince Shining Armor, are the new interim regent for the Crystal Empire."

Shining's jaw dropped "You can't mean..."

"We do," nodded Luna. "Temporarily, Cadance shall be stripped of her right to rule, and her power shall be diminished artificially. We still must take her to trial, but with her admission and cooperation, it will be much easier to solve the issue of assigning guilt."

"You're not going to hurt her, are you?"

Luna raised an eyebrow. "Are you concerned for her safety?"

Shining nodded. "Look, I still love her, despite all of this. I'm not condoning her actions, but I'm not condemning her. She told me her plan, and it had good intentions!"

"There is a road carving its way through Tartauros that is entirely paved with those," spat Luna. "You said to her last night that actions are better at speaking than words. Let her actions speak."

"Actions are meaningless if not tempered by intent. We don't sentence tresspassers who tried and failed to save a foal from drowning." He took a deep breath. "Just don't hurt her, okay? I don't feel like it now, but eventually, I want to feel like I have the option to forgive her."

Luna sighed. "You know that means she'll return to power eventually?"

Shining nodded. "I'm not pretending that this is a good thing. I'm not pretending that it doesn't hurt. But as far as the citizens are concerned, her time away is... Some kind of learning experience. You had to take her back to Canterlot to discuss something, and she's staying there while you both try to solve the problem."

Luna sighed. "You know how much we hate lying..."

Slowly, Shining nodded. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. Don't lie to Celestia, and don't lie to Twilight, but keep this from damaging the hearts of the crystal ponies. Don't heave my pain onto them..."

Luna took a deep breath. "Your words strike us deep, Prince Shining Armor. And yet, we find ourselves compelled to honor your request. Not for her sake, but for the sake of our subjects."

"Thank you," breathed Shining. "And also, thank you for bringing me in here. I think this may have been the healthiest way to calm down."

Luna smiled and placed a wing on his shoulder. "Perhaps we did not always believe in you, Prince Shining Armor, but you have shown us that we should have. You have more than earned our trust, and we will do what we can to make this easier for you." She looked up at the door. "Your friends from last night are standing by to help you, as well."

Shining followed her gaze to the door. It was still closed and locked, but perhaps her look was more of a gesture. Perhaps it was asking a bit too much to have them standing there. Still, they were a reliable sort. If they'd helped him out of this jam, they'd probably be willing to help him out of another. He could only hope that he wouldn't need to ask.