Prince Sand watched the parade march through town. It was a grand occasion, not to mention a distraction from recent troubles. But most importantly, the commoners were going wild for a visit by Princess Cadance.

Blue Belle was right beside him, waving at ponies in an official way as they looked. "This is far better than that night, but did they ever discover the true source of it?"

"I was waiting to inform you until after the visit." Prince Sand glanced over, voice pitched to keep others from hearing. "It was no accident. Assassins, all signs point towards. None of what transpired was an accident. I hesitate to even use that word. A good assassin does not try to murder an entire block while practicing their trade."

She looked forward and swallowed. "So why attack them instead of... us?" She had been meaning to ask a question along these lines for days.

"Many reasons, dearest." Sand put a leg around Blue Belle and squeezed gently. "Most simply, I doubt they anticipated your skill in magic. I think, perhaps, we must prepare for further attempts. There have been two in Saddle Arabia since you arrived, but we suspect three other 'accidents' beforehand."

"Oh, sweet Celestia," Blue whispered in sudden realization. "Those guards and mages we lost on the way here?"

Sand nodded, waving at some onlookers with the same bright smile despite the dark topic of their talk. "I think some ponies are displeased at my acceptance of you, Little Bell. Perhaps they would have been happier had I sent you back to Equestria."

"No!" She objected fiercely, feeling a pang of panic in her chest, as if the decision were imminent. "I would stay. There are plenty of things I can do here."

He smiled. "I need not convincing, my fierce little wife. You are mine, and I will not release you so easily."

Blue Belle snorted. "I still owe you." The idea of leaving now wasn't appealing. "And I do love you."

He nodded quietly. "I love you too, my dear." Both waved as they continued the parade, abandoning such dire talks for later, in a less public place.

When the festivities were completed for the day, the trio were brought together in private, which meant a company of guards watching the meeting carefully.

Princess Cadance took stock of her former annoying distant family member turned princess. "Saddle Arabia has been really good for you, Bluebl—"

"Belle," corrected Blue. "Silly girl, we don't use that old nickname anymore."

Cadance giggled. "How cute! I remember when you used to be all 'wah, my sister doesn't love me,' and now you're being loved by Prince Sand."

Sand let out a low chuckle as he rose. "Thank you for coming. The people were quite excited to lay their eyes on a full-sized Equestrian princess, the alicorn variety."

Cadance hummed gently. "Are you upset, that Blue Belle isn't one of those?"

Sand shot Cadance a sour expression, disliking the implications, even from the pleasant natured princess. "I enjoy my betrothed the way she is." He grinned at Blue Belle. "She has talents, this I have seen. But, there are others who are clearly upset, as you just asked."

"Oh." Cadance frowned slightly and crossed her hooves on a pillow to sink down. "The fire."

"Yes." Sand pointed a hoof at the window. "Two more accidents during your travels here. The land is simmering with disorder despite our best attempts. We will have to act, and soon." He rose and walked to the window. The world seemed a different place than he remembered from childhood.

Blue Belle swallowed as she glanced between her fiance and her cousin. "Do you really think Cadance can assist with this? Is that why you are telling her about it?"

"Oh, heavens no!" Sand barked with amusement. "Cadance may be many things, but the solution is not in her to quell riots." He eyed the princess coolly. "Though I admit, it seems she might make the people happy for a short span of time. It is a welcome distraction, which I welcome."

Blue Belle followed Cadance to dinner, letting their chatter serve as a background drone.

Cadance slid closer, voice dropping. "I want your honesty, Blue. Are you really okay?! Are you two, you know, doing things?"

Belle blushed. "We are getting closer." The pink tint faded quickly. "But now that the kingdom is on edge, we haven't spent time together intimately."

"It's okay. These things happen." The princess set her hoof on Belle's with a soft squeeze of comfort. "But I meant you, you you! Blue, you haven't forgotten where you started, have you? Are you comfortable in this, hm, position? I can only imagine." She glanced about to make sure she wasn't being overheard. "You were a stallion, and now a mare. Not just a mare, but lifting your tail for a pony almost twice your size. You're sure you're okay?"

Blue Belle squirmed, chewing her bottom lip in thought. "I have nightmares, sometimes." She rubbed her muzzle. "Sometimes I'm back at home, as Blueblood. Sometimes I have no real form and can only watch. I think about the fool I acted, back then. I wish I could take it all back, but life does not work that way." She nuzzled into Cadance's side. "But I can be the best pony I can be from now moving forward. I am princess Blue Belle, and I am more than 'okay' with that idea."

Cadance hugged her tight and sighed softly. "Good to hear! And hey, Shining Armor and I will be married soon. Can you believe it?! Maybe our children can be playmates and become super close, like you and I never were."

The statement made Blue Belle frown as she thought on it. "True." She chewed her lip, feeling a sense of sorrow well up, followed by resolve. "I hate to ask, a tawdry question, but am I invited to this?"

Cadance blinked, realizing she hadn't actually invited Blue Belle. "Of course you are! I haven't sent out the formal invites yet, but I will. Since you brought it up, I'll tell you now that yes, you are invited."

"Oh, good!" Relief came as a long slow sigh from her lips. "I will need to speak to Sand, to see how we can arrange that. It would be a true delight to be there, and celebrate with you." She flipped an ear back, thinking quietly about how much better it'd be rather than chasing dangerous shadows in Saddle Arabia. "Now, let's eat and be merry, hm?"

With Cadance settled into a guest room at the palace, Blue Belle was left with Prince Sand, wandering the garden at midnight. Stars twinkled overhead, reflecting in the surface of water pools and glittering in his eyes. "Dear one." She slid closer. "As lovely as these walks are, do you not think we may be taunting them into action, being out, in such an open place, when so many are resting and away?"

"Do you?" Sand posed the question lightly.

Blue Belle flicked her ears as she listened to the darkness. "Maybe." She nuzzled him softly. "Or maybe it is just instinct, that fear."

"You are not incorrect." Sand walked with a sedate smile. "It would make our job more dangerous, but easier, if it provoked them into attacking. At least then we would have somepony to fight directly." He gazed overhead at the stars above. "The fires were bad, but it could have been far worse. Had you not helped..."

Blue Belle smiled up at him. "But I did help, and there's nothing wrong with admitting you had assistance."

Sand put an arm over her, drawing her closer. "And I am not. There is no shame in having a wife one can depend on. Speaking of that, I hear you would have us travel, to see Princess Cadance's wedding."

Belle swallowed lightly at that. "Well, I—" She let out a breath. "Sand, please forgive me. We should wait to discuss this matter after we have taken care of what plagues your land."

"No," countered Sand firmly. "Your cousin is locking arms with another. Truly, a wonderful day." He lifted his head with a growing smile. "We will invite them to ours, will we not? It would be rude to not return the favor, by being there that day." He stopped by a bush, examining a flower closely in the moonlight. "I wish to attend, and I would wish to have my wife there. Or rather, my betrothed."

Belle stepped up onto a construct she summoned, ascending the magic staircase to smooch Sand on the cheek. "It would be an honor to stand at your side. Thank you, dear." She licked his ear. "Perhaps, should things be resolved shortly after the wedding, we can go somewhere for ourselves before returning to Saddle Arabia."

"A honeymoon?" Sand chuffed. "What an exciting thought. But that must wait until after we are properly wed." He touched noses with her gently. "Only then can we be away for such a thing, my beloved Little Bell. For now—" He continued walking alongside her in the embrace of the cool night. "I think you will enjoy what we can arrange here for our marriage ceremony. If you wish to incorporate customs from your homeland, I would be pleased."

She grinned. "As if you know them." She raised a hoof to her chin. "As if I know yours. Dear, point me towards a book on the topic. I need to know how they differ before I can make any reasonable suggestions on how to bring them together in any proper way."

He laughed gently at the seriousness in her tone. "In good time, sweet. When you aren't worried about getting stabbed or poisoned, then you may fret about wedding details to your heart's content."

She cringed mildly at that thought, looking around. But they didn't come that night. They finished their walk without trouble. Even with her fears eased, Blue Belle didn't manage much sleep.

***

At midday, Blue Belle and Cadance decided to explore the gardens outside of the city center. The fresh air did them both good, though their retinue of guards and aides made things feel slightly crowded. Cadance threw an arm over Blue, pulling them close. "I'm so happy to hear you're getting along, with this, and yourself. To be honest, I feared for you and your happiness."

The two strolled through the rows of flowers and greenery. Cadance drank in the beauty of the plant life as it swayed in the breeze.

Blue's horn shimmered as she made some of the flowers increase in number. "I have found a place to belong, and with it, my magic has gotten better. I wonder how many other unicorns are simply in a less than ideal place for their arcane studies." She kissed her cousin's cheek lightly. "But truly, I am glad things worked out. Even though I was not expecting this sort of result. Well worth the trip."

"Even if you had not been transformed." Cadance paused. A quick glanced showed the others were not paying much attention to their words. "What do you like most of your betrothed? Tell me about him."

"Hmm, I like how big he is. No, no, listen first." She wagged a hoof as if to admonish a giggle from the other mare. "He makes me feel secure. Not physically, but emotionally. Like, he is not afraid to be himself. When he stands up and says something, it sounds so natural."

Cadance colored in a new way. "That sounds how I feel about Shining at times. When he takes charge and knows what to do, he can be very attractive. So, I know what you're saying there." She gestured towards a tree ahead. "Over there looks nice to sit awhile. Come."

Cadance trotted over to the tree. She used her unicorn magic to grab an apple off the nearest branch and chomp down on it. "Hm. It tastes different."

Blue sank to sit next to her. "Different places, different apples. They grow different fruit entirely here. I lent a hoof with the process. Have you tried a date? Lovely things." She gestured to a palm. "They are rich, though, so don't eat too much at once. They also make alcohol out of them."

"We'll see." Cadance took another bite of her fruit, clearly hungry and enjoying the local treat. "I'll have to head home shortly. I have a wedding to plan. No rest for the wicked, they say."

Author's Note

She had to check in on Blue eventually, didn't she?

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