Days passed by since Mist's arrival. Exactly as Shine told Celestia, she was indeed a very sweet filly. Unlike Shine, it had only taken the young filly a day to acclimate to her new surroundings within the castle.

When Luna and her family were told of their new 'guest', they were elated and already made it a point to befriend the young filly, especially Constell, who was excited to have a pony around her age to hang out with. Blueblood on the other hoof, was dismayed that another 'commoner' would be staying under their roof.

"Might as well hold an open house for every dirt-loving farmer to come by." Blueblood grumbled to himself. However, he dared not voice these outrages aloud, unsure of what he would fear most: Shine's angry words or Luna's right front hoof.

As for Shine and Celestia, their relationship soon came to it's first month and was still as strong as it was a month back. At this point, almost every pony in Canterlot had finally learned about Celestia's new 'coltfriend' (and subsequently, his young sister). Fortunately, the media's presence had been lacking as of late, due to a rather big incident at the Crystal Empire involving changelings and the son of a certain princess that gathered a lot of attention.

Therefore, it was a very quiet afternoon that day in Canterlot Castle. As a common pastime for when Celestia was not off performing royal duties, the two lounged about in the study, making small talk. This afternoon was no different.

"Ah, this is absolutely wonderful, wouldn't you say, Shine?" Celestia smiled, nuzzling Shine's chin.

"I'll say. Just you and me, no obligations, not having your name and picture plastered in every newspaper, no worries...truly makes this day one in a million." Shine sighed contently, wrapping his wings around Celestia, "Only one thing could make this moment even better."

"Hmm, I wonder what that could be." Celestia joked as the two close in for a kiss...

*THUD!*

Shine and Celestia quickly jolted as they glanced at the nearby desk, where Mist was reading quietly (so quietly in fact that the two had forgotten she was there), as Mist had just finished the rather big book she was reading.

"Three books down, four to go." Mist mused, as she placed it on a pile next to her.

"Wow, Mist. You read all those books in the hour we've been sitting here?" Shine gaped.

"Yup. I just couldn't put them down. Dodge Junction didn't have even a fourth of the books here." Mist smirked.

"Well, you always had a thing for books, Mist." Shine shook his head with a smile.

"Indeed. In fact, you remind me of another filly who was just as much as a bookworm as you are." Celestia chuckled.

All of the sudden, a trail of smoke came trailing into the study.

"What in tarnation?" Shine exclaimed.

The wisp bolted towards Celestia before soon materializing into a scroll, as Celestia opened it up with her magic.

"My, speak of the windigos, it's a letter from Twilight Sparkle." Celestia smiled.

"Twilight Sparkle? The Princess Twilight Sparkle?" Mist gaped.

"Indeed." Celestia nodded as she then scanned the contents of the letter, "Dear Princess Celestia, I had recently received your letter regarding you being in a newfound relationship with this 'Shine' fellow. I must say, Princess, you really caught me by surprise. Which is why I am writing this letter to inform you that me and my family will be coming up to visit you tomorrow to meet him. Also, I have forwarded a letter to Cadance and her family to come as well. It would be a royal family reunion! Hope to see you soon, your faithful friend and fellow princess, Twilight Sparkle."

"Well, looks like I'll be meeting the in-laws sooner than I thought." Shine noted.

"Oh, wow." Mist whispered. "This time tomorrow, I'll be up to my ears in princesses! Yay!"

"Easy there, Mist." Shine told her. "It's not like it'll be a party or anything. Just a little meet-n-greet, that's all."

"So I can meet them too?" Mist asked excitedly.

"Of course." Celestia smiled. "Just remember to mind your manners."

"I will!" Mist nodded. "Ohh, I can't wait!"

"Yeah…" Shine agreed…although a part of him seem to be hesitant.

Celestia noticed it as she lean in towards Shine, "You aren't nervous, are you, Shine?"

"Well…this is practically your family we are talking about here." Shine explained, "And since I'm your coltfriend…"

"Ah, I see." Celestia gave an understanding smile, "Do not fret about it. Just be yourself and they will love you."
"If you say so, Celestia…" Shine sighed, only a little alleviated of his worries.

That night, neither Shine nor Mist could sleep. While Mist was too excited, Shine was too worried about whether he could make a good impression.

In the morning, they had breakfast, then their way outside, where a pair of carriages (One alabastor, one crystal) arrived. Out of the alabastor carriage emerged Princess Twilight Sparkle, Prince Flash Sentry, Prince Dusk Glow, and Princess Starlight Twinkle. Out of the other emerged Princess Cadance, Prince Shining Armor, and Prince Anthem.

"Hello, everypony." Celestia smiled. "How wonderful is it to see you all again."

"The feeling's mutual, Princess." Flash nodded.

"Yeah, it is nice to finally get out of the cold north every once in a while." Shining explained.

"It is truly great to see you again, Celestia." Twilight hugged Celestia, "So…where is this 'Shine' you had told me about?"

"Uh…that would be me." Shine announced, as both royal families looked at the pegasi, "I am Shine Paladin, but just 'Shine' will do."

"Shine, how nice to see you again…and in higher spirits, no less." Cadance greeted, as she gestured to her family, "This is my mate Shining Armor, and my son Anthem."

"So this is the Shine Cadance told me about." Shining mused.

"Yeah, mom told me a lot about you." Anthem smirked.

"Hello there." Twilight smiled as she went up to Shine, "I am Twilight Sparkle. But you can call me Twilight. This here is my husband, Flash, and my children, Dusk and Starlight."

"A Pegasus, eh?" Flash noted. "I'm not surprised. There's something about a stallion with wings that mares just can't resist."

"Keep thinking that, dear." Twilight chuckled.

Mist stepped forward.

"Oh, before I forget, this is my young sister, Mist." Shine introduced, "She-"

"Hi, Dusk!" Mist chirped, catching Shine off-guard.

"Hey, kiddo, no time no see!" Dusk smiled.

"Wait, you know each other?" Shine asked.

"Yeah, I met Mist and your friend Big Red over in Vanhoover while I was traveling Equestria." Dusk recalled. "Poor little filly got sick, and I had to help Big Red get the stuff he needed to help her."

"He sure did." Mist nodded.

"Well then, thank you, Dusk." Shine smiled.

"No problem." Dusk smiled. "You know, I recall Big Red telling me about you, said you were heading to Canterlot. I had no idea dating Celestia was the reason."

"It's a tad more complicated than that." Shine shrugged. "Why don't y'all come inside, and I'll explain?"

Once indoors, Shine relayed his tale in a small dining room.

"Well, I'm pretty sure that's the most unique talent I've ever heard of." Shining declared.

"Yeah, I would never've guessed it myself." Shine admitted.

"Isn't it romantic?" Mist asked.

"Sooo romantic!" Starlight agreed.

"Ugh, fillies." Anthem rolled his eyes.

"No offense, Celestia, but I never imagined you being with a special somepony." Twilight confessed.

"None taken." Celestia smiled. "Until recently, neither did I. How fortunate that the stallion of my dreams would happen to arrive on my doorstep - even if it did take me a while to realise it."

"I knew from the very moment I saw you both together." Cadance boasted. "Princess of love, remember?"

"So…how close are you and Aunt Celestia?" Starlight asked.

Shine cast a smile at Celestia, "Oh, you can say that I am rather taken with her-"

"How long have you two been dating?" Starlight followed up.

The pegasi stifled a bit at the suddenness of the next question, "Well, not for a while. About a mon-"

"When will I start calling you Uncle Paladin?" Starlight exclaimed.

Everyone in the room immediately went mute, as Shine and Celestia both went mute and their cheeks beet red.

"Uh…well…I…" Shine stammered.

"Starlight, please don't badger Shine with these questions. It's rude" Twilight admonished.

"Sorry…" Starlight cringed.

"Hey, it's fine." Shine sighed, relieved to not having to answer the last question.

"But, since Starlight brought it up…" Twilight began, "How 'serious' are you two?"

Shine stifled a groan. Fortunately, Flash stepped in.

"Let's change the topic, shall we?" Flash suggested, noticing the stumped and embarrassed expressions on both Shine and Celestia's face.

"Agreed." Shine and Celestia said in unison.

"Where's Aunt Luna?" Dusk asked, "I figured her, uncle Gothic, Constell, or at least Blueblood would be here."

"I'm afraid Luna and her family are making a goodwill trip to Saddle Arabia today." Celestia explained. "As for Blueblood, he said something about some meeting."

"Hmph, how typical of Blueboy to not be around." Flash grimaced, "I sure hope he hadn't given you any trouble, Shine."

"No, not really." Shine lied, intentionally omitting the 'incident' from a couple months back, "I'm sure he'll warm up to me sooner or later."

"For your sake, I hope you're right." Shining nodded.

As the day wore on, the adults talked, while the kids played together outside in the gardens. Mist got on especially well with Starlight, who was the closest to her age. All too soon, the day came to an end, and the visitors had to depart for their respective homes.

"It was good to meet you, Shine." Twilight smiled. "It's not every day you meet a stallion worthy of a princess's heart."

"Thanks, Twilight." Shine smiled. "I'll take good care of her. You have my word."

"You take care as well, Mist." Dusk smiled.

"You can count on it." Mist cheered, giving a small hoof bump.

Celestia nuzzled against Shine as their visitors departed.

"It's been quite a day." She smiled. "Didn't go as bad as you feared, did it?"

"Not at all." Shine agreed. "Then again, anypony who's part of your family can't be all bad... well, not as bad as Blueblood, at least."

"Naturally." Celestia chuckled, "Although I found it quite noble of you to had not brought up that altercation you had with him."

"Well, I truly do think there's good in the pony." Shine explained, "Just buried deep within…" Celestia looked at him incredulously, "And I mean really deep."

"Well then, perhaps I should have the gardeners lend you a shovel." Celestia joked. "It might take quite a bit of digging to get there."

The two shared a wry laugh as they went back into the castle.