The train ride to Dodge City gave Princess Luna some time to read over the article written about her and Cielo, she admitted to herself it came out well, though as expected there were some unanswered questions that the article did bring up and would surely surface once more later down the road. There was no mention of any sort of intimacy between the two so either Princess Celestia succeeded in getting the only copies or the young shutterbug was just waiting for another opportunity to make some bits. After finishing with the newspaper Luna did as Cielo kindly requested and wrote to her sister about her little encounter earlier that morning while in the shower. Luna and Celestia had a rather heated conversation through sending one another letters back and forth, Celestia wanted her sister to come back to Canterlot to be safe but Luna eventually won the argument through presenting all the problems that would arise if she did.

Cielo took a slight nap during the ride giving Luna some unwanted alone time to think, with a few hours to spare Luna ordered a bit more food from the dining car, the pancakes though filling at the time did not seem to do the trick. After a nice meal Luna joined Cielo in his little nap, her dreams remained her own seemingly though Luna could feel Moon watching her , Nightmare Moon made no attempt to mess with her dream or even speak to her. Not much went on during the train ride nor the visit to Dodge City . Luna and Cielo traveled to Appleloosa next where the young princess took part in a small festival they had set up for her arrival.

Despite everything that had transpired that morning Princess Luna seemed to be in good spirits, she was even well enough to take part in an apple pie eating contest. Cielo could not help but chuckle seeing her muzzle covered in apple pie, though a bit unbecoming, it was all in good fun and Luna seemed to get quite the positive reaction from it as well. Luna was trying her best to just be like everypony else and show she was a good mare at heart, not the monster she was made out to be.

The day slowly faded to night and things settled down, Luna took her time getting to the lodge as she was being stopped by many ponies now that they were getting a chance to talk to her. Many were asking about the marriage, how it came about, how Luna and Cielo met, basically everything the two had expected it to be.

Finally making their way to the inn Cielo once more paid for the room, the innkeeper showed Princess Luna and Cielo to their room before bidding them goodnight a little star struck almost as Princess Luna had chosen to stay at his inn. Once in the room Luna walked over to the nice queen bed and laid down getting herself comfy for the night.

“Well that was a nice… Mmmph!” As Cielo went to turn around to face Luna she smacked him with one of the pillows using her magic.

With a little smile Luna hit Cielo a few more times with the pillow. “I can’t believe you let me enter that contest by myself you jerk.” Luna said in a slightly playful tone.

Cielo did his best to dodge Luna’s onslaught of attacks with the pillow though seemed to be faring poorly at doing so. “The ponies’ wanted to see you!” He protested, “Not me!” Luna paused for a moment giving Cielo an opening to escape, He charged at the bed and jumped up playfully tackling Luna to the bed knocking off her crown.

Luna let out a little squeak as Cielo wrestle her to her back, giggling Luna tried to squirm free but Cielo manage to pin her. “Get off me!” She laughed and smacked the young stallion a few more times upside the head with the pillow.

“Not until you apologize.” Cielo said with a grin before lowering his muzzle and gently nipping the side of Luna’s neck sending a shiver down her spine.

Luna’s cheeks turned red feeling Cielo nip her neck causing her to lose her focus and drop the pillow. Luna Closed her eyes for a moment to compose herself, once she did her horn lit back up and aided her in muscling Cielo onto his back. Once pinned to the bed Cielo could not help but blush a little as well. “And what would I be sorry for~” Luna questioned in a teasing tone now that she had the upper hoof.

“Assaulting with a fluffy pillow for no good reason.” Cielo answered gazing up into her eyes.

“Hmmmm, well you did let me get my muzzle covered in pie then you rushed me and pinned me down in a rough manner when I was only playing with you.” Luna gave Cielo a little pouting look before she leaned in and kissed his nose softly, a playful and joy filled smile back on her muzzle once more. “You big brute, being so rough with me you should be ashamed of yourself.”

Cielo blushed a little deeper and looked away. “Don’t say it like that, you make it sound dirty.”

Luna could not help but giggle once more seeing Cielo act shyly, she was feeling a little more confident in herself after digesting all of the information she took in from the book as well as becoming more comfortable around Cielo with each passing moment. Though it was true he was mostly in the background through the day he remained by her side and really helped the light shine brighter on Luna when he was brought into other ponies attention. “Oh? Did I say something that tickled your fancy?” Luna asked letting Cielo go and getting off the bed. She levitated her crown from the bed onto the nightstand and then started to remove her armor. Looking back Luna noticed she still held Cielo’s attention. “Is watching a princess remove her armor also something that tickles your fancy~”

Cielo looked away from a moment before looking back at Luna watching her finishing up removing her royal attire. “Where is all of this coming from?” Cielo asked, this did not seem like the same Luna he woke up next to this morning let alone the one he had spent his time with. This Luna was far more confident in herself, she did not even freeze up when he nipped her neck or pinned her on her back. “Not complaining mind you I’m just surprised you’re talking like this. Miss freezes up from a kiss now making suggestive remarks to her stallion… What happened?”

Luna thought for a moment and let out a little sigh. “You know I’m not really sure, maybe this has something to do with Nightmare Moon. Now that our connection seems to have grown maybe she is rubbing off on me a little… she sure did not have any confidence issues.” Luna shook her head a little. “Unlikely though, to be honest I just feel great. Despite the rough start to the day I have not had so much fun in a long time… I have not felt this happy in a long time.” Luna turned to Cielo and started to walk back to the bed. “And it’s all thanks to you, if I had not been pushed by you to peruse my ambitions I would still be stuck in the castle being tormented by my own dreams.”

Cielo moved over a little letting Luna have a bit of space to get comfy.

Once on the bed Luna leaned in and pressed her lips to Cielo’s kissing the stallion softly, her heart started to race and her mind fell blank for a moment yet she remained in control and when she was ready she broke the kiss. “Really… Thank you.” Luna said with sincerity looking lovingly into Cielo’s eyes.

“Don’t thank me.” Cielo replied softly taking his hoof and caressing Luna’s cheek. “Thanking me for that is the same to me as thanking me for loving you, it’s just foolish.” Cielo kissed Luna’s nose softly.

Luna’s horn lit up and with her magic she extinguished the candles that lit the room. In the dark she cuddled her body up to Cielo’s and nuzzled under his chin. “It may be foolish to you but I can’t help but say it so humor me from time to time.” Luna whispered softly, her heart still racing. “I love you Cielo.”

Cielo placed his wing over Luna and held her close to him as he lay his muzzle down with her’s, their noses touching ever so slightly. “I love you too Luna.” He whispered softly. “There is nowhere else in Equestria I’d rather be than at your side.” Next Chapter: A summary of the trip Estimated time remaining: 40 Minutes