Cadence signed a paper and immediately another one was shove on her face. Rolling her eyes, she signed it and the next five.

"That´s enough Ruby," she told her assistant.

"But Princess, there´s still tons of preparations to be made!"

"Just put Pinkie Pie on date once she arrives. She will take care of everything."

"I´m still against it Princess," Ruby complained. "No offense to your friends but this is an official event, it should be handled by your royal servants following the ancient Crystal Kingdom traditions. No details should be left unattended. Especially since you insisted on celebrating both your ascension to throne and your wedding anniversary on the same date!"

"It´s more easy to have just one big party that having everypony come and go," Cadence casually replied.

"But Princess..."

Cadence raised a hoof, made her usual breathing exercise and waited for her assistant to imitate her. Once Ruby have calm down, Cadence said "You worry too much Ruby. I assure you that everything will work out. Now, have you see my husband? I wanted to talk to him at breakfast but he left."

"Your Majesty, Prince Shining Armor, is at the training grounds."

"You can just call him Shining, you know."

"No, I can't," Ruby replied.

Rolling her eyes once more at her assistant strict obedience to protocol, Cadence walked to the balcony, spread her wings and glided all the way to the training grounds. Just as she was told, Shining Armor was atop of a hill next to the track course.

She landed next to him and gave him a gentle push with her wing "What´s up, coach?"

Shining merely nodded.

Cadence was now concerned. She took a good look at him and the bite his tail.

"Auh! What was that for?" he complained.

"Just checking you weren´t a changeling. Better safe than sorry."

"Har har..."

"Shining, what´s wrong?" she asked.

Shining took a deep breath and said "This morning a kid call me Prince Shining."

"Well, you're a Prince."

"I know but it wasn't until today that I realized what that meant. I´m a Prince, the ruler of an entire kingdom. The lives of hundred of ponies depend on me, on my decisions. I´m not up to that task," he said.

"What are you talking about Shining? You´re a great Prince, nobody is disappointed at you."

"Really? I don´t recall being of much help when King Sombra attacked. You defended the entire kingdom and in the end, they were Spike and Twilight who saved everyone. I didn't do anything. I couldn't even tell when my own wife swap places with a monster."

Cadence put a hoof on his shoulder and said "Shining, you're a wonderful husband and this past year you have done a great job protecting the Crystal Kingdom. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

Despite those words, Shinning still hung his head low. Cadence took a look and around and told him to come with her. They walked to the other side of the hill where they had a perfect view of the training track and all the runner ponies.

"Look at those ponies Shining."

"What about them?"

"Look how happy they are. Remember when we first arrived? How terrified they were, not even daring to look at their shadows? They have just woke up from a terrible nightmare and didn´t even understand what had happened to them, but you changed all that," she explained.

"It wasn't me! You're the Crystal Princess, it´s you they look after!"

"I might be the symbol of their kingdom but it was you that gave them hope and make them trust me. You talked them, you told them to believe on themselves and keep the Crystal Heart shining. You're an inspiration for them too, Shining."

Just then one of the trackers spot them and waved at the royal couple. The rest of the runners soon join her on the salute. Cadence and Shining waved back the ponies.

"See, they do look after you, coach."

Shingin smiled and softly nuzzled his wife.

"I only have one question Cadence..." Shining said.

"Yes, honey?"

"How did you managed to escape Ruby? I had to flee after breakfast so she wouldn't bury in a mountain of security forms and troops reports!"

Cadence laughed and nuzzled him back.

Feeling the love of the subjects, anxious to celebrate their rulers happy occasions, the Crystal Hearth light up and sent its magic to the air, painting the skies of Equestria with every colour of the spectrum.