The day had started off as per the usual. After I finished breakfast I bid Luna have a good rest and made sure Tia got to the throne room. I headed to my workshop to start my research for my current projects. Polearm joined me after he'd gone through his patrols for the day. I was going through the reports that Time Turner had sent me on the results of the ponies who'd received automail and were in need of adjustments, replacement parts, and the like. The automail shop had been a rousing success, and I was overjoyed at this. It was just the push I needed to open up shops all across Equestria, but this would have to wait until the engineers got a little better at making their own automail variants. I also had Cadance and Shining Armor's wedding to attend, tomorrow.
As this thought crossed my mind I remembered that Tia was supposed to send letters to Twilight's group today to get them to come and help with the prep work for the wedding. I bet Twilight was going to freak out about this, or maybe she'd get pissed at Shining Armor for keeping it a secret. I really have no clue what she'll do, but I would like to see what's going to happen. With this thought in my head, I decided to finish up with the paperwork for today and then Polearm and I head out to meet-up with Twilight and her friends at the train station.
As soon as we walk out of the castle to get down to the station we noticed that something was a bit off outside. Polearm pointed out that the sky was pink, and I noted that it was a very familiar shade of pink. Then is hit me like a sack of bricks. The pink was actually from Shining Armor shield magic. I began to wonder why he'd put his barrier up around the city, but I then thought it's probably just a precaution due to the wedding. That's when my theory was confirmed when I saw Shining Armor being chewed out by Twilight; who then proceeded to do her impression of a jackrabbit. This was interrupted by none other than Princes Mi Amore Cadenza herself.
After breaking off Twilight's jumping panic I noticed that Twilight was a little upset by something. So I went over to see what was wrong after Shining ad Cadance left. Albeit I scared the crap out of Twilight due to me show up all of a sudden from a little ways off.

“Hey Twilight,” I said with a smile.

“GAH! Edward, don't do that,” snarked the lavender unicorn.

“Sorry Twi didn't mean to scare you. I noticed that you were a little down after seeing Cadance, which is the complete opposite of the usual reaction.” I said with curiosity.

“Oh, you saw that,” said Twi downtrodden.

“How could I not. I was standing right over there next to Polearm until just a few seconds ago.” I said while pointing at the earth pony coming towards us. “I saw how sad you were after Cadance left and had to come to check on you.”

“She looked at me like she had no idea who I was, and she didn't do our special handshake either,” she said while pouting.

“That is strange now that you mention,” I said as I grab my chin to think. “She said that was always the first thing you two did when she'd show up to foal-sit you.”

“How did you know that Ed?” asked Twi. “The only ponies that should know about the handshake are my Cadance, Shining Armor, my parents, and Spike of course.”

“Cadance told me a few months back when I was having dinner with her Shining, Luna, and Tia, a family get-together sort of thing. It was actually the first time I'd met her, which I'd been looking forward to for a while. Anyway, it was when Tia mentioned I'd been staying with you at the library when I was in Ponyville.” I explained.

“That makes sense I guess,” Twi said looking down again.

“Look Twilight, Cadance is super busy with the wedding and she probably just forgot. That's why Tia brought you and your friends here. So you help take some of the pressure off of her, but if you want about anything to talk just come and see me.” I said placing my hand on her shoulder.

“You mean it, Ed, I can come to talk to you?” asked Twilight.

“Anytime Twilight, and if makes you feel any better just think about how we'll be family after the wedding tomorrow,” I said with a smile.

“How are we going to be family?” she asked as she raised her eyebrow.

“Cadance is Tia's and Luna's niece, remember. Luna is my wife which makes me Cadance's uncle by marriage.” I explained. “Then you have Shining Armor who's marrying Cadance making him my nephew.”

“I get that part, but how does that make us family?” Twi said scratching her head.

“Technically it'll be extended family, but I still consider this family nonetheless,” I said getting up off the ground.

“I still don't totally understand it, but if you consider me family, I welcome it,” she said with confusion.

“I didn't expect you to grasp it right away Twi, but I do consider you family and I'll be there for you should you need me. Also, I meant what I said. If you just want to talk come and see me. I'll be helping Tia with paperwork in the throne for a while and if I'm not there I'll be in my workshop.” I told her.

“ Now come on the others need you for the checklist, and tell you what I'll do. I'll lend you Polearm for today. Sound good to you?” I asked to point to the guard pony behind me.

“Yes, sir,” said the guard with a salute. “Come along now Ms. Sparkle. It's time we got you to your friends”

I watched the two walk into the castle to begin the jointed duties for the wedding. 'Cadance was acting strangely. I hope she's not having second thoughts about the wedding' I thought to myself as I started to walk towards the throne room.

I was busy dealing with the nobles as usual. We needed to deal with things as close to the norm as possible with out giving away the plans for the wedding. Which is why I was why I was surprised when I saw Edward come into the throne room without Polearm. Many of the noble merely scuffed or turned their heads as he walked by them, but there were a few, like the unicorn couple Fancy Pants and Fleur De Lis, that had supported him. Many of them had only supported Ed after the couple did to earn their favor, of coarse, but Fleur and Fancy genuinely wanted to help Ed in his pursuit to help the Equestria's ponies. Which is why they fully funded him when he started his automail shop in Ponyville.
I couldn't help but wonder what Ed was doing here. I'd thought he'd planned to be stuck in his workshop with his own stack of papers to go through today, but Ed has always been one to be able to work the papers stacks up to the ceiling in a matter of minutes. Even if he'd gotten done with his own paperwork I'd thought he'd stay and work on some type of project, or at least start a new one. I then noticed he was standing right in front of me.

“Good afternoon Celestia,” he said with his usual bow.

“Good afternoon Edward and what can I do for you?” I asked as properly as I could,

“Oh no dear sister, I'm here to help you this afternoon,” he said as he came up from his bow with a smile.

“I'm afraid I don't follow,” I said raising my eyebrows.

“Well seeing as how I finished with my own paperwork earlier I went to meet with the Elements of Harmony to see that they knew where to go for their assigned task. After which I came here to come and help you with day court.” Ed said in his most proper tone possible. “Unless you have no need of me then I will take my leave and return to my shop.”

At this statement, I saw most of the nobles start to shake there heads in agreement with this idea. I couldn't stop the scowl that formed on my face from the thought of some of these stuck up ponies actually thinking I turn down my brother's help. I immediately stood up and walk up to the crowd.

“Your help would be very much appreciated Edward,” I said looking down sternly at the nobles. “But first could you please throw out the insults to pony kind, please.”

“While I will throw most of them out my sister, there are a few I would like to stay and talk with as I have a few of my own dealing I must discuss with them,” Ed said as he turned around to face the crowd that was now scrambling out the doors, except for the few nobles that he mentioned.

We spent the next few hours with the nobles that had stayed behind. Most of what was discussed was the finances pertaining to Ed's shop. Most of the nobles were shocked to see that Edward had brought the paperwork for them showing them that their investments weren't being wasted on the shop as the ponies that had received automail were returning for regular maintenance. That's when Ed showed them a plan start opening up a few more shops across Equestria. When they started to ask who would run the shops Ed told them that he'd already trained the engineers months ago and all that was needed were their official back to start laying the ground-work for each new location. Most were shocked at the fact that Ed had already planned this far ahead, but I'd known all ways known Ed to be the one to plan at least five steps in advance when ever he wanted something to run smoothly. After Ed finished with explaining his plans the nobles could turn him especially after the success in Ponyville. So they all signed the papers giving their support at which time Ed passed them to Fancy Pants.

“As my lead invester Fancy I trust you'll proceed with the next step and have the next shop set up here in Canterlot within the next few weeks.” said Edward.

“You most certainly count on me Sir Elric, and I must add this is a great thing you're doing for ponies everywhere. It's giving them second chances to continue their lives or to start living altogether” exclaimed Fancy Pants.

“I'm just doing what I can for the ponies of Equestria in the ways I know how my friend. After all, there's no reason why everypony shouldn't be able to enjoy a normal life.” Ed said with a smile. “Now that our business is concluded a must bid you farewell as I must talk with my sister in private and Ms. Fleur good luck in your next show.”

“Thank you very much Sir Elric, and good luck to you in your future endeavors as well,” Fleur said as the couple was the last to exit the room.

Edward waved to goodbye to them as the left and then turned to me once more. He had a slight look of concern in his eyes. I wondered if it had to do with the wedding.

“What's really eating at you, Ed?” I asked.

“I'm a little worried about Cadance Tia. She seems to be a little more stressed out then what everybody knows.” Ed said with worry.

“What makes you say think that Ed?” I asked a little confused.

“It was the way she acted around Twilight earlier,” he said.

“How so?” I said puzzled.

“According to Twilight she acted like she didn't even recognize her and she didn't do their little handshake, but I told Twilight not to worry too much and it's probably just stress,” Ed said motioning with his hands.

“The one with the ladybugs,” I said a little shocked.

“Yep,” confirmed Ed.

“That is strange but I think its like you said and Cadance is just a little more stressed than what she's letting on,” I said agreeing with his earlier statement.

“If you think Cadance will okay now that we have the extra help I'll leave things be for now, but I let you know Twilight looking out for and I've got Polearm with her to help her out,” explained Ed.

“Good thinking Edward,” I said as this eased my worry.

“Well, I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I'm back to the lunar wing to check on Luna, but if you need me I'll be in the workshop after that. I'll see you at dinner if not before then.” said Ed waved as he goodbye as he left the room.

“Good bye until later Ed,” I said while waving.

Cadance's actions today had only further fueled my suspicions that something about her was very off. The first thing Cadance had done is she simply tossed away the snacks that Applejack had made for her. Then there was the way she'd spoken to Rarity about the details of her wedding dress. So far Cadance had been nothing but a selfish, demanding, rude, and down right inconsiderate snob of a pony. This was definitely not the foal-sitter she had come to consider her family from when she was younger.

“I just can't believe the way she treated my friends,” I stated to Polearm.

“I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with you, Ms. Sparkle. In the time I've spent around Princess Cadance not once have I known her to act like a complete, noble, if I were to put it in layman's terms” added Polearm.

“I mean we haven't seen each other since Edward's fight with Shining Armor, but that was only three and half months ago. What can cause someone to have a complete personality change like this?” I asked the guard.

“Honestly, I've got no clue when it comes to maters of the mind. Maybe we should go and see Sir Edward on this. He would have a better understanding of those types of situations, and he did tell you that if you needed or wanted to talk to come by and see him.” answered Polearm.

“Your right Polearm. But what if he's to busy to talk right now?” I asked with worry.

“First off Ms. Sparkle, Sir Edward considers you his family and he always puts family first. Secondly, at this time of day he's usually taking a break to have lunch or to go check-in on Princess Luna.” remarked the earth pony.

“We are in the Lunar wing of the castle, so it would be the best time to stop by and check the workshop to see if he's there.” I said caving to Polearm.

We walked down a few more corridors before we finally arrived at Edwards workshop. We opened the doors and we entered the shop, but Edward was no were in sight.

“Are you sure he's supposed to be here Polearm?” I asked the guard.

“Positive Ms. Sparkle, I am his assistant, as well as his personal guard after all. I would think I'd know his scheduled after spending quite a bit of time with the man.” he relented.

“Well he's obviously not here right now is he?” I snapped back.

“There's no need to get ticked at me. I was only brought you to the first place I'd thought he'd be. If Sir Edward doesn't show up in a few minutes, then we can head down to Princess Luna's chambers and wait there for a bit as well. If he's not there then the only other place that I think he'd be are either in the throne room helping Princess Celestia or having dinner with everyone in the main dining hall.” he explained in an irritated manner.

“I'm sorry about that Polearm I didn't mean to get in your face like that. It's just this whole thing with Cadance has got me worked up.” I said looking to him.

“It's alright Ms. Sparkle, if t were in your shoes I'd probably react in the same way. For now, let's see if Sir Edward shows up after a bit, but I can reassure you Sir Edward is just as concerned for Princess Cadence as you are,” he said comforting me.

“Polearm, please call me Twilight from now on. I believe we know each other well enough to use first names and considering we both studied under Edward for a while only reinforces this.” I said in the friendliest I could muster.

“If you so Twilight,” he said with a smile.

I had started to go through some of the books on Edwards shelf while Polearm had gone out to Edwards court yard and begin to go through some of the defensive moves Edward had taught us during the training camp. We did for what must've been around an hour when m attention was broken by the sounds of the doors to the workshop opening. Then, in came just the man I want to see, Edward, holding a small bundle of scrolls under his right arm. He looked to me and then to Polearm who was still going through his exercises before he heard the door shut behind Edward. Ed ward then began to speak to me.

“I take it that you're still suspicious of Cadance's behavior based off the actions you saw today, Twilight's?” he asked with a smile.

“You got that right, at this point I don't think Shining should even go through with the wedding,” I snarled.

“What are your thoughts on this matter Polearm?” Edward asked the guard.

“I wholeheartedly agree with Twilight's judgment on the issues at hand, sir. Princess Cadance acted in the complete opposite manner of how she didn't when we left for the training camp. I could barely believe what I saw and heard today. Instead of the kind hearted Princess of Love we have a run of the mill snob pony.” said Polearm as he stomped his foot on the floor.

I swear I saw a few cracks in the floor form from his actions.

“While I would like to take you both at your word I can't because I wasn't there; because of the business I had to see to for getting more automail shop setup for in the future. I did speak with Celestia on the matter though, but she merely came to the same conclusion I did. That Cadance is just under stress from the wedding planning. I do, however, think we should at least keep an eye on things for now. I'll leave this to you for the time being Polearm, and Twilight I think you should have a talk with Shining Armor about how your feeling about this.” Edward said as he started to unfurl the scrolls he'd brought with him.

“As you wish Sir Edward,” agreed the earth pony.

“I did want to talk with Shining a bit on the maters of the wedding,” I said.

“Good, but both of you be discreet on the matter at hand, and do behave yourselves the wedding is tomorrow and I don't want a scene unless it's necessary. Both Celestia and I will be busy until the rehearsal with our paperwork, but if you feel you need to talk again or if something happens I'll be here or the throne room with Celestia.” Edward said as he began to go over his documents.

While I was finishing up my paperwork for the new shop locations I couldn't help but think about what Twilight and Polearm had told me about Cadance's behavior. I then thought it might be a good idea to talk with Shining Armor before the rehearsal and see if he'd noticed any changes in her behavior when he'd talked with her during their chats of the communications mirror during the training camp. By the time I'd thought of this I noticed it was time for the rehearsal to start so I through everything I had in my hands down and rushed out the door.

This chapter was actually a little harder to come up guys but I do hope you enjoy it. I was going to make it longer, but it just felt right to end it where I did. Please comment and give me some feedback on things you think I could improve on for future events, crossover, and other stories. Again thanks for reading this story up to this point. I really am enjoying being able to entertain you guys that I can call my readers and followers. A big shout out to the guys in my writers' group for supporting me when I first started a little over a month ago. I wouldn't have made it at all without any of you guys. Thank you some much.