"Routine is key to everything" was Rubinstein's motto, ever since the young crystal pony was but a wee colt, always keeping his possessions neatly organized and making mental checklists of everything he did or had yet to do. Since coming into King Sombra's employ, he'd grown accustomed to his work in the castle, which included but was not limited to floor-waxing, window-washing, dusting, bringing the king wine whenever he needed it (which was almost constantly), serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and doing laundry. All things considered, working for the King of Shadows was actually not a bad job, even before Twilight's arrival, as the worst experience Rubinstein had seen out of the king was getting yelled at for not bringing up enough wine. Since then, King Sombra had become a lot nicer, even complimenting the crystal pony on his suit, which brought him immense pride as he always dressed his best for any and all occasions. Rapping on the king's private bedchambers, Rubinstein was met with a pleasant, "Come in!" and wearily opened the door.

King Sombra sat at his desk with one hindleg folded across the other as he hummed a merry little tune, his quill quickly jotting something down atop a stack of papers. He looked up and chirped, "Good morning, Rubinstein! Is that a new tie?" His tone was unusually warm and his posture informal, something the old Sombra would never even consider doing.

Rubinstein carefully set the silver tray onto the desk, controlling the shaking in his forelegs as he poured the tea and smiled uneasily. Although the king's chipper demeanor wasn't a welcome one, it was slightly unnerving to the routine-based crystal pony. "Yes, indeed, Your Majesty. Quite." He then cleared his throat. "The supplies for tonight's gala are being brought in as we speak. The wine cellar is fully stocked and I took the liberty of hiring party coordinators to start decorating the castle."

"Excellent work, Rubinstein! You've outdone yourself! Be sure to help yourself to some refreshments at the gala."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Rubinstein bowed and turned to leave.

"Rubinstein?"

The crystal pony paused at the king's nervous tone. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I need a tailor. I'm in need of a new suit. A special one."

"I'll be right on it, Your Majesty."

The king smiled softly, "Thank you, Rubinstein."

Biting his lip, Rubinstein replied, "Er, you're welcome...Sombra."

Standing still was something that came as no challenge for Twilight nor was modelling a dress, as she used to occasionally do the same for Rarity back in Ponyville. What occupied her thoughts, however, were the "activities" that she and Sombra had been up to for the past few days. Since then, she found herself daydreaming and even humming to herself more. While Lilac Luster painstakingly finished sewing the hemline, Amber Laurel carefully placed another creamy piece of Key lime pie into Twilight's mouth. "So tell me, how was it?"

"How was what?"

Amber waved her hoof around in a semi-circle. "You know...doing the horizontal mambo with His Majesty?"

Twilight gagged and nearly choked on the pie. "How...where did you get that impression?"

"Please, I know the look of a mare that's been busy beneath the sheets." She smirked at Twilight's burning cheeks. "Uh-huh, that's what I thought. Sand Arrow and I were like that when we started dating. Could barely keep our hooves to ourselves."

Pins bounced to the floor as Lilac's mouth hung open. "You had sex with the king?! How-how was it?"

Well, now that the cat was out of the metaphorical bag, Twilight saw no way out and decided to confide in her two friends. It wasn't as though nopony wasn't going to figure it out eventually. "It was incredible. When we did it for the first time, he was so gentle, making sure that I was comfortable and tending to my needs before his own. I...actually came twice the first time," she added in an embarrassed whisper.

Both crystal ponies stared, first at Twilight, then at each other, picturing their formally-malevolent ruler in a whole new light. Neither of them had ever tried to imagine Sombra in a sexual way but looking back on it, they both came to the conclusion that yes, he was conceivably handsome. Scarfing down a piece of pie, Amber licked her lips and asked sheepishly, "So...how many times have you two done it?"

Twilight froze, unsure of how to answer that question. It felt somewhat liberating to actually talk to somepony about her relationship but this felt a bit like an invasion of privacy. "I don't want to answer that. It's kind of between Sombra and I."

Lilac winked at Twilight. "So you admit that it was more than once?"

"Lilac! She just said that she didn't want to talk about it!"

"Oh come on! We're all mares here."

Twilight sighed, "Okay, okay, fine! At least..." She stopped to recall their "sexcapades" over the past few days, picturing the different actions, mainly missionary, in vivid, knee-shaking detail. "Twelve."

"Twelve times?!" Both mares exclaimed.

"It's a miracle you're not pregnant!" Amber shook her head amazingly. "Are you?"

Lilac sputtered. "Sweet Celestia, you must have a ruptured spleen! Did you come all twelve times?"

Twilight smacked her hooves to her face. "Ugh, could we please just get back to the dress-making?"

That night, the crystal castle was swarmed by crystal ponies of all ages, colors and social statuses, the whole of the Crystal Empire turning out for the party, a single question burning in all of their minds: "What is the king up to?" The castle, lacking black crystal spikes or purple fire-bursts, was instead strung with crystal globe lanterns, rainbow-colored streamers and the Crystal Empire national flag, cranking everypony's suspicion levels up to eleven. The interior was even more beautiful, constructed out of the purest, most sparkling crystals as different colored lights were refracted from the ceiling and onto the dancefloor. The guests were puzzled as it felt as though they were stepping into the home of a completely different stallion, a kinder, warmer one than the tyrant that kept them prisoners for a thousand years. The food was delicious, the atmosphere inviting and the music soothing. So why did none of them truly allow themselves to relax?

Sombra was situated statue-esque at the second flight of the main staircase, his chest heaving in and out as he debated going downstairs to the ballroom or locking himself in his bedchambers. He was garbed in a light blue dinner jacket accented with gold trim and buttons with an ivory-white ascot and sapphire tie pin, the scent of oak and myrrh clinging to his body. Although he trusted Twilight with his life, he was half-convinced that the crystal ponies would mob him and string him up the first chance they got. He wrung his hooves nervously, almost regretting his decision to free the Shadow Guard from his control and sending them all home. Now I'm trapped in here with the entirety of the Crystal Empire breathing down my neck. Maybe I can shift into my shadow form and sneak out of here. Or perhaps I could try to...try to...

Whatever course Sombra's train of thought was on had derailed and crashed, his eyes tracking the mare descending the stairs above him with rapt attention. It...it cannot be... The purple mare was clothed in a sparkling sky-blue gown that hugged her supple body, accentuating her hips and chest as she walked gracefully down the steps. Her dark sapphire blue mane, which had purple and raspberry streaks, hung slightly curled down past her shoulders and her bangs had been brushed off of her forehead. A pink and violet crystal tiara was perched upon her head, shimmering half as brilliantly as her violet eyes as they beheld Sombra with the kind of warmth he only thought came from the sun. She then smiled at him and he almost collapsed then and there from its radiance.

"Are you alright, Sombra? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Sombra's tongue felt heavy, his neck was covered in sweat and his hooves shaking as he tried to regain his composure. "It's just that you remind me of a dream I had." He took Twilight's hoof in his own and kissed it, his gaze never leaving her own. This isn't possible! I never told you about my dreams. Darkness, chime in at any time! Ever since he and Twilight made love for the first time, Sombra noticed that his mouthy companion had mysteriously vanished and despite its negativity and downright nastiness, he felt that he missed its smart remarks. Although the Darkness didn't speak, he could nonetheless feel its presence but it was though it was too weak to speak to him.

"I actually had a similar dream too," Twilight admitted softly. "It was before I arrived here and helped it me to decide to take your deal in the first place."

"But...that was what it was like for me! How could we dream the same thing?"

"Later. For now, our guests are waiting."

Sombra closed his mouth and took Twilight's waiting foreleg, deciding to shelf the conversation for a later period. With much trepidation, Sombra felt a lump slide down his throat when he gulped and together the two crossed the threshold to the ballroom. Everypony froze as the couple made their way across the dance floor, either backing away or standing perfectly still at the sight of their ruler in a nice suit with a beautiful mare pressed tightly against him. They stepped up to the stage and Sombra abruptly stopped, feeling the stinging gazes of several hundred ponies staring up at him, their eyes boring into his very soul as they silently judged him. Then again, considering what he took away from them, he deserved their judgement and much, much worst.

A gentle hoof found his own and Sombra was met with a pair of soulful violet eyes. "It's okay, Sombra. I'll be standing right here with you. I promise." At that very moment, it was impossible for Sombra to love Twilight anymore than he already did. She had him hook, line and sinker and he preferred it that way.

"You truly are...-"

"...An exceptional mare. Yeah, I have my moments."

"I was about to say 'person' but that works too."

Taking a deep breath, Sombra turned towards the awaiting audience and paused to carefully consider every word that came out. He'd thought about writing it beforehoof but Twilight convinced him that rehearsing it would seem disingenuous. He began: "Citizens of the Crystal Empire, by now you must all be asking yourselves why you were summoned here. The answer is this: for far too long have I acted as a malevolent ruler and because of my arrogance and selfishness, all of you have paid the price." The room was completely silent save for a few murmurs of agreement.

"I now realize that I have caused this great kingdom much suffering and no amount of 'I'm sorry's' or lavish parties will ever encapsulate how deeply I regret my past actions. I don't deserve your forgiveness nor your kindness but give me a chance to try to make it up to all of you. This crystal gala is meant to be a celebration of you, the heart and soul of the Crystal Empire and to express my newfound appreciation for each and every one of you. Enjoy the festivities."

There was a steady clap from a pony in the back, which was soon followed by another and another until almost the whole room burst into applause. The more skeptically cynical ponies kept quiet but there were surprisingly fewer of them than there were of those that took the king's words to heart. The band began with a simple jazzy dance number and it wasn't long before couples took to the dancefloor, bobbing and swaying to the tune. The wine and champagne flowed freely and excitable chattering dominated the room. A few colts and fillies ran around the ballroom to their parents' dismay but Sombra merely laughed and shook his head amusingly. He wasn't overly fond of parties but this was turning out to be an enjoyable experience.

The party progressed and while Twilight chatted it up with some guests, she couldn't help but focus on Sombra's speech, his words echoing in her head like a tuba in an empty auditorium. She spotted him in the corner sipping punch and engaging in the occasional conversation. While he looked a bit out of his element, he was polite and even made some crystal ponies laugh or smile. He's come so far than when I first came here. I'm so proud of him.

Twilight finished her cheese cubes when there was a light tap on her shoulder, the familiar touch crackling with electricity and had her shivering with pleasure. "Excuse me Miss, but may I speak to you in private?"

She smiled up at Sombra and snorted, "Like you even have to ask. Lead the way, Your Majesty."

He nodded and there was a flash of bright light. Twilight blinked and realized that they were in the crystal castle's tallest tower, the one where Sombra first hid the Crystal Heart and where she'd failed to stop him. In a weird way, she was glad that he triumphed otherwise she would never have found her literal soulmate. The Crystal Empire lay stretched out before them, looking just as lovely at night as it did during the day. She rested her head on Sombra's chest and sighed as she felt his strong forelegs wrap themselves around her. "It's so beautiful up here."

"Yes, the view is quite breathtaking," Sombra murmured and Twilight didn't have to ask to know what he was really talking about. "Absolutely beautiful."

"So what did you want to talk about?"

The embrace loosened a bit as Sombra tilted her face up towards his. "Are you happy here...with me?"

Such a random question threw Twilight for a temporary loop. "Why are you even asking me that? Of course I am. I'm happier than I've been in a very long time."

Sombra looked away for a moment and turned back to face her. "I only ask because...I think it's time that you..." His face tightened up as he looked ready to shout something unpleasant. "...Go see your friends."

"Wh-what...?"

Releasing Twilight, Sombra walked to the edge of the tower and stared down. "I love you more than anything. Your happiness is important to me and it'd be complete if you went to Ponyville to see your friends. After that, you should go to Canterlot, see your family and the princesses, let them know that you're alright. It's wrong of me to keep you to myself."

Twilight found herself standing next to Sombra, seeing the pain hiding behind his soft red eyes. She reached out with a tentative hoof and rubbed his shoulder. "Sombra...are you letting me outside the Crystal Kingdom? Are you sure?"

"Yes," he said softy, his gaze still focused on the kingdom below. "I can't be selfish anymore. You taught me that."

Wrapping her forelegs around Sombra's midsection, Twilight pulled him close to her, breathing in the scent of his soap. "Thank you. You don't know what this means to me."

A small smile worked its way onto the umbrum's face as he pulled her lips towards his own, that taste of cinnamon reigniting that fire in Twilight's belly. "Anything for my queen."

Author's Notes:

I imagine the tune that Sombra was humming at the beginning was "The Girl from Ipanema."

Sorry for the length, this was an important chapter and I really wanted to take my time with it.