‘Eros, kill me now.’

Golden Dream thought she knew annoyance and boredom. She had, after all, sat through etiquette lessons and had made herself soak it all in. She had listened to ages and ages of boring pegasus and unicorn house histories, interspersed with interesting battles and duels. But none of that had prepared her for the struggle that was the Crystal Court.

Dozens of courtiers had come and gone, and that was only in the first few hours. Everything from requests for additional allotted funds for various projects around the Empire, which Cadence handled quickly and expertly, seemingly knowing each project by heart, to nobles wishing to express their grievances about the recent stadium. Those made Golden wince ever so slightly, and be grateful for the calming presence of Shining Armor at her side.

What truly astonished her, however, was Cadence’s reactions and tone, her entire attitude. She did not lose her cheerful smile for even a moment, and answered each request calmly and succinctly. Golden eyed one noble, face scrunching slightly at the way the Equestrian visitor fawned and snipped- daggers hidden behind a smile indeed.

“I understand the reason behind your building codes, Princess Cadenza,” he was saying, smiling up at her, “But our factories have a sterling record for safety and productivity in Equestria, and the process is taking far longer here. If you could simply sign my company a waiver to let this by, we could provide your Crystal Ponies with more job opportunities, and open your land up to our products much faster.”

Cadence giggled softly, lifting a hoof to hide her muzzle- though Golden Dream quickly noticed just how tight the muscles around said hoof looked, “Oh I know it’s a hassle, my dear count, but you simply have to indulge us! The council in that region of the Empire has been deeply worried since that awful incident in Baltimare, though I know you and your House have learned since then. I will definitely ask them to hurry though; my ponies certainly would love access to your canned vegetables. As soon as it’s safe to.”

The count’s smile never dimmed in the slightest as he bowed and turned to head back to his house group, though his tail did snap a few times. Cadence’s expression hadn’t changed an iota, the same indulgent smile stretching her muzzle. A soft pop of magic sounded in Golden’s ear, and Shining gently pulled the pegasus mare back- and she stared in surprise at the perfect magical replicas of herself and the unicorn standing in their place.

“I set up a silence bubble and some doubles,” Shining Armor explained as she glanced over at him, winking at the stunned pegasus, “I thought you should know a few things about Cadey when in court.”

Golden sheepishly peered back at the Princess; she hadn’t seemed to notice the change, or if she had, she wasn’t showing it. Golden slowly flicked her tail.

“She seemed so… nice, to that count.”

“That’s her tell,” Shining explained, smiling softly up at his wife, “If Cadence is snarking and chuckling- that lower laugh, not the high ditzy one- then she’s being genuine.”

The giggle echoed through the room again- now she was dealing with a puffed up Crystal Earth Pony noble, who was droning on about their own building contracts competing with a government-sponsored school.

“When you want to tell how she really feels, and she can’t be frank with you?” Shining motioned to his wife, “Look at her hooves and legs. She can’t help but tense up. Means we spend a fortune on masseurs, but…”

Golden Dream bit her lip and stared up at Cadence, ears flattening, “That has to be terrible. I knew politics were tough on rulers, but-”

“We all have our ways of handling it,” Shining interrupted gently, smiling at Golden softly and nudging her back into position, “Including having others around to save you when it gets too much.”

The spell faded with a soft crackle.

“Of course, Count Diamond Drill, I will be happy to delay the construction /another/ few weeks until a new inspection can be done,” Cadence gushed, seemingly enthralled and all but /giddy/ with the prospect, “Please, enjoy the refreshment hall before you go, and say hi to-”

“Princess?” Shining piped in suddenly, seemingly ignoring the glare of the count, “The meeting with the medical heads?”

“Of course,” Princess Cadence replied instantly, sitting up straight, “My apologies everypony, but we will have to cut Court short today. If your case was not heard, please leave a note, or return in two days time.”

Golden Dream was surprised at the speed that Shining Armor managed to extricate them both from the grumbling, mildly protesting mob of courtiers, a soft purple force gently moving aside any pony that got in their way. She glanced worriedly over at Cadence, who was outpacing the both of them with her longer legs, very quiet.

...up until the door to the Court closed with a resounding rumble.

“RAAAAAAH!”

The pegasus ducked back with a surprised yelp as a magical beam lanced out of the Princess’ horn, the pink magic shining off the crystalline walls of the palace, and she raised her wing to shield her eyes. The sheer power of the magic fluffed out Golden’s fur, mana dancing along her sensitive coat. She struggled towards the princess, eyes wide.

‘No, no, no!’

A firm magical force had ahold of her back legs however; Shining Armor smirked as he glanced at a shining pink orb to his left, scribbling on a clipboard as the magic faded with a sharp pop. He hummed softly.

“Very nice, honey, you powered the castle’s defenses for another year!”

Cadence snorted angrily, hoof pawing over the crystalline floor- leaving a small trail of pink mana, “I am SICK of that pompous, asinine excuse for a… a…”

The princess’ eyes glowed, mana sparking off her horn again- before she ducked
her head, huffing.

“I need to relax, Shining. Get the Guard, and the… tools.”

Golden Dream gulped at the eager, hungry expression on Cadence’s face, eyes a little wide. What had she stumbled into…

“MUAHAHAHAHA! Yes, yes! Enter into my web, you delicious little morsel! The Empress will have your soul yet!”

‘What.’

Within short order, Shining Armor had swept Golden Dream along to the royal antechambers again, and swept the large meeting table clean. Magically-sent orders zipped from his horn, while Cadence had stiffly marched into their bedchambers. Placed into a chair by the Prince, Golden had watched him set out a series of boards, notebooks, and colorful set pieces, while a trio of guards all but sprinted inside and took their own places. Golden Dream looked from guard to guard to guard to Prince- and then slowly behind her as Cadence strode out of her room in full evil sorceress regalia, a black dress trailing behind her.

And now she was watching, eyes wide and disbelieving as the Royals of the Crystal Empire played… Ogres and Oubliettes. And she was filling out a character sheet. It would not be the first time she had played the game- Golden’s brothers had been quite big fans of the game, and it was something they did together whenever she was recovering. She just… had not expected this!

Despite this, she couldn’t help but grin as she looked to Cadence. The princess was beaming, face gleefully faux-evil as she cackled and took her place as the evil lady of the haunted manor, a kind of over-arching villain from earlier games. The anger and stress from before seemingly had melted away; Shining Armor caught her gaze and winked.

“I-I’m ready!” Golden Dream squeaked out, passing Shining Armor the sheet, “I, Flare-Wing, will roll to burst through the glass as reinforcement for the party!”

Cadence’s hooves clopped together eagerly as she passed Golden the game dice, grinning widely, “Ha! Another pony that I will add to my harem, once I defeat you foolish heroes!”

...she liked this Cadence. A blush had shot up her neck and cheeks and she fumbled with the dice, meeping as it fell onto the game board. A one. Everypony froze, eyes wide as they darted from her, to the dice, and back to her. Shining gulped, slowly rubbing the back of his head before glancing at his sheet.

“W-well, uh… you slam into the stainless glass… and it doesn’t break, only cracks. You slide down slowly to the ground below, taking half-fall damage…”

Golden’s face was getting red, biting her lip hard and body shaking slightly. Cadence’s mask fell away and she slowly reached a wing out to her side.

“G-golden? It’s okay, w-we can redo, uh…”

“Pff… nnh... “

The dam broke. Hysterical giggles bubbled out as Golden doubled over, hugging onto her barrel.

“T-that is buckin’ perfect,” she managed breathlessly, breaking back into belly-shaking laughter, “T-tryin’ to break in and just ‘thwap!’ Ahaha!”

It was positively infectious- the guards broke first, amused chuckles morphing into guffaws as Cadence leaned back, face turning purple as she tried to subdue her own laughter. Shining Armor reached over to tug Golden into a hug that had them toppling over, cackling like hyenas. Golden Dream nuzzled into his chest, happy tears mingling into his fur. This was going to be a good night.

“Eros, spirit of Love, guide my hooves… lift up my heart… let me make the right decisions for all…”

The Crystal Empire was the holy city of the newly re-founded Erosian faith, centered as it was around the Crystal Heart and the Alicorn Princess of Love herself. While not as well funded as more established faiths like Celestialism, the Empire had a sizeable cathedral attached to the royal palace. Crystal, in blue and pink tones of various shades, had been shaped to form the domed structure, thin at the top to allow the eternal spring sunlight through, shining down on the vast altar. It was low to the ground, with steps leading up so that any pony could approach. Crystal statuery rested on the altar; shapes of the greatest heroes of the empire. Prince Sombra. Cadence. Shining Armor.

Golden Dream had eschewed clothing for the visit here, allowing her magical tattoos to soak up the naturally radiated divine magic; they glowed softly along her skin and fur, heating up the area around them. A week had passed since her arrival to the city, and she had not had a chance to bask in an Erosian shrine since. It was nice. Relaxing. Just letting her mind-

“Bah!”

Something butted lightly into her leg, and Golden choked back a squeak and flinch, peering down- at a big eyed, fluffy little alicorn foal. Flurry Heart was settled back on her haunches now, wings fluffed out and twitching- she hadn’t developed the instinct to fold them to her sides yet. Her big blue eyes stared up and into Golden’s very soul, and she could not help but grin.

“Well hello there, princess,” she cooed, reaching out to pat her mane, “Aren’t you cute… where’s your mama?”

“Right here,” purred that playful voice, giggling as Golden /did/ jump that time, short tail booping against Cadence’s chin before the pegasus could spin around.

Cadence was undressed as well, forgoing her regalia or any kind of mane-style; she looked relaxed and free here, the light of the cathedral shining off her body, much like a crystal pony as well. She leaned over to nuzzle Golden’s ear tenderly; a gust of wind mussed the pegasus’ mane, and Flurry Heart fluttered over to settle down between her mother’s wings. Golden did her best to will the blush away, and didn’t turn away from the Princess’ affection. She smiled up at her sheepishly.

“Spend much time here, princess?”

“Absolutely.” Cadence smiled fondly up at the altar, shifting to make Flurry a little more comfortable, “It’s usually pretty quiet here. Shining does his best to help me relax- and trust me, game night helps a good deal. But sometimes I do need a bit of quiet time.”

The princess peered back at her thoughtfully, “And yourself? What do you do to relax?”

Golden shrugged her wings and settled down into a thoughtful ponyloaf, tail flicking lightly back and forth, “I’m… not sure. Was always pretty busy back home.”

Her ears lowered slightly, “Father and I tried to bring in as much money as possible through the forges. And any settlement money from the dueling. We aren’t a rich house, but we’ll have enough bits to get by, princess. Father won’t let us be a burden on the royal house.”

A soft, finely manicured hoof lightly booped her nose; Golden flushed as she peeked up at the smirking alicorn.

“Apologies,” she managed weakly, “I just…”

Dream sighed and shook her head, a wing sweeping around to rub her nose, “I feel like I have to apologize to you and Shining, for the trouble I might bring. And I know I shouldn’t. But…”

“Because you’re a Bolt,” Cadence added gently, ears flattening back, “I looked into the amount of suits and duels your family has gone through… Golden…”

The pegasus shook her head slightly, “Heh. Thank you. ...for everything this week. Even when I’m with you both, I doubt the challenges will stop- it’s our lot in life. But I will not let them control me.”

Golden blushed as she was pulled into a close hug, slowly reaching up to return it; she grinned as she felt Flurry Heart nuzzle against her hooves.

‘So cute.’

“So… will you…?”

Golden Dream let out a breath and stepped back, nodding slowly; emotion was tightening her throat, ears laying back against her head. She opened her mouth a few times, frowning slightly at herself and stamping a hoof.

‘Come on, Golden. You can do this.’

“I am, Cadence. Will you… will you allow-”

Gack! Cadence was a strong pony; darn that Earth Pony strength! She giggled weakly as she held onto the squeeing alicorn princess, yelping as she was tossed around a few times in the hug before finally being set down on her hooves.

“Oh you won’t regret this!” Cadence squeed out, all but prancing in place, “We have to go tell Shining! Oh there’s so much to plan-”

The rumble of stone on stone cut her off, both ponies looking up as the double crystal doors of the cathedral opened hard, all but slamming open. Ice ran through Golden’s veins at the troop of Crystal Ponies that marched inside, following after a pair of Crystal Pegasi in full noble garb. An older mare marched just ahead of a stallion about Golden’s age. They shared many attributes- a yellow body and bright orange eyes, though the mare sported a longer styled brown mane, while her scion bore a darker, black-colored mane, cut down like many Crystal guardponies. And while the mare seemed grim, the stallion was… focused. His eyes were locked to Golden Dream like a spell.

Cadence shifted to face both ponies, her expression changing to her stately stare and slight frown, head tilted to one side.

“Grand Duchess Citrine? Is something the matter?”

Golden blinked in surprise- the Grand Duchess Citrine, of the Quartz noble family, was the leader of the largest military force outside the Crystal army, and their family controlled many of the commercial operations inside the city-state. And that ice crystallized as she recognized the stance. The poise.

‘Of course.’

Citrine snorted faintly, standing stiffly in front of the Princess and looking into her eyes. She held up a wing; a scroll unrolled in front of them both, stamped several times near the bottom. Cadence’s eyes flicked expertly over the text- and she sucked in a sharp breath, teeth baring in a very pegasus expression.

“You-!”

“This farce has gone on long enough, Princess Mi Amore. On behalf of the Noble Council, my son, Tourmaline, challenges Golden Dream of House Bolt to an honor duel. A House Honor duel. What say you?”

Cadence had fully lifted her wings, nearly dislodging Flurry Heart from her position, and stepped protectively in front of her smaller betrothed. Every feather trembled in outrage, her muscles tight.

“You cannot do this, Citrine, this is-!”

“I accept the challenge.”

Cadence’s head snapped back in shock, ears laying back. Golden Dream did not, could not, look her in the eyes. Instead, she glared forward to the challenging gaze of the older mare; her fore-hooves gripped tightly at the crystal beneath her.

“Name the time and place, and I will be there. I assume all of you have agreed on this?”

“We have. Tomorrow afternoon; Palace grounds.”

Citrine’s eyes tightened, “The Royals may hate us for this, but we cannot allow an Equestrian to take two thrones without challenge. No matter your bloodline. Prepare yourself accordingly, Golden Dream of House Bolt.”

Woof, this took awhile to get out! But hurray, I'm back!