Cadance's friend


                                            >You wipe the sweat from your brow. You had finished your final lap running around as you felt the need to do something -- hell, anything to clear your mind from this morning incest debacle.

                                            >This wasn't the first time you had taken couple laps around one of the many Royal Guard training fields after having a 'complicated' day with mom. Something in your monkey brain relaxed at the simplicity in placing one foot in front of the other -- at speed. Where there were no political considerations, no 'I am sorry son, but you cannot be with', no Schelling point that negotiations between Equestria and Griffons balanced on.

                                            >Just one foot after the other.

                                            >Looking around you could see various groups of guards performing exercises or drill. Who were all regretting signing up as their instructors pushed them for one more painful set.

                                            >"Anonymous!" You hear your name called in the distance. Turing towards the sound, you notice a familiar pink blob leaning over the railings of the parade ground pavilion.

                                            >You wave back and start a light jog towards the pavilion.

                                            >As you assent the iron stairs, you hear you wife give a musical hum.

                                            >You see she's not alone. You don't recognize the white coated mare who is sat on the other end of the balcony as the two rise from their chairs.

                                            >Cadance bounds up to you like a puppy.

                                            >"Hello my love!"

                                            "Hello Cadance. You might want to keep your distance, I'm a bit sweaty. Probably smell a bit, too."

                                            >Regardless, she uses her back hooves to launch herself onto you. Leaning in she gives you lick on the nose and a kiss on the cheek.

                                            >You place your hands on her back, supporting her up as she dotes on your face.

                                            >"I don't mind."

                                            >She moves down nuzzling into the crook of your neck. Now no longer obscuring your vision.

                                            >You notice that her companion was still bowing throughout Cadance's affections.

                                            "Cadance, who is your friend?"

                                            >You feel her freeze in realization of her loving absent mindedness. She gives you a kiss beneath the chin, before falling back down.

                                            >"Hah, oops."

                                            >Cadance reposition herself next to the white coated mare.

                                            >"Prince Anonymous, this is Fleur De Lis of Michel. She's to be our bridesmaid -- Fleur been helping me adjust with living in Canterlot."

                                            >You immediately recognize the mare name for being a Prench noble.

                                            >Fleur begins to speak, but you cut her off.

                                            "Please rise, Lady Lis. If you're a friend of my wife, you're a friend to me. Thank you for taking care of Cadance."

                                            >"Non, the thanks is mine, your Highness. It is a pleasure to meet you and to know your fiancée. She speaks so highly of you."

                                            >Cadance turns to her and says something to her in Prench?

                                            >They both giggle.

                                            "You speak Prench, Cadance?"

                                            >"I didn't, but Fleur has been teaching me. She's very good."

                                            >Cadance gives Fleur a cheek rub. Fleur blushes.

                                            >"My Dame, you have all the armes' of affection that one our own indigènes have."

                                            "Lady Lis, do I know your name from somewhere? Yes, didn't you write 'On Education'?"

                                            >"Oui, your Highness. It pleases me to hear you know of my essais. I must add, your fiancée is the living esprit of my essasi. Her expérience with life, is uh, how you say, 'well-rounded', non?"

                                            >Cadance rolls her eyes, bumping Fleur with her side.

                                            >You smile at the both of them. Happy knowing that Cadance has some else besides you and mom.

                                            >"If you may excusez-moi your Highness, my Dame; I have lettres to attend to."

                                            "Of course. Have a good day, Lady Lis."

                                            >Fleur looks to Cadance and taps her left hoof twice.

                                            >"Like we practiced, mon ami."

                                            >Both bow in synchronous; placing their right legs in front of their left and lowering their heads towards the ground. Cadance partly flares her wings, letting them point in a triangle.

                                            >Fleur smiles at Cadance.

                                            >"Bien joué. A good day to you, your Highness."