An excerpt from my earlier draft of A Canterlot Gala, published on Fimfic: https://www.fimfiction.net/story/540086/a-canterlot-gala

Applejack had practically sold out. "I ought to thank that prince sometime," she thought, "it's a wonder what word of mouth can do for your business."
Rooting around the bottom of her cart, she grasped a bottle of cider in her teeth. This, she decided, was well and truly earned. Hearing hoofsteps approaching, she set the bottle back down. "Might as well make one last sale," she supposed.
Pulling her head back out, she began to greet her final customer. "What can I get you? I've got a couple of--"
She was stunned into silence by the sight of Rarity's tear-streaked face. "Applejack...oh, Applejack!" she cried as she threw her forelegs around the farmpony.
Recovering from the shock, Applejack began comforting her. "Shhh, it's gonna be alright. What happened?" she asked as she gently rubbed her friend's back.
"It's all gone wrong! I was having the loveliest time with Blueblood, and then he was called away to deal with a disturbance which just so happened to be caused by Rainbow Dash, and then he--he arrested her!"
"Arrested?! What in the hay did she do?"
"She was in a scuffle, for Celestia's sake. A fight! All the anticipation, planning, preparation, down the drain! It would've been bad enough if he simply kicked her out."
"Hang on just a sec, a fight? Knowing Rainbow, she probably started it."
"Applejack!" exclaimed Rarity as she stepped back.
"Now, arresting her? That's a mite too far. Dash wouldn't hurt a pony. Not on purpose, anyway."
"But what can I do? Blueblood is a prince, he's fully in his right to order the guards around. I could ask Celestia to intervene, but I don't know if I could convince her to do anything."
"I'll tell you what. You go find him and give him a piece of your mind, and I'll straighten things out with Rainbow, stop her from saying anything too stupid."
"You'd do that for me?"
"For you, and for Rainbow."
"Thank you, Applejack! Thank you so much!" said Rarity with a hug, before setting off in search of that blasted royal.
Seeing her leave, Applejack sighed and reached for the cider.