Most ponies would feel apprehension or even dread at the thought of being destined for an arranged marriage. The thought of one’s life being so thoroughly planned out for them to the point that they couldn’t choose their own life partner was hardly fathomable to many.

But to Heavenly Glow, it was as natural as a pony’s cutie mark.

She felt no opposition to this destiny that awaited her. She devoted her life to serving the God Mother, and if this was what the God Mother wanted for her, then it would be so. Even from her fillyhood, she got right to work in preparing to serve this purpose that she was given.

Now, that day had come.

As is usual for an arranged marriage, Heavenly Glow didn’t meet her betrothed until their wedding day. The ceremony had gone smoothly, both brides going through the motions and vows that had been scripted for them for years, but the reception would be a different story.

Preparing to get married was easy. But actually being married would be harder. If they wanted this union to be successful for their respective kingdoms, the two brides would actually have to get to know each other.

Heavenly sat up stiffly in her seat, surveying the guests mingling around the ballroom while racking her brain for something to say.

“Hello there, what did you think of the proceedings?”

Sahar turned her gaze up, looking a bit startled. She was so overwhelmed by her new surroundings that she felt much more jumpy than usual. But she forced a smile to try to hide that.

“I’m well.”

“Oh.”

As Sahar observed Heavenly’s expression, she could tell she hadn’t answered the way she wanted. There was a clear language barrier which would complicate things for the both of them.

“What are your thoughts on-“

Heavenly stopped, rewording her question to be more straightforward for Sahar to understand.

“Do you like Equestria so far?”

“Equestria is good.”

Sahar answered, but she frowned.

“It is not like home. Saddle Arabia is much beautiful. The food and the land, I like better. In Equestria I do not know.”

“But Sahar, Equestria is your home now,” Heavenly reminded her.

“My one home is Saddle Arabia. Like Equestria is not…”

Sahar trailed off, memories of her homeland flooding her mind. Her homeland that she would never go back to. She had learned about Equestria and knew that she would be living here, but it was not enough to prepare her for actually leaving home.

She bit her lip, feeling even more overwhelmed than before.

Heavenly couldn’t help but feel insulted by this. Hadn’t she been preparing for this too? Learning about the land she would one day call home? She couldn’t understand what there was to miss about that hot desert anyway. Looking back would do her no good.

As she always did in trying times, she prayed.

My Eternal Mother, I pray that you’ll help Sahar to accept and appreciate her new home. I pray that she will come to embrace our customs. And please, help us get along.