Dating isn't just for mortals...

Celestia woke up just before sunrise...naturally, and sprung out of bed. It was monday and whilst returning to court didn't usually invigorate her so, there was something else of pressing concern. Today would be the first day that the newspapers would have had a chance to report on her date.

Raising the sun and quickly brushing her teeth, she headed off to breakfast. As she entered the Royal Dinning room, she saw Luna having her supper alone, save for a few guards. Cadence had gone home to the Crystal Empire the day before and life at the palace was back to normal.

Or at least she hoped so...it depended on the media.

Celestia took her seat to a cheery wave from her Sister whose mouth was filled with her ice-cream desert. The younger alicorn picked up the papers she was reading and levitated them over to her sister. Celestia poured herself a strong cup of coffee and took a deep sip before turning attention to the sheets in front of her.

She looked over the front pages of the main broadsheets and other newspapers quickly and was relieved as there was no sign of any stories about her. The papers had seemingly accepted her request that they were to respect her privacy over the date, and she let out a large sigh of relief.

However, her eyes were then drawn to one newspaper, one of those low quality ones that often print rumours, gossip, completely made up and often slightly racist stories. The front page was dominated by one story, along with stock photo of the Princess and Discord together.

"Thats the only one" Luna confirmed before taking another big bite of pie.

Celestia read over the story, which was far from complimentary. The newspaper was one aimed at earth and pegasi ponies that often tried to stir up general distrust of canterlot and the unicorn elite. It didn't usually have negative words against the Princesses themselves, as they were too loved by too many ponies for that to work, but sometimes attacked the other ponies in the castle and nobility...especially Prince Blueblood.

This edition, whilst still not directly attacking the Princess, did cast a lot of doubt over Discords intentions even going as far as saying that it could be a trick or use of his magic. And it also cast doubt if Celestia would become too distracted to run the country properly and perhaps Princesses Luna and Twilight would have to take over. Celestia read the whole thing, with the front eight pages were filled with so-called expert testimony on what this may mean, and 'witnesses' to the date that clearly weren't there.

"Well, it could have been a lot worse!" Celestia sighed throwing the paper across the room "At least it was only one outlet."

"Yes, but I do like the idea of having more power!" Luna replied with a sisterly snigger.

Celestia pinched her own nose with a hoof "I don't even know how to reply to that!"

Luna stood up, trotted over to her sister and gave her an affectionate nuzzle "As you said, it's only one and thats always like that. I'm sure most ponies will be very accepting."

The days court had been one very uncomfortable one for Celestia, but outwardly no-pony could tell. However, internally, the mare was as heartbroken as she had been since Sunset Shimmer had left Equestria, perhaps more so.

It started not long into the days court began. Being a monday, the court was filled with ponies eager to present the plans or requests they had worked on over the weekend. Obviously many of the petitioners at court would get a very polite, but firm, no and that would be the end of it.

However, one of the first ponies to be given a no was given the reason that there wasn't enough time for the government to deal with the complicated request. As the pony turned to leave, the stallion sarcastically replied "It seems you find time for other things!"

Celestia at first wasn't sure if that was a general barb, or a specific one relating to the date. The news of her date had spread quickly thanks to that one newspaper, so Celestia was aware that it was a good chance the pony knew. When another pony made a similar remark that "It's clear where your priorities lie" her suspicions were confirmed.

Of course she just put down the comments to bitter ponies complaining when they got told no - it wasn't unusual for some ponies to take the matter of court too personally, but the fact they were implying her one date had made her unfit to rule ruffled her feathers a little.

However, as the day went on, a growing number of the ponies that were denied made snarky comments, which grew in viciousness. Celestia wanted to reply to the ponies, to defend her corner, but she knew that wouldn't be proper. Once her ruling was made, she always remained quiet until the next pony approached. And to be seen arguing with a pony in her court would completely undermine her whole regal stature.

By late afternoon her spirits were an all time low as having had so many of her precious ponies object to her personal life had warn the alicorn down. With the finishing time fast approaching Celestia was tempted to stop court early - it was still packed with ponies but that was standard for the end of the day.

Just before the next pony began their presentation, a guard came up and whispered in Celestia's ear that a group of schoolchildren had arrived unannounced. Normally Celestia wouldn't interrupt court for such a thing, but her spirits were so low she thought signing some autographs might cheer her up. She raised a hoof to interrupt the petitioner "I'm sorry to delay your turn Ms...?"

"Ms Frolicking Sonnet, Princess"

"Ms Sonnet, but there is another matter I must quickly deal with" Celestia saw the teacher and around a dozen students at the back of the room and motioned to them "Come forwards, my little ponies"

The foals slowly made their way forwards as the court petitioners watched, the teacher at the back looking a little nervous. The students stopped next to Frolicking, who stepped to one side to give them the space.

Celestia put on her best motherly smile, one that she had done all day and was hard to muster in her current state "Dear children, how can I help you today?"

One of the larger ponies, a pegasus filly, moved forwards a few steps and took something out of her saddle bag "We made these for you" and the other foals proceeded to put other pieces of parchment out of their bags.

Celestia levitated up the paintings in front of her, expecting to see the standard fare of paintings of her raising the sun or being with Luna etc. But she was shocked still instead to see pictures of her and Discord together, some with them surrounded by hearts and a couple where she was in a white dress clearly getting married.

"We heard about the nasty things being said about you in the paper - " the young filly spoke " - and we wanted to show we think it's awesome you have found your special somepony!"

"It was the students idea, your highness" the teacher added with a bit of a stutter.

Celestia had been through a lot in her long life, and had learnt to keep her emotions in check. She had cried when her beloved mentor, Starswirl the bearded, died. She cried when Luna was banished to the moon, and when she returned. But those with private moments and she had always remained composed in public. When Cadence, the third alicorn, was brought back to Equestria, she remained calm and she had done nothing by smile at her niece's wedding and Twilights coronation.

Tears started leaking out of Celestias eyes as the painting fell to the floor, the alicorn no longer about to control her aura.

"Oh no, we've upset the Princess!" the filly whimpered and looks of concern spread across the youngsters in front of the all mighty princess. Celestia jumped down from her throne, the foals flinching as she approached before finding themselves wrapped up in her wings and hooves.

Today, cuddling these young ponies and in front of the entire court, Princess Celestia cried for only the fourth time in two thousand years. The foals were at first confused at what was going on, but the warmth from their immortal leader naturally soothed them. "Thank you!" she sniffed back her tears as cuddled the group "You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that."

A few of the petitioners, many of which had been they hours and had heard some of the comments, started clapping their hooves on the ground. Slowly, other joined in until the room was filled with the sound of clopping hooves. One pegasus flew up above the crowd and called out "Three cheers for the Princess and Discord" to be met with three big cheers.

The guards, seeing the state Princess Celestia saw in, decided to close the court and started escorting the other ponies out, leaving the Princess and the school foals. After a few more moments, Celestia reluctantly let go of the children and levitated the pictures back to them. The teacher escorted the children out of the court trying to explain the difference between tears of sadness and tears of happiness, leaving Celestia and a guard along in the large hall.

As Celestia composed herself, the lone guard approached. "Forgive my forwardness Princess, as I know it's not my place to speak to you on such matters. However, you should know you have the backing of the guard as well."

Celestia looked at the guard with a face full of genuine kindness, helping the guard keep his courage to continue "We wanted to throw those rude petitioners out on their flanks, but we knew it was not our place without direction from you. But when we did talk to each other it was clear that we all felt the opposite of what those so called nobles felt!"

Celestia smiled and she tilted her head down until her horn rested on his helmet and whispered "Thank you". The guard stood in shock, flustered at the ultimate expression of gratitude the Princesses could bestow on the guard, as Celestia left the room.

Celestia sat down at the breakfast table the next morning, having not spoken to her sister since her breakdown in court. Luna had decided not to press sister the night before and give her space. Despite wanting to talk to her now, she simply floated a newspaper over to her. Celestia couldn't believe the headline and quickly checked the other papers, all of which had the same front page.

Prejudice and Pride - an open letter to Equestria

Yesterdays court will go down in the records books as both one of our countries lowest moments, but also one of it's finest.To see the Princess cry was something these ponies wish they never saw - not because they were tears of sadness nor indeed happiness but that us, her beloved little ponies, had caused them for no good reason.

It is now no secret that Princess Celestia and Lord Discord had a date. Now, whatever your feelings on the matters, they are your feelings and should remain personal to you.

Unfortunately, unsuccessful petitioners yesterday did not see it that way and soon bitter barbs were muttered from each pony's who had their request denied. Each sarcastic and low blow from the cowardly petitioners (and they were cowards as they knew nopony would respond) must have felt like a dagger in our beloved Princesses heart - we took her private life and used it against her.

The silent majority, and we were amongst them, looked on as this happened perhaps to out eternal shame. But this is court and their are rules, which everypony had to stick to. But out of the mouth of foals...

A herd of school ponies arrived with pictures for the Princess showing their support for her finding her special somepony. And our Princess broke into tears of joy, but can you blame her?

All the Princesses have guided our great nation for millennia, keeping us safe from Dragons, Changelings and other creatures intending us harm. And how do we repay them. At the first opportunity we attack for our own personal gain. The quiet majority finally made their voices heard, cheers ringing out across the hall - whilst it may be too early in their relationship, on behalf of the majority we would like to say that we back Princess Celestia and Lord Discord in whatever they choose to do with their lives.

But we want to finish with a final point - How dare anypony doubt that Princess Celestia, who ruled the country alone for a thousand prosperous years, can't find time to both date and rule this great nation? Even if she was to have pressures on her time, not only has her sister Princess Luna returned who can run the country, but Princess Twilight (who Celestia mentored whilst running the country alone we will remind you) can also help.

Nopony made this fuss when Princess Cadence married Prince Shining Armour - Doesn't all our Princesses deserve happiness like everypony else? Are they not ponies, albeit immortal and powerful, that have the same right to a personal life we all get to enjoy?

The Princess ruled alone for a thousand years - in these humble ponies opinions, she deserves as many nights off as she wants!"

The open letter was signed off by all the royal court reporters, and a smile spread across Celestia's lips - it was clear that a lot of the ponies of her land supported her much like she had them their whole lives. Celestia put down the newspaper and looked over to her grinning sister. "See, I'm not the only pony that thinks I can run the country alone - perhaps you should have a vacation" Luna stuck her tongue out at Celestia, to be met with a facefull of pillow thrown by a golden aura, with the sounds of sisterly laughter soon following.