“Where is she?” I paced back and forth across the stone tiling of the massive room. It still gives me the chills every time I think about it, such a big area. The golden thrones sat across the room, raised just above the floor’s level to assert dominance, no doubt. Though, I doubt there would be anypony foolish enough to question it.
“‘Half-past eight,’ right? Now it’s a quarter-to nine!” I was growing impatient. I know it was foolish to act in such a way, all considered. It was still a shock, when she first told me. Chills ran though my body. I could never forget how I felt, and I still remember it as if it were just yesterday.
“You... what?” My jaw dropped to the floor, much to her surprise.
“I w-wish to... court you?” Was it a question? Or was she simply as confounded as I was that she had said it? I was never a handsome pony, and yet...
I stumbled for words to reply with, but fell short. I stood there a moment more, mouth agape and eyes star-struck. This couldn’t be real, a dream, maybe? Though, it was hard to imagine such a cruel joke...
She began to grow a bit concerned for me. “I-if you wish to, of course. I would not want to force you to comply,”
I felt the feeling return to my lips. “O-of course!” Perhaps I was being a bit too... excited for the moment. “I-I mean... yes. I would love to.”
That was only a few months before, though it felt only days, if that. We had been secretly meeting almost every night, as it was the best time for the both of us. It had to be kept secret... If word ever got out that--
“Hello?” I heard her voice, melodic as ever. She had a compulsion to be as silent as she could, as her voice was naturally louder than it should have been. But it never bothered me, just something else to adore.
“I’m here,” It was almost pitch black, so it came as no surprise that she was forced to confirm my presence by way of sound.
“Oh, very well. I apologize for being tardy, I was simply-”
I had raised my hoof before she had finished speaking, but quickly realized it was in vain. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I’m only glad you’re here now,” And it was true. I had been impatient and irritable before she had made herself known, but now that she was here, I felt a relief.
I couldn’t see, but I could hear her sigh of relief, and I was certain of a smile on her lips. I listened as her clops grew louder and louder. After only a moment of waiting, I felt her warmth against my coat. “Shall we?”
I nodded, as she was close enough to see my faint outline, I was sure. I turned sharply on my hooves, something I had become accustomed to, and we accompanied each other out of the castle in near silence, as to not stir any sleeping ponies.
It wasn’t long before we emerged under the moonlight, shining over everything, including the beauty that stepped beside me. “You look wonderful, very majestic,” I commented, more of an observation than an attempt at gaining points with her. I had already learned that she wasn’t comfortable with being the center of attention, even with just one other pony present, so I said this and nothing more. Of course, she sometimes objected to that as well, but I could tell that she enjoyed the occasional compliment, no matter how often they came.
She smiled and let out a quiet laugh of gratitude. “My thanks, and I must say you look very handsome this night, as well,” I replied with thanks of my own before we continued our trek. Passing through the quiet streets, my companion took note of the silence of the scene before her. Everypony was sleeping, possibly from an exhaustive day of fun and laughter, she said.
“But that’s what makes the night so wonderful,” I replied. “Such a quiet time of day, the night is relaxing, calming, soothing, and much more,” I spoke the truth. Without the night, there would be no time for ponies to relax and regain their energy for the following day. The night may sometimes go unnoticed, but nothing goes without reason.
My answer seemed to satisfy her, if only for the time being, and we continued towards our usual gathering. A patch of grass, just outside the city’s walls, made our place of comfort for the next hour or so. I allowed her to be seated before I, then made myself comfortable, which was always easier than I expected.
“This night, especially, is beautiful,” A simple thought to finish my statement from before.
I heard another sigh, but not of relief this time. “I do not mean to interrupt, but I feel that this needs to be said before all else,” She turned towards me, her moonlit eyes shimmering.
“Yes? What is it?”
“I...” She paused then, as if she were considering whether or not to continue, but decided to when she found it was too late to turn back. “I wish to tell my sister... about us.”
I felt my heart skip a beat. I thought a moment, about whether this would be wise or not. I was only a guard, but she would understand... right? “I-I...” I was lost for words, though she seemed to be prepared for this.
“I understand what this would entail, but... I feel confident that my sister will understand,” Yes, but would she truly understand? As far as I knew, her sister had never been romantically involved with another pony. She had never been in love, as the two of us were.
But... “If you think it’s the right time... then I trust you. After all, who would know her better?” I made an attempt at a smile, which came out better than I had thought, as it resulted in a delighted pony wrapping her hooves around me. She would never have been caught by anypony else showing this much emotion, but I’ve already learned that I wasn’t just another pony.
Her eyes rose to meet mine once more, resulting in a meeting of lips. We soon parted, though I longed for another soon after.
We sat there awhile, talking of little matters, events that had taken place that day, and nothing more of her sister. I, of course, still had fears. I was not concerned with the loss of my position, though that was certainly a possibility. No, I was more concerned with the loss of my love. I didn’t know what to think about it. She was confident in her ability to convince her sister that this is real, as was I, but her sister could be a bit... stubborn at times. Everypony knew that they loved each other dearly, but...
“I received a letter this morning, would you care to know the author?” She spoke in such a regal way. I couldn’t help but be captivated by every word that left her lips.
“I would,” I also couldn’t help taking up the way of speaking from time to time.
“It was from my sister’s star pupil. I know that she is now a princess of her own, but I cannot help but continue to call her such,” Yes, I knew of the mare she spoke of, a real hero, as I knew very well myself. I felt a twinge of pain in my horn as the memories of him rushed back into my mind. “But it was very odd of her to write to me instead of my sister, but it was nice to have received a letter, as I’ve not gotten one in some time.”
I noticed her change of expression, even though I was looking towards the sky at the time. It was from joy to recollection, or perhaps guilt. “What is it?”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I had told her about our relationship,” She looked up at me, as a dog would when he knows he did wrong. It was cute enough to make me pass up any anger that she believed would surface in me, though in reality, I wasn’t annoyed in the slightest.
“Of course not,” I reassured. “Was this a reply to it? What did she say?”
She lightened a bit at it. “Simply that she was happy for me, and you, of course,” I had a feeling that I wasn’t mentioned, as I didn’t know the mare personally. “She wishes to visit soon... to meet you.”
My smile faded. “To meet me?” I echoed. I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. I had only just gotten over the fact that I was in such a relationship, and now I was to meet her friend? I was to meet her princess friend? “I’d be happy to,” Anything for her. Besides, I was interested in meeting this hero that saved Equestria.
She brightened enough to steal attention from the moon. “Wonderful! Now I must be back, as Sister will be looking for me soon,” I began to ask why before I was quieted by another meeting of lips, which I wasn’t prepared to object to.
We said our goodbyes, and she took her leave. I couldn’t help but watch her leave, she was graceful, regal, and majestic, all at the same time. When she was out of view, I met face with the moon. It was as beautiful as ever, just as she was. The stars were twinkling, though they could never hope to rival her mane.
I love the night sky all the same. After all the night is a part of her, and I love Princess Luna.
