Their most faithful student

“True love is dancing to a song only heard in the heart.”
- Autumn Delight

CHAPTER TWO

The Duel

Of all the places in Canterlot castle, the most unknown to Twilight was the arena on the royal guard training grounds, the large round put that was used in the days of old for physical combat tournaments. The stands were filled, half with Royal Guards, and half with the higher Nobility of Canterlot. There was a murmur from the crowd most of the guards seemed to be discussing something quite passionately, and coin seemed to be passing from guards to a lieutenant.

Twilight's eyes slowly moved towards the lunar Princess standing in the middle of the arena, a slight scowl crossing her features as she watched the entrance to the arena, her foot tapping on the hard ground impatiently. The Princess of the Night stood dressed in a simple light outfit that reminded Twilight of gym shorts and a simple top, even though the fabric itself was clearly enchanted.

Luna shifted and rested her hands on the two small curved blades, ones that twilight in all honesty had never seen the likes of before. Shaped almost like the crescent moon cutie mark the Princess had, the outfit itself showed a daring amount of skin, and twilight could clearly hear the noble woman present discussing that.

Twilight got Startled by a hand being placed on her shoulder, though a gentle voice reassured her, "Twily, are you nervous?" Shining Armour asked his sister, softly squeezing her shoulder reassuringly.

She nodded, looking at him for a moment before wrapping him in a sisterly hug, "I... I'm fine BBBFF, just worried about them." She said, softly sighing as she glanced over to Luna once more.

"I know Twily; this isn't the first time though"

"Not? But... why?"

"Well... they enjoy it, I think at least." He said, though looked about as worried as Twilight "I should get down there sis, will you be alright?”

"I will be fine Shining." She nodded slowly.

"Worried I might humiliate my sister, Captain?" Luna said, glancing over her shoulder as she watched Shining Armour approaching her. She smirked gently at him "Worry not we won't harm each other."

"That is more what I am worried about Princess, Celestia and yourself can handle a loss even in public though I rather not see either of you hurt." He said, giving a slight nod in response to Luna. He approached her placing a hand on the smaller woman's shoulder. "You're both capable with a blade, though... I do not know how Twilight will handle seeing you both like this."

"It's actually for her; my sister was only teasing me. Though it was a good opportunity to show Twilight the spell we are going to teach her." She nodded, placing her own hand on to his.

He ran a hand through his messy blue hair, pushing it out of his face with a little sigh "She's worried."

"She needs to learn this is a part of her being a Princess." She smiled a little "And she learns best by example."

In the distance she could already see Celestia, dressed in a similar outfit to her personal guard, a simple white robe, with a silvered breastplate on top of the pure white robes. A long sword at her hip as she approached with a distinct pride in her step, Starsong at her side looking at the Princess with a mixture of worry and embarrassment written on her face, she was whispering to her Princess who calmed her with a simple smile.

Starsong's expression shifted to a neutral one, even after making eye contact with the sergeant from the last night, her back straight left hand behind her back, and right hand resting on the pommel of her blade. "Princess it's not too late to back out..." she whispered softly, looking shocked as if not having meant to even say that aloud.

Celestia didn't reply as she approached her sister, bowing slightly upon entering the Arena, leaving Starsong standing by the entrance.

"Sister thee decided to show up!? Art thou ready?" She called out in what else, but her royal shouting voice, sticking to tradition perhaps a little too much.

Celestia returned Luna's shout with one of her own something that was definitely out of character for her "Yes, sister dearest. I am ready." Looking at Twilight, Celestia frowned a little, her hand not touching her blade yet, "My faithful student whatever happens do not interfere alright?"

Twilight nodded gently as she looked at Celestia and Luna for a long moment, and then to her brother as she heard him call out to everyone gathered.

"Gathered mares and gentlecolts." Shining Armour started wrapping an arm around his little sister Twilight, "we've gathered here for a very rare occurrence, a duel between Princess Luna, and her elder sister Princess Celestia; Princess Luna has challenged her sister for her title as superior blade master." He let that sink into the crowd for a moment before continuing "The rules are simple, protective magic will envelop their blades to avoid any real wounds and spells will be dampened in a similar manner. Blows to the head not allowed and neither is flight, anything else goes."

"Big brother?"

"Yes Twily?"

"Is this... normal?"

"It doesn't happen often, though mostly they do this in the barracks, in private, with just me and the officers to keep an eye on them." Shining Armour said smiling lovingly at his little sister, ruffling her hair a little with his right hand. "Both of them will be entirely fine my dear sister."

"T-thank you," She whispered and leaned against his side, eyes locked on Celestia and Luna.

"Begin!" the former captain of the guard announced to Luna and Celestia.

Luna drew her blades in a swift, fluid motion staring at her elder sister as a small little grin creeps on her dark painted lips, eyes narrowed in concentration as her blade was enveloped in a cerulean aura. The sharp gleam of the metal vanishing as they became visibly blunt as if it were but practice swords; both her hands wrapped around the hilt of each individual weapon as she took her ready stance.

Celestia how ever did not draw her blade, at all. Its scabbard was enveloped in a similar aura signalling it was also affected by the same spell; she raised a hand and motioned at her sibling in a taunting manner passing up the initiative to the lunar Princess.

Luna looked apprehensive for a moment, though the chance for getting a free hit in overpowered her more rational senses. Swiftly she charged at her fellow Princess, right handed blade shifting in her grip as she made an overhead slash at her sister's chest area, going for what would normally be a killing blow. Her other blade turned in her grasp, readying to parry the inevitable counter attack.

Luna's blade cut through thin air, catching the lunar Princess by surprise, Celestia was nowhere to be seen. At least not in front of Luna, she rematerialised right behind her sister, blade in hand to deliver a stinging slap against Luna's rear with the flat of her blade.

The smack of the spank could be heard by all attendants. "Did, losing to Starswirl teach you nothing, sister?" She teased, leaping back out of reach of Luna's blades. Even with not being allowed to fly, she was still allowed to increase her jump distance with her wings.

Luna growled in response, spinning and slashing at thin air once more, following her attack up with a leap forwards to Celestia. With blinding speed and accuracy she slapped her blade across her sister's flank, leaving quite the bruise for later. She did her best to recover though it was too late, Celestia had already taken a swing the blade almost striking Luna's throat, were it not that Celestia's blow was parried by a quick reaction from her polar opposite, letting the weapon bounce off harmlessly past her.

The lighting quick parry drew a cheer from the amassed crowd. It was clear some seemed to favour the Princess of the Night; breathing steadily she leaped back from her elder sister she started circling the calm and composed Solar deity, stalking around her like a predator looking for a lapse in concentration from her prey. She's too calm. She is planning something. Luna thought to herself.

Celestia stood still, that is to say she stood as still as a warrior being circled by her opponent, following the other woman with all her senses, listening for a change in her steps as she was behind her. Registering every little noise created by the rustling of her sister's garments. Her blade already back into its scabbard, her hands at her side fingers moving in what the casual observer would think was nervous twitching; but the casual observer would be dead wrong in their assessment, and clearly lacked any knowledge of the subtleties of silent casting.

Princess Twilight Sparkle, was however not a casual observer when it came to magic. Her eyes went wide as she recognised the movements Celestia was making with her fingers, mouthing the words that were meant to accompany the preparation of the spell. "Brother... is she?" Twilight started to ask, but was cut off by her brother's hand covering her mouth, giving her only a nod as response.

After a moment, he leaned in to whisper to her, "Yes, though Luna has not noticed of it. She is distracted."

Twilight was about to answer, but was interrupted by a loud shout of exertion as Luna set in for another attack. The Lunar Princess charged, aiming her protected blades at her sister's back, her eyes filled with a fierce fury, though her lips were oddly enough curled into a loving smile. The Princess of the Night seemed to be having fun

"Igins" Celestia said softly, a force of magic erupting from her form, the air around her burned with the fury of a Sun, bathing everyone in a radiant light warm light. It felt like the embrace of a mother's gentle, warmth, but most of all it felt like safety. Turning, Celestia snap-drew her blade once more while Luna was still dazed by the blast of pure energy. Raising her blade to a low guard, the Solar Princess darted in low while her younger sister staggered on her feet.

Luna gasped for breath, not having been prepared in the slightest for such a concussive force to smack into her body, the wind knocked out of her, it had almost taken her balance away at the same time. Staggered and stunned, the lunar Princess managed to remain standing as she tried to catch her breath. She brought both her blades up in defence of herself but not a second later she felt Celestia's blade hit her in the chest in a diagonal slash from shoulder to hip. Shocked by the blow, she was unable to do anything as the Solar Princess's blade came up with a clean flourish, tip pressed lightly to her throat.

"Dost thou yield, sister?"

"Nay! We doth not yield" Luna protested, knocking Celestia's blade away with her own and took up a more aggressive stance, wings flared and her eyes locked to her sister's. "Have at ye!" She cried, charging forwards once more, one blade to her side, the other aiming a slash at her Sister's wrist.

Celestia let out a small sigh as she braced herself, bringing her blade up to parry her sister, only to realise that her sister's charge had been a feint.

"Mico" the Lunar Princess said aloud, vanishing from sight for her sister and the crowd, appearing two steps further forwards bypassing her sister's parry stance, and appearing behind her. Lunar magic clashed with solar magic, penetrating through and shattering the magical barrier that that surrounded her sister. She pounced onto Celestia's back and pressed the magically charged blade to her sister's throat making a cutting motion at her sister's delicate skin. That blow, unlike Celestia's, would have been a guaranteed kill, if not for the magic that surrounding the blades. Luna skipped back, wing fluttering, leaving a large red line, on the flawless pale skin of her sister's throat.

Celestia dropped to her knees eyes wide as she realised she'd been beaten, her playing around with Luna has left her open. She dropped her blade, looking over at a shocked Starsong.

"The winner is Princess Luna of Equestria." Shining Armour announced with a proud tone to his voice, smirking at Twilight a little "Luna did well, Celestia is stronger with magic than her although less talented with the blade." He explained with a gentle smile nudging Twilight towards the Princesses who were embracing each other tightly.

Twilight leapt down into the arena, still shocked as she approached both Princesses, Luna helping her sister up, though Celestia still seemed shocked as she stood up leaning on Starsong's shoulder.

"I hope you learnt from this Twilight, I expect you to explain how the spells that we used works." She smirked at the smaller Princess, whom eagerly nodded in response, but now for my reward!"

"Yes Princess Luna, wait what rewar..." she started, though was cut off rather abruptly as Luna stood on the tips of her toes, pressing her lips against those of Twilight. Twilight didn't make move when Luna kissed her in her excitement. Luna kissed her full on the lips, arms and wings slipping around the newly minted Princess. The kiss was deep and passionate, Luna's tongue caressing along Twilight's lips a little before she pulled away slowly.

"What!?’Tis tradition!" The Lunar Princess huffed at the stunned crowd. Tossing back her head she casually walked off with a satisfied smile on her lips, leaving behind a confused crowd, stunned sister, and a deeply blushing Twilight Sparkle whose wings flared up with an audible pomf.

The new Princess trembled on her feet, as if having a massive internal freak out about what had just transpired, but she did a good job not having it aloud.

A cocky sway to her hips, Luna whistled a merry tune as she strode into the castle, a massive grin straining against her lips. Perhaps too quick, though well worth it. She thought.

***

Hours had passed since Luna had bested her sister for the first time in over a thousand years, it was growing late in the afternoon now, and after a late lunch shared with the two sisters in a somewhat awkward atmosphere after Luna had so publicly kissed Twilight. Luna had set her on tech track of some reading material for her upcoming lessons.

As such Twilight found herself in front of the expansive Royal library, its large oak doors with golden trimming stood between her and the vast collection of knowledge that had been gathered over the centuries. Taking a few deep breaths to catch her breath she pushed the doors open with her magic allowing herself to be hit by the scent of dust and old parchment. Most people would be off put by it, though not Twilight Sparkle, to her it was a soothing and welcoming scent that made her feel safe and comfortable, the only thing that made her feel more comfortable was being with Princess Celestia, and Luna.

Princess Luna, Twilight blushed deeply as her mind raced back to what happened only moments after the duel. The feeling of her body against the other Princess held in a tight strangling embrace. Her lips pressed to those of the other Luna's soft purple painted lips the tingling sensation she felt crawl up her spine in that moment. Twilight's mind spiralled downhill from there as her thoughts conjured up an image of Luna in her mind; pressed against Twilight firmly, wings wrapped firmly around the small of her back as they shared a deep passionate kiss her hands pawing at Luna's shoulders, breathing growing heavier.

And as she came back to reality the Twilight was reminded sensation of overwhelming loneliness after the kiss had been broken, it almost enough to bring her to tears as she thought back on it. It took a moment for everything to register properly though when it did she blinked for a moment she didn't know how long she had been standing in the doorway, but considering everyone in the Library was staring at her uncomfortably while knelt down she guessed it was for too long.

"P-please rise... there is no need to bow to me" she mumbled softly, to everyone's visible relief. Entering the Library she closed the large oaken doors behind herself as everyone went back to their books or duties. She was approached by a frail looking old lady, who had her wings folded behind herself. Smiling at her Twilight bowed her head as she had done many times as a little girl.

"Twilight Sparkle, it has been too long." She started as in formal as ever, laying a hand on the Princess' shoulder with a small grin. "A Princess now and you did not even visit me to let me see" she smirked playfully, taking her hand back folding it around one of the books she held to her chest. She spoke in a happy and kind voice though any form of offence was feigned for the sake of teasing.

"I am sorry, I have been meaning to visit though with all that has been going on I have had little time." She said with genuine regret in her voice. It was no secret that Twilight liked the older woman as if she was family. The elderly unicorn had been much a mentor to her as Celestia had been. "I'm here for a reason though I need to find an old book. Something Luna wrote."

"Princess Luna? Those are very old, ancient even. But yes we still have her collection" the woman said, leading Twilight to her desk, she walked quickly though he high heeled shoes seemed to almost make no sound as they made contact with the marble floor. "They are kept in the night wing of the Library, although I should caution you, Twilight. Some of those books contain dangerous spells that is why we do not allow anyone in that wing." She nodded gently offering Twilight a large brass key.

Twilight accepted the key with a nod, offering the woman a confident smile. "I remember trying to sneak in there as a little girl. Celestia banned me from the Library for a week after that." She chuckled softly with a nostalgic smile. "You had to bring me the books I needed to do my studies..."

"As if I could forget, you were so distraught at not being allowed to enter, though as I remember Celestia cut your sentence short." The librarian smirked teasingly. "She said something about sulking and stealing her diary to have something to read?"

Twilight blushed deeply as she looked at the floor. "Yes... not my proudest moment." She admitted freely. "I should go though I need to know the entire book I need before Luna's night court." She bowed her head respectfully to her fellow librarian. Earning a light motherly pat on the head before hurrying off to the night-wing of the Library a broad grin plastered on her lips feeling like a kid in an all you can eat candy store.

The doors to the nightwing were more ornate than the main library doors, moon motifs carved meticulously into a deep ebony wood, a portrait of Princess Luna reclining on a crescent moon was visible in the centre of the doors. She blushed seeing that the lunar Princess was only wearing a short frilly dress. She could not help but imagine Luna in such an outfit these days.

Twilight unlocked the door, the key making a loud clang as it turned the massive locks and breaking the ancient seals with a soft rip. Pushing open the doors she smiled in satisfaction peering into the dark more Gothic section of the Library. Its walls were created from deep black obsidian. High above there were glass in lead windows depicting Luna Celestia and an Alicorn she had never seen before. The ceiling had large arches that supported the roof and each entranceway into small alcoves. The expansive wing was lit by magic ever burning candles each had a blue cold flame to avoid setting fire to the one of a kind irreplaceable tomes.

She took in a deep breath stepping into the breath taking wing of her library; it was like something she had never seen before, outside of the old castle of the two sisters in the Everfree forest. She inspected the window panes closely realising that there was an enchanted glow-globe behind than rather than natural sunlight. Inspecting the third Princess she realised she had no idea who she was; never even having heard of there being another Alicorn as old as Celestia or Luna. She was a tall, graceful woman with a powerful presence even in the windowpane, her hair was a deep crimson red and she wore a radiant winning smile. Twilight was both in awe and intimidated by the woman she could only surmise was the Mother of Luna and Celestia, considering she held both of them in her arms.

In the centre of the expansive wing there was a stone book stand much like there was in the main hall, a place where one could use magic to retrieve a book that was needed without having to comb through all of the thousands of volumes by hand. She approached it with a fond smile, looking around she notices that the wing had four main paths all leading up to the stand. She placed her hands on its surface concentrating on the book that Luna had recommended for her to read. Magic surrounded the stand, her amethyst aura it's power caused the medallion around her neck to vibrate, as it felt the powerful indexing spell that was being cast names of volumes flashed through her mind too fast for her to properly note them all though some stuck due to their odd nature. The great book of sex magic, Training thine consort and more such lewd sounding books that the Princess of friendship did not even want to consider, though they seemed to stick in her mind enough for them to appear right in front of her along with the book that she was actually looking for.

She let out a low groan and rolled her eyes as she took the books that had appeared before her to a little Alcove to the side in between two of the paths that were lined with the books. She let out a loud sigh of exasperation. "Silly spell..." she mumbled placing the stack of lewd books aside. She eyed the massive and ancient tome pondering for a moment It is massive, I won't be able to finish that before night court starts... perhaps I could use that new spell I recovered. she thought to herself, tapping her lips idly with her right hand leaning on her elbow.

She stood up, taking in a deep breath, exhaling slowly as amethyst magic starts to envelop her small delicate hands. She felt a surge of adrenalin rushing through her system, the thrill of using a new spell filling her with a blissful sensation. All the books levitated off the stand, rising up in the grip of lilac tendrils shapes that almost looked like letters slowly being transferred from the books to the head of the element of magic. The young Alicorn was filled with the sensational rush as knowledge flowing into her very being, though it was stored away to be slowly absorbed over time in her subconscious.

Time seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, before twilight had noticed hours and a multitude of different books that she didn't remember picking up had passed. She fell to the carpeted floor with a gentle thumb panting heavily from fatigue; she had not considered just how much of her magical reserve it would drain to use that single spell. Her eyes closed for a moment as she tried to catch her breath allowing her reserves to replenish a little drawing upon the innate magic around herself.

A few minutes passed as Twilight sat there on the floor her breathing slowly levelling out to a more normal rate, her eyes opened to discover that all the books she had used a few seconds, or was it minutes? She could not be sure which it was any more having lost her sense of time due to the bombardment of knowledge that was now being absorbed into her brain. Time seemed to pass at a fluctuating rate for the young Alicorn. Time... odd it only seems like... she paused and reconsidered the word time, taking a moment drawing a blank at what was so special about time.

To say it hit Twilight like a train was a definite understatement, if asked she would say that the thought had hit her like a freight train loaded with heavy metals, heading towards Canterlot at a speed of a hundred and twenty kilometres an hour. "I'm going to be late!" she shouted aloud leaping up to her feet and making a mad dash towards the Lunar wing doors almost forgetting to lock them and return the key in her haste. Her mental checklist prevented her from actually forgetting either of those things. In the hallway though she noticed the sun hanging low in the sky, she realised that her internal clock had been off by about an hour, losing track of time was foreign to her. She felt a little weak after the experience though managed to remain upright and set into a leisurely pace towards the throne room.

Patting down her robes she took a calming breath trying to shake off her almost break down I was almost tar- no not that word... Late, I almost thought I was late. She corrected herself, breathing out a sigh while motioning her arm forwards like Cadance had taught her a while back. Reaching into the pocket of her robes she smiled warmly, taking out a small leather bound notebook that looked to be quite some years old. She flipped it open with a loving smile, humming a loving melodious and warm tune to herself reading the ancient poetry that she had found in the Ponyville library. She walked a lot slower through the labyrinthine hallways of the palace her face buried in the book, navigating the hallways by memory. The guards she encountered stepped aside for her clearing a path for the, to them still new Princess, they shook their heads and mumbled something about Twilight being too much like the Lunar Princess at times.

***

To the casual observer of Twilight Sparkle, it may appear that she was just aimlessly wandering the corridors of the Castle with her face buried in a book. They would be sorely mistaken for the Princess of Friendship did nothing aimlessly or without reason. No her path was carefully planned and calculated in her mind. She took the optimal route through the Labyrinthine interior of the palace to arrive at the throne room at exactly the right time while having the optimal chance to read whatever she had in her hands.

Although reading was not on her mind right now, she was reading although she still hadn't passed the fifth page of the book she held in her hands; her mind was a veritable maelstrom of thoughts and theories about what had happened that early afternoon. Why... did Luna kiss me? I know she said it was tradition but... she thought with an audible sigh isn't that what lovers do? Does this mean she is interested in me... or was she just... oh Celestia what do I do I can't face her!

Twilight blushed slightly as her thoughts had come back to that or rather to her, a small bashful smile crept onto her lips thinking back to the kiss she had been pulled into I... have to admit it was nice...

"Something troubling you, Friend?" a soft gentle though slightly aggravating voice said, at least aggravating to those who actually knew to whom the voice belonged. It pulled Twilight from her thought's instantly; the voice seemed to be coming from thin air as there was nothing in the corridor.

Twilight let out a deep annoyed sigh, her eyes scanning the hallway, slowly and carefully, for the owner of the highly frustrating voice. Her eyebrow twitched a little in mild frustration at being unable to find him. That is until there was a whistle from her chest. Looking down she saw the last person she would want to see sitting on the edge of her book, almost as small as a fly stood the Draconequus known as Discord looked up at her sympathetically.

"Discord, I am in no mood for your games right now. If you want to play go see Fluttershy." She said with more than a little annoyance in her tone, she winced a little as she noticed the knife-like edge to her own words regretting them the moment she spoke "S-sorry... I should not let my annoyance get the better of me." She apologised with a small frown.

"It is fine Twilight, and I just got back from dear Fluttershy. We had our weekly tea together; but for once Twilight I am not after games, tell me what is troubling you?" he said with what sounded like genuine concern for the youngest of the Princesses.

Twilight let another sigh escape, sitting on the window frame, looking outside into the small internal garden. She told him everything, the kiss and her subsequent worries and inability to even stop thinking about Luna, how every thought she had ended in thinking about her. She was fighting back tears of frustration and confusion as she told the Draconequus about her worries and inability to process these feelings.

"I see," Discord started with a small smile, he had grown to his full height again, sitting beside Twilight, a clawed hand softly brushing her hair as she leaned in for comfort. I... have to admit I was not expecting her to seek comfort in me... he thought to himself before continuing "Well, miss Sparkle I think I have reached a diagnosis." The Lord of Chaos had changed his appearance to that of the typical psychiatrist, in a fancy suit.

Twilight blinked for a moment as she looked up at him, clearly not amused, though before she could speak her shushed her with a serious glance.

"I am being serious Sparkle, so please don't give me that same 'we art not amused!' look Celestia does" He said with a small chuckle "My diagnosis for you my friend, is that you have a severe case of the crush for a certain nocturnal Princess." He nodded slowly, seeming to agree with his own assessment of the situation. "You should consider asking her out."

"But... I hardly know Luna that personally! How cou..." she sighed deeply as she looked up at him. "I don't even know anything about courting, or love for that matter"

Letting out a sigh he conjured up a small book entitled 'Romance for Dummies' placing it in her lap. "You can read that, talk to your sister in law... or do what I did and just follow your heart." He said softly ruffling her hair softly before using magic to style it as if nothing had touched her hair, even within the tear stains from her pale skin.

"Thank you Discord... That did in fact help me a little" she spoke in a gentle appreciative voice offering the Draconequus a radiant and friendly smile. "Wait you have a special someone?" Twilight blinked rapidly looking up at him in mild shock.

"I think had is a better way of saying it, we separated after well... my taking over Equestria and things, not my proudest moment." He said with a gentle smile "Fond memories none the less Twilight, I should introduce you to my daughter Eris though."

"But regardless you have somewhere to be, she is waiting for you" He said giving her a playful shove into the throne room before she could form a reply.

She nodded and pressed the book to her chest with a small smile on her lips "Thank you again, and... it'd be a pleasure meeting your daughter Discord."

He smiled and waved at her, "No need to thank me Sparkle" he said just before she rounded a corner.

"Well... that was the last sight I was expecting, Discord." Celestia's voice said surprisingly gently as she approached him, Starsong not far behind.

"She needed it... now Tia, about your problem."

***

Luna let out a small sigh as she allowed herself to meld into the evening shadows, her eyes locking on the woman she had picked as her prey, the element of magic Twilight Sparkle. With a devilish grin on her dark purple lips she allowed herself to reform behind the Princess of friendship, her eyes closed for a moment as she casually stalked after her playing with her prey, slipping into the shadows every time Twilight turned around.

Twilight shivered a little feeling as though she was being watched, even though no royal guards were in this particular hallway. She shook her head firmly as she looked back into the book Discord had given her. It's just your imagination, you're being paranoid again because you're reading something embarrassing she mentally excused the feeling away.

Eventually after a good ten minutes of stalking the younger Alicorn she pounced, leaning in close to whisper playfully into the poor unfortunate Twilight's ear. "Thy art my every reason and my every desire and every dream, Twilight Sparkle." Her hands slipped around the other woman's waist as her lips lightly caressed the lobe of Twilight's ear a sweet purr escaping the Lunar Princess' mouth, as her soft lips caressed along the shell of Twilight's ear.

Twilight Sparkle froze in her place, wings unfurling with an audible pomf. Her breath catching in her throat as her cheeks burned brightly with as a deep scarlet blush washed over her healthy glowing cheeks. She jerked not a moment later on pure instinct, magic flaring from her horn and her books sent flying across the hallway as the levitation spell backfired from the pure and utter shock of being ambushed with whispers of sweet nothings.

A shiver ran up her spine as she remained in Luna's embrace for a while before eventually leaping away from the woman, opening her mouth to protest, though looking at the Lunar Princess made her breath catch in her throat once more rendering her unable to reprimand the woman, her amethyst eyes locked with the other Princess' deep and expressive azure orbs.

Luna looked deeply into Twilight's eyes, unable to hide the longing and adoration that radiated from her own, blushing as she realised just what she had said. It didn't register before it had left her lips entirely she meant to say something more along the lines of gotcha or some such she couldn't really recall what exactly she was going to say to tease the Princess of Friendship.

Shock ran through Luna's system, having just told Twilight how she felt had not been the plan, she hadn't meant to throw that on the poor girl, why did I... T-this wasn't what I... she thought she could even Hardly form a coherent thought inside of her own mind. Her lips moved in an attempt to speak a desperate effort to say something to break the awkward silence.

The awkwardness was so thick in the air around them Luna was sure it could be cut with a knife, her attempts to break it though did not go entirely as planned, and the awkwardness of her predicament was choking her into a mixture of stuttering and pauses. "We... that is to say... erm... I am... Sorry!" she blurted out and vanished with the tell-tale flash of a deportation spell, leaving a stunned and confused Twilight behind.

"Luna wait!" Twilight called out, though too late, she'd broken out of her own reverie too late; she blinked a moment in confusion of what had just happened. The young Princess remaining behind in the empty hallway of the palace, her wings standing at their full attention still not having lowered after the initial shock of Luna's sweet loving voice whispering into her ear, "Stupid..." she mumbled to herself hanging her head in a dejected manner, allowing a sad sigh to pass her lips, continuing to walk through the hallways on her predetermined route to the throne room Calm down, everything will be alright. I will find a way to fix things with her. She tried to reassure herself mentally, though it wouldn't have fooled the most simple minded of people.

Sighing she levitated the books back to herself.

***

Celestia allowed a small relaxed sigh to pass her lips, she reclined on a large pillow in front of the hearth in her personal study her knees pulled up to her chest. She levitated a cup of herbal tea in her radiant golden musical aura; taking a deep breath enjoying the scent with a small giggle as she caught the pronounced scent of Jasmine Starsong... you know just what I need after a long day... she thought to herself taking the smallest of sips.

In the background there was the soft gentle melody of her favourite classical music was playing, though not many of the people of this generation would recognise the music, it was ancient. Celestia was sure she owned the only remaining copies save for perhaps the music academy.

Humming ever so lightly along with the slow piece of antiquated music, somepony had to keep the works of ancient masters alive she mused to herself. She sunk back into the pillow allowing everything that was around her to slip away into the void of nothingness focusing her mind wholly on the soft scent of her tea and the gentle romantic melody of the music. "Only thing to make it better is if Starsong was here..." she sighed softly as she thought of her beloved Unicorn, whom was with her family for the night.

All was silent in the neatly cleaned, circular study of the solar Princess, save for the soft classical music emanating from the small stereo sat upon her writing desk amidst a few burning candles. The solar deity was a rather old-fashioned woman preferring to keep her room lit by candles rather than magical glow globes.

The last few rays of light filled the room with a brassy orange glow as the sun made room for the moon in their shared sky. Her room was not as big as most would think she kept her quarters rather humble in comparison to her little sister. She had wall to wall cream coloured carpet, with a large sun set into it shaped like her cutie-mark. Near the window she had a large circular bed, the south and west walls were one large window, with two doors leading to a large balcony.

Although the peace would not last as Celestia was startled by an audible and rather loud pop, accompanied by a midnight blue flash as her sister teleported into the room a panicked look in her eyes; her wings standing at attention although not in the happy kind of manner no they were wound up and ready to instantly take flight and flee. "Tia! We have Royally screwed up!" Luna shouted her old resurfacing as she fell back into using the Royal voice aggressively in her state of blind panic.

Mother... why? Was it too much to ask to have a day with nothing disturbing my peace? She internally questioned, though she was brought back to reality as she heard the sound of her favourite teacup shattering on the ground. Wiping the tear off her dress with an even deeper sigh as she stood to face Luna, she let out a deep sigh looking at her younger sister with a deadpan expression "Doth the door offend thine delicate sensibilities sister?" she asked, perhaps a bit colder than she had intended, though pulling her little sister close holding her pressed close a hand running through the blue and purple hair. "Tell me... what did you do now?"

"Well..." Luna started, talking throwing it all out as Celestia allowed them both to drop into the fluffy pillow.

<<<< To be continued >>>>