1,000 Years Ago

“Sister.” Celestia said, nudging her sister gently.

Luna groaned and shifted uncomfortably.

“Sister!” She said, a bit more urgently.

Luna opened her eyes slowly and looked up at her sister in surprise.

“What is it sister?” She asked.

“I’m sorry to wake you Luna, but Cadence will be here soon and I thought it would be best if both of us were there to hear the news.”

Luna stretched and yawned as her sister opened her room darkening curtains, letting the light of her brilliant sun through the window. She shielded her eyes from the bright light, not used to being up in the morning.

“I need a bath.” Luna observed, looking back at her flank.

Celestia blushed at what she was implying.

“Well yes, I’m sure we could both use one…” She said. “But we don’t have time. Cadence will be here any minute. I thought that we should meet with her in a more casual setting, so I’ve arranged for us to have tea in the guest suite that she’ll be using while she’s staying here.”

“That’s a good idea.” Luna said.

As much as she and her sister disliked formality, Cadence was even worse.

“What about your court today?” She asked, concerned. “How much time do we have to meet with Cadence?”

“I’ve rescheduled all my appointments so they’re spread out over the next several days.” She said. “It should make for an interesting rest of the week, but now we have as much time as we need to meet with Cadence.”

“Well let’s go then.” Luna said. “We don’t want to keep Cadence waiting.”

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Princess Cadence fidgeted with excitement. She couldn’t wait to tell them the news! Shining Armor hadn’t been able to come with her or the Crystal Empire would have been left undefended, but she needed to keep this a secret for as long as possible. The guards had escorted her to her chambers nearly twenty minutes ago, but neither Celestia nor Luna had shown. It was quite unusual for the princesses to be late and she started to get a little nervous. But her nervousness vanished as she heard a knock on her door.

“Coming!” She said happily, trotting over to the door and opening it slowly.

“Celestia, Luna, it’s good to see you both!” She exclaimed, hugging them both quickly. “Please come in! I have great news!”

Both sisters looked at each other in surprise before walking into the room and shutting the door behind them. They had both been expecting some bad or at the very least serious news, but Cadence’s demeanor indicated that it was something totally different and unexpected.

Cadence poured them both tea and beckoned them to sit across the table from her as she poured her own cup. The sisters walked over to the table slowly before sitting down on the plush cushions on the opposite side of the table from Cadence. All three ponies were levitating their tea with magic and both Luna and Cadence had already grabbed a crumpet as well.

“So I take it this great news isn’t pertaining to the wellbeing of Equestria?” Celestia asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

She was a bit irritated at having to reschedule her entire week and give up precious time with her sister for news that wasn’t of the upmost importance.

“What?” Cadence asked. “Well yes, it is very important to the future of Equestria. Just because it’s good news doesn’t mean it isn’t serious news as well. I wouldn’t have come here to personally deliver a message if it wasn’t important.”

Celestia relaxed, feeling a bit foolish for letting her true emotional state leak through.

Luna on the other hoof was elated that her sister’s mask didn’t seem to be as bulletproof as it usually was. She was letting her true feelings show and although this wasn’t the best display of her true emotions, it reinforced the belief that she was finally getting her sister back; that she was finally letting her faux composure down, at least when she was amongst the ponies she was close to.

“I’m sorry Cadence.” Celestia said. “I’m sure what you have to tell us is very important. Please continue.”

Cadence took a sip of tea to wash down the bite of crumpet she had in her mouth before continuing.

“Well, Shining and I have been trying for a foal for a while now, and we’ve finally succeeded!” She exclaimed, smiling excitedly.

Soon both sisters had a smile to match.

“That’s great news!” Luna asked. “Is it a filly or a colt?”

“It’s a filly, but that’s not the most amazing part.” Cadence said. “I believe she’s going to be an alicorn!”

“An alicorn?” Celestia asked. “Are you certain?”

“Well the doctor is about ninety percent positive that he sees the early development of wings, and she definitely has a horn.”

“How many ponies know about this?” Luna asked.

“Just myself, my doctor, Shining, and now you two.” Cadence said. “I haven’t even told Twilight yet.”

“It’s best to keep this secret until the birth.” Celestia said. “We wouldn’t want anypony to try and take the foal. You can tell Twilight and her friends that you’re pregnant, but it’s best not to tell anypony else that she’s going to be an alicorn until we can set up proper protection for the foal.”

Luna looked at her sister and smiled. She always knew exactly what to say and do. Her split-second decision making was one of her strengths as a leader. Although she had been an adult for a few millennia, Luna still looked up to her big sister.

Celestia felt the gaze of her sister and looked at her with a smile. Having delivered the news of her foal, Cadence was no longer preoccupied and sensed something. She debated bringing it up for a few moments as she strained her senses to try and confirm her suspicions. She definitely felt something. It was probably a good idea to bring it up.

“There’s something different about you two.” She said suddenly, surprising the sisters that were both still looking at each other.

“What do you mean?” Celestia asked, turning towards her with a calm and quiet demeanor.

She kept her composure a lot better than her sister did.

Luna blushed, cursing herself and hoping Cadence wouldn’t notice.

“Maybe it’s just coming from you.” She said, turning to Luna. “But I sense strong feelings of love. Do you have a new special somepony Luna?”

Luna stiffened immediately, her ears perking up nervously.

“I-I…” She stammered.

“W-well she wasn’t going to tell anypony, but she has been seeing somepony.” Celestia said.

“That’s great!” Cadence said. “I’m sure it’s been difficult adjusting to modern society, but I’m glad you were able to break through enough to start your first relationship. So, who’s the lucky stallion?”

“Well…umm…” Luna said, her blush intensifying. “She’s actually a mare…”

“A mare?” Cadence asked, surprised. “I had no idea you were into mares Luna.”

“Neither did I.” She said, looking over to Celestia.

Celestia looked down at her and smiled.

Cadence eyed them suspiciously.

“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I feel something strange.” Cadence said. “I’m feeling love from you Luna, but also from you Celestia. And it’s being directed…between you…”

Hearing this, Celestia completely lost her composure. As she did, all of her love for her sister that was being tightly contained by her years of discipline flowed out of her and towards Luna. Cadence picked up on this immediately and was instantly overwhelmed by the powerful sensation.

“Whoa!” She exclaimed, shaking her head quickly. “Celestia, what was that?!”

Celestia blushed profusely, suddenly overcome with shame.

Cadence’s head hurt. It had been a long time since she’d felt love that strong between two ponies and the sensation was overwhelming.

“Celestia, I don’t normally pry into pony’s love lives without their permission, but seeing as I’m sensing love from Luna as well I have to assume she’s aware of your feelings for her.” She said. “It’s not quite as strong, but...whoa.”

Celestia was about to open her mouth in denial, but she knew it was futile. Cadence knew more about love than anypony, and she couldn’t be fooled by mere words. The best thing they could do now was try to explain.

“I’m sorry you had to learn about this Cadence.” Celestia said. “It was never meant to become public knowledge.”

“No, don’t be sorry!” Cadence said excitedly. “Do you have any idea how strong your love for each other is? True love needs to be expressed, not suppressed, regardless of its form. I haven’t felt love this strong in a long time. Even incest can’t stand in the way of your love for each other. I’m impressed.”

Both sisters released a sigh of relief.

“Thank you for understanding Cadence.” Celestia said. “Not many would accept incest between two sisters as normal.”

“Listen, incest is very special when it happens between two adult ponies.” Cadence said. “When the love between two ponies is so strong that it can overcome the taboo of incest, it just shows how strong the love they share for each other really is. I’ve found that incestuous love is oftentimes even stronger than the love between two unrelated ponies. But this…the amount of love between you is incredible.”

“It really is.” Celestia said, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’ve loved Luna for so long, and now I’m finally able to express those feelings.”

Cadence smiled.

“I must say Celestia, your skill at keeping your true feelings hidden is quite impressive. I’m surprised you were able to hide feelings this powerful from me for any period of time. If Luna had been better at hiding her feelings I might have missed it entirely. But I’m glad I didn’t. It’s not often that I get to feel such love between ponies.”

Cadence’s heart leapt in her chest as she watched Luna lick a tear from her sister’s face. Both sisters were a bit preoccupied by their own feelings, which allowed her a rare opportunity to feel the ebb and flow of their love. She enjoyed it immensely. Unfortunately, they regained their composure rather quickly and turned to her again, none the wiser to the incredible experience they had just given her.

“Damn…” She said. “You’ve got it bad. You two need to go be with each other. Right now.”

Both sisters blushed at the observation.

“We’re fine.” Luna said.

“I sense that you just recently admitted your feelings for each other, am I right?” Cadence asked curiously.

“Yes.” Celestia said. “We just got together.”

“What the heck is wrong with you two?” Cadence asked, shaking her head in disapproval. “You’ll never feel this rush, this excitement as intensely as you do right now. You shouldn’t be wasting your time talking to me. As the princess of love, I recommend a full week of exploring your love for each other. No, make it two weeks. I’ll take over here in Canterlot for you two. I’ll send word to Shining that I’ll be staying here, and you can spend your time ruining the sheets and spending every waking moment with each other.”

Both sisters looked at Cadence in shock, who was grinning widely.

“Y-you’d really do that for us?” Luna asked in amazement.

“Of course!” Cadence said gleefully.

“What about the night court? You can’t possibly take on the work of two princesses.”

“You’re right, I can’t.” Cadence admitted. “The night court will have to move all its appointments to the day court and I’ll really have my hooves full, but I’m happy to do it for you guys.”

Celestia felt conflicted. This was beyond her wildest dreams, but she also knew that it was shirking their responsibilities as princesses to allow the night court to be left unattended.

“I know what you’re thinking Celestia, but this is too important.” Cadence said. “You two need this time together. It will do wonders for your relationship. Trust me, I’m the princess of love. I know these things.”

Celestia looked down at Luna uncertainly, but when she saw her pleading gaze that was all it took.

“Okay, thank you Cadence.” She said, sighing as a huge burden was taken off of her.

“But there is one thing that I ask in return.” Cadence said. “I want to watch you two kiss. Really kiss.”

Both sisters looked at her in surprise.

“W-what?” Luna asked. “Why?”

“Because I want to feel your love.” Cadence said simply.

Luna looked at her sister uncertainly. Sensing her hesitation, Cadence spoke up.

“You don’t have to if it makes you feel uncomfortable, but I really want to feel it.” She said.

“Come on Luna, it’s the least we can do.” Celestia said. “You’re not embarrassed, are you?”

“W-well yes, a bit, sister.” She admitted. “But okay…”

Luna reached up and brought her muzzle against her sister’s in a passionate kiss. As Cadence watched she was overcome with envy, remembering the strong feelings she had when she had first started her relationship with her husband. As they separated she released a breath she hadn’t realized that she’d been holding.

“You two are going to have a great time.” She said, grinning with glee. “Now get out of here.”

“T-thank you Cadence…” Luna said as she got up with her sister.

“I’ll see you two in a few weeks!” Cadence said, waving goodbye at the two lovers as they walked out of the room, sharing a knowing glance between them.