The princesses and the beast

The drinks and famous dishes were consumed, and the atmosphere was provided by the musicians, other artists and guests who helped make the evening a resounding success. It's a pity that some had to wake up with an undisguised desire to return to their dreams.

This is particularly true of this kingdom's greatest royalty, Princess Celestia, who wasn't very analytical about her drinking that evening. She tried to open her eyes with difficulty and, after a loud groan, managed to raise her bust from her sheets before exclaiming.

"I... I'm in my room..."

"Of course, where else do you want to be?" a voice asked from the side of her bedside table.

She turned her head to see her little sister the guardian of the moon, her wry smile not immediately noticed because of the princess's headache.

"I... hello Luna." She said simply, trying not to fall back into her fluffy comforter and stay there forever.

"You had fun yesterday!" She confided directly, then threw the day's newspaper in front of her sister's eyes.

It took Celestia several seconds to catch sight of the close-up photo on its front cover, and it was ultimately the text of the article that caught her eye more. It was a snapshot taken last night, while the princess was giving a dance lesson to the commander of the Royal Field Guard forces: Leonidas.

"I... I... wait, what?" she declared in total incomprehension.

The newspaper spread the rumor that this rapprochement was anything but harmless, to which Celestia finally read the word "love".

"I....!" She turned blushingly to her sister, giggling at her sister's reactions. "That's got nothing to do with it, why do newspapers make up lies just about a photo?" She said, to which Luna returned a friendly smile.

"Honestly, sis, don't you really feel anything for him? Are you sure you want to hide it, from me?" She asked.

"I... that's not what I was thinking at all when I asked him to dance. And as for my... feelings, I don't know." The Sun Princess nodded, leafing through the article. "I may have fallen in love several times in my life, but I always find it hard to know when it's happening to me." she said grumpily, avoiding finishing the article, which was nothing but garbage.

"Just so you know, all of Canterlot has been talking about it since this morning, and soon all of Equestria will be. The ponies only want you to be happy, sis, they're simply delighted that you feel the love they do. It just goes to show that, beyond Equestria's Sun Princess, you're still a mare." Luna replied admiringly, sitting down beside her on the bed.

Celestia almost wanted to move away from her youngest daughter, but the bed, large as it was, wouldn't allow it. Inwardly, she remarked to herself that Luna was right, Despite her millennia of existence, she could still think of acting like a filly sometimes.

"I know Luna, I'm still just another pony despite my status. But I don't know if I'm really in love." Said the princess after a slight sigh replacing the laughter she would have had just a few days ago on the subject.

"In that case, I can help you find out, it just so happens that dear Leonidas is in the south tower right now concocting his plans. He's a VERY early riser, you know. We can pay him a visit if you like." She tossed out, confident as ever, and sure it was the right thing to do.

Things are really moving fast this morning, or is it last night's party that's still slowing me down...

"Since when are you the big sister of the two of us?" Asked the Sun Princess, genuinely attentive to the answer she would get.

"Uh, what do you mean since when? I also happen to have some good advice to give you from time to time!" Luna replied as best she could without showing an ounce of uncertainty. Celestia smiled at this, being able to count on her again was a real liberation.

"All right, we can go and see him, after all the paper does specify that it's just a rumor I'm not sure myself whether it's true or not." Celestia replied, deeming it pointless to say a word to the editors - they'd be in BIG trouble if they did.

With that, the two princesses and sisters headed for the south tower, hoping to be enlightened.