The Only Mark That Matters

Radish strode the back hallways of the palace, whistling a happy tune. He found Spats with a large group of guards waiting for him.

“I’m engaged!”

They cheered. Spats hugged Radish. “Way to go, Rad. Let’s see that ring!”

Radish fished out his ring on its chain. Spats inspected it.

“Whoa-ho! Custom-made by Midlo artisans, right? That makes you a walking art gallery.”

“It makes me feel classy, all right.”

“You’ve got to go tell PC!” Bunker Buster said.

“Oh, it’s getting late,” said Radish. “I don’t want to bother her.”

“You should be the first pony she hears it from!” said Maple Bar.

“Okay, you’re right. Let’s see, at this time of day she’s…”

Radish walked up to Celestia’s tower. The two guards at her door crossed their spears as he approached.

“Hi, I’d like to speak with Princess Celestia. I don’t have an appointment.”

“No appointment, no entry,” one of them said.

“Oh. Well… could-”

“We’re busting your balls, Root. We know what this is about. Go right on up,” the other said.

“Thanks, guys.”

A valet led Radish to Celestia’s drawing room and announced him. Celestia was behind the bar, shaking a cocktail for Luna.

“Major, welcome. What brings you here?”

Radish approached. “I’m glad you’re both here. I wanted to tell you…”

The sisters looked giddy. Radish could tell they both knew.

“I proposed to Light Fantastic. She said yes. We’re engaged!”

Celestia vaulted over the bar and hugged him.

“How wonderful! I am so happy for you, Radish!”

Luna added herself to the hug.

“As am I! Let us toast!”

Celestia cast a spell, and a tall green bottle appeared on the bar.

“Ah, my favorite Hinterland brut. One of the few bottles that were produced before the Overbush crushed this particular winery.”

“Oh, you should save that for-”

She popped off the cork.

“Too late,” she said, smirking.

She poured three flutes. Radish sipped.

“This is amazing!”

“Isn’t it?”

“Come, to the sofa,” said Luna. “The three of us have never really spent time together off-hours. It's time to correct that.”

They sat on the sofa in the center of the room. Celestia magically dimmed the lights and set a record player to play soft jazz.

The three chatted, slowly making their way through the bottle, then another. Radish regaled the sisters with Ranger tales. Luna boasted of ancient monsters she subdued. Celestia described her favorite diplomatic trips. After a while, they spoke of their favorite movies, books, and plays, engaging in debates over the merits of their plot developments.

Luna excused herself to the bathroom. Celestia asked Radish to join her on the balcony. Starry Spire provided a panoramic view of the lands around Canterlot. Radish had never seen them from this vantage, and took it all in, impressed.

“Radish,” said Celestia walking close to him, “I really am very happy for you.”

“Thank you.”

Her eyes drifted down to his dress uniform’s trousers.

“Princess?”

“Hmm? Oh. Just remembering the day we met.”

“I bet my mark was quite a shock to you.”

“A surprise, certainly. I’m sorry that we never uncovered its meaning.”

“Well, I can live with the mystery if you can.”

“May I ask, do you ever feel like I… ruined your cutie mark? Stole its place on your body where your talent should be?”

“No, never. Do you ever feel like I… imposed on your life? Stuck myself where I didn’t belong?”

“Not one bit. Remember, it was my decision to hire you, and I have no doubt I made the right choice.”

“Thank you, princess.”

“May I see your ring?”

“Sure.”

Radish lifted his chin while Celesta floated his ring off his neck. She turned it over in her aura, looking at it inside and out.

“Together, no matter whatever,” she read.

“One can only hope.”

“It’s lovely,” she said, floating it back to him. “Have you made any wedding plans?”

“Not yet. Earth ponies have long engagements, pegasi have short ones, so I guess ours will be medium length.”

“Will you be moving in with her?”

“I’ll be primarily living at her place, but I’d like to keep my quarters.”

“That’s fine. Are you planning on having kids?”

“We’ve talked about it. We’re not.”

“I hope that’s not because you’re afraid your child would end up with me on their cutie mark, is it?”

“I’ve never even thought of that. Whatever happened with my cutie mark, I think I’m one-of-a-kind.”

“Yes, I think so, too.”

“Besides, my mark wasn’t a curse or anything. It let me meet you.”

“That’s nice.”

“And it helped me meet Light.”

“What do you see in her?”

“Hmm?”

“I asked, what do you love about her the most?”

“Ah. Her smile.”

“That’s… that’s wonderful, Radish.”

“Yes, a lovely sentiment,” said Luna, rejoining the pair on the balcony.

“Luna. We were just talking about Radish’s future.”

Luna leaned against the bannister and yawned. “Yes, it’s your first weekend as an engaged stallion, Radish. You no doubt have a special one planned?”

“A bed and breakfast on the riverwalk, actually.”

“That sounds lovely,” said Celestia.

“I should get going, actually,” said Radish.

“Have good weekend, major,” said Luna.

“Have a good weekend, princesses.”

He bowed to the sisters and took his leave. Celestia sat down in a balcony chair and gazed at the waning crescent moon. Luna sat next to her.

“Sister, you seem… of mixed mind,” Luna said.

“He’s truly moved on. Completely given up on… me.”

“Is that not for the best? It was never going to happen.”

Celestia looked down and away from Luna.

“Or was it?” Luna asked warily.

“Luna, what if we were truly meant for each other?”

“Sister, that cannot be.”

“For the longest time I thought of his mark as the universe mocking me. What if the universe was rewarding me?”

“Celestia…”

“After thousands of years of dutiful service to Equestria, is it impossible to think that Equestria would thank me, by setting aside a nice stallion to be mine? Even going so far as to clearly mark him for that purpose? Yet, I turned him down. What if I missed my only chance for happiness?”

“Sister! He is a living being we are talking about, not a Hearths Warming present! You are now seeing him just as he saw you as a boy, as a prize to be claimed. You have no destiny together.”

“Then what does his mark mean? Why do I look so happy on it? I’ve never been that happy in my life!”

“I am sorry, sister. I do not know.”

A door clicked open and closed far below them. Radish had left the tower and was walking back to his quarters. He turned and looked up at the sisters, giving them a wave goodbye. Luna waved at him. Celestia’s face turned grim and determined.

“Sister,” Luna said, “what are you-”

Celestia leapt off her balcony. Radish hopped back in surprise as she landed on the grass before him.

“Radish!”

“Princess? What’s wrong?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“I should have said this before. It’s very important to me that you know this.”

“What is it?”

She took a deep breath.

“I wish you and Light a long and happy marriage together.”

Radish smiled. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.”

Celestia nodded and flew off. She landed back on her balcony, where Luna hugged her.

“Luna…”

“I know, sister. I know.”