Another night, another court empty of petitioners.

Equestria was, by Starswirl’s insistence, a kingdom ruled equally by its princesses. Twin princesses, twin thrones, twin courts. Unfortunately, because their subjects could come to either Celestia or Luna, that meant they were under no obligation to bring it to a specific sister.

Celestia’s Day Court was packed each morning with ponies seeking settlement, guidance, or just there to adore the Solar Diarch, but by the time the sun had set, Luna’s Night Court sat empty. The initial (already small) nightly crowds had withered away to around a single pony a week, and now Luna sat quietly on her throne.

She grumbled, perhaps a bit louder than she intended to. Maybe not, seeing as said grumbling would be met with a certain bell-laden individual would be determined to cheer her up.

Though Peritwinkle, as Royal Fool, was obligated to entertain both courts, it often seemed like he saved his best material for her and her alone. Maybe he liked having a captive audience, but Luna thought it just might be something more. Night after night, she’d found herself more often than not striking up conversation with him, discussing life in the castle, gossiping about certain nobility, or offering feedback and suggestions for his latest bout of professional nonsense.

Still, time with a close friend wasn’t enough to chase away all her frustrations. She couldn’t help but heaving out another weary sigh.

“A grumbling princess is a princess a Fool has failed,” her companion noted, bounding to her side. “Would Her Highness favor a bad joke about Duchess Silverstreak’s latest run-in with the castle cook? It involves a very heavy ladle, so I hear.”

“I would rather Silverstreak be in my court, allowing me to resolve her kitchen woes herself,” she frowned. “Is it me, Fool? Do I come off as intimidating? Or is everypony simply fast asleep?”

“Her Majesty has received many a petitioner to her Night Court. May I remind you that just last night you hosted and approved the use of royal funds for that far eastern commune. Manehattan, I believe was the name?”

“A single night simply to sign away one’s bits.”

“They wish to build a town, Your Highness. From their description and their location, it could stand to become Equestria’s largest port. Ponies come to you for real problems, for shaping the future of the country. The biggest thing Celestia’s court had to deal with today were two ponies arguing over ownership of a cow,” He squinted at a ball he was weighing in his hoof, before he nodded with some hidden satisfaction and placed it back in his satchel. “And that’s to say nothing of what the cow thought of the whole situation.”

She glanced over at him, disapprovingly. In response, he simply waggled his eyebrows.

“No?”

“Must everything always be insincere with you, Fool?”

“I am being completely sincere, indeed, I am always sincere,” he retorted, kneeling down before going into a hoofstand. “One would struggle to find a Royal Fool more sincere than the Royal Fool in front of you now. Celestia’s court handles nonsense, while your decisions will shape generations.”

“Perhaps I would like to be the arbiter of nonsense once in a while.”

“Perhaps. If I may be honest, if they are that reluctant to attend your court, they’re idiots,” he thought for a moment. “And one would think they’d understand what they’re missing out on.”

“You are quite bold tonight, Fool.”

“When one’s world is literally upside down, one feels the need to take risks.”

With that, he began to juggle balls with his back hooves, his forelegs serving to keep him balanced and stable on his head. It was only twelve this time, and the show was meant to serve more as a demonstration of physical ability than skill. Not his favorite, but from the way Luna had gasped during his first attempt at it, he’d be willing to put in the effort, even as he ignored the screaming in his thighs.

Luna noticed him wincing. “Surely that cannot be comfortable, it looks close to the limit for the range of motion I’d expect from even the most flexible of acrobats.”

“It’s hell on my pelvis, to tell the truth. I’m not sure it’s a trick I’ll be able to regularly do.”

“Why do it at all then; surely your normal routine is enough for the common pony?”

He shifted slightly, smiling at the upside-down princess. “Ah, but Your Highness is anything but a common pony! I figured that a princess deserves novelty, if nothing else.”

“You do not have to risk yourself for my sake.”

“Consider it part of my solemn oath to the crown.”

Luna held a hoof up, sighing. “Arise and right yourself, Fool. I promise that I will make sure not to shatter and bruise your pelvis anytime soon.”

He sputtered, losing his balance and falling on his belly. Twelve balls nearly fell to the ground, but the Fool was quick, bringing his bag forward and catching all but one of them neatly. The last ball bounced about as the Fool stood up.

She gave a light chuckle, which he blushed at. For someone who tried so hard to entertain her, he was also easily flustered every time he succeeded.

She was finding that she liked how easily flustered he was.

“I have noticed,” she eyed him deviously. “That you seem to be quite taken with my laugh,”

“Am I not meant to be?” The Fool gave a feigned look of offense. “I was under the impression that laughter, and the creation of it, was the primary purpose of the court jester.”

“The other court entertainers do not turn such a lovely shade of red whenever I giggle. This is, in my observations, a trait unique to you.”

Glancing down at his hooves, he tapped the remaining ball, rolling it back and forth.

“Fool?”

“You’ve a beautiful laugh, Your Highness,” he said quietly.

Luna tilted her head. She stared at him, moving her head down to where he stood, fixing him with a hard, piercing gaze. She inched closer to him, while he remained frozen to the spot. They were soon so close, their noses almost touching.

“Y-Your Highness!” He squeaked.

“I would not consider myself an expert in the ways of social interaction, princess or not. But I have at least noticed that you seem to enjoy my company, more so than one would expect of a Royal Fool. Now, you said you are sincere about everything,” Her eyes narrowed. “So tell me: are you taken with me, Lord Peritwinkle?”

The Fool dropped any pretense of confidence, and was now sitting there with his face blushing even brighter red, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. Luna felt a weird stab from the dueling emotions of both pride and guilt, what kind of implement would that even be? A stab from a spork made out of… pilt?

He swallowed hard, a big lump traveling down his throat before he opened his mouth.

“You’re the most gorgeous mare I’ve ever known, Princess Luna,” he whispered, his voice coming out hoarse.

Silence filled the unpetitioned air of the Night Court. Now it was her turn to blush. Had she expected it to go this way? Why hadn’t the Fool come up with some clever retort? Was this flirting? Were they flirting right now?

Panicking, she did the one thing she could think of that made any sense, and leaned forward, touching her lips to his.

What was she doing? It felt nice. It felt really nice. She was a princess! He was technically a lord. But she was a princess. Exactly, she was a princess. Whose to say whomst’ve she could and couldn’t love?

“Princess…” The fool pulled away from the kiss, breathing heavily. “What are you—”

“Please,” She breathed, nuzzling him happily. “You may call me Luna.”

“Luna…” The Fool fixed Luna with a hard stare. “Are you… are you sure? Are you sure about this?”

She nodded. “One can only suffer the flirtations of Fools for so long. I was…” Her ears turned downward. “Unless… I have misread the situation?”

He scrambled upward, taking his hooves in hers, mask of confidence back on. “Not at all! I merely assumed Her High—Princess—- I mean,” aaaaand the mask immediately fell off. “Luna, I doubt there is a higher authority one could go to to ask for permission, so seeing as you are, in many ways, your own guardian…” he gave a familiarly bell-encrusted bow, before dropping to a single knee. “May I court you, Luna?”

“I have never courted anyone,” she admitted, demurely. “Let alone a Royal Fool. I assume the courting involves more custard?”

The Foo— Peritwinkle thought for a moment. “More drinking, I suppose. I’ve never been one for courtship either, too focused on my studies.”

“It seems to have paid off, I would say,” she leaned back, trying to compose herself once again, though a few strands of her mane had come loose. “Would you be opposed to having brunch with me? Say, tomorrow, an hour after sunset?”

“I shall arrive clad in my finest bells,” he bowed again. “Unless Your Majesty has a preference for Fools without them?”

“Her Majesty is still trying to figure out what she has preferences for,” Luna admitted. “Perhaps… let’s try it without the bells at first.”

Author's Note

Two chapters in one day? It must be Christmas. Shorter chapter tomorrow, as a tradeoff though.

Anyway, this is about at the halfway point, chapter and wordcountwise. Strap in buckaroos.

Thanks to Trolleytrainer for the proofread.