Wysteria Inkwell flipped idly through the pages on her trusty clipboard, carefully reviewing the upcoming days’ events and ensuring that she had everything she needed to discuss with her employer. The day had been eventful, she had to admit, but all that remained was some quick confirmations and to file her paperwork before heading home for the evening. She was eager to slip off the flower-faced collar she wore that established her as Princess Celestia’s secretary, aide-de-camp, and overall right-hoof mare, warm up the leftover broccoli salad that was in her icebox, and then to slip into her favorite plush robe and vanish into the pages of the latest Love Lost novel.
Such was her life, and she was pleased to have it. Becoming Celestia’s secretary had been a combination of hard work, persistence, and a bit of sheer dumb luck, but it also entailed long days—and the occasional long night, prissy nobles with their heads in…well, never mind that; and dealing with some of the most frustrating and oddball circumstances one could imagine. There was prestige in her employment, but there was also more than enough figurative mud for her to wade through on any given day.
Yet, Wysteria never felt like she was underappreciated, and she flipped past all the pages on her faithful organizational tool to look at the custom engraving at the bottom right corner.
For Wysteria, the pony who looks after me and what I treasure most.
A small smile tugged on her lips. The clipboard had been a gift from the Princess on the fifth anniversary of her employment, and it was now one of her most treasured possessions. It was a fine thing, made of a premium tarnish-free silver and with Celestia’s emblem embossed on the back in colorful gemstones. It had a spot for a spill proof inkwell, extra metal quill holders, and the Princess had personally imbued it with an enchantment that kept it from being lost or stolen. Of course, the three weeks extra paid vacation—which she still had not taken—and the anniversary bonus in her paycheck had been most welcome too, but it was touching that Celestia had taken the time to have this custom clipboard made and to have engraved it with her own horn.
It was the respect and appreciation that she received from her employer that had kept her there. Her skill set was impressive enough that she could find employment in the private sector and receive twice her current salary, but then there would be no Princess of the Sun. Celestia was an amazing pony even from a distance, but when one was able to work up close with her, as she had done, one quickly saw her as far more than just a princess. She was a mentor, a teacher, a friend and a role model of the highest quality. Celestia seemed to be able to naturally bring out the best in anypony she interacted with, and it had so thoroughly inspired and motivated Wysteria that she had willingly taken on more responsibilities, even at the expense of her family, friends, or even a potential special somepony. Celestia was the pony that others aspired to be, and Wysteria gladly did all that she could to make sure Celestia's light could shine as brightly as possible.
Wysteria then shook her head while her mind drifted back to the events of the last week. She had been beyond shocked to find that Celestia had written a law that forced her royal self into marriage, only if the oddest circumstance occurred, and that some stupid stallion had somehow managed to stumble right into it. There had been several all-nighters involved in keeping the news from getting out across the whole castle staff, and then to the general public. She had lied, fibbed, stretched the truth, obfuscated, misdirected, begged, pleaded, bribed, cajoled, whined, cried, and in one particular instance, used a little piece of blackmail she never wanted to think about ever again. She had run herself nearly to a nervous breakdown trying to keep ahead of the rumors and the tabloids, and there had been more than a few times when Wysteria had begged Harmony, Fate, or whatever had done this to help Celestia find the loophole or legality that would get them all out of this mess and get life back to normal.
Leave it to her boss to write a perfect, irreversible law when in a panic. Wysteria had personally gone over it herself and couldn’t find a single fault in it.
Wysteria's rage at the yellow freeloading scoundrel had multiplied tenfold on the day of their wedding. The mere thought of her illustrious Highness being forced to become Celestia Bean was enough to make the secretary's blood boil and her vision go red. With Celestia’s name being debased as it was, there would no doubt be far-reaching negative consequences, and the male menace didn’t seem to have a clue as to what he was really doing to the whole of Equestria.
Then the divorce had come to light. She had gleefully written the decree out with her own quill, using every single bit of willpower she had left to keep from dotting all the i's with little smiley faces. She was a bit concerned while taking down Celestia’s every word—she personally found the terms to be far too generous—but she let it slide with the happy thought that this would finally clear out the riff-raff and allow Celestia to get back to what she really needed to focus on: her ponies.
But then he hadn’t signed it. The fool wanted to try to make the relationship work.
And Wysteria had been even more floored when she found out Celestia didn’t want to sign the decree either.
What was the world coming to? Celestia should have forced him to sign it and then thrown him out without another thought. He was naïve, he was uneducated, he was totally unprepared to accept the role of Prince. He wasn’t even all that attractive, either: Wysteria had rapidly summed up his looks as ordinary and plain. What Celestia had seen in him was beyond her; if she was going to marry, then she should at least find someone whose beauty matched her own. The Baron of Fetloch, for example. Now there was a stallion, oh mama!
But stay the Bean did, and Wysteria had found herself with a new boss. For the first time in her career, she dragged her feet and resisted following her Princess’ instruction to help Bean acclimate and to keep him on schedule with the goings on in the palace. She was forced to work with the clown, and while she didn’t like it to any degree she hesitantly agreed to weather the storm for the Princess.
But then she’d talked with him, watched him work. He wasn’t anything like she had expected, and in a good way: he was reserved, thoughtful, and observant. He treated Celestia with deep concern and awed reverence. He actually cared about her. And in the day-to-day grind of dealing with the royal Bundt cakes that made up the Courts and Ministries, Wysteria found that he maintained a polite humility that gave a blast of fresh air to everything.
And within a short amount of time, Baked Bean won her over as well. What he lacked in birthright he more than made up for in true royalty and pure character.
Wysteria chuckled a bit to herself as she rounded the final corner to Celestia’s – or, now Celestia and Bean’s – chambers, and she thought about the remarkable change that had come over her employer. Celestia was, of course, eternally pleasant and endlessly gracious to everypony she met, but now? It was like a switch had been flipped, and the Princess went about her days with a spring in her step, a song in her heart and on her lips, and an overflowing dose of happiness for everyone she encountered. She was brighter now, with more vigor and pep than Wysteria had ever seen before. Baked Bean had managed to bring out a side of Celestia that hadn’t been seen in, well, maybe ever.
He had brought out her youth again, and the joyful optimism that naturally came with it.
Wysteria adjusted her glasses, made sure her papers were in order, and then knocked on the door once before opening it with her magic.
She paused just inside the doorway. In the middle of the room stood Bean, in a regal-looking jacket that must have been in the earlier package that had arrived from Rarity. He was looking himself over in Celestia’s full length mirror, and Celestia was right next to him, admiring the view and whispering something in his ear. He did look rather proper and, yes, even royal in it, and she had to admit that, given the right clothing, he did have a sort of unassuming charm about him.
Celestia then pulled back, and when she saw Bean's dopey expression, it was like … well, like he was so happy that his face could not smile enough.
Wysteria felt her heart melt a little at the sight. No matter what it took, she promised herself right then and there to do whatever she could to help their love blossom and grow. A love like this deserved no less.
“Wow,” Bean remarked.
“Wow indeed.” Celestia agreed. “My dear husband, you look positively royal. I do believe the expression on my secretary’s face says it all.”
“Wh-what?” Wysteria stammered, and her cheeks began burning. She quickly lifted her clipboard up to block her face and her embarrassment, but again the inscription came into sight:
…the pony who looks after me and what I treasure most.
Her smile grew bigger as the Royals chuckled. She would be most pleased to continue to do so.
Wysteria walked out of the Royal chambers with a happy little tune. With the details for tomorrow now settled, she had only to file her paperwork and go home.
But across the hall stood Corporal Quillpoint, and after a moment of thought, Wysteria adjusted her glasses and marched up to the gold-plated goof.
“Good evening, Miss Wysteria. What can I do for you?” Quill asked.
“Quillpoint, I’m off in fifteen minutes. Why don’t you and I go get a drink tonight?”
Quillpoint hesitated. Protocol said he wasn't supposed to discuss personal things while on duty, but his eagerness to talk to her was obvious.
“But you’ve always rejected me in the past,” he stiffly whispered.
“Say yes or no. Going once...”
“Yes! Totally yes!” he blurted, and then he quickly sealed up the crack in his composure.
“Great. I’ll go talk to Lieutenant Spear Point about your schedule. You should take me somewhere classy, but not too expensive. If I see one pony with the title of Duke, Baron, Viscount, or Prince, I'm out.”
Wysteria then trotted away with a bounce in her step and a swish to her tail that she had not felt in years. If her boss could have a love life, why couldn’t she?
And in her wake, being careful not to be seen doing it, Corporal Quillpoint punched the air in silent success, then settled back into his relaxed guarding pose, only with a pleased smile on his face.
not that I'm complaining about the updates(I kinda am) but could you slow down some I can't keep up
Very cute
8491495
Ok, but just this once! the next update might take a bit, busy week ahead for me.
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thank you good sir and have a good day mister bean
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HERESY! The updates are sent down from the heavens to grace our mortal eyes! They are the manna that keeps us all going in life, the creative gold that brightens the day and illuminates the night! To have less of them would be, unthinkable
(In all seriousness, the author decides when updates happen, so the best update schedule is whatever the author is comfy with.)
8491519
you havin a giggle there mate?
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Honestly, a a general rule I try to get them out sooner as opposed to later, it all just depends on how much of reality gets in the way. I'm eager to share what I have since people enjoy what I write.
Huh. Go Bean. Altering othervponies lives with out even knowing it.
8491538
i usually just post as soon as I'm done with the chapter
8491540
I think we all do that more than we think we do.
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And that's usually how I do it too. So you only get a little break! Then a furious storm of updates!
8491551
yea that happens at times
Slow down! Madness!
I want ALL the chapters now! (A perfect world would be nice)
But i have to wait, such is life
With reading all of this until this chapter today i really want more.
Keep it up!
Bonus chapter revealed.
My Friend: So what?
Me: THIS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE THING I COULD EVER FUCKING HOPE FOR!!!!
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Will do!
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Nice work Sipioc, hope to see more of your stuff again.
Sometimes a bonus chapter is a hit or miss but this...
Was amazing! I love to see how the royals relationship is effecting the ponies around them and wonder love to see more how the world is changing either good or bad. Though we need rivals or at least struggles against those who don’t agree with Bean.
When is he going to meet BlueBlood?
That is definitely a good slogan.
"Even the princess of the Sun found love in the most simples of way, what is your excuse?"
Cadence might need to look out or her work might double with so many couples taking their example
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Thanks mate!
Full disclosure, I had only just a skeleton of what is here, Irrespective face it some meat.
Thanks for the shout out amigo!
I am in awe how you took my breadcrumbs and made a meal!
The door to the hallway opens and Bean and Celestia find Wysteria and Quill making out.
The assistant goes wide eyed and punches her coltfriend in the chest, confused he looks up to see his commander and Chiefs catching him in a infraction seventeen, subsection 30.
Wysteria begins to dust the stallion off with a hoof, as snags a hanker chief from her bag, with her Magic.
"Corporal, your Armor must be up to regulation specs, it's no excuse for hoof smudges on it."
"Y-yes ma'am, absolutely ma'am." He concurs but his eyes dart from his marefried to the amused looking royals.
"Lapses in judgement can happen, but let's not make a habit of it, we are all professionals here, off you go."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"I...need my helmet back."
In her surprise Wysteria just now recalls she has the centuratian's helmet still on her head.
"....so you do."
Whatever happened to his would-be girlfriend?
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It'll probably be a while before Blueblood shows up. Negotiating with the Yaks is very time consuming.
The rivals will eventually show up too...
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...and from around the corner, Cadence smiled. Her work here was done.
👍
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She'll be back. I haven't forgotten about her. I think I have a pretty good scene going for when they do meet up again.
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Breadcrumbs? Pfft! You, good sir, gave me all the ingredients for a Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness! All I had to do was put them together!
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maybe even two thumbs up?
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…or is it?
After all her aunt and her secretary might have found love and happiness but there are still two other ponies in her family that still are void of happiness…well two in a half since Luna already have a husband and all the chaos and adjustment she is still undergoing explain why she is not complete ready to come back into the game. Not unless she finds a stallion that is frightfully similar to her late husband and even feels the same. Almost like he has just being reborn once more.
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Yeah. Luna will probably stay a widow I'm afraid. Hard to top Star Struck.
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What about if Star Struck reincarnated? It will be poetic don't you think? The soul that seek its partner, would always find her again, they are destined to find each other in the next life again and again until the end of times.
Kind of like Hawk Guy and Hawk Woman
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hhhmmm yes, I just wasn't really sure why well, she thought it was practically gearanteed.
Of course I come back, I think you convinced me already, that it pretty much suits my needs for a story.
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Thank you for your patient with me, I know I can be like a food critic, just with stories.
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I like that she was so happy with him, that she is willing to wait that much (which is probably nothing in Alicorn years), before she even considers another Coltfriend. I mean it could always happen that she falls in love again, but this shows that she probably won't look active for a new Stallion, because she was so happy with her husband.
I feel like I should mention it if I like something, you could maybe grow into my second favourite author here. To be honest I have only read this one story from you so far, but it is rare that it works so well in my book. That someone is using many ideas I like in a story.
Alright, these bonus chapters need to keep being a thing, or possibly turn into a side story that fallows parallel to this one (but from the perspective of wysteria).
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well you always do provide ample amounts of said crumbs to us. I should know. you sure you're not secretly a muse?
You know what its missing a little? Bean going back to his story, there is a nice premise with the cult trying to take out Celestia. It could interest Celestia dramatized another scene
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Well I dunno about that, let me ask my 9 antiquitial sisters.
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Oh yea I forgot about that... That was a plot for him right?
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An important one too, its the whole reason he got into that mess in the first place, he wanted to find a muse and improve his writing skills and make something awesome. Ironically Celestia has help him bloom as princess personal chef, more than a writer. Perhaps they need to go back to that soon, or Twilight can give him a hand…hoof…ah horn…you understand
this story was verbal diarrhea.
hah, love is in bloom.
8491935
I definitely agree. The writer is having fun with the story but now when I think about... When was the last time Bean actually worked on his story? 🤔
I think maybe a bit before Ponyville which now that could have been a bit longer to give him ideas for his story as well make a new friend that inspires new characters for the tale of the bean.
the writer has to go back into the main reason or the story can lose its reason for bean...
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Je nice pun
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👍👍👏
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I'm sorry to hear that. Any constructive comments on how I could improve? A specific thing I did or specific style that made it so bad?
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High praise, and thank you! I appreciate the comments. They help me see what I'm doing right and where I can improve.
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