Chapter 2: The Longest Day in Celestia's Life
Celestia was tired from a long day spent addressing petitioners. All ponies had the right to petition the princesses for a favour. The pre-screeners did a good job from separating the smaller problems from those that required royal attention but the list was long and the expectations were as high as the list was long.
Celestia would never belittle a pony’s troubles for every problem, great or small, was important. She just wasn’t in tiptop shape today. She had missed a very special time in the morning. She tided herself and stretched her patience though, to make sure she could savour the cake. She had told herself that hunger was the best sauce for the delectable treat and her abstinence would only further serve to improve the experience.
Yes, she thought to herself. I will wait and there will be cake!
To the untrained eye, Celestia was just as gentle and caring as ever.
To Kibitz, her long-time advisor, Celestia seemed slightly distant.
To Luna, her sister, Celestia would seem a little strained.
Under all the armoured layers of tranquillity and regency, Princess Celestia was a mite impatient for the next serving of delicious, moist cake.
“It is time for your afternoon tea, Your Highness,” Kibitz announced as the timepiece precisely and proudly displayed 3:30 PM on its face.
Celestia could not help a small smile break through her usually calm demeanour.
She waited patiently for the maid to pour her the tea.
She enjoyed the aroma, perhaps a tad less than the first time, before casually taking a sip of the tea and setting it aside. Celestia waited patiently for the maid to place the platter and reveal the small sweet dessert.
Celestia blinked slowly.
It was not cake.
“Apple pie, Your Highness,” the maid proclaimed proudly.
Celestia’s eye twitched, just once.
“Ah yes, delightful,” Celestia replied, scooping up and slice of apple pie and taking a delicate bite. It was good. It was savoury and sweet. It was a symphony of flavours. It was everything…. but it was not cake.
“Simply amazing, you must give my regards to the cook,” she stated with just the right degree of grateful enthusiasm. Being a ruler for thousands of years did give one an amazing ability to control their emotions.
The maid beamed happily, oblivious to the small plight of her princess.
Celestia suddenly had an idea.
“It is so delightful I must tell the cooks myself!” she exclaimed, getting up from her throne in preparation to make the trip to the kitchen.
I will just ask the cooks, as an aside, to make me some cake, she thought, affirming the idea with a nod.
Kibitz once again blocked Celestia’s path, with a respectful bow.
“With all due respect, princess we must be on with the schedule, there is barely two minutes left!”
“Nonsense, the cooks must be commended,” Celestia argued, heading towards the kitchens. Kibitz did not budge from his position in front of the door.
Celestia let out a small huff of frustration, it was so slight an expression not even Kibitz caught it and he was standing in front of her.
Well, at least there will be dessert at dinner, she consoled herself, moving back to the throne and sitting down on it with a less-than dignified plop.
Little did Celestia know that she would still be not getting any cake that day.