//------------------------------//
// “As you wish, my Princess.”  
// Story: The Fall of Celestia 
// by Leon Declis 
//------------------------------//

+++5 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, 4 days prior+++ Canterlott Palace:

“Tell the nobles that we would be more than happy to make their acquaintance, but they must wait for two hours.” Luna quickly answered her horseservant, who galloped off down the corridor. Luna turned to another pony, white coat contrasting with black suit jacket.

“Your Highness, it appears that the local food providers wish to hand in a petition and discuss the current taxation laws on certain imports.” This one had a rather nasal voice that grated on Luna’s nerves.
“Stiff Steward, you must inform them that we shall be busy today. Take their petition, and then make an appointment for tomorrow, about high noon.” Luna quickly answered, remaining coolly formal. This was not a time for pettiness.
“Madam, at high noon you are expected to be entertaining the officials from Cloudsdale with tea.” Stiff sniffed, calmly regarding the Princess of the Night.
“Then kindly find a time when we are not and tell them to come then.” This was uttered through gritted teeth and a fixed grin. Luna could feel her temper rise, and she began to think improper thoughts about his stupid moustache.
“As you wish, my Princess.” Stiff bowed, and then walked away from her continuing to bow.
“That one is far too obsessed with custom than given sense.” Luna muttered angrily under her breath. As she turned, she noticed that another servant was approaching, carrying yet another roll of paper in his coat. She fixed her smile again.

“What news, horseservant?” Her cheeks began to hurt from her forced grin.
The horseservant looked at his ruler, her smile looking more like a rictus grin and her eyes having the dulled focus of someone robbed of sleep. He gave a sympathetic smile.
“This one can wait, my Princess.” He turned and walked away.
Luna sighed with relief, and with a quick look around to see no one was nearby, began to trot quickly to her room. Every time she heard voices, she instinctively sped up her trot to avoid them. The walls of the palace, as beautifully white as ever, seemed to carry the ever-present murmur of ponies talking.

As she got closer to her ward, she found two black coated ponies standing guard, wearing the dark steel armour and full moon symbol of her personal soldiery, the Night’s Guard. They bowed as she trotted past. She made a point to nod her head at them- even stressed, there was no excuse being rude to your own employees.
Here, the walls were the black silver of the night, with twinkling lights along the walls. This place was anything but dark, it was as bright as the day but as beautiful as twilight. Even she felt more relaxed here. This was her private place, away from the talking and the looks.

As she entered her room, greeting the guard outside it, she noticed a letter had been placed upon the desk. She trotted in, the guard closing the door behind her. A black glow surrounded the letter as she lifted it up, bringing it over as she collapsed on her bed.
By the moon, she was tired! She hadn’t slept more than three straight hours for over ten days. After a few seconds of relaxing, she rolled over, groaning with exhaustion, and looked at the letter. There was no time for rest, even this brief respite had to end soon, she had duties to fulfil. The letter felt thick. If it hadn’t been placed on her personal desk she might have thought it to be another petition of some sort.
Taking the letter out, she felt a glimmer of joy at the handwriting. It was from Twilight, it seems. Whilst it would have normally had her jumping for joy, she could barely muster that weary smile. Before she could start to read, somepony knocked on her door.
Putting the letter down, Luna buried her face into her pillows and screamed in frustration. Once she ran out of breath, she got up, quickly straightened her hair, put back on her crown, and opened the door. There stood a earth pony, with a purple coat and black mane, and a sword over a moon cutie mark. No armour on this particular Night’s Guardian.

“Madam, I bring news… “ She stopped, and considered Luna for a second. “Did you hear something a second ago?” She asked.
Luna smiled and shook her head. “I heard nothing. What is the news, Captain Eventide?”
“Your sister wants to talk to you. And of course, the usual sycophants, dissidents and general time-wasters are looking for you, but none of my guards have seen you all day. You can’t be here.” Eventide smiled. She was unorthodox, but like all of the Night’s Guard, her priority was Luna and her welfare.
“Thank you, Captain, and your men.” Luna smiled, and began to walk to her sister’s quarters.
“No, my lady, your men.” Eventide bowed, and followed the Princess.
Luna blushed. “Yes, I suppose. My men.” She appreciated the sentiment, a warm feeling of loyalty to her personal guard. She walked quickly, almost eagerly. This was the first time since the wedding that Celestia had given any indication of wanting to talk to anyone.

During the invasion of Canterlott, Queen Chrysalis defeated the Princess in combat. Luna felt a twinge of guilt. Defending the kingdom was their duty, together. Her sister should have never faced Chrysalis alone.
She reached Celestia’s personal chambers, giving a quick courteous nod to the Solar Warden, who simply nodded back. On duty, Celestia’s men took their duty seriously. It was a trait which Luna could respect. The guard opened the door, and inside there was darkness. With a look to Eventide, Luna stepped in alone. She heard Eventide canter off, chatting with one of the guards no doubt.

She closed the door behind her. The curtains were closed, and the room smelled strongly of her sister, a sweet smell, but strong. Around the room books were scattered and there was something hanging in the corner. Luna gave the books a quick look over, noticing the topic was of the Changelings, their history, culture, politics, so on. She turned her attention to the corner. 
As Luna looked closer at it, she realised she had seen one of these in her guard’s quarters. It was a sandbag used by unicorn to practise duelling with their horns. Celestia didn’t have one of these before. Now it was here, and two more lay punctured and torn in the corner. Luna made a mental note to have the room cleaned out.
The wardrobe doors hung open, with clothes spilling out. There were a few plates here and there, often near a pile of books. There was even some armour plates scattered around the room, however, they likely didn’t fit the size of an allicorn.
This alone distressed Luna. Her sister was often busy, but she was always meticulous, and never so messy. If this room reflected how her sister felt…

In one of the adjoining rooms, some noises could be heard. Luna quickly through open the curtains with magic, just to get some light into this room. Not only that, but some of the windows were opened and the bedding was quickly hung out of the window, shaken, and then neatly tucked back onto the bed. Maybe she had best clear it up. It wouldn’t do for anyone to see her sister like this.

She approached the room, and found it once more dark. Some of the light filtered through the large clear window she just opened, and she looked inside.
At a desk, surrounded by paper, opened parchments on the floor scattered haphazardly, stood her sister. A pile of newly closed parchment, yet to be sent, was building on the floor. The bin was over flowing with paper, screwed up and thrown away in frustration. Books on all topics were scattered. Inkpots were building up on the desk. Luna stepped in fully. She could feel the magic hanging in the air, from constant use from writing.
“Sister?” She asked tentatively, as to not surprise her. When Celestia didn’t answer, she moved to her shoulder. “Celestia?”
The Princess turned to look at Luna, a shocked smile on her face. Her normally glorious mane of many colours was a mess, straight as ever but clearly hadn’t been brushed in a while. Slight bags hung under her eyes. It looked like she hadn’t had much sleep either. “Luna, it is good to see you.” She gave Luna a quick hug, before looking around her room. “It’s far too dark and cramped in here, shall we move through?” Without waiting, Celestia walked back into the room. Luna noticed the parchment on the desk was addressed to the Griffon race.
Celestia rang a bell, and at the door, asked for tea to be brought for Luna and herself. Luna sat at a small receiving table, and waited for her sister to speak.

Celestia looked back. “How are you, Luna?” She smiled effortlessly, as she always did. Luna felt relief at that. It had been too long without her sister.
“Well, I’m currently dealing with the general well-wishers and general influx of duties that comes with the celebrations.” Luna said, trying to keep her voice light. She didn’t want her sister to think she blamed her.
Celestia nodded, seemingly seeing through Luna. “I’m sorry, I’ve just had a lot on my mind at the moment. There’s so much to do, we were caught completely off-guard…” She spoke quickly, her sentences not flowing. She was clearly more distressed than she was letting on, as well.
“Celestia,” Luna said quietly to get her attention, “what did you want to discuss with me?” Luna wanted to get straight to the point, so she could help her sister. She put her head on her hoof, and patiently waited.
After a few seconds, there was a knock on the door. A guard of the Solar Warden brought in the tea, rather than the normal servant. He gave a quick nod to Luna, dropped the tea on the table, saluted Celestia, and left. Celestia nodded back, and waited for him to leave.

Luna poured herself and Celestia some tea, her black magic quietly picking up the various pieces of crockery. Celestia sat with her sister, and picked up her tea and drank, deep in thought. Luna waited patiently, keeping her breathing even.
After a few minutes, it seemed Celestia was lost in her thoughts again, her brow furrowing. “Celestia?” She gently spoke, trying to bring her sister out of her mind.
“Hmmm?” Celestia looked at Luna, faintly surprised she was still there, “Ah, Luna, I’m sorry, but I have duties to return to. Can we talk another time?” She smiled at Luna. Slightly sadly, Luna thought.
She sighed. “Of course, sister. I looked forward to it.” Celestia nodded, and returned to her room. Luna finished her tea, and quietly left. She nodded once more to the guard and was about to leave, before turning back to him.

“I want that room cleaned, every day.” She commanded, firmly.
“Yes, your Highness.” He didn’t so much as blink.
“And not by a servant, or a cleaner. I want you, the Solar Wardens, to do it.” She continued. He looked at her for a second, before frowning slightly. “You have a concern?”
“Well, excusing my manners, your Highness, but we are soldiers, not cleaners.” He spoke with both hesitance and confusion.
“That is exactly why you must do it. You are her soldiers. Her personal guard. We can’t have people seeing her like this. No one is to know, do you understand?” Luna gave him a stern gaze. She hoped she wouldn’t have to spell it out for him. He kept it for a second, before nodding.

“Yes, your Highness.” He saluted. Luna gave a sharp nod, and turned away. Inwardly, she was tearing her mane out. “What about your other duties, sister? Are you to abandon them as well?” She thought frustratedly. Outwardly, she remained completely composed.