The next morning before dawn, Twilight and Spike were up and ready to go. Spike was still concerned about missing court preparation the previous day. “Raven says an assistant’s job is to make sure the princess never gets the chance to make a simple mistake.”
“That must mean a princess’s job is to make complicated ones,” Twilight snarked. Spike didn’t find it funny. “Spike, Princess Celestia said that yesterday served its purpose. You and I could make mistakes without there being large consequences. And having made them, we’ll both be doubly careful from now on. Between you and I do you ever see us going into court unprepared again?”
“I know I’ll remind you every time.” Spike shook his head. “I never imagined I’d have to prompt you to study for something.”
“I never thought so either,” Twilight replied. “The rhythms of this place are completely different than Ponyville. We’ll have to keep each other on our hooves - or claws, in your case.”
“We can do it,” Spike said. He checked his pocket watch and schedule book. Seeing there was some time before sunrise, he flipped to his copy of Raven’s monthly calendar.
“Did you know they grade the sunrises and sunsets around here?” He held up the calendar so Twilight could see it. “Raven notes days with particularly spectacular risings or settings.” In the boxes for certain days there was a doodle of Celestia’s solar mark in the upper right or lower right corner. “The day staff treat them like grades. If there’s a nice rising, they figure Princess Celestia is in a good mood. If there’s a nice setting, the staff figure they did a good job for the day.” Spike smirked. “Raven said some of the experienced political ponies even reschedule their court appointments when the sunrise is too ordinary. They don’t want to present to Princess Celestia if she might not be in a good mood.”
In the box of the day after the symphony, the twin doodles in the right corners were of Twilight’s star mark.
“I’m honored Raven thought my rising and setting were notable,” Twilight said. She saw her star mark in the upper left corner of the boxes for other days as well. She pointed to one with a wingtip. “What’re my other marks for?”
“Those are the days when you came for tea,” Spike said. He flipped back to the previous month, and the ones before that. “Notice a pattern?”
“I always come on the same day of the week, if that’s what you mean,” Twilight replied.
“Look for your mark and for Princess Celestia’s,” Spike prompted.
In the months before Twilight had started coming for tea, Celestia’s mark for a spectacular rising or setting was only noted occasionally. More recently, Celestia’s mark was visible for sunrise and sunset almost every time Twilight’s mark indicated a visit. In some cases, Celestia's mark was also displayed for several days after Twilight’s teatime.
“It looks like somepony is happy to see you,” Spike teased. “Raven told me politically savvy types are fighting for slots to present in court on the days you come for tea. They all want to catch Princess Celestia when they think she’ll be in a good mood.”
Twilight stared at the calendar page. “I’m not sure what to think about that…”
Spike was serious again. “No big deal. Princess Celestia is happy when you visit. That’s a good thing.” He checked his pocket watch then put it away. “Ready to go?” Twilight nodded and they moved out into the day.
Twilight and Spike met Luna and Raven on the Grand Balcony. Celestia was sleeping in. Luna set the moon. “The night gives way to the day,” Luna intoned. Twilight raised the sun. “The day accepts dominion,” Twilight replied. She was aware that Discrete was shadowing her and taking photographs.
At breakfast, Luna debriefed her on the events of the evening. There was still an increased incidence of bad dreams in the Crystal Empire. “And I permanently ejected three ponies from Evening Court for being ‘aggressively stupid’. Raven has their names in her book,” Luna said.
All Twilight’s duties seemed more specific and detailed this time. Perhaps she was more aware of the complexity of everything after taking notes on Celestia’s day.
In the security briefing, the Guard focused on their progress, or lack thereof, in the search for the Changeling ex-queen Chrysalis. Twilight suggested they talk with Starlight Glimmer. “Starlight was among the last ponies to see Chrysalis when she was escaping. She has a good relationship with King Thorax and has visited the badlands hive multiple times.” The Guard made notes on Twilight’s comments and said they would follow up and report back.
Before Morning Court, Spike specifically reminded Twilight about the preparation. He obtained the briefing papers from Raven and suggested Twilight prepare earlier than before so she would have time to assimilate the information and ask any questions before they entered the Throne Room. Twilight agreed and finished reading the materials a full half hour before court was scheduled to start.
In Morning Court, several important ponies came to publically wish her well, including Fancy Pants and Zuberi, the Zebrician Ambassador.
The biggest case on the docket was the question of whether the crown should support the Equestrian National Railroad in burying magical telegraph wires next to all the tracks. This would connect all the cities in Equestria with instantaneous communications and make the railroad much more efficient. The project would take several years and be expensive enough that it would preclude the ENR from other major expansion projects.
After reviewing the proposal, Twilight asked if the ENR could look into how much extra it would cost to bury a second empty conduit next to the one that would carry the telegraph wires. “Very soon crystal cable may be able to carry a lot more information than the telegraph can. When it’s perfected, the cable could be run through the second conduit.” She also asked if the railroad had thought of talking to the Diamond Dogs about helping run the buried cables. “They are the most amazing diggers and could speed up the project. Rarity in Ponyville could introduce you to Rover, a leader in a Diamond Dog pack.” The representatives of the railroad said they would investigate and return with an update on both questions.
Several other cases on the docket were similarly technical. Twilight asked Raven about it.
“Most ponies with foreign and domestic policy questions are steering away from your court until they see what kinds of decisions you make,” Raven said. “But ponies with technical or arcane questions have been requesting slots because of your background. And there are always ponies who will take whatever time with a princess they can get.”
That afternoon, Twilight had several ‘getting to know the new Princess of the Day’ meetings with different agencies within the government. She’d already met with the Guard about security in the morning. Now she met with ministers from the Foreign Office, Treasury, Judiciary, Civil Affairs (which included ponies dedicated to Education, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, and Health). The last ponies she met were with the Press Office. She and Spike prepared beforehand for every meeting. Twilight remembered to eat throughout the day to keep her strength up. Even so, by the end of the afternoon, she was feeling overwhelmed.
Once the meetings were concluded and they were alone, Raven asked, “Your Highness, may I speak freely?”
“Of course,” Twilight said.
“You’re in a challenging situation,” Raven said. “So are the ministers of the agencies. Princess Celestia knows more about security than the Guard, more about money than the Treasury, more about law than the Judiciary, and more about diplomacy than the Foreign Office. Before court, Princess Celestia almost never looks at the briefing materials beyond the one-page list of topics I show her. She’s been dealing with these issues so long, that she doesn’t need them.
“Let me tell you what I and the successful ministers learned long ago. Don't try to be her, be yourself. No one gets to this level of the government without being special in some way. But only Princess Celestia is exceptional in so many. Discover what makes you unique and how you can contribute. Then do your best.”
“Thank you for the advice.” Twilight pondered long and hard about what Raven said.
“Would you like to take teatime in the garden?” Raven asked. Eager for a chance to take a break, Twilight agreed. But, the garden was empty when she got there. It was odd walking over to the tea trolley under the willow tree without Celestia waiting for her. Even so, it was nice to take a breather and get a chance to think.
A moment after she sat down, Twilight heard the door to the garden open. She recognized the majestic clop of golden boots on cobblestone paths. Celestia stepped around a bush and walked toward the willow tree.
“Would you mind if I join you?” Celestia asked.
“That would be wonderful,” Twilight replied. As the hostess, she prepared the tea by hoof and poured for both of them. “How was your day?”
“Marvelous,” Celestia said. “I slept in and got up at my leisure. I shared brunch with an old friend, Professor Crystal Clear, Provost of the SGU. In the afternoon, I went to the rooftop gardens atop the Solar Tower and finished a novel I’ve been reading in dribs and drabs for almost a month. After that, I took Philomena for a flight around the Canterhorn. All in all, it has been a most agreeable day. Next week I’m going to plan a day trip. I’m not sure where yet.”
“I’m so glad,” Twilight said. “My day went well. No new crises. But the more I find out, the more it seems I have to learn.”
“You’ll keep learning so long as you take your turn in the big chair.”
“Is that what you call the throne?” Twilight smirked.
“Actually some of the castle staff call it that.”
“I like it,” Twilight said. She took a whiff of the steam from her tea before taking a sip. “Raven gave me some advice. It makes sense, but I’m not sure what to do with it. She said to not try to be you, but to be myself.”
Celestia looked with interest, but let Twilight continue.
“But I’ve been through so many changes, I’m not sure I know me.” Twilight ruffled her feathers then tapped her crown with a golden boot. “These things mark me as different, but what’s special about me underneath? I know, that sounds like fishing for compliments. I don’t want it to.” Twilight blushed. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
“I disagree. It’s useful to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, and let them inform your choices,” Celestia said. “Start with your strengths. What tasks as Princess of the Day have taken advantage of things you’re good at?”
“I did raise the sun, but I’m sure I didn’t do it like you do…”
“Don’t minimize the importance of you raising the sun,” Celestia said. “It is world changing. Before Luna and I came, covens of the strongest unicorns committed their lives to the task. It bled them of their life force. They were used up one by one. Because we are alicorns, Luna and I have been able to carry that burden, but it both defines and limits us. We lost one alicorn when Luna was banished. Had the world lost both of us, the unicorns would have to go back to sacrificing the strongest among them to keep up the cycle of day and night. The fact we now have three alicorns who can maintain the cycle makes every living thing in the world safer.”
Celestia leaned forward and touched her wingtip to Twilight’s. Her eyes were moist. “I’m very proud of you for stepping forward to share this burden with me and Luna.”
Twilight swallowed hard. “Being Princess of the Day keeps getting bigger,” she thought. “Is it too big?” her inner voice asked. Twilight closed her eyes. “No,” she thought. “It’s not too big. I do it for myself. I do it for Celestia. I do it for everypony.” Twilight opened her eyes. There was steel in them. “However I can help,” she said aloud.
“You always ask for more,” Celestia said proudly and stroked her wingtip atop Twilight’s. “What other tasks took advantage of your strengths?”
“When the Royal Engineers wanted permission to build in Appleloosa, they hadn’t talked to the Buffalo. When the railroads wanted to bury cables, they hadn’t considered working with the Diamond Dogs,” Twilight said. “Sometimes Equestria is too insular. The pony herd can be wary of outsiders. I know I still have a lot to learn about other races. I remember how I messed up with the Yaks. But everyone, not just everypony, could do much better if we would all find ways to work together.”
“Sometimes, as a single alicorn, it seemed all I could do was keep the tribes of ponies together. Perhaps with the Princess of Friendship ruling beside Luna and I, Equestria can be more inclusive.” Celestia smiled. “What else?”
“I’ve only held court twice, but both times there were decision where magic might change pony’s lives,” Twilight said. “That’s too small a sample to be statistically significant, but I see those questions all around me.” She gestured with a hoof. “This castle is more than a millennium old and was constructed of stone reinforced with magic. I live in a village founded about a century ago, where most of the houses still have thatched roofs. And in Manehattan, ponies live in new glass and steel skyscrapers erected with the aid of magic.”
“High Roller’s plan for Canterlot was absurd,” Twilight said. “But he’s right that change is happening all around us. As I told you and Luna when I accepted this responsibility, I believe I can help Equestria prosper as it goes through those changes.”
“You are a pony whose special talent is magic and who bears the Element of Magic. You want to help make sure that the changes wrought by magic are for the good of all.” Celestia smiled. “That seems very appropriate.” She leaned forward and placed a hoof atop Twilight’s. “Let me tell you some things I see.
“For all that my sister works to orient herself to this time, Luna is a mare of the past. Her formative experiences mostly occurred a thousand years ago. This is not to diminish Luna. She reminds us there were many inspiring and glorious things in the past and we would be poorer if they were lost.
“I’m a mare of the eternal present. My choices helped mold this time. I have seen changes, for better and for worse. I prefer them be thoughtful and measured.” Celestia hesitated. “There may come a time, or may already have come a time when change must happen at a speed that will give me pause.
“Twilight, you’re a mare of the future. You’re young, accepting of change, and knowledgeable about the forces that will mold our world.
“You say everyone could do better if we all found ways to work together. I agree. And Equestria will be better ruled, when you, Luna, and I find the best ways to work together.”
Twilight sat and thought about Celestia’s speech. Her ideas were expansive. The demands they implied were great. But her touch was comforting. Twilight felt she could speak freely. “I appreciate your confidence. But that’s a lot to consider after just two days on the job.”
“I’ve known you since the day you entered my school and became my student,” Celestia said. “I’ve seen you in every kind of crises. I’ve watched you shoulder great burdens and triumph over adversity.” She smiled. “I’ve been looking forward to the day when you would join us for a very long time.”
Twilight felt the tug of the sun as it descended toward the horizon. She looked up at Celestia and said, “I’m due on the balcony with Luna in a few minutes.”
“That’s a meeting you shouldn’t be late too,” Celestia said. “May I join you two?”
“Of course.” They intertwined wingtips for a moment, then rose and proceeded to the Grand Balcony. They picked up Raven and Spike, a pair of guards, and the photographer along the way.
Luna and Twilight stepped onto the Grand Balcony. Twilight’s horn lit, and she set the sun. The sky was bathed in a purple sunset. “The day gives way to the night,” Twilight said. Luna’s horn lit, and she dramatically raised the full moon. “The night accepts dominion,” Luna replied. “And with that, your day is done.” Spike and Raven applauded. Luna gave her a comradely hug.
When they broke apart, Celestia stepped up. “Thank you, Twilight. I’m very proud of you.” She embraced Twilight with forelegs and wings and enveloped her in a cocoon of white. Twilight reciprocated, nuzzling Celestia’s neck. They held the hug for a long time.
Because she had slept well the night before and snacked throughout the afternoon, Twilight was not exhausted like after her first turn as Princess of the Day. Celestia had planned a celebratory dinner for herself, Twilight, Spike, Raven, and Luna. After the delicious dinner, Luna offered Twilight and Spike the use of her flying chariot to get back to Ponyville. Before Twilight could refuse Spike jumped in and said, “Thanks, Princess Luna. We’d appreciate that.” He whispered sotto voce, “Twilight is still working on her night flying.”
A pair of bat-winged Night Guards drew the Lunar Chariot. Even though they were enthusiastic fliers, Twilight fell asleep on the way home.
By the time the chariot got to Ponyville, Pinkie Pie had rescheduled her celebration for the next afternoon. And she’d taken down the Princess Awesome and Grand Dragon Vizar banners so the party would remain a surprise.