It felt like a week had passed sleeplessly when she woke up the next morning.
The damage reports, thankfully, were mild. No pony had been permanently injured, though a few had gone to Canterlot General for heat related problems. Discord was suitably chastised by Twilight Sparkle (and Luna bucked him a few times when she woke up), so Celestia decided it was punishment enough for him to be on 'helper duty' in Canterlot in case a job needed done that some pony would be too tired or ill to do.
Guilt was a far heavier burden on her shoulders than the costs dealt to the kingdom and its treasury. It was not as if Discord reached into her and made up things that were not there. No, the pony that solved problems by fighting and hurting ponies lived under her skin. The pony that desperately wanted to go home and forget all about her problems was there to. And Daybreaker was in there, too.
She sighed heavily.
It had been somewhat cathartic, looking back, to be free for the amount of time she had been. Even the terrifying moments felt better than the worst moments on the throne.
Now, of course, as her rational mind took over, she knew there was nothing she enjoyed more than helping ponies.
But that came with the unfortunate side effect of feeling bad for everything she did that didn't help some pony.
Still, as she checked herself in her mirror and practiced a few smiles, she knew that she could handle it.
In one thousand years, it was only a Discord and world changing disasters that could make her betray her obligations for even the shortest of times.
Through famine, drought, pegasi rebellions, and griffon stinginess, she had shepherded Equestria along without concern. She supposed that even hungry ponies could take some solace in the fact that the sun would yet rise.
So, as she descended toward the throne room to greet her staff and begin the day, she was surprised to see that no pony, not even the guards, were waiting her. Briefly, she wondered if she had come down early. Yesterday might have had some lingering effects, but-
“Ah, Princess, it's good to see you,” Rarity said, stepping into the throne room.
And she smelled a white furred, horned rat. She did her best to keep her tone even rather than scolding. The Elements of Harmony, after all, had earned more patience than the average pony warranted. “Where are my staff, Rarity?”
“Oh, they're handling things. Your daily schedule is actually rather clear as far as your personal affairs go, and the girls and I thought you could just use a day of being utterly pampered, after what Discord did yesterday.” The look Rarity's face was one that she had not seen in quite some time, but it was easy to recognize. It was the look of a pony who felt pity, and it was rare to see someone feel so sad for her.
The unicorn must have found out something. Perhaps Discord had told her, perhaps not. Either way, it made her feel so small that she wanted to retreat.
Even though she really should have insisted otherwise, she smiled and nodded. “Okay, Rarity, what did you have in mind?”
It took the little mare a few seconds to speak up after that.
“I think I could take your measurements for a dress, first. You left your last one on a roof somewhere, and it was a bit too...small for your current frame.”
Before the other pony could begin to doubt her 'boldness', she laughed heartily. “I did gain quite a lot of weight yesterday. I fear I might owe you a little more for your work to outfit me today than I paid you yesterday.”
“Oh it's no trouble at all, Princess. I know the crown will pay its tab.” They giggled all the way out into the main hall and out of the castle.
It was a brand new day, and Celestia was about to enjoy it as much as she could while others were taking care of things for her.