She didn’t expect for another one so soon. Within another inconvenient moment of her day it overwhelmed the Sun Princess. This anonymous surge of emotion befuddled her. So much so that it dissolved the fair smile she retained before the three officials of Manehattan.
Celestia was in the midst of providing a tour around her garden, a place of tranquility she designed with her personal labors. She filled the space with numerous kinds of plants: rainbow-faceted palm trees that loomed above the cobblestone walkways and red orchids that glowed like neon at night. Each was reputed to possess a virtue of luck, a quality that fascinated the Sun Princess. She desired to cover her home with all she could find to ensure fortunate prospects for all her ponies around. And especially for herself when that night arrives.
As magnificent as the garden is, she could not take all of the accomplishments for herself. Naturally, she received the aid from ponies exceptional in gardening for she bore little knowledge on how to inhabit them at the time. However, the centuries have proved fruitful in understanding their needs and here they now lie as her majestic sanctuary.
Though Celestia took merriment in recounting her past, she could sense that her guests did not share in her joy. Yes, they provided compliments within her pauses, but nothing unique that could spur a conversation. As Celestia showed them plants they could never find anywhere in Equestria, she could hear them mumble amongst each other from her behind. The Princess sighed, knowing that they have something else on their mind.
Celestia came to a halt and faced her three guests who smiled upon her. Their adulation did not hide from her, fully aware of their ulterior motive. “Regarding your proposal,” Celestia began, now earning their undivided attention. “I have had time to think fairly from discussion; however, I must ask that you wai—”
And at that moment, it came to her again. Brazenly halting her from her proclamation, Celestia felt an unknown sense of urgency. But from what she did not know. From where she could not pinpoint. All she could piece was that something required her attention immediately.
“Princess,” one of the officials voiced, confused by Celestia’s sudden stern expression.
“I’m sorry,” Celestia snapped. “But I must excuse myself for a moment.” Celestia did not bother waiting for their response as she teleported herself away from the vicinity, leaving behind three ponies at their suspense.
The Princess found her herself at the entrance of Spice’s office, where a single royal guard stood next to the door. The blue stallion guard saluted to the Princess when she drew within his sights.
“Good evening your Grace,” the stallion formally announced the Princess.
“And good evening to you Night Light,” Celestia responded with a kind voice, but her serious demeanor was giving him mixed signals.
“Is everything alright Princess?” Night Light felt compelled to ask.
“That is why I came here. I need to speak with Sunset Spice.”
Night Light eyed at the door anxiously and returned his view onto the Princess. “I’m not sure now is a good time Princess.”
“This cannot wait,” Celestia said as she stepped before the door, compelling the stallion to stand back to give her space. Celestia knocked twice upon the door that sounded more like bangs. “Sunset Spice, are you there?”
“Princess!?” Celestia heard a muffled shriek from her assistant. His voice was followed by the clopping of hooves before a resounding thud was heard.
“Spice, are you okay?” Celestia did not wait for an answer as she bashed the door open. His office was a fair size with the simplest furniture: cabinets in every corner, a mahogany desk that Celestia special ordered for him on his birthday, and a comfortable couch that Celestia sometimes used to lounge upon during their private talks. He also has a black and scarlet rug that covered the distance between the door and his desk that his face was currently planted upon. “Oh dear, are you alright?”
Celestia approached her clumsy assistant, who was quick to rise on his hooves at the sound of her caring voice. “I’m fine, I’m fine,” Spice tried to speak calmly, but did poorly to hide the cringe in his voice.
The Princess gave courtesy to her abashed assistant and swayed her sights from him, shifting to the couch leaned to the wall. There, she finally became aware of a dumbfounded yellow mare with dreaded red mane sitting on the couch.
Now realizing the Princess was looking her way, the mare hurried off the couch and knelt before her. “Princess Celestia,” the mare was more poised than the Princess’s assistant with her low-pitched voice.
“You are—” Celestia started as she studied the unicorn mare. She looked familiar. Celestia could recall meeting her before. Yes, she remembered the mare leaving an impression on her. A rather pleasant one that piqued her interest. “Ah, Sabah Glow, was it?”
Her answer received a smile from the mare. “It gives me joy that you remember Princess. We did not share much time to talk the last time we have met.”
Yes, Celestia remembered now. The first and only time they have met was during last year’s Grand Galloping Gala when Celestia spent her first few dull hours greeting all the haughty nobles and bashful ponies that were too eloquent to speak sanely to her. It was only Sabah who invigorated the bored Princess the very moment she stepped before her. After all, it’s not often you see a pony dressed in a kalasiris at a Gala of all places. And she was so elated to meet the Princess, that the dignified nobles around them looked incredulously at her. Celestia had to clamp her lips with her hoof to stifle her laughter.
“We still had so much to discuss with each other,” Celestia said. “It was a shame that your date chose to separate us.” Celestia eyed at Spice who was now rubbing the back of his neck. “He seemed quite embarrassed to see the two of us together.”
“Please don’t misunderstand Princess,” Spice said. “I meant no disrespect.”
“It has been forgiven,” Celestia assured her assistant. “But more importantly, I was surprised to see you with such a delightful mare. I’m curious to know how your relationship has developed in the last few months. You never like to mention her to me.”
“I am not surprised,” Sabah said. “Spice has always been too timid to show his affections in public. But by our lonesome, he is the sweetest stallion I have ever come across.”
“So, he’s a closet-type of lover,” Celestia concluded. “That’s quite astonishing, seeing how bold and collected he usually is.”
“Will you two stop,” Spice rose his voice. “What if some pony hears you!?”
Night Light peeked from the still opened door and said, “Nothing to worry, the hall is all clear.”
“You were listening in!?”
“Oh, yeah,” Night Light rubbed behind his neck. “My apologies for overhearing. But if I can be frank, you shouldn’t be ashamed of the way you are. It doesn’t sound as though Sabah mind.”
“I already know that! Can we please just drop this!?”
“If you insist,” Celestia said. “Night Light, please shut the door and continue your post.”
“As you wish Princess,” Night Light obeyed and pulled the door closed with his magic.
At the sound of it closing shut, Celestia voiced, “But I am curious, how have the two of you been?”
Spice sighed and relented to the Princess’s stubbornness, “Well by the looks of things, I’m thinking the wedding bells are weeks upon our future.”
“I have already told you there is no need for us to rush things,” Sabah responded. “I know we did not expect for this so soon, but I don’t want you to feel forced into it if you do not feel ready.”
“How can you say that!?” Spiced stomped his hoof. “I was careless. I have to take responsibility for this Sabah.”
“I know you will Spice, but I won’t have it now if it's because of your guilt.”
“I’m sorry,” Celestia awkwardly interjected. “But I feel that this conversation has gotten rather too personal. Would you prefer I excuse myself?”
“We might as well tell her,” Spice said.
“Tell me what?”
“Princess Celestia,” Sabah approached her. “In the coming months, Spice and I shall share a foal together.”
“You’re pregnant,” Celestia gawked at the mare and then to Spice. “Spice, you’re going to be a father? That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for the both of you.” Celestia's show of celebration was endearing, yet neither of the couple showed a smile. “Unless, neither of you intended for this.”
“No,” Sabah answered. “We did not. We hoped for this after our union, but it would seem fate had other plans for us.”
“I know you’re trying to not blame me Sabah,” Spice countered. “We both know it's my fault. I was so impatient that it led me to be rash.”
“Then I should take part of the blame as well for not stopping you,” Spice broke his sights away from his lover and glanced at his desk. “Spice, I know you meant no harm to me. And you haven’t. But it doesn’t mean we should change so soon.”
“But this changes everything,” Spice snapped. “I’m going to be a father. We need to hurry and make our arrangements. There’s no way we can keep living so far apart with you at Southern Equestria and me here. I’ve already renounced my abstinent oath. I like to at least be a married stallion before our foal is born.”
“And we have all the time we need for that,” Sabah said. “We do not have to fulfill them all in a single month.”
“If I may insert my opinion,” Celestia joined their talk. “I happen to agree with Sabah Glow.”
“But our foal—”
“Is not coming anytime soon,” the Princess interjected. “I understand that this worries you, rightly so. But there is no need to hasten your relationship. Else you would be forcing Sabah to do something she’s not fully in favor of. I would suggest that the two of you just talk over things. Not only of what you will do, but how the two of you are feeling.”
Spice was about to refute his Princess but stopped when his lover gave a small smile to him. He instead breathed and asked the Princess, “May I excuse myself with Sabah for a few hours.”
“You are excused,” Celestia gladly approved her assistant’s request, but he wouldn’t let him leave before she got her answers. The feeling she had at the garden never left her despite the drama she witnessed. “But before that, I like to ask if you have recently received any reporting.”
“Uh, what kind do you mean?”
“Anything with urgent need of attention.”
“Well,” Spice looked at his desk, specifically at an envelope that was laid at the center. “I did receive a letter from the administrator of Manehattan Hospital. There was an apparent magic incident where all ponies in and around the building were put to sleep. The odd thing about it is that the letter states that it was all caused by a newborn colt.”
“Did say a colt did that?”
“Yes Princess. But don’t worry, I plan to request the assistance of a wizard to handle the situation.”
“No need for that. I will go myself.”
“Oh, well that saves me time. I guess I can just go out and—wait what? You can’t do that Princess. You’re needed here at the castle.”
“I won’t take too long,” Celestia assured him. “Besides, I have something I need to confirm.”
“Like what?”
“Do not concern yourself about it. You have a mare that requires your attention, remember?”
“Alright Princess,” Spice relented. “I’ll go. But I want to talk about this when you come back.”
“And I would like to hear how the two of you first met.”
“N-no, we can’t do that.”
“Then I guess we are at an impasse,” Celestia quipped as she stepped outside of Spice’s office. Celestia turned her sights to Night Light who kept his glances towards the hall “Were you still listening in?” Celestia asked.
“It’s kind of difficult not to with Spice being so loud,” Night admitted.
“True enough,” Celestia agreed. “By the way, how is little Shining Armor?”
“Velvet has been with him all morning. The last I saw before leaving was him crying when he saw me leave for work. So, I imagine her day wasn’t a well start.”
“Why not check on them? I’ve already dismissed Spice from his duties.”
“Really? Thank you, Princess.”
“You are welcome. Now if you will excuse me, I have somewhere else to be.”
Celestia teleported from the hall and transported herself to the balcony of her room. There she could see nearly every town and cities of Equestria within the distance. From her left, she can see Manehattan, where she was told of a peculiar colt.
The Princess had to wonder if this was the reason for her erratic emotions. Compelled to seek answers, Celestia focused her sights on the city and disappeared with a brief trail of blue smoke.