In the morning, Cadance, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart were all ready to return home. The family shared breakfast together before they went, with everypony making good conversation, exchanging thank yous and future plans. Before they departed, however, Luna secretly requested to speak to Cadance in private, which Cadance agreed to without question. After breakfast was finished, Luna and Cadance left the table after telling their family they'd be back shortly. Nopony thought anything strange of it, so they simply continued talking while they waited.
Cadance and Luna walked into the hall. It was only right outside the kitchen, but they wouldn't be heard.
"I can already tell whatever is on your mind, it's about Selene," Cadance said with a small laugh.
"Do you really need to guess?" Luna asked. "You and the others saw what happened last night."
"Was she badly hurt?"
"Not at all. Only a minor cut and bruise," Luna answered. "My decision was to speak to Celestia, but as you are a mother, I consider your insight as valuable."
"Ask away, Aunt Luna!"
"Cadance, when Flurry Heart was but a small filly, what became of your regular duties as a princess?"
Cadance already knew where this was going. "I know what you're asking. I've been there. And I'll tell you what I learned the hard way: something has to give."
"I fear I do not understand."
"After I had Flurry Heart, Shiny and I tried to stay on top of our duties too. We were doing the best we could, but it didn't take us long to see things just couldn't work that way. We tried putting Flurry Heart on a schedule. We would exchange roles, but that only worked for so long. Then, one night, I was crying. I don't know why, but I was just so tired. Shiny and I were trying so hard and it felt like we were bad parents. And you were the one who told us what to do, Aunt Luna."
"Was I?" Luna questioned. "I apologize, but I do not recall."
"Aunt Celestia was doing something with Twilight at the time," Cadance went on. "I called you, just needing to talk for a while. I believe I cried on the phone."
"Oh..." Luna did remember this, and though it was many years ago, the memory brought back the heartbreaking feeling of hearing her niece so distressed, as if this had happened just a week ago. "I do recall this, Cadance. I insisted you and Shining Armor allow me to look after Flurry Heart for that night while the two of you spent time together as a couple."
"And we were so grateful you did!" Cadance exclaimed. "It was after that night we realized the problem. We were not "super ponies". We couldn't do it all. We couldn't do everything we did before, raise Flurry Heart, and have our romantic time as a couple. We had to give something up. Not completely. That wasn't an option, but we couldn't evenly split ourselves three ways."
"You had to give less of your time," Luna realized.
"And I think you can guess which we chose to take time away from," Cadance said. "We went through our lists, shifted around what wasn't immediate, and decided as long as all matters were taken care of, the evening was ours. We would put Flurry Heart to bed before 9:00, and after she was asleep, every minute before we went to bed was ours to spend as a couple. And do you know what, Aunt Luna? It worked."
"I understand," Luna said, nodding.
"If you're thinking what I think you are, you don't have to do things that way," Cadance assured her. "Make your own schedule. Figure out what will work for you. I hate to bring this up when it's been so long, but Aunt Celestia told me when you became Nightmare Moon all those years ago, she blamed herself because she paid more attention to royal duties than you. She always said if she stopped to think about something other than how busy she was, that wouldn't have happened."
"Yes, well, her blame for my sins has never been mutual, and she was nothing short of a wonderful sister upon my return. She postponed every duty for an entire week to see to my recovery."
"I know. She swore she'd be a better sister," Cadance said. "And after that incident Starlight settled with you two some years ago, you always made sure you spent some time together as sisters each day. Didn't you stick to that even after Aunt Celestia married Sombra?"
"Yes, and Sombra was not at all bitter for it. He encouraged it."
"Then, you've got your answer," Cadance told her. "You didn't need to ask me. You already knew." She gave her aunt a quick hug. "Just like a mother."
"It was still nice to talk about it. I thank you, Cadance."
"Any time."
"Sister, are you there?"
"Please enter," Luna answered, though she didn't look away from her task. Celestia came in and rested next to Luna, who she couldn't help noticing was very focused.
"Is something the matter? After Cadance and the others left, you rushed off like you had an emergency."
"There is a matter, Sister, but I am handling it," Luna replied. "Worry not."
Celestia leaned in close for a second. "Is it about Selene?"
Luna finally looked at Celestia and her frown gave the impression she didn't want that to be known. "Is it truly so obvious?"
"Luna, you're my sister. Some things are just instinct. That, and..."
Luna raised an eyebrow.
"...Cadance mentioned on her way out I should talk to you."
"Yes, that would be appreciated. If I am to be truthful, there is a part of me that simply feels I have no idea what I am doing."
"Welcome to parenthood," Celestia joked, though she quickly dropped the humor when she saw Luna wasn't in the mood for it. "There isn't an instruction manual. Being a parent is trial-and-error, just like being a mentor or a teacher. You'll have that feeling a lot."
"Cadance would agree," Luna said with a sigh. "I have also felt guilty about how often she is in yours and Sombra's care. I am grateful for your help, but you are not my live-in nannies."
"You have nothing to feel guilty for. You're doing your best," Celestia tried to assure her, though she knew her words weren't as comforting as she wanted them to be. Glancing down, she saw Luna had a scroll of her duties unrolled. "Are you trying to make time for you and Selene to spend together soon?"
"When you mentored Twilight, you put her needs above anything that was not urgent. Cadance and Shining Armor prioritized Flurry Heart and their marriage over all that was not urgent. That is what I am doing now."
"Ah. That's good, Sister, but do remember to make time for yourself," Celestia warned her. "I didn't mentor Twilight with every free second I had. I'll go so you can make your schedule in peace."
"Sister, I was hoping I could have your opinion on one more thing," Luna said before Celestia could turn to leave.
"Of course."
"I know it will be good for Selene to return to school for her education and for her to socialize with other ponies her age. However, I was beginning to give consideration to homeschooling her."
"That's essentially what I did with Twilight. Cadance and Shining Armor did the same with Flurry Heart with private teachers. I encourage it!" Celestia replied. "Do be careful, however. You know of my mistakes with that. If you homeschool her, it will be that much more important to let her be around other ponies."
"That is what I was hoping to request your help with," Luna admitted.
"How so?"
"Obviously, she is not a unicorn, but could she have some time with the students of yours in her age group? Perhaps at a time such as recess?"
"I'd be happy to. That's no problem. Just tell me when you're ready for it. And if you still need a sitter from time to time, Sombra and I are glad to. You're not alone in this."
Luna finally relaxed and smiled. Just then, Selene ran past Luna's bedroom, laughing and carrying what looked like Sombra's royal robe on her head. Sombra was chasing after her, but he was laughing too. Luna and Celestia peeked out the door to watch them.
"You come back here, you little mischief-maker!"
"Got to get me! Got to get me!"
Celestia looked back to Luna with a smirk. "I don't think you need to worry much."
Luna didn't reply, but she returned the same smirk before forming it back into a calm smile.