Another long day at Canterlot High School had ended. As the bell rang, eighteen-year-old Neoma examined herself in the mirror on her locker door, gathered her books, and started trotting towards the doors.
"Neoma!" a voice called. Only one colt's voice could stop Neoma dead in her tracks, and this was it. Silver Shield, her best friend since kindergarten, trotted up to her, smiling widely. "Ready to go?" he asked, shaking his snow-white mane. Neoma nodded and followed him out the double doors of the school.
"My mom wants me home right now," Neoma told her friend before he could invite her over to do homework, as he did every day. "We're meeting with my coronation committee in an hour."
"I have a promotion meeting with my Captain, so I understand. The coronation isn't for another six months, though," Silver said. "I didn't know you had to start planning this far in advance."
"We started planning a year ago, and I think it's ridiculous, too," Neoma admitted, rolling her eyes, "but mom and dad made it clear that I'll be in big trouble if I miss this meeting." His first words caught her suddenly. "Wait, you're being promoted to a Captain of the Royal Guard?"
"Yeah," Silver nodded. "Apparently I'm the youngest pony to ever earn the rank."
"Oh, wow, congratulations!" Neoma squealed. "I'm so proud of you." She hugged him and saw a hint of something--a blush?--on his cheeks as she pulled away.
"Well, can I at least walk you home?" Silver asked.
"Sure, but I have to pick up Cassie on the way," Neoma said, pointing her hoof across the street towards Canterlot Middle School.
"Then let's go get her," Silver said. Cassie barreled down the front steps of the school and skidded across the sidewalk, almost bumping into Silver.
"Hey guys, guess what?" she yelled. "I put our math teacher to sleep again right before we were supposed to take a test, and now I have to stay after school tomorrow for detention."
"Ha ha, you're gonna be in big trouble," Neoma taunted her sister. "I'm gonna tell mom."
"Tell me what?" Luna's voice made the three ponies jump.
"Your Majesty," Silver greeted her, bowing and saluting, then standing at attention.
"At ease, Silver Shield. I hope you're staying for dinner again tonight," Luna said with a little smile.
"If Your Majesty would have me, I would be honored, Ma'am," Silver replied, and Luna nodded.
She turned to her two daughters. "Now, Neoma, what were you going to tell me?"
"Cassie put her math teacher to sleep and has to stay late tomorrow for detention," Neoma chirped, ignoring her sister's glare. Luna narrowed her eyes at her youngest daughter.
"Cassie," Luna said, lowering her voice, "we will discuss this later, but as of now, you're grounded for a week." Cassie groaned and stuck her tongue out at Neoma, who snorted and rolled her eyes.
The coronation committee meeting consisted of a flurry of decisions about flowers, invitations, music, color schemes, linens, table settings, glassware, and wine selections, topped off by a meeting with Rarity, the designer of Neoma’s coronation gown. Neoma’s head was spinning by the time it was all over. After dinner, she and Silver retreated to the tranquility of one of the turret rooms at Canterlot Castle. They sat in silence for a few minutes, watching as the sun began to set.
"So, how are you feeling?" Silver asked her. "Are you nervous?"
"Terrified," Neoma replied immediately. "I'm about to be given an insane amount of responsibility. I know my mom thinks I'm ready. She says she knows I'll be an amazing princess, but this is all so overwhelming."
"You know, your mom isn't the only one who knows you'll be an amazing princess," Silver said, looking over at her. Neoma felt her cheeks begin to heat up as Silver looked into her eyes, then down at her lips, then back up into her eyes. She sat perfectly still, her heartbeat quickening as he leaned in. Oh, sweet Celestia, is this really about to happen?
"Hey, Neoma!" Cassie called, bursting out onto the balcony. "Mom's looking for you. She said she wants to ask you about some of the musical selections you chose for the ceremony." She looked from Neoma to Silver, oblivious to what she had just interrupted, then turned and galloped back inside.
"Well, I guess we'd better go," Neoma said, reluctantly turning to follow her sister. "You coming, Silver?"
"Right behind you," Silver answered. Together they descended the tower and walked to the main portico of the castle to meet Luna.