//------------------------------//
// 12. Celestia snaps at one of her aides (You Brighten My Day) 
// Story: Short Shorts 
// by Coranth 
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"... And furthermore..."

"SILENCE!" the Solar Diarch shouted, her Royal Canterlot Voice cracking across the Courtroom like a whip. With her beloved Daniel standing at her side - his hand across her back and aside her barrel, finally... finally Princess Celestia felt she had the confidence to do something that she ought to have done long ago.

"Seneschal Hoof Dame," said she quietly, staring at her aide with flinty-eyed gaze, "who is First Princess of Equestria? Who is First in charge of the Principality?"

Quailing 'neath said deathly gaze, Hoof Dame shivered as she stuttered, "Y-You are, Princess..."

"... Exactly," Celestia replied. Then, leaning forwards she snorted softly before she continued, growling lowly. "I am Princess of Equestria. Not you. You may be my aide and tell me what needs done within these walls" - she raised a golden-shod hoof to indicate the Palace surrounds - "but I will no longer allow you to dictate what I do with my life outside of them, for my life is just that: mine! Now... BE GO-O-O-O-O-O-NE!" So loud was her final shout that it echoed throughout Canterlot Mountain. As for Hoof Dame... she reacted as one would expect when faced with a very, very angry Alicorn: bleating like a frightened foal, the poor Seneschal turned tail and fled!

With her gone, the Courtroom was empty; only then did poor Celestia fall unto her haunches, her back bowed and head lowered. Concerned, Daniel sat down next to her upon the steps to the Sun Throne and stroked her soothingly; it was his touch that did her in. Turning towards him, Celestia took Daniel into her embrace and the human held her gently as she burst into tears. "They" she choked, "they never stop, Daniel! They... they never stop..." 

"Sshh, sshh... I know," said he.