Princess Celestia flew back to her balcony. It was nearly dawn now, and time to raise the sun. From her point of view, she could see Luna lowering the moon to make way for the dawn. Celestia was too tired to raise the sun now, but it was now her top priority. Equestrian life depended on the sun, and all the ponies would wonder if something was up if the sun didn't rise.
Celestia spread her wings and began levitating above the balcony and firing up her horn. It was now, however, that she realized how much the process had drained her magic. She had just enough to raise the sun, fortunately.
She began flapping her wings harder, flying higher into the air. She could see the sun rising over the horizon, and the moon completely gone so the sun could rise. Celestia added more magic and soon the sun was risen.
Celestia landed on the balcony, looking outward towards Equestria. The dawn just made the landscape more beautiful, and she ruled over it. Celestia giggled quietly.
The sun princess realized how tired she really was, having stayed up most of the night. Feeling her eyes start to droop down, Celestia crashed on her bed and fell asleep.
"Tia!" Princess Luna stood outside her sister's room, trying to wake up her sister to prepare for today's royal duties. Normally Celestia would be up by now. Something was up.
"Ttttiiiiaaaa!" Still no response.
"TIA!" Luna shouted, using the Royal Canterlot Voice to wake up her sister.
Celestia jerked awake, staring into her sister's angry face. She immediately knew that she had overslept. Judging the position of the sun, it was at least nine in the morning. It was almost time for the day court.
"S-sorry Luna, I just had a rough night and I lost track of time....." Celestia replied looking down, ashamed.
"That's okay Tia....just hurry up and get ready. We will meet you in the kitchen for breakfast." Luna responded backing out of the room.
Celestia signed and got up, waking over to the mirror. Her ethereal mane was still in order, sparkling and flowing. If she were a mortal pony, that might have been different. She slowly put on her crown, necklace, and hoof-guards. She was ready for breakfast.
Celestia met Luna in the kitchen. Her sister was already eating toast and drinking coffee. Celestia never quite understood how her sister liked the taste of coffee, as it was extremely bitter. Celestia also noticed that Luna was reading the Canterlot Times, even though she normally didn't.
Luna looked up and saw her sister sitting across the table from her and eating her own toast. "Mornin' sister" Luna said, her mouth still full of toast. She swallowed the contents inside her mouth. "Have you heard that three fillies from the Canterlot Orphanage have gone missing? According to the owner of the Orphanage, they were three earth pony fillies...." Luna looked up. Celestia was frozen, her magic glowing around her piece of toast, her eyes wide with shock. "Sister, are you all right?" Luna said, looking at her sister.
"Y-yes, Luna, I'm fine...." Celestia lied. "Have you sent out a search party yet?"
"Yes, some of the Royal Guard are searching for them." Luna replied finishing her breakfast. "We will go and open the Day Court. Are you ready?"
Celestia nodded and watched Luna leave. Once her sister was out of sight she started hyperventilating. Luna would find the statue and connect the dots, to solve where the fillies went. If that happened, she would be stripped of her title as princess and be punished. Celestia feared the worst.
The white alicorn heard footsteps behind her. She whipped her head around and saw her sister standing behind her.
"Sister, were did that statue of three little fillies come from? It wasn't there yesterday...."
Celestia swallowed nervously. "I-I ordered a-a new statue f-from the local s-stonemason....I guess it came last night." She hoped Luna would accept that.
"But Tia, why didn't you tell us?" Luna replied, looking suspiciously at her sister.
"I wanted it to be a surprise, Luna....."
"Oh, ok then. Day Court opens soon, Tia." Luna responded, and left.
Celestia then realized that she had been holding her breath for the entire conversation. She breathed a sign of relief. Luna had bought the lie and hopefully wouldn't ask many more questions.
Celestia got up from the breakfast table, put her dishes in the sink, and left to begin the Day Court.