Celestia swirled the tawny liquid in her glass. She rarely allowed herself to drink, but tonight qualified as a reason to indulge. Raising it to her muzzle, she breathed in it’s rich aroma. It’s sweet flavor splashing across her tongue did little to remove the weight in her heart.
Setting down the glass, she lifted the scroll and her quill.
My Dearest Twilight Sparkle,
‘I could not be happier for the two of you.’
These were the words I said to the both of you when you informed me of your desire to be married. I wish they were true, but they are not. I could see the bubbling joy on your faces when the two of your shared your news with me. I kept my stoic façade, smiling my accursed smile, as I gave you my blessings.
It hurts me, Twilight Sparkle. I am angry that I could not honestly give you my blessings. I want the both of you to be happy, I truly do, but I am still only a pony, something so many of our subjects forget. I am still selfish.
I’ve watched the two of you; I watched your relationship grow. It was hard seeing you with her; laughing and smiling. The joy you have brought into each others lives should fill me with happiness, but it does not. It is like she stole you away from me; but I know that is not fair, you were never mine to begin with.
Celestia set down the parchment and quill, refilling her glass and trying once again to savor the sweet taste of the port.
You came into my life when you were but a filly. You were always so eager to please… to impress. I watched with pride as you excelled in your studies, and grow into an amazing mare.
You had become more than a mere pupil. You had become my friend, my confidante. You became a sole beacon of light in the endless fog of eternity. But you were still so young, so naïve. I worried you would not survive the machinations of court.
You have done so much for me, my most faithful friend. You have succeeded where I only found failure. You returned my sister to me, whole and sane. You saved Canterlot from the threat of the changeling Queen. If it were not for your willingness to sacrifice yourself for others, my former student would be ruling the Crystal Empire, instead of my beloved niece.
You have inspired me in ways I could never express.
These words I have held to my breast since you first left me for Ponyville. But these words are poison, they have poisoned my heart and soured my soul, and I fear what such poison might do to you.
The truth is, I love you Twilight Sparkle. And now I have to let you go, one last time, and accept you will never be mine.
Thank you for everything you have given me.
Celestia
“I love you, Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia set down the quill and parchment. As tears dripped from her muzzle onto the parchment, a gentle knock at the door snapped her from her thoughts.
“Auntie, may I come in?”
Celestia levitated the letter to her desk with a light golden glow of her aura, then opened the door. “Cadence, come in.”
Cadence stepped through the doors, levitating a pillow in front of Celestia, where she gracefully laid down.
“Are you excited about tomorrow’s wedding?” Celestia asked, her mask of serenity in place.
“I am, but I am worried about you.” Cadence stared into her aunt’s eyes.
“Why would you be worried about me?”
“I could feel your pain from my old room. You are hurting, Auntie Tia,” Cadence responded, stretching her forearm across to put a hoof on Celestia’s. “I have not felt such depth of pain and heartbreak in my entire life.”
“I am fine, Cadence. Please, do not worry about me.”
“You are not fine,” Cadence refused. “Please, Auntie. Talk to me.”
“I can not speak of it, Cadence.” Celestia’s mask slipped, as she allowed Cadence to see the hurt on her face. “It is something I must do alone.”
Cadence stood, levitating her pillow next to her aunt’s, and laid back down next to her, leaning on the taller mare. “Auntie, there is nothing you need do alone. We are here for you, we are your family. Twilight, Luna, myself, Shining Armor. Even Blueblood if you catch him on a good day” – Cadence chuckled at the idea – “but we are all here for you. Whatever this is, you do not have to go through it alone.”
Cadence watched in horror, as her beloved aunt, the solid rock and undaunted light of Equestria, broke down in fitful sobs.
“Tia, please…” Cadence draped a wing over Celestia’s back, laying her neck over the older mares. “Please, talk to me. What has you so distressed?”
Celestia lifted her head, her horn aglow with light gold power, a piece of parchment levitated to her nieces hooves.
“What is–” Cadence started, as she read. Celestia laid her head back down, allowing herself the tears.
“Auntie… oh, Tia. I didn’t…” Cadence stuttered as she read her way through the letter. “Oh Tia, you can’t send this, she can’t know. It would destroy her. It would destroy them both.”
“I know.” Celestia lifted her head again, grabbing the parchment in her aura again. When it slipped from Cadence’s hooves, Celestia cast the letter into her bedroom fireplace. It was quickly followed by the bottle of port.
Cadence squealed in shock. The once gentle flame of the fire roared as the alcohol burned away, while Celestia lost what semblance of composure she had remaining. Cadence held her until Celestia was cried out.
“Auntie, do you want me to take over tomor–” Cadence stood at the door of Celestia’s chambers.
“No, Cadence –” Celestia smiled her accursed smile “– I will be fine. Twilight wanted me to perform the ceremony, I owe her that much.”
Cadence nuzzled her aunt one more time, before bidding her good night.
“Dearly beloved, we are gather here toda–” Celestia’s voice hitched, she suppressed a sob. She coughed twice to clear her throat. “I am sorry, my little ponies, but it seems even a princess can become emotional on such an occasion.”
The crowd chuckled as she levitated a small silk handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “Shall we continue?”
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, on such a joyous occasion, to witness the union of Princess Twilight Sparkle to Princess Luna…”