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// Entry 149 - Baggage 
// Story: Diary of a Ruler 
// by Lamia 
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	I spent most of the day with Twilight Sparkle, as she told me that her parents' anniversary was today, and she wanted to let them be alone. I gladly made an agreement with them to take care of her as they went off and enjoyed themselves. Miss Sparkle, of course, was overjoyed to spend the day with me, to learn more from her teacher. I wonder if she saw the anniversary as a convenient excuse to visit with me. I cannot help but chuckle at the possibility.

Unfortunately, much of today was occupied with Canterlot business. Many errands to run for the castle and ponies to see for meetings. I explained this to her, but she did not seem to mind; she was excited to come along. I suppose she wanted to see what it was like in the daily life of the princess of Equestria. To amuse her, I knelt down and let her hop onto my back before we went. The look on her face as I did so seemed... It filled me with a slight sense of happiness. I had not felt something like that since...

I went to a meeting about expanding the territory of Equestria, the subject of which was a debate over annexing the nearest towns at the edge of our borders. I felt the condescending eyes of the politicians as I took my seat; Miss Sparkle being on my back was quite an oddity, of course. It did not matter to me what they thought, however.

The meeting itself was over quickly; I could never approve of such a course. I felt irritated at my Canterlot subordinates. Why would they attempt to do such a thing right under me? Do they believe I do not keep watch on everything? When they believed I was out of earshot, one of them mentioned that they should not have invited me. The nerve.

How could this have happened? I have always been one for peace and tranquility... but I suppose even in the brightest shining light lies a speck of dust to blacken it ever so slightly. As I looked down at the meeting table absent-mindedly in thought, Miss Sparkle nudged my side and chimed in her own.

"Princess Celestia, I think you should get rid of them!" is what she said. I looked back at her and smiled. Perhaps it was that simple, if our goals were so different. I need not think so hard. With little Miss Sparkle around, I should not miss any more simplicities. I wonder why it is that I do not realize such things.

The rest of the day involved approving smaller decisions such as construction and school-related issues, along with hearing the requests of a certain number of individuals as is usual this day each week. I kept Miss Sparkle on my back; this time, she was rather surprised when I made a great leap into the sky, spreading my wings to a glide. The window to my study was open. I squeezed through, landing softly on the carpet inside. My student was shaking considerably, gripping my neck in fear for her life. I let her down with a smile, after which she calmed down.

She stayed with me throughout the day, mostly quiet but asked me questions when I had a free moment. It felt nice to teach her about these matters, which she seemed to enjoy learning for learning's sake. This little filly will be quite the knowledgeable one, I am sure. She did receive some odd looks from passersby as she stayed by my side, but she did not seem to take much notice. Nopony said anything either, as they were likely fearful of possibly challenging my authority of having her there in the first place.

As it was nearly time for me to raise the moon, Miss Sparkle's parents came to the castle to take her home. She moaned a word of disapproval, but conceded. Did she really enjoy spending time with me that much? In any case, she ran to me and hugged my foreleg tightly, nuzzling her cheek up to my chest. It was a rare occasion and quite a gift to me that I am ever taken by surprise, but I smiled and rubbed her back for just a moment with my other hoof. In what seemed like a split second, she let go, trotting back to her parents. My student looked back at me one more time with a cheerful wave as she left.

She went out of sight, and I felt a twinge of sorrow.

I am... becoming attached.