//------------------------------//
// 303. Historical by Knight of Lycaeus 
// Story: The Sun and the Stars: A Twilestia Prompt Collab 
// by Fuzzyfurvert 
//------------------------------//


by Knight of Lycaeus


***



Consider it the spiritual squeal to Tiberius and Hallowed.


"-nd that is the updated extent of your duties and responsibilities in light of the affirmation of your palace and of your role as Princess of Magic and Friendship by the nobles and the rest of the upper level of the government." Celestia sighed, "It has been frustrating to know it took over a year for them to stop digging in and accept the changes, for them to finally acknowledge that the Crystal Oaks does exist and that you can hold Court."

Celestia paused for a moment, her expression thoughtful, "Although it has been good that you had time to adjust to most of your duties not to mention that it was what allowed us to hold a much more low-key wedding." Celestia's face turned into a slight smirk, "So, my dear wife that now makes it official. You are Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Magic and Friendship and many more titles than this as I'm certain that you would remember from the first Court session you held." Celestia teased.

"That's only because you refused to let me speak with the Royal Heralds before the Court session," retorted Twilight who was walking alongside her wife.

Celestia chuckled, "I did, admittedly that was because it was beneficial for the courtiers and nobles to learn all of your many titles but I do have to say your reaction from hearing my lone title being announced was certainly priceless." The two alicorns continued their leisurely stroll around Canterlot Castle after enjoying an afternoon together in the quiet of the gardens, Celestia took their stroll as an opportunity to update Twilight on the recent political changes after the affirmation of her titles and palace. "I do know that you have been enjoying your Patronage titles, lengthy as some of them are but the short version is that you are the Patron of Academics, Magic, and Friendship. It is certainly a varied portfolio but it is interesting and very fitting."

Twilight now bore a puzzled expression. "Something has been bothering me though. I have one question about those new roles Celestia. Where does Ponyville's Mayor fit into this? I may have sat in the Solar Court for years but I never really gave the political structure too much thought, partly due to a dislike about the political games so many courtiers and nobles enjoyed but mostly because it just was. For me, back then the study of magic far outweighed the study of politics. But now with me having the ability to exert official powers with my own Court, well I'm uncertain how it works with an elected official such as Mayor Ivory Scroll."

"Oh? But you do remember Canterlot has its own representative, the Prime Minister?" said Celestia as they entered their chambers.

Twilight nodded, "I do and currently it's Lord Fancy Pants. How does that work exactly? I know the Bluebloods have a nobility title as heirs of Queen Platinum but their title refers to a Duchy which is one step lower than Princess or Prince. Their title grants them some limited power in the government but it's hereditary not elected. So how do elected powers fit in?"

"That dear Twilight is something that dates far back for it has existed since the Unification." Celestia settled down on a cushion and invited Twilight to sit next to her, "At first the inconsistencies were due to blending or the attempt to blend the three governments together into a semi-cohesive whole. After the Windigos, ponies tried to unify themselves but the divisions still ran deep. The entire society reflected these sharp divisions however the structure of the government demonstrated this more strongly."

Twilight leaned into Celestia's side while she turned her head to look at Celestia, "Didn't the Years of Madness tear down the disjointed government? I thought after the Years of Madness ponies were able to build a more unified government."

"Yes, they were able to build a unified government after the Years of Madness. The Years of Madness lasted about a decade or so, it was not too long but they were still very devastating. These were difficult times, so often the chaos made it feel much longer than the decade it actually was. Racism ran strongly at first but as life became harder things had to change. The ponies who had lived during the Arrival of the Windigos remembered what division did and so they banned together in spite of their lingering hatred. It was necessary to rally together for survival and it was the spark, the push to true unification." Celestia's eyes became downcast as a wan smile appeared on her face, "That push allowed me to wed my beloved Thunderous. The Unification may have allowed us to court formally and openly but marriage? Marriage or any formal union would have been disastrous with all the lingering sharp tribal divisions. Had we married or entered any formal union when society was still disjointed and dysfunctional, it would have likely had us being executed at worst or we would have been exiled or excommunicated at best."

"So why did the government remain this way? Wouldn't there only be one system after the destruction by Discord?" Twilight asked as she hugged her wife firmly while trying to comprehend what she was saying.

"Comfort. Simply put, a need for something familiar after the long madness led to a continuation of the old disjointed government structure but much more unified. Concepts were blended together more seamlessly, the government for example took the concept for twin leaders of the nation and the independence of city-states from the Pegasi, the existence of a Monarchy or in this new system a Diarchy and the system of titled hierarchy from the Unicorns, the concept of elected officials and the use of provinces and territories from Earth Ponies. This arrangement has essentially made each province and some cities its own political entity with a great deal of independence. Of course this is only one such example. Our societal structure is almost entirely built in this way through blending varied concepts into a mostly seamless unity. What this means is that you and the Mayor will likely share a similar working relationship that I share with the Prime Minister, he runs the day-to-day affairs for the most part with some oversight and advice from me. I may if necessary supersede his authority and as well he serves as my representative and connection with the city of Canterlot. In regards to my duties, I concern myself more with the nation as a whole but for you those particular responsibilities are still years away. For now your duties are mainly around work involving your patronages, holding Court on occasion, and the other things we just discussed."

Twilight nodded, "This has been helpful. I was worried about Ivory Scroll losing her powers or position from this change given how hard she has worked for the position; I don't want to undercut that."

"You should speak with her when you return to Ponyville but for now perhaps we could discuss something other than politics?" Celestia suggested, "Perhaps something else involving unity, reminiscing about the Unification and Thunderous has given me ideas about a different subject." Celestia leaned her head in closer to her wife's ear, "A more personal topic."

Twilight slowly smiled as she got the hint and gave a nod which Celestia took as a cue to move both of them to the nearby bed, "So where shall we begin?"