Crescent entered the Dining Hall of Canterlot Castle, the smell of breakfast drawing her closer.
"Good morning, Princess," Raven, Princess Celestia's assistant, addressed her, bowing. "Breakfast is ready."
"Thank you, Raven," Crescent replied as she walked past Raven. "And, you know, you don't have to call me that."
Other than Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance, all the servants in Canterlot Castle knew of the alicorn Selene, or Ink Crescent, Princess Luna's student. Cadance was going to finally introduce Crescent to her husband, Shining Armor, who, Crescent had learned, was Princess Twilight Sparkle's older brother.
"But, Princess, it is tradition. You are an alicorn. You are royalty," Raven replied.
Crescent stopped walking, sighed, and turned to face Raven. "Yes, I may be partially royalty, Raven, but you forget that I am just also a simple mare from Trottingham, born from non-royal parents. And I am proud of that. Besides, you're my friend."
Raven looked as though she was about to say something when the doors opened and Princess Celestia entered, Princess Luna right behind her.
"Ah, Selene," Luna said, as she passed her student, "happy birthday."
Right. Crescent closed her eyes and turned back to the table. She opened them again and took her seat.
"Raven, have any court meetings or everyday meetings cancelled," Celestia told her assistant. "Today is about Ink Crescent -- Selene -- so we should spend the day doing things she wants to do."
"Uh . . . " Crescent hesitated, but Raven was already gone to send letters to the representatives of the Crystal Empire and to the mayors of Ponyville, Appleloosa, and Los Pegasus. "Is that really neccessary?" Crescent stammered, turning to face the ruler of Equestria. "Those are such important meetings, Princess."
"Of course it's neccessary! We cannot be in meetings on your birthday, just like Celestia cancels her meetings on my birthday or her own birthday," Luna demanded.
"Right. Of course," Crescent murmured.
"So, what would you like to do today?" Luna asked, taking a bite of her daisy sandwich.
Celestia set down her bran muffin and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Luna, we could -- "
Luna shot her sister a look, cutting her off.
"Never mind that," Celestia said, waving a hoof dismissively. "I shall contact Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. Maybe if they aren't too busy -- "
"Letters for Ink Crescent!"
Crescent perked her head up as she heard her name. The royal mail pony flew in, four letters in hoof. "Oh, thank you," Crescent murmured to the mailpony.
The pale blue pegasus nodded and smiled. "Happy birthday, Princess" -- she winced -- "Crescent!" she corrected herself.
"Thank you very much, Blue Daisy." Crescent set the letters on the table as the Princess' official mail pony flew out of the room. "I wonder who they're from," she murmured, half to herself.
"Well, open them!" Luna said, excitement rising in her voice.
"Uh . . . " Crescent hesitated as she read who the first one was from: Princess Cadance. "Cadance sent me a letter, I have a letter from my dad, one from my mom, and the last one is from . . . " Crescent let her voice trail off and stared blankly at the last envelope. "Twilight Sparkle?"
"Ah, Twilight Sparkle. A studious pony, loves her friends," Celestia said.
"Why did I get a letter from her? I never met the princess!" Crescent protested.
"Read the one from Cadance, dear," Celestia said. "She may have something nice to say."
Crescent blinked at the envelope from Twilight Sparkle, before putting it at the bottom of the pile and opening the one from Princess Cadance.
"Dear Crescent,
Happy birthday! Shining Armor and I were wondering if you would like to stay with us in the Crystal Empire for the week. We are sorry we cannot come for your birthday, but you are welcome to come anytime.
Sincerely, Cadance."
"How sweet," Crescent mused. "Maybe I will go."
Luna exchanged a nervous look with Celestia as Crescent picked up the letter from her parents.
"Dear beloved daughter,
Happy birthday, dear. We love you. Your father has been called to a conference in Los Pegasus for the next week, but I hope he comes home soon. We may be able to come for your birthday- -- yes, to Canterlot! You'll receive this on your birthday, which means that your father's conference is over. He'll be writing a seperate letter, but we are both here, writing this letter now. We hope to see you in the Crystal Empire or Ponyville or Canterlot.
With love, Midnight Ink."
"How thoughtful?" Luna muttered, her gaze on her now empty breakfast plate. "You have a very loving mother. Do you remember our mother, Lucena, Celestia?"
"Yes," Celestia replied, solemnly. "She protected us from Chrysalis, remember?"
"Yes."
"Wait." Crescent now had their full attention. "Empress Lucena? Queen Chrysalis? What?"
"When we were little, the Chaos Bringers attacked and our parents asked for an alliance with the Western Insect Kingdom. There was something wrong with Princess Chrysalis of the kingdom. She was madly in love with someone and when Lucena approached her, she hurt our mother, so we had no alliance with her," Luna muttered.
"Anyway," Celestia interrupted, before her sister could say anymore, "we must not dwell in the past, Luna. I have a feeling Crescent must get back to her studies?"
Luna blinked and looked about to protest before she blinked again and slowly processed what her sister had just said. "Oh! Yes. Come along, Selene. We have much to talk about today."
Crescent blinked, confused. Obediently and silently, she followed her teacher upstairs, straight towards the library.
Once locked inside the library, Luna turned to Crescent.
"Did you find it?" she demanded.
"The Journal?" Crescent replied. "Of course! There was another pony there, but I easily evaded her and got the book without a problem." It's best for me to not tell her that the pony was an alicorn.
"Good." Luna sighed. "I have a gift for you. For this, you'll need to read Twilight's letter."
"Why?" Crescent asked, stepping back as Luna teleported the last two letters to her.
"It's important!" Luna snapped. She sighed, calming herself. "It's an important letter. You have to read it and do exactly what it says tonight. I'm sorry, but I cannot explain anything else. Celestia, Cadance, Shining Armor, your parents, and I will wait for you tonight at dusk in here." With that, she teleported out of sight, leaving Crescent to reluctantly read the letter from Twilight Sparkle.