Starbeam stood tall and proud, Dusk Wind across from her. Horns trumpeted at the entrance of Princess Platinum and her father, who trotted prominently through the towering doors as Star opened them with her magic. Dusk Wind called out to the crowd, "ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF KING BULLION AND PRINCESS PLATINUM OF THE UNICORNS!"
Many turned their heads to gaze at their radiance, including the more prestigious guests, like Commander Hurricane and Chancellor Puddinghead. The hoity princess gracefully walked over to Princess Luna, greeting her in a sophisticated manner. the two had become friends the first time they made their acquaintanceship, although it took a small argument, a tumble down Luna's hidden castle tunnels, and an apology from Princess Platinum to do so. But it seemed it had been worth it in the end, since both were now content and agreeable with the other, especially at social gatherings.
Starbeam also took notice to Princess Celestia, who was engaging in a conversation with her and Luna's magical mentor, StarSwirl the Bearded. Starbeam herself mostly knew only basic or combat spells, which had been mandatory for her to learn in training as a guard. As she scoped the room, she wondered what it must be like for these ponies; always feeling secure knowing that somepony else was keeping you safe instead of having the constant task of making sure everypony else was.
Serving stallions pushed an enormous layered cake into the room. It was finely decorated with white and yellow frosting and tiny sun-shaped sugar pieces. At the top, there was a skillfully crafted sculpture of Celestia's cutiemark that reflected light across the room.
The attention was then focused onto Celestia, who was sung a harmonized birthday song by a choir standing from the balconies on each side of the room. it wasn't the usual run-of-the-mill song like the kind sung at a young filly's birthday party, but instead one that told of her beauty, reign, and the blessing of her raising the sun each morning. The musical feature was then proceeded by applause and cheering for Celestia and all her glory.
Many ponies then went up to the Sun Princess, thanking her, complimenting her, and a few asking if she would be able to attend their events in the near future. Even Princess Platinum had left Luna's side to converse with the older sister. The Moon Princess stood alone, nopony even really acknowledging that she was there. She appeared calm and collected, but Starbeam knew it was bothering her.
I've seen that look before. She must feel miserable... I wish there was something I could do, but I don't want to break from my position; it's my assignment to stand here and watch over everyone... but...
"Go ahead," a voice said to her, "I've got it covered."
She turned to see Dusk Wind behind her. He motioned for her to go over to the princess. Reluctantly, she did. Star never liked abandoning her duties, especially for frivolous things such as socializing. But she figured she would be doing more of a service to Princess Luna this way. The blue alicorn's expression brightened when seeing her friend coming over to chat with her.
"Good evening, Starbeam Prism." Luna said.
"My Princess." she replied, bowing.
"So, art thou enjoying this most stupendous of occasions?"
"I am simply here to make sure you are enjoying it, Princess. And... are you?" she queried.
Luna's mood suddenly soured a little, and she sighed unhappily. "To be honest," she began more quietly, dropping The Royal Canterlot Voice, "not really. I mean, I know this night is supposed to be about Celie and all... but no one seems to care that I'm here."
"But what about Platinum?"
She looked over to where the unicorn princess and Luna's sister were laughing together. "Well, yes, she came over a while ago to talk for a bit. But she seemed... disinterested. It's like I was boring her or something."
"Perhaps she had something else on her mind that she was worried about." Star said encouragingly.
Luna snorted. "Well she sure seemed to have forgotten about it now."
Starbeam decided to change the topic. Luna seemed a little better after a while, but still not completely satisfied.
A few hours later, the guests, guards, and Princesses all gathered outside to witness the setting of the moon and raising of the sun. The party had begun very early in the morning while still dark out so everypony could watch the transition of night to day up close. As Princess Luna soared towards the clouds first and used her magic to make the bright, full moon slowly descend behind the horizon, the crowd paid little attention and instead talked and gossiped. When Princess Celestia spread her wings to do her part, they all gasped in wonder and awe. The sunlight bathed Everfree, casting rainbows through the glass windows of the castle. Again, they cheered for her, smiling and stomping their hooves.
Luna trotted back inside with her head down, fighting back tears. Starbeam followed her several paces behind, unable to catch up with her once the sad, blue princess began running up to her quarters with liquid streaming down her face. She stopped pursuing her when she heard the slam of her bedroom door. Unsure of what to do, Starbeam stood there awkwardly while listening to the muffled sounds of sobbing. After a minute or two, she crept away, back to the grand hall.
The guests had began filing back inside, with no concern as to where the Lunar Princess had run off to. The candelabras had been put out, along with the spine-chilling dismembered hoof torches and ornamental lanterns. There was still a fair amount of food left, which a few ponies were munching on whilst a couple others said their farewells to one-another and began to leave. The servants tidied the used plates and silverware, and some of the night guards traded places with the day-time guards. Starbeam wouldn't mind her shift to be over herself, just so she could get some rest and forget this night for a while.
A little over a half-hour later, the last of the guests left, and the rest of the leftovers and decorations from the party were cleaned up. Celestia followed StarSwirl to the library to work on magic with him. Dusk Wind came up to Starbeam once more.
"Ready to hit the hay? It's been a long night, and I don't know about you, but I feel a lot more tired after being around these aristocrat ponies and their upper class 'preferences'." he said to her.
"Yeah, one of them freaked out on me for the punch not having all natural ingredients. She just couldn't get it through her skull that it wasn't my job to deal with it."
The two guards laughed together.
"I'd like to see one of them spend a day in a remote village without their fancy eclairs and butlers."
"A whole day? I doubt they could even last an hour." Star scoffed.
Dusk and Starbeam walked along the bridge across the chasm, teasing about the guests that attended and discussing the previous night. They came to the end of the bridge, where they were to depart.
Dusk Wind yawned. "S'pose I'd better get going. The more time I spend here, the less time I'll have until I have to come back."
"Yeah, okay. I feel you." Starbeam said, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. "See you later, then."
"Bye, Starbeam." The blue stallion took off into the sky, waving to her.
Starbeam Prism walked the rest of the way home alone, pondering everything that had happened that morning.