“PRINCES CELESTIA!” Rarity yelled and quickly fell into a bow. Of course Twilight would tell her mentor about this.
“Rise,” Celestia spoke. Rarity couldn’t help but notice the distinct lack of warmth in her voice. She steeled her resolve, she needed to talk with Twilight and no fear was going to stop her.
“I need to speak with Princess Twilight Sparkle,” she said confidently.
“The Princess is not taking audiences today,” Celestia responded, her voice monotone.
“I am sure she can make time for me,” Rarity responded, hatting how much she sounded like a noble. She searched her mind for a way around Celestia that would result in banishment. None came to mind.
“She wishes not to,” Celestia responded once again in her monotone voice. With her patients already worn out from Rainbow Dash’s parents and the threat of her store being burned to the ground should she fail coupled with the need to make things right with Twilight Rarity snapped like a overstretched spring. Despite this she still managed to keep herself in check, she was talking with the goddess of the sun after all.
“I do not have time for this Princess. I must speak with Twilight regarding a sensitive personal matter. So let me pass.”
Celestia gave a small smile, “I’m sure that Twilight can make time to see you.”
Rarity stared at the monarch in bewilderment, “You just said–”
“That the Princess is not taking audiences,” Celestia interrupted, “Twilight however will always make time for her friends. Titles and phrasing can change an entering meaning.”
Celestia’s comments stung Rarity, each word a reminder of the mistake she had made comparing Twilight to her Prince, “Very well then. May I speak with Twilight? Please?”
“Follow me,” Celestia instruction. They walked through the corridors of the castle till they arrived at Twilight’s private study. “You may wait here.” With that the goddess of the sun disappeared into another corridor.
Excellent job Rarity, you have managed to tick off two princess with one comment, she thought to herself as she looked around the room. The study was Twilight’s most prized room aside from her library and Rarity suddenly felt truly honored to be allowed within its walls.
“Twilight I strongly advise that you meet with this pony,” Celestia’s voice drifted down the halls. It didn’t surprise Rarity that Twilight didn’t want to see anyone. She thought of the poor mare out of sorts in her room trying so hard to keep herself together only to fail miserably. It broke Rarity’s heart. She scanned Twilight’s desk to try and take her mind of the image. That’s she noticed the open journal.
I really shouldn’t, she told herself as she began to read the journal.
I am an abomination, failure, pathetic, a failure. I failed Spike by trying to take his mare, I failed Celestia by not being able to hold up the royal façade, I failed Candace by not successfully revealing my feelings, I failed my brother by failing his wife, I failed myself and most of all I have failed Rarity, sweet beautiful perfect Rarity. She would never want anything to do with me anymore. I had a chance and threw it away. I wish I had never sent her away. So what if she wanted my title? I WANT HER! I want her, I want her so bad it hurts. Now I have sent a stupid letter to Celestia and she’s going to come and make sure that I don’t destroy Ponyville or something, disrupting her duties. I suppose I’ve failed Luna by pulling her sister away. I am worthless–
The rest of the journal entry contain only smeared ink from what Rarity could tell was tears. She felt her own tears tracking down her face as she read the entry again. There was no way that Twilight Sparkle, multi-time savior of Equestria, master of magic and ascended Princess, could think this way. Although she mentioned herself in the entry it was so…so selfless, she concerned herself with only the betrayals she believed she did on to others.
“Those are my student’s personal notes,” Celestia said from behind Rarity. Rarity jumped and spun around to face the white alicorn. “Twilight is just cleaning up.”
Rarity nodded dumbly, “Thank you princess.”
Celestia seemed to hesitate for a moment before she spoke again, “Rarity the letter mentioned in that journal was the last thing I wanted to receive. Do you know why?”
Rarity was going to suggest that it was a petty personal matter that did not concern the Princess but wisely held her tongue as the Princess continued.
“Because Twilight is like the daughter I never had. I never want to see her in as much pain as she is in right now again. Do I make myself clear?”
Rarity thought she caught the mare’s meaning but she couldn’t be sure, “I don’t–”
“I am going to leave upon Twilight’s arrival and you shall right the wrong you have done.” Celestia said bluntly. Before Rarity could respond they heard hoof steps coming down the hall. Both mares turned to the door as Twilight appeared. For Rarity time seemed to slow down. Twilight was done up in her full royal regal and suddenly Celestia was no long the most beautiful thing in Equestria. Twilight’s beautiful lavender coat, still bookish mane, long horn, elegant wings, graceful neck, her flanks…Rarity felt herself shiver.
“Rarity what are you doing here?” Twilight asked. Her beautiful inquisitive eyes looking the white unicorn over. The hurt hidden behind them was not lost on Rarity.
“I will take my leave. I shall be in the library if you need me Twilight. Daring Do and I have some unfinished business.” With that odd comment Celestia left leaving the other two mares to stare awkwardly at each other.
“I’m sorry!”
“I’m sorry!” They both said in unison.
“Wait. Why are you sorry?”
“Wait. Why are you sorry?”
“Stop doing that!”
“Stop doing that!”
A long moment of silence insured. Both mare’s mouths opened and closed multiple times but no words were spoken. Despite the fact Twilight had cleaned up Rarity could almost see the tracks of tears that were running down the mare’s cheeks, this and the sorrow in the Princess’s eyes broke her heart. How could she cause such a divine creature such pain? Rarity felt tears welling up in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry Twilight,” she whispered finally breaking the silence as the first tear made its track down her face. “I never should have said what I said. It was meant to be light humor…stupid humor I suppose.”
Twilight nodded, “I shouldn’t have kicked you out. It’s just been a concern since Spike brought up the possibility. I want you Rarity, you how no idea how much. I want you so bad it hurts, but only if you want me. Not Princess Twilight Sparkle but the real me.”
Rarity bowed her head, “As you should Twilight. You deserve so much better than me. I wish only that you are happy.”
“That’s the problem Rarity!” Twilight snapped, “I am happy around you but I can never have that! I promised Spike.” New tears had begun to make their way down the alicorn’s cheeks and it further smashed Rarity’s broken heart. She hesitantly reached a hoof out and cupped the princess’s face.
“Twilight,” she whispered, “Spike is more understanding then you give him credit for.”
“How could you know that?” Twilight protested, “You didn’t see his reaction when he found out about my crush.”
Rarity smiled slightly, Spike had in fact told her of that confrontation, “Spike is at my store this moment. He threatened to burn it to the ground if I did not come back with a marefriend. Does that sound like a he is trying to keep us apart?”
Twilight sniffled, “I still can’t–”
“Spike has somepony else Twilight. He and Apple Bloom are going on date this coming Friday,” Rarity interrupted.
Twilight’s head shot up, “Really!?” Rarity could hear the hope in Twilight voice.
Rarity nodded, “Twilight Sparkle will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to dinner this Friday?”
There was a long silence as Twilight stared at Rarity. At first Rarity dismissed it as surprise but after a while she began to become uncomfortable. She waved her hoof in front of Twilight’s face calling her name. Resigned herself to the fact she had managed to break one of the Princesses of Equestria Rarity set out to find Princess Celestia. As the Princess had said she was in the library curled up with a Daring Do book.
“Ah Rarity. I trust that you and Twilight sorted this whole issue out?”
Rarity felt like she shrunk under the Sun Goddess’s gaze, “Sort of…”
Celestia cocked an eyebrow, “How do you mean.”
“I may have broken–” Rarity was abruptly cut off as a purple blur trackled her to the ground.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Twilight chanted as Rarity felt hooves and wings wrap around her. She hugged the alicorn back. “Yes!” Twilight exclaimed one final time as Princess Celestia chuckled.
“Twilight dear,” Celestia called, “Perhaps you should let poor Rarity back up. Hmm?”
“Nope,” Twilight said in a rather undignified manner, “I am never letting her go.” Twilight happily nuzzled Rarity’s cheek. Rarity gladly returned the gesture. She had had her romances before but this felt different. Normally such clinginess would appalled her, but it was adorable on Twilight. Like a foal and their pet. She smiled as the Goddess of the Sun began to giggle at the sight.
“Twilight,” Rarity said faintly as Twilight tightened her hold on the mare, “I’m not going anywhere but I…would…very…much…Breath! Twilight!” Her call became frantic as her lungs ran out of air. Twilight promptly let go of the white unicorn.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
Rarity gave her a small peck on the cheek, ignoring the fact she was in front of the Equestrian ruler. Somethings proved more important than image after all, “It’s alright. Now shall we returned to Spike so that my store may stay intact?”
Rainbow Dash did a quick flip before landing in front of the Casserole Boutique. She look at the building she usually went out of her way to avoid. It almost seemed menacing with the knowledge of the question that Rainbow was going to ask its occupant. She took a deep breath and walked through the front door. She had to make this quick both for her own sanity and because it was Friday and she had promised to take AJ out tonight. The little bell of above the door chimed sounding like the bells of hell to Dash.
“Rainbow Dash!” an overly excited white mare exclaimed.
“Uhm…Hi Rarity,” Rainbow replied. She couldn’t help but notice the fact that Rarity was all dolled up for something. “Am I interrupting anything?” she asked gesturing to the get-up.
Rarity smiled bashfully, “No not at all. What can I do for you?”
“You remember how you helped me out with that necklace for Applejack?”
“Oh dose our dare devil want one too? I’m sure I can find some time. I think–”
“No,” Dash interrupted, “I don’t do girly necklaces and stuff.”
“Neither dose Applejack normally but she is always wearing that delightful piece you commissioned,” Rarity pointed out.
Rainbow Dash grit her teeth, “That’s different. Will you help me or not?”
“Of course dear. Now what it is that has gotten you so on edge?”
Rainbow Dash leaned forward and whispered her request into Rarity’s pear white ear. The fashion mare’s eyes widen to the size of dinner plates before she let out a squeal and fainted.