A Suited Suitor
“Well?” Celestia asked, unable to keep a subtle note of excitement from her voice.
Anon had suspected that something was amiss that morning, since the Princess rarely waited for him outside of the throne room. Ushering him inside, passed the duo of praetorians flanking the door, she had appeared a bit more spirited than usual. Typically speaking, before they’d had breakfast and tea, she was less energetic, yet he quickly discovered what had her in such an animated state.
He stared wide eyed, unsure of what to say or how to say it. Displayed on a human shaped mannequin, resting just beside the Princesses’ thrones in the grand hall, was the most ornate armor he’d ever seen. The suit was immaculate, from its winged and visored helm to sabatons on its feet, and would fully encase the wearer in brilliant protection.
Forged from lustrous steel, inlaid with golden filigree, the plate had to have cost a small fortune to craft. Whatever artisan had designed the suit must have been a savant, due to the sheer intricacy and details of the thing. The joints, while armored, appeared to be highly articulated and capable of a wide range of movement.
“Is it not to your liking?” the alicorn pressed, turning her head towards him.
Snapped from his stupor, Anon shook his head. “No - I mean, it’s beautiful. You had this made for me?”
Celestia nodded, trotting over to the armor clad dummy. “Considering we’ll be touring the country this week, it seemed only fitting that you be properly adorned for the occasion.”
“You didn’t have to commission a full suit of armor,” the man halfheartedly protested.
Sauntering around the mannequin, the Princess cocked her head and faced him. “Did I not? I thought my royal confidant and faithful knight would appreciate something to reflect his status.”
Her demure statement brought a grin to Anon’s lips, as he walked over to appraise his new uniform. Lifting one gauntlet and vambrace, the weightlessness of the metal caught him by surprise; whatever it was constructed from definitely wasn’t any material he’d encountered before. Rapping at the cuirass with a knuckle, hearing a high-toned ring from the chest plate, he raised an eyebrow.
“It’s Uru,” Celestia interjected, drawing his attention towards her, “far lighter than steel, yet just as durable.”
“I...I really don’t know what to say,” Anon murmured, awestruck by the moment.
While he’d often imagined being some valiant paladin of medieval ages, as a youth, he’d never expected to actually get to live out his fantasy - then again, he hadn’t anticipated finding himself in a world of talking, magical horses either. Regardless, he was moved beyond words at the Princess’ gesture - his Princess’ gesture. Turning to face her, he sweetly stroked her cheek.
She peered over at him, with those bewitching magenta eyes, and smiled. She was, by far, the most enchanting creature he’d ever had the good fortune of meeting. Tall, majestic, and remarkably humble, she was a paragon of benevolence and grace. Despite their differences, he’d found himself increasingly drawn to her. Stepping forward, he wrapped his arms around her neck..
“Anon, please, a thank you would have been enough,” she giggled, gently pushing him away. Leaning in, she tenderly pressed her lips to his.
Over time, since she’d given the man a place on her staff, the two had grown increasingly close. Anon had, for all intents and purposes, initially been a curiosity to her - some strange alien, from a far off and mysterious land, with bewildering tales of his world. As the months passed, after his unexpected arrival, they’d found themselves enjoying each other’s company more and more often.
What started as a mutual interest with one another had blossomed into a wonderful friendship which grew stronger with every passing day. Considering the Princess had been gracious enough to act as his guide, offer him a job, and afford him a quarters within the castle, Anon viewed her with an admiration he held for no other. Celestia, having spent millennia looking after her people, considered his presence and kind nature wonderfully new and refreshing.
Their relationship had eventually come to a head, after a discussion regarding the equines of Earth and their bond with humans. Perhaps it had been impulsive, being driven by the spontaneous joy they shared, but the two had crossed a line together and things hadn’t been the same since. Caving to their inner urges, spurred by a literal flight of fancy, they’d ended up sharing a bed one fateful evening.
So far as they knew, their passionate encounter had gone unnoticed by anypony and everypony. While it wasn’t unspeakable that a Princess indulge herself with a potential paramour, they’d decided to keep their budding romance a secret - at least, for the time being. Still, even without any formal declaration, the palace staff had likely taken note of their closeness.
Celestia and Anon were virtually inseparable, within both their official capacities and without, and it wasn’t uncommon to find them taking leisurely strolls within the castle gardens or on jaunts through Canterlot. If anypony disapproved of them spending so much time together, they’d kept their opinion to themselves. Even if the soldiery or citizens knew of their affair, their bond wouldn’t have been that bizarre, given the relative frequency of interspecies courtship.
The pair were, in a sense, each rather remarkable, albeit in their own ways. Anon was an otherworldly creature, having been thrust into a land that was not his own. Celestia was a living demigod and diarch of an empire. As odd as it may have appeared, each took comfort from the other’s uniqueness.
The sensation of the man’s hand slipped around Celestia’s neck, pulling her into a deeper kiss, shook her from her reverie. As much as she pined for his affection, she realized it was neither the time nor the place for such things. Reluctantly, with an extreme exertion of will, she pulled away.
“So - um - when are we supposed to be leaving?” Anon inquired, blushing heavily and taking a step back.
“On the morrow,” she responded. Shuffling in place, keenly aware of the warmness in her cheeks, she averted her gaze. “I wouldn’t ask that you wear your armor throughout our travels, if that’s a concern, I simply thought that-”
“Hmmmm,” Anon hummed thoughtfully, inadvertently interrupting her. A conspiratorial smirk crept across his face, as he was stricken with an idea. “You know, I think I should take it for a test drive.”
“A test drive?” Celestia parroted, tilting her head..
“It’s a phrase. I’d like to try it on and see how everything fits,” he explained.
“Why certainly! I’d hoped to see you in it!” she exclaimed, her eyes going alight.
“Can you, you know, whoosh me and the armor back to my room? I don’t think it would look too good if somepony trotted in and I was found changing, in the throne room, in front of a Princess,” Anon chuckled. As amusing as the thought was, he’d hate to have to explain that to the royal guard or a palace staff member.
“O...of course!” she stammered, setting her horn alight.
In a blinding flash and pop of displaced air, she magically teleported the man and his new outfit to his chamber. While she hadn’t planned on whisking him off in such an abrupt fashion, the mental image of him stripping sent her pulse racing. Even though she’d only seen him nude on one occasion, the notion of watching him undress was thrilling. Trotting to her throne, easing herself down, she resigned herself to impatiently await his return.
The instantaneous transition from throne room to his bedchamber was a bit jarring, yet Anon had slowly become accustomed to the mystical method of transit. Giving himself a moment to get oriented, he looked over to the mannequin. As he moved towards the adorned dummy, unbuttoning his shirt, his only concern was how tricky the thing would be to get on.
As the minutes ticked by, seemingly dragging on into infinity, Celestia unseated herself and began pacing about the expansive room. Considering she’d meticulously and surreptitiously taken Anon’s measurements, with some help from the royal tailor, the armor should fit him perfectly. She’d enlisted two of the best blacksmiths in Equestria to craft the raiment, and it had taken them a month to complete the herculean endeavor, so any adjustments would likely take weeks to amend.
Truth be told, some educated guesswork had been necessary for the construction. It wasn’t like there were any other humans in Equestria to add input on the articulation points and fitting, so they’d resorted to Celestia’s input and educated guesswork. It would probably function properly, if designing the protective and elaborate suit could be equated to a standard piece of clothing, although they’d have no way of knowing until Anon donned and tested it.
Suddenly, without any warning whatsoever, the entrance swung open and a figure appeared. Glinting in the colored light of the stained glass on the walls, bedecked in the resplendent plate, Anon strode forward. Armored from head to toe, he almost appeared as if some mechanical war machine. She sat mute, watching him approach her, before he came to a halt and bent a knee.
“My Princess,” he intoned, bowing in supplication, “I live to serve.”
The room was so silent that you could have heard a pin drop, as the two sat motionless. Only after a fleeting second passed did the man raise his head to peek up at the mare. Noting the impassive look on her face, he raised his visor and knit his brow. Her expression was impossible to read, leaving him with a vague sense of unease.
“Is everything alright?” he asked, attempting to alleviate any concern.
For the first time in ages, Celestia found herself at a loss for words. Seeing his kindly visage, entombed within the polished uru of his helmet, her heart swelled. The juxtaposition of cold, unfeeling metal, gear made for conflict, against his soft skin and compassionate eyes moved her. Her guards routinely wore armor, yet this was different.
First of all, the man was almost completely covered in some form or fashion. Even her elite soldiers weren’t afforded the level of protection his armor provided, although that was primarily with good reason. Given how rarely dire conflicts ever occurred, it seemed unfitting to have the palace sentries festooned in such an imposing fashion.
Secondly, and most prudently, Anon gave off the extraordinary air. He was already larger than a great many ponies, so his adamantine wardrobe made him seem like an unstoppable dreadnought. She would have been ill at ease, had she not realized who she was facing, but that wasn’t the case. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, she knew that he would be her aegis.
Anon swallowed hard, grappling with the situation. The Princess just stood there, staring at him, without saying a thing. He’d hoped that his theatrical entrance would have entertained her, perhaps giving her a giggle, yet he’d gotten anything but amusement. Pushing himself up, he innocently held his hands out to his sides.
“Sorry I took so long getting it on,” he sighed, shaking his head and laughing weakly. “The few staff I passed didn’t help much either; I got stopped three times and had to explain why I was wearing it.”
The corners of Celestia’s mouth turned up, shifting from a smirk to a broad smile. “I should have known they would,” she remarked, casually trotting past him and towards the exit. His statement, while innocuous enough, had given her inspiration. As she reached the doorway, listening in vain for any sign of him following, she peered over her shoulder. “Aren’t you coming?”
Nodding, with his armor clattering slightly about his frame, Anon jogged over to her side. “Where are we going?” he asked, almost as an afterthought.
“Since I’m sure that ponies will see you in such a getup, if only for formal events or special occasions, I thought it only fitting that we go into town for breakfast,” she merely stated, magically opening the doors and leading the way.
While she’d hadn’t intended on showing him off to the townsponies in such a precipitous manner, she saw no reason to delay the inevitable. The creatures of her dominion would eventually learn to know of his status, so a nonchalant introduction of her glimmering protector may assuage any concerns of his newly acquired apparel. After a few dozen citizens spotted him in his gleaming suit, they’d be sure to inquire about the reasoning behind his attire - speaking of which...
“Shall I address any questions from the public about your title or would you rather do it yourself?” she modestly asked, glancing over at him as they walked through the central corridor.
“I...title?” Anon countered, scrunching his nose in consternation.
“I told you that I was going to make you my knight,” Celestia coolly responded, without breaking stride.
“You’re seriously going to make me a knight?” Anon exclaimed, taken aback by the remarkably informal declaration.
Celestia nodded, as if it was the most trivial matter in the world. “Anon, royal knight of the Empire,” she mused, letting the words experimentally roll off her tongue. “Has quite a nice ring to it, if I do say so myself.”
“Princess, being knighted is a big deal,” he lamented, strolling along beside her. “There’s a ceremony and a sword and-”
“A test drive,” she cheerfully tutted, cutting him off. Supremely pleased with herself, she peeked over at him. “We can deal with any of the formalities later - for now, consider it a test drive.”
Shaking his head, realizing he’d been rather deftly outwitted, Anon’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Well, in that case, you can definitely help. Given that the only ponies who didn’t stop me were the guards, don’t be surprised if we get swamped outside.”
“Duly noted,” Celestia muttered, trying and failing to keep a straight face.
Regardless of what sort of reaction the inhabitants of Canterlot had, she was certain they’d be quite the spectacle. While it wasn’t exceedingly rare that she went out to mingle, it would be the first time that anypony had seen a human in such an ornate getup. Although she’d been truthful in her justification for going out, she did have a slightly selfish reason - she felt compelled to show him off.
Trotting next to the armored titan, even within the castle, was positively electrifying. The heavy plate somehow magnified his commanding presence, yet it was a bit of a charade. Beneath the imposing shell, he was a gentle giant - her gentle giant - and she wished her people to bask in his splendor.
Making their way through the palace and into the courtyard, the two were bathed in the overcast morning sun. It had showered the night prior, leaving the paving stones and grass damp, filling the air with the delicate scent of fresh rainfall. As they passed into the city proper, moving towards the nearest of several local bakeries, the populace quickly took note of the radiant duo.
“Should...should we stop?” Anon murmured, keeping his voice low.
“Would you like to? I could make a formal announcement, if it pleases you,” Celestia remarked. Stretching her wings, she drew yet more eyes in their direction.
Though she’d never directly asked, she presumed Anon didn’t mind being in the spotlight. He was, after all, one of a kind and it wasn’t like he’d ever expressed any dismay about the curious ponies whom he’d encountered - still, he didn’t broadcast his presence or take overt enjoyment from introducing himself and explaining his origins to strangers. Scanning the area, noticing roughly a dozen of the townsfolk in the immediate proximity, she took a deep breath.
Hearing the sharp inhale, Anon’s focus swiftly shifted to the Princess. Though he’d heard the noise only once before, the moment was seared into his memory. Shortly after he’d arrived in Equestria, having been ushered to meet with the diarchy, Luna had drawn such a breath before bellowing the most cacophonous greeting he’d ever heard. Thrusting a hand towards her shoulder, desperately hoping to intervene, he was a split second too late.
“FAIR PONIES OF CANTERLOT!!!” Celestia thundered, her voice likely carrying throughout most of the city. “ANON SHALL HENCEFORTH BEAR THE TITLE OF KNIGHT. THAT IS ALL!”
Standing mute, with her voice ringing in his ears, Anon stared dumbfoundedly over at her. Slowly turning her head, bearing what had to be the biggest, smuggest grin he’d ever seen, she peered over at him. If there was one thing he’d learned about Celestia, it was that she was not above the occasional prank or bout of mischief. Thankfully, either by luck or because they’d become acquainted with similar outbursts, the vast majority of the onlookers went back to their morning routines.
“Now then, with that out of the way, shall we?” she chirped, sauntering onward without a care in the world.
The impromptu announcement, paired with just how smoothly she’d played it off, left Anon speechless. Her proclamation had been brazen and impish, wholly unfitting of a Princess, yet she’d done it all the same. In spite of her cavalier attitude, or perhaps because of it, he snickered. She really was amazing, there was no question about it.
“Fair knight,” Celestia softly protested, stopping and peering back at him, “are you planning on standing there all day or are you going to join your Princess?”
Attempting to wipe the silly smile from his face, he trotted over to her. “Sorry, I think that Royal Canterlot Voice of yours may have rattled something loose.”
“Or…” she lowered her tone, bringing her muzzle closer to his ear, “perhaps you were just savoring the view of my backside.” No sooner had she finished speaking than she promptly withdrew and shot him a devilish wink.
The one-two punch of her raucous edict and very forward flirt was too much to handle; Anon burst into laughter, with his armor clinking and clanking about his frame. He couldn’t say whether or not his mirth was the cause of it, but the Princess’ dainty laughter soon joined him. The sound of her merriment, even if it was at his expense, was like a symphony from heaven.
Reaching out, he fondly caressed her withers. Under his soft touch, her amusement dulled to a faint titter and ultimately a contented hum. The sensation of her velvety fur against his palm, compared to the cool metal on the back of his hand, was soothing beyond belief. Her warmth and the silken sensation of her fur evoked a deep, inexplicable sense of peace within him, leaving his hand to linger.
As Celestia felt his hand pull away, his fingers reluctantly departing from her coat, she calmly extended her wings. Lazily wrapping one feathered appendage around his back, pulling him to herself, she re-seated his palm to her upper back. Positively chuffed, a joyful nicker escaped her. “That’s better…”
“You know,” Anon began, continuing to rub her shoulder, “ponies might just start to talk, if they see us doing this.”
“Talk of what?” Celestia inquired, feigning shock. “Would they speak of how the Princess’ brave champion stands by her side to tirelessly guard her at every turn?” she continued, faultlessly maintaining her act.
Walking his fingers up her neck, he leaned over and breathed hotly against her ear. “As you wish, my Princess.”
A shiver of excitement coursed through Celestia, upon hearing his words. Giggling like a school filly, she playfully shoved him away. Some casual contact while out and about was one thing, but being seen openly flirting after making such a scene was another. She wasn’t upset - far from it, in fact - though they’d probably caused enough excitement for one morning.
Walking side by side, they made their way into the bakery. The aroma of fresh bread and pastries assailed them, upon entering the building, immediately reminding them both that they’d yet to have anything to eat that day. Hosting a small dine-in area, as well as several tables out front, the venue would allow a number of clients to sit and relax - even if the overwhelming majority made their purchases and left.
“I’ll get our order, if you find us a seat,” Anon noted, moving towards the register and display rack at the side of the room. Glancing back at her, he slowed. “Apple fritter, right?” he quipped, knowing they were one of her favorites from the shop.
“And a darjeeling tea, if you would,” she replied, appraising the tiny dining area. With two of the five tables already occupied, she altered course and trotted back to his side. Given how pleasant the weather was, she’d be comfortable out in the open air.
Mere moments after making his order, Anon was presented with their breakfast. The apple fritter was absolutely massive, larger than his outstretched hand, while his meal rested within a small paper box. He’d been unsure of exactly what he wanted, unlike the Princess, so he’d opted to get an assortment of doughnut holes. Reflexively reaching for his pocket, looking down at the orbs of fried dough, he went rigid. It was only at that moment that he realized one of the many drawbacks of armor - there was a glaring lack of places to store things.
Groaning, feeling like a fool, he hung his head. “Can I bring the bits back later? I left them in the castle.”
As embarrassing as it was, his neglectfulness wasn’t a catastrophic ordeal. He visited the bakery at least once a week, oftentimes to procure items for the Princesses or for himself, so he was on good terms with the owner and employees - still, despite having every intent on making a second trip to pay his tab, he felt self-conscious about the blunder. The baker smiled and shooed him away, dismissing his concern.
“Don’t worry,” Celestia slyly remarked, reaching up and tapping a forehoof on the counter, “I know where he lives.” Stifling a giggle, the mare behind the register fled to the back towards the kitchen.
“Did you pick out a spot?” Anon asked, surveying the room. The Princess nodded and trotted past him, heading out the front door. Following behind, carrying their food and drink, he watched her stop and sit at a shaded table.
Eyeing the pastry, as her mouth began to water, Celestia levitated the fritter from the tray. Hovering it to herself, she took a bite and nearly swooned. The fried amalgam of apple and dough, covered in a syrupy glaze, was downright sinfully good - especially when it was still warm. Taking a second bite, savoring the sweetness on her tongue, a muted grumble caught her ear.
Anon sat across from her, holding his visor up with one hand and frustratedly plucking at a doughnut hole with the other. The face plate, while gorgeous, clearly hadn’t been designed for eating in mind. Setting her pastry down, she shifted the focus of her magic to the more pressing issue.
It took Anon a second to realize what was going on, when a faint golden light surrounded his helmet. Feeling the slight weight leave his hands, as the visor was sorcerously held in place, a levitating ball of fried dough floated to his face. Peering over at the alicorn, he exhaled in exasperation.
“You don’t have to feed me,” he petulantly groused, feeling all the more useless.
“I know I don’t,” Celestia knowingly responded, guiding the doughnut hole towards his mouth. Opening his maw, allowing her to slip the cake-like morsel inside, he chewed. Peeking down at the box, seeing a mixture of blueberry, chocolate, strawberry, and cinnamon flavors, she was tempted to help herself to one, yet abstained. “Just tell me which kind you’d like next.”
“Bwewbewwy,” Anon answered, muffled by his first bite. Grabbing hold of his chair, he slid himself around the table and closer to her.
Shuffling through the box of confections, the sound of metal on stone drew Celestia’s attention over to the man. Twisting her head, just as he plucked her fritter from the tray, she scrunched her snout. “What are you…”
“Here,” he insisted, leveling the apple pastry at her muzzle, “if you’re gonna help me out, I’m gonna help you out.”
The Princess shifted slightly, continuing to hold his visor open, and faced him. As their eyes met, they silently gazed at one another. In that innocent moment, having a meal and enjoying each other’s company, something passed between them. Though neither said a word, the look they shared spoke volumes.
The simple act of feeding each other was an accurate portrayal of what they’d come to be. Each leaned heavily on the other, in some form or fashion, even if they weren’t fully aware of it. What they had transcended titles, lay beyond such paltry things as their species or homeland, and the realization of it resonated within them. In that brief instant, they weren’t a Princess and a man - no, they were two parts of a whole.
As the sun broke through the cloud cover, bathing them in brilliant light, time seemed to slow. A soft breeze sent the mare’s ephemeral mane wafting behind her, wreathing her face in the glimmering pastel hues of her otherworldly hair. Her magic faltered, if only for a split second, causing the fried dumpling to fall from her magical grasp. The disruption, as faint as it was, broke them from their trance.
“Sooooooo...Anything planned for today?” Anon awkwardly inquired, lowering the fritter slightly.
“Yes, I’m afraid so. There are a number of stately affairs I’d like to handle, before we leave, and I’ve yet to pack,” she responded, absentmindedly retrieving the blueberry munchkin.
Glancing down at his breakfast, Anon reached over and slowly closed the box. His appetite was gone, replaced by tempestuous thoughts and a racing heart. Pushing himself up, taking his breakfast with him, he stepped to her side. Gently patting her shoulder, as she looked up at him, he nodded towards the palace.
“We should probably get back then,” he whispered. Though it wasn’t necessarily what he wanted to say, he couldn’t bring himself to act on his impulses.
While they had shared a moment of intimacy, it had been a lone and spontaneous instance. He cared for her deeply, yet he’d never brought himself to truly confess his feelings. Though he hoped - no, prayed that she felt the same for him, they hadn’t openly discussed the matter. Were they not in public, he would have likely broached the subject right then and there; but, alas, that wasn’t the case.
Standing, releasing her sorcerous hold of his helmet, Celestia dismounted from her chair. She had no way of knowing it, but she shared the same tumultuous concerns as Anon. If somepony had told her that she’d find herself falling for a visitor from a far-flung world, just a year prior, she would have thought it a joke - now, things were very much different. Quietly fetching her fritter, she led them towards the castle.
Quietly walking back, entering into the courtyard, the pair bid farewell and parted ways. Celestia busied herself with her obligations, ensuring things would stay running smoothly for her week-long absence, while Anon occupied himself with running his various responsibilities. Though they were separated by physical proximity, their minds dwelled on one another…