I did my best not to look bored out of my mind or to avoid tuning out and daydreaming as I moved alongside Luna through the packed ball room.

Just another hour then we'll have been here long enough to be able to politely duck out. At least Celestia was still the hostess and as such she might be stuck here until the end but we could make an escape in a while. Prepare for the duties to protect the night as Luna would say.

In reality, cuddles by the fireplace.

I may be looking forward to that but that didn't help my boredom now. I hate parties. Okay, to be fair, I don't hate parties. I dislike being in large groups of ponies I don't know but have to pretend that I not only find it not annoying but also that I was having fun.

It was exhausting.

It's funny really how much about my life was lies. I bluffed to bring Sunset to Equestria, I lied to most ponies about what I really was.

I was lying now with every movement and polite smile.

Hell, you could even say that my special talent was lies in a way. What are stories but long elaborate lies for entertainment?

Not that I was the only one in the room. Luna was doing the same thing as I did.... and so was everyone else. From Celestia all the way to the servant over by the buffet table putting down more of those little cucumber things.

Every single one in this room was pretending. Pretending to enjoy themselves, pretending to like the others. It was a theater performed with the ease of practice.

I found it insanely boring.

But Luna needed me to be here so here I was. Smiling and nodding at the right spots.

“Love, can I get you a refill?” I asked as I noticed her glass starting to get empty.

“Would you please?” Luna answered with a smile, passing it to me and I nodded before heading to refill our glasses.

Oh well, at least the food was good. I should pick us each up a plate of those cucumber things on the way back.

“Ah, Lord Page. Exactly the pony I was looking to talk to,” A pony said as he intercepted me on the way.

I knew that blue coat and pink mane anywhere.

Lord Bubble Water.

Kill me now.

XXXXXXXXXX

I collapsed onto the couch with a groan, putting a pillow over my head.

“You are exaggerating,” Luna said with a grin, lifting the pillow off me, “It was not that bad. For a formal ball that is.”

“I'm sorry, Page is not here right now,” I grumbled, “He died down in the ballroom, I'm a ghost now.”

That got a giggle from her and she jumped onto the couch to lay opposite to me, “Oh really?”

“Mhmm.” I answered before I sighed, raising my head to look at her. She was beautiful. Her mane sparkled with stars and her new dress accented it nicely, made from dark flowing and glittering silk.

“You are beautiful. You always are, but today was special,” I told her honestly, “You look amazing.”

The inside of her ears took on a slight red color as she smiled, “Thank you... you are pretty good looking yourself,” she said before she grinned and leaned in to nuzzle, “...Not that I was the only one to notice. I caught more than one mare eyeing you.”

“Let them look all they want. I belong to the heavens. Unless they can compare to the beauty of the night sky, I'm not interested,” I said with a smile, shifting closer to rest my neck against hers, “Burn the land and boil the seas... they can't take the sky from me.”

I may have shamelessly stolen part of that.

A soft intake of air told me my words had the desired effect before Luna pulled back and gave me a teasing grin, “Really?”

I nodded and bumped my nose against hers, “Really.”

“So... What of my sister?” Luna asked with a teasing tone, “There are two of us that match that description.”

I stuck my tongue out at her, “Like I could survive two alicorns. One is bad enough thank you very much,” I answered with a grin before I shrugged, “I like Celestia, but it's not the same thing. You are my Luna, my light in the dark. Celestia and her sky are similar, she shines brightly and beautifully, but she...” I started to say before I paused, trying to find the right words, “...Meeting her brightens up my day, but nowhere near as much as you do. I already have the only alicorn I want, she is my Princess, my sky. Other ponies might get up and greet the sun with smiles on their faces, bowing and going about their days beneath her light, drinking in her warmth. The sun is nice, but nothing is as good as relaxing beneath a clear night sky, the stars shining above. That's my sky. Everyone else can worship their sun, I want my moon.”

Luna blushes softly and nuzzled before she nipped at my ear tip with a small smirk, “So... What you are saying is that you think my sister is hot?”

I just groaned and let my head drop, “...Damn it, not what I meant.”

That got a giggle from her, “Just teasing, love,” she said and guided me up for a kiss with her hoof, “I understand what you were saying. But I don't mind if you look at other mares. You are with me, not dead. But you are mine. We have such a short time together, I'm planning to be selfish about it.”

“That's a selfishness I don't mind whatsoever,” I chuckled and kissed back before I smirked and wiggled my eyebrows at her playfully, “Of course, if you wish to invite a mare or five to join us sometime... No stallions though. I have to draw the line somewhere.”

Luna stuck her tongue out at me and poked my side, “I'll keep that in mind,” she said dryly before she nosed at my ear, “But for now... how about you get the fire going while I get out of this dress.”

“Deal. And I should get out of this as well,” I commented and glanced back at the side cloak.

“Don't you dare!”