Celestia, Artemis, and Twilight Sparkle were back in the dining room as they waited for the cooks to bring their breakfast. Also present, were the captain and guard that had kept watch over Artemis and Twilight through the night. At the insistence of their prince as well as both princesses, they were eating as well.

Celestia was about to say something but smelled their food coming and decided that it could wait. She looked up and saw the cooks in the doorway, waiting for permission to enter. She smiled and waved them in. They came in loaded down with pancakes for Artemis and Twilight and waffles for Celestia as well as orange juice, tea and a selection of muffins and other breakfast pastries for them to enjoy. All three of them wasted no time in stuffing their faces.

After they had each eaten their fill, Celestia cleared her throat, catching the attention of Twilight and Artemis. She smiled “I see that you’ve become quite close to my brother, Twilight.”

“Huh?” asked Twilight, looking up at her.

Celestia’s smile only widened, thoroughly enjoying herself. “In the time since you arrived last night, you’ve saved him, managed to calm him, hugged, nuzzled, and even kissed him. Have you got anything you want to share, Twilight?”

“I . . . uh . . .” was the only answer she received as Twilight’s eyes widened and her mind blanked out.

“Oh my,” Celestia giggled “I think I broke Twilight”

“Sister . . .” Artemis warned

“What? I’m not allowed to tease her?” Celestia started pouting “You don’t let me have any fun.”

“After last night? No, you are not allowed to tease anyone.” Came the tense reply.

Before Celestia could reply, she heard a soft groan and looked to Twilight, who was shaking her head and waking up. “Fine, I’ll be good.” She walked over to Twilight and nuzzled her with a quiet “Welcome Back”.

“Oh . . . Um . . . I” Twilight’s head snapped up, her cheeks bright pink.

“It’s alright, Twilight. I was just teasing you. I’m sorry, I hadn’t realized how stressful yesterday was for you.” Celestia explained softly “However, I do have a question that I would like you to answer.”

“Yes?” asked a rather nervous Twilight

Celestia smiled “It’s clear to me that you hold feelings for my brother. How long have you had them?”

Twilight squirmed and turned an even brighter shade of pink, but answered anyway “S-since the first Nightmare Night he came to P-Ponyville.” She said quietly

“What?” asked a stunned Artemis “Why didn’t you tell me? That was nearly 4 years ago!”

“I saw you being approached by many ponies here in Canterlot whenever I visited Celestia to continue my lessons and heard about even more. I was just a unicorn that lived in a small town, a student and a librarian. I didn’t think I had a chance. So I kept quiet.” Came the answer, in the same quiet voice.

Celestia just stared. “But you became a princess 3 years ago and you’ve been here many times since then . . . “

Twilight shook her head “The only thing that changed was that I was given wings. As far as the nobility are concerned, I am still just a student and librarian from a small town when I come here. I know what most of the nobility here call me.”

Artemis and Celestia exchanged confused glances “And what is that?” he asked

“The Commoner Princess” Twilight paused, then added “From what I heard, it was Blueblood that started it. He apparently said something about me not being a part of the royal bloodline and thus, not a true princess.”

Artemis stared at Twilight with wide eyes as Celestia hugged her. “Oh Twilight”

Twilight shrugged as she hugged Celestia back “He’s been saying it for so long that I’m used to it and besides, I only have to deal with it when I visit Canterlot. They really should treat Artemis better, though. He’s your brother.”

Artemis had heard enough. He stood and walked over to Twilight. Celestia saw him coming and released her from the hug.

“Twilight” Artemis said as she turned towards him. Before she could say or do anything, he pulled her into a deep kiss.

Now, it was Twilight’s turn for surprise. After a moment of shock, she closed her eyes and returned it.

Artemis looked at Twilight as they broke the kiss. “I had become convinced that I would never be able to find somepony to love.” It’s time to make this right. He made sure he had her attention before continuing “Twilight Sparkle, I would like permission to court you.”

Twilight’s eyes filled with tears of happiness as she managed to say a single word. “Yes”

Artemis’ response was to pull her into another kiss. Celestia and Artemis’ night guards looked on happily.

They broke the kiss but Artemis draped a wing over her, making sure to keep her close. They both looked up as Celestia came over to them.

“Twilight,” She began, blinking away her own tears of happiness. “I have always loved you. You were, from the start, the little sister I never had. To think you would, not only save my brother, but also become so close to both of us. You are the only one, in thousands of years to capture the heart of my brother. I am so proud of you and can’t wait to be able to call you my little sister.”

Before they could get any further into the conversation, one of Celestia’s Day Guards came in to remind her that it was time for Day Court. Artemis teleported to his personal chambers to get the documents that his guard found detailing Blueblood’s plan. He was back in a flash of midnight blue light and with a stack of paper floating next to him.

Upon seeing Celestia’s confused look, he told her “Apparently, he accidentally included them in this stack of legal adjustments that he demanded I approve. The plans are in here somewhere.”

Twilight immediately took them and said “I’ll look through it for them.” Seeing their confused expressions, she added “You can tell the nobility that you asked me to go through the proposals to verify them so that the two of you can focus on court. That will fool them into thinking that their requests are being approved or considered. Instead, I will ‘conveniently’ find Blueblood’s plans in the middle of court.”

Artemis grinned and nuzzled her, while Celestia just laughed. “Ooh, that’s evil. And it’s going to be great!”

The captain of Artemis’ Night Guard looked at the young guard next to him and they both nodded. The captain spoke up “If it pleases Your Highnesses, we would like to be present in Day Court as well. We will keep the nobility from disturbing Princess Twilight while she searches.”

Artemis frowned “I appreciate the offer, but you both have been up all night guarding myself and Twilight. Surely you need your rest.”

Both of his guards shook their heads. The Captain answered “We have heard what has been said all night and this morning, not to mention that I was present at Night Court last night, Your Highness. Prince Blueblood cannot be allowed to get away with these actions. We would very much like to see you catch that poor excuse for a pony, let alone royalty. We can rest later.”

Artemis smiled and said “Very well” before they entered the throne room for Day Court.

Next Chapter: Chapter 7 Estimated time remaining: 36 Hours, 27 Minutes