Celestia looked up from her paperwork, hearing an odd rumble.

Hmm?

She strode over to the balcony, looking around, just as a flier thundered past, making her wince as the craft banked sharply, returning and hovering in front of her, meters away. It rotated around, and the side door slid back, revealing a grinning Lieia.

“Hey, Cel! Guess who just completed their training!”

“Well, who did?”

“Everyone! The first company’s ready for duty!” She smiled widely, before leaping off, landing in front of the startled mare.

“Okay, sergeant, take her back to base! Get everyone ready for official inauguration! Meet me in Ponyville, okay?”

“Understood, ma’am.” Fluttershy responded, swinging the craft around and flying away.

Lieia turned around, smiling at Celestia.

“Well, it’s done. The First Company is battle-ready.”

“How many more do you think of training?”

“Nine hundred for a full regiment, maybe more. But enough about that. How’re you doin’?” She let a sliver of concern seep in her voice.

“Not too good, my dear. The journalists and photographers continue to plague the castle. I can’t get a moment’s peace, no matter how many times the guards try.” She noticed Lieia’s eyes narrowing ever so slightly with anger.

“We’ll have to do something about that, won’t we? I guess it’s high time we came clear.” She grinned wryly.

“Else they’ll never stop, right, Cel?”

“I… I suppose so.” Lieia hugged Celestia, whispering reassuringly.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to abandon you to fend for yourself. We’ll face them together.” Celestia smiled thankfully at her.

One hour later

Ponyville

“Three weeks ago, I took a hundred ponies to train them as Coalition Marines. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve done it. They’ll be the first company of 1st Equestrian Regiment, ‘Celestia’s Own.’ I’ll train another nine hundred ponies to complete the regiment. The first company’ll be here any moment.” As if on cue, a row of trucks arrived, laden with ponies in full battle gear. They disembarked, lining up in groups of ten, standing ramrod straight. Lieia’s eyes found Fluttershy, standing proudly as the sergeant of Squad Three in her medic’s uniform and she nodded subtly in approval.

“I have trained them to the best standards of Coalition Marine Corps. Should any Vasari get the idea to try anything funny here, they’ll get more than they bargained for. I’ve made sure of that. In due time, the Coalition presence will be greater here. This planet is a part of a phase route that’s tactically important to us.” A pony piped up, clearly puzzled.

“What does that mean for us? For Equestria?”

“We’ll be here to protect you. The Empire will send fleets to patrol the gravity well and further out in deep space to ensure no Vasari scouts get through. We’ll establish a starbase in orbit and other defensive structures. The garrison will be increased eventually, with more bases deployed in strategic locations.”

Another pony, obviously a reporter, piped up.

“A question, if you will, Captain?”

“Okay. Shoot.”

“I’m sure we all have seen the photo where you and Princess Celestia are… featured, but photos can be manipulated and I know better than to trust the gossip newspapers. So, I hope you’ll forgive me for being blunt, but is the gossip true? Are you really romantically involved with Princess Celestia?” Lieia stood silently for a few moments, before turning to Celestia, who was standing at her side, obviously nervous. She chuckled softly and turned back.

“Yeah. I love your princess. She loves me. Any of you have a problem with that; you can go and floss yourselves with barbed wire.”

“That’ll set the rumour mill rolling, no?” Celestia muttered quietly.

“At this point, I don’t even care.” Lieia whispered to Celestia, and then turned to the clamouring ponies.

“Okay, everyone, calm down! Now, as I mentioned earlier, I’ll need another nine hundred recruits. I sent a request to Coalition Logistics that our current base is enlarged for the additional influx of troops. We can expect the freighters to arrive in about two weeks or so.”

“Yes, yes, yes, that’s all fine, but you’re actually in love with the Princess!” Someone shouted.

“How much barbed wire do you want and where should I deliver it to?” The culprit shrunk back guiltily.

“I’m sorry, but this is no small news!”  Another one piped up, hefting a camera magically. “With your permission, I’d like to take a picture, if that’s okay.”

“Go ahead, man.” She pulled Celestia closer to her, hugging the slightly nervous mare, ruffling her mane. The photographer smiled, snapping a quick picture.

“Thanks!” He trotted off, and Lieia looked Celestia.

“Well, that went better than expected, huh? Why were those reporters hounding you after all?”

“It isn’t exactly an everyday event that an immortal alicorn princess falls in love with an alien woman.”

“Ah.” Lieia nodded sagely.

“So, are you up for a visit to spa, Lieia?”

“Can’t hurt, I guess.” She grinned, feeling the alicorn brush her muzzle against her cheek.

“I’m sure you’ll love it.”

Celestia settled down in the small pool, smiling satisfiedly as the warm water soaked through her coat and mane. The scent of herbs soaking in the water tickled her nose. She heard the door open and saw Lieia walk in.

“Hey. Sorry I’m late. Had to get a bikini.” She was wearing the said clothing. It left little to Celestia’s imagination, especially that the fabric clung tightly to Lieia’s curves and-

Celestia gave herself a mental slap, forcing a smile on her face.

“Ah. Hello, Lieia! Get in, the water’s just fine.”

“Okay.” Lieia stepped over the edge, lowering her long, slender legs in the water, followed by her round hips-

She gave herself a mental ice bath.

Enough of that, Celestia! Get your mind out of the gutter, or I shall ram it down as deep as it goes the said gutter! Nice legs, though.

Lieia settled down comfortably, sighing contendedly.

“Oh, that does feel good. Aaaaaahhhh…” A low moan escaped her throat.

“Lieia? Are you quite alright?”

“Oh, yeah. Just haven’t had a real bath in ages. Most of the time, I make do with a shower.” Celestia had a sudden, unbidden wish to be in the same shower as Lieia. With lots of soap involved.

“Uh, Cel? You’re blushing like crazy. Is everything okay?”

“Oh, uh… No, there’s nothing to worry about, my dear.”

“So why’d you blush all of a sudden? Something wrong.” Lieia tilted her head sideways, her golden hair spilling over her shoulder, a sly smirk on her lips.

“Nothing.”

“Why’re you so nervous, Celly? I’m not going to laugh.” Lieia scooted over to Celestia’s side, giving her a playful nudge. Celestia blushed an even deeper shade of red, feeling Lieia’s near-naked body press up against her.

“You’re really cute when you’re blushing, Cel. Like, a whole new level of cute.” Celestia felt herself redden some more.

“Oh, Lieia, stop that. I’m getting uncomfortable.” She muttered bashfully, her cheeks blazing like coals. Lieia chuckled softly, playing with a lock of her hair.

“Okay, don’t worry.” She sat up, whispering in Celestia’s ear. “I still say you’re cute when blushing.” She leaned backwards, soaking in the pool.

“Oooh, this feels real good. You were right, Cel. I love this.”

“Oh, just you wait until we get to the massages, Lieia.”

Two hours later

“Celestia, I cannot thank you enough. Seriously. I’ve never felt this clean and fresh before. Those showers we have on our ships and bases basically use recycled water and after it’s been purified for the umpteenth time, it makes you want to claw your skin off. But that spa… Oh, it’s just heavenly. My hair feels so soft!” Lieia giggled giddily, planting a kiss on Celestia’s cheek. “Thanks, Celly. It was nice to actually do something together without needing to keep this under the covers.”

“Me too, Lieia. Now, what say you we go and find somewhere quiet and… secluded?”

“Oh… I like the sound of that.”

“How did we get here? I see no path or any walkway of sort that leads here.” Lieia frowned, looking around her.

“There aren’t any. This is my own little sanctuary. I come here whenever I need a rest, a moment of reprieve.”

“It’s very quiet here, except for the sound of bugs mating.”

“You can hear bugs mating?”

“No, I just hear the funky music in the background, but I can guess what they’re doing.” Celestia looked at her surprisedly for a few moments, before snickering quietly, eventually falling to her knees, almost laughing her lungs out. Some time later, she managed to stand up, gasping, with Lieia still standing and waiting patiently.

“You okay, Celestia?” The breathless mare looked at her.

“Lieia, how did you come up with that?”

“Y’know, I’m not really sure. My mind wanders sometimes.” Lieia shrugged nonchalantly, sitting down on the green grass, Celestia at her side, draping a wing over her shoulders.

They sat quietly for a while, neither of them saying a thing, instead enjoying each other’s company.

“Lieia?”

“Yes, Celestia?”

“I don’t want you to leave.” Lieia felt Celestia’s wing wrap around her tighter, pressing her to Celestia’s side. She could smell the faint scent of oranges wafting from Celestia’s coat.

“I’m not leaving yet. It might be some time, Cel.”

“No, Lieia, I meant I want you to stay with me. Here. On Equestria.” Lieia looked at her levelly, meeting her slightly sad gaze.

“You know I can’t do that, Celestia. At least, not until the war is over.”

“Why? Would it not be better to forget about the war?” Lieia’s expression became serious.

“Celestia, you’re asking me to do something I won’t do. My friends- hell, my sister is out there, fighting every day. And I’m supposed to leave them? No way, Cel.”

“B-but…” A hollow ache had taken hold of Celestia’s heart. She didn’t want Lieia to leave.

“I have been sitting on this planet, scratching my ass all this time. I’m sick with worry about my sister. She’s putting her life on the line constantly, while I’m just dicking around and hardly doing anything that would help the Coalition.” Those words angered Celestia and she drew away from Lieia.

“And what about me, Lieia? When is it my turn to be selfish, just for a moment? W-when can I ask for something and expect to receive it?”

“Celestia, don’t get me wrong, I love you. You mean the world to me. But there can be no peace for me as long as the war lasts.”

“It’s always war with you!” Celestia shouted angrily.

“Hey, I didn’t start the war, but I sure as hell will finish it!” Lieia glared balefully at the mare.

“You… you war-mongering savage! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, GRISOVA! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!” Her use of the Royal Canterlot Voice flung Lieia backwards, straight in a tree. The tree broke.

Celestia was mortified by her actions. A very angry Lieia was striding towards her.

“Oh, Lieia, please forgive me… I j-just let my emotions get the better of me and-“

“Fuck off.” The woman snarled, pushing past the distraught mare. Celestia flinched like she'd been struck.

“Soon as I’m done training that regiment, I’m out of here. I’ll grab the first ship bound for the frontlines and never come back to this damn place!” With that venomous retort, she left, disappearing in the woods.

What have I done? Lieia hates me. She hates me and it’s entirely my fault.

Three days later

Alpha base

Lieia downed the debilitating mix of whiskey, absinthe and vermouth. Oooh, does that hit the spot. After the mess with Celestia, she wasn’t able to concentrate on doing any training whatsoever. Feathers had convinced her to get herself sorted out. She filled the glass again, emptying it seconds.

Oh, well. Time to have some sleep, I guess.

She stood up unsteadily, swaggering off to her bedroom.

“Huuuuuuurf!” Lieia retched, throwing up the contents of her stomach. The acrid-smelling mess washed down the toilet and she grimaced.

Eeeehhh…

Her head much clearer now, she discarded her clothes, climbing in the bed and falling fast asleep.

Hours later

Nudge.

“Mhhhhhmm…”

Nudge.

“Fugoff, Cara… the clock is a liar and you know it.”

Nudge, nudge.

“Lieia, please, wake up.” Lieia stirred finally, looking around her blearily.

“What… Who…?” She found herself looking at Celestia, who was sitting right beside her.

“Please, we need to talk, my love.” Next Chapter: Chapter 22 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 16 Minutes