With a heavy sigh, Princess Celestia trotted into her Private Chambers, not even bothering to acknowledge the two guard ponies standing on either side of the door.

Neither of the two mares commented on the sight. Being a part of the Corona Guard, Celestia's elite Inner Circle of the Royal Guard, they saw more of her than most ponies did, and were used to the sight by now.

Even if they seemed to be more frequent than usual recently. But it was not their place to ask or question their princess, even if in private they did wonder about some of the recent swings in their princess' mood.

Inside the room, Princess Celestia visibly relaxed as she slumped down onto her bed in a very un-princess like fashion. Not that she cared what others would think if they saw her like this. Only one ever did.

"You really must work on your manners princess. What would others think if they saw you like this? Think of the scandal."

Celestia rolled her eyes at the mare who had just entered the room from a side chamber. Venerable would not do the unicorn justice for how old she looked. Her blue coat and blond mane had faded much, but her horn still glowed strongly as she lit a fire.

Celestia stuck her tongue out at the mare. "You're the only one who sees me like this. I'm tired of being Princess Celestia today. They can kiss my sun adorned flank if they don't like it."

The older mare chuckled. "And that is why I chose you, Rose. I was much worse when I was in your shoes. So was the pony before me for that matter."

Celestia sighed as she stood once more and ignited her horn, removing her crown as she did so. As she did, her mane shortened and lost its ethereal qualities and turned blue. Her white coat faded to a toy-store pink, and her sun cutie mark vanished, leaving a red rosebud in its place.

Next came her golden chest piece from around her neck. As it came off, the horn disappeared from her forehead. Now standing where Princess Celestia once stood was an unusually tall Pegasus mare.

Rose sighed as she flexed her wings. It was nice to be able to take those pieces off. She was still getting used to all of this and what it meant for her future. The shoes she kept on for now. She rather liked being this big if she was being honest, as she gave her companion a look. "I don't know how you did this for so long."

The other mare giggled. "Long experience dear. You will get used to it in time. We have all said the same thing at one time or another. I used to say it all the time when I first took on Celestia's role."

Rose snorted. "I can't see you ever saying that. You're always so calm and collected. I'm kind of jealous."

The mare smiled as she placed a hoof on Rose's leg, the best she could do when her companion was this tall. "One day, you'll look back and laugh at how silly you're being at the moment. You're doing fine so far."

Rose did smile at that. It always felt good to hear that. Especially on days like today. "Thanks, Velvet. I needed that."

Velvet nodded. "Any time dear." Her expression soon fell, however. "It does get easier I promise. It took me many years to get used to what I inherited. But I had help then, and I will help you for as long as I can. However long that might be."

Rose nodded. She knew what Velvet meant. "And I'm glad you're staying. I need all the help I can get right now. Now I remember why I hate politics so much. I'd almost say I'd rather face down Nightmare Moon."

Velvet frowned. A part of her hoped that Rose would not be the one to be there when Nightmare Moon returned, and another part of her hoped she would be the one to welcome Luna home again to Equestria.

Too many Celestia's had passed since that night in the Everfree Forest centuries before. Someday, someone would be the one. Who was anypony's guess. The lifespan of the one who worse Celestia's face varied between those who bore the regalia.

Velvet herself was going on three hundred years old right now, and two hundred and eighty of those had been spent as Princess Celestia. The mare before her though had only been Celestia for only a century or so.

But Rose was still young though. Her Pegasus heritage, plus the magic of the regalia itself, would hold off old age for many years yet. And then there was always the chance that Rose would take her relationship with Celestia across the final step and break the cycle, to do what no other pony before he had.

Become Princess Celestia permanently. The option was always there for the mare to permanently bond with the regalia. It would remove the need to find a successor when old age finally caught up with them, as it always did.

Velvet well remembered when the offer had been made to her. And for a time, she had seriously considered doing so. She had enjoyed her time as Princess Celestia and what she had done for Equestria. But in the end, she had said no. It had been at the moment that she had started to look in earnest for the one who would one day take her place.

Assuming Rose did not go crazy from all that rested on her shoulders now, the same offer would be given to her at some point. Velvet had faith Rose would not go off the deep end, but the possibility was always there.

Luna had, of course. But whether it had been Luna herself, or the pony who bore her regalia, nopony knew for sure. One did of course, but he couldn't be asked. Not while on the moon like he was.

Done with Ocalhoun's permission. This is more of a prequel than a sequel to The Clothes Make the Mare though. I liked the story too much to leave it alone.

So here I am. Right now, I'm not sure whether this will 100% follow the original's track, with Rose Petal passing the role of Celestia to Twilight, or not.

But that is for the future. We'll stick to the past for the moment. I have plans to show Velvet's time when she inherited Celestia's role, as well as Rose's. And several other ponies further back.