Celestia smiled as Twilight walked away. She watched as the new alicorn ruffled her wings uncomfortably. She knew the young mare would get used to them with time.

Her smile grew. Time. She had time with Twilight now. She had all the time she wanted.  As the door of the throne room closed, Celesita closed her eyes.

Celestia  watched as a giddy foal jumped around the study. For such a young age, she was very eager to learn. This was always her favorite part about taking on students. She always had a small collection of young minds she taught at her school, but this was the first time she had ever made it truly personal. This filly would live in the castle. This filly would be near her every moment of everyday.

Except for home visits and holidays, the small voice in her mind spoke. Her smile fell, even as the excited filly ran from place to place looking at all the learning supplements at her disposal. “Come, my little pony, let us begin our lesson," Celestia said.

Yes, Twilight Sparkle—No, Princess Twilight Sparkle would be with her. All was right. Her sister was back, her niece was in her rightful kingdom, and Twilight was where she was always meant to be. In the castle, ruling with Celestia. Everything was going perfectly.

Twilight wasn’t like the other ponies. No, Twilight wanted to stay with her, too. Celestia knew it, as she knew she raised and lowered the sun every day. As she knew her sister would raise and lower the moon. As she knew Equestria would keep shining brilliantly.

Twilight had grown a lot. Changed a lot. Still, she was Twilight. The same Twilight. Celestia had bought her a new telescope, so she could study the stars she so loved. Twilight loved learning about magic more than any other subject, but astronomy was an incredibly close second.

The teen’s smile threatened to split her face as she looked out the telescope. “It makes you think."

"Think what?" Celestia asked.

"What will you do when I’m gone, Princess?"

Celestia felt a cold seep into her chest. Twilight…gone? She knew it would happen. It was inevitable. Everyone left at some point. Be it due to death, like her subjects. Be it to force, like her love. Be it through betrayal, like her sister. Everyone left. No one ever stayed. No one ever cared.

"I always carry on," Celestia said.

"I would stay with you, if I could." Twilight had abandoned her new toy to nuzzle her mentor. “I love you."

"I love you, too," Celestia said, returning the nuzzle.

Twilight would stay? Twilight wanted to stay? This she would have to look into.

Celestia shook her head. The rest of Twilight’s life would be exponentially longer now. Yes, Twilight would be amazed—no, that wasn’t the right word. There wasn’t a word to describe how Twilight would feel when she discovered her more innate abilities as a princess of Equestria. As the Princess of Friendship. Magic. Whatever the title she chose, Celestia didn’t care.

All that mattered was Twilight would be with her. She wouldn’t be alone again. Not again.

Twilight would be by Celestia’s side for the rest of their lives.

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