Cosmos and Galaxia: The Birth of a Kingdom (MLP AU)

Chapter 54: A Day in the Life of Princess Celestia

                       The sun was shining brightly over Canterlot, casting a golden hue over the grand palace. It was a day unlike any other, but to Celestia, every moment with her parents felt special. Despite their responsibilities, King Cosmos and Queen Galaxia made sure to spend time with their daughter, balancing royal duties with the joys of parenthood.

On this particular day, Celestia had finished her lessons earlier than usual, leaving her with an unexpected free afternoon. She was always eager to learn, but days like this, where she could relax and be a young alicorn without the weight of future responsibilities, were cherished.

"Celestia! Where are you hiding?" King Cosmos's deep, booming voice echoed through the palace halls.

The young princess, giggling to herself, squeezed behind one of the large curtains in the royal library, trying her best to remain quiet. It wasn't often that her father had time to play with her like this, and she was determined to win their impromptu game of hide and seek.

King Cosmos strolled down the corridor with exaggerated steps, his wings half-spread as he pretended to search every nook and cranny. "I could have sworn I saw a little alicorn tail around here somewhere," he muttered to himself, feigning confusion.

Celestia stifled a laugh, biting her lip as she watched her father walk right past her. Her heart raced with excitement—maybe this time she would win!

But just as she thought she had fooled him, the curtain was pulled back with a flourish. "Gotcha!"

With a squeal of delight, Celestia leapt from her hiding spot, her wings flapping excitedly as she tried to escape. "No fair, Papa! You always find me!"

King Cosmos chuckled and scooped her up in his strong wings, spinning her around playfully. "Well, it's hard to hide when your laughter gives you away, my little sunbeam."

Still giggling, Celestia clung to her father as he carried her down the corridor. "One more round! This time I'll hide better, I promise!"

Later that afternoon, Celestia found herself in the royal kitchen, where her mother, Queen Galaxia, was overseeing the preparation of an enormous cake. The kitchen staff bustled about, carefully arranging layers of the grand confection, but Celestia's eyes were glued to the fluffy white frosting being piped on top.

"Can I help, Mama?" she asked, hopping up and down in excitement.

Galaxia smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm. "Of course, darling. Just be careful with the frosting, it's very delicate."

With great concentration, Celestia levitated a piping bag with her magic and squeezed out a wobbly line of frosting onto the side of the cake. It wasn't quite as perfect as the chefs' work, but she was proud of her efforts nonetheless.

"Look! I did it!" Celestia beamed, turning to show her mother.

But in her excitement, she forgot to release the piping bag—and before she knew it, frosting was flying everywhere. The bag slipped from her magical grasp, and a glob of frosting landed squarely on King Cosmos's face as he entered the kitchen.

The room fell silent for a moment as everyone waited to see the king's reaction.

Celestia's eyes went wide. "Papa, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to—"

But instead of scolding her, King Cosmos wiped the frosting from his face with a dramatic flourish and declared, "Frosting fight!"

With a laugh, he picked up a dollop of frosting and flicked it at Galaxia, who gasped in mock outrage. Soon, the entire kitchen was filled with laughter as the royal family, along with the staff, found themselves in the middle of a lighthearted food fight.

By the end of it, all three were covered in frosting, but their laughter echoed through the palace, a testament to the bond they shared.

That evening, after the day's fun and chaos, the family gathered on the palace's highest balcony for their favorite nightly ritual: stargazing. The night sky stretched above them, vast and filled with countless twinkling stars, each one a reminder of the magic and wonder in their world.

King Cosmos settled down on a blanket, Celestia nestled between him and her mother. The cool night air was filled with the sounds of crickets and the gentle breeze rustling through the trees below.

"Papa," Celestia asked, her eyes wide with curiosity, "where do the stars go during the day?"

King Cosmos smiled softly. "The stars never leave, little one. They're always there, even when you can't see them. The sun just shines so brightly that they fade from view."

Galaxia leaned down to nuzzle her daughter. "Just like how we're always here for you, even when you don't see us."

Celestia smiled, feeling safe and warm between her parents. "Will I be able to move the stars one day, like you, Papa?"

Cosmos chuckled. "Perhaps, but you have a great destiny of your own, Celestia. One day, you will guide the sun and bring light to all of Equestria."

"And I'll always be with you," Galaxia added, her voice soft and full of love. "No matter where life takes you."

The three of them sat in silence for a while, watching as the stars twinkled above, each one a tiny spark of light in the vast darkness. Celestia rested her head on her father's chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. She closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep with a smile on her face, surrounded by the love and warmth of her family.

That night, as the kingdom of Canterlot slept, the royal family remained close, their bonds stronger than ever. For Celestia, it was a day she would always remember—a day of laughter, love, and the simple joy of being with her parents.

As the moon rose high in the sky, casting its gentle light over the land, a sense of peace settled over Canterlot, and the promise of a bright future shone in the stars above.