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

Chapter 99: The Tide of Public Opinion

                              The streets of Canterlot bustled with the usual activity—merchants calling out their wares, ponies going about their daily lives, and the soft hum of chatter rising through the air. Yet beneath the surface of everyday life, a current of unease had taken hold. Ever since Princess Celestia's banishment, the kingdom had been in a state of quiet turmoil. The citizens of Canterlot, once fiercely loyal to their royal family, had started to question the decisions of King Cosmos and Queen Galaxia.

Whispers had spread like wildfire through the city, carried from household to household, tavern to tavern. The once-imposing figures of Cosmos and Galaxia, the revered monarchs who had guided the kingdom for years, were now being viewed in a new light. Their popularity, once unshakable, had taken a sharp dive in the wake of Celestia's exile. The public sentiment had shifted—some saw the king's punishment as harsh, others questioned his leadership, while many simply missed the presence of their beloved Celestia.

However, one figure in the royal family had managed to escape the shadow of controversy. Princess Luna, the younger sister, had risen in the eyes of the public. Her popularity had soared in recent months, and many saw her as a beacon of hope in these dark times. Luna's compassion, her down-to-earth demeanor, and her open presence in the city made her beloved among the people. As word of Celestia's exile spread, more and more ponies began to rally around Luna, seeing her as the embodiment of kindness and understanding.

That morning, Luna had decided to take matters into her own hooves. She had heard the rumblings of discontent and knew that she needed to understand how her people truly felt. So, without any fanfare, she donned a simple cloak and made her way into the heart of the capital city. She had told Orion she wanted to connect with the citizens personally, and he had supported her decision, knowing that she needed this time.

The capital was alive with life, yet as Luna walked through the streets, she could feel the tension in the air. She kept her hood up, though it didn't take long for the citizens to recognize her. As she passed through the market square, ponies began to gather around her, their faces filled with both admiration and concern.

"Princess Luna!" a mare called out, her voice filled with emotion. "You honor us with your presence."

Luna gave a soft smile and nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of what she knew was coming. "Thank you," she said gently. "I wanted to come speak with you all today. I wanted to hear from you—what you truly feel in your hearts."

The crowd began to murmur, and soon enough, one stallion stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "Princess," he began cautiously, "we've been hearing a lot about...about what happened with your sister. It doesn't sit right with a lot of us."

Luna's heart clenched. She had known this would be hard, but hearing the words spoken aloud stung more than she had anticipated. "I understand," she said softly, trying to maintain her composure. "It's been difficult for all of us. My sister... she made mistakes, but I believe she did what she thought was best at the time."

A mare from the crowd, her eyes filled with concern, spoke up next. "We miss her, Princess. Celestia was always so warm, so kind to us. It feels wrong for her to be gone like this."

Luna's chest tightened. She had always known how much the people loved Celestia, but hearing their sadness made her own pain resurface. "I miss her too," Luna admitted, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Every day."

Another pony, a young stallion with a look of frustration on his face, stepped forward. "But why did King Cosmos have to banish her? Couldn't there have been another way? It feels...extreme."

Luna lowered her head, knowing the answer wasn't simple. "My father believes he acted in the best interest of the kingdom," she replied, choosing her words carefully. "He saw Celestia's actions as a threat to the stability of our government, and he made a difficult choice."

"But what about you, Princess?" an older mare asked, her eyes filled with sympathy. "You must be hurting. It can't be easy seeing your sister treated this way."

Luna looked around at the crowd, seeing the concern in their eyes, and felt a wave of emotion wash over her. They weren't just upset about Celestia's exile; they were upset for her as well. They could see the pain she carried, even if she tried to hide it behind her duties.

"It has been hard," Luna admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I love my sister more than anything in this world. And seeing her like this...it breaks my heart. But I am also loyal to my family, to the kingdom. I have to believe that in time, things will get better."

A silence fell over the crowd. The ponies looked at Luna with a mixture of admiration and sorrow, understanding the difficult position she was in. They respected her for standing by her family, but they also felt the weight of the injustice that had befallen Celestia.

A soft voice broke the silence. "Princess Luna... we feel for you, truly. And we want you to know that no matter what happens, we stand by you. You've shown us nothing but kindness, and we'll always support you."

The crowd murmured in agreement, and Luna felt a swell of gratitude. She smiled at the ponies gathered around her, her heart full. "Thank you," she said softly. "Your support means more to me than I can put into words. I promise I will do everything I can to bring peace back to our kingdom."

As Luna continued her walk through the city, more ponies came up to speak with her. They shared their concerns, their sorrow, and their hopes for the future. Many of them expressed their sympathy for both her and Celestia, telling Luna how much they missed her sister and how deeply they felt for her pain.

By the time Luna returned to the palace, her heart was heavy with the emotions of the day. The citizens had spoken, and their message was clear—they loved Celestia, and they missed her dearly. But they also loved Luna, and they saw in her the potential for a brighter future.

As Luna made her way through the palace halls, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of responsibility. Her people looked up to her, and she knew she had to be the bridge between them and the throne. But as she thought about her sister, still exiled on that lonely island, Luna couldn't shake the feeling that no matter how hard she tried, something was missing.

The love of her sister.