The Best Night Ever (Private)

"Uh... I may have a friend who knows a guy... Don't worry."

Celestia raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Is this another one of your pulling strings? Which friend are we talking about? Somepony in Oatstralia?"

"Mayhap... you don't need to worry Cell."

Celestia rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. I trust you, anyway. So, next week, you said? Do we have a specific date I need to keep in mind?"

"Next tuesday."

"Next Tuesday..." Celestia considered the date. "Very well. It's not like I have very much to do with martial law in place. I'm sure I'll be free on that day."

"Ah, Princess? You'll be free for several weeks."

"Oh, surely martial law couldn't last that long." Celestia answered dismissively. "I mean, surely it couldn't... right? There's no reason for it to go on once we find the spy."

"I was talking about your holiday." He replied dryly.

"Oh." She blinked. "That long? What's going to happen to Equestria without a Day Court or the Princess of the Sun? Luna can't function by herself for so long."

"It'll be fine... I hope." He shrugged. "I just want you to relax... and um, what day court?"

"Exactly!" Celestia flailed her hooves. "Most of the nobles are gone! How is anything even going to happen without me to guide it!" She glanced at the list Ician had given her earlier. "I have to approve these new replacements soon..."

"Calm down. You and Harmony could I go, I'll stay here and work it out."

"Um... but weren't you coming with us?" Celestia asked. "I'm pretty sure neither of us know what Oatstralia is like. We'll need a guide of some sort."

"THen I don't know. Okay? I just wanted to make you happy, see you smile properly in a long time." He sighed and stood up.

"Er... fine." Celestia sighed. "I'm sure, whatever it is, Shining Armour can take care of it. I'll just approve all these promotions tomorrow so we'll have a full Day Court, and I'll worry about it when I come back."

"Yay~" He cheered and tackle-hugged her.

"Oof." Celestia grunted as Paladin tackled her. "Alright, then. I guess I'm free till the evening. Any ideas on activities to occupy us until then?"

"Chess night~ With pizza~"

"Chess, huh..." Celestia looked around. "I don't have any sets with me right now. And do you know any good places for pizza? I never really have to bother, seeing as the royal kitchen usually whips something up for me whenever I ask.

"There is one in your room silly. And I can order pizza." He grabbed her hoof. "Come on~"

"Okay, okay." Celestia followed him to her room. "Wait... I have a chess set in my room? Huh. I haven't used it in the longest time. I've kind of forgotten I actually have one there."

Paladin deadpanned. "It is sitting on your bedside table."

"Hey, I don't have very much time to look at my bedside table at all, you know." Celestia answered defensively. "Besides, I hardly ever use it. It's become more of a... decoration than anything else."

"Mhmm~" He sighed and opened the door to her chambers.