The Royal Wedding had just ended and Celestia had one final task to attend. Sitting side by side in the now vacant courtyard, Celestia was eye level with her student, her wings firmly stuck to her sides. Twilight was pawing at the ground, not making eye contact.

“I am truly sorry for not hearing you out Twilight. You have more than earned my trust. I-”

“No, Princess. Y-you were right to question me. I was right, but for all the wrong reasons. In the end I wasn’t any cleverer or more observant than anypony else, I just got lucky.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “Perhaps so, but even if I was right to question your claims this time I should have treated you with more respect. Again, for how I treated you I am sorry.”

With a teary eyed smile Twilight finally met Celestia’s gaze. “Maybe neither of us were at our best.”

At this Celestia finally embraced Twilight in a wing hug and nuzzled her gently.

“We are very powerful you and I,” A coy smile graced Celestia’s lips “Even if you don't always want to admit that includes you. But I believe we both learned an important lesson. We are only equine, each one of us. It is a lesson I have had to relearn time and time again.”

“I-I’m not sure that makes me feel any better. But at least it puts things in perspective.” With that Twilight let out a massive yawn which she utterly failed to stifle despite her best efforts. “Oh my. I’m sorry Princess, it’s just been such a long day.”

“No need to apologize. Please Twilight, get some sleep, we’ll speak again in the morning.” Celestia reluctantly removed her wing from Twilight’s back.

Her impromptu blanket gone, Twilight nodded and rose. “Sleep sounds wonderful. Good night Princess.”

“Good night Twilight.”

Celestia sat alone in the empty courtyard for several minutes before speaking again.

“I know you are there, you might as well show yourself.”

This time of night provided ample shadows for Luna to step out of, so naturally she appear right behind her elder sister. The tiny ear flick that followed was perceived by Luna in the same one might see a foal panic and run screaming from a nightmare night prank.

“I still find it curious that you can sense my presence while shadow walking, yet you still jump like a filly when I appear. It is almost as if you do not actually know where I am and just speak to empty rooms from time to time.”

Celestia smirked at this. “Wouldn’t you like to know, Sister.”

Luna moved around her sister and sat facing her. “What I would like to know is why you are coddling her. You know her steel and her wisdom. It won't be too much longer before real responsibility finds her. Relatively speaking of course.”

“Youth and innocence are precious things Luna. They can not be regained once lost, not in the same way.”

“She has graduated in every way except your mind and, by extension, hers.” Luna sighed. “We have few confidants, you and I, and even fewer friends. And perhaps once or twice a generation we can find ponies who can also be our peer. We both know Twilight Sparkle will make Archmage. Perhaps more.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow at that. “What are you suggesting?”

Luna waved her hoof. “In terms of ability she is already our peer. Only our power and experience keep us separate from others. One lifetime may not be enough to bridge that divide, but she can already see across it. I think we would both prefer her to be a friend as well. For that she needs to be able to tell us we are wrong. To contradict our orders.”

“My orders.”

“Yes.”

“I will not set her up to fail.”

“Then don’t. Trust that she will do the right thing no matter what you say. If she doesn't then she is not the mare we think she it.”

“Luna, I know Twilight very well, I know what it would take, but it would be dangerous, recklessly so. Not just for her either.”

“She is probably the most powerful mare of this generation. She will only become more powerful as time goes on. Having her act on what she believes you want is infinitely more dangerous than teaching her to trust her own judgement.”

“Perhaps you are right.” Celestia thought for a moment. “Do you remember the Crystal Empire?”