Chapter One
The Princess in the Tower
Running free, wind tangled her midnight hair. The rustle of leaves were music in her ears, the grass beneath her feet softer than the riches rug. Sunlight shone in her green eyes.
"Carry on my beautiful star… you are the shield."
She smiled at the sound of her mother's voice and-
"Nicely done Your Highness. Once more and I believe that will do for now."
The sound of a man's voice pulled a young Sitara back to the present. It took her a moment to take in her reality. Gone were the leaves, grass, and sunlight. Gone was the voice of her mother. Instead there were hard marble floors, elegant draperies, and chandeliers. And Instructor Josef.
Sitara held back her tired sigh but gave Instructor Josef a firm nod. A signal from Josef to the musician seated in the corner, and soft notes floated through the room. As Josef led her in yet another dance lesson, Sitara struggled to focus on his step counts.
Sitara did enjoy dancing, though she preferred spinning and flowing along on her own rather than following the steps choreographed long before she was born. Sadly, that was just not how ladies danced.
The sound of laughter came from beyond the heavy doors to Sitara's practice room and she felt a stab of envy. She fought back the urge to demand why she must spend her days studying and dancing while her younger brother is free to play and make mischief. She wanted to leave the Citadel, go to one of Insomnia's schools and to make friends. Like a normal girl.
Sitara had learned long ago not to ask such questions, for her, the only answer she would receive from her father is that it was her mother's wish she learned to be a proper lady. To have all that befitting a Queen.
She wanted to scream at him that she would never be Queen. That was her mother, and her brother was destined to be King, so why should it matter? But Sitara knew. She was to someday marry someone she did not love, for the betterment of her kingdom.
A girl of ten was much too young to be resigned to such a fate, but as princess, there was little choice.
"Remember to hold your chin high Your Highness. Tomorrow we will practice something with a bit more… spice." Josef said as the music drifted away, ending the dance. "I will leave you to freshen up and meet with Instructor Gemma for your next class."
Sitara watched silently as Josef and his musician bowed deeply before they left her standing alone in the room. The door remained open, beckoning her to follow the subtle order she was given.
She wanted to rebel.
Sighing she looked down at her dress, a simple white cotton with a wide purple sash along with low heels and stockings. They hurt her feet but it was what Josef said ladies danced in. Someday she would wear heels that put these to shame, he said in reply to the only time she had complained.
Sitara cringed at the thought.
She turned away from the door, wishing for one more moment before her duty called. She pulled a heavy drape back from the window to gaze at the city below her. Pulling her long braid over her shoulder she wrapped the curly ends absentmindedly around a finger.
The sun shone brightly on the Citadel and she watched the streets below with envy.
Cars drove carefully through the streets and people strolled the sidewalks. Children tugged on the hands of their parents and shops advertised their wares. They were all so… alive.
Sitara's eyes lit up at the sight of her father's car quickly approaching the Citadel. Eager to meet him on the steps, hoping to hear about his adventure, she whirled away from the window and ran from the room.
Her smile was wide as the lift quickly carried her to the ground floor and she gave an unladylike bounce. When the doors opened she quickly stepped from the small space and hurried for the Citadel entrance.
"I beg your forgiveness Your Highness, but you shouldn't be down here." The voice of one of the guards stopped Sitara, drawing her annoyed attention. The guards always stopped her.
"I don't care, my father has arrived and I wish to see him." Sitara attempted to fill her young voice with authority.
The young woman looked at her apologetically.
"I speak on behalf of the King's orders. I'm sorry Ma'am but you mustn't be here. Your father's orders."
Sitara felt angry tears burn her eyes and she clenched her hands. Refusing to let the guard see her behaving weakly she stiffened her spine.
"My father is honored to have someone so loyal to carry out his orders. Thank you for your service and diligence."
The guard bowed her head as Sitara slowly turned away. She didn't think she could bear to stand in the lift as it carried her back to her floor so she went to take the stairs instead.
"Have the boys taken to the infirmary. I want them seen to immediately."
The sound of her father's voice echoing through the entry gave Sitara pause at the stairs. Her anger was forgotten as curiosity took its place. Sensing an opportunity she hid behind a nearby column and watched her father stride in.
He looked as grand as he always did though his clothing appeared dusty and frayed. Behind him two boys near her own age, perhaps a year or two older, followed him in.
Sitara had to cover her mouth to keep her gasp of dismay silent. Both were covered in dirt and their clothes were hardly better than rags. The taller boy had a deep wound above one of his eyes and the blood had caked the side of his face.
They watched her father speak to Advisor Scientia. After a moment Scientia waved the guard who had spoken to Sitara moments earlier.
"Take the boys to the infirmary as his Majesty wishes and let the council know King Regis has returned."
The guard gave a salute before urging the boys to follow her. They seemed tired as they did as they were ordered, their footsteps dragged and instead of studying the grandeur surrounding them, they gazed blankly at the back of the guards boots.
Sitara's green eyes followed them into the lift, taking in every detail. Her heart began to beat quickly and she covered another gasp when the boy covered in blood lifted his eyes and spied her hidden behind the column.
Knowing that she would receive more lessons as punishment for disobeying her father's order Sitara sent him a pleading look and held a finger to her lips. The small nod of his understanding caused her to smile in relief as the lift doors closed, breaking their eye contact.
Knowing they boys must have a fantastic and exciting story to tell, Sitara made up her mind. Her lessons could wait.
Checking the area to be sure everyone had departed, she left her hiding spot and quickly made her way up the stairs to the floor where the Citadel's sick and injured were sent. She waited in the stairwell, watching for the guard.
The moment the woman disappeared into the lift, Sitara quickly entered in infirmary.
The royal family's doctor was speaking with one of his assistants, presumably about the condition of the new arrivals. Sitara slipped her heels off and quickly made her way down the hallway, her stockings slipping slightly on the smooth floor.
The first room she came to, she peeked through the small window in the door. Seeing a hint of dirty hair in the corner, she felt a thrum of excitement and slipped inside.
Seated on a medical cot in the corner was the bloodied boy. He sat with his back to the wall, knees raised to his chin, thin arms holding his legs. At the sound of doors click he looked up and Sitara hesitated at the sadness in his eyes.
Her curiosity died away in the presence of his pain.
Instead of asking him countless questions that somehow she knew would only bring pain, Sitara decided to help him. She set her shoes on the floor and approached him. Blood fell freely from a wound on his arm and bruises marred his neck.
She felt his blue eyes on her as she quickly looked through the room for supplies. Realizing that none had been brought to the room yet she ran her hands down her dress, stopping at the sash tied around her waist.
Thinking quickly, she untied the soft cloth and sat beside him. When she reached for his wounded arm she saw him stiffen, causing her to hesitate and meet his eyes. At first she thought he was against her touch but when he looked at the purple cloth in her hands she understood his resistance.
"It was my mother's… Given to me before she passed away. She would want me to use it to help someone if I could." Sitara said in a whisper.
After a moment of him searching her eyes he gave silent permission with a nod. Sitara wrapped her sash around the wound on his arm, hoping to hold back the bleeding. When she was done she sat back, holding onto the many questions running through her mind, searching instead of something appropriate to say.
"My name is Sitara." She said at last, holding her hand out.
He looked from her hand to her face.
"Come now, don't be shy." She attempted to offer what she hoped to be a teasing smile.
She had the desired effect as the boys eyes shone with a hint of amusement and a corner of his mouth lifted. A moment later his slipped his hand into hers and gave a light shake. She ignored the dirt and blood covering his hand, telling herself it couldn't have been his fault.
"I'm Nyx… Do you live here?"
Sitara hesitated and looked at their still clasped hands. Something in her didn't want him to know who she was. He looked at her as if she were a normal person. If he knew who she was, surely he would change.
"My father… works here."
His eyes widened and his hand tightened around hers.
"Your father works with King Regis?"
Sitara felt sick at the thought of lying. She didn't have any friends and suddenly saw she was at risk at losing a potential friend in Nyx. The closest she could call friend was Ignis and that was more because they shared studies together, each preparing for the roles chosen for them. While she tried to find an answer, the medical room's door swung open and in walked the doctor, a tray of supplies in his hands.
He stopped abruptly when he saw Sitara seated on the cot with his young patient.
Sitara quickly pulled her hand from the boys' and stood, twisting her hands nervously, realizing she had been caught.
"Yo-Your Royal Highness! I beg your forgiveness b-but you shouldn't be here. It isn't safe." The doctor rushed to say, his eyes flicking from her to Nyx.
Sitara closed her eyes briefly before glancing at Nyx. His expression was a mixture of shock and disappointment before he looked at the floor.
She felt her own disappointment weigh on her shoulders. Fighting back loneliness she picked up her shoes and walked through the door before pausing to look back at Nyx.
"It was lovely to meet you Nyx."
She didn't wait to see if he would respond, knowing that she had disappointed him and with shoulders back she left the infirmary.
Instead of taking the lift to the floor where she did her studies, she carried her shoes to the garden at the top of the north tower. There among the potted plants and marble statues a stone bench waited for her in the center.
With a sigh of despair that only a budding young woman could emit she lay on the cold stone and watched the clouds drift by. Many thoughts crossed her mind, from her father's curious return, to the doctor's reaction to her presence with Nyx.
Time drifted away from Sitara as the sun began to sink from the sky.
"There you are Princess."
Sitara rolled her eyes at the sound of Ignis voice from the garden entrance.
"Do not call me that Ignis."
"I fear Instructor Gemma will be appalled by your present posture."
"Stop patronizing me. Have you come to deliver news on my punishment?"
She heard Ignis sigh and she turned her head to see him shuffle his feet awkwardly.
"We all have a part to play Princess."
Sitara's eyes flashed angrily and she sat up.
"And my part is to dance and study economics until father's council finds a suitable marriage for me when I'm of age? I saw someone who needed my help- isn't that what a Princess is supposed to do? Help her people?"
She could see Ignis considering his words carefully, as he always did.
"Your father is simply cautious with your safety and future. With his permission, Instructor Gemma has requested that you spend two days in your room writing the history of Solheim."
Sitara gave a scoff.
"That is hardly punishment. I enjoy history... and even more than that, I enjoy being alone."
"In ancient Tenebraen. I suspect an announcement for Prince Noctis and Lady Lunafreya is on the minds of your fathers' council."
Sitara's scowl returned fiercely.
"I sometimes forget that Noctis has the same fate as I… And while my father's permission was being handed about, did he happen to mention wishing to see his only daughter?"
Ignis pushed his glasses up his nose.
"He did. At the present he is organizing refugee relief for victims of the Empires invasion. However he has set aside time in the morning for both you and Prince Noctis to join him for breakfast."
Sitara felt a stab of shame at her selfishness and happiness that her father wished to see her.
"If that is all of your message Ignis, you may leave."
Ignis looked at her with a touch of sadness or perhaps it was pity but he gave her a simple bow and turned away.
"What will happen to him- them? The… refugees that my father had treated here?"
Ignis paused and considered her question.
"I suppose they will be sent to an orphanage. If they show some talent of some sort then His Majesty I'm sure will welcome them in the efforts against the Empire. Mayhap the Crownsguard or even the newly established Kingsglaive."
"Is there no one that is free to choose their own path?" Sitara asked quietly, not truly expecting him to answer.
He left her alone after that, and the sun had disappeared beyond the walls of Insomnia before she sought out her chambers.
The next morning Sitara was awoken at dawn, dressed, and given her schedule for the day, though today it was a rather short list with her solitary punishment consuming most of it.
'At least that means I won't have to wear heels today… or learn spicy dancing.' Sitara thought as she made her way to her father's breakfast room.
Her heart lit with happiness when she entered the room and saw him seated in his seat at the table. He was sipping coffee with one hand and reading a newspaper with the other. At the announcement of her arrival he looked up and his eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled.
"Father." Sitara whispered before quickly walking to his side and leaning up to kiss his cheek.
"Sitara, how I've missed you. Please… have a seat and keep me company."
Sitara did as her father bade and sat in the chair pulled out for her. A moment later a plate with her favorite breakfast of golden egg galette. She took a bite and studied the empty chairs around them.
"Will Noctis not be joining us?" she asked her father.
Regis eyes moved across his paper and he nodded.
"It was reported that he was being rather difficult to awaken. Seeing as he has a journey to Tenebrae soon, I saw little harm in allowing him to sleep in."
Sitara closed her eyes in annoyance at the way their father treated them as opposites at times.
"It's true then? He's to marry Lady Lunafreya?" Sitara asked, attempting to mask her displeasure.
The way Regis raised his eyebrows told her that she had failed.
"He is."
"Am I joining him in Tenebrae?"
"No. I need you hear, focusing on your studies."
Sitara began to pick at her meal with less excitement.
"I want to help with the refugee crisis."
Regis gave an audible sigh and set his paper aside, at last giving her his full attention.
"I must speak with young Ignis and his habit of listening to everything his Uncle tells him."
Sitara set her fork down and stared at her father.
"Are you denying me my duty as Crown Princess? Father, if there are people that need me then-"
"They are a people defeated and angry Sitara. They do not view Lucis favorably- do not view us favorably."
"Why not?" Sitara demanded.
Regis stared at her silently for a moment. Green eyes that matched her own studied her fiercely as if weighing her maturity.
"Galahd has fallen to Niflheim. I made a decision and many innocent lives paid the price."
Sitara looked down at her plate, the bruises and cuts covering Nyx flashed before her.
"And what will happen to Nyx?"
"He and his friend will be trained and they will join in the resistance against the Empire as Kingsglaive."
Sitara flashed a look at her father.
"Are those his wishes?"
Her father pulled his shoulders back a fraction.
"Why do I feel as if I'm being interrogated by my ten year old daughter?" he attempted to charm her with a teasing smile, much the same way she had with Nyx.
"I want to be sure an innocent boy whose life has been turned upside down is given the new life he deserves. I'm not a silly child who needs to be coddled. I have responsibilities to my people."
Regis outstretched his arm and touched a thumb to her cheek, his eyes touched with sadness.
"It is difficult to remember that you are only a child. But when the boy has such a fierce Princess to look out for him and his people, I'm certain he will go far in his new life."
She didn't see Nyx nor his friend for quite some time after that first meeting, though she often thought about them and the possible life they must be living.
The north tower of the Citadel remained the center of her universe, with dancing and art lessons, books and lectures. To her disappointment there was little to distract her from her meticulously scheduled days.
When Noctis left for his tour of Tenebrae, Sitara was left with Ignis and their instructors for companionship until the Empire struck out at her family and tragedy struck once more.
Noctis was much changed when he awoke from his coma. There was a time when his was the only laughter that could be heard from their chambers, but much like herself, the weight of their lives was beginning to weigh on his young shoulders and his laughter became as rare as hers.
Sitara ensured that she and Ignis were there with him for every meal and lesson. Until their father granted Noctis his wish to attend high school.
A now sixteen year old Sitara had swept into the throne room as soon as she could distract Josef and Ignis.
"You cannot seriously be considering Noctis' his wish to go to- to public school!" Sitara said through clenched teeth as she quickly approached her father's place upon the throne.
Regis raised his brows.
"I thought of anyone, he would have your support."
Sitara's expression turned amazed.
"You're serious."
Regis nodded slowly.
"Quite serious. It will do him good to be among his people. After Tenebrae…"
Sitara held a hand up.
"Please, do not pretend to not know why I'm displeased. You are not blind and I will not be manipulated into feeling guilt about this." Sitara felt the burning sensation in the tips of her fingers as mana coursed through her blood. "I want to leave the city. I want to discover- to explore and learn by experience. Not just by what I've read in countless books. I've read them all, father. I've learned all the dances, all the strokes of a paint brush."
Sitara felt as if she was drawing close to the invisible line of her father's tolerance with her insolence but he continued to surprise her when he gave a quiet laugh.
"As you see Crowe, Libertus, and Nyx your services in my protection are in great demand. I fear my daughter is quite the formidable foe however."
Sitara felt her heart stop and her eyes widened. With her shoulders held stiff, Sitara followed her father's gaze to find a young woman and two young men standing at the edge of the throne room.
To her horror she recognized the nearly grown Nyx and his friend Libertus. A teenage girl her own age had to be Crowe. They were each clothed in a black uniform, arms positioned behind their backs, feet apart in a soldiers stance, looks of amusement on their faces as they watched her exchange with her father. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and she glared at first the two young soldiers and then her father.
"This isn't over father."
Sitara turned to leave with her chin high.
"You're needed here Sitara. It isn't safe."
She paused and looked over her shoulder.
"Why? If Noctis is the heir then why I am the one who… never mind." She looked toward Nyx and his comrades. "We will continue this at another time when you're not entertaining soldiers at my expense."
"Sitara-" her father began again but she walked away with the last bit of dignity she could pull together.
Emotions were pulling her in every direction. She needed to voice them, her frustrations, her anger, her love, and dreams but there was no one she could turn to. Her brother, though he had his own set of royal expectations, would hardly understand what she was going through.
Ignis would take her father's side.
The click of her heels echoed around her as a thought occurred to her.
She was tired. Not the type of tired that sleep would erase. Tired of carrying everything she didn't wish for.
Images of Nyx and the others laughing at her, had anger boiling in her blood. Certain they thought she was a simple minded and spoiled Princess throwing a tantrum.
'Ok so perhaps I was throwing a bit of a tantrum… a perfectly justifiable tantrum!'
When Sitara was back in her room she stood at one of her windows and watched the people down below live their lives. A smile tipped up the corner of her lips.
She had plans to make.
Nyx watched the Princess Sitara exit the room, a touch of concern lined his eyes. There had been a look about her that said she was on the edge… a dangerous edge. When Libertus gave a quiet snort of laughter he nudged his oldest friend in his ribs, signaling him to cease.
"Please forgive my daughter the interruption." At the sound of the kings voice Nyx pulled himself back to attention. "She has my spirit when I was her age. I want to congratulate each of you on completing your training. I have followed your failures and accomplishments and would like to formally welcome you to your new roles within the Kingsglaive.
There is much to be done to keep our people safe. Report to Captain Drautos for your assignments. For hearth and home."
At the kings dismissal, the three gave a salute and filed from the room.
"Wow. Glad that's over." Libertus said and stretched his arms above his head.
"And now the real fun begins." Crowe said and took the lead from the throne room.
"How about that Princess though? That was intense. Wait… Nyx didn't you tell me that you met her once?"
Libertus nudged Nyx with his elbow and Crowe looked over her shoulder with wide eyes.
"Yeah, when King Regis first brought us here." Nyx hesitated to tell them the full story about his brief encounter with the Princess six years before. He wasn't entirely certain why it had happened in the first place.
"Has she changed much?"
"Of course she has you dolt. That was what? Six or seven years ago?" Crowe snapped out at Libertus.
"She seemed just like I figured royalty would be. Icy. Did you see the way she looked at us?"
"Where do you think our first assignment will be?" Nyx tried to change the subject. He hadn't viewed the conversation between father and daughter as icy. If he were honest with himself she had been rather magnificent, standing up to her father and demanding a symbolism of freedom.
"Hopefully somewhere near a beach." Libertus said.
They began to descend the stairs for the armory and Drautos' office.
"We go where the Empire is." Nyx said.
"Well hopefully the Empire is at a beach."
Libertus couldn't have been further from correct. After receiving orders from their Captain the three 'Glaives prepared to defend the Disc from Imperial forces.
That night, Nyx sat alone in his quarters, his eyes locked on the last image of his sister. As he played the faded memories of her in his mind he held a purple sash in his hand. His thoughts drifted back to the Princess. She had changed, grown into a breathtaking beauty.
A small part of him toyed with the possibility of her remembering him. During their encounter back in the throne room, she had looked at him but he couldn't say if she had recognized him. The thought disappointed him until he shook his head.
"You're a fool Ulric."
Across the capitol, high in her tower, Sitara studied her map and planned her own adventure.