I never stood out. I never really did. I was always inferior to him; always lagging behind a few steps. I wasn't as cool and social as he nor was I strong in the physical aspect. Although born under the same paternal and maternal figures, I shared no power running through the Lucii bloodline as did he. And if I had power, it was mediocre. Thus, because of this, I was considered delicate; a fragile sight. Was it fate that bound me to such an insignificant path?
"Hey, Leo," His distinct voice-a deep monotonous voice-interrupted the deep trance I was previously under. "Are you ever going to take your nose out of those books and go out for once?"
"I would…if it didn't require all my efforts to get up and move. Just listening to you requires too much of the little effort I have." There was a low snort in response to my satirical retort.
"It's hard being me, dear brother."
"Impossible."
"Combating sarcasm with sarcasm? How original."
To him, I was that typical antisocial bookworm who closed herself off from the outside world, much to our father's objection. Throughout the conversation, not once did I pry my eyes from the tiny words on the thin pages to look my brother in the eye. I felt his eyes piercing through the back of head but after a long silence, he knew he wouldn't get what he wanted from me.
"Have it your way like always. Just know I won't be back until after dinner to save your ass from whatever drama you're in today."
A low 'mhm' escaped my lips as the sound of his footsteps against the marble flooring grew distant. When I thought I was left to my own life-decisions, the sound of his obnoxious voice returned.
"And try to not stress the old man by getting into trouble. You know how he-"
"I know how he gets, Nocty. Trouble always seems to find me some how…"
"What was that?"
"I will see you later tonight!" He was cut off by my abrupt response to his unusual naggy behavior today. With this, Noctis quickly shut the door in an unnecessarily loud fashion to signal his departure. After another few silent moments, I pry my eyes from the text I was currently reading and quickly stride to the large open balcony on the other side of the room. I come to an abrupt stop at the ledge, watching as Noctis approaches his awaiting friends just down below from where I was standing.
From the ledge of the balcony, I watched the interaction between Noctis and his friends with pure jealousy. Although they didn't pay no mind to me, I watched them more than they thought. Prompto Argentum, the youngest of the four, not much younger than I as a matter of fact, was the lively one of the pack. The way he would jump into a conversation, and I mean literally, in hopes of dominating the conversation from either his latest pictures or chocobos. Standing nonchalantly next to him was Ignis Scientia, the most sensible of the four. I began to notice that he would always enter some sort of weird thinking pose when he was collectively analyzing a situation. However, I was in no place to judge. In other cases, he would simply push his glasses up higher on the bridge of his nose. Turning my head to the large glaive, Gladiolus Amicitia, I peer at his jawline, closely scrutinizing the faint new cut permanently scarred on his face. I was unfazed at the new scarring, unlike the first time, knowing that every time I saw him, a new one had appeared.
"Is that a Leo I see?"
The sudden call of my name drags me from the inner reaches of my mind and back into reality. I look down to meet, what seemed to me like, intimidating eyes staring directly at my dumbfounded face. Clearly flustered, I pulled my head back from the ledge in a frantic motion as a bazillion thoughts and questions jumbled within my head. Did they notice me watching? Was I staring too intently? They might think I'm more of a stalker than I am a princess. Although, maybe I was giving them a weird face. Daddy always tells me I have a pretty face though...but then again, he's my dad, he has to say things like that. The feeling of anxiety raced throughout my body. The idea of having to interact with people other than my family was simply more than I could handle.
"Uh, um, yup! Just a Leo ya' know…nothing going on...just watching them...nice birds…"
Her voice trailed off at the end for there was an awkward silence; only the rustling sounds of the foliage on the trees was present.
Scuttling away from view, I threw myself upon the luxurious cushion while I began to dread my unlady-like appearance in front of familiar faces. Oh my...if Father had heard me… I shuddered on the cold surface beneath me as my frail hand reached for the sole comfort near me; a book. Subconsciously opening to a random page, I pear into the contents in which I regretted.
As the sun began to rise the feeling of humanity slowly seeped from Phelan's body. He was beginning to lose his sanity, this time permanently, and no longer could he remain by beside Finn's side. With every second the sun would rise, the less time he could have with her and the more the demon's features grew prominent on his visage.
Finn had frantically appeared from the rocky entrance, seeing that Phelan's back was facing towards her. She was hesitant at first, but slowly approached Phelan's kneeling form. Her silk dress swept across the healthy verdure beneath her feet while the green luminescence of menulis flower highlighted the outlines of her body. As she neared his weakened form, the gap had suddenly closed between her and him for he pinned her to the ground, his furry hand crushing her throat.
"I love you, Finn. I wish I didn't want to kill you."
Slamming the book shut, I immediately placed the book back down on the leather couch without a word coming from my mouth. I was hoping to erase the unintended spoiler from my head, but to no avail, I sat in utter defeat. As I was drowning in my own despair, a soft knock on the door was audible. The door swung open gently and I peered over my shoulder to meet the eyes of a kind and familiar maid.
"Good morning, Princess Leyanette, I'm sorry to interrupt your time. King Regis requests your presence in the throne room." Her voice was warm and polite, my lips forming a tender smile in response.
"Thank you, I will head there immediately." We both exchange a warm greeting to each other before I excused myself from the room. I walked hurriedly to the throne room, which was a small ways from where I was previously resting and paused in front of the large grandiose doors. The guards narrowed their eyes through the small slit of their helmet causing me to tense a bit but quickly bowed in apology when realizing who I was. The two guards then pushed the heavy doors, revealing my father, perched on his throne, along with the council sitting high on both sides of the room. The sound of the large doors closing behind me as I cautiously walked in caused me to flinch. This reaction of mine earned a couple chuckles in the room, one being from my father.
"Come by my side dear. You need not be tense in the presence of friends." Father, with the help of his cane, stood up from his throne with open arms. I scurried into his warm embrace and felt his arms gently wrapped around my fragile body. I knew always that I was his little girl, no matter how old I was. Within a few more moments, the tender moment was broken and my father had sat back down on his throne. Clearing his throat, he addressed me with a more serious note this time.
"Now, it's time we talk of your recent journey to Accordo for politics, shall we?" The authoritative atmosphere was now present in the room which made me feel extremely uneasy. My palms began to feel sweaty as I begin to stumble over my words that barely made it out of my mouth. All eyes were on me, both the council members as well as the king. The pressure was simply too intense for me to bear.
"Accordo…" I murmured quietly, my voice just barely audible.
"Accordo…t-their buildings are breathtaking and the people…" I stare down at my hands to see that I was unconsciously fiddling with them as I continued to talk. My face became visibly flustered the more I had to talk despite the fact that I have known those of the council since I was little. I struggled to find the words to accurately best describe Accordo the best I could. "...the, uh, people are lively and-"
"Leyanette," His voice was monotonous and his face, as I saw, was expressionless when I peeked over my shoulder to look him in the eye. "I asked you to report to us the outcome of our political standings with Accordo, not to describe to the country as beautiful as it is."
My face began to grow hotter out of embarrassment at the realization of what I had just done. Oh, Etros… kill me now. I can't make words. I looked up at the council members where their faces wore either annoyed or expressionless expressions. Timid as I was, I tried again.
"S-so, politically… I-"
"Leyanette." Father, at the start of my second attempt, cut me off quickly. I turned around to meet his eyes once more, clearly knowing I have disappointed him and wasted everyone's time. He motioned me to come to his side, in which I did, and leaned his head over to listen. I whispered into his ear my final reports on what occurred in Accordo during my time there and the outcome of the meeting with the first secretary of Altissa. He nodded his head in approval and situated himself in an upright position, clearing his voice to address his council.
"Great news is the only thing I have to share with you all," He began. "Leyanette has successfully established strong neutral terms with Accordo." My father bellowed out, slamming the end of his cane onto the marble flooring. The tense atmosphere faded and the room burst into a short and ordered applause. A large calloused hand was placed on my shoulder and I turned to my father to give a small smile. He gave me a curt nod and I took that gesture as an 'ok' to leave. Excusing myself with a small curtsey, I took my leave from the throne room.
Upon exiting the throne, I firmly pressed my back against the closed doors, heaving a sigh of relief. Although the soft murmurs conversing with one another in the throne room erupted my curiosity. Pressing my ear firmly against the door, I began to make clear of the words spoken amongst the council members and my father.
"Despite her intelligence, she is everything a Princess should not be."
"She lacks confidence...and composure."
"Though kind she is gullible."
I removed myself from the door, unable to proceed with the rest of their conversation. I wasn't oblivious to everything I heard; I was well aware that I lacked many qualities of a ruler. Turning away, I made a sharp right turn only to smack right into a hard wall.
"Dear Etros, since when was there ever a wall here?!" I say in utter shock as I attempt to rub the pain away from my nose.
"There was never a wall, just a person. Fortunately for you though it was just a person." A low gruff voice boomed out causing me to flinch. I took my hand from in front of my face to stare at the...large...man looming over me. His presence was strong, intimidating if I might say. And he just stood there, standing his ground; clearly unfazed by my embarrassing fall.
"A-aren't you going to help me up?" He was a soldier, I took note of, for he wore the king's crest on his uniform. I still remained on the floor as he continued to peer down at my helpless form which was then accompanied by a sigh of exasperation. Clearly vexed, he extended his hand down towards me which I hesitantly took.
"You're the one asking me to help you up. Don't act so hesitant." He was clearly in a rush. His arms were crossed over his chest, his foot tapping impatiently against the marble floor, and his brows furrowed and his eyes piercing into mine. Everything about him seemed to scream "fuck you" at the moment.
"I-I wasn't asking for help! I was just...making sure the floor was okay." Smooth one Leo... I mused to myself as I mentally facepalm my forehead. I could feel my face heating up from embarrassment, the suspense for an answer clearly eating away at my mentality currently.
"I'm pretty sure the floor is fine," he awkwardly responds back "but anyway, all of this is eating up my time. I'll be on my way." He is quick flee after this, leaving to stumble back on my feet ungracefully.
"H-hey, wait! My name is…" and he was gone, around the corner, and into the throne room.
"Leyanette…"