From What I've Tasted of Desire.

Chapter 1.

The Day We Met.

"There is a version of this story, where the ending is unbloodied and forgiving (even if the ending is not happy) and we learn peace or at least stillness and quiet.

But my love, we are not the gentle version of this story." - J.P.

Before the Fall:

Insomnia

"Your Majesty."

His ancestors had came to him in a dream. There were words tossed around- words like Crystal, Prophecy, Starscourge, Usurper...
But one word stood out to Regis.

Sacrifice.

The Kings of Lucii told him.
The Gods of Eos told him.

His son was going to die.

That was two months ago and the voices plagued his head. It was no hallucination, it was certain. The darkness was coming. Regis had heard the voice of his father and his grandfather. Their words rang true.

Noctis was to be the Final King, The King of Kings.

The end of the Caelum line was inevitable.

The one hundred and thirteenth king wasted no time. A council meeting was had and a decision was made. Once Noctis was of age, he was to be married immediately. An heir would be the next priority. Regis did not specify the vision as the reason behind the arranged marriage, more of wanting to try bring a matriarch in who represented the people of the crown city from a young age.

It was to be expected that the Prince's future bride was more than likely going to raise their child without the King by her side. The Gods were impatient after all. But the current king did not tell the council of this detail, only stressing that her education and training of the Lucian Royal traditions begin as soon as possible.

An unorthodox arrangement, one that was unanimously agreed on. The first of its kind.

A possible solution to a dreadful problem.

Regis Lucis Caelum remained still, staring at Noctis as he sat across the dinner table, scooting the vegetables away from his plate. Regis would normally say something about his son's picky eating habits but decided not to. Not today.

Today was a very important day.

"Your Majesty…?" the young advisor prodded again. He bowed to the King as Regis finally made eye contact with the child.

"Ignis, my boy. What is it?"

"My uncle sent me for you and Prince Noctis, your Majesty. I am to inform you that Lady Arcticus and her daughter have arrived. Ms. Monica is seeing to them." Ignis stated, his arms straight at his sides.

"Excellent. Right on schedule. Come, Noctis, we are needed in the throne room." Regis motioned for his son and Ignis to follow him.

"Tell me, young man, how do you feel about Ava moving into the Citadel?" Regis inquired from the young advisor.

"I think her and Noctis will get along very well. Coming from outside of the Citadel would give Noctis a new view of Insomnia."

"Now Ignis, she is no ordinary citizen. She may not be of royal blood but this young lady is to be your Queen someday. Your job is to guide her and keep her safe from any harm. To insure her path always aligns with my son's. For the good of this city and for the greater good of this country, you must advise her. Ava's place is next to the throne, beside Noctis...as partners.

"My apologies, your Grace." Ignis bowed while walking. Noctis seemed unphased either way, just grateful he wouldn't be pressured into eating his vegetables any longer.

The echo of Mary Janes on tiny feet filled the marble hallways. It was a unique sound to the servants and retainers of the citadel. Some could recall the last time they had heard such a noise, but most could not. It was welcoming and joyous sound, bringing small smiles to all who heard it, for today was a very important day.

Starting today, yet another young child would be taking up residence in the palace growing up alongside the nephew of the advisor and the prince himself.

Ava Lux Arcticus, who would someday become the prince's wife, the Queen of Lucis, and if the good faith of The Six allowed it, the Queen Mother of the one hundredth and fifteenth King of Lucis.

The pitter patter of her shoes outnumbered the precision of the two pairs of heels walking next to her. There was a cheery bounce in her step. She felt her mother's hand tighten in her own.

"Settle down, Ava." There was a stern tone hidden in her airy voice.

"But mommy, I'm too excited to be a princess!" she yelled just a little too loudly, her small voice bouncing off the walls, drawing the attention of some servants.

"My sincerest apologies, Miss Monica." Ava's mother said to the young woman escorting them down the hall. Monica appeared to be in her early to mid twenties, with a short bob that came to her ears. Given by her outfit, a custom tailored business suit, she was a high ranking staff member. Someone to be completely trusted with the young future queen. Her professionalism was unparalleled.

"Do not be concerned, Lady Arcticus. It's a perfectly appropriate response. I hope her happiness is just as contagious as her enthusiasm- the boys could certainly use some pep around here from time to time." Monica replied, just as happy as the other members of the high court, who were beaming and whispering amongst themselves as they walked past. This was a very important day. Monica bent down, her eyes meeting the little girl's, and she placed her hand on the tiny shoulder. "Now, Miss Ava, you won't be called Princess until after your wedding to Prince Noctis, understand?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Ava replied, looking at her feet. "When I'm a grown up! Then we can get married!"

"That is correct." Monica patted Ava's head, tucking a loose strand of rose gold hair behind her ear. "Starting today, you will be referred to as Lady Ava by everyone here in the Citadel and Insomnia itself."

"What does 'referred' mean?" Ava was only half paying attention, fiddling with the chain around her neck.

"Excellent question, it's a fancy word for 'called by', your mommy is called Lady Arcticus and you will be called Lady Ava."

"And then I'm Princess Ava and then I'm Queen Ava of Lucis." She beamed, her black shoes bouncing off the tile. "Did you see the necklace Prince Noctis got me? It's soooo pretty! It matches my shoes!"

"I did. Would you like to meet Prince Noctis?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Ava sang, jumping up and down.

"Let us walk this way, then." Monica said, guiding them both down a long hallway, the throne room in sight at very end.

"Again, I apologize for this inappropriate behavior. Her father and I were under the impression that she would be well prepared for this day." Lady Arcticus sighed, watching her daughter twirl in place. It appeared that she was deliberately trying to spin her light blue dress as high as she could.

"She seems like a typical, happy, five year old child to me." Monica replied, not fazed by Ava's behavior. "You've done well, I assure you. I have faith that in time, she will grow into a wonderful young lady, prepared to embrace her role as Queen...and the Queen Mother of course."

"Does the Prince share the same...enthusiasm... for meeting my Ava today?" Lady Arcticus asked, curling up her lip.

Monica looked at her hands briefly, trying to come up with a response that could both appease and be truthful.

"Prince Noctis...being only a five year old boy, shares very little interest for anything outside of his video games at the moment."

Ava's mother curled her lip up at Monica. That was not the answer Lady Arcticus wanted to hear.

"This better not be a waste of my time. I was the under the impression that this marriage was to be taken seriously…"

"Securing the line of Lucis is a serious matter. This marriage will insure the future of Insomnia, my Lady. Now...shall we meet the King?"

Noctis Lucis Caelum stood in front of his father, balancing on one foot and then the other. To his right, was his best friend and constant companion, Ignis Scientia, who maintained a proper, upright position quietly, his hands straight at his sides. He was just as eager as the prince, though more patient and still. Behind Ignis was his uncle, advisor to the King. Clarus Amicitia stood on the other side of the King, proud and stern. And the Marshall, Cor Leonis, next to him. They were gathered not by the throne but rather standing where guests and citadel servants and retainers stood when addressing the King, as to not loom and frighten the young girl. Noctis hated meetings in the throne room, his father always looked so tired afterwards, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't a little bit excited to meet a new friend. Ignis was fun, of course, but...not all the time.

"Dad..?" Noctis asked the King, leaning back against him. Regis looked down at his son. Today was bittersweet day for the Ruler of Eos, but it was necessary. His son was only five years old, and today he was meeting his wife to be. Regis didn't want this for him. He wanted his son to grow up, to date freely, to fall in love…

But he didn't want his son to die.

Regis looked down at Noctis with adoration, a kind smile with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"Is it over yet?" The prince whined, drawing a roll of the eyes from Ignis. He wanted to play and this was taking forever.

"Son, surely you can afford five more minutes." The King chuckled, grateful the unexpected release of his tension. "You haven't even met the girl yet."

"What if she doesn't like video games?" Noctis asked in a dead serious tone. Cor coughed into his hand, suppressing a small laugh. The atmosphere in the room changed considerably to more a relaxed state. The King was bemused, so grateful for Noctis as he was right now. So grateful that despite the circumstances of today, his son only knew how to view the situation from a child's perspective.

"Well then, perhaps you can teach her how to play." Regis responded, knowing full well that Ignis was not fond of Noctis's current interests. This answer pleased the Prince as he grinned up at his dad.

And then it was time.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I present Lady Regina Lux Arcticus and her daughter, Lady Ava Lux Arcticus." The guard announced. The doors to the throne room opened and a mother and child entered. All eyes were on them, as Monica closed the door from the other side; her job done.

"Your Grace." The woman and her daughter responded, each with a proper bow. Regina and Ava looked identical to each other with the exception of their current height difference. Regina was not tall, even by women's standards, and it was presumed that Ava would not be tall either. Both were light skinned with thin, but not bony, body frames. Rose gold hair had been tied up in an elaborate, tight updo on top of Regina's head, while Ava's was still growing out, ending just past her shoulders.

Ava locked eyes with Prince Noctis right away but also noticed there was another child in the room, another boy. Who he was however, she did not know.

"Lady Arcticus and Lady Ava," King Regis spoke, his hands on his son's shoulders. "You honor both myself and my son by agreeing to this arrangement. I owe you my sincerest gratitude."

"The honor is all ours, your Majesty. I pray to The Six this unity between our families will be a blessed one. Thank you for giving my daughter this opportunity. I can promise she will not disappoint you." Regina was confident and well spoken as she had been taught to be, as Ava would soon be taught to be.

But right now, she was quiet and she was scared.

Regis bowed before looking at Noctis, who has suddenly become visibly tense. The King squatted down, meeting his son's eye level.

"Go ahead, son. Introduce yourself." He gave him a kind, reassuring smile before Noctis took a few steps down the stairs, still nervous.

Regina Lux Arcticus placed her hand on Ava's back, giving her a small but gentle push towards the Prince.

Everyone in the room held their breath. They would all remember this day. A historic moment was unfolding before them.

The Future King and Queen of Lucis were meeting for the very first time.

The children stared at each other for what felt like several minutes. Noctis made brief eye contact with her before looking down at his feet. She was shorter than him, though not by much. Her eyes were large and a light hazel color. He couldn't tell if her hair was more blonde than pink or more pink than blonde. It seemed to change in the light.

He grabbed his left elbow subconsciously and continued to watch his shoes. Was it always this scary meeting new friends who lived outside the palace? He barely remembered meeting Ignis.

Ava rested her hands behind her back, careful to avoid the delicate ribbon tied there. She gathered her courage and took another step towards Noctis, she didn't want him to feel scared.

"Hello Prince Noctis." Ava said with a sudden confidence and the most sincere smile. She crossed her right foot over her left and curtsied before him, earning several barely audible gasps of approval from the adults in the room. "It's very nice to meet you."

"Um…. hi...um... " Noctis bumbled. He turned around, looking at his dad for some kind of guidance. King Regis smiled, motioning his head towards Noctis with a nod. The Prince met her eyes quickly as he extended his arm to Ava. "Um...Lady…"

"Ava." They said at the same time. Ava released a nervous giggle before taking his hand. She gave it a light swing. It was playful, and friendly, and Noctis felt his nerves disappear immediately.

"It's nice to meet you too." He smiled at her and she smiled back, still holding his hand.

"Thank you for the necklace." Ava fiddled with the chain, making sure Noctis was drawn to it. It was a small round black stone, on a simple gold chain. The colors of Lucian Royalty, it was a symbol of their engagement. In time, Ava would be given a proper engagement ring but for now, this necklace would have to do. It showed the people of Insomnia that this engagement between their prince and this young lady was not a farce. An arranged marriage between two children wasn't exactly modern nor was it Lucian tradition.

But Noctis's future had to be secured.
The line of Lucii could not end with him.

It would not.

"Oh, you're welcome. Ignis helped me pick it out. I'm glad you like it." Noctis's tone was entirely pleasant now.

"Ignis?" Ava asked, cocking her head slightly, she looked at the other child in the room who instantly stiffed up at her gaze.

"Yeah, he's my best friend. He can be yours too since you'll be Queen one day!" Noctis pulled on Ava's hand and walked her over to Ignis. He was a tall boy compared to her, with glasses and ashy blonde hair that laid flat on his head. His eyes reminded her of her mama's favorite earrings. The green ones.

"Lady Ava." Ignis acknowledged before bowing quickly to her. "My name is Ignis Scientia. It is an honor to meet you." He didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of his uncle, the King, Prince Noctis, and now, the future Queen. Posture, eye contact, professionalism. He came from a long family line of Advisors. He heard his uncle make a sound of approval behind him.

Decorum and tradition were immediately disregarded. In a startling move, Ava wrapped her arms around Ignis's waist, pulling herself into him for a hug. He honestly didn't mean to blush, she had caught him off guard! The confusion was practically radiating from him. He could hear some muffled gasps, and a laugh from both Noctis and Clarus. Lady Arcticus turned away in embarrassment. Ignis, still speechless, gently pushed Ava away by her shoulders.

"I've never had a best friend before!" she said, smiling from ear to ear. But it didn't last long. Ava brought her hands to the chain of her necklace, nervously playing with it. The grown ups looked angry now. She had done something wrong. But Noctis was still smiling.

King Regis positioned himself between Ava and Ignis, while occasionally making eye contact with Noctis. Ava looked up at him, apologetically, half expecting a small scolding from His Majesty but Regis simply rested a hand on her shoulder with a familiar comfort like that of a father.

"Little Lady Ava...Ignis here is to be your Royal Advisor someday...as his uncle is my advisor." Regis gestured to the older, well groomed gentleman standing behind Ignis.

She didn't understand.

"What's an advisor? What do they do?" Ava requested. She looked at Ignis, he was avoiding eye contact with her, choosing to look back and forth at the King and the Prince.

"They help you be a good King." Noctis interrupted, reaching out for Ava's hand. She grinned and took it.

"And Queen, in your case, Ava. Ignis will advise you and Noctis both. If you have any questions, I ask you go to him first. He's a very smart young man, his job is help you should you need it."

"Can we still be friends?" She inquired. She could hear Noctis giggling again.

"Of course, I encourage it." Regis reassured her. He adored Ava already. Perhaps Ignis was correct in his statement earlier. She could definitely keep Noctis grounded; coming in from a background unlike his and Ignis', she would learn the palace rules and customs in time but there would always be a part of Ava that belonged to the city, not the castle. It had completely caught Regis off guard how comfortable Noctis seemed to be around Ava, his son's typical shyness had put up a fight but her bubbly and trusting personality won over him instantly.

She was going to make an excellent Queen someday.
Maybe this arranged marriage was meant to be.

He didn't want his son to die.

As if on cue, Noctis broke his father's thoughts.

"Do you wanna see your room? Ignis told me it's bigger than mine!" Before Ava could respond, Noctis finally grabbed her hand and took off running, her tiny black shoes echoing behind him. Their laughs began bouncing and ricocheting off the walls and marble floors, and soon everyone in the room could have sworn the children were in different directions.

The King sighed. Another child in the citadel meant just that. There was another child in the citadel.

Everything had gone perfectly according to plan.

Now all that was left was to wait.

For Noctis Lucis Caelum and Ava Lux Arcticus to fall in love.

"Ignis…would you care to...follow them...please." Regis was at a loss for words. There was a lot to process. "Make sure they don't get into too much trouble."

"Of course, your Grace." Ignis bowed without a flaw before walking rather briskly after the two five year olds, and the throne room was left to the adults.

"I like her." Clarus Amicitia finally spoke and everyone felt the weight of the meeting leave their shoulders. "I hope my baby girl is just as bubbly and well mannered as Miss Ava. You've raised quite a charmer, my Lady."

"Thank you, Lord Amicitia." Regina curtsied to the Royal Shield, knowing full well of his son who would soon begin his training to protect both Noctis and Ava. "Lord Scientia, I deeply apologize for my daughter's inappropriate and disrespectful behavior towards your nephew."

"Think nothing of it, my Lady. Ignis could use a carefree spirit every now and then." The older man said, his eyes were a brilliant green and kind. "The boy may a prodigy be, but he will remain paralyzed without friends by his side to help him unwind from time to time."

"I do not believe friendship shall be an issue between Lady Ava and his Highness." The Marshall interrupted. "He was immediately taken with her." Cor Leonis was more than pleased with the interaction.

"Your Majesty, what are your thoughts?" Clarus asked to a quiet Regis.

What did he think?

He wanted to say that he hated it, he genuinely and in all honesty despised the plan. The Gods be damned.

He wanted to say that, unbeknownst to her, Ava Lux Arcticus was a death sentence. That her inevitable marriage to Noctis only confirmed the prophecy. That the birth of his grandchild ensured Noctis's death.

He didn't want his son to die.

"It should be interesting to witness the two of them growing up together. May they both know happiness." He said through his teeth, smile masking his face. Regis wasn't lying, but he wasn't entirely truthful either.

The Royal Family line would not end with Noctis.

"To Noctis and Ava! The Future King and Queen of Lucis!" Clarus Amicitia cheered, the others followed, reluctant or not. "I'll have Jarrod bring in her belongings at once."

"When does her schooling and training begin? If I may ask…" Regina asked to no one in particular. Any other mother would be sad or at the very least, a little sad about their daughter moving away from home so early in life. But Lady Arcticus was to be the grandmother of the hundredth and fifteenth King of Lucis. Only that mattered to her.

"Tomorrow morning." The Royal Advisor answered diligently. "For now, I recommend the Prince and small Lady spend the remainder of the day becoming acquainted with each other. The more time they share with one another, the more natural their relationship will become." King Regis nodded in agreement, his advisor was right. The sooner they fall in love, the better. The sooner they marry, the better. The sooner the child is born…

The sooner Noctis would die..

The echo of a familiar warping sound was suddenly heard followed by an ear piercing, yet joyous, young scream. The high ranking adults of court all looked down the hall.

"What was that?! How did you do that?!" Ava's voice carried through the throne room and the two betrothed children resumed their giggling once more, sprinting down the hallway with another pair of small, yet quick feet trailing behind them.

This was the day they met.

This was the beginning of their story.

To Noctis and Ava.

May you both know happiness.