A/N: Hello! This will be my first... and last story. It's written for a very special person, my hubby ;) who has showed me much kindness and the beauty of story telling. These and many more reasons are why I love him. You are and will always be an inspiration! I can only hope my story can be as addictive as yours are to me :) Much love, the SilverLight

~~ Inspiration ~~

Prologue

Large wooden doors burst open.

"What is the meaning of this?" Said an angry prince with spiky midnight-blue hair. Following behind him was a blonde with a shotgun attached to his hip.

The king simply looked up towards the commotion, "I presume you have received news about the recent changes taking place."

"Must I repeat myself." The boy glared, impatiently he repeated, "What is the meaning of this?"

Disliking the tone his son was giving him, the king's face became stern. Standing from his throne, an aura of authority and fear began radiating from the elder. Shivers were running down the palace guards' backs, even the blonde shifted his position uncomfortably, but the prince remain unfazed.

"Princes do not question kings."

Noctis rolled his eyes, the old man was going to give him another lecture. He knew his role of being a prince very well, thanks to his father's strict monitoring and excessive lectures. He was sick of it, all of it, including the whole prince thing.

"I'm not a perfect storybook prince, nor do I wish to become one, father." Noctis said behind a smirk, knowing how to get underneath his father's skin.

It had worked because the king briefly lost his composure. Cheeks flushed with anger, he bellowed, "You will do as I say."

Noctis crossed his arms triumphantly, meanwhile his companion began to look worried. The king never yells, unless... the situation was becoming more grave by the second.

With a deep breath, his father tried to recomposed himself. "If your mother was still alive today," the man paused to calm his voice, "I would have more sons who, I'm sure, will be more deserving of the crown than you." His eyes dimmed with sadness as he spoke, "Words cannot express my disappointment in you."

Noctis winced at his father's statement. It had pierced his heart, the pain and guilt already began to suffocate his body with the mention of his mother. How could he forget? The whole kingdom was sorrowfully weeping on the day he was born! What should have been the happiest moment in the kingdom quickly turned into a tragedy as his mother, the beloved Queen, had died giving birth to her first and only son, him. His eyes narrowed in frustration, unfortunately, his father was equally as good getting underneath his skin.

"Your mother was a remarkable person," he reminisced. "Creating peace in the mist of tension. Traveling courageously through unknown territories just to promote the welfare of her people, our people. If only you had one tenth of the compassion your mother had," the king glared at his son, "I wouldn't be so worried about the future of this land."

"Maybe... if I had a father instead of a King, I wouldn't be the disappointment you see today," Noctis countered bitterly, voiced colored with hatred. Of all the things he hated the most, it would be the thought of him being responsible for his beloved mother's death. He was only a baby, powerless and innocent! If only he could turn back time and not be born, his mother would still be alive and he won't be living this miserable life.

The king was silent. He wanted to continue this conversation, but there were other issues that required his attention at the moment. Walking towards his son, he put an arm on his shoulder, "You will welcome the girls, they are here to stay whether you like it or not." And with that he briskly walked away, leaving the prince frozen in place.

Glaring at his father's disappearing figure, the prince threateningly whispered, "We'll see about that."

"Noctis, I was seriously scared for your life back there," the blonde finally spoke, coming from behind.

"Prompto, you know he won't do anything to harm me."

"Yeah, bit still... be careful."

"I will," Noctis said quietly.

A loud growl escaped the latter's stomach. Prompto embarrassedly looked at Noctis, and then both of them began laughing.

"Come on buddy, I'm starving!"

"Prompto, you always are," Noctis said teasingly as he began heading towards the kitchen. His mood seem to lightened, thanks to his silly friend.

The blonde followed him and began awkwardly saying, "So, it's really true... this year girls with be enrolled in our combat school!"

Noctis nodded.

"I can't believe the King would break our tradition, combat training is supposed to be for men only! Girls don't know how to fight, they just scream!" The blonde continued.

Noctis chuckled and mumbled, "Apparently kings from the far lands don't think so." He then mischievously smirked at Prompto, "Hey you might get lucky and score a princess."

"Stop teasing, you know that they'll be all over you, prince Charming," Prompto said, playfully caressing Noctis' cheek with his index finger, pretending to be a princess.

"Who's teasing now?"

"Am I interrupting something?" A gentleman with glasses appeared from behind the kitchen door, looking amused.

"No!" Prompto shouted, while Noctis said no in a normal tone, although his cheeks were slightly pink from the ordeal.

The gentleman only huffed and smirked at the embarrassing looks the two gave him. Then, turning his attention to the prince, he asked, "How did it go with the king?"

"Not well, Ignis," Noctis said dejected, passing through and entering the lonely kitchen.

The blonde made a cutting-of-the-neck sign for Ignis behind the prince's back, signaling to stop the conversation.

"That's ok, we still have plan B," Prompto said. He began scavenging for meat.

"And what is plan B, might I ask?"

"Making them quit before the school year is finished," Noctis replied simply.

"And if that doesn't work..." Prompto began whispering, "We can make them fail their final exam."

Ignis smiled at Prompto's determination.

"And that will be all the proof we need for girls to NOT be allowed to attend our combat school in the first place!" Prompto continued.

"He's very passionate about this," Ignis whispered to Noctis, while Prompto was continuing to vent about how girls should learn how to bake instead.

"He has a point, the ladies will only slow us down. It's important to keep up with our studies. Surely, you're not in favor?" Noctis whispered back.

"Actually, a little diversity is quite nice. You never know, someone's skill might surpass yours."

Noctis couldn't help but to laugh out loud.

"Thank you!" Prompto said, head peaking out from the refrigerator, "Finally someone realized the truth of the matter, it's hilarious!" The blonde started laughing on his own.

"I was actually laughing at Ignis here," Noctis said in amusement, "He thinks that a lady could beat me in combat."

"What? That's impossible! No one can beat you, believe me I've tried, and I can bet on it!"

Ignis grinned evilly as an idea popped into his mind, "Are you willing to bet on it?"