A/N: I know its common rule that prologues should be short... xD Forgive me for the looonnnggg absence, because I have been busy with school and whatnot, but here's the first part of the revised version of The Assassin's Apprentice. Thanks for being patient, and again, my apologies if you've been waiting for it for too long. I'm writing chapter 1 now, and I'll upload as soon as I finish. :3 This little bit still needs work, I guess, but I'll come back again later to edit some errors and other stuff. Tell me if you see any! xDDD Let's all hope we finish the long road ahead. xD

But here it is. xD A monstrous prologue for the annoying wait. xD

And just so we're clear, this story exists in an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. Some events may be parallel to the canon story, but that's it. I'm aware that Lunafreya is four years older than Noctis; in this fic, both ARE THE SAME AGE for story's sake. xD

BLANKET DISCLAIMER: All Final Fantasy XV and Assassin's Creed characters belong Square-Enix and Ubisoft. I don't make money out of this, and I don't own them. The only things I own here are a few insignificant OCs they might be meeting along the way.

Revised: 01/17/17


Prologue: The Armistice

All of Lucis had its breath held for the day had finally arrived. Newsrooms and local pubs where common people went about were close to bursting with the tidings borne on every person's lips.

A prince is coming… The heir to the throne is arriving…

Away from the excited buzz of the city streets and the constant chatter of the masses, the king sat alone in his solar, contemplating what the day could possibly entail. The skies were blue, gradually fading into a bruised shade that heralded nightfall—too beautiful a twilight for the ill omen that it brought. One life was about to begin, but another was threatened to end.

"It grieves me to say so, Your Majesty, but Her Grace the queen has a slim chance of surviving this. Her blood pressure is too high, and the strain her body is going through in this labor is enough to cause more than mild complications."

"Gods save us, and the child she would have to bear."

The grave words coupled with solemn advice to seek the intervention of the divine did little to ease Regis' fears—both for his beloved queen and the child that depended on her survival to live. Days after Queen Aulea was set to give birth, the doctors had already predetermined that a c-section procedure was the safest way for Her Majesty, and she had been confined to bed rest, to gather her strength for the ordeal that waited ahead.

And now that ordeal was upon them, looming ominously above the royal family's heads like dark clouds that heralded the worst of storms… Regis, more than anyone, could feel how palpable it was.

Admitting himself to momentary isolation to gather his shattering composure, the king felt helpless—utterly useless, truth be told. His wife was in peril, and his child was at the brink of danger, and he could do nothing but hope and pray. Would that he could perform miracles and deliver Aulea from her plight. Alas, it was not possible. He was a powerful king, the ruler of a kingdom that stood strong for ages, but even he must be humbled enough to feel the anxiety and terror of losing two people that mattered to him the most.

Taking deep measured breaths, the monarch left the solitude granted to him in his solar in favor of being as nearest as possible to his suffering queen. He couldn't help her—not physically, but he could at least be there for her as the time drew nearer and nearer. Regis would have wanted nothing more than to stay at his wife's bedside and hold her hand, give her all the strength and encouragement and reassurance that she needed, and being a king, Regis could easily have his way too. But caution won over impulsive desires. His presence in the birthing chamber would only serve to do more harm than good, a hindrance. Nevertheless, he could always post as sentry.

Medical personnel entered and exited the birthing room at a constant rate, each one stopping to acknowledge his presence in the palace's infirmary ward for a brief moment before continuing with their individual tasks. The queen's delivery was of highest importance, and none of these medical professionals had plans to muck it up.

Weary and anxious, the king settled himself on one of the benches, purposefully placed for waiting people's comfort. Hands clasped tightly together with his head bowed, the king knew that pride was nothing in the face of the ordeal his new family was facing.

'Gods of life and birth, I beseech you. Grant my beloved wife the strength to see this through, for both our son's sake, and mine own sanity.'

"Somehow, I had assumed I would find you here, Regis."

The king looked up from his silent pleas to see his friend, staring down at him with measured concern in his kindly eyes. Clarus Amicitia was a member of the high council, and a great friend from his youth. When formal settings didn't call for it, the man refrained from addressing him with the formalities usually attached to the royal name, always choosing to retain the sense of familiarity between them.

"And you were not wrong, it seems." The king conceded, sighing with a heavy heart.

"Keep your hopes up, old friend." Clarus spoke, eyes roaming over the dark marble that covered almost every inch of the palace walls. "The worst is yet to come."

The fond chuckle that passed Clarus' lips was almost enough to bring the king out of his darkened mood. If his friend could laugh about things like this, then surely he could to. There were few married individuals in his service, but Regis knew better than anyone that Clarus understood his current predicament. The man was a father to his own three-year old son, the prince's future sworn shield.

When King Regis remained quiet and brooding, Clarus added to the sentiment.

"They'll keep you up in the nights to come; squalling for food and demanding for your attention." The man shook his head fondly at the memory of his own boy. Gladiolus was proving to be a willful and stubborn child, albeit obedient when told or chastened. "You and Aulea will bask in the joys of parenthood. Even a blind man can foresee it."

Despite the ever present cloud hovering over his head, Regis smiled warmly at the encouragement. It succeeded in lifting his spirits a tiny bit. Small progress, but that was that.

The moment was broken when a young nurse burst from the birthing room, puffy-eyed as she struggled to maintain her composure before her ruler. Both Clarus and Regis looked on, eager for a snippet of good news that heralded the birth of the new prince. But from the look on the young woman's face, Regis' hopes were slowly dying, though he refused to acknowledge the biting thought gnawing away at his sanity.

His Queen, and his new son… They had to be all right.

"Queen Aulea… Her majesty is… She's…" And then that composure shattered at the sight of the shocked and confused faces peering back at her. "Oh forgive me! Gods forgive me! Your Grace, I…"

The door to the delivery room opened again, effectively halting the nurse's hysterical tirade. The doctor emerged, her solemn face betraying what the king had been dreading all along.

"Her Grace, our beloved queen, is no longer with us." Swallowing her own grief, she leveled the king with an imploring stare as the tried to ignore the mess in her own surgical gloves. Drying blood and other membranous fluids still clung to them, and it was a reminder of the trying labor that had taken place not long before. "Forgive us, Your Grace. We did all we could to save her, but her heart—"

The rest of her words were a mindless blur to the disheartened king. He brushed past all of them—Clarus, the doctor with her messy gloves, and the nurse hysterically sobbing by the threshold—in his haste to reach the room itself. If she was gone, then he had to see it with his own eyes. He refused to believe in her passing, although a part of him knew he couldn't change what had already happened.

The sheets on her bed were freshly changed, but the smell of blood mixed with the faint odor of bleach still lingered, reminding Regis of what he had already lost. A mess of ebony waves were splayed out on the pillow, her eyes closed in silent surrender. He laid a gentle hand on her forehead only to find that she was still warm. For a fleeting moment, he nearly convinced himself that the doctor's reports were no more than a mistaken diagnosis. But of course, he would be a great fool if he believed that.

The quiet breaths that should have been stirring her body were not present, and the life pulsating at her wrists were still. His queen… His lovely dynamic ever present queen. She was more than that though. Aulea was his other half; his wife; his only love. She was gone…

Those eyes would never shine with life again for they had already dimmed. And even in her last moments, he could tell that she had suffered immensely. The downward tilt at the corner of her lips testified to that fate. Clenching his teeth as he tried not to rave like a mad man out of grief, Regis reined himself in and allowed his tears to fall freely, mourning the woman that had completed his life, had shared his soul.

He clasped her hand, the warmth gradually receding to bring the lifeless cold that death was known for. His Aulea… His precious Aulea…

After leaving a parting kiss on Aulea's sweat-drenched forehead, the king made for his chambers, barely acknowledging or returning the sincere condolences offered to him by palace staff that he passed by in the suddenly dreary halls. Clarus was not in sight when he left the delivery room. Ever the dependable man he was, Regis knew his friend had departed immediately to make necessary arrangements for Aulea's burial.

Even his own bed had lacked the alluring pull that was usually present whenever he retired for the night after a long day of being king. Sleep held no temptation over him. The sheets cold and empty without her there to help him warm it. His personal chambers didn't have the solace that he eagerly sought. Distraught and hopeless, the king could only sigh. Perhaps his throne would be of better comfort.

The way to the throne room where he held daily court was so familiar to him he was sure his feet could take him there even if his thoughts wandered to more nostalgic images of the past. He had walked these very halls with his queen on more than one occasion. It would be filled with her infectious laugh, her turquoise eyes shimmering delightedly, rapt with every word he said. Now though, he couldn't help but think that it was quiet—far too quiet.

"Won't he come and see the boy at least?"

Regis heard one of the maids say as he crossed an intersecting hallway. Despite being muffled, the words were clear.

"He just lost his wife. Queen Aulea will be missed."

The voices faded away, but the words struck the Lucian ruler truly. How could he forget? The very reason of his wife's personal sacrifice… The doctor only told him about Aulea's passing, they made no mention of the newborn baby. Too distraught over the passing of his beloved, none of them—not even Clarus—had properly recalled the reason for all the hype. He could take it to mean that the new prince was born and unharmed.

Changing route as he headed for the nursery, Regis pushed the door open as quietly as he could. The royal wet nurse was there, folding a few newly washed baby blankets and placing them neatly in the open drawer. Movement at the door drew her out of her tasks, and upon finding the King, gracefully rose to her feet to offer a bow of respect.

"My congratulations, Your Grace. The prince is as healthy as expected."

"Thank you…"

She offered the weary man a small smile, but it disappeared as soon as it showed. Wringing her hands in an unsure manner, her face took on a solemn expression as she said her next words. "Queen Aulea, Your Grace. She…she will be missed greatly."

He knew the young woman was only trying to be polite, but he was trying hard to feel even a shred of happiness on this suddenly gloomy turn of events. He didn't want to forget Aulea, no. He only wanted to feel the exhilaration that he and his queen should have felt together when their son was born. Being reminded of his queen's passing was something he did not wish to dwell on for the moment.

Fortunately, the awkward air dissipated soon enough as a faint cry rose from the cradle in the room, gradually growing louder the longer it was left unattended. The wet nurse, being socially sensitive, politely bowed out of the room to give the king and his new son a moment to meet privately.

Eyes filled with wonder at the tiny new being introduced to his life, King Regis gently rocked the cradle.

"Hush." He spoke softly, reaching down to lift the tiny prince into his arms.

Wrapping the infant securely in fresh baby blankets, Regis made his way to the balcony, rocking the wailing child quietly. The cries ceased as Insomnia's cold night air drafted all around them, welcoming father and son with a cool breeze that tousled the king's hair. The stars shone down on them from above, dotting the expanse of black night sky.

Gazing down at the baby bundled up in his arms, the king couldn't stop a melancholic smile from unfurling on his lips just as he allowed the tears to escape. This child… This baby boy was the proof that Aulea's selfless sacrifice was never for naught.

"You're a brave one, aren't you?" The king murmured, adjusting the blankets slightly. It was enough to reveal the fine silky hair dark as ebony that covered the baby's tiny head.

Shimmering blue eyes stared back at him curiously, and as the king made to tease the infant with his finger, the boy grabbed it in one hand, holding fast to the appendage like a lifeline.

"Your mother would have loved to see you." Regis held the baby closer just as the boy nestled against his chest, subconsciously seeking warmth. "Our most precious treasure. Your price was high—far too steep for your mother and I." He smiled. "But you are here, and you are alive. And we love you so much."

Regis left a tender kiss on top of his son's little head as the baby slumbered peacefully, oblivious to the perils of the world around him. The father held the son protectively, vowing to protect this new and precious life for as long as he lived.

Aulea had been more than successful in her endeavor to deliver her son from her womb, even if it cost her her very life. He didn't blame his son—no, never! If they had been given one last chance to exchange words, he knew his wife would have pleaded with him to take care of the boy twice as much because she never could. He could only hope she was in a better place now. Let her feast grandly in the goddess's halls for leading a meaningful life. Even her death had a sense of joy in it, if only a little. Her passing had heralded the birth of the boy who would govern the night skies with his otherworldly light.

"You brought forth a noble child, Aulea." He whispered into the night and at the night life thriving in the distant streets of Insomnia. "Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum."

The light of the night sky

vVvVv

Her heart was pounding in her chest, straining mightily at over exertion as her fingers grasped at the folds of the bed sheets, straining to take hold, just to squeeze something to vent out the excruciating pain. The walls were moving, drifting in and out of focus, and the maids were swimming.

How can people swim on solid ground?

The more she tried to understand, the less it made sense. Come to think of it, everything around her was nonsensical. The red and white walls had crumbled to ash, and the bedposts were rotting away even as she laid on the mattress—helpless, unable to move, rendered useless by her state.

She could still feel the abdominal cramps however, and her womb was contracting and relaxing at an alarming rate—as if the child inside was manually fighting her way out of the body that had sustained her life for nine months.

"One more push, your highness. That's it…"

The voice was soothing, but it sounded like a treacherous hiss all the same. It was a rouse—a trick to lower her guard. That was where they were mistaken. She wouldn't… She would never… They thought she would be easily fooled; no, no, she wouldn't be. She knew better. The princess… They had to keep her safe. She had to be brought away from prying eyes and lying tongues. This court was no place for a child to grow. Her baby would die here before it even attempted to draw breath.

And she knew she was right to think so when the sudden cold crept into her throat. A slightly strangled cry passed her darkening lips as the pain in her nether region halted all at once, as if her entire lower body had gone numb from so much strain. But even that didn't alarm her… There was just something so comforting with the way the cold wrapped its spindly fingers around her, drawing her in, drawing her closer and closer to comforting blackness.

"Drink deep, your majesty."

"Yes, sleep… You need to rest… The princess is safe."

"Yes, sleep… Embrace the gift of death…"

"Yes, sleep… Let him believe he has won… Let him believe that he is the victor in this battle…"

"Yes, sleep… Complete your plans… Leave him lost… Leave him groping… We will win."

The colors toned down to a muted gray, and even that slowly faded to nothing as glass walls swallowed her up and held her in, and she didn't want to fight. She was content to let it keep her until the time was right…

"Your majesty?"

The familiar address brought her mind out of the nostalgic train it had landed on. Two days had passed since she had woken up to find herself back home, and yet, the hallucinatory dreams induced by the drug still plagued her mind once in a while—even in her waking hours.

"You should take care in addressing me so formally, old friend. Even in a sanctum like this, one cannot know what or who might be listening."

Turning from the window, Sylva Nox Fleuret turned to the man who had brought her out of her musings. He was a dear friend from her much younger days, the very same one who had been with her when Regis and his own retinue had come to Tenebrae in an official visit. Those were the days before the old war had started, and when her beautiful homeland had been free of the empire's grasp.

"Pardon me, Sylva, but it was the only way I could have your wandering attention." Even after all these years, the dastardly smirk still remained an important aspect of his haughty yet amiable personality. If he had lost it in the service of the Order they were both devoted to, he wouldn't be the Ezio Auditore she knew.

"The years did nothing to lessen your…" She smirked, filling her glass from a flagon of water set at the coffee table. "Arrogance, I see."

Chuckling in response, Ezio ignored the jibe, choosing to address more important matters at hand instead. Three days since the discreet escape from Gralea. Three days since Sylva had arrived in his grand manor unconscious, aided by selected members of the Assassin Brotherhood and her ever faithful companion, Gentiana.

"What is the plan now?"

"The plan is to wait." The former queen remarked with resolve before taking a sip of water. "Cowardly though it may seem, but hiding may be our only chance of survival at the moment."

"You do not fear death." The assassin commented as he sat himself down on a vacant chair.

"No, I do not… But I fear for my daughter's life." Determination shown in her crystal blue eyes, clear as the summer skies. "The Nifs can only be sidetracked for so long a time, and when that runs out, what then? She is safe here in Tenebrae…but only for now."

"You mean to go somewhere else?"

"We must send a message to King Regis."

Dressed in naught but common clothes to hide her royal station, Ezio still could not help but find his friend and colleague regal in the face of supposed normalcy. Growing up as a lord's son, he had known Sylva in the days of her childhood, when she was but a princess innocent of the world's troubles and the circumstances brewing in its unpredictable cauldron. They had ventured and joined the Brotherhood together, and it was there she had met the love of her life, and years later, bore him a son—Prince Ravus of Tenebrae had been a national treasure.

To look at her, one couldn't help but think that she led a perfect life, free of problems and unfortunate mishaps. Of course, that was an assumption proven wrong by most of the Tenebraeans themselves. Not long after the prince's birth, the Nifs had descended mercilessly on Tenebrae, took what they claimed was there's, slaughtered the the realm's king, cut off the country's connections to its allies, and to add insult to injury, took Sylva and her small son as hostage in Gralea so Tenebraean nobility would refrain from rising in revolt. Even Lucis—one of Tenebrae's greatest allies—had had no choice but to enforce a retreat when they found the cause hopeless enough.

And yet, Sylva maintained clandestine contact with the Brotherhood every once in a while, and even managed to communicate with dear old Regis half a world away. She was indeed a queen; a woman who was not wont to give in so easily.

This remarkable trait of hers had multiplied tenfold at the birth of her new daughter. The princess' life always took precedence. Sylva safeguarded her daughter with the ferocity of a cautious lioness. Knowing he would never come close to understanding the plight of so many mothers, Ezio gave up on attempting to puzzle out this trait they had over their children. Instead, the assassin resolved to give his former queen all the support she would need. He owed it to her, after all.

All these years, and the memory was still fresh upon his mind. Her courageous effort to terminate the plot against his life would never be forgotten. Cliched as it was, it was true. He owed her his life.

"And tell him what?"

"The truth of the matter." She replied, brushing most of her long blonde hair over one shoulder. "News concerning the war spread faster than wildfire. Tidings of my supposed death will have reached Insomnia by now."

Ezio pursed his lips. "Not agreeably smart, but not entirely foolish either…"

"You don't approve." Sylva looked nothing short of a woman willing to defend her point; both eyebrows raised in question.

"Sending your message through paper or electronic medium cannot reassure the complete secrecy that we are all aiming for. Contents of either can leak. Even messages sent through trusted envoys are suspicious at the very least. If you do not want the empire to trace your whereabouts, we had best be cautious." The assassin cleared his throat. "Not that I need to remind you of secrecy's importance. You of all people know that quite well."

"I'm aware." She took the seat across him, folding her hands one on top of the other. "That is why we are not taking impulsive measures that could lead to the sabotage of this intricate plot. We have to send Regis one of our own."

The offered suggestion made the man's spine stiffen in slight tension. While he was confident that the Brotherhood could deliver a message to a king unmolested, he did not trust the weight of the burden that would be laid on the bearer's shoulders, nor the toll that such a journey could entail. Finding the right man for the job was the key. The novices or the apprentices were already out of the question when it came to this task. They needed a man of his standing—a master assassin of remarkable character and fierce determination.

"Gentiana would have been my personal choice." Sylva continued, pretending not to notice the tension present in her friend's straight posture. "But her delicate situation puts her at risk if we were cruel enough to impose this upon her."

Ezio frowned slightly as he traced small circles across the table top. "She has taken great lengths in smuggling you and the child out of Gralea unharmed and undetected. A reprieve for her is well-deserved." The assassin shook his head. "I will find the man—or woman—for the job."

"With every member of the Tenebraean Brotherhood at your disposal, I imagine that would not be too difficult."

He nodded in agreement. She was right, in a way. Being the Mentor of the local guild was indeed an advantage. Indeed it was his close acquaintance to the queen that won her the favors and the string of successes she currently had. "In the mean time, your change in appearance is long overdue."

Sylva lifted a lock of golden hair from her shoulder at the same moment when Ezio gestured to it meaningfully. She knew what he meant of course. The hair color and the name would have to go—for now. Temporarily abandoning the name of Sylva Nox Fleuret was more than familiar to her after years of changing identities for their practice. If she wanted to remain hidden for as long as she could, some precautions would have to be undertaken.

"I will dye my hair a russet red tonight—preferably with more than ample shades of brown to truly mask the gold." She flashed the man a brilliant smile, one that heralded their participation in the greatest war to come. "You do recall my name, do you not Lord Ezio? I am your dear cousin, Elise—come from Solheim to Tenebrae for a tranquil visit."

The devious grin that lit up the man's face was relieving. "Ah, my dearest of kin. Elise de la Serre…" He sighed, returning the queen's conniving smile as she rose from the table. "Your bed ridden days are over and done with, and now you seek to recuperate fully."

She nodded once, making to leave the room. "Pray excuse me, my lord. I must tend to my newborn daughter's needs."

"Your daughter?" Of course, the new princess was still in dire need of a name. They were both of aware of this. The rushed escape from Gralea and with Sylva unconscious for more than a few days left the infant in want of a proper name.

Ezio waited expectantly for the queen's answer, and he nodded in silent agreement when she finally spoke.

"My daughter, Lunafreya."

vVvVv

8 years later…

All her life she had been surrounded with high walls and grand indoor settings—her uncle's manor saw to that. And yet, Tenebrae was a far cry from the buzzing Lucian metropolis. The capital city, Insomnia, was a grandeur to behold. Her own home paled in comparison to the tall skyscrapers it boasted. People from all walks of life flooded the city streets, everyone of them going about their own businesses, from office to personal affairs.

The eight-year-old never thought she would get to behold such magnificence at a ripe age. And while she was exhilarated and filled with euphoric joy over the adventures she would have in this urban jungle, a part of her couldn't help but long for the tranquility of her childhood home in Tenebrae. Noise was the daily music in a city like Insomnia, riddled with unending activity from all sides—as proven by the long journey from the airport to the capital city.

It had been a long day, and a trying one, but most of the buzz and excitement and flurry of activity had simmered down to a more relaxed meet and greet reserved for this evening's celebration in the ballroom.

"We are almost there, precious one." The girl turned to her mother to see the lovely smile that she took comfort in from the day she was born. "Are you tired?"

Elise stroked her daughter's hair affectionately, contemplating the two warring nations' agreement to achieve some semblance of peace. For the past eight years, this ongoing war between Niflheim and Lucis had escalated far from the skirmish that had sparked it. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, had died to claim lands or to defend them, and for what?

One nation sought to expand its control, its lust for power and dominion unrelenting, while the other simply wished to retain what was rightfully theirs. This war was too old, dating back to the years when she had married a man she loved and bore him a son—right before Tenebrae was mercilessly assaulted by Niflheim men.

Her son… She hadn't seen Ravus since she escaped Gralea under the pretense of death. The boy was fourteen now, old enough to learn the workings of the imperial world he lived in. The mother in her would always rue the day she had chosen to leave the boy behind in Gralea, but the sensible part of her knew it had to be done. The short time she and her son had spent living in Niflheim's capital city had been more than enough for the boy to find favor in the eyes of the emperor himself. Apparently, the boy held young Aldercapt at highest regard…

Ravus was too far gone… I could have done no more…

"Not yet, mother." Lunafreya's smile was as brilliant as the sun's rays reflecting off of crystal blue waters. "I cannot wait to see the ballroom."

Elise returned the gesture though it didn't reach her eyes, nonetheless, she was amused at her daughter's enthusiasm to see so much of her new home in just a short span of time. Just this morning, the flurry of activity had left poor Lunafreya exhausted. The afternoon nap in their hotel room had sufficed to renew her energy, but Elise knew the child would tire again by the end of the night.

Presently, the little girl was biting her lip, wringing her hands together in a show of hesitance. Understandable, considering this palace grandeur was where she would live for most of her days now. And Insomnia could be daunting to a child's curious eyes, it certainly was formidable and stunning to a grown woman like the former queen of Tenebrae herself.

"And after today, you and the others will leave for home in the morning, won't you?" The girl asked quietly, tugging on the woman's hand as their Lucian escort led them through the tricky hallways and corridors of the castle.

"Regrettably." Elise agreed, stroking her daughter's slightly clammy palm. Leaving one child just to place the other in a friend's care for the sake of her own safety. Am I doing it right? "Chin up, dear, and do not be afraid." She encouraged. "I will visit as often as I am permitted. You will not miss me at all."

"Wow…" A bewildered gasp followed the exclamation. The large wooden doors were left open, polished wood gleaming in the low light as she and her mother approached the entrance to the ballroom that left little to a girl's fantasies.

The grand hall itself was decked to the nines in black and white, accentuated with a dark shade of red. Bouquets of red and white roses were in vases, the centerpiece of most round tables, while others decorated the grand curving staircase that led to the second floor of the ballroom. The lights were slightly dimmed, and an orchestra was playing sweet music at the far end of the room where the open space was massive enough to allow the guest to dance.

Designated members of the castle guard stood sentry at the doors and blended in with the walls, a keen eye out for trouble and surely hoping for none. Ladies of the royal court in sparkling dresses of various lengths roamed the wide hall hanging on to the arms of noble gentlemen in finely pressed black tie suits. Serving men and women flitted about carrying trays of scrumptious dishes and flutes of champagne. And selected men and women from the press were present of course, to document the celebration. Even journalists and reporters wore finery while they clutched their microphones and snapped photos with their cameras.

Luna gaped at all of it. If she had thought the throne room was magnificent, the ballroom surely rivaled the king's domain from how it looked now. Elise watched her daughter with mild interest. Little Luna was taken with the sights around her, and why shouldn't she be? The castle was a grandeur; the very testament of Lucian wealth and prosperity. While she would have loved nothing more than to stop and tell the girl all about the adventures she had had within these palace walls when she was much younger herself, something else held Elise's interest at the moment.

It was the foreboding man mingling with the guests, personally overseeing the celebration that meant the success of this day's main event. This was the culminating activity, the great send-off. It was not surprising to see King Regis Caelum slightly at ease with everything that happened here. Everything had gone according to plan—for the most part.

Quite frankly, Elise never thought she'd see the day that a peace would be held. As fierce and daring as the empire was, even Aldercapt was smart enough to call time on the war that made the rest of the world bleed. The empire extended its control over neighboring nations who weren't strong enough to withstand their assault; demanding surrender if they wanted a halt to the slaughter. Tenebrae—their home—had fallen victim to the empire's might a long time ago, but Lucis remained impenetrable. The Brotherhood's reports on the progress of the war would tell that the Nifs had tried time and time again to storm the fortified walls of the Lucian kingdom to no avail.

While the empire had succeeded in seizing small portions of Lucian territory over the years, the kingdom always took them back and rebuilt walls stronger than the last, returning the empire's strikes a hundred fold. The warring nations humored each other in a deadly dance, retreating and moving on the offense at times.

The unusual proposal of a truce for the sake of commerce and trade had left her dumbfounded one day when Ezio had broken the news. As a member of a noble household, Lord Ezio's presence was always required in the war councils. He was Tenebrae's chosen representative in the matters of empire ruling, along with several others handpicked from each of Niflheim's conquered provinces. The armistice changed the plan entirely, and as suspicious as it sounded, Elise had seen the benefits they could reap out of it.

The signing of the treaty in paper on neutral grounds had been one of the historical moments, but along with it came the event that held sway over the rest of them on this very day.

An exchange of wards between two nations to ensure the compliance of the other. Five from Lucis, and five from Niflheim—each from noble households. Pride was something the two had in common. Breaking faith would mean a revolt from the people itself, the peace would shatter, and violating the treaty would mean an end to a governing body. Lucis or Niflheim, it made no matter. The public had the longer end of the stick in this agreement.

But as fool proof as the treaty was meant or believed to be, Elise had her doubts and suspicions. Who was to say this wasn't just some small part of a grander scheme? But so far, nothing had gone awry, and as fragile as this new political move seemed, it was also regrettably promising.

"It's the King." Elise heard Luna mutter as the girl stood patiently next to her, taken with the sight of the Lucian ruler conversing with the other guests.

"Yes it is, and the Prince is standing right next to him." Elise pointed out, discreetly gesturing to the boy standing quietly beside to the King. Personal guards were with them of course. It was royal protocol.

"Mother, will the King be all right with my living here?" Luna asked hesitantly. A small part of her nibbled at the idea that maybe she wouldn't be welcome in this foreboding place as much as she tried to fit in. The idea of leaving for Tenebrae with her mother in the morning was becoming more and more appealing the longer she observed the royal family from this distance.

"King Regis himself determined your stay in the castle, didn't he?" Elise reassured the girl with a smile as they sat at their assigned table.

Luna chewed on her lip, an unsure frown on her face. The King did say she was living here. Lady Lunafreya de la Serre was the royal family's own personal ward. The castle would be her home, and she would be afforded treatment worthy of her noble birth. As young as she was, Luna knew those words meant she would be brought up as a lady of the court. The royal assignment had garnered envious looks from the other Niflheim wards and their guardians, but no one made to object. A good thing at the very least.

"I am the crown's personal ward, he said." Luna nodded at her mother, finding the woman's relieved expression queer, but the girl chalked it up to nothing more than the feeling of reassurance.

Luna's own speculations weren't far fetched from how her mother truly felt. Elise did feel immense relief at what this entailed. Keeping personal correspondence with dear old Regis had ensured the girl's safety. The King shared her concerns and suspicions in the matter of this peace, and Elise did not fault him for harboring it. New, this treaty was far too fragile, and would easily shatter and cave should the Nifs violate the agreement. Any brash action from the opposing party would force the hand of one country to take necessary action.

Noble wards were peace trustees at best, and hostages of war at worst. Elise sincerely hoped for the former through and through. The former queen didn't like the idea of Luna becoming a ward of a warring state, but their participation in this matter held more important weight. It meant keeping the girl safe from the threat that would hover over her for most of her life.

Elise trusted Regis more than any other friend. He and Ezio were the brothers she never had, and she sincerely hoped she would have the chance to speak with him in person tonight. They had exchanged knowing looks in the throne room today; this arrangement was something more than Niflheim wards being handed over as hostages for the end of a war over claiming territories.

"It has been a long time, Your Majesty."

Luna stopped admiring the chocolate fountain on the buffet table after hearing her mother's bout of pleasantries. Turning her head and casually smoothing down her dress as she stood from her chair, she quietly took her place beside the older woman who was trading familial smiles with the Lucian monarch.

"Yes." The King replied with an answering smile, truly glad to see a familiar face from his youth. "Far too long."

The prince trailed behind his father, dressed in a formal suit appearing regal before all else. Luna suddenly felt conscious in her own white dress. The introductions were curt and polite, and she responded as politely as she had been taught, until it was obvious the two adults had no plans to halt their conversation as of yet. Luna knew her mother was close friends with the King, and it looked like they had a lot of catching up to do. Most of the political jargon went over her head as she struggled not to fidget in the presence of royalty. But she wasn't the only one itching to be somewhere else. Prince Noctis himself was on the verge of running off.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty, my lady." The Prince offered a slight bow before continuing. "I need something to drink."

Elise returned the boy's courtesies with a light bow herself just as King Regis beamed down at his son and gave his consent.

"Stay close, young Prince."

"I will." And then those wide blue eyes turned to Luna, an open invitation. He might as well start getting to know her, right? She would be living here after all. "Care to join me…my lady?" The prince added as an afterthought before he could fall short of his courtesies and make a big fool of himself.

The invitation was unexpected, but welcoming nonetheless. "May I?"

Elise nodded. "Of course."

A small smile flitted across the girl's lips as she curtsied before the King, bid her farewells and followed the young prince as he led the way to the buffet table.

The two adults watched with similar expressions on their faces, both happy and relieved that the war was over, and everything was proceeding as planned. No interruptions or mishaps heralded peaceful years ahead.

"You have my word, Elise. I will take care of her as if she were my own." Regis nodded with resolve, watching as the two children dashed off to the chocolate fountain set up on one of the buffet tables. He should have known Noctis would pull something like this. The boy's sweet tooth was insatiable.

"No words can truly express how grateful I am." Elise shook her head, watching her daughter and the king's son interact quite easily.

"This peace… It is something that only ever existed in men's wildest imaginations. Who would have thought?" Regis chuckled under his breath. "All this, and yet, I find myself on guard now more than ever. What is Niflheim's true intentions?" He asked quietly, eyeing Elise carefully.

"The emperor is a man who lusts for power. He has terrorized other nations for years. You have every right to be suspicious, Your Highness. A genuine change of heart does not come overnight." The former queen supplied as she and the King walked at a brisk pace towards a more secluded part of the room where the subject of their conversation might remain a secret.

The King frowned slightly. "The empire may be many things, but they are not gullible, nor so lenient."

That was true… Elise knew that all too well.

If the alternative action would not have compromised the secrecy of the Assassin Brotherhood, Sylva Nox Fleuret would have taken matters into her own hands long ago and put an end to the man responsible for this senseless war. Alas, killing Aldercapt and his close associates would have raised suspicions and questions among other officials of the imperial government. Every man and woman serving under Aldercapt's reign would have to be put to death to retain secrecy of an organization that existed long before she or Aldercapt did. Brash actions like that would only entail more trouble down the road, not to mention, it would leave the assassins vulnerable to the Templars.

No, Sylva would never risk the Brotherhood when there were other ways to terminate a war. She could do nothing to end it at once, and sacrifices would have to be made, but the war would come to an end through the hands of a different person—just not her, or Regis, or Ezio, or anyone else.

She could only hope they'd find that savior soon. In the meantime, there was nothing left to do but keep her loved ones safe. Luna would never be safe in Gralea.

"I am sure Aldercapt is as wary about this peace as you are. You do not trust Niflheim, and Niflheim does not trust you. If I had to take a guess at their plans, I'd say they are biding their time—watching and waiting."

Regis heaved a forlorn sigh. They were doing all they can to keep things under wraps. One word in the wrong ear would mean the destruction of everything they worked for, and they were not about to let that happen. They had to wait and watch as well, for any turn of event could change the tide of battle. The war may be at a stand still, but the fight behind all these years of plotting was still being waged, and it wasn't going to end so soon.

"Emperor Aldercapt clamors for his stolen heir." Regis pursed his lips. "He has for years. He has not given up on that search now. He appears complacent, but he is not known for his forgiving nature."

Elise's eyes hardened with resolve. "I already lost my son in this war. I failed Ravus; I will not make the same mistake with Lunafreya. Should my life be needed to pay the price for her safety and freedom, I would gladly give it."

vVvVv

"You love sweets, don't you, Your Highness?" Luna grinned, watching the Prince as he dunked his third biscuit into that cascading waterfall of chocolate. No one seemed to be paying the sugary fountain any bit of mind, save for the occasional dip by one of the guests, but other than that, no one disturbed the thing.

The boy shrugged nonchalantly before shoving the snack into his mouth. "They taste great."

She smiled into her glass of iced tea as Prince Noctis wiped his hand on some paper towels, neatly folded into amusing shapes. "Are celebrations frequent in the castle?"

It wasn't much, but it was material for small talk, and a single look at the boy gave her the impression that he wouldn't start a conversation unless initiated.

"Not really, no." Noctis shook his head before he took her wrist and led her to one of the glass windows reflecting off hundreds of city lights. "It's quiet most of the time, but it's fun too."

Luna followed willingly and had her breath taken away again at the sight of Insomnia from this high up. This city seemed to thrive in the night as much as it did in the morning.

"With school starting up again in the fall, there's really not much to do in the summer." The Prince remarked absently, his own eyes glued to the city beyond. "More princely duties to attend to then." He flashed her a small smile, a smile that said he was sincerely trying.

It had to be an adjustment, right? She would be living and growing up beside him. They might as well be friends if they were going to be siblings in the long run.

"Does it bore you?" She smiled back.

"Sometimes…" The Lucian heir shrugged nonchalantly. "But now, you're going to be suffering boredom with me too."

That made her laugh. Yes, she supposed she would be suffering dull moments with him from this day forth. A life in Insomnia; a way of life distant from her uncle's manor in Tenebrae. She would miss the tranquility, and the mornings spent practicing her skill with the wooden rapier. She would definitely miss Uncle Ezio's careful instructions and her mother's soft voice as she tutored her.

But living a life without them would come eventually. She should just get used to it. Her mother would be visiting as often as she could too, right? And she would definitely see Uncle Ezio again, wouldn't she? The King was kind enough, and Prince Noctis was as welcoming as one could get with the fact that he was welcoming a stranger into their family.

"Are you truly all right with this arrangement, Prince Noctis?" She asked kindly. The question didn't really make a difference, since the prince himself didn't have much of a choice in the matter, but she had to ask. Somehow, it would help her feel more at ease if she knew the prince's thoughts in the matter.

"It would be fun." And that welcoming grin was back, relieving her a fraction of her fears regarding the future. "And call me Noct." He nodded, fixing her with wide blue eyes.

Bowing politely to acknowledge his highness' preference, she spoke, "My name is Luna, Prince Noctis. Thank you for welcoming me."

"It was my pleasure." He paused, appearing to think of something for a moment before he made his choice, gently grasped her wrist and pulled her along with him. "I want to show you something. C'mon."

Luna shook her head, figuring that the boy's enthusiasm about showing her around knew no bounds. Tenebrae would always be her home, but then again, Insomnia was where she belonged now too…


A/N: See you again soon... That's probably all for now. In the meantime, tell me what you think? I'd be happy to hear from you and answer some questions you might have. Thank you for reading! :D 3 :*