Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XV © Square Enix
A PRICE TO PAY
The first few weeks, after Regis ascended the throne and put the ring of Lucii on his finger, were the worst. It was like a throwing a person who didn't know how to swim into the ocean.
The new crown head of Lucii was apathetic at best and unresponsive at worst. He would collapse unexpectedly, his body contorting in convulsions. More often than not, queen Aulea had to pick her husband up and drag him to the bed or change his clothes every time they were drench in sweat or soiled with other bodily fluids that her husband had a hard time keeping control of.
At the worst of times, the queen graved her husband's fate – A prideful man in the prime of his life was downgraded to a handicap by a shiny piece of gravel.
Clarus was a blessing. He was strong, reserved and focused. For the time being, he neglected his own personal life to aid his friend, to the point that he was living in royal chambers around the clock. He showered in their private bathroom, ate silently in the corner of the dining room and slept with king Regis wedged between him and the queen.
At times, when the days were especially rough, the queen even forgot that Clarus had a life outside the Citadel.
Of course at those better days they would both had a time to catch a breather. The rays of normality seeped through cracks in hopelessness. The queen glanced at the Sworn Shield from above her cup of tea.
"go home" she demanded "your wife needs you"
"your majesties nee-"
"no!" Aulea sounded tired, she looked tired "your wife needs you more, she's expecting and alone and I should-"
Clarus chuckled and shook his head.
"I assure you, both my wife and Gladio are fine"
"Gladio?" The queen paled.
"Gladious- my son?" the Sworn Shield's eyes shone with pride. "he was born three days ago"
Three days… That was unacceptable! Clarus not only wasn't home for days, maybe even more than a week, but he also missed the birth of his firstborn!
"go home" Aulea demanded "this instant! I would be terrified if-"
"my wife is a strong-willed woman" the sworn shield smiled "and, believe me, you wouldn't be terrified in her stead."
He stirred his coffee, nibbled at chocolate covered cookie.
"without the king, there would be no magic shield to protect our country" Clarus said sternly "without It, my son would be born amidst the war. I know that, my wife knows that and I'll surely teach Gla-"
The bedroom doors creaked ominously. The queen turned sharply. Behind her, leaning against the doorframe, stood king Regis. His small smile looked grotesque in conjunction with his sickly pale skin, bloodshot eyes and hep-lock sticking out of his skinny arm.
His reassuring expression quickly turned into a painful grimace.
Clarus was by his friend's side, before the queen managed to put her cup down.