Chapter 2- A Coming Prince

"Ignis, do I have to go?" the royal prince of Lucis whined. "I mean I'm excited to see Luna and all that, but does this world conference or whatever really have to be in Niflheim—I thought they were the enemy."

Ignis fixed his glasses, turning the page in the book he was reading. The two of them were currently riding on a train in a private cabin on that was heading toward the summit hosted by their enemy country—well enemy was supposedly a stretch now, considering the two countries had signed a truce a little over nine weeks ago. The truce had luckily taken place without incident, but Ignis still had reason to be suspicious, as well as the young Prince Noctis, fresh into his middle school years.

"At the moment we should consider them an ally Prince Noctis, but it is not unreasonable to have an air of caution when we visit."

Ignis was more curious about the whole summit being hosted by the nations Chancellor, the one put in charge of all the diplomatic missions and the sorts. Apparently he was a strange one, and Ignis was looking forward to confirming that himself.

The door to their private cabin was opened, Cor, Gladio and Clarus coming back with fresh coffee—and hot chocolate for the prince—in hand.

"We're back, hope you didn't miss us too fiercely," Clarus said, taking a seat next to Ignis. He handed the man his ebony, who put down his book to take it.

"Not in the least," Ignis replied, more use to the air surrounding the King's shield by now. As the group couldn't exactly leave Insomnia without a king, it was advised the prince travel with the Shield, and future Shield. Cor also came for the journey as he was the only one who'd actually been to Niflheim in war times. Though it was a time of peace, if there was an emergency he may be able to offer help to an otherwise unpopular crowd.

"Here's your hot chocolate princess," Gladio said handing over the drink.

"Hey!" Noctis chimed, embarrassed in front of Cor and Clarus. "It's perfectly reasonable not to like coffee at my age," he said taking a sip of the drink. "Hot!" he said sticking his tongue out.

"Haha, quite the character Prince Noctis," Clarus said patting the smaller boy on the head. Noctis blushed, thinking how unfair it was that his dad got a shield who never made fun of him. While Noctis had been stuck with Gladio, who never once took a hand not beating him up. Even in training he would never go easy on Noctis, giving Noctis all sorts of bruises as he get him again with the training sword. Still Noctis was glad it'd been Gladio born first and not Iris, he couldn't imagine having a girl protect him, that'd be even more embarrassing. Though maybe not, if Luna was his Shield he wouldn't have minded that, after all she was pretty cool.

"Will be arriving shortly," Cor said, taking a look out the window. The air had turned a bit cooler, and even outside drops of snowflakes were becoming visible.

"Woah," Noctis said, going to press his face up against the window. "It's snow," he said, never having seen the occurrence.

Even Gladio, and Ignis who had never seen a snowy weather pattern were a little curious about the weather, eyeing the window fondly.

"Hey, Cor, what's Niflheim like?" Noctis asked, bring his face back. Cor's face went more quiet, realizing now how close they were to their destination.

"Well, it's colder than Insomnia, and the air is a lot more cloudy, as they have a lot of factories and technology. Many of their soldiers aren't real as they're made from metal and machines, though the odd one does harbour a person under it." Cor said thinking back to his infiltration missions. He remembered the babies with bar-codded tattoos, and how he'd failed to save any of them. It made him sick thinking of it, but he kept his mouth shut here. There was no sense burdening Noctis and his future crownsguard party. Clarus already knew and that was enough to be cautious going into this event.

"You think Luna has already arrived?" Noctis asked finishing off his hot chocolate and handing it over to Ignis, who had to get up and throw it out for him.

"Most likely your highness," Clarus answered. "The party from Tenebrae was set to arrive late last night."

Noctis folded his hands. Luna wasn't travelling with her mother, only her older brother Ravus. This made Noctis a tad jealous, as Luna despite being only a few years older could travel so diplomatically. He bet she'd be the same as the last time they met, a smile and a fresh air of sophistication surrounding her.

Noctis looked forward to seeing her again.

"You have a crush on Luna or something?" Gladio teased, looking too far into Noctis's question.

Noctis blushed. "No, I just like seeing her cause we're close in age and we never get to hang out since she lives so far away." Noctis patted his cheeks hoping the red might disappear.

"This reminds me Noctis," Ignis said stepping in, having come back from throwing out their drink cups. "You'll have to be on your best behaviour when you meet with Niflihiem's royalty, and that includes their prince."

The raven haired boy frowned. He'd heard from his father about this. When the summit had been announced between their two countries, it had also been announced the foreign country Niflheim would introduce their prince, one who had been left in the dark for years. In fact before a few days ago no one even knew Niflheim had a prince.

"We'll have to resort caution," Clarus said, not just to Noctis but everyone in their cabin. "This was only a little while ago an enemy country, and despite the charade of introducing us to a prince, we have best be on guard in case they have an alternative motive."

"Alternative motive," Cor repeated. It was quiet, but Noctis had heard the wording. He wondered if this meeting really was about getting to know a new prince, or if there was something else to it all. Knowing Niflheim probably.

The rest of the train ride went on by fairly quickly, the train arriving only a few minutes later coming to a stop near what Noctis presumed was the city center. Outside a group of magitek troopers were waiting, along with a weird looking man with an even weirder hat. As Noctis looked out the window, he could swear the burgundy haired man was staring right at him with an enatic smirk.

The group exited the vessel before the general public were even allowed off. Clarus went first, followed by Gladio, then Noctis in the middle followed by Ignis who was followed by Cor. They were all especially on guard. From this point on, anything could happen.

Once coming outside the strange looking man tipped his hat and offered a bow. "Why hello our royal party from Lucis, it is a great pleasure for I—Chancellor Ardyn Izunia— to welcome you here to our humble abode."

Despite it being a bit untraditional, Clarus shook the chancellor's hand first, followed by Noctis who was a little hesitant, still standing at the height of about 5'4, shorter than the strange looking chancellor.

The handshake was strong and firm, and despite wanting to pull away Noctis kept up the act for a bit longer, just waiting for the opportunity to let go. After he finally did, Cor took a step in front of the prince, protectively by instinct.

"Then if you'll follow me, I'll take you to the imperial palace."

The group entered what was a normal looking dropship for Cor, and Clarus—but for Noctis, Ignis and Gladio it was their first time being in such a strange looking machine. Noctis wished the ship had some sort of windows to see, but unfortunately there was no such thing, and he was left to wonder what the city looked like besides the brief glimpse he'd had when he got off the train. So far all he'd seen were buildings and a lot of smoke.

"I appreciate you coming to greet us," Ignis said offering his kindness to the chancellor, even if he felt an interesting air surrounding him.

"Not in the least, I truly am a fan of Insomnia's royal family and structure. And since I have been the one organizing the summit I had to be the one who greeted the royal family." Ardyn stared down at Noctis. "Well their prince anyway."

Noctis felt a shiver run down his back. The way Ardyn looked at him made him feel like a piece of meat, and not the prince everyone saw in Insomnia. He wondered if everyone in the Empire would be like this.

The drop ship arrived, landing at a rooftop entrance outside. Another large group of Magiteck soldiers we're waiting all lined up with guns at their side when they landed. If they wanted to, they could have all shot at once and the royal envoy would be dead in an instance. Cor wouldn't let that happen though, and he doubted the empire would summon the group just to murder them on the spot. No there was some plan to this eternal affairs meeting, a reason both Tenebrae and Lucis had been invited under the illusion the Empire wanted to introduce their prince to the world. One even Niflheim's own citizen had known nothing about till a few months ago—as spies from Lucis had told the captain.

After walking on the rooftop toward another starlit building the group only presumed was the palace, human guards—a nice change—opened the doors for the group. Walking a few minutes down a nicely done up hallway, they reached the last set of doors. Noctis presumed these doors were the ones that lead to the throne room, judging by size alone.

The guards escorting them opened the doors for Noctis and his party, Adryn leading the pack as they were brought in.

Once coming through Noctis saw him, sitting on his throne—the largest— sat Emperor Aldercapt, looking even older than Noctis's father. Below him sat another man, a man Noctis had seen as a child when the royal had taken a diplomatic trip to Insomnia.

Verstael Besithia, a man with enough power to control the entire nation and its army, while also having the title of chief scientist. It showed how greatly the Empire valued him if he was even given his own throne under the emperor.

Lower than him, and a little off to the right of the group sat an awkward looking boy, who Noctis could only presume was either the same age or a bit younger than him by way of his short stature. He had freckles plastered over his cheeks, and looked quite freighted sitting at the throne he was at. Even with it being much smaller, and almost oddly placed among the rest of the royalty.

When Noctis's group arrived, Noctis noticed that the blonde boy looked even more clumsily placed up close, fidgeting with his royal gown that was draped down to the floor, obviously a little too big for him.

"I arrived with our guests," Ardyn said, tipping his hat as he entered the room.

The emperor did not stand when the group entered, but he did bring up his hand. Noctis's group all stood in a line, Noctis going slightly ahead of the group as they all went on their knees and bowed, Noctis only briefly bowing his head, staying a bit upward still as per custom.

He rehearsed his introduction with Ignis, but he still felt nervous. "Thank you for honouring us with the invitation to your beautiful country," Noctis said raising his head further. "It is an honour for myself, and my royal envoy to be invited to your magnificent country." Noctis bit his lip taking a deep breath. "I am sorry my father was unable to make it, but I hope that in his place you can accept me as the royal prince and future king of Lucis."

Verstael Besithia was the first to stand as the emperor was just staring at the party with a lucrative smile on his face. As if Noctis's words amused him.

"We thank you on behalf of all of Niflheim for coming; we hope in this visit we will strengthen our relationship with one another." Besthia's words on the surface were kind, but he said them with such boredom and un-enthusiasm that Noctis wanted to ask if they were intruding. It's not like they were invited or anything, Noctis thought sarcastically resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

"Thank you," Noctis said, standing up. The emperor motioned to the rest of Noctis's group to stand as well.

"This evening will be having a dinner," the emperor spoke again. "Please join us all, as we celebrate our alliance together."

Noctis nodded, not feeling the urge to say anything else. Unfortunately this meant Clarus had to speak up in Noctis's place.

"It will be our honour your majesty," Clarus said before bowing again. Now that the group was standing it wasn't terribly unnoticeable how the group were all staring at the blonde on his throne. Waiting for his words of introduction.

Ardyn was the first one to speak on the youngest man sitting. "Ah where are our manners, we can't leave the star of the summit out of this assembly," Ardyn turned to look at the Niflheim prince, and Noctis could swear he saw a flicker of resentment, or maybe anger be directed toward the young boy.

The blonde boy stood, carefully taking a few seats down from where he'd been siting—which wasn't that far in hindsight considering how low his seat was compared to the other two.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Noctis of Lucis." His words were mumbled as he bowed his head, and even the small crown he was wearing looked too tight for his head. It was odd seeing him their enemy prince this way, but either way it made Noctis curious.

"And a pleasure to meet you Prince Prompto of Niflheim." Noctis hoped he hadn't pronounced it wrong, but he couldn't be sure as no one in the vicinity had said the princes name yet.

Prompto backed up a few steps and returned to his chair. He looked pale when he'd come forward, and despite the heavy robe, Noctis could see the prince was skinnier than average. It was strange to look upon a prince like that. Noctis wondered if Promtpo hadn't been introduced sooner because he had been born sickly, and had been kept sheltered for his own protection.

"We shall await you till tonight, for now will have servants show you to your quarters," Ardyn said, using large hand unnecessary hand gestures.

A few maids game out, some MT's following them in their steed. The group left to follow the maids, probably going to be discussing how Noctis did as soon as they arrived at their rooms.

As they left the throne room though, Noctis turned to see the group of Niflheim's royals watching them leave. For some reason when he turned to see the group his eyes leaned toward Prompto, who was staring at Noctis in a way that made him think he was crying for help.