As a young man, Marquis Ondore had been far too uptight. He checked, rechecked and checked a bill again before he would even bring it before his advisors for discussion, would refuse to hold audience with anyone save for the Kings and Emperors of foreign lands due to his minimal time, and would finally crash into bed at night and wake up too-early in the morning. By the time he was 25 years old, he had the beginnings of age lines around his eyes, and an almost deadened look within them.
His good friend, the new king of Dalmasca, finally intervened.
"You are doing exactly what you promised you would not," he said as they walked the gardens together one evening. "You said that you would not overwork yourself and become a tired husk like your father."
"I am not a tired husk," Ondore said, but his protest fell on deaf ears.
"You've not made any time for yourself," the king said loftily. "You spend each and every day so absorbed in the smallest affairs of your kingdom that your advisors are more than qualified to take upon themselves, that you still walk unmarried, even."
"Not this again," the Marquis sighed, falling a step behind the king who merely chortled.
"My wife wonders when you plan to take a spouse," he continued. "She has some fair sisters."
The Marquis' face contorted with a look of horror and shock. "Uh?! Your Highness, I do not think…"
"Oh, very well!" The king sighed and turned to survey his young friend carefully. "Then at least take some time for yourself. You're starting to look older than your years, and that concerns me very much."
The Marquis sighed. "As you wish. But I am uncertain as to what you would have me do," he said grumpily.
"Go someplace out of the ordinary," the king said, grinning. "You must be curious as to what is out there, beyond your little sky city."
"Not entirely," Ondore said grumpily.
Raminas sighed. It was not uncommon knowledge that while the Marquis was tolerant of other races, even implementing an equality law in the city-state, they still made him nervous. Seeq and Baanga tribes flooded into the city and kept the young Marquis off the streets.
"'Tis time to open your doors, Halim," the king said. "Times are changing, and quickly. Educate yourself."
For at least another year, Ondore completely ignored this advice. He didn't see a reason to change. His people loved him, he was fair, and he brought up issues that mattered. But once a month, he received a letter from his friend, Raminas, that reminded him of his shortcomings. He felt ashamed, being told to grow up by one of his closest friends.
Finally, he wrote to Raminas, asking that the good king suggest to him some places to go for some time off. I wish to meet different people, he wrote, and to find a sanctuary at the same time.
Raminas returned the letter, urging him to fly to Rabanastre at once. He would take him on a short journey, the destination a surprise. Reluctantly, Ondore obeyed and found himself on his way to the Royal City itself.