…Months before the War…
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"…on to other news, right here, on the Crown City of Insomnia the most expected wedding of the century will be taking place on the Cathedral of Etro! Alongside the wedding ceremony, the peace treaty said to be sign by our King, Regis Lucis Caelum and the Emperor of Nilfheim, Iedolas Aldercap. This event is said to be the most shocking and exciting in the last few years, even surpassing the appointment of Lady Lunafreya's ascension into Oracle! Prince Noctis is a very lucky man to be wed to such a world renown figure, isn't he folks? I'll bet the Crown Prince will be excited to see his bride dressed in that incredible and beautiful dress design specifically by the great Vivienne Westwood! Oh, how about we recount all of the prince's achievement to you all and dissuade any doub—!"
The radio was turned off with an annoyed huff, the young man glared down at the device with irritation.
"I thought I had left this thing on just for the music?"
Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum let out a breath and continued to paced around the private room inside the large Chapel of Etro, where 'the most expected wedding of the century would take place'.
The young man couldn't understand why people made such a big deal over the whole thing. More specifically the focus on the wedding and not the more important part like the peace treaty between the two warring nations. He just chalked it off as people being dumb.
And it wasn't like he felt nervous or excited over the wedding or anything like that, it was Luna, he was getting married to after all. She was his longtime and long-distance friend. He knew almost every little detail of her just as much as she knew of his.
There was no reason to feel nervous.
So why did it feel so hot? It was uncomfortable and annoying.
He pulled on the tight collar of his Royal Raiment, an outfit befitting royalty such as him for special occasions. The suit was made to be flexible and for room to breathe in, as past royal members wore such attires to battle. Yet Noctis felt as if the suit was about to strangle him to death.
He grimaced, he felt his back get all sweaty, an itch began to irritate and tickle his back with the silky button-up shirt he had.
Noctis gritted his teeth in frustration at the bad combination of unfortunate events. The young prince prayed that all these things that were happening would end at that very moment and not piled up with the rest of the day.
The soft whine of a canine pulled his attention towards the dark-fur dog, Umbra, sprawled all over the leather couch behind him. Umbra looked at him with big round dark eyes, tongue out as he gave Noctis a toothy grin.
"Hey buddy, I missed you a lot too." Noctis said as he walked towards the animal and rubbed his head with care. Umbra leaned in towards the touch, the pup didn't take his eyes off from the prince as he continued to rub the soft fur. "I still can't get why Luna wouldn't send you more, I've been missing her letters lately…though I don't think I'll have to worry much about those after getting marry, huh?"
Umbra just barked in reply, the pup looked down, and with its snout he pushed a small notebook towards Noctis who looked at it with a strained smile.
The small book where he and Luna exchange letters for twelve years. The book was precious to him and he made sure to keep his messages and the times Luna and he spoke a secret. Well as much as possible, a few knew of it, but not everything. And that made it even more of a treasure for him. But…
"Tsk, still wouldn't cost you to send better replies than those stiff ones, Luna." Noctis said as he opened the book towards the last message that had been sent towards him.
'I shall be seeing you soon, dear Noctis. Let our marriage guide the world towards a better future as it is our duty.'
That was the first message that he had received from Luna in a long while, almost eight months. He had only gotten to see Umbra and Luna's handwriting twice this past year.
It had hurt Noctis a lot, even though he wouldn't admit it. He just found it so baffling since it became a common occurrence for the past three years, the dwindling in communication between him and Luna.
He passed the page back towards the beginning to see the replies his soon-to-be-wife had written all those years ago, he ignored his own replies as he touched tenderly the all the pages where Luna wrote.
He could feel himself be filled up with warmth at the shyness from the beginning, the heartfelt replies, the happiness of her ascending into Oracle, the bashfulness at his replies, the teasing, and her comfort at him whenever he felt down.
Even though distance had kept them apart, he felt as if whatever bridge they had formed had never stretched too thin or had snapped because of it. He rubbed Umbra's ear, much to the dark pup's delight, a show of thanks and consideration for his actions in keeping him and Luna together like this. In their own special way.
He smiled as he continued to read the letters and felt the uncomfortableness and heat from earlier recede. A smile unconsciously blossom on his lips as he passed the pages.
Then he reached the replies where things changed and the smile fell.
'Dear Noctis, please forgive me for my tardiness in this reply. But my duties as Oracle have kept me busy. I pray for your good health in the future.'
The reply had arrived a month late, something that had worried Noctis greatly.
'My apologies dear Noctis, I have been greatly occupied with my duties. Nonetheless, I must say that I am happy for your success in your studies.'
This message arrived three months after the last one.
'Dear Noctis, again I must apologize for the late reply. But I am glad to hear of your effort to work among the people of your kingdom. It is a relief to hear you are already taking your duties as future King quite seriously.'
It had arrived five months late and it had been the first message written by Lunafreya that had ever made Noctis twitch in annoyance. He had been having a rough time with his dad and with everyone that pestered over his duties as future King, it had been a bad combination from both sides.
And he had stupidly taken it out on her through the letter he had written.
It had saddened him and left a bitter taste in him for the months that passed after the fact, regret had settle in after he cooled his head.
'Noctis, your duties as future King are immensely important. Do not make such gest over preferring to work among the common folk. Your people deserve much better than that and they deserve your time and respect.'
Luna's word had made him feel small and regretful over the scanting and resentful reply he had sent. By the time, he had received this message, all trace of that earlier annoyance had left him and he felt like complete garbage as he waited for his long distant friend to reply. He had been drowned in that feeling for eight months.
'Noctis, I accept your apologies. But do know that your words had been hurtful and insulting. I implore you to not mock the duties that your father has taken in placing the well-being of his and your kingdom. And to as well not mock my own duties as Oracle, as I have given this role my very soul into performing my duties to the best of my abilities.'
The reply had arrived three months later, Noctis had wasted no time into writing a long and winded reply where he expressed his apologies and understanding. When he finished, he had nearly filled the entire page with his words.
'Dear Noctis, I am glad you understand the weight that duty carries.'
The short replied had arrived four months later and it felt like a punch to the face. It hurt, it had hurt a lot. Especially after he had poured everything he had in the last letter. It hadn't help that had been the last reply he had received from her in the year that followed until the one he had received today. It had hurt quite a lot and he feared that he may had broken any sign of friendship with Luna.
Still Noctis could have not help but frown. That word, duty, that had been delivered through all Luna's messages, it was as if the older girl just hammered down that word down his head every time she sent her reply. The young prince still flinched from the way it was written, almost embolden on the paper so his eyes would always gravitate towards them.
He really missed the old days, when she wrote those encouraging and comforting notes of hers, he knew he was being selfish, but he really missed her kind and understanding words. All those months without her usual timely responses felt as if a part of him was void, even though he had people to keep him company, it still had hurt since she was so far away from his reach and voice.
It had hurt to not hear from her and know how she was doing, the real her, not the Oracle that he had seen through the news or papers.
Noctis looked down, the weight of Umbras head on his lap had brought him out of his depressed thoughts. The dark pup looked at him with those big round eyes of his, it made the prince give a strained smile and rubbed the dog's head to try and distract himself from his heartache.
"Huh, guess I screwed up…ugh…just hope I didn't make things too awkward for Luna…I really don't want that…" Noctis said as he looked at the ceiling of the room with a dejected look. Umbra looked at him and barked encouragingly, the sound made Noctis look down and smile. "Yeah, just gotta play things smooth…maybe I should ask Prompto for those awful pick-up lines he uses."
"Who's awful pick-up lines?!" An offended voice called out from behind. Noctis flinched, hastily closed the small book, he held it to his chest protectively and looked back to see his friend, Prompto. The freckled blond looked at him with a pout.
Noctis sighed and gave his friend a biting smile, now he could deal with this. Better than all those heart wrenching feelings from earlier that's for sure.
"You of course. I mean you sure do have a long empty line of girls after you, huh?"
"Oh! Zip it will ya! I just…well I just can't find the right girl that's all!" Prompto defended himself, arms cross over his black suit, the young blonde man's camera hung off his neck. "Anyway buddy, guess who's the lucky guy getting marry?"
"Me…?" Noctis answered unsurely, not sure where Prompto was trying to go with his question.
"Like duh, dude. But like I mean right now! Lady Lunafreya's ride just got here!" The blond man exclaimed and opened his arms wide as he delivered the news excitedly. "She should be putting the finishing touches and then you'll get hitched!"
"…!" Noctis suddenly felt a coldness sipped down to his stomach, it contrasted to the heat that had risen on his cheeks. He looked down and away from Prompto as he stood up, Umbra looked at him disappointedly before the dark pup dropped his head back down on the couch to sleep comfortably. The prince looked down at the sleeping messenger and felt almost envious of the animal, he turned as he heard several more footsteps.
Gladiolus, the prince's Shield, and Ignis, the prince's chamberlain and advisor, entered the room, clothing like that of the blond. Gladiolus looked at Noctis and gestured toward the door that lead outside with his head.
"It's time, Noct." The muscular man said with a small smirk, he crossed his arm and leaned against the wall beside the door.
"Ugh…yeah…" Noctis said hesitantly, his voice wavered slightly as he looked down. He missed when the bearded brown hair man's smirk fell and narrowed his eyes, an annoyed and angry glare was sent towards the prince's apparent hesitation.
"What's wrong Highness, getting cold feet on the wedding day?" Gladiolus called out with a rough tone, his irritation at the prince's weak reply clear to the glass-wearing brunet beside him.
Prompto perked up at the question, he ignored the flare of the fiery temper of his muscled friend, and looked teasingly at the prince.
"Whaaa? Come on, man! You can't be getting jittery now! You're getting marry to Lady freaking Lunafreya! She's like, every guy dream girl!"
"Uuuuugh…" Noctis let out a long suffering groaned as he seemed to wilt even more under the sudden awkwardness. Suddenly the marriage with Luna didn't seem all that normal as he had tricked himself to think and felt the pressure that it entailed.
Ignis, who stood silent for the moment, spoke up after he noticed the prince's discomfort and the prince's Shield anger built up.
"I think that is enough teasing for Noct. An encouraging hand is needed in this day, not a teasing one." The young royal advisor said as he adjusted his glasses, his eyes traveled towards the brown bearded man to check on him.
Gladiolus snorted beside Ignis, the words of the glass-wearing brunet man distracted him from his temper flaring up even more.
"Yeah? Well I think he's had enough encouraging hands to carry him up to this point."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Noctis asked in indignant tone, the awkward tension from earlier disappeared as he sent an annoyed glare at his Shield.
"Hey, I can help with the encouragement!" Prompto piped in with a grin, the muscled man scoffed with a smirk.
"And how's that? You're gonna tell him how to woo Lady Lunafreya off her dress?"
"What the heck Gladio?" The prince's words went ignored as his two friends bantered.
"Spshh, yeah." The blond answered confidently as he dusted off his chest.
"Uh huh, how's the girlfriend be treating ya?"
"How's yours been?!" The blond fired back with an indignant cried to the amusement of Gladiolus.
"Haven't seen her in like a week. But gotta say, she was pretty vocal last time we talk."
"…" Prompto grumbled to himself, Ignis snorted at the words and crossed his arms.
"I don't think any us need nor care about your sexual activities, Gladio." Gladiolus looked ready to say something, but Noctis cut him off quickly, he sought retribution for the teasing.
"What 'sexual activities'? Since when does getting slap or getting a drink thrown at you count as sexual?" The prince piped into the banter with a calm smirk, the prince's Shield turn red at the words and growled out.
"Oh grow up! It happened once Prince Charmless! Once! Doesn't mean it kept happening all the time!"
"Yeah, yeah…" Noctis waved him off and stretched his body. Relief flooded him and nerve calmed down.
Prompto snickered and Ignis smiled at the annoyed Gladio, relieved the situation had been cooled down. The blond then perked up and snapped his fingers.
"Ha! That's it! I got a new—!"
"If you finished that sentence Prompto, there will be dire consequences." Ignis threatened quickly as an embarrass blush crept up him, he shifted a glare towards the cheery blond. Said blond smiled at the glass-wearing man and put up his hands up in defense.
"Hey, hey, sorry! Just got a eureka moment! But I know how to get Noct to woo Lady Lunafreya off her feet!" Gladiolus snorted, he still fumed over the teasing he had received, Noctis let his head tilt in wonder and the glass wearing man crossed his arms.
"Hmm do you now?" The brunet asked, curious.
"Yep!" Prompto agreed with a smile. He grabbed his camera and gesture towards it. "I'll take some pretty good pics of the wedding and then you can show them to Lady Lunafreya! I bet she'll be pretty ecstatic!"
The muscled brown hair man snorted and looked from the corner of his eye, Ignis nodded as if the idea had merit. Noctis cheer up a little at that and gave his friend a smile.
"Not a bad idea, Promp. Now you can use that camera for something for once."
"H-Hey! What the heck do you mean use it for something for once?!" The blond cried out, insulted by the words. The prince just shrugged and scratched the back of his head at the outburst.
"Well, you just snap pics randomly and at like buildings and stuff. And then you kind of just erase them too, so…"
"…I just don't like some of those photos, okay? And like, most of the stuff I snap at are things we've always seen! It's so boring!" Prompto whine as he looked at Noctis.
"Reason why he said you'll finally do something useful with that camera of yours Prompto." Gladiolus commented, the blonde hair man gave him a stink eye in reply. Ignis let out an amused huff as he fixed up his glasses.
"Indeed, but you will have quite the formidable competition I'm afraid. News journalist from around the world have come to this see and report the wedding. And many of them have years of experience compare to you." The brunet commented with smile, Prompto looked between Gladiolus and Ignis and let out a whiny groan.
"Hmmhmm…" Noctis let out a short chuckle at the blonde's expanses. Gladiolus snorted and looked at the door, he froze and snapped out of his comfortable spot by the wall.
"Shit! Get moving! Or your bride is going to be the one waiting for you Prince Charmless!" The muscled man exclaimed and made everyone stop their actions.
"We got distracted." Ignis said pointedly and looked at the prince, Noctis looked down as the awkwardness from earlier creeped in slowly.
"Wooohoo! Royal wedding! And I get first seat rows for my camera!" Prompto exclaimed as he made his way towards the door. Gladiolus followed him, Ignis moved too, stopped and gave the groom a look.
"Everything alright, Noct?"
"Ah, yeah, yeah…" The prince responded half-mindedly and walked towards the brunet who stepped aside to let him pass. The dark hair groom was out of the private room and into the hall. Ahead lay the door to enter the chapel proper, the door that lead to where he would get marry.
He looked up and saw Prompto and Gladiolus, they waited for him to proceed. He turned back to see Ignis nod at him. With a deep breath, he walked forward and the others followed. They made it to the door, the prince reached for the door handle. A surge of nervousness poured through him and he hesitated.
Gladiolus took noticed of the hesitation once more and narrowed his eyes. The Shield's temper flared up again at the sign of weakness.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Huh?" The prince turned towards the bearded man with questions on his blue eyes.
"I said what's wrong with you? What's with all the damn jittering? You said that this whole wedding thing didn't bother you at all." Gladiolus said harshly when he noticed the prince continued to shake nervously.
"Well what'd you want? You're not the one getting marry here…" Noctis fired back, annoyed with the sudden roughness of his Shield. He took in a breath to calm himself as beyond that door he felt that his whole life would change. He refused to admit it towards the others at how that aspect made him feel very uneasy.
Gladiolus unfortunately did not have the patience nor did he understand the groom's plight. He felt his temper flair at the younger man's nervous act in such an important event.
Ignis sighed at the bearded man's temper, Prompto looked at the two worriedly.
"Well get a grip! This whole thing isn't just about you. This whole peace treaty is resting on your shoulders. So, get your head out of your ass and start taking things seriously!"
"Get off my back already!" The prince fired back in annoyance, hooded blue eyes glared at heated brown ones.
"Then stop looking like your about to puke all over your bride when you're standing in front her like a moron! Get a grip, because your representing all of Lucis out there!"
"I know that already!"
"Guys…" Prompto called out, but was ignored as the prince and his Shield glared at each other.
"Then don't embarrass us out there! And start looking like royalty damn it!" Gladiolus glared at the prince, heavy scowl in place and his arms crossed. Noctis gritted his teeth, ready to deliver a comeback, but was interrupted when Ignis placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down, the two of you." Ignis reprimanded, he looked at the two men, he sighed when he noticed the two were too stubborn to let go of their current heated emotions. "Gladio, I think you are being too harsh on his highness right now."
"To harsh? You think that's harsh?! I think your just too damn soft on his highness here! I came here and saw his highness ready for this entire signing. But then I see him hesitate like that…" The brown hair man explained himself as he took a deep breath and tried to keep his fiery temper in check. He crossed his arms and looked at his prince. "And I won't have him screwing things up, especially after his highness told us that he was more than ready for the wedding."
"I am ready!" Noctis exclaimed and then look off to the side as he tried to spit the words out. "Listen…I'm just…"
The words about his fear for whatever change would come from this, from what had happened between Luna and him through their letters and from the pressure of the wedding itself, they refused to come out and he choked on the words. He gritted his teeth at how self-conscious he felt.
"Hey buddy, it's okay! Don't listen to the big guy!" Prompto said with a small grin, the comment made everyone look at him. "He's just jealous that you're getting marry and getting some, while the big guy here will just stay at home eating his cup noodles all alone."
Noctis let out a snort at the words, tension left his body a little. He hadn't seen when Ignis sent an appraising look at the blonde.
"You think this a joke Prompto." Gladiolus said roughly and directed his heated glare at the freckled blonde. Prompto wilted slightly under the intense look, gulped, but he stood his ground.
"N-No, I just think you're being a giant jerk to Noct." Prompto explained with a serious voice, he squinted an eye in thought. "And your bullying him down."
"Bullying…him down." The brown hair man repeated slowly, with a raised brow, his earlier anger receded at the choice of words.
"Yeah! Like back in school there were ton of bullies who were doing just what you're doing! Hell, you even look like them!" Prompto gestured towards the muscle that could be seen through the brown hair man's suit and his squared and bearded face to make his point. Gladiolus just stared at Prompto dumbfounded. "I mean, yeah, Noct is all nervous! But I would be a mess if I was going to marry Lady Lunafreya! And so would you! And even Iggy!"
After the words of the blonde, silence reign on the hall as all them stared at the freckle man. Prompto just shifted a little under the look that everyone gave him and started to fiddled with his camera absentmindedly when he thought no one cared for what he said. Ignis cleared his throat and caught everyone's attention.
"Even though Prompto's words are not what I would use. He has a point." Ignis said and gave a surprise Prompto a nod.
"Really?!"
"Yes, Prompto. Gladio, we are all tense from the wedding. Having Niflheim soldiers roam the streets is already bad enough. No need to make things worse by causing infighting in this little group of ours. There's already enough of that in the streets with all the people refusing the treaty." Ignis said as he looked at the brown hair man who grunted in response.
"Things have just not been good with my own father okay…" Gladiolus admitted and tightened his arms around his chest. "With the whole treaty thing and those rebels, he's been pretty strict with me in making sure Noct doesn't screw things up and that everything goes well. We're making peace with the Niffs and just to end screwing it all up because I didn't pay attention to the prince here? Because I believed what he said when just trying to put up a brave front? I wouldn't be able to face my own father."
At the words of the prince's Shield, everyone nodded in understanding. Noctis let out a breath and look off to the side.
"Look, Gladio, I'm fine, really, a little nervous that's all…I'm not going to screw this whole treaty or anything." He said and looked at the muscled man in the eye, though the glare was absent this time. The man just nodded at the words of his prince.
Ignis nodded and directed his eyes to Noctis.
"And as for you, bottling up all your feelings are not healthy Noct. You know this." The prince's chamberlain scolded with his arm cross.
"Tsk…ahh, I guess you're right, it's just…" The prince trailed off, once more finding it difficult to tell of his fears towards his friends. Ignis nodded at the action and placed a comforting hand on the young groom's shoulder, that was enough to make Noctis let some of his feelings out. "I'm just feel awkward, not knowing where this whole thing is going…"
"Understandable." Ignis admitted with a nod. "But do make sure to talk to one of us when you're feeling like this Noct, otherwise we will be having another situation like this. The same goes for you Gladio, do try and keep other people's feeling in mind."
When the glass-wearing man finished his scolding, he made sure to give both the prince and Shield a pointed look. After that, the four men remained silent, each waited for one to make a move.
Prompto was the first to make that move.
"Uh…so we good?"
"I guess?" The prince said after a moment and scratched his head.
"Yeah…" Gladiolus said and stretched his neck.
"Then let us be off. Noct?" Ignis gestured for the door and the prince nodded.
"Alright…let's 'noct' this wedding out." Noctis said as he applied pressure into the door.
When it opened and everyone turned to look.
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"Prince Noctis, the time draws close. In this day, you shall accomplish one of the most important duty to our fare kingdom, you shall bring peace between two warring nations. Stand stall, Crown Prince, and ease the pain of your people." The King of Lucis commanded with a regal voice and sharp eyes.
"Of course, Your Majesty." The prince responded as he bowed in respect for his King.
Those had been the words that King Regis had said to prince Noctis in front of the large crowd of people from all around the world that had come to see the wedding. Many of them watched in awe at the short speech and applauded at the regal way the King and the prince had acted. That had been the image plastered with photos and recorded in the newspapers and media.
"Know this, my son, that no words can describe how proud I am of you." His dad had whispered privately to him, showing his back to the large crowd, not even worried about any repercussion that it could bring.
"Thanks dad, I won't let you down." The son had responded, happy that he had gotten to see his father and not the King after such a long time, even if it was for a short while.
But that small moment would only be ingrained and remembered by the father and son. Noctis smiled as he looked down at the black marble floor of Etro's Chapel. He let out a breath and look around.
Towards his left his father stood straight, his dark Kingly Raiment contrasted with the golden accessories on his body. A regal and dignified expression permeated on his face. Beside the King was Gladiolus father, Claurus Amicitia, the King's Shield, ready and able to protect him should the moment arise.
He turned his head a little to see the priest who would perform the wedding rites behind him, an old man who much like the prince looked around curiously at the guest.
The young prince let his eyes wonder towards the right and saw the emperor of Niflheim, the old man stood confidently, arms comfortably behind his white expensive and decorated white cloak. The tyrant's face devoid of much emotion as he waited for the wedding to begin. Beside him were two plain men dressed similarly to their emperor and a three soldiers behind them.
Noctis eyes narrowed at the sight of the tyrant, he looked away to survey the entire chapel.
It was packed full with so many people. On the front seats of the left side of the chapel were the dark cloth councilors and many high-profile people from Lucis, their seats secure thanks to their positions and money. On the right side were many of Niflheim delegates, with their white clothing they created an impressive contrast on the front with the Lucis councilors who dressed in black.
Except for one man strangely enough.
Seated on the very first row seats alongside the Niflheim delegates was a man dressed in bizarre clothing and dark colors, he looked out of place. The man tipped his hat back and showed his face, a condescending smirk in place with messy magenta colored hair. His honey color eyes met Noctis's blue ones.
The prince quickly diverted his eyes, a chill had just traveled up his spine for no reason. He decided to not look in the man's direction again.
"Creepy…" He muttered lowly and looked to where his friends were.
Prompto was little far back, not far away where he wouldn't be able to see the wedding well, but far away that he wouldn't see things in complete detail. Since the blonde wasn't part of upper class men, finding him that seat had been the best he had pulled off. Even though he was the Crown Prince, many others had spent a lot of money just to get the best seat and he kicking another person off their chair just to get his friend there would've get him a scolding from the King.
Though, Prompto had his camera, and last he knew of the blond's favorite device ever was that it had a zoom in with pretty good quality. So Prompto would get to take his photo's in peace.
Gladiolus was close, as the prince's Shield, it was his job to be near him should thing go south. Just like the man's father would do for his King. The big man threw glances toward some people on the front seats and Noctis noticed that it was at his family, the Amicitia. The prince quickly noticed the young teen girl that had sent a cheerful wave towards him.
Iris Amicitia, Gladiolus's younger sister, she looked excited and talked with a young boy beside her enthusiastically and waved again at him. He returned the wave with less enthusiasm, but a smile had appeared on the prince's face.
Ignis was seated on one of the front seats alongside his father, an old councilor who's been in a few meetings with the King. His loyal chamberlain and friend sat straight as he waited for the beginning of the ceremony. The older man turned his head towards him, fixed his glasses and sent a nod towards the young prince.
Noctis responded in kind and took in a deep breath. He flinched and looked up in surprise when he heard the wedding music swell and the sudden quietness of the crowd.
The bride had finally arrived. And the prince's breath was knocked away when he saw her.
Luna looked beautiful, beyond the description of words, she walked through the white flowery decorated black aisle with strong, confident, and steady steps, her hands clasped up front. Her white wedding dressed flowed like water with each step and made it seem almost surreal.
Everyone looked at her in awe as they let their eyes followed her every movement. Especially Noctis who's jaws had dropped slightly and it left his mouth ajar as he stared at her. He noticed this, gulped, closed his mouth with an audible click as his teeth crashed together.
He blushed when he saw her face grow nearer to him.
Her features were delicate, but held a strong edge to it, a maturity that went beyond her years. Her expression was serene and she lifted her blue beautiful eyes to stare at Noctis.
The prince's breath hitched as he saw her eyes…but not for the right reasons.
Her eyes, her captivating blue eyes, looked so, so cold. Like ice, and sharp enough that the dark prince had felt that piercing gaze on him.
He almost took a step back, but caught himself. Still, the action had proved successful in knocking away whatever spell he had been on and took a closer look on the blonde bride's expression.
Her expression seemed forced, a tight grip that the dark prince noticed as she stared right up at him with those cold eyes of hers. He noticed how her clasped hands tightened the closer she got to him.
It actually hurt to see her act like that…she wasn't supposed to be like that, she wasn't supposed to act so coldhearted! It wasn't her at all!
He could feel his face grimaced and quickly schooled his features into the face he tended to show others, a cool and aloof expression. Though, it took everything he had to maintain that expression when Luna arrived to the altar and stood before him.
Hurt and conflicted blue eyes met icy and firm blue eyes.
He focused on those unflinching eyes, his entire being honed on his wife-to-be eyes.
It was too much for him, he noticed when a haggard breath escaped him. It was just too much for him to keep his cool. He almost impulsively wanted to demand why she look like that, why didn't she look how he thought she would look after so many years talking through letters.
He almost asked her all of this, he almost cut off the priest that had been talking but ignored by the hurting Noctis.
This whole thing isn't just about you. This whole peace treaty is resting on your shoulders. So, get your head out of your ass and start taking things seriously!
But…Gladiolus words made him choke those questions on his throat, a silent screamed tore through him. He did his absolute best not to let a sound escaped, jaw clenched so tightly that he wondered if he had cracked his teeth.
Luna…no, Lunafreya looked at him with those eyes of hers and then her gaze narrowed, a questioning look was shot at him.
He heard the priest coughed beside him. The young prince snapped out his inner turmoil and a confused look appeared for a moment. He let his eyes wondered towards his father, and saw him look expectantly and worried at him. It was then that he noticed the sudden silence on the chapel as everyone waited for him to speak.
The young man understood that he had completely missed the important question he had been tasked to answer, the one everyone pressured him to do correctly. For a moment, he had to wonder if Gladiolus was right in being worried…he almost screwed things up through his grief.
"I do."
The words came out with a somewhat monotone drawl. The prince felt grateful that his body had decided to say the words that had been drilled into him from weeks of practice, he didn't feel as if he would have the strength to say those words when Luna…Lunafreya looked at him with that cold gaze of hers.
And for a moment, maybe it was just a trick of his mind…but he saw something on those eyes, a shine that brimmed with emotion. For a single second, she looked hurt.
Before the prince could even think about that he felt something cold slip into one of his fingers, he looked down on his left hand and saw Lunafreya put the wedding ring on his finger. He stared at the ring on his finger in wonder.
The priest nodded and directed his attention towards his bride. Unlike him she paid more attention to the priest and answered when asked the question.
"I do." Lunafreya spoked for the first time since she had arrived and her voice sounded measure, solemn and mechanical as to not waste even a single breath on the ceremony. It made the dark prince's heart clenched uncomfortably inside of him at the way she had said those words. But still he moved in automatic, he reached for the person who held the ring towards him and took it.
Just like the woman had done, went to place the ring on Luna…Lunafreya. A slight trembled forced it way into his fingers, but he held strong, not daring to let the ring slip through and fall. He succeeded and had placed the ring on her hand.
He dared look at her eyes and saw the iciness in them warm a little as she stared at the ring in wonder, much like he had done before. Her eyes met his, they had not turned cold like they had before.
But they neither show much emotion other than a solemn and calm shine in her blue eyes.
"You may kiss the bride."
Those words sent dread into Noctis. A cold sweat rolled from his forehead and he tensed up.
Stiffly, he leaned forward.
Pleading blue eyes met unyielding blue eyes.
The dark prince prayed for something to break the detached facade his bride had put to break.
He prayed to the gods and hoped that something would happen.
Lips met and Noctis was devastated when nothing happened.
Flesh met flesh, there was no burning fire of passion, of understanding, of a long-standing friendship…or love.
There was nothing but a cold realization that the girl he had met twelve years ago, wasn't present.
Only the body of the princess of Tenebrae and the Oracle stood before him.
Their lips parted away.
Devastated blue eyes met serene blue eyes.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
With that, the entire chapel exploded into happy cheers. Bells rung and applause roar through. Happiness and celebration permeated the entire place in a matter of seconds.
And yet for the newly appointed husband, all Noctis could feel was his heart crack when Lunafreya turned away from him and got ready to descend the altar.
Noctis followed alongside her, the tiny cracks of the Luna who had captured his heart all those years ago, trailed behind him.
Author's Note
Hey there, this past few weeks have been hectic with work and college assignments. I've been work to the bone and barely had any sleep.
I really wanted to get this chapter release like a week after releasing the prologue, but with all the work I've had, I found the entire chapter in need of rework since it was a mess. Like, the first version of this was a giant mess and uncomfortable to read.
Fortunately, I've got a friend of mine that help me make this better.
Anyway, things are rather tense and troublesome for Noct aren't they? Already changes from the normal canon are happening and things will just keep on escalating on the near future.
I just hope I don't drown in work and can get it out in time.
Thanks for reading this story and for the reviews, they are appreciated.
Please review more, since I really want to know your thoughts and thank you for stopping by.
Until next time.