Side Story: Twisted Fairytale
It was like a fairytale. A prince married a princess and had children, then lived happily ever after.
It was like a fairytale, BUT with minor exceptions.
The mayor of City Oblivion had a fine son named Noctis Lucis Caelum. He's good looking and smart, he led his own squad at the age of 15 and defeated his own father in a sword duel at the age of 18. He gained respect from everyone in City Oblivion in just five years. Following his good looks and status there's always women who want to be his wife. There were normal shoujo types, tsundere little sisters, sexy office ladies, but Noctis show no interest in these women.
It was until he turned 21, his father could stand no more. He threatened to find a bride for him if he refused to accept a woman. He had a candidate in mind – Stella Nox Fleuret, Noctis' secretary. Stella was not bad at all. She had a beautiful face and charming smile, and she was the daughter of an old friend of his. However, Noctis never saw her as anything but a friend. Stella was not pleased with the idea too. To stop his father from rambling, Noctis set out on a journey to other cities to find his Mrs. Caelum, at least he's trying to.
Everyone wondered about their young prince's disappearance, and some even thought he was dead. He was gone for five years, and came back. The mayor thought he could meet his future daughter-in-law, but Noctis was alone. The mayor was very disappointed and furious with his son.
Nothing is wrong with Noctis. He still has his good looks, his talent and his brain. However, Stella could see that he had changed. He had learned to smile and give warmth to others. There must be a woman behind this. She did everything to find out about this 'mysterious woman', but all her attempts failed. Stella was about to give up when she saw Noctis wandering in the train station one night. He looked like he was waiting for someone…and the said person showed up.
It was a woman. She had pink hair and pale complex and she was wearing the Thirteen Squad's uniform. Of course, Stella knew who the woman was. She's the instructor of the Thirteen Squad - Claire Farron Strife… or known as 'Lightning' by everyone. Both of them held hands and left the station as Stella followed. It was a normal couple's routine. Stella was sure Lightning was the one. They shared a kiss before they parted, and Stella was sure she was well hidden… until her superior showed up in her hiding place.
The secret is out. Noctis knew Stella wasn't going to tell his father about Lightning, but the girl insisted she know about what happened in the past years. Not that he could hide the truth anymore.
Five years ago
After leaving his home, his first stop was Black Market City. Though his home is just minutes away from here, his father never let him set foot in this 'wrecked city'. He thought it would be unsightly like what his father said, but surprisingly it's advanced compared to cities like Traverse Town and Twilight Town. It wasn't that bad… until he was robbed.
Left with no money, he wandered in the streets until evening and bumped into a group of prostitutes. He wasn't interested in these types of girls, but one caught his attention. She's blonde with beautiful blue eyes, hair neatly in braids. She's wearing a purple summer dress. Not the prostitute type. The other girls seem to know Noctis' interest in the blonde, so they agreed to let him take her away. Noctis was hesitant, but since he's looking for a daughter-in-law for his father, might as well give it a try.
It wasn't until the blonde introduced herself as 'Cloud' and told Noctis she's actually a man, that Noctis might actually bring him back to meet the mayor. Cloud was dragged into cross-dressing because he lost in a poker game with his friends. The two men started talking like old friends, but Noctis kept his identity a secret, fearing that it might cause a commotion.
"If it's only my eyes you like, and not my looks, I can introduce you to someone you might take a liking to." Cloud smiled and took out his cell phone, dialing some numbers and waiting for the other person to pick up.
"Yes what is it, Cloud?"
"Hey, Claire. Where are you?"
"I'm in Traverse. What do you want?"
"Look, the girls caught me to cross-dress again, and they confiscated my clothes, so would you mind bringing some new ones to me?"
"Geez, why do you always get caught in these things! I don't care if you're raped by some pervert!"
"Are you coming or not?"
"Fine! Where are you?"
"In Black Market City, the Chinese Diner."
"I'll be there in 15 minutes, don't leave."
Cloud hung up and turned to face Noctis. "Claire's gonna be here at about 15 minute's time, so what do we…" Before Cloud could finish his sentence, Noctis' stomach growled in hunger. Cloud tried not to laugh.
"Oh yeah, you're robbed, right? How 'bout we grab something to eat in the Chinese Diner? It's almost time for dinner anyway."
XoXoX
The two men ordered dumplings and red tea when a certain woman with pink hair came into the diner. Cloud called out to her and she headed towards their table. She was wearing the Thirteen Squad's uniform with a gunblade by her side. She doesn't look happy.
"Cloud, don't ever play poker with Tifa. She's up into different tricks every time!" Said woman frowned and handed a bag to Cloud.
"She dragged me into this, it's not like I wanted to play a game where the loser has to cross-dress in front of the prostitutes."
The two siblings started to argue, forgetting about the outsider Noctis who had been watching their arguments from the beginning. He didn't mind though. His gaze was locked at the pink haired woman, who had the same eyes that caught his attention not long ago. Finally, Cloud broke the continuous arguments and looked at Noctis.
"Noctis, this is Claire, my twin sister." The woman looked up at the prince, looked closer again and turned to Cloud. "Claire… he's the one who saved me from the prostitutes." Cloud's eyebrow is twitching from his sister's reaction.
"No one was supposed to save you from the prostitutes in the first place." Claire replied mockingly. "And may I know who are you?"
"I'm Noctis. Pleased to meet you." He didn't dare look her in the eye. Those eyes… the same as those that made him slightly fell in love, he didn't dare.
"So, where do you think you'll be staying?" Cloud asked. "You shouldn't have any money to rent a room…" Reality is cruel. Noctis had nowhere to stay. He couldn't go back home without his future wife, so the only thing he could do is contact Stella… but his phone was stolen…
"I know! How 'bout you stay at Claire's place? Her home's spacey and tidy, moreover…" Cloud glanced at her sister. You could be her fake boyfriend and chase off all the unwanted flies that kept following her. Claire replied him with a 'what?' and sighed.
"You can stay if you behave."
"About the rent, I can pay you." He answered immediately. He really appreciated the siblings' help, and didn't want to be in dept to Claire. "I won't be returning home for a long time, I guess."
XoXoX
Surprisingly, the siblings live apart; Cloud rented an apartment in Twilight Town, while Claire lives in Radiant Garden. Her house was spacey and tidy like Cloud said, but it was like a piece of paper – most of the furniture is pure white. Upon reaching her home Claire led Noctis to the guest room and explained everything he needed to know.
"I don't want to charge you for staying, but if you insist, I won't be accepting your money for two months. Go get a decent job and pay me back slowly. Is there anything that you don't understand?" Claire turned to look at Noctis.
"How should I call you?"
"…I'd rather you call me as 'Lightning'."
The mighty Noctis Lucis Caelum began living with the Thirteen Squad instructor Lieutenant Claire Farron Strife or more commonly known as 'Lightning' by everyone else. Noctis found a job as a mechanic in Cid's workshop. Lightning would prepare dinner every night for two and they would talk about their day while watching some lame TV show. Sometimes Serah, Lightning's sister would drop by after school and bring something sweet that would probably become dessert. The situation had remained for two years and both of them were used to the other's company.
Then someone broke this peacefulness. It was a man about their age. He was quite handsome, but not as charming as the prince. He wasn't satisfied about Lightning's rejection, so he came to 'sort things out' (If you know what I mean). He was shocked to know that Noctis was residing with the young lieutenant and wanted an explanation. All Lightning could say was 'He is my boyfriend' to make the man give up. And when he wanted proof? A kiss would suffice. It was that kiss that awakened their affection for each other.
Nobody knew that they were dating. They decided to keep it a secret until the time is right. They dated for two years and finally Noctis speaks of his origins. Lightning didn't care; she loved him, not his status or wealth. They made their relationship public on the day they decided to marry, which shocks Cloud since he's the only one that didn't notice they're dating. Their wedding wasn't made public either, to avoid the mayor being furious about why his son married a commoner.
Another year passed and the couple is granted their first child, and it was then Lightning said it's time Noctis should go home to tell his father about this. "You can't hide from your father forever. Didn't you say the reason you left home was to find a wife? The mayor might be waiting for your return, as well as all your subordinates in the First Squad." He agreed to go back to City Oblivion, bringing Lightning and their son along. His return had made the mayor furious, and what's more, he didn't have the chance to tell his father about his wife and son.
XoXoX
Stella was shocked upon hearing her superior's story. It will be hard for the residents of City Oblivion to accept lightning and the newborn prince, so sudden after five years. There was a moment of silence before Stella let out a big sigh.
"Seriously sir, I don't think the mayor would be THAT furious if you came back right away after finding 'Mrs Caelum'. He didn't say anything about wishing to have an aristocrat for a daughter-in-law, right?" True, the mayor didn't demand one for his son's future bride, but still…
"I think it's a better idea to discuss this tomorrow with the mayor. I suggest you bring along your wife too…" Stella thought for a while and added, "…and please bring a shield."
After the mayor heard the whole story, he was so furious that he threw anything he could get his hands on towards Noctis, and says that it would be a laughing joke about the Caelum family if this gets into the residents ears. The prince was lost five years and came back with a wife and son? It sounds like eloping! The mayor couldn't afford such a laughing matter of his family. Anyone who knew this was to keep their mouths shut forever…
City Oblivion. The residents now have a new leader, Noctis Lucis Caelum. His father had stepped down. He still looks the same, but no one dared have any intention of being his wife anymore. The aura around him had changed. Rumors had spread that behind the scenes, there's this fearless woman who cannot be tamed, and she has marked the prince as her 'property'. However, such rumors are all just bullshit.
Nobody knew the mayor had a wife. Nobody knew he had a son. Nobody knew they existed!
It was a fairytale. The prince married a princess and had children, then lived happily ever after.
It was a fairytale WITH minor exceptions.
Note:
1. The Farron Strife siblings originally lived in Traverse Town with their parents. Serah lived there before moving to Radiant Garden.
2. Lightning moved to City Oblivion, so her house was given to Serah.
3. Cloud didn't buy a house until he married Aerith. Bachelor's life!
