King Regis met his son at lunch after a relatively short war council. It was nice seeing him on a regular basis again, being able to see the young man his little boy had grown into. Part of him still saw the prince as the boy who used get excited over a game of one on one soccer and he told stories to at night, but that was thru a father's eyes.

"I'm glad they're starting to put some of those measures in motion." Said Noctis. Umbra once again at the prince's side.

"Well, once they decide on a course of action they tend to move rather quickly." Replied Regis. "Anyway I'm surprised you stayed awake the whole time. I don't even think I caught you playing King'sKnight on you phone either."

"These meetings are to keep Lucis safe. I need to at least try to give the council my undivided attention. Plus, I got Gladio to do a morning training session to help me stay awake." Noctis admitted.

"And probably still planed on the evening session too?" Asked Regis. Noct nodded. "After lunch you are to take the rest of the evening off. Consider that a royal degree. I don't want to see you in the Citadel until supper."

"Are you serious? " Asked Noctis.

"Am I not your father?" Answered Regis.

Noctis sighed. "That you are. Okay, but on the condition if anything happens you send for me immediately."

"I think we may make a good negotiator out of you yet. Fine, you have my word. I just don't want to to see you burn yourself out so young." Promised the king.

Ravus was about to beat his head into the wall. He had Lied to his sister Luna who was about to go on her Facebook page and find no disaster at all in Lucis aside from the Ill fated attack only two days ago. He could just unplugged the router, but soon she would go to that tea cafe she loved and find the truth or lack thereof. Although the Empire had blocked the Orcale and most of Tenebre from seeing posts outside what was left of their kingdom, all it took was one person to talk about the bunggled attack and no mention of a hurricane and Lunafreya would be chasing him around with her trident. There was one thing left to do. He hated doing it but having boxed himself into a corner Ravus had no other choice. He picked up his phone and dialed the dreaded number.

"Hey I need a favor fast." Said Ravus. "I need you to post a convincing fake news story about a hurricane hitting the Galdin Quay area in Lucis a few days ago. Prince Noctis must be involved in the clean-up up. . . Yes a picture would help. . . No I don't have any pictures you can use to photo shop Noctis in! I haven't seen him face to face since I was 16! . . . Okay, I'll send you the gil within an hour just post the story soon. . . She's heartbroken for the moment, but she thinks the weddings just delayed. . . You know why I need that story- that's what I told her. . . Yes lying is bad . . . Why didn't you tell me that before I lied to my Sister! I could've taken the guy down easy and handed him to her. . . Right, well Highwind scares me to be honest. . . . Maybe later, but get that story on face book! . . . Already? That was fast, no wonder she has you on as her resident hacker. You're way more efficient than Wedge and Briggs. . . Thank you, Jessie. "

He hung up his phone. One crisis averted. Just for kicks Ravus decided to check out Prince Noctis's were pictures of everyone in the Citadel all over the his time line from yesterday, even Umbra with Noctis (okay, so maybe he wasn't so scrawny any more, but that didn't mean he was worthy to be king or Wed the Oracle). Then he noticed that each picture had at least one girl posing next to the prince. Apparently the kingdom of Lucis was an equal opportunity employer for its castle staff; it was either that or Noctis was a player. Ravus took another look at the photos. No way he could be getting that much action, so . . . Yeah, everyone just loved their prince. Actually, Noctis hadn't really been all that annoying when he was visiting for an eight year old recovering from a daemon attack now that Ravus though about it. Only real issue he had was Noctis leaving them behind when they were attacked and that was actually because of Regis since Noctis had still been stuck in a wheelchair. So, maybe Noctis was not such a bad person after all? Ravus shook his head. WHY WAS HE LOOKING SO DEEPLY INTO THIS GUY HE HADN'T SEEN IN OVER A Decade? Ravus came to the conclusion: just blame Regis for the death of his mother and try to be friendly around Noctis- strictly for Lunafreya'so sake. Yeah, he would leave it at that or he would eventually convince himself Noctis was he long lost brother or something.

Although he had the evening off, instead of hitting the arcade or playing King'sKnight with Prompto Noctis went fishing. Actually it had been a royal order to get out of the palace for afew hours directly from his father, but Noctis needed to clear his head and fishing without his peanut gallery was something he could not pass up (like Gladio had ever caught something besides a cold anyway). Umbra followed him as always. There was a lake in the park near the Citadel so if something happened- and Noctis for all he was worth prayed it didn't- he could get back in no time.

To say there was something calming and relaxing about watching the water and pulling in a catch offered a chance to refocus was an understatement. The young prince needed that right now and it was something he hadn't been able to do surrounded by people like he had been the last few days. First on his mind was the attack and the fear he had felt seeing those Airships over head. The worries over possibly losing his father and all the people he held dear had taken over when they raced back to Insomnia; he hated feeling like that, but was relieved it was over without his fears being realized. A close second had to be his friends attempts to get him dating, which was causing conflict between them and now gotten him two dates with two of their family members. Then there was Luna - as he thought her name he caught a huge Lucian catfish and reeled it in.

Normally he would've been excited for such a catch, but his mind was on Luna. She had been his friend for so long. Honestly although he had agreed to being betrothed for the treaty, after he found out it was to Luna it took so much weight off his shoulders. The letters passed between them through the seemingly endless notebook for twelve years and not once had she hinted to knowing the plans of the Imperial army. Had he really been played the fool? Or was Luna an innocent pawn in all this mess? He wished he could talk to her face to face. He wanted to hear her side, but that w as impossible right now especially after he had told his buddies he had broken communication with her. True that Ignis had rescued the notebook from the trash and Prompto had hinted he was curious what she had written Noctis couldn't bring himself to open it. She might've sent a warning to be ready to try to help him, or she could've just said "can't wait to see you in Altissia." That could go either to luring him far from Insomnia before the attack or just as easily she had no clue and really wanted to see him in person.

Noctis looked at his silent fishing companion; Umbra smiled at him. The dog was a comfort now and even looked more like he belonged to a Crownsguard with the new collar and support bag he had bought. Noctis had to face facts now: he had loved Luna, he had wanted to marry her, part of him still wanted her, part of him felt like he had been stabbed in the back, another like his heart had been ripped clean out of his chest, another still like there was no betrayal between them, the false pretenses of the treaty, no comment from her on the attack, his concern for his people and his kingdom, and everyone's wish for him to fall in love and marry so that the line of Lucis was secure another generation. . . everything was falling toward him with more questions than answers.

He took a break under a tree, Umbra deciding that the prince's lap was a good pillow and Noctis deciding scratching a dog's ear relieved stress. His mind slipped to what Monica had told him if he ever needed anything to let either her or Crowe know. Then Becca and her commitment to her program to encourage people to read and the devotion she showed him; not to mention that honest tongue she had that he knew he could trust. Iris, he knew for a while she had had a crush on him and had pretended not to notice even though she made herself his devoted follower and protector when Gladio was off somewhere else. Some how Iris managed to make him smile. There were others too, like Cindy from Hammerhead who he met days ago and others he hadn't met yet. He was free to choose now and he was more scared than relieved thinking about who his future wife should be. Luna was out of his reach, but he had other options, maybe too many options. Whoever he choose would be his queen, something Lucis hadn't had since he was a baby.

Mom. Noctis had no memory of his mother and only knew she had been a childhood friend of his father. People in the Citadel rarely mentioned her and he had no idea what kind of person she would've wanted for his soulmate. Iris was on the right track if she wanted to be his princess and queen. The new exhibit at the museum was actually on Lucian Queens of the past, including his own mother. It had always been a touchy subject around his father and like many things Noctis had always accepted the king had more pressing issues to worry about than his son learning about his mother. To a point, Noct really hadn't thought much about his mother; he was pretty sure he ironic had thought about his own romantic life (which until recently was accepting whoever was chosen for him or for a treaty) more than her. He really had been a bad son in that regard.

Without warning a soccer ball hit the other side of the tree and both Noctis and Umbra jumped to their feet. Talcott, the grandson of one of the stewards at the Citadel along with afew other children ran up to him. Talcott bowed when he realized who Noctis was.

"We're sorry, Prince Noctis. The ball got away from us." Said the boy. Noctis kneeled down, like his father did with him when he was little. For a moment all thoughts of who he would marry vanished.

"Don't worry about it."Replied the prince. "Hey you guys need a referee?"

"Really you would play with us?" Said another boy.

"Sure, though I am a bit rusty." Said Noctis and so they played with Umbra keeping score. This did not go unoticed by some of the citizens of Insomnia.

Iris had gotten out of school and watched from the distance as the prince played with the children. She imagined walking into the castle gardens in the autumn getting her children and her royal hubby for dinner. One of them talking her daddy to giving her a piggy back ride while the little prince clinging to her skirts. Walking into the Citadel's dining room as a family, maybe another little one on the way though that would be something to tell her king in private later in the evening after Noctis had read the children their bedtime story. She blushed just thinking of that wonderful fantasy.

Crowe on the other hand just saw their caring prince who valued everyone equally. Even the two girls in the game weren't being pushed around. When a child missed a goal or a pass, he still encouraged them and let them try again. She remembered how she had been treated as a child because of her gifts. Crowe knew she had come far. She wondered how that village would treat her if she did end up being their queen, though she didn't want to marry just to get back at them. Her prince deserved better than that, besides she was just a glaive. Still, if the Gods meant for it to be she would earn his love the right way for the right reasons.

Rebecca was reminded of her favorite part of her job: the children. She always took this path around the park to watch them play after school. Both her and Ignis had been the only child in their family, but had been more like brother and sister instead of cousins. She had known since high school she wanted to start a family before her third decade was over. Noctis had been an only child as well and grew up lonely aside from Ignis, Gladio and little Iris, herself and Prompto when Noctis entered high school. Becca knew she had promised Ignis she would not activelying pursue the prince unless he pursued her. Still for just a moment starting a family with Noct didn't seem like breaking her promise. Even with her past heartbreak she felt safe with him. Maybe making him dinner or some dessert to thank him for his help with the reading program was in order, just to say thank you, . . . unless he wanted it to mean something more.

Monica had been sent with Crowe to watch over the prince from a distance. She saw the leadership and compassion he was showing the children, qualities she had always valued in his father as king. She looked forward to serving him as a Crownsguard. She sighed when she realized that's all she would ever be to him. Monica was always the steady fast soldier never breaking rank or disobeying an order. A romance with the prince seemed forbidden which to a certain extent make it more attractive, but it wasn't who she was. Then again normally it was a princess and a knight in the stories; was there even a precinct for such a thing? The only way for her to show her lo . . . Loyalty to him was to watch over him and serve him without hesitation. Maybe she could settle for that.

Another female in the area had other things on her mind besides the prince, who she had no idea was within afew yards of her. Her long blond hair had black streaks as her way to show her loyality to Lucis. Today her outfit consisted of an off the shoulder grey top and faded black capris. had been in his class in high school, but right now she was a designer trying to find some inspiration for the fashion show next month. The theme was Lucian royalty and military. Crownsguard and glaives were in the park frequently and she was hoping see afew, but Monica and Crowe remained out of view. She had considered looking at her year books, but blushed everytime she even touched them. Why she still carried that she did not understand. Another missed fired kick led to an unexpected reunion. She gasped as the ball landed about a foot from her.

"We are so sorry . . . Lexa?" The familiar voice made her blush as it drew her eyes to his face.

"Prince Noctis, what . . . A surprise. " She managed to say. He was a prince, she was a commoner. That only worked out in fairy tales and video games.

"Same here. I heard your design firm had been planing some kind of fashion show. I figured you would be working around the clock on it." Said Noctis. He still looked the same as he did in school. The grace and burdens there, but hidden for this carefree moment.

"We still need afew designs for the show. I was hoping to see some Crownsguard and glaives, but no luck." She said. She tried not to let her dark brown eyes give her away.

"Your theme for the show?" Noctis asked. She nodded nervously. Lexa had been cute like that in school to. Having an opinion, but always afraid to express it. "How about I see if I can get you into the Citadel next week? The place was built on military and royal artwork. Even the old training room is plastered with the old legends."

"You could do that?" Asked Lexa.

"Can and will if you want." Offered Noctis.

"That would be great. Say I can ask Madame Le Blanc about getting you and your friends VIP invitations to the show." Said Lexa.

"Sure. I'm always up for supporting Lucian companies and old friends. I would be honored to be there. See ya later." Said Noctis.

"Bye." She just invited her high school crush, the crown prince to a fashion show with her designs in it. What the heck was she thinking?