Chapter 10
Prompto watched as the scientist looked him over as he sat at the edge of the bed in his chambers. "He has a small fever," she said writing on her charts. "Will add an extra four nutrient pills to his diet, and will hook him up to an IV tonight to speed the process for the diplomatic meeting tomorrow."
Prompto frowned, Ardyn only watching from the corner. He wished the Chancellor would just leave him alone. He never got this much attention before and now to have it felt even stranger.
"Alright, good thing the council meeting isn't till tomorrow afternoon, this gives you a chance to recover my pet." Ardyn patted the top of Prompto's head. "Still his fever shouldn't be too much of a problem if it doesn't disappear by tomorrow. As long as he doesn't faint it doesn't really matter how Prompto is at tomorrow's meeting. He isn't permitted to speak anyway."
The scientist nodded. She was a blonde one, whenever she poked him with a needle before he became a prince she was never nice about it. It wasn't all that surprising when it hurt again as she hooked up the IV to him. Prompto whined, but got no sympathy as Ardyn and the scientist didn't even look at him.
"Well I'll leave you to your sleep Prompto," Ardyn said as the scientist finished collecting her things. Ardyn bent overtop the bed and it looked as if the chancellor was about to kiss Prompto's forehead, but instead he grabbed at his hair.
"Remember," Ardyn said pulling at the tips. "Your mission isn't over yet."
Prompto frowned, but nodded under Ardyn's grip. "Good," Ardyn said, patting Prompto's cheeks with a harsh force. "I knew you'd understand, after all my pets are always quick learners." Ardyn ruffled with Prompto's hair again, before giving a quick wave in goodbye. "Now remember to stay a good boy. Take your medicine when it arrives in a few hours."
A shiver ran down Prompto's spine. He hated being treated like some sort of dog by Ardyn, he knew that was how he viewed him, but it still hurt. He knew Ardyn didn't care about him at all, but the way he treated him had so much more respect than his father or the scientist. Even if he wasn't being treated like a person by Ardyn, at least he wasn't being treated as if he didn't exist like with everyone else.
Prompto rubs where the IV has been shoved in his arm. Despite only having a few brief moments with the Insomnia and Tenebrae crew, Prompto had seen they had treated him like a person. Maybe if they knew the truth though it'd be different?
No, Prompto was sure it'd be different, after all he was their worst enemy. An MT.
A light knock touched at the door, and Prompto tried to think of what kind of maid or scientist knocked like that? No one Prompto was used to.
A tall figure emerges from the doorway, a length of dark black hair falling down past her shoulders. She wore a dress fitting of a humble empress. It was Luna's Advisor.
Luna followed after, closing the door as she came inside with her Advisor Gentiana.
"Good evening Prince Prompto, I hope I'm not disturbing you," she said as her small frame closed the door. "Oh dear, it seems I might be."
Quick about it Prompto tried to stand up from his bed, but found himself tripping with the IV attached as he tried to escape the covers.
"Oh Prompto please I only came here to visit," Luna said rushing over to help him back into bed.
Prompto mumbled an apology, though he wasn't sure it got through, he was still a bit dizzy from the trip out of his bed.
"Are you alright?" Luna asked, after finally helping Prompto back. With no hesitation Luna placed a hand on Prompto's forehead, and even though Prompto flinched, he was quite surprised by how Luna kept her hand in place, feeling her own forehead. What was she doing?
"As I thought you are a bit warm, I'm guessing you have a fever." She brought her hand back. "Sorry to disturb you in such a state, but I thought it was vital I spoke with you now while I had the chance."
Luna helped place Prompto back under the covers, fluffing his pillows and making sure he was comfortable. It was odd, the way Luna was treating him, the way she was acting toward him. It was so kind.
"Will he be alright to discuss matters?" Gentiana asked from her place by the door. She'd been watching the scene unfold, but not without kindness. In fact Gentiana was almost airing a caution Luna was not exhibiting.
"I'm fine to speak," Prompto said, not allowing for them to speak like he wasn't there. "Sorry, I was just dizzy."
"I can see that, your plunge into icy waters probably didn't help your situation." Luna moved a bit back, but still sat on his bed. She was looking him in the eye, and even though she had a kindness, Prompto also saw a diplomacy to them. It was different than his father's.
"I'll be blunt Prompto, what happened this afternoon— it was planned by Chancellor Izunia, was it not."
Prompto didn't want to nod, but he did, bearing no friendship or loyalty with Ardyn. Still maybe it was the fever that wasn't making him think before he acted, as the nod came more quickly than he gave his mind to think.
"Sorry, I wasn't supposed to nod there." Prompto gave a soft chuckle. Why did his mind feel a bit numb?
"But as I suspected, it was a planned occasion." Luna bit the edge of her thumb. "As I thought, he purposefully put Noct in danger." Luna looked Prompto back in the eye again. "Now tell me Prompto, is that same level of danger they suspended Noct into, is that going to fall upon I or my brother?"
Prompto shot up more forwarded from his pillow. "No! I mean. . ." Prompto remembered what Ardyn said about Luna, how she'd be easy to convince. "They don't need to go that far with you," Prompto mumbled.
Why was he revealing himself so easily, it felt strange. He did have no loyalty to Niflhiem, but he also knew that he'd be killed for treason if he answered these questions with ease. Prompto looked back to the advisor Gentiana, she was doing something? What was she doing to him?
"I see, so that means that their intentions are not to bring death to the royal families," Luna brought her hands down. "Which is what I thought." Luna reached over and touched Prompto's leg under the covers. "Now Prompto, be clear, what is it the Niflheim Royal family wants by this meeting."
Prompto felt his jaw lock, if he gave this away, if he gave away what the Emperor wanted, he'd for sure be killed.
"No—" Prompto teared up, now focusing on the woman at the back. "I can't, please I can't." Prompto grabbed at his neck, the words so close to leaving that he knew he was about to reveal everything.
"Gentiana, stop!" Luna shouted turning around to her. "Don't force him if it's causing this much pain."
Prompto started coughing, despite feeling like someone was ripping words right out from his throat, he now felt like himself again, though still mildly dizzy and out of breath. Prompto was waiting for Luna's hand to leave his knee under the covers, but it stayed there, the comfort feeling genuine to him.
"I'm sorry Prompto, I didn't mean to harm you in anyway, but it's just that I can't take chances here. My country is on the line."
"Careful Luna, he has daemon blood running through his veins."
Blue eyes went wide as Prompto brought his hands down and stared to the back at the advisor. How did she know? She couldn't possibly know.
"It's. . . please it's not like I want it there," Prompto started tearing up, his words muffled under his cries.
Luna looked mildly shocked, but not completely surprised. Prompto expected more of a reaction, but still he couldn't just let her think otherwise.
He grabbed at her dress, clinging to her, with tears. "Please, I don't want it there, my father—" Prompto locked his jaw. His mind was becoming numb again, he couldn't be influenced by the advisor. If they found out he was an MT, he'd be done for.
"Shh, Prompto it's alright." Luna wrapped Prompto into her embrace. "I know, it's hard, it's hard for you to be the prince here." Luna patted Prompto's head, her hands soft playing with the tips of his bangs. "Don't worry though, I plan on saving you. Before I leave from Niflheim I plan on requesting for you to accompany me back to Tenebrae."
Prompto wanted to stop her, to tell her that's exactly what Niflheim wanted, but he stayed silent.
He'd never felt it, a person hug him—with love, with kindness, with actual care. No one had given him that before. He wanted to go back with her, to come to his country and be with more people who liked him like this.
"Luna, we've been here to long, we must leave." Gentiana was still eyeing Prompto strangely. As if she knew all his secrets without forcing him to speak them.
Pulling back Luna wiped a tear form Prompto's eye. "Don't worry Lucis and Tenebrae aren't like Niflheim they're much different—when you come see mine and Noct's lands, you'll see the sky, you'll see the sun. So don't worry, we'll save you."
She pulled back, and soon they were both gone, and Prompto was laying back under his sheets.
He was tired, and so confused. He didn't know what the right thing to do was. He didn't want to hurt Luna, he didn't want to hurt anyone, yet he knew if he went to Tenebrae he'd be playing right into Ardyn and his father's plan. That's what they wanted him to do. But he wanted to see those lands; he wanted to experience the sun like Luna had said.
As Prompto let sleep take him he imagined what the sun looked like.
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When Luna returned to her brother, he wasn't alone, Clarus and Gladio having entered their chamber while she'd gone on her brief mission.
"Sister, you've returned," Ravus said upon her entering. "Our guests have been waiting."
"Highness," Clarus said, bowing his head with Gladio. "Sorry to disturb you during mid-day, but there are things we need to discuss."
The Oracle crossed her arms. "I understand. You're here to discuss the Niflheim Prince."
Clarus and Gladio looked toward one another.
"You want for him to leave Niflheim and visit one of our homelands," Luna supplied during their silence.
"Well not entirely, but in essence yes." Clarus tapped his knee. "Though I suppose you suspected."
"Why do you want the Prince of Niflheim to come to Tenebrae?" Ravus asked from his chair. "You do realize it isn't our place."
"We have evidence to believe the Prince is being abused," Gladio inputted, entering the conversation.
"So?" Ravus spoke up. "I mean shouldn't that be obvious, you do realize what country were in, the country who has a stronger military than both our countries combined." Ravus stood up from his chair. "Even if the little prince is getting abused by whomever, it's to be expected here."
"Ravus!" Luna said, raising her voice.
"I'm just speaking the truth sister; you yourself know our country can't afford to get into a conflict with Niflheim, especially when we've just established an alliance." Ravus sat back down, crossing his arms. "I'm just being realistic."
"We weren't suggesting kidnapping," Clarus confirmed. "What I think, well, what I believe is that Prince Prompto would be is an excellent Proxy in the alliance— that's what Niflheim expects as well." It looked like Clarus was holding his tongue to the military comment, but he kept his cool. "I suggest we ask that the prince accompany either of our parties back, or that perhaps he come and study in Lucis or Tenebrae." Clarus tapped his knee. "He may be valuable for information, and keeping the peace, as well if there's ever an incoming threat, to have Prompto on our side would be to our benefit."
"As a hostage," Ravus said, speaking what was on everyone's mind. "You mean to say if Insomnia ever wanted to attack Niflheim they could use their prince as a hostage."
Luna frowned. She knew what her brother was saying, but she also knew from her better judgement that Niflheim wouldn't do anything if their prince was in either country. Looking at Gladio, Luna could tell he understood that to. Both Clarus and Ravus were misinformed on the importance of Prompto's status.
"Either way, an alliance has been built with Niflheim, unsteadily, but built." Clarus looked between Luna and Ravus. "Now I explained what happened to our prince too Ravus, but I want you both to exhibit caution while here for the next two days. Even though I am a citizen of Lucis, Tenebrae is our brother in arms, and I would hate to see anything happen to their royal family."
"Thank you Clarus," Luna said bowing her head slightly. "But Ravus and I will be fine; I suggest you focus on your own Prince."
Ravus nodded. "Unlike the Lucis brat Luna and I can look after ourselves. Now if you don't mind I'd like to speak with my sister privately regarding this matter."
Clarus looked as if he wanted to add something, but he kept his mouth still. "I understand, come along Gladiolus." Gladio looked to have been a bit irritated by the whole conversation, but he kept his mouth shut, probably biting his tongue.
After they had left, Ravus shook his head in disgust, sitting back down again. "Honestly, do they not understand the situation?"
"Do you?" Luna confirmed.
"Luna, Niflheim is dangerous, we need to be cautious. Even with the alliance, without any severe proof we can't act recklessly." Ravus stood up. "Tomorrow I have a private meeting with Verstael."
"Brother!"
"Luna, you are the Oracle, and because of that you will always be preserved, and Niflheim will not act recklessly with us, however, it would only take moments for our land to be under their control." Ravus crossed his arms. "Until then I am making preparations to guard our country."
Ravus stroked the side of Luna's cheek. "I hope you understand; everything I'm doing is to protect us—Tenebrae."
Brushing her own hand against Ravus's, Luna turned to the door unable to speak to Ravus when she knew his mind had already decided. "I'm returning to my chamber, I won't be eating dinner tonight, as I'm not hungry.
"Luna don't be childish."
"Goodnight, brother."
Luna left into the room next door, Gentiana on the other side.
"He's planning something, something that benefits only Tenebrae and not Lucis," Gentiana said after a few beats of silence.
"And as the Oracle I want to preserve all lands, Niflheim included— Prompto included." Luna looked down at her hand, remembering the touch of how warm Prompto's skin was. She wondered how many times he fell into a fevered state, how many times he'd been abused.
"I don't care what my brother does, either way I will save Prompto from being corrupted at his young age. If something isn't done now, he will no doubt be my enemy in the future." Luna squeezed her fist. "Instead I will make him my friend."