"Maggie, how do you like being in the service of Lord Reginald?" Astrid asked her handmaiden as she stood behind her, tightening her corset in preparation for the ceremony. She was a thin spit of a girl, with a plain face and friendly demeanor.
"Milady?" Maggie said anxiously.
"What do you think of him, Mags? I swear on the memory of my brother I won't say a word to him about it."
"Well… he can be a decent enough person, milady. He's intelligent, clever, and sometimes even enjoys a good laugh," she told her, then continued in a hushed tone, "Just… do your best to steer clear when he has a drink in his hand, if you know what I mean."
"Hmm, yeah I think I got a taste of that earli—HRK!" Astrid was cut off when the handmaid yanked hard on the corset ties. "Maggie! Can't breathe…" she gasped, perhaps a little theatrically.
"Sorry milady."
"Why do I have to wear this torture device anyway? Am I not thin enough?"
"My Lord holds Imperial-style fashion in high regard. He personally selected your gown himself," she said, fetching it from across the room. Astrid glanced at it briefly as though it were the sun. Seeing it made it all real, and she didn't want to think of what that meant.
"I don't think I'm ready for this."
"Don't worry, milady, it's just cold feet. It happens to everyone. Now, arms up! Protect your hair," she instructed her. Astrid did as she was told while Maggie slid the dress over her head, then laced it up in back. "Aww...My Lady, you are a vision," she said, admiring her from all sides. "It'll be so nice to have another woman in the household. I'm truly happy you decided to still agree to this even after the Imperial invasion."
"What do you mean?" she asked, confused. "Why does that change anything?"
"Milady? Did you not know the city-states are dissolved? Lord Reginald was allowed to retain his titles and estates, but is no longer in control of the province." She couldn't believe her ears. If her father knew this, surely he would call off the marriage contract. That son-of-a-bitch, she thought to herself, he had no intent of telling me about this.
"Thanks Maggie," she said calmly, though her insides boiled. "If you don't mind, could I have a few minutes alone?"
"Of course, milady," she said, before curtsying and taking her leave. As the door shut behind Maggie, Astrid turned back to the floor-length mirror in front of her. She made a sour expression when she finally inspected herself, and then jumped into action. She uncovered a small bag of her things, tied her dagger to her waist, and pulled on her trusty boots. After opening the window, she stuck her head through it, gauging the distance to the ground. She figured she could climb down easily enough to where it would be safe to jump, even in her ridiculous dress. As she grabbed her bow and quiver, there was a short knock at the door and Maggie reentered. Astrid quickly hid them behind her back. "Milady, His Highness Prince Noctis of Lucis is here to see you."
"Noct? What are you doing here?" she asked as he stepped in the room and Maggie left them alone.
"I came to talk, but it kinda looks like you're going somewhere," he said with a smirk, nodding to the open window and noting the gear in her hand. She gave up trying to hide it behind her back.
"I am not marrying this guy, Noct," she stated forcefully.
"I don't blame you. Ignis heard from one of Claustra's assistants that he's an Imperial supporter."
"That pompous bastard," she said, glancing at her wedding gown. "I just found out he's got titles but no power behind it. My father would not have agreed to this had he known."
"That's good news then, right?" he asked with a grin.
"Definitely."
"Awesome. But really, I came here to talk about Prompto," he said, his smile fading.
"Is he alright?" she asked nervously.
"I guess. I've just never seen him like this. He's barely eaten or said a word since you left. And you know how much he likes doing those two things." Her eyes had been unable to contain the tears welling up in them when she chuckled, and they spilled down her cheeks. "I've never seen him happier than when he's with you."
She met his dark blue eyes. "I miss him, Noct. I was about to run away and find him and beg forgiveness. I just can't let him go without a fight."
Noctis smiled at her. "Good. But if there's one thing Gladio and Ignis have taught me, you can't run away from your responsibilities, no matter how much you want to. You have to talk to Reginald."
She sighed loudly and rolled her eyes. "Oh alright…"
"Good," he said, turning to the door.
"You're a good friend to him, Noct," she began, prompting him to stop. "I know they're all sworn to protect you and all, but… it makes me happy to see you watch out for them too."
He shrugged at her awkwardly, smiling, then said, "I'll meet you back at the hotel. Don't want Prompto to know I talked to you."
"I'll be right behind you. And Noct…" He paused and turned back again. "Thanks," she added, grinning for the first time in days.
Prompto laid morosely on the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling and wishing he could sleep. Sleep at least gave him some slight respite from thinking about her. He only dreamt of her some of the time, instead of her being on his mind every second while he was awake.
Though he didn't want to admit it aloud, Ignis was right about her. He saw now that it was not out of malice or a desire for torment that she withheld certain knowledge. He wished he could have realized that sooner, so that maybe he could have at least said goodbye to her. That, he thought, was what stung the worst now.
He wondered what she was doing right then. Where she was, if she was happy… And what she must think of him. He turned to face the back of the couch, sensing Noctis watching him as he paced the room.
"Noct, would you please sit down? You're putting me ill at ease," Ignis said, looking up briefly from his book. He was about to comply when there was a desperate knock at the door, and the prince eagerly answered it.
"Astrid! What a pleasant surprise," Ignis said, rising from his chair. Prompto jolted when he heard her name, rolling backwards. He miscalculated and fell onto the floor with a thud, then quickly got up, hoping no one else saw that.
"What can I say, I missed my boys," she said with a grin.
"You look like you ran away from a wedding," Gladio noted amusingly, joining the circle forming around her.
"Funny you should say that…" she said.
"Is that blood?" Noctis asked, noticing a crimson spray across her chest. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's not mine. I'm fine," she assured them.
Ignis took a step closer and gently turned her chin, observing the fresh red bruise on her left cheekbone. "Who did this to you?" he asked sternly, as Prompto stood at the back looking horribly concerned.
"Okay, okay. So I went to tell my former fiancé I couldn't marry him," she began, slowly glancing up at Prompto until she met his wide-eyed gaze, "and he was a bit more upset than I expected. He managed to catch me off-guard when he hit me the first time, but the second… I pulled out my knife to shield myself with and he hit the blade instead, slicing his hand open pretty good. Then I booked it outta there as he screamed after me."
"Ha! Well played," Gladio laughed heartily, patting her on the back hard enough to set her off kilter and have to take a step forward to steady herself.
"Ow, Gladio, still a bit sore, buddy," she said, wincing. She continued her forward momentum, stepping through the group to Prompto, who still hadn't said a word. She carefully took hold of each side of his vest, looking him in the eyes. "Prompto… I just want to tell you how sorry I am. I should have told you all along. I don't want any secrets between us, so… here's my last one: I love you. I love everything about you, and whatever you do with that information is up to you, but if you want me... I'm all yours. Nothing now can keep me from being with you, even if I have to renounce my titles and live on the run for the rest of my life." She finished and stood anxiously before him, awaiting his decision.
He didn't move for several moments, having trouble believing his ears. This sort of thing didn't happen to people like him. He touched her shoulder, making sure she was real. His face could no longer hide the sheer joy bubbling within him like a tea kettle. His smile provoked a matching one on her lips as she realized his answer, and he pulled her against him, kissing her fiercely. He could feel nothing else but her, the rest of the world fading to gray until it slowly returned to the sound of cheers, clapping, and catcalls. She smiled at him, and turned coyly back to their friends, never letting go.
"This calls for a celebration," Ignis suggested warmly. "Let me order a bottle of champagne from room service."
"Do you think you could get me something to eat, too? I'm starving," Prompto asked eagerly.
THE END.
