Noctis went to the library with Beck, while the other three women guarded the door. Iris hated the fact she had been partnered with a female glaive in protecting her prince. Crowe was more amused the tiny teen thought she could play bodyguard to Noctis, though remembering the secret he had confined in her earlier wondered if the kid was a step up. Monica just watched the door and prayed the other two didn't kill each other. Umbra whined toward Monica.
"What is it, boy?" She asked. She hadn't spent a lot of time around dogs.
"When was the last time he was walked?" Asked Crowe.
"I think his highness took him for a walk before he took a shower." Answered Monica.
"Okay, so ,Crowe, take the doggy for a walk." Ordered Iris.
"I might should practice guarding him and walk him yourself." Argued Crowe. "Leave the prince to the big girls."
Umbra whined again. Monica sighed. "Leave it to me. Just promise me you two will try to get along if only for the shake of his highness. These walls maybe safe from a direct attack, but there has been a rumor of a spy in our mist. The king is worried for his son. I don't even want to imagine what would become of the king if something happened to Prince Noctis."
Crowe and Iris gasped. Iris managed to ask, " Why Noct? He's such a nice person."
"He is a future monarch. He's not just next in line, he is the line. The king has no other children and the only sibling our king had died early childhood." Monica tried to explain, but Umbra whined again and at her pitifully. "Okay, we'll go."
Umbra barked a yes and followed Monica. Crowe watched. "No wonder to the king was so calm about having two bodyguards for the prince today. I wonder where the Prince's Crownsguard are?"
"My brother would never betray Noct if that's what you are thinking! He would die before he let anything happens to him." Shouted Iris. Gladio treated Noct like a brother.
"I never suggested that. I just want to know why all of his personal Crownsguard are not around with these allegations going around?" Corrected Crowe.
"They have the day off. Whenever Crownsguard are sent on a mission they get a day off when they return." Answered Iris. "Noct only has three, so . . . "
"Only three! I know he's young, but shouldn't he have at least fifty!" Crowe wasn't sure if Iris was joking or if she was serious. There was no telling how many Crownsguard the king had.
"Well, the way my dad explained it there's this bonding ceremony that they go thru and is just now able to do it. It takes alot out of him." Iris thought everyone knew that. That was why Crownsguard generally became a family occupation that passed down each generation. Right now, Crownsguard could bond with both the king and future king; her bond would be primarily with Noct . . . When she completed her training, . . .after she was allowed to start it. This glaive knew nothing.
"So, it's a bond more powerful than that the king shares with his glaives? Then does this mean our prince will need to form his own glaive? " Asked Crowe. She had a natural talent for magic; it had been why she had been treated like a witch when she was younger. The King's bond with the glaives enhanced their natural abilities further.
"I . . . Don't know. The king wants to end the war as soon as he can." Iris felt defeated by that. That was one thing she couldn't do for Noct now: fight in his name. She was barely allowed to train in hand to hand combat. She knew she needed to study a weapon, but she couldn't decide. All of her father and brother's weapons were so big and heavy.
"All of us would love to see it end soon, but unless the Emperor and Chancellor both drop dead, that won't be anytime soon. The treaty was the one chance for a swift end, but you know the truth behind that. " Replied Crowe. So, the kid wasn't a Crownsguard yet and still planned on protecting the prince; if this was his best defense against Highwind, he was as good as her prisoner. "All the more reason our prince needs allies that he can fall back on. I know he is our future and that is all the more reason the Nifs want him."
Iris was silent a moment. She was still a small child when Noctis had barely survived a daemon attack. She had been told how it changed him and the king. Noctis had been surrounded by Crownsguard and none of them made it back alive. Peace would've been nice and she had to keep believing it would come.
Regis called Clarus into his office. In truth he didn't mind his son having two bodyguards look after him, but under normal circumstances he knew Clarus would have let Iris do it alone as she often did on Gladio's days off. What was different Now?
"You called for me, your majesty? " Asked Clarus.
"Yes. I understand you assigned a glaive to serve as Noct's bodyguard while your son is off duty. Doesn't Iris normally fill in?" Replied Regis.
"Yes, but due to the increased activity of the Empire and the current rumors of Espinosa within the Citadel, my son and I agreed that someone with experience in battle would best fill his position temporarily as to both defer direct attacks and be able to act if the situation arose." Recited Clarus.
"Are you sure it wasn't just because of your daughter's crush on my son?" Asked Regis. He knew Clarus too well.
"You caught me. I trust Noct, don't get me wrong on that. It's just. . . Iris is my baby, my pride and joy. I know he wouldn't try anything with her she didn't want and knowing him he would ask my consent first and then Gladio's. Iris on the other hand, . . . She knows how to twist his arm and if she had it her way . . . I'm not ready to see her have her own Kids! She's just 15!" Admitted Clarus. It felt good having it off his chest.
"I know how you feel. Noctis is 20 and letting go is hard. Even knowing they slept in separate rooms, the thought of what could've happened between Noctis and that other girl is unnerving. I want grand children, but seeing him walk her home his morning made me worry." It was true. Noctis let a girl stay the night and all Regis had thought about was Noctis being taken advantage of by a mysterious girl . He loved his son, but was the prince truly over the Oracle?
Clarus looked at the king's desk." May I borrow these? I think they night be a good detergent for premarital sex? Solve both our problems in one minute. At the very least get some revenge for making us worry. Bring some to dinner. I guarantee your son will be more considerate." Promised Clarus. " How do you think Rosetta got rid of that girl she hated that was all over Gladio? "
Noct sat with Beck in the library. The library was having its annual readathon next week. Every year, people from Insomina would donate time to read to children . Even the king made sure to leave the day open for it. Naturally, Noctis was already signed up. Beck had bought several books she thought would be fun for the kids. Some were classics, but others were fairly new.
"Wow. This is quite the selection." Said Noctis. He shuffled thru them. "'I remember some of these when I was a kid. 'The Mermaid of Altissia', 'Behemoth in the Mist,' and . . , 'the Cat Prince that saved the City'?"
"It's a new book from Fiona de Moon. She normally writes young adult stories about a prince cursed to take the form of a cat every night because his mother betrayed this witch. It's a popular series. She did this book for younger readers who may not be ready for the more mature stories and themes." Explained Rebecca.
"What do you mean? " Asked Noctis.
"Well, book one the prince is cursed and he learns about a plot to over throw his father the same night. He has to warn his father, but is constantly chased and even thrown out a window at one point." Answered Becca. "If you like, I can let you borrow my copies of the main series. "
"That would be great." Said Noctis. He didn't know which would be worse: a plot against his father or being thrown out a window after being chased (true he could warp out of it, but would his warp work if he was a cat?). He was pretty sure he could live with turning into a cat every night."By the way, are you still up for our movie date tomorrow? "
"Looking forward to it. So, what's the name of the movie? " Asked Rebecca. She hunted out the first three books in the Cat Prince series (knowing Noct might be interested in it).
"It's Dynasty warriors: king of dragons and Lady of the tigers. " Answered Noctis. He knew it was about a man who came to power with the help of his sworn brothers to protect the people, which at some point lead to him seeking allies. The lady nearly lost her father and eldest brother in battle, but had renewed faith after meeting the dragon king and fell in love. Eventually, advisors from both kingdoms set up an arranged marriage (why did that seem so familiar?) to strengthen the alliance. Although their love only grew, cracks began to form and another kingdom tried to pull a trick, but thanks to some swift thinking of the pair the deception was exposed before the rift was too wide. The Kingdoms found peace and united the land. Now he just had to hope Ignis wouldn't want to watch it as well. He glanced at his watch. " I didn't realize it was that late. Umbra is way over due his walk."
"I best go too. The preschool is bringing students to the library to sign up for cards. See you tonight at dinner, Noct." Said Rebecca.
"Bye, Beck." Sighed Noctis. He almost forgot his dad invited four women to dinner. He loved his father, but this was a bit . . . opened the door to find only Crowe and Iris waiting. "Where's Monica and Umbra? "
"She took him for a walk, but they should have been back by now." Answered Crowe.
"Yeah, he will stay with you, but that dog will walk forever if he let him." Sighed Noctis. He learned that the hard way during one of Umbra's visits. " They should be in the garden. Let's go."
Monica could not believe her luck. Umbra had wandered into a green house and when she followed the door behind her locked. Also, her phone died. This would be a fine mess to be found in. Umbra seemed sympathetic and layed down beside her. Then the door opened and closed.
"What are you two doing in here?" Asked a familiar voice. Monica looked up and ran to meet him with a hug. Realizing what she had just done, she backed off.
"I am so so sorry, your highness. He ran in here and the door locked behind us . . . " Started Monica. Another realization hit her: the door. She walked up to it and sure enough it was locked again. "Any chance you have your phone? My battery died."
"One minute. " Said Noctis. He dialed the gardener. "Raguna? Any chance you can come to the green house? . . . I was locked in along with a Crownsguard and my dog. . . No, that is not a joke. . . Good, see you in afew."
"How long?" Asked Monica.
"Fifteen minutes at most. He's not that far away." Answered Noctis. He sat down with Umbra, who smiled and crawled in his lap.
All Monica could think about was getting the prince out of here. She wished the spy was just a rumor, but it was a very real threat. While the attack had been deflected, the few ships that had attacked had specific targets. How else could they have even begun planning an attack without knowledge of the city?
"Everything okay, Monica? " Asked Noctis. Her training of thought was broken and she looked over at him.
"I have claustrophobia. I can't. . . I can't stand small spaces." Lied Monica. She didn't need him to worry. Thinking back, the targets had been some of the oldest buildings in the city, some older than the king. It might not be out of the realm of possibilities that the Empire had older maps and yet . . . She couldn't shake the feeling it was someone on the inside, but Who? Who would betray the king? Who had access to records that would dare to serve the Empire in secret? Now, she was the only one nearby if the prince was attacked. Monica watched him and Umbra. If she didn't know better, she could have mistaken them for a boy and his dog. The way Prince Noctis's Crystal blue eyes looked at the dog shown worry. Why had she lied to him? Now he was focused on her.
Noctis wasn't sure what to make of this. The green house was the size of the average two story house, but he didn't question her further. Maybe that it was made of glass that bothered her. He petted Umbra. He prayed Raguna would be there soon, for Monica's sake.
She sat down next to him and he pulled her in to a hug. She rested her head on his shoulder while he stroked her hair. This was a comfort that she had gotten thru deception; in her mind she didn't deserve it, but she couldn't bring herself to confess or ask him to stop. Finally the gardener and let them out.
Monica looked at her watch. "Your highness, we have to meet the doctor for your physical. "
"Let's rejoin Iris and Crowe. . . Oh, no." Said Noctis when he looked over at the entrance. Clarus was with them showing them some family albums.
"This is our prince when he was a baby? Oh, he was so precious! " squealed Crowe. It was a picture of Noctis dressed in a onesie modelled after Bahamut.
"Why is there a picture of me wrapped in a blanket?!" Cried Iris. Her cheeks had turned bright red. This wasn't good.
"Well, when you were two I took you to work and you hadn't quite been potty trained. When I started to change you, you sprinted down the halls. Lucky for you, the king has a sense of humor; he caught you and had the crown prince's nurse watch you the rest of the day." Explained Clarus. Noctis looked at the picture. "Look familiar, your highness? "
"I think I remember that. They put Iris in a blanket until her clothes were washed." Added Noctis. "So, Clarus, what's with the albums ? "
"Your father thought the ladies might want to hear some stories about you while you had your check up." Answered Clarus. Noctis turned red."Don't worry, lad. He left out the video tape of your birth. Besides, he saved the best for after dinner."