chapter 1

Noctis wondered what drove people to prefer arrange marriages. Sometimes it occured to him, out of the blue, what if Regis forced him to marry someone of his choice. He had even had nightmares about it. Probably because of Luna forcing him to talk to Regis about their relationship. Most of the marriages in their family were arranged so it wasn't unreasonable to fear the said fate.

"Take your time! take all the time you need and your dad would have dolled up a girl in a wedding dress the next time you visit him!" Luna would say whenever she would have had enough of being patient. It wasn't a piece of cake. Luna maybe from a prestigious and reputable family, equal to Noctis' own in respect and rank but to become a wife she still needed some skills and Regis had always preferred women to be perfect at the task they have undertaken. He wouldn't give them space for mistakes, the least bit for improvisation.

It just didn't make sense. How can the parents decide who their kids should spend the rest of their lives with? How can they decide whether the person they are choosing would be the right one for this? He wondered if their belief in second chances drove them to consider such a major decision of life as an attempt...

so many people ruin themselves for the sake of their parents, most of the arrange marriages don't succeed. He wondered what was the reason... was it incompatibility? then why is there such a thing called opposite attractions? people from two extremely different backgrounds, cultures and tastes come together and get to know each other to figure out whether the fit together or not. It's like the pieces of a puzzle. no piece is like the other, but when placed right, they fit... but the theory was hollow. It didn't have base other than the famous "why?"

Sunday.

the worst day of the week. why? because it was followed by Monday. Monday is the day that sucks every ounce of comfort and relaxation one had been able to stuff themselves on Saturday and Sunday. Noctis hated it, and he had a feeling that today was going to change something. He just had a feeling.

"Ugh... crud." Noctis groaned, grabbing the pillow that he had cast away from under his head and let it succumb somewhere on the bed without a purpose, and shoved it against his face to block out the sun. His alarm had died a long time ago, he had been in a deep sleep that he hadn't even noticed it going off. His head was throbbing, for whatever reasons. He didn't even drink so it was irritation to have done nothing but still suffer.

"Somebody..." He wanted to call someone to draw down the curtains but was awake enough to realize that he lived alone and Ignis was back at his father's... He gave the man a very hard time working here, but couldn't help but admit that when Ignis left, his entire life had turned upside down. He had to order food which wasn't ever perfect in taste, his clothes would be all over the place until he himself could gather enough to pick them up.

He decided it was too late to be sleeping now and one way or another he would have to get out of the bed and be productive so he started with ripping himself up from his posture and sat up. He rubbed his eyes yawning before reaching for his phone to check the time. Looking out of the window for a split second, Noctis realized the sun was up in the sky and it was probably around 11. Indeed it was when he checked the phone but the number of texts he had received and missed calls concerned him. 12 texts and 8 missed calls from Ignis... He wasn't likely to text Noctis so much, because his single text was no less than a detailed paragraph of about a 50 words. What could be so important that he had to talk about... then realization dawned upon him. Last night Ignis had left after receiving a call from Regis, said something important had come up... He pushed the blanket off himself and got out of the bed, dialing Ignis. He hoped everything was fine. the ringer went off quickly and Ignis picked up.

Noctis didn't even need to know what was happening, he had a feeling.

"Dad? is Dad Okay?"

few hours later...

Upon receiving the news of Regis being unwell, Noctis didn't waste a single second. He called Prompto over and packed up some clothes and took off. It's happened before... years ago. Just when his mother passed away, Regis had fallen ill and it was worrying. Servants wouldn't even let Noctis inside his room, for they feared he won't be able to stand the sight of his father in this state. Same was happening now. Ignis had tried to assure Noct of everything being okay, that Regis was alright. It wasn't something to be worried about. But Noctis wouldn't wait. He was too young then, he was capable of looking after his father now, capable of being with him in his harsh time... and he didn't trust anyone else right now.

the car pulled over in front of the gate with a loud screech, and Prompto's distant complaining about Noctis driving at the deadly speed announced that they had arrived. Ignis watching the scene from the window, just let out a heavy sigh and pushed up his glasses before turning to the man.

"Sir, he is here." He informed Regis who just ignored it, uninterested to let his content show.

"Keep him out. I do not want to see him." He replied, blankly. Circumstances had drifted the father and son away, but it only happened because Noct let it happen. Regis was bitter about it. Being a father, having no one but a son to hold onto who decided to leave him when he needed him the most just broke his heart.

"What has he come to offer now? concern? Concern when not offered at the time of need is no lesser than ignorance..." Regis added, his tone raspy and a cough escaped his lips. He couldn't talk properly because the continuous coughing afterwards would be too painful and hard to stop.

Ignis being as obedient as always, just nodded and made his way out of the room only to be greeted by the sight of a slightly enraged Noctis standing at the door.

"How the hell did this happen? and why did you not let me know sooner?" Noctis asked, his gaze fixated onto the man before him. Ignis just shook his head and stepped aside.

"I was told to do so..." He replied before gesturing Noctis to proceed inside before strolling off, taking the servants along.

Something began to weigh Noctis' heart down as he stepped closer to the door and held back a sigh. He didn't want to be rejected once again... this time, due his own mistakes... He had been too careless.

Gathering up enough courage, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. Greeted by the sight of his father having just closed his eyes, Noctis' heart dropped deep into his chest and he rushed over to the old man's side.

"Dad?" He called, his expression softening and his words low as he reached for Regis' hand. Distance was too much between them to let the emotions through, Regis didn't open his eyes neither did he pull his hand out of his son's grasp.

"Why have you come?" He spoke, slowly. and Noctis could hear the slight wheezing lacing his tone. It saddened him... what had happened to his father. He remains sick almost always now... It scared him.

"I have come to see you... Dad." Noctis whispered, holding Regis' hand firmly into his own and held back his sadness.

Regis finally opened his eyes and looked at his son, for a while just staring at him quietly.

"No, you've come... to leave." Regis replied, turning away from Noctis and closed his eyes again. Noctis always left... so it wasn't a surprise if he would now.

"Dad, please... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being here. I'm sorry for... for everything. It's been years... can't you forgive me already?" Noctis pled, his expectations slowly shattering Regis had never turned away from him and today it happened. He didn't think his forgiveness had a chance now...

"Forgive you?" Regis spoke, turning to look at Noctis with an evident frown on his lips.

"Forgive you for what son? I've forgiven you for everything you've ever done to wrong me... but I can't forgive you for wanting to destroy your own life..."

Noctis held back a sigh. Not this again, why does Regis always have to have an objection to his life...

"Dad, I'm sorry. But we have talked about this, you know I can't just abandon everything and move in here. I have still much to learn and... I'm not ready to take over the business... yet." He replied. Regis stared at Noctis quietly for a moment. He was determined on his decision to stay back in the city wasn't he? But this wasn't about the business... this was about Noctis' life. His pattern of living... God know what happens in the world nowadays... people changing preferences everyday, drugs, alcohol... crime... It was easy to be corrupted when the sins are too sweet... and Regis didn't want his son to be whisked away by the glimmers of the modernity...

He held back a sigh and sat up, or at least tried to until Noctis helped him.

"I have listened to you since you started talking... but I won't allow you to silence me when what you talk isn't something that should come out of your mouth. you hear me? if you don't want to move in here, it's okay. I don't mind. But, I won't let you let the world lead you into emptiness." Regis said, his tone raspy as coughing began. Each of the words distanced by the painful wheezing.

"Dad, stop talking please. Where are your meds?" Noctis insisted holding Regis firmly by his hand while gestured the maid over. She held out the pills and water which Regis rejected, turning away.

"Dad, please. Meds, you're being childish now." Noctis scolded, grabbing the pills from the nurse and held them out to Regis yet he still rejected. He would gladly die than to see his son drift apart from him and getting lost in the world outside... people were after him, they would bring him down no matter what the way. He couldn't allow it...

"Dad? Ignis!" Noctis called, as the wheezing gotten worse, his heart was drumming inside his chest as he tried to hold his father down. He feared something might happen any second. Ignis rushed inside with the doctor and couple other servants and they tried to convince Regis. but the man wouldn't bear the sight of the pills.

"Please stay outside." Ignis requested Noctis, with a worried expression on his face. Ignis never changed a shade of his face, unless the situation was intense and right now, Noctis could tell the situation was intense. He didn't have any choice, Regis wouldn't take his pills despite his health getting bad day by day and only because of Noctis... Noctis bit his lip stepping away from the bed, watching his father fight himself was the most painful sight. It reminded him of his mother... it shattered his heart. Noctis couldn't hold himself back anymore, making his way out of the room. as he walked down the hall he could hear Ignis and every other servant in the manor pleading Regis to take the pills, but he kept resisting.

a while later...

Noctis didn't realize when the voice drowned for the moment He opened his eyes He was in his room, the curtains were down and it was around evening, the red shade of the sky was visible through the white curtains.

He pushed himself up into a sitting position and looked around. He was slightly distributed and disoriented, using too much nervous energy caused him fatigue and he couldn't help it.

"Noct? Hey, you Okay man?" Prompto asked, entering the room. He let out a relieved sigh as soon as Noctis looked at him.

"That was the quite the scare you gave me man, we were on our way to your room and you just fainted. I freaked out and the servants helped me tak- wait wait! you can't get out of the bed! you need to rest?" Prompto insisted rushing over and tried to hold Noctis down but he pushed him off with a groan.

"How is Dad?" Noctis asked, getting out of the bed and pulled on his jacket. He shuddered slightly as the cold fabric hugged his skin. It was awfully cold tonight...

"He is Okay. Doctor sedated him so he could rest." Prompto replied, following Noctis as he headed out. He didn't know what was the argument between the father and son, but it was only reasonable on Regis' behalf. He was concerned about Noctis' life. Noctis thought it was unreasonable of Regis to think that he needed to be watched over. He was an adult, been living on his own for years now... He didn't need anyone to look after him.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Prompto whispered, following after Noctis as they walked through the hall. He was heading for Regis' room and Prompto wasn't sure if the older man would be disturbed with another discussion after previous one.

"Noct! Hey!" He called after trying to keep his tone as low as possible but Noctis wasn't about to listen to him. His steps didn't falter for even a second, marching over and knocked politely onto the door.

"Come in." few minutes later came the response, Noctis gestured Prompto to stay out before taking a deep breath he stepped inside. Regis sat there, now much calm and seemed to be feeling better even.

"Come on in, I was waiting for you..." the older man said, a faint smile blooming onto his lips which relieved Noctis of his worries. He'd thought his father would be upset with him, upset enough to not want to see him. If that had happened Noctis would have been very sad.

"Dad...I'm sorry." Noctis spoke, making his way to the bed and sat down beside his father reaching for his hand.

"I'm sorry for everything." He whispered, holding Regis' hand firmly into his own and looked at him with utmost apologetic look. He had hurt his father too much during the years of his loneliness, by his absence and by his words. the regret of the lost time and the realization of his wrong was weighing Noctis down. He would give anything to have his father back.

"I loved your mother..." Regis whispered, looking at Noctis for a split second before stealing his gaze away. Noctis knew his father didn't want him to see the regret and sadness in his gaze that he held for having lost the most precious one in his life.

"She never asked for anything, neither was I able to give her what she deserved..." He added, his tone low as he closed his eyes. He loved his wife, but never realized how far he had drifted from her until she left.

"I don't even remember the last time I sat down and talked to her..." He added, his eyes brimming with tears. Noctis tightened his grasp around Regis' hand to assure him.

"She was a very patient and strong woman... and the only one who stood beside me in my best and worst." Regis added, looking at Noctis and smiled.

"She loved me more than anyone ever could... sad that I didn't realize it while she was still here." He added with a sigh, a dry tear rolling down his cheek. She was the best thing had happened to him, and it was because of her that he is where he is right now.

"Didn't you say... I could ask of you anything but to move back in here?" Regis spoke, looking up at Noctis who nodded, genuinely honest to his words. His father stared at him quietly for a while before sighing.

"I only want the best for you, my dearest. I can't be with you, that concerns me of your well being..." He added, his brows furrowing slightly as he shifted in his spot.

"I can understand... Dad." Noctis replied bringing his hand upto his lips and kissed it looking up at him with a faint smile.

"Can you do me a favor then?" Regis asked, his tone wasn't demanding but rather requesting. Noctis felt a shudder run down his spine, a very strange feeling blooming into his chest. He felt like this had happened, before...

"If I'm assured of your well being, of you being in the safe hands, then my concerns would subside... and I'm sure you won't want me to keep worrying about you meanwhile I recover now, would you?" Regis continued and Noctis felt his heart slipping beats. Wait... what was happening? Can't Regis be asking for... no.

"I want someone to be with you and look after you, someone that considers you their own and is there for you in your hard times." Noctis shook his head instantly and held back an nervous chuckle.

"Dad. Don't worry, I have Ignis! He looks after me very well, I will managed I swear." He said but Regis wasn't likely to buy it. He couldn't. He wouldn't.

"Noct... listen to me, this is all I ask of you. It's for your own good. I have been thinking about this for quite a while now..." Regis continued and Noct screamed into the back of his mind complaining about how unreasonable his father was being.

"I have found someone that can look after you just like I need her to."

Her? What did he mean by her? Is he serious? Noctis shook his head held onto Regis' hand firmly.

"Dad, no. this isn't the solution. It doesn't make sense. I won't do-"

Regis stared at Noctis, his expression blank yet his composure calm. He wouldn't listen this time. For years, Noctis has been asking and he had been giving, but this time. He is asking and Noctis HAD to give... or else it's over.

"I have found a girl perfect to be your wedded wife, I have known her for long and I trust her. It's time that you settle down, if not now, your life would be very disorganized then." Regis said. Didn't that make sense now...

"But Dad, why do I have to mar-" Regis held his hand out to Noctis, staring at him. He had the determined look that Noctis knew, meant he wasn't asking. He was ordering. Noctis' gaze shifting from his father to his hand, his mind flipping every page of his life to look for any relating fact to the idea his father had just come up with.

"I won't ask of anything else, Noctis. You're allowed to refuse if you want, just know... you won't be hearing anything from me after forever..."

what the heck! Noctis' brow furrowed and his lips curving into a frown. Cant Regis see? this just didn't make sense! How can he just marry his son to anyone he'd wanted and actually think that it would work! Regis could tell something was keeping Noctis, every second of his silence convinced him of his suspicions being true... Something was back in the city that was keeping him, or else marriage wasn't much of an issue for someone as open minded as Noctis. He believed there was a way out of everything.

"Just know Noct... this is all I'm asking for. If you trust me, then trust my decision."

Regis added and Noctis looked up at him, in his eyes. He couldn't decide whether to be content about Regis' deciding to stop bugging him to come back or be worried about this marriage that his father had arranged. arranged...?

Noctis' eyes widened. He had been having dreams of this happening for quite a while now... Luna's words began ringing in his ears.

"Take your time! take all the time you need and your dad would have dolled up a girl in a wedding dress the next time you visit him!"

She wasn't bluffing... she knew about the traditions changing in families such as Noctis' own... but then again, this was his father... if Regis had thought of something, he would have thought it throughly... He did trust him... He had to trust this decision too... right now, nothing was more important than his father... not even this marriage... It didn't mean anything. It was just an arranged marriage...

later...

"Noct... come on man. What's taking you so long? is everything Okay?" Prompto continued to mumble, concern dripping off his facial features, furrowed brows and frowned lips, as he marched down one end of the hall to the other.

"I hope Sir Regis is Ok-" the door clicked open and Prompto perked up, Noctis stepped out and the blonde rushed over to him.

"Hey Noct. How did everything go? How is Sir Regis?" He asked, clearly nervous and excited to know if Noctis was able to make things right but the man didn't respond and just dragged his feet down the hall. Prompto followed him quietly and watched him. His expression was blank and his steps were weary... did Regis break something horrific to him...? maybe some ugly truth like 'the business we own isn't ours, we stole it.'

"Noct... is everything Okay? How is Sir Regis? what's happening?" Prompto's anxiety was growing by minute as Noctis kept quiet.

Everything was happening so instantly that Noctis didn't know how to react. He wasn't given anytime to think, He couldn't tell if the way Regis forced him to make a choice, and the ONLY choice he had given him was Okay or not? Was it even morally right? then again, their family had a history... of changing traditions. Noctis looked up at Prompto before letting out a heavy sigh.

"I'm getting married."

"WHAT?!"