chapter 2

Circumstances weren't in Noctis' favor, neither was his own will. He couldn't refuse to Regis, part of the reason that he feared he will lose him because of a mere request he made, of course that forcing request made no sense but if Regis wanted it, he will get it. But, nothing ever works one sided. Regis said he had found a girl to marry Noctis, and he seemed to be confident that she was suitable for this. If the elderly man were to make such a proposal with someone's name confirmed, it only meant that the other side was on cooperation now. He needed to see how and why, is Regis so keen on getting Noct married and why to this girl he speaks of, specifically.

"What? you're gonna talk to the girl?" Noctis nodded, his expression of utter content which rivalled Prompto's concern. First, Regis was very unwell and it stressed the blonde out completely, then suddenly a marriage proposal was put before Noct who for some reason agreed without even questioning why and now, Noctis wanting to meet the to be bride? for what? Hadn't he promised Regis he is getting married? It made no sense at all.

"But what are you going to talk to her about?" Prompto asked, crossing his arms and leaned against the closed door.

"I'm going to ask her why did she agree to this insensible proposal."

Noctis replied, buttoning up his shirt. He had put on a plain black button up, the most casual look for a casual meeting.

"Okay, and then what?" Prompto asked, amazed at how calm Noctis was for the situation unlike before.

He had came out of Regis' room, a frowning mess. Noctis turned to look at the blonde and forced a proper smile.

"I'm going to ask her to refuse."

for some reason, Prompto couldn't decide if he should be glad that Noctis had found a way to slip out of this situation or be sad about how miserably he is going to fail at it. He couldn't decide.

a while later...

"Wait, she lives on the manor?"

Prompto asked, quite shocked and the maid nodded. Noctis decided it was wise to ask of the girl from someone that wouldn't care about telling Regis about this because if the older man found out, he would know Noctis was upto something and would turn every stone into dust to prevent him from doing anything.

"No, she STAYS at the manor. She had been looking after dad for while now." Noctis replied in a low tone looking around to make sure they weren't being too obvious. Prompto thought about it for a minute and nodded.

"Well, that makes sense. Sir Regis must have seen her, impressed by her... virtues and decided she would be the perfect wife for you?" the blonde replied, a teasing smirk creeping upto his lips which Noctis gladly ignored.

"Maybe. Who knows? Dad knows only and I'm curious to know too." Noctis replied, slowing down as they mounted the stairs. She was staying in the guest room on the second floor, it didn't take long for them to make it through the hall.

"Curious to know what?" Prompto asked, almost running into Noctis as the raven head suddenly paused in his tracks.

It dawned upon him then and the blonde let out a heavy sigh before looking around.

"Noct, are you sure about this?" He whispered and the raven head nodded, he just wanted to listen to the reason Regis gave her to agree to this.

"Good luck then." Prompto added giving an encouraging pat to Noctis' back with a smile before strolling off downstairs.

after the blonde left, Noctis turned to the door before himself and took a deep breath before knocking. It took about 17 seconds approximately for the door to open and reveal a girl. Noctis hadn't seen the girl yet, just heard her name so he wasn't sure if the one standing before him was she.

"Kaya?" Noctis spoke, and the girl's eyes narrowed. Her expression drowned into a slightly concerned one as she nodded and Noctis took a proper moment to look at her. Of course, looks were perfect including perfectly fair skin, deep brown eyes resembling the color of her hair that laid over her shoulders gracefully with few strands daring to dangle down by her cheeks as she stepped back, slim physique with average height and w-

"Sir Noctis?" She spoke, drawing Noctis' attention from her facial features to the reality. He seemed to have spaced out for the split second. He cleared his throat and straightened up.

"Uh... I want to talk to you." He replied and Kaya nodded instantly stepping aside to let him in. Noctis was quite surprised by her willing welcome, it was almost as if she were expecting him to come. Without thinking of the awkwardness of the situation anymore, Noctis walked in and Kaya closed the door behind him before following him in. Noctis didn't think walking in would be easier, but it seemed the talking was going to be very harsh. He took a deep breath and gathered enough courage before turning to look at the girl.

"So... you're the one Dad wants me to marry, right?" He asked and Kaya nodded, her expression calm.

"So you also know that the only way this can happen is if you agree to marry me too you know?" Noctis asked, trying to be as logical as possible. Kaya nodded again, standing at a good distance from him. She wasn't worried about the situation? Her expression was so calm that Noctis felt his anxiety growing.

"So... you agreed?" and Kaya nodded. Her clear and quick responses did not nothing but add to the prince's suspicions. Noctis crossed his arms, staring at the girl with a raised brow.

"Why... would you agree?" He asked and Kaya looked down, she didn't know. She was just asked and there wasn't anything to lose so why not? Noctis furrowed his brows, unable to decipher her response.

"Sir Regis asked me..." Kaya replied, looking up at Noctis. That wasn't all Regis had asked her, even if she worked at the manor and looked after him, It takes a lot more than that to convince someone to agree to that.

"And you agreed? is that it?" Noctis scoffed, crossing his arms. Even if she worked for Regis, in anyway indebted to him (which he sure knew she was), this wasn't something she needed to do. Her life wasn't worth just a favor or a request?

"He wants me to look after you." Kaya replied looking at Noctis, not the least bit surprised. Regis had told her how Noctis can react so it didn't come as a shock that he was displeased with the situation.

Noctis sighed shaking his head. this was just madness...

"Look." He began stepping closer to Kaya, gaze firmly fixated onto her own.

"I'm sure he made you agree to this like he did to me, but I'm sure if you refuse he wouldn't force you." unlike he would his own son. Kaya managed an awkward smile stepping back.

"I'm sure he wouldn't but I can't refuse." She replied, earning a distressed glare from the man before her. She had her reasons, personal even.

"See, you're being very irrational Okay? this is an arranged marriage! you dont know me, I don't know you. Do you think we would be able to make it work?" Noctis hissed, under his breath. He was getting more and more stressed by second as the chances of his escape from the situation were reducing to none.

"I will do my best." Kaya replied simply, her smile firmed up a bit. She knew Noctis wasn't at all okay with this, Regis had told her about it. But she also knew the person Noctis was, always wanting to do what he thinks is right but that isn't how things always go. Regis believed his decision to be fair, and Noctis was his son. He had thought a thousand times and possibilities because doing this, she trusted him and he trusted her.

Noctis just stared at her with a frown, his gaze narrowing at her mere sight. What was with this girl? Can't she see this wasn't going to be a relationship but a compromise of his for the sake of his father? He maybe getting married but he wasn't likely to try and make it work.

"So you're not backing up from this?" He asked, for more confirmation and Kaya nodded. What was going to happen now... the only plan Noctis could come up with the chances of succeeding failed miserably right in this moment and his chances to escaped summed up to a zero. a permanent zero...

a while later...

"Where is Noctis... it's been almost an hour now..." Prompto mumbled, his face buried in the pillow as he succumbed to his concerns... He wished he could do more than just being around...

Soon enough, the door creaked open and Noctis stepped in. Prompto jolted up from the bed, a relieved smile creeping upto his lips as he slid off the bed and approached the raven head.

"So?" He asked, looking at Noctis, hopeful something had happened. Something. anything!

"She is going to marry me." Noctis replied, letting out a sigh and made his way to the bed. Prompto wished he hadn't heard it right.

"Wait, why? Did you tell her that you don't want to do this?" He asked and Noctis nodded staring at the floor, his frown never fainting. He didn't know what had Regis said to the girl that she was so determined of this decision and that it would actually give her anything in return...

Prompto bit his lip thinking. Something had to be done... His eyes widened slightly as his brain stalled and he rushed to Noctis' sighed.

"Did you tell her about Luna...?"

Noctis paused and turned to look at the blonde before rolling his eyes.

"I can't do that." He replied, plopping down onto the bed and held his head in his hands. He wished he could see the point in all this that Regis could.

Prompto frowned, crossing his arms.

"What is going to happen to Luna then?" He added and Noctis felt his worries weighing him down. He had tried to tell Regis about Luna several times but it never worked out well. It just didn't... and the kind of person his father was, it wasn't likely to because Luna didn't fit the image of a perfect woman to marry of his father's prospective. Regis hadn't said it himself but judging by his thoughts and ideologies, and having met Kaya now, Noctis was sure Luna didn't stand a chance... at least not right now...

"I'll do something about this, just... I can't stop this from happening. Just let me think now, please." Noctis replied, almost pleaded Prompto and the blonde nodded. He didn't want to force Noctis to over think and make a drastic decision.

"He is your father... I'm sure he had something in mind for you, thus this decision-"

"I know." Noctis replied, looking down. He just wished this hadn't been so complicated... He just couldn't bring himself to think that he wouldn't lose Regis if this didn't happen... what else could go wrong? this was just a damn marriage and for sure, Kaya at some point would realize she had made a mistake and ask Regis himself... It depended on her now...

"I just hope no one's feelings get hurt in this mess... not Dad's... not hers..." He couldn't give this marriage everything that Regis hoped him to give... the old man was right. If Noctis were to think of this as a relationship rather than a comprise and give it all that he could to make it work, it would work. But he couldn't do that... He couldn't make it work. Because he didn't want to... and the reason wasn't something to be said on a short note. He wasn't even sure if Regis would give him the chance to explain if he were to tell about Luna...