chapter 4

Marriage. Why is it even necessary? Isn't it like the permanent live in relationship? So what's the difference? Difference is, you're bound to the person you wed, for the rest of your life, legally and socially. It is the announcement of your acceptance of that person as the only one to share yourself with, to look after them, to cherish them, to protect them and to BE with them.

With marriage comes responsibility, of being not only a husband or wife, but a friend, a lover, a guardian, a little bit of everyone, for your better half. It's a beautiful cage to be bound in, but its only beautiful if the one caging you looks after you as if you're the most precious in this whole wide world. there is no exception for you... of course, when you love someone, there is no exception for them. is there?

"Sure about this?"

Noctis took deep breath, his gaze fixated onto the mirror. Black. It suited him, but today he didn't want to look better than he always does. Everything was perfect, the clothes, the face, the expression except for the feeling... a heavy feeling weighing his heart down. a feeling of... regret?

"Do I have a choice?" He replied, turning to Pormpto and lit up a proper smile on his lips. He didn't want to and couldn't let Regis see through, that the facade He was wearing was just for the occasion. He just didn't want his father to think that he didn't trust him. trust this decision...

Prompto stared at him quietly for a moment before nodding and faked a smile.

"Perfect. You look perfect." He said giving an encouraging pat to Noctis.

"He IS perfect." spoke Regis, standing at the door. Noctis felt his heart skip a beat, his smile faltering for a moment. He felt the dire need to run upto Regis and tell him about Luna.

"Dad, I-" Regis raised his hand up gesturing Noctis to quiet before approaching him. He looked at him throughly for a moment, a smile lighting up his aged features. He looked almost... happy. Happy about what?

"I know. I know what you are feeling right now, it's natural." Noctis felt his heart race in his chest. Did he?

"Its alright to feel nervous." Noctis' shoulder dropped slightly at the response and he looked at Prompto. He wasn't nervous... He was just getting sad more and more by minute.

"Don't worry. It won't take much effort. Kaya knows about your hesitance to this decision, she will do her best to live upto your expectations." Regis added grabbing Noctis firmly by his arms and looked at him, from head to toe. Noctis managed a smile, expectations? She crushed his every hope by being as confused as his own self. How would she be expected to understand his expectations?

"I will... not give her a hard time, Dad." Noctis replied. It wasn't hard, to make a relationship work. But it was close to impossible, if only one is going to try... He felt bad for the girl, she didn't know what he was planning.

a while later...

Noctis held back a sigh, tugging at his bowtie slightly to let it loose. It was suffocating, the tight clothes, and outdoors. He still couldn't believe that only the vows are to be said and every way out of this would be closed... He still felt like there was a chance to escape. Even in the last few seconds, just before the kiss, he could stop this. Indeed. He could... but would he? His gaze kept roaming the audience, every person and even those he hadn't ever seen in his life was present, content smiles on their faces, but Regis wasn't. In one front row in the right, Noctis' gaze met with familiar doubtful one, of no one other than Kiara. He wondered if she knew why he didn't want to marry Kaya, for she had been a strong opposition to this decision silently. She was observant, and a mere gaze was enough to tell what the other person was thinking. She could tell that Noctis still believed this could end, right here...

and within few moments, everyone one went silent at the bride's arrival, standing up to pay the respect to not only her but Regis as well, for he was the one accompanying her on her way to the chapel, to a new life, to Noctis. Noctis wondered why, despite Kaya's father being there, his own father was accompanying her... but the situation just added to the weight on his shoulder, was this to keep him silent? Because Regis' mere presence holed up Noctis' courage with insecurities. What if... was just as much hope for Noctis as despair. what if this ended right here? but then again, what if Regis shut Noctis out... He wouldn't do that, he may have forced the raven head into this marriage but he wouldn't have shut him out just because he refused, even if he said so. His son was his most beloved in the whole wide world and he couldn't give him up for anything.

Noctis didn't even realize when Kaya made it into the chapel as his gaze was lost into empty space and his thoughts roaming around what ifs until an encouraging hand rested upon his shoulder. It was none other than Regis, looking at Noctis with every hope he held for the life ahead of him and Noctis felt the courage to take a step towards his escape shatter... He couldn't risk losing Regis' trust.. His smile faltered for a moment and he gave an assuring nod watching Regis head back to his side. His gaze then returned to his bride, his to be soulfully wedded wife... Kaya. He hadn't even heard that name in the manor, wondered if it meant anything. She wasn't always around, Noctis was sure. She had come during the last 4 years that he had been absent. But it still takes a lot to win over Regis' trust, there was definitely something about her that impressed the old man.

Wedding vows. Noctis didn't think any thing could be more useful and lame than those. Meaningless literary rich promises that the couple never meant to keep, wasn't just saying "I do" enough? He felt his throat going dry as he continued to say, every word followed by a properly managed smile. Hesitance seeping into his very bone, what ifs continued to round up his senses. But thankfully, before Noctis could open up his mouth for any objections, everything stopped. the question was asked and every word began ringing in Noctis' ears, his gaze shifting towards Regis for a split second. It wasn't going to stop... would it? But it could! it wouldn't affect anyone much would it? Even if he said no now, in the last minute. Kaya stared at him, not at all affected by the seconds ticking by as Noctis took his time to answer. She wouldn't be surprised if he refused now...

"I do." replied Noctis, and relief surged through Regis, his smile lightened up a bit. Kaya felt her cheeks burn up and she stole her gaze away from the raven head, before saying the words herself.

"I do..." that was all it took to be bound in a relationship that needed commitment and efforts to work and flourish... It was an arranged marriage, but love is never arranged and it would take a lot more than commitment and effort to make it work. Regis may be able to make Noctis marry Kaya but it wasn't in his power to make him love her...