Hi guys! If you remember my story 'Warrior of Lucis', this is a rewrite with a lot of major changes, with pretty much the same theme.
PLEASE READ: This story is part of a series; a crossover with Kingdom Hearts and is the first story of it. If you haven't played KH then it's fine, because this story won't reference it until the last few chapters. All credit for the canon characters go to Tabata as well as any KH characters mentioned go to Nomura. I hope you enjoy the story! I haven't put it in as a crossover seeing as for the majority of the story it doesn't have many elements of KH in it until the last arc.
Lucis's Reborn
Chapter 1: Renae Lucis Caelum
Renae Lucis Caelum sat in front of the mirror of her dresser. She was wearing a black mid-length sleeved dress with a portrait neckline which fell to her knees. The dress fit like a glove and the triple gold chain belt accentuated her waist. On her feet were a pair of black slip-on shoes with small block heels. Her skin was covered with a light foundation, the concealer hiding away her dark eye bags, a few layers of mascara on her lashes and she wore wine red lipstick. Her waist length hair was tied back into a neat half up half down braided hairstyle. Around her neck was a simple gold choker necklace and gold tear drop earrings. Today was a special day for her, one of the most important days which, if executed correctly, could bring peace to the Kingdom of Lucis.
The teenager looked up at the mirror and stared at her reflection. She was the youngest child of King Regis and his late wife Queen Aulea. The Princess was beautiful, inheriting her black wavy hair and almond shaped forest green eyes from her father. However, she inherited her mother's facial features; her high cheekbones, chiselled jawline, small nose and long eyelashes. She was also small; at 5ft 3in, just like her mother at her age. The staff around the Citadel would constantly talk about how she looked more like her father than her mother but she reminded the King more of his late queen than himself.
If it wasn't for the colour of their eyes and their hairstyles, she looked identical to Noctis, down to the small beauty mark on their chin. Many people as well as the media compared Renae to her older brother. He acted less like royalty and the public related to him more. The people loved and adored the Crown Prince for who he was rather than what he was. The Princess however was taught from a young age to act like a Princess even though she hated it. Her lady in waiting, Maria was a cruel woman, who was so extreme with her practises on the Princess, pulling her hair, slapping her face for disobeying, scolding her for thinking aloud and filling her head with nonsense. Renae was sheltered within the Citadel walls, thanks to her, making her believe that Princesses should stay in one place, that they shouldn't go out and mingle with the "commoners". In a way, Ren was envious of her brother who seemed to have more freedom than what she had. But that did not stop the Princess from loving her brother any less. He meant the entire world to her and she loved him terribly just like how she loved her father. Noctis and Regis knew that she was the bridge between their strained relationship.
Bridges. Today was the day she would hopefully build a stable bridge between the Kingdoms of Lucis and Tenebrae. It was Queen Sylva's wish many years ago for the Houses of Fleuret and Lucis to be joined in marriage. Her brother was betrothed to the late Queen's youngest child, Lunafreya and she was promised to the Queen's son, Ravus.
The Princess understood that she was young for the Prince, but knew that this alliance could improve the strained relationship between the two Kingdoms. Ren didn't dislike Ravus and he wasn't a complete stranger to her either. The girl remembered the first time they met when she was only 7 and he was 16. He kept her company when Noctis stayed with Lunafreya, he showed her around Tenebrae, showing her his garden where he personally grew Sylleblossoms and they would read books to each other. Ravus made her stay so warm and she enjoyed every moment of it. Until the Empire invaded and killed their mother. Renae watched as his mother sacrificed her life, being burned and stabbed from General Glauca. When Regis grabbed both Noctis and her, she begged for him to go back to save both Luna and Ravus. Even until now, she still kept a small grudge against her father for leaving them behind like that. All the rumours about him being a lapdog for the Empire as a High Commander of the Imperial Army, was something she never listened to. Although it seemed naïve, deep inside her heart she believed that he must have a good motive behind his actions.
It had been 12 years since they both saw each other, they still kept contact with one another via letters sent by one of her birds, a corvid, which flew to Tenebrae every week and back. Yet she felt like she barely knew him, it was one thing writing to each other, but not being able to see or speak to each other physically was something completely different. There were times when her heart yearned to see him.
Princess Renae would often think about what marriage would be like for her. She was only 19 years old, still studying in university. Would she have to move to Tenebrae immediately? Would Ravus allow her to complete her education? But the most important question would be was; would they ever fall in love with each other? Ren was unsure of this. She had a feeling Ravus would understand if she wasn't ready to move to Tenebrae quite yet and it's not like he wouldn't let her complete her education. But love was such an uncertainty. How does one fall in love with a friend they were betrothed to? Maria would often say that she would just have to learn to love him. And even if it didn't happen, all she'd have to do is give birth to his children and love them instead. But that's not what she would have wanted. Renae wanted to experience true love, just once in her lifetime.
The only love she knew, was for her friends and family. The closest thing she felt to love was an infatuation she had for her brother's Shield, Gladiolus Amicitia. He was such a handsome rugged man with incredible strength and it made her heart skip a beat, as it would for many girls. Luckily for her, he too was interested in her, although it felt wrong for him, seeing as she was the Princess and his best friend's sister. However, after spending more time together, the infatuation turned romantic. At first, she thought it would be alright, she could just call off the wedding with Ravus and be with Gladio instead. But Ren thought about how unfair it was to Ravus, who was most likely expecting them to get married, not to mention the relationship between the Kingdoms would crumble, especially seeing as she knew that Noctis harboured no romantic feelings for his childhood friend. So, she decided to break things off with Gladio, ruining their friendship, so that she could marry Ravus, cementing the bridge between Tenebrae and Lucis as well as protecting Noctis whenever he was ready to break off the betrothal.
A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts and she instantly stood up, straightening her dress.
"Come in." The girl called out in her sweet voice.
The door opened and there she saw her father. The King's face brightened, as the sides of his lips perked into a beautiful smile and she could have sworn she saw his eyes instantly sparkle with tears. Her eyebrows rose and her blank gaze brightened as she grinned to see her father. Her heart filled with so much love and happiness every time she saw him.
"My beautiful Princess." His voice cracked as he closed the door behind him.
Renae instantly rushed to his side, holding his other hand and leading him towards the chair she sat on, helping him sit down. The girl ran to her bed, taking a pillow and then pulling another chair beside him. She helped him lean forward and placed the pillow behind.
"You know you don't have to do this, my little girl."
"Yes I do." She smiled at the King as she sat down next to him.
"You spoil me, Princess." The girl giggled.
"As do you, King Regis."
"And here I am about to spoil you again." The man took out a black box and held it out in front of her.
"Dad, I have enough gifts." She pouted.
"I won't take no for an answer. Besides." The man opened the box and her eyes widened as they filled with tears. "Your mother wanted to give this to you."
Within the box, was a white ring which had a golden circular design which looked like a drive wheel on a spinning wheel with what looked like someone holding the crystal. The crystal itself was something no one had ever seen. It was a bright blue stone similar to a geode with a large crack in it that exposed the crystalized sparkling core which always glowed. It looked very similar to the Ring of Lucii, except the colours were inverted.
"That's…Mama's ring…" Her voice squeaked.
The ring held so much importance to Regis, it was his most valued object. When he and his dearest Aulea went on their first date, an asteroid from the starry heaven's fell and they found a small but beautiful crystal. Prince Regis, 18 at the time, took the crystal, got it made into a ring and gave it to his dearest Aulea on her 18th birthday whilst confessing his love for her.
"And now it belongs to you." Her father placed the ring on her right middle finger.
"Thank you, dad." It meant the world that he gave her this; now there was something she could wear to honour her mother's memory. His smile slowly dropped and he placed his hands on her shoulders gently.
"Are you completely sure about your betrothal to Ravus?" The girl felt as though something was gripping onto her neck and it was difficult to swallow the ball of uncertainty in her throat. But she just smiled whilst nodding.
"I'm sure." She replied. "In a way, I'm glad I'm promised to someone I know, rather than a complete stranger."
"You haven't seen him in 12 years, it may feel like he is a stranger."
"And that's what our date is for." Ren replied and she noticed her father's demeanour changed from serious to woeful when she mentioned it. His daughter placed her small warm hand on his. The King looked up at his child with his eyebrows furrowed together. She placed her other hand on his face, wiping his tear with her thumb. "You have nothing to worry about, I promise."
"You're my little girl. I didn't think I'd have to let you go so soon."
Renae instantly wrapped her arms around her father, leaning her cheek against his neck as she held him tight. If he saw her break down, then he would have too and most likely break off the engagement. She didn't want him to see her cry or upset to leave. Over the past few weeks, she's put on her brave face, to show everything that she was alright, but deep inside she didn't want to leave her family or home. The young woman's tears, finally trickled down her cheek as she held onto her father with a tight grasp, not wanting to let go.
"You'll never lose me. I will always be your daughter. And no matter how much distance there is between us, I will always be in your heart just as you are always within mine." Regis held onto his daughter as he sniffled, breaking her heart even more. She wiped her tears and pulled away, grinning so brightly at him. "I will always be your little girl."
"I love you; I will always love you, my little girl." The King pressed his lips against her forehead.
Her phone which was on her dresser began to vibrate and the girl picked up. "Hello?"
"Ren, it's Ignis." She smiled.
"Oh, hello Iggy. I'm sorry if I've taken a bit longer than usual."
"Don't worry. Your brother has just fallen asleep on the steps outside." She huffed at this whilst shaking her head.
"Alright, don't wake him. I'll be down in a few minutes." The young woman cut the phone and turned her attention to her father. "I'm going to get going okay?"
"Good luck. If you run into any trouble contact Cor."
She nodded and helped her father stand up. The young woman took her black bag, and walked with her father, her arm around his out of the door. The King and Princess of Lucis walked down a corridor and entered an elevator. The King pressed for the 50th floor and the girl pressed for ground level..
"I'm afraid I don't have any dating advice for you." She smiled at this whilst shaking her head; she didn't need any seeing as she's dated before but he had no idea.
"That's alright, dad. Don't worry."
When the elevator stopped, he placed another kiss on her forehead and left. The elevator finally stopped at the ground floor and she walked past the reception. The guards opened the doors and the Princess exited the Citadel.
Ignis, Prompto and Gladiolus were standing at the bottom of the stairs and turned to see the Princess. The blonde-haired man's eyes widened and he grinned, whilst the Prince's retainer smiled proudly. Gladio's cheeks turned faint red and completely hot; she was more beautiful than she already was. However, his heart felt like it was ripped apart, and he gripped onto his fists when he realised all of this was for some other man, an enemy to Lucis for that matter.
"Woah, you look amazing, Ren!" Her cheeks turned pink at this whilst fiddling with the bottom of her dress.
"You look sublime. You'll definitely impress the Prince of Tenebrae." Ignis's comment made her fluster even more, as she scratched the back of her head whilst averting her gaze.
"You, you really think so?"
Gladiolus just rolled his eyes at this; of course, she would, she knew should would. Why was she pretending to be so humble and shy?
"I heard the Prince is really handsome." Prompto sung whilst winking.
"And the Deputy High Commander of the Imperial Army." Gladiolus stated and they all turned to him. Prompto looked shocked and Ignis's glare looked like it could pierce through steel.
Renae's fists gripped and she gulped. She felt like her heart was stabbed with a sharp dagger from that comment and the way he said it. It was laced with hatred and jealousy and it was her fault. Their relationship ended 5 months ago, and she was hoping to still be friends, but that went down the drain. He didn't take it well, and in the end, his anger and frustration turned to her, which she understood and took responsibility for. But Ravus? Why was his anger and jealousy directed to a man he didn't know or never met? Her eyebrows furrowed together and her fists began trembling softly.
"You're marrying the enemy."
"Gladiolus." Ignis hissed. "If you have nothing good to say, then keep your mouth shut."
"No Iggy." Renae said and they turned to her; she looked annoyed. "Once I marry the Prince, he'll no longer be the enemy."
"You really believe that?" He snorted. "Wow Renae, I didn't think you'd be THAT stupid."
"If believing in him makes me stupid, then I'm the dumbest person in the world." Renae growled. "You will not talk like that about my fiancé whilst I'm around."
"Aw, your fiancé? You're not even engaged to him yet, and you're calling him your fiancé?" He smirked smugly and she grinded her teeth together. Prompto gulped whilst scratching his arm awkwardly.
"Enough, Gladiolus!" Ignis scolded. "It doesn't matter whether you like him or not. You will not talk like that about the Princess's betrothed. It's disrespectful."
"I'm not going to apologise for being honest."
"I certainly don't need or want your apology." The Princess muttered. "You don't even know him, so you don't have the right to judge him."
"And you do? When was the last time you saw him?" He asked. "12 years ago?"
"I've known Ravus for that amount of time. So, I trust the Prince,"
"Which means your trust the Empire?" Gladiolus interrupted her. The girl's eyes widened and filled with tears.
"I'd never,"
"Which makes you an enemy of Lucis isn't that right?"
The Princess found it difficult to swallow the lump hitched in her throat and her hands trembled. Her breathing, was deep and shaky. Disbelief and guilt filled her small body. Was this true? Was this what Lucis thought of her for agreeing to marry Ravus? She was doing this to help Lucis…but is this how she was viewed by her Kingdom?
"Stop it right now." Prompto raised his voice whilst lifting his hands in the air. "Nothing will come out of this if you keep on disrespecting her. Just leave her alone, Gladio. Ren is doing this to help Lucis."
"You can't judge her for making this decision if it benefits the Kingdom." Ignis added. "You do not know what she is sacrificing for the betterment of Lucis. Calling her an enemy without knowing what she is going through is disrespectful. You owe her an apology."
"No." They heard the Princess's voice crack. She looked up at Gladiolus and a tear fell down her cheek. It was enough to make the man's heart fill with regret. He hated seeing her cry or hurt and here she was, broken and crying because of him. "He will never understand. I don't want to hear a half-assed apology and he doesn't deserve my forgiveness for being the unapologetic person he is."
