1st of April, ME 755

To my surprise, Noct has accepted Senator Lorche's invitation. I suppose we'll be joining him for dinner in a few days. I'm not entirely sure why Noct is being so charitable when it is obvious he'd rather be elsewhere. Perhaps he's keen on the Senator's daughter…? Surely not. I know better than anyone that he only has eyes for Lady Lunafreya.

Maybe he's finally learning some sense of responsibility. I suppose we'll find out in due time.

2nd of April, ME 755

Gladio's birthday went differently this year, in a way. In another, not differently at all. Today, it decided to rain on his grand parade, so the pool party was moved indoors. Lord Clarus ordered pizza, took Iris to the movies, and left his son to his merriment. At least I wasn't cooking, this time.

He asked Aleya to dance and enjoy herself half a dozen times. She refused. He says he's not interested in her, but I can tell that if she gave him even a moment of her time, he'd toss that assumption out the nearest window. Personally, I'm glad she turned him down. While Gladio is very good to women, and I suppose makes their lives quite exciting, she doesn't seem particularly fond of her brother's personality, who almost precisely mirrors Gladio's. I, for one, prefer to see her settle down with someone more genteel, more calm and collected.

Speaking of Leya, I found her missing about halfway through the merriment, and found her in the drawing room. Her back was turned to me, and she didn't notice me enter. She simply stared out the window calmly, observing the rain. I, for one, have seen her in a state of exuberance. There was the time we went bowling, Poker night, and of course when I found her practicing that ridiculous dance with Prompto—whatever that might have been intended for. At the moment I found her, she appeared so quiet and somewhat melancholy that I found it wrong to intrude. I backed away in silence and closed the door behind me, leaving her to peace and solitude.

When I next found her, she was all smiles, and still somehow reserved.

Others probably could never tell there was something gnawing away at her. I knew something was wrong, though. No one else knows her as well as I do. In fact, I find it ironic that the woman I find to be the most enigmatic in my very small world is somehow the one I know so well.

I offered to drive her home, but she flatly refused. She took a taxi.

If I knew what was bothering her, perhaps I could get some sleep.

I suppose I've veered off-topic. In any event, I hope Gladio enjoyed his birthday.

6th of April, ME 755

Dinner at the Lorche mansion was interesting, to say the least. We spoke scarcely a thing of Noct, the Kingdom, or our Good King. The whole conversation seemed to be focused on his daughter, Zavia, and her accomplishments.

I confess I thought initially they were just a self-centered lot. However, Noct saw things differently. He insists that Zavia is interested in me. At first, I denied it. It seems superfluous to invite the heir of our kingdom to hospitality as a pretext to securing a date for his only daughter. But as I thought it out, I realized it does indeed make sense. If Lord Lorche is trying to secure a pathway into Noct's Cabinet, I could see no easier way that forming a quick marriage alliance with his right-hand man. Then again, it seems rather cold-hearted for him to marry her off to a man who obviously has no feelings for her.

True, she's a lovely girl. Her mother was a fashion model, if I remember correctly. She took after her mother with incredibly polished skin and dark eyes. She's delightfully beautiful, as most women go. She speaks with manners and seems to be perfectly poised.

I'm afraid I have other concerns. If I haven't yet seriously considered Aleya due to my obligations to the Crown, I'm sorry to say dear Zavia Lorche falls even further behind on my list of priorities. It's regrettable to say her chances are nearly non-existent.

I only just remembered—I meant to pick up the recent Sania Yeagre book for Aleya. I'll have to fetch it first thing in the morning. Should give her a pleasant surprise over her first cup of coffee.

12th of April, ME 755

Noct's check-up was today. For a young lad who's nearly entirely grown, he sulked more than a child. It took all the tricks of a father to get him to settle, as well: Assurances it wouldn't be long, a mobile game to keep him occupied, and a promise to fetch something unhealthy and delicious on the way home in exchange for cooperative behavior.

Upon my return, Zavia startled me when I was nearly to my office by emerging from a nearby doorway and fairly running into me. She proceeded to invite me out to the nearest café. Thankfully, a welcome distraction arrived.

[FLASHBACK]

Ignis' mind raced quickly, trying to find a way to excuse himself politely, to turn her down without being disagreeable. He hardly wanted to offend she or her father. As he searched the furthest wall for inspiration, out of his peripheral vision, he caught Aleya walking by, folders under her arm. "Aleya!" He called, almost too noticeably excited for the occasion. "There you are!"

She looked up in confusion. "Me?"

"Pardon me, Lady Zavia," he bowed politely. "I'm afraid my assistant and I have something to take care of." Not waiting for her reply, he turned quickly to meet Aleya.

Zavia watched for a moment as they conversed, and then made an exit the way she came.

What neither Ignis nor Aleya realized was that Zavia was still there, watching from the shadows, as they made their way past her.

"You scared me. I thought I had done something wrong."

"Since when have I ever scolded you?" He questioned.

"You do it all the time."

"Do I?"

She grinned up at him, and Zavia couldn't help but notice the effortless smile he returned. He couldn't seem to take his eyes off of the Galahdian girl with the short stature. He quickened his pace to reach the office door before her, and held it for her as she entered. He watched her as she passed by him. "Pardon me, then, my lady." He replied. "I'll have to make it up to you. How about a trip to the nearest café?"

Aleya turned as the door began to shut behind them, with a beatific smile. "You know I never turn down coffee." The door shut behind them, and the rest of their conversation was lost to the wall that barred her.

Zavia took the whole exchange in coolly before turning on her heel and leaving the Citadel.

[Back to Entry]

16th of April, M.E. 755

Something disturbing today. It seems Senator Lorche took a dislike to my assistant. I've never seen such behavior from the man. I happened upon them in the hallway. She was receiving a complex scolding for not handing over the documents pertaining to His Highness' health status. He called her incompetent, belligerent, and ignorant of her proper place—and that was only in the short time it took for me to travel down the adjoining hallway to their location.

I came to her rescue, for certain. I reminded Senator Lorche that no one is to look upon such official documents without the King's express consent, save for His Highness, the Marshal, myself, and of course my assistant. I politely reminded him that if he were so concerned about Noctis' health, he could ask him or His Father directly, and they would be very happy to allay any fears he may have. I explained that my assistant had not shown ignorance, but rather diligence and backbone. Then I thanked him properly for serving our nation. I took Aleya's arm, turned, and left without nary another word.

I've perhaps made another enemy.

Aleya was perturbed about the whole event. She's rather sensitive to how she is seen by the court and politicians; Though she claims it is more for my sake than hers. She said that coming to her defense only frustrated the Senator. She stated she'd rather be viewed as ignorant and incompetent than to permit me to be seen as the one who gave her permission to be so.

It doesn't matter how they see me. I couldn't just stand by and see her assailed, when she's done nothing wrong. Any man of standing would do the same, would they not?

21st of April, M.E. 755

Aleya's been rather withdrawn all week. She'll hardly speak to me. She volunteers for errands, and I suspect it is simply to get out of my company. It's been difficult to work with her under such circumstances. I'm at my wit's end. I wonder what I've done wrong.

Siff upper lip, I suppose. The situation will eventually resolve itself, one would hope.

It's been strange that my last conversation with Senator Lorche has not ended in alienation. Rather, his daughter has been ever more persistent to invite me out and about. It's obvious Noct's suspicions are true. Zavia indeed intends to court me. I've run out of excuses to turn her down. The girl is not daft; She must know that I am purposely avoiding her. Still, she persists.

It's been a very long week.

Perhaps I'll ask Leya outright tomorrow what's bothering her.

No, that won't happen. These conversations I intend to hold with her never come to fruition. I'm bold to the point of actual initiation. At that point, my resolve dissipates, I'm afraid. One would think she is as intimidating as the Archean when we're standing face to face.