She knew this would happen and so did Ignis so he helped her prepare. Using her customer service smile. She shook hands with what seemed like the fifteen person to come up to her and ask her question. This time it was the person who came in late.

"I'm prince Noctis' second advisor." She explains. "I help Ignis when he needs it and advise Prince Noctis when Ignis is not able to." She adds to her explanation, knowing he would have asked why he needs a second advisor or what she does as the second advisor.

"I haven't seen you during one of our meeting, do you not attend? I'm a council member." He says, lips up in a smile but eyes threatening her. She continues to smile, Ignis and Gladio both told her to not falter and that there is no need to be intimidated by any of them.

"Because I'm so new Ignis has instructed me not to, I'm also not staying long." Prompto says. She would, Noct has wanted her there, especially after the king finally told the council that he's looking into the person who is "mysteriously" connected to the crystal. Apparently that was all it took for the council members to stop asking questions. But it won't last long. For now, though, it's enough for them. Prompto of course declined and Ignis helped her give a reasonable excuse as to why she shouldn't. One of them being she won't be a second advisor long (she is only doing this until she joins the crownsguard again), plus during those meetings she takes care of Astrum, going into the garden and taking pictures. If Gladio doesn't attend they do some extra training, and if Ignis doesn't attend he takes care of Astrum while she works on her project or does some extra credit assignment.

The man flinches slightly at Ignis' name but nods his head a second later. "You are young to be an advisor?" He asks, and not nicely. Prompto doesn't know what's he implying but she doesn't really care.

"Ignis has been prince Noctis' advisor since he was young too. Also, I actually knew the prince since middle school." Prompto says, smile still on her face, though her cheeks are hurting from doing it for so long. It's tiring always smiling, she really wants to make other expressions. Stretch her face muscles. He looks at her shocked, everyone she has told that to makes the same surprised expression. Ignis told her to tell them that too, for anyone who asks about why she's there or how she knows the prince.

"You went to the same high school?" He asks voice slightly trembling.

"Yes. Same school and year. We ate lunch together many times." She says, adding the lunch part herself. Not sure if that's okay but Ignis never said she could tell them that.

"Oh. So..." he starts looking at her from head to toe, "you are the same age as the prince?"

"Yes. He's a month older though." She says.

"I... see. I have to go. My wife and daughter are calling me." He says almost running away. Prompto follows him with her eyes, not able to say goodbye to him, watching him go to his wife and daughter who both seemed impatient, seemingly demanding something from him. Prom shrugs, not her business. Only when she turns there is another person standing in front of her, guaranteed to asks the same questions, again.

She puts on her customer service smile and greets them politely.

"She's doing pretty well." Gladio points out, looking down at his champagne flute to see how much he has left. Because there are many minors every drink is non-alcoholic. Noct frowns as another old man starts talking to her. It's not surprising that she's getting bombarded with people. Everyone saw her standing with the prince, talking and making him smile, they are curious to who she is and what's so special about her? They are going to ask question, many questions.

"Shouldn't Ignis do something?" the prince wonders. He was half expecting to hide in the corner with the blonde. He didn't get time with her, just enough to take her present and put it in his pocket so she wasn't carrying it the whole time.

"Relax, Iggy knows when to interfere." Gladio answers. Noct frowns not liking that as an answer.

"Why don't you take this opportunity to mingle?" Ignis wonders from behind the prince.

"Do I have to?" Noct wonders. "I didn't want this big party anyway, it was dad's idea." Noct rolls his eyes, he wanted just a dinner with Prompto and Astrum. Something extremely simple. But no his father suggested this. They all knew why. Even the blonde caught on. The king is using this as a way for Prom to be known by the council members. When they do ask about the mystery person it'll be easier to explain. Plus they were leaving for Tenebrae the day after tomorrow, he didn't want something big. He wanted to relax before the long journey.

"It's your party, why is Prompto talking to more people than you?" Ignis asks looking down at Noct. The advisor making a really fair point. So far Prompto has talked to every council member, and most of the high ranking aristocracy. Her being here was suppose to keep him company, also Iris apparently.

"Noctis!" the prince looks over to his father calling, motioning him over. Noctis groans but goes over to his father. Gladio and Ignis watch the prince saunter over like the brat he is. Silently Iris comes closer to them, having had her fill of fake smiles and forced conversations. She looks over at what they are looking at to see the princes retreating form.

"For being the quest of honor he's not doing much talking." Iris points out. Ignis sighs.

"You know how he is." the advisor answer. Iris nods, she does.

"Tired of mingling?" Gladio asks his younger sister with a grin. She gives him a pout.

"All they ever ask about is Noct. I know him but it's not like I'm around him all the time. They have a better chance asking Prom than me. They also keep complimenting my dress, saying it's nice. I chose the ugliest I could find." Iris complains. Gladio smiles, she's always doing something. Makes the shield wonder how his father does it. "I really hate council member John's daughter." Iris adds to her rant.

"Not too loud. Lady Chrissy might you." Ignis says softly and calmly. Iris just rolls her eyes.

With hands on her hip she says, "what would she do? Execute me? She just makes me mad." Iris lets out a growl, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

"What happen this time?" Gladio asks, Ignis fix his glasses, surprised by Iris growl.

"I overheard her talking to some friends-"

"You eavesdropped on her conversation?" Ignis interrupts, Iris looking at the advisor very offended by the accusation.

"No. I was getting a snack, and they were gathered right next to me, I just happened to be there as they were talking." Iris says frowning at the spectacled man. How dare he accuse her of something like that.

"So what did she says?" Ignis asks.

"Just talking about her dream of taking Noct away from Luna. Since there is no official engagement yet she still has a chance, which good luck. She's got to go up against Prompto who looks way better in her dress than Chrissy, which apparently that is the reason her family was late, she wanted to look perfect. I think she has too much makeup on." Iris tells them. Gladio covers his mouth to stifle his snickers threatening to come out. Ignis pushes his glasses up his face.

"Noct could have his own harem and not know it." Gladio says. Iris makes a disgusted face.

"Ew. If Noct ever does I'm no longer associating myself with him, and helping Prompto find someone better." Iris says. "I think council member John and his wife also want that to happen. She was demanding her father tell them what he learned about Prompto. The wife looked like she gave up when he told them Prompto and Noct went to the same school. Though Chrissy looked determined. Should we worry?" Iris asks not wanting anything else to come in between the blonde and princes romance. Noct needs all the help he can being the clueless emo prince he is.

"I don't think there's anything to worry about. Even now in the same room they aren't anywhere near each other. Plus we all know his heart and eyes are only for Prompto. I do think something might happen after Luna's engagement is announced but we will be there to help." Ignis answers. Iris nods, feeling better. Nothing has changed since she moved in and now she's living at the Citadel and working. Where is their romance going? Iris is sure it's been stationary since a year and some months ago, when what ever happened between them happened, and Astrum was conceived. Sure they have their moments but that's all they are, moments.

"We all know Noct doesn't like two faces liers who are trying to use him. He can tell and see through them." Gladio tells her. "He can't keep his eyes off Prompto." Gladio adds, all eyes going to the blonde easily spotted in the crowd. Her head turned to talk with a lady while a man stared obviously at her chest.

"I'm going to go save her." Iris announces walking towards the blonde.

The two watch as she gets closer. Gladio standing next to Ignis closely. "I get why she's worried. How long has it been since Prompto has been living with him, then living here, and he hasn't made a move?" Gladio looks over at Ignis worried.

"I'm also worried. Noct either stays at zero or goes straight to a hundred. With our trip maybe we can help them?" Ignis suggests. Gladio smiles.

"So we're playing matchmaker?" Finally! Gladio has been wanting to help for so long but the advisor has advised him not to do or say anything.

"Nothing too much. Just an astral on the shoulder." Ignis warns the behemoth of a man. Gladio smiles looking at Prompto and Iris walking towards them.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." Prompto says to Iris. "I couldn't find a way to escape and the guy was very obvious on what he was looking at, not subtle." the blonde shakes her head.

Iris smiles, with a shrug she says, "name your first daughter after me."

"Iris!" Gladio and Ignis hiss her name. The blonde giggles.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again. I really don't like it when people stare. Even the woman here did, though, more subtle than the men." Prompto says, getting Iris out of a lecture.

"Must be a pain." Gladio says.

"It is. Hurts my back to." Prompto pats her back.

"Alright, enough of that. How was it, did my lessons help?" Ignis asks sounding proud of himself. Prompto gives him a genuine smile.

"Yes, especially those talking tactics. I had to use my customer service smile. Didn't think it would work here too, but it work amazingly, especially when they seemed upset. Can't get mad at someone smiling." Prompto tells them.

"Good to hear that." Ignis nods, happy to hear it. She did look like she fit in.

"You did more talking than Noct." Gladio answers.

"Would Noct have really talked in front of anyone he didn't want to be around." the blonde points out.

"Noct would have just stood there in silence." Ignis says.

"Like he's doing now." Gladio says looking at the prince standing there, next to his father silently and bored. The other three look over to see he indeed is just standing there in silence. They burst out laughing Noct looks over to see them laughing. Frowning that he's missing the fun. He looks at Prom to see her laughing, as she settles down she looks over at Noct finding him looking over at them. Their eyes connect. Prom smiles at him, waving her hand at him. Embarrassed he blushes but waves back. The blonde giggles in response.

She watches as the king drags the prince away, onto a platform raise a feet and a half off the ground the two stood above everyone else. Prompto can see Noct not happy with all the attention. Slowly she's understanding why Noct hates these glamour parties. Fun to dress up, not so fun to talk to fakes and lies, plus after a while these outfits get stuffy. The king raises his drink, slowly silencing every one. All attention on him.

"I think we've had enough time to mingle, I would like to thank everyone for attending. Happy birthday my son." Regis says looking at the prince who smile back and nods. Everyone else claps, which shocks the blonde. Half of her was expecting everyone to shout happy birthday. She's a second late but she claps with a smile. "I'm glad you all can attend, as after this Noctis will be on a journey to Tenebrae to visit Princess Lunafreya, along with him is his shield Gladiolus, advisor Ignis, and second advisor/crownsguard in training Prompto. The journey will be long, so we all won't be seeing them until a month or so has pass. Let us all enjoy my son's birthday party and farewell. This will be his first journey, just like one I had taken in my youth." Regis says. Prompt and friends heard Clarus groan at the memory. Causing the young ones to chuckle. They may have heard stories about some parts of the journey from the king.

With the king's speech done he walks off the platform with the prince behind him. Once king and prince are off the band goes up, setting up their instruments. Noctis walks fast to join his friends.

He gets there just in time to hear, "Prompto can I dance with you?" Iris asks politely, the most polite she's been all night.

"I'd like that." Prompto smiles back.

"You can't." Noct says interrupting them. They all look at Noct surprised. Gladio proud that the prince is being a little assertive. "You promised I'd be your first dance." Noct adds, looking at the blonde. For a split second she looks confused on what he's talking about, doesn't remember promising dancing for this until she remembers.

"That's true, I did promise." Prompto says giving a sorry smile at the raven haired girl. She only pouts.

"She already said yes to me." Iris points out.

"We made a promise." Noctis says looking down at Iris.

"Rock, paper, scissors." Iris suggests holding up a closed fist.

"Fine." Noct agrees holding up a fist of his own. They go three rounds. First round is a paper tie. Next round is Nocts win with rock. Third round is Iris win with scissors. The final round is Iris win with rock. Iris looks at the prince with a smug grin.

"Looks like it's my win." Iris says grabbing on to the blondes hand, pulling her towards the dance floor. "Come on Prompto." she says with a smile, not giving the blonde a chance to say anything to anyone. Noct watch with a frown on his face.

"No need to be so upset." Regis says having been there the whole time.

"We promised back in high school. For senior prom but she disappeared before then." Noct says. Gladio pats the princes back, all eyes on Prom and Iris, getting into position, Iris seems to be leading.

"You're still second." the shield kindly says with a smile. They watch both woman dancing with a smile on their faces. The two seem to be having fun.

When they are done, Iris walks towards them with a large grin, the blonde following behind with a smile. "Your turn." she tells the prince, leaning in, "be careful, she steps on toes."

"Iris, it happened once." Prompto clarifies, embarrassed. Noct grins, he doesn't care, but he like seeing her reaction.

"Come on." Noct says grabbing her hand gently, pulling her back to the dance floor. Now they have eyes on them. Everyone knows Noctis doesn't dance, he doesn't ask nor does he like to be asked. They stand in front of each other. Both nervous about being this close to each other. Noct smiles at the blonde, "tell me if you want me to back off." Noct informs her, stiffly moving closer. Prompto smiles, grabbing Noctis' hand and placing it on the small of her back.

"It's fine." she tells the prince, smiling at him. She places her hand on his shoulder, their other hand holding onto each other. "I'm more nervous about messing up with all these people staring." Prom adds as they start to move. Noct leading them, but to taken in by the fact that they are so close and it's just them, kind of.

"Ignore them, I do it all the time." Noct does a one shoulder shrug, the blonde giggles. Noct smiles down at the blonde. He loves making her laugh and giggle.

"Noct..." Prom calls his name softly, he hums letting her know he's listening, slightly focusing on his steps. "Sorry. For almost breaking our promise. I didn't mean to hurt you like that."

"It's okay Prom, you were going through a lot. You were scared. I get it." Noct says, but his dance partner didn't seem done.

"Sorry, again, I was always a little jealous of you having fun parties for your birthday. It's actually tiring, but the food is great." Prom says, finally looking up at the prince, watching him snicker.

"I didn't want this party. It was my dad's idea." Noct says pushing Prom away to give her a twirl, then pulling her back into his arms.

"What did you want?" Prom asks as she puts her hand back on the princes shoulder.

"I wanted a simple dinner, no decoration just you and Astrum, Iris, and my family. Eating, laughing, talking, nothing big, just us. Maybe a cake." Noct says.

"Sounds fun. I would have been doing that if you didn't invite me." Prompto says smiling.

"What about your birthday? What would you like to do?"

"I wouldn't mind your idea. All five of us, no six, together for dinner. Your father is invited to. Clarus also."

"Nothing else?" Noct wonders. Prom thinks for a second.

"Think your father would let me sit at the head of the table as a gift?" she wonders. Noctis lets out a deep laugh causing everyone to look at him, look at them.

"If you ask, I think he'd say okay. He's rather soft on you." Noct says, calming down from his fit of laughter.

"He's soft on Astrum." Prom argues.

"And yet you were bothering the nanny."

"I know your father did his best. I heard Cor picked the man out, and Clarus tested him, and your father interviewed him but I can't be too sure." Prom defends herself.

"Everyone is soft on Astrum. He can do no wrong." Noct says instead.

"Well he's half yours." Prompto says. Noct grins at her. Prompto lets out a small squeak, looking down at her feet then back at the prince, who she could see his cheeks tinting red. "You stepped on my shoe." She points out.

"Sorry." Noct says, embarrassed. He's been getting lessons since he could walk.

"It's okay. As long as you don't get mad if I step on your foot." The blonde smiles. Noct smiles down at her.

"Deal." Noct answers.

Gladio stood there watching the dancing couple dance, Noct twirling a smiling and giggling Prompto. A smile plastered on his face as he does. "Glad to see princess finally showing some initiative." he says proudly. "Ow," Gladio says, his father smacking the back of his head.

"Watch what you say, you know where we are." his father warns.

"It's kind of funny seeing Noct so desperate for Prom, I want see more. I wonder if- ow." Iris says getting a smack to the back of her own head by her father.

"I swear with the both of you." Clarus shakes his head. Regis just smiles. They all have been in a good mood. He's seen all three, Gladio, Ignis and especially Noctis smiling, laughing and talking more. Noctis most of all has been more expressive. He knows and won't deny it's all thanks to the young blonde. He even finds himself smiling when he talks to her. It's almost like magic. Her personality is amazing, and he would hate for anything to happen. So he's taking it slow. The council members seeing and meeting her as Noctis' second advisor and crownsguard in training, then as the one connected to the crystal and lastly the mother of Astrum, the prince's son and his grandson.

He's sure the council will be upset with not being told sooner but it's best to ease them in.

For now let's enjoy the party.