Noct turns his head, eyes scaning the large crowd, even as it continue to grow. He understands why the two guest of honor are not here but why isn't Prom anywhere? He scans the crowd again, he sees the queen talking in a crowd. He spots Ignis talking to some others in a different circle. Gladio stood close to him but five paces back, as his shield of course. He can't spot Prompto any where though. No where he looks does he spot the blonde he's look for.
Noctis makes eye contact with Ignis, he turns to the people he's talking to then leaves, excusing himself. Nocts advisor walks towards them. He pushes his glasses up his nose when he gets closer.
"Noct, please don't continue with that expression. You are a quest here, don't make a bad impression." he reprimands the prince like a mother. Noct, true to role as the child, frowns, looking down to his polished dress shoes, scuffing the toe against the marble of the floor.
"Prom not here." he mutters almost sulking.
"She is with lady Lunafreya and Empress Solara, from what Prompto told me she is going to stand in as Empress Solaras lady in waiting for tonight." Ignis explains. It's the first time Noct and Gladio heard about this. But more importantly...
"What's a ladies in waiting?" Noct asks.
"Like an advisor but a little more personal." Sylva answers coming towards them with a smile on her face. "It's almost time for them to appear." Sylva says facing the door they are to appear from. Noct follows her line of sight. Near the door stood an area sectioned off for the media and even some online web bloggers.
"But Prompto doesn't like the spotlight." Noct says shocked by her willingness to do this.
"When Solara asked she was fully told what to expect." Sylva tells the prince. He can't say anything about what she has chosen.
"What would she be doing?" Gladio asks.
"She'll stay glued next to Solara most of the evening, and when it's time for the announcement she'll be handing her over. If Solara asks for something she will get it for her. You can talk to her freely, don't worry." she smiles at them knowing it sounds like Prompto just agreed to be a servant but it's not bad.
The loud thumping sound brought everyone's attention towards the door. A man, working for the queen, stood to the side as another one moved to open the door. "Now introducing, Prince of Tenebrae Ravus Nox Fleuret along with oracle and princess of Tenebrae Lunafreya Nox Fleuret!" the man says with a booming voice. Once the door is fully opened Luna came out first then her brother behind her. Standing like a guard to her.
Luna continue to walk elegantly, even as they get flashed by cameras and recorded, they continue to walk as if nothing is happening. The queen goes to meet her children. They smile when next to each other. Luna turning towards the door, all three expecting more than just them. For a split second they can see surprise on the royal faces as the door is closed again. They must have been expecting more. Luna and family join Noct and retinue.
"Something wrong?" Noct asks Luna who, uncharacteristically has her head hung low.
"Solara and Prompto were supposed to come right behind us." she says holding both hands together.
"I'm sure it's nothing." Noct says wanting to reassure the princess, but he's worried too. What is taking them so long if they were supposed to be right behind them? He shouldn't worry unnecessarily, it's safe here, they haven't had any problems. The castle is full of guards. Noct shakes his head of negative thoughts.
The loud thumping sound is heard again. All heads turn to the doors, curious to who is entering now. They were not expecting anyone else. "Now introducing, empress of Niflheim, Solara Aldercapt Antiquum, and her lady in waiting Prompto Argentum!" the man bellows. The door opens and in enters Solara, wearing Nif colors of white, red and gold. Unlike the other woman in the ballroom, the empress does not wear a gown, she wore a suit. A thick red sash going from shoulder to hip. A red cape going down to her knees. Her expression calm and collected. A large crown on her head. Standing behind her stood Prompto, who did wear a gown. A white and gold off the shoulder gown, short sleeves with a red sash and cape also. She wore white gloves, both different lengths, one long enough to just cover her tattoo, the other reaches her wrist. The barbed wire tattoo on full display, though that's not a mark she likes to hide. Her hair up with gold pins and red jewels. Noct is glad they didn't cover her freckles. And her bangs kept like usual, swooping up to make her look like a Chocobo.
Solara and Prompto walk up to the queen, bowing politely then greeting her. The queen smiles at the young empress, the action causing a ruckus with the media. Cameras flash. Noct turns to Prompto whose face seems a little red. Noct then turns attention to Luna smiling towards Sol who seem just as happy. Noct then thinks about someone who is missing.
"Where's Gentiana?" Noct asks. Wasn't she Lunas lady in waiting?
"She is no longer with us." Luna answers.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Iggy says to the princess. Luna blinks.
"Oh no, she's still alive. When I left for my journey as an oracle she separated with me. Told me she has something personal to do, I haven't seen her since." Luna explains.
Just then Sol and Prom let out a breath, both leaning onto each other. Already they look tired. "You both okay?" Gladio asks, his scarred eyebrow raised in question.
"We ran here. We aren't too late are we?" Prom asks.
"A minute or two." Ravus answers.
"I'm so sorry, it was my fault." Prompto bows. Sol pays her back.
"It's not your fault." She says.
"What happened?" Ignis asks. Sol gives him a grin.
"Her dress, the seamstress had trouble, and since she only had one night to make it she did the last minute adjustments as we were getting dressed." Sol answers for the blonde. Prompto straightens her back, frown now on her face.
"She told me she's never done a dress for someone so big. I've been exercising." Prompto says.
"Once she was done we ran here. And I don't think she meant it in a bad way." Sol says trying to cheer the blonde up.
"It sounded like it." Prom mutters. Sol lets out a giggle, remembering the look the seamstress had when Prom glared down at her.
"Before the big announcement we should go mingle with the others." she says smiling. "Let's go Lunafreya, Ravus." she ushers her children with her.
"You both look like you get along." Ignis points out. Prom and Sol look at each other then go into a fit of laughter.
"I spent most of the night with Sol, she was teaching me about what I should be doing." Prom says smiling.
"We also just talked." Sol says with a shrug, as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Also spent most of the day together as I was getting fitted for the dress. It's different from the one I packed." Prom adds looking down at the slightly poofy dress. Even though she's not dressed as one she feels like a princess. Ignoring what the seamstress said about her she feels extremely beautiful.
"You both go and mingle yourselves, though I'm sure many people are shocked by your existence, Solara." Ignis says.
"I know. We thought this would be the perfect time to announce me and my status. Shall we?" she asks the blonde who nods, determination in her eyes. Sol smiles as they walk away, giving the three boys a nod. "You seem more motivated now." Sol says to the blonde.
"Yup, I was a little nervous this morning but I think I got this." Noctis hears Prom answer. The three boys smile at her answer.
"I think you do too." Sol says smiling at the blonde. Noct watches them walk away, smiling at talking.
This night is going to be exciting.
As Prompto joins Sol, practically joined at the hip, Noct watched the blonde. Every step she took Noct followed from where ever he stood. He wasn't just watching because he was worried, and of course he's watching because she's drop dead gorgeous in her gown but because he wanted a chance to talk to her in private. He has many things he wants to say to her. And sure he has time but with this, his feelings towards her shouldn't be procrastinated on. He needs to tell her how he feels, she needs to hear his side too.
"Thank you all for coming. Now many of you must be confused as to what this party is for, considering Lunafreya birthday has already past." Queen Sylva says loud and clear to all the guests, who turn to give her their attention. "We have a special announcement, a very important one, I would like my daughter to join me along with empress Solara." she says. Luna walk with her arm linked with her brothers as he escort her to the stage their mother is on. On the other side Sol and Prom are doing the same thing. Prom escorting the empress to the stage. Once on stage with the queen the two escorts stand to the side. The queen continues, "many of you may not know but Luna went on a journey when she was first given her title as oracle to experience the world. To use her gift and strengthen her mind as well as her body. During this time Niflheim has ended the war with Emperor Aldercapt death and went into a civil war. On her journey she met Solara. Together they went across the country, fighting together, forging a bond that will continue to grow in the future. Now my daughter and Solara will speak their mind." the queen steps down letting the two woman, lovers, take the stage.
"I know tension is high, still is after the war but I know in both my heart and mind that there is nothing to worry about. The world has changed and forever will, all I can ask of you all is to keep an open mind. Keep your arms open. Peace is not easy to achieve but if we all work together, slowly but surely we will get there. So again, I can only ask for you all to trust me." Luna says. Her short speech ending with the crowd clapping their hands.
Prompto blinks multiple times as she claps. Hands stopping as she finds a pure white figure in the crowd, clapping smiling at Luna as she stood next to Noct. The figure turns to meet her eyes seeming shocked at being seen. Prom tilts her head, the figure doing the same. In a blink she's gone. Prompto looks around, curious to why no one noticed her. Not even Noct. She must have imagined that, it was all in her head. Had to be, she just thought she saw Shiva standing there. That doesn't make sense, in her presence the surrounding area is suppose to be cold, freezing cold.
"Please listen to my friend Empress Solara." Luna pleads as she steps silently back. The spot light given to Sol.
"I know my grandfather has caused many problem, but it wasn't just to Tenebrae, he's caused problems with Accordo, Lucis and to itself Niflheim. Sadly things will never go back to the way they were before but that is fine. I will do my best to change things for the better. But I know I cannot do it myself I need some help and luckily for me I found a good partner to help me." she looks at Luna with a smile. Then turns back to the crowd, serious once again. Those who do know also know that the reactions will be mixed. "I have asked Lunafreya to help me but not just as my friend but by my side as Empress consort of Niflheim." They heard some gasp but there were some who looked confused. "I have asked Lunafreya to marry me." Sol says, laying it all on the table.
"I have accepted her proposal." Luna states in the silence stepping forward to hold onto Sol hand, then there is an uproar, Noct covering his ears but a grin plastered on his face. People shouted questions, ones they know people would be curious about. Why would you say yes? What about prince Noctis? Why was she kept hidden? Why was their relationship a secret? Are you truly an Aldercapt? And so on. One look from the queen had the room silent but the echo of cameras being used. "On our journey Sol and I became friends and that blossomed into more. I know many are confused about my engagement to prince Noctis but that was never formally established. Now that I have found my soulmate I can not with a good heart go through with a marriage with Noctis. It would have been loveless. I am more than happy with Sol as my partner and I know we will be happy together in the future." Luna tells them.
"For those curious about my lineage and how true it is, there should be reports and videos of the live test I had. I have been empress for three years now. With me trying to establish Niflheim my identity was hidden."
"The wedding will be help in spring of next year." Sylva says going forward, standing in front of the couple. "The wedding has been set and in planning for months now." she states daring any of them to oppose their engagement. "There are many things that need to be talked about but what we do know will be posted for public knowledge. Enjoy the rest of the evening and celebrate with the couple." the queen smiles.
There were a few awkward claps but they were drowned out by cameras and reporters talking into their recorders or phones.
In the morning this is going to be all over the Internet.
