Warning: Noctis/Prompto.

Chapter Three

When he had awakened, Prompto fluttered his blue eyes wide open. He was met by beautiful and bright sunlight, which illuminated inside of his bedroom through the thin silk curtains. He smiled and sat up in bed, with his heart beating in joy, just because everything that taken place yesterday wasn't a dream, but reality, in fact. He quickly crawled out of bed, then. His eyes excitedly settling on the balcony.

"I have to pinch myself," Prompto gasped, standing atop his bedroom balcony, which overlooked the royal gardens. "I'm not dreaming, right? This is too beautiful, especially to be real."

Upon pinching himself, Prompto cried out in pain. He wasn't upset, though. He was ecstatic, in fact. The pain proved he wasn't dreaming, which also proved he had successfully earned the Citadel's scholarship, just like he had earned the right to experience all of the Citadel's beautiful wonders.

"I'm so spoiling myself here," Prompto sighed, inhaling the perfumed scents of flowers, just as the thought of breakfast entered his mind. "I should get ready now. Ignis said they'll make me anything I want to eat, even chocolate pancakes with whip cream, too!"

XOXO

Once inside of the bathroom, Prompto filled the bathtub with hot water. He unlaced his silk bathrobe, then. It landed in a neat pile on the tile floors, just as he had stepped inside of the bathtub. A sigh slipped from in-between his pink lips, especially as his muscles started relaxing, which made his blue eyes slowly and steadily drift close in bliss. The hot bath was so soothing, even more so than taking naps, with especially bath bubbles, too.

"I feel like I'm at a spa," Prompto giggled, blowing bubbles from the palms of his hands. "This is so much fun! This bathtub is so huge, too. Like, I can swim in here."

Upon standing up, Prompto turned the shower on. He started rinsing and washing his body, then. His lavender scented shampoo and bodywash filled the entire bathroom in its scent, not that it bothered him, especially because he loved lavender scented products. The blonde smiled and threaded through his hair, with his slender fingers lathered in conditioner, just as his golden locks started softening in texture and feel.

"I can stay in here forever," Prompto chuckled, popping a bubble drifting around him, with his index finger, just before turning the shower off. "But, I'm hungry."

XOXO

In due time, Prompto chose his outfit. He wore a green hoodie, manufactured ripped blue jeans, and brown boots. He started styling his hair, then. It didn't take that long, though. Those bright blonde locks of his wasn't acting up, after all. They behaved and bended to his fingertips, especially when he had threaded through them with hair gel.

"Perfect," Prompto grinned, spraying himself with cologne, then. "Crap, I almost forgot my bracelets!"

In an instant, Prompto ran into the bathroom once again. He had quickly found his leather bracelets, though. It was on the bathroom countertop, just where he had placed them. A frown formed into his expression, especially after pulling his sleeves up, not liking the barcode etched into his wrist, which he quickly covered up, with his leather bracelets, then.

"I'm not letting you ruin me again, especially not here!" Prompto vows, tugging down his sleeves. "I'll keep you covered all the time from now on, even when I shower. I will be happy here. I'm not letting you ruin me again."

XOXO

Once outside of his bedroom, Prompto started walking through the dim and desolate Citadel hallways. He was confused by the vacant hallways, especially because Ignis vocalized that the Citadel is so noisy and populated, but only in the mornings. He couldn't find anyone around him, though. He raised an eyebrow, then. He felt like a ghost, just wandering through these lifeless hallways, not a soul in sight. That did give him an opportunity to snoop around, with no chance of getting caught, either

"First, I need breakfast," Prompto muttered, hearing his stomach growl. "If I'm going to have blood drawn regularly, I need to be in tip-top condition. Or else, I'll be putting my health at risk. And, I can't have that, especially because I'm a college student. I need to study and pass my classes."

Upon walking to the kitchen, Prompto smiled and greeted the cooks. He sat down, not in the dining hall, though. He was still inside of the kitchen, with his legs swinging back and forth, just as the cooks prepared his breakfast. He watched them silently, especially because he sat at the kitchen island table. He soon started fiddling around with his camera, then. He was getting slightly bored, after all. The cooks didn't talk to him much, even if he had tried to talk to them.

"Thanks!" Prompto beamed, as the cooks handed him his breakfast, which was chocolate pancakes, with orange juice and scrambled eggs. "It looks delicious!"

XOXO

In due time, Prompto finished eating his breakfast and begun wandering through the many Citadel corridors. He was alone in his journey of uncovering the Citadel's secrets, though. He couldn't find anyone in the desolate and dim hallways, not even maids or butlers. It unnerved him, especially because the Citadel seemed almost lifeless. It seemed nearly dead, like only inhabited by ghosts and memories.

"The throne room," Prompto gasped, setting his palm against the thick wooden doors, then. "I wonder if I can go inside or not. There isn't anyone around, though."

So, Prompto merely shrugged and threw the decorated doors wide open. He walked inside of throne room, then. He was in awe of the throne, but also slightly confused. He couldn't understand why a veil of black curtains still surrounded the throne, especially since Lucis' royal family is dead. He knew what the black curtains signified, through. It protected kings and queens faces from media coverage. Those black curtains wasn't needed anymore. The Lucis royal family is dead.

"That's weird," Prompto mumbled, slowly ascending up the stairs, which led to the throne. "Anyway, I can't believe I'm so close to throne right now! This is calls for a selfie!"

Upon raising his camera, Prompto was soon interrupted by an angry voice. He quickly gasped and stood straight, just as an elderly brunet man strided into the throne room, with his brown eyebrows knitted together in frustration. His heart suddenly skips a beat, especially when he realizes that the stranger is Cor Leonis, of all people. A nervous laugh slips from in-between his lips, which seemed so loud in the throne room now. The cheery atmosphere has been broken, after all. That couldn't be helped, though. It's something he should've expected, with trespassing and breaking rules in the Citadel. It's just he didn't know people were actually awake right now in the Citadel, but he should've expected the Crownsguard and Kingsglaive to be awake and patrolling, though.

"What are you doing in here, kid?" Cor frowned, looking straight into his blue eyes. "Wait, I've heard of you. You're Prompto Argentum - the donor."

"D-Donor … " Prompto stuttered, his head tilting to the side in confusion. "I guess you can call me a 'donor', even if that term doesn't properly fit me."

"Whatever you say … " Cor chuckled, as Prompto descended down the stairs. "I can see why he chose you now."

"I'm so glad Ignis chose me!" Prompto chirped, his lips curling into a smile. "I've always dreamed of studying at the University of Lucis."

"I wasn't talking about Ignis," Cor sighed, which made Prompto flutter his blue eyes in confusion. "Anyway, I better not see you playing around in the throne room again. Do I make myself clear, Prompto?"

"Yes, sir. I understand … " Prompto pouted, with his head lowering down in shame. "I won't go into the throne room anymore."

"Good," Cor smirked, walking away. "You can go bother someone else now."

XOXO

When he had left the throne room, Prompto wandered into the Citadel's royal library. He was in awe, like he had been in awe of the throne room. He stared open-mouthed at the bookshelves, which was even touching the ceilings. He started spinning around in circles, then. His eyes couldn't believe the total number of books available, especially since he hadn't seen so many books before in his life. His neighborhood's local library didn't even carry so many books, not that isn't such a surprise. The Citadel's royal library would have plenty of books, even if their library is vacant of scholars and researchers, or just people in general.

"There have so many floors, too! I can't wait to start reading!" Prompto grinned, excitedly exploring the library. "They must have books of Lucian art. But, where?"

Upon looking around, Prompto quickly spotted the librarian's desk. He walked towards it, but noticed that the librarian wasn't available. He shrugged and simply started studying the library's map, which mentioned that the history books is kept on the library's last level. He grinned and darted towards the spiral staircase, not noticing the elevator in his haste.

Once he reached the top level, Prompto rushed through the dimly lit aisle. He quickly spotted the right bookshelf, then. His eyes scanned several spines of books based on Lucian art, but chose the most oldest and aged volume on Lucian art history.

"It's so dusty!" Prompto laughed, puckering out his lips and blowing dust off of it. "Ugh! When's the last time someone read this?!"

However, Prompto soon saw something rather interesting. He made out a small wooden door, which was neatly hidden between bookshelves. He scurried towards the wooden door, then. He kneeled next, but frowned from seeing a padlock. He wasn't discouraged, though. He went down the spiral staircase, with an intention of looking through the librarian's desk, just for the padlock key, not anything else.

"Found it," Prompto beamed, snatching the key into his hand. "Time to see what's behind that door!"

In an instant, Prompto climbed the spiral staircase again. He hurried towards the secret wooden door, then. He knelt down and unlocked the padlock, which clattered to the floor, just as the wooden door swung open. He poked his head inside of the tiny room, but only found paintings, not just any paintings, though. He found paintings of Lucian Crown Prince Noctis.

"But, I don't understand," Prompto muttered, staring down at one of Prince Noctis' portraits. "He's King Regis' son and a hero. He saved Eos from plunging into darkness, too. Why aren't these hanging up, then?"

A blush soon seeped into his freckled cheeks, then. He couldn't helping thinking that Prince Noctis is so handsome, just like his father - King Regis. He bit his lower lip in embarrassment, with his index finger tracing along Prince Noctis' chiseled jawline. He just couldn't understand why the paintings aren't out on display, especially because Prince Noctis is such an important figure in Lucian history. He sighed and stood up, not wanting to get caught snooping around once more.

"I should get going," Prompto mumbled, crawling out of the tiny room, and locking the wooden door. "It's still weird. I wonder why Prince Noctis' paintings are all removed from the Citadel. I don't think His Highness has done anything wrong."

XOXO

As the skies darkened, Prompto noticed that the Citadel's hallways started swarming with life. He saw maids and butlers both darting through the Citadel's corridors, with clean clothes or fancy envelopes in their hands. He even saw Ignis and Gladio walking together side by side, but also other Lucian nobles who he had met at last night's dinner party. He frowned and hugged his library book, not understand just why the Citadel seemed more alive at night. He turned around, just wanting to find a quiet place and read. He didn't get very far, though. His wrist getting caught in Ignis' cold grip, which made his heart race and Ignis simply chuckle.

"Have you forgotten about your bedtime, Prompto?" Ignis asked, his fingers touching the blonde's palm, just right above Prompto's pulse. "We're gathering at the dining hall. You should eat dinner and get ready for bed."

"What's that book, Prompto?" Gladio asked, staring curiously at Prompto's library book. "It looks so old."

"It's the first volume on Lucian art history," Prompto explained, hugging his book tighter. "I got it from the library."

"Well?" Ignis asked, with a small smile. "What did you find in there?"

"Nothing, I haven't looked through it yet," Prompto admitted, his pink lips curling into a grin. "But, I'm hoping to find more paintings of Prince Noctis."

In an instant, Prompto saw Gladio and Ignis' facial expressions change. He blinked in confusion, then. He didn't understand their surprised faces, especially because he hadn't said anything wrong. He had only mentioned Prince Noctis' name, which triggered their shock and surprise, but why? Has Prince Noctis truly done something unforgivable?

However, Prompto soon saw Gladio and Ignis relax. He lowered his eyes, but right when Gladio swung an arm around his shoulders. He nearly tripped underneath Gladio's weight, which only made Gladio laugh loudly in amusement.

"So, do you think His Highness is handsome, like his old man - King Regis, too?" Gladio asked, as Prompto's freckled cheeks reddened instantly. "Damn! You're blushing. You totally do, then."

"Now, Gladio, I believe you should stop with the teasing," Ignis scolded, but still seemed to be entertained. "Come on, you two! We shouldn't keep our guests waiting."

XOXO

Upon walking to the dining hall, Prompto followed behind Gladio and Ignis. He wasn't walking as fast as them, though. He was too preoccupied with his book, not that Gladio and Ignis cared, even if he happened to be falling behind in pace. He closed his book, then. He didn't want to get scolded by Ignis, after all. He started walking faster and trying to catch up with Ignis, but he had stopped and spotted something strange. He saw a maid rushing into the West Wing, with a silver tray in hand, which held just a glass chalice filled to the brim in red wine. He frowned in confusion, especially because he had thought that the West Wing was uninhabited.

"That's so strange," Prompto whispered, his blonde eyebrows knitting together in puzzlement. "Who could be staying in the West Wing? Isn't it only for royalty, though?"

However, Prompto couldn't search for an answer right now. He had to turn around and catch up with Ignis, especially before getting scolded for loitering around the West Wing. He couldn't stop thinking, though. He just didn't understand, after all. He had believed that the West Wing was vacant of residents, but he was wrong. Who is inhabiting the West Wing, then?

"What is the matter, Prompto?" Ignis asked, gesturing for Prompto to sit down. "You seem unsettled."

"No, I'm fine," Prompto lied, taking his seat, then. "I'm just … I'm just thinking about school."

"You're such a nerd," Gladio chuckled, sitting down beside Ignis. "But, I'm not teasing you. I'm actually proud of you. You were accepted into the University of Lucis. That's not easy to do."

"Thanks!" Prompto smiled, as a servant served him his dinner, which was a plate full of lasagna. "Wow! This looks so good."

Before he could eat, Prompto saw everyone raising their glasses. He quickly took the hint, then. He held his glass up next, but frowned from noticing that red wine again. He just couldn't understand. What is the significance of that red wine? Is he overthinking it? Could it just be some fancy noble drink?

"Cheers!" Ignis declared, as everyone else followed in suite.

"Cheers!" the nobles repeated, before drinking their thick and luscious crimson wine next.

Even so, Prompto couldn't stop thinking. He felt like a child among everyone else present, especially with his glass full of orange juice.

"Excuse me!" a pretty noblewoman said, as a servant bowed before her, then. "May I please have some more … wine?"

"Of course," the servant replied, pouring more wine into her glass. "Please enjoy, my lady."

As he watched the two, Prompto couldn't help but noticing the thickness and gooiness of said red wine. He stopped watching them, though. His attention was snatched by Ignis and Gladio, after all.

"So, I spoke to Cor," Ignis begun, as his blue eyes grew wide. "He told me of your little misadventure into the throne room."

"Busted!" Gladio laughed, which made Prompto just sigh in defeat and his shoulders sag.

A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.