Chapter 29: Marriage
{Insomnia: May 09th 2007, 9:05am}
King Regis took in a steady breath as he sat upon his throne in the center of the Citadel. The entire area filled with his Council as they discussed matters pertaining to the wall and the war that had thus-far been waged outside of their borders. The Kingsglaive had lost many numbers in the most recent battle in which the Empire had elected to use a Daemon to their advantage; however, it hadn't entirely worked for them. Now, King Regis looked to his Council in the case regarding the protection of Insomnia, and the assistance of the Glaives and while he spoke to them on such matters, his mind weighed upon his son.
Noctis had turned sixteen in February of this year, and now was considered proper marrying age by many of those who surrounded him. None voiced their opinion on the matter; however, King Regis knew that they had all taken their own thoughts when it came to the Prince of Lucis and his lack of choice when it came to a future Queen of their Kingdom. King Regis had spoken to Noctis on the subject several times, but the boy refused to listen or grant him any answers before leaving.
The King of Lucis looked down as he listened to his Council speak on the continuing battles and the rise in the death toll for each fight, but even as he did so, the King took great note that he felt nothing but pain from the truth that his son and he had begun to grow distant with one another once more. As the thought crossed his mind and he returned his attention to the matter at hand, his years of containing unnatural powers and commanding the Crystal's new wall causing him to stray from his normal stalwart behavior but at current, he was looking to Captain Drautos for answers.
"What is the results of the Glaives most recent ordeal?" asked King Regis.
"It was not what I would deem pleasant, Your Majesty…" the man was bowed, one arm rested upon his singularly propped up leg as he spoke.
"You mean to state that the Kingsglaive took a heavy blow?" he probed.
"Yes, despite their victory all but assured…." The King took in a steady breath.
"A sudden an inexplicable retreat," he finished.
"We are at risk nonetheless Your Majesty, we cannot know when they will strike again," interjected General Clarus. As he finished his statement, a man in a suit walked forward swiftly, coming to stand beside Captain Drautos.
"Your Majesty! Word has come from the West Gate."
"What is it?" King Regis inquired.
"An envoy claiming to be from the Nifliheim Empire is here. He is requesting an audience with you." King Regis took in a breath.
"Send him in," he ordered.
"At once Your Majesty!" General Clarus looked to him.
"Are you certain this is wise my King?" he inquired.
"If we turn down such a situation, we may lose the chance to speak with and discover what our enemy is up to." The General nodded, saying no more as Captain Drautos stood.
"Your Majesty, if I may, I will take my leave here and file my report for your Council to review," he stated.
"That is fine. You are dismissed," King Regis complied.
"Thank you sir."
Captain Drautos bowed, and left the room as the doors to the audience chamber opened to let him out. It was roughly four minutes later, that the heavy clinking of the iron and marble doors began to alert the King and his Council to them opening once more. King Regis knew that by accepting this meeting with the envoy of the Empire, he could spark quite a fire within his subjects; however, he also was aware that by allowing the man to enter and speak with him, he could discover what other means he could use in order to put an stop to the Empire's assaults upon his people, and that included the Kingsglaive. King Regis raised his hand to give the order for the guards to open the doors and with that order, he gained the distinct feeling that something was about to unravel.
The doors opened to reveal a man dressed in a long dark-gray duster coat being brought in by two guards with their guns placed before him. He wore black boots, a dark-gray, pin-stripe suit beneath his duster, a black leather fedora, a white shirt with what seemed to be a slightly high-standing collar with faded red scarfs about the collar with a larger, charcoal and pale gray scarf hanging about his shoulders and over his front with a strange pattern upon it while a rather odd wing-like object made of a leather-like material rested upon his right arm. The man looked to the King and raised a hand in greeting.
"Hello there!" he said as King Regis rose forward in his throne ever so slightly.
"Hello, good day to you, and you, well met my dear Lucians," he said. King Regis settled back into his throne.
"Has Nifilheim grown so bold, that they send the Chancellor himself as envoy? And under no guard at that?" the man once more rose his arm.
"It is an honor to be recognized by the Great King Regis Lucis Caelum! Yet, permit me to stand on ceremony, and introduce myself nonetheless," he stated.
"Very well…" the man took off his hat and bowed in a sweeping manner.
"Ardyn Izunia, Chancellor of Nifilheim, at your humble service. And I come to you, on this most auspicious of days….to offer terms of peace," he said.
"Peace?" the man walked forward, a smile upon his features as he started walking.
"As you not doubt surmise, that most recent maneuver of ours was no mere strategic retreat. Call it….." the man stepped one foot upon the stairs that led to the throne.
"A gesture of Imperial good will," he said in a calm manner.
"Good will…" King Regis scrutinized the man before him with a discerning gaze, finding him to be an insect, a dangerous insect that needed to be crush swiftly. The man began walking up the stairs.
"Like you, we wish nothing more than to bring a swift end to this….senseless war," Ardyn explained as he paused.
"Is that so?" the Chancellor nodded, continuing in his walk.
"It is indeed, and we require but a singular compliance!" King Regis took in a steady breath, drawing himself up.
"And what may that compliance be? Precisely?" he inquired as Ardyn looked to him.
"Why, to save your grand Insomnia here: Lucis most forfeit all territories, to Nifilheim rule." The guards tensed, his council looking to him as the King raised his hand to stop the Chancellor with a glower upon his face.
"You would have me do such a thing?" King Regis interrogated the man before him with a fire within his gaze and venom deep inside his voice.
"Ahh, Insomnia, the jewel in the crown of the Lucian Kingdom. Surely this prestigious city is worth that cost?" the King narrowed his gaze.
"If I am to do this, should I believe you will leave us be? Not harm my subjects any further? Cease this senseless assault upon us?" he queried.
"Indeed, but…there is…one more condition with this peace treaty…" King Regis looked upon him with distaste.
"And what may that be? What more could you possibly desire to strangle from us?" he questioned and Ardyn smiled in such a manner, that the King of Lucis, felt nothing but unadulterated terror within him.
"There is just one more, trivial thing…" the King looked to him in a glower.
"Yes? What is it?" King Regis inquired this of Ardyn who motioned his hand in a relaxed manner.
"It concerns your son…"
King Regis felt terror flood his body in a means he hadn't felt since Noctis had been attacked by the Mirilith. His gaze briefly met General Clarus's who kept a firm expression upon his face as the King of Lucis formed his mouth into a thin line of distaste while looking at the Chancellor. King Regis had known for quite some time now that the Empire had been concocting a scheme of sorts; however, to discover - from the mouth of the Empire's Chancellor no less – that they had pinpointed Noctis as a target in addition to their Kingdom, his fears only grew as knowing that nothing could dissuade them from their current goal.
"In what manner does the discussion of the territories of Lucis and a peace treaty with Nifilheim relate to my sixteen year old son?" King Regis probed as once more, Ardyn smiled.
"Why, the reason is quite simple…" the King leaned forward ever so slightly towards the man.
"Out with it then," King Regis stated.
"The beautiful Princess Lunafreya Nox Fleuret of Tenebrae and the fetching Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum of Lucis….they are, to be wed." the room seemed to buzz with an electrical current of terror and anger.
"My son? And Princess Lunafreya? The Empire desires them to marry? For what purpose will such a thing serve?" King Regis imposed this question, feeling his heart race rapidly against his ribcage.
"It will promote peace between the Kingdom of Lucis, the Former Kingdom of Tenebrae, and the Empire." Ardyn watched him momentarily.
"I see…" King Regis muttered.
"You seem vexed, King Regis, I assure you: your son could have no better a bride, she is quite the prize the Princess of Tenebrae is." The Chancellor and the King looked to one another in contemplation and questioning.
"Why would I willingly marry my son to the Princess of a Kingdom that is within the Empire's clutches?" King Regis questioned.
"Ah, but I assure you, Your Highness….the Princess still holds you in the highest regard, as she has done all these seven long years…" King Regis took in a deep breath.
"Please allow my council and I to make this decision. We shall send word after our discussion," King Regis stated. Ardyn smiled.
"Very well, I am a patient man. I can wait."
{Downtown Slums: 7:50pm}
Nyx sighed as he walked down the streets of the slums, listening to the lively music that played around him alongside the chatter of people finishing their work day. He had been reassigned due to a less than pleasant situation on the outer rim of Insomnia in the desert plains. Thanks to those events, Libertus had a broken leg, and Nyx had been reassigned to gate duty alongside a less than nice guard. Now, he just wanted to sit down and have dinner with his teammates and discuss the annoyances of their jobs while recovering from the last chaotic battle they had been in. Nyx turned a corner and went down a flight of stairs to see his comrades present at the same dingy little restaurant where three years ago Prince Noctis of Lucis had broken their at the time comrade Bezarus's nose in defense of his father and Lady Lunafreya.
"Hey, rough day on the gate, huh Glaive?" asked Libertus.
"You jerk, it's your fault he got stuck there!" Crowe's statement was followed up by her thumping Libertus's injured leg.
"Not a very nice welcome for a big hero," Nyx stated as Crowe looked at his attire.
"Not a very nice outfit for one either." He rolled his eyes.
"I think it brings out my eyes," Nyx said as he walked around the table towards a seat.
"Ahh….what'd you put in this? It tastes like a Chocobo turd!" Nyx sighed as he listened to Libertus.
"Hey shut your trap! This ain't Galahd, that's the way folks around here like it!" stated the cook.
"Oh, well, I'm glad to see your learning to sell our heritage for a few extra gill!" Nyx looked at the two with a roll of his eyes as he moved Libertus's red leather jacket out of the way.
"Hey, Libertus. You thank Nyx yet for saving your life yet?" Crowe asked.
"Awh come on Crowe! Nyx and I are too close for that! He helps me, and I help him. That's the way it's always been." Nyx looked at the medicine bottle – pain pills of some kind – sticking out of Libertus's jacket before he handed it to him.
"Looks like you gotta little help from something else, huh?" he questioned as Libertus took his jacket from him.
"I need all I can get." He sat his jacket down and Nyx looked up in time for Pelna to hand him a mug of what looked to be rice wine.
"For Hearth!" Pelna stated.
"And Home!" Nyx raised his glass before taking a sip as Pelna sat down.
"So, Nyx the gate keeper, how's the new post treating you?" asked Pelna.
"Oh, it's amazing. You guys would love it, the gate guards are real sweethearts." Pelna laughed.
"Yea right. We all know they hate us outsiders more than anything. They're just so bored they don't got nothin' better to do," he stated as Nyx shrugged.
"Hey, boredom's not so bad. It means there's peace at least….I'd fight a hundred more wars for Galahdian's to know boredom. " Nyx dipped his kebab into the drink he'd received and took a bite.
"Fight all you want, just don't go dying yet. I still owe you, a lot," Pelna said as he raised his cup while Crowe remained silent.
"Where would the Glaive be without its hero?" Libertus stated in a morose tone.
"Can you not talk like this while we're drinking, please? Besides, we just sent the Nifs running with their tales between their legs, right?" Crowe brought up her point, and then Luche cut in.
"They weren't running from us. They were toying with us," Luche stated.
"Ehh…how so?" Luche looked at them.
"Stop being such a buzz kill Luche, okay? We all know what happened," said Nyx as he looked at the people around the table.
"Well, did you know that they sent an envoy to the Citadel after that?" all eyes turned to him.
"What for? To offer their surrender?" questioned Libertus.
"More like to demand ours." Libertus shook his head while Pelna went back to his meal.
"What?! Demand? My ass!" He stated Luche shook his head.
"No? Think about it. The Empire's got Lucis on its last legs, now's the perfect time to make demands," Luche stated.
"Maybe you've got a point…" Nyx shook his head.
"Why would they make their demands for this? It makes no sense," he said.
"What kind of things are they gonna ask?" Crowe's voice trembled in faint concern while Luche shook his head.
"I don't know, but we better be ready for less than pleasant things coming our way."
{Council Chambers: May 10th 2007, 6:00am}
Within the towering room filled with high windows above a black wood and marble alcove of an ornate wall stood a long table of blacks and golds, and at it sat the twelve members of King Regis's Council, with King Regis settled at the front. His mind was tired, possibly just as much, if not more so than his body only because he had stayed in his waking thoughts for hours into the night and contemplated the events that took place within his audience chamber with Chancellor of Nifilheim, Ardyn Izunia. While most would assume that his biggest concerns laid with his citizens – which it most certainly did – King Regis's mind weighed also upon the future of his child. Noctis wasn't aware of the situation that stood with Nifilheim, and even though he was hoping to keep his son out of this situation: he knew he couldn't. King Regis sat at the front of this table now, holding not only the fates of his Kingdom within his hands, but the fate of his son and Princess Lunafreya; both of whom held the future of the world in their own hands.
"We are losing this war Your Majesty, Lucis cannot rely on the Kingsglaive alone. Accepting the truce may be our best course of action," stated one of the Council members.
"You speak of matters beyond the New Wall. We have no need of a truce here so long as it stands, and if our disposition worsens, we still have the old wall." Said another as Lady Freccia came into the conversation.
"Yes, but this truce will end the fighting all together. We must see reason to this chance…if only we could compromise…" she started as all turned to the King.
"Compromise is unwise, we know nothing of Nifilheim's true intentions. Do not fool yourselves, the walls are far from impenetrable," stated General Clarus.
"Then want should we do?" King Regis leaned forward ever so slightly in his seat.
"The paths left to us are few. The new wall draws its power from the throne, and I am able to sustain it for some years yet, if the Kingdom requires it. But the Chancellor spoke one truth….if only one….we are old, and the old wall…" King Regis looked to his hand, bearing the Ring of the Lucii as it shook.
"King Regis…" the King shook his head.
"I cannot command the old wall with a weakened hand, nor do I have the strength to muster an offensive to turn the tide on this war," King Regis stated.
"Then let the decision be made…what are we to protect?" King Regis looked to them.
"I ask to you now, what shall I do? And I ask this not as your King to my Council….but as a King to his subjects," he said. Lady Freccia looked to him.
"If you cannot command the old wall…why not pass the right of that power to Prince Noctis?" General Clarus looked to her in surprise.
"Inform me as to how passing off such troubles upon our youth is the way of leaders, Lady Freccia?" he asked.
"I merely wish to point out, King Regis…that your son is in good health. He is resistant, his hand is steady, and his will firm; if you were to pass the Ring to him, then he may be capable of at least commanding the old wall should it come to the point that the new one fails…" King Regis looked to her.
"No, I will not put my son under any further duress than he will be," he stated.
"You will take the arranged marriage?" King Regis sighed.
"That is a requirement that must be met. In addition, if this goes well, this places the Oracle of Eos in our hands and under the protection of Lucis along with the defense of the future King's power," he answered.
"Then, I believe our choice has been made…" General Clarus looked to his friend.
"Yes, we will agree to the truce," King Regis stated.
"Very well…"
The Council left the room, leaving King Regis and General Clarus alone as the two men prepared to leave, but momentarily remained still. Neither of them were pleased with the demands made, but as it came to the outcome, both knew it was for the best. However, King Regis had elected to maintain his composure as he looked to the General who took in a deep breath as he met his King's gaze.
"You know this is going to be hard for him to take," General Clarus stated.
"I know, but this put's Luna in his grasps again. This will allow them safety and refuge…" the General sighed.
"Alright, we'll have to make sure that the Crystal has a safety net as well as the Prince and his teammates," he said as King Regis stood.
"I have a plan in mind. For now, let Chancellor Izunia know that we accept the terms. I will let the press know of this issue, and please send a note to Marshal Leonis for Noctis to come see me in a few hours so that I may speak with him."
"Of course, Your Majesty," General Clarus stated as he left.
{Kingsglaive HQ: 12:04pm}
Nyx and Libertus were watching some of the Glaive's new recruits practice warping, and ability granted to them through metallic cuffs on their wrists that allowed them to move through spaces with their daggers. Almost everyone received a few bumps in the road on their way through these few weeks-worth of training before finally making it to the field. However, as Nyx watched the new members work and Libertus made his jokes about them being stupid enough to do this on a full stomach a sense of foreboding came over him.
"Libertus! Nyx!" called Crowe as she came running towards the two men.
"Hey there Crowe! What are you up too?" the girl gave them a concerned look.
"What's wrong?" asked Nyx.
"Come here guys, you gotta see this…" Nyx stood and Libertus and he followed Crowe until they entered the over-hanging area and looked up to the screen of the TVs hanging above them as they looked at the man on the screen.
"What's…"
"Shush!" stated Crowe as she held a finger to her lips. Nyx and Libertus looked to the screen again.
"Things were hectic in the Capital today as the Lucian government announced full acceptance of what some are criticizing as the unilateral peace terms proposed by Chancellor Izunia of Nifilheim."
"What?" muttered Libertus.
"The signing of the truce will seek governing power of all Lucian territories transferred to the Empire, with the sole acception of Insomnia…"
"No…" Nyx looked to his friend.
"In return, Nifilheim assures the continued safety of Insomnia and its citizenry. As well as an end to all hostilities, putting an end to this long and bitter war…"
"All that fighting we did. All for nothing," Crowe said as Nyx shook his head.
"Maybe the Caelum family is finally showing their true colors…" all gazes turned to Bezarus, still a member of the Kingsglaive, but having been watched until recently.
"Do you need the Prince of Lucis to break your nose again you louse?" asked Crowe.
"Well, look who's talking! All buddy-buddy with the future King of Lucis and now you wanna stick up for that fucking brat?" Nyx shot him a glare.
"Watch it! You're besmirching the name of the Royal Family, and that's not the way we act," Nyx snapped.
"King Regis is old, and tired, and withered. He won't pass the crown onto his son because the kid's worthless! Look at him! Weak, self-centered, and crass: he'll never be a good King!" Libertus narrowed his gaze.
"Don't say a word about Prince Noctis! You don't even know him," he stated.
"Yea well…"
"In other news, the peace treaty was granted another request in regards to the Lucian Royal Family…."
"Oh no….I gotta bad feeling about this," muttered Nyx.
"Yea, me too…" Crowe turned her attention from Bezarus to the screen as Luche, Pelna and Libertus did as well while Captain Drautos stayed near the corner of the door.
"By request of the Nifilheim Empire, Princess Lunafreya Nox Fleuret of Tenebrae, and Oracle of Eos will be married to Prince Noctis Avior Lucis Caelum of Lucis this summer as a commencement of the peace treaty between Lucis, the Nifilheim Empire, and the former Territory of Tenebrae…"
"They can't do that bull shit!" snapped Libertus as Crowe felt a hand come to her mouth. Rage at the ceasefire had become eclipsed by choosing to use the child that she and the others had gotten used to being around as a bargaining chip in a high stakes game.
"He's just a kid though right?" asked one of the Kingsglaive members.
"Well, the Prince did turn sixteen this February that is legal age in Lucis…"
"But he's getting married to Lady Lunafreya! That's gotta be a big weight on someone that age," stated another.
"True, but he is supposed to be the future King…." Crowe felt her eyes burn in anger.
"That sorry son of a bitch," she muttered as Nyx looked to her.
"Crowe, you can't…." she shook her head.
"I'm not mad at King Regis, this probably tore him to pieces making his child play at the whims of our enemy…the son of a bitch I'm talking about is the Chancellor and the Nifs. I wanna watch those bastards burn," she snarled.
"I know…but…" Captain Drautos walked around the corner.
"Fall in…"
{Eastern Courtyard: 4:00pm}
Noctis was working on warping with Marshal Leonis today, and was supposed to meet Prompto, Ignis, and Gladio later to undergo a few extra sparring sessions. The boy took in a steady breath as he threw the dagger and disappeared from beside Marshal Leonis before reappearing with the dagger in hand a few feet away. The Marshal hummed, seeing the boy's strike pose and the form he used with a smile as he considered the child's progress since he was twelve years old. They had to be careful about the times they used the outside areas for Noctis to practice his ability with; however, he also was having to be mindful of a few details that King Regis reminded him of as he watched the boy before him take in a deep breath, feeling as though he had just ran through a sheet of ice which caused him to shake before he looked towards the Marshal who nodded his head.
"Once more," he stated.
"Right…"
Noctis threw his dagger to the far end of the courtyard and raced forward, forming the striking pose he had learned before he felt vertigo claim him and then he was grasping the hilt of the dagger, moving swiftly before running at full speed to repeat the action, using the stones in the courtyard as leverage for him to move quickly. Noctis had felt the difference these last few times as he rushed forward and prepared himself for the next move. Every time he did this, the anxiety he used to feel had left, letting him gain better control upon his powers as they grew stronger and more flexible as he sought to further them until he could do so without a second thought. Noctis rolled to a stop with the dagger in hand, and then, the gates of the courtyard opened to reveal General Clarus present. The man glanced to Noctis who pulled himself up from the ground and then looked to Marshal Leonis as he considered what the reason was for him to call on the man during this time of day.
"I see….Noctis!" the Marshal called for him and he chose to get one more warp in for the day and tossed the dagger, reappearing almost directly beside the two men as he took in a deep breath.
"Yes? Marshal Leonis?" he asked.
"Your father wants to speak with you, he said it's urgent." Noctis rose a fine eyebrow.
"Wait…why would it be urgent? Normally if he wants to see me, he'll tell me to see him when I'm done with you for the day," he stated as General Clarus looked to him.
"This is in regards to something I think you'll want to hear dear boy…" Noctis gave the two men a worried expression.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"This is about Princess Lunafreya, I think you…." General Clarus stopped as Noctis's normally fair skin grew unhealthily white and his gaze fearful as he moved on instinct and tossed the dagger forward, warping across the way and to the door before slamming it behind him as he sheathed the dagger and ran down the hall as fast as his legs would carry him.
"He's grown strong with that power," General Clarus stated.
"You haven't the faintest clue…he's growing stronger every day, and will continue to once certain events come to pass…" the General looked down.
"The enemy is greater than what is present at the forefront of the war, isn't that what Queen Aulea used to say?" asked General Clarus as he looked to Marshal Leonis.
"Yes, she most certainly did." The General looked to the sky as the sun began to set.
"Then we shall do well to remember that moment when our young liege needs our guidance….even if it may be from beyond the grave," he said.
"You seem to have forgotten the rest of Queen Aulea's statement…" General Clarus looked to the other man.
"And what was the rest of it?" he asked.
"The enemy is greater than what is present at the forefront of the war; however, in knowing thus, one may succeed in uncovering what lies beyond within the shadows that are the true threat to our hearts." The man smiled.
"She truly was something else, that Queen of ours," General Clarus stated.
"Yes, now, I believe I need to inform the rest of Prince Noctis's team to meet him outside the audience chamber. He's going to need some support after this shell shock hits his system." Marshal Leonis started to leave and General Clarus followed, knowing the man was indeed correct.
Down the corridors of the Citadel, Noctis continued to run, his heart racing as he rushed, warping when he could past some of the halls in order to get there faster as he felt panic lace through his system. Ever since Noctis had turned sixteen, he had been getting the distinct feeling that something wasn't right and that soon a series of events would unfold that would be less than pleasant. The moment that the strange physical pains had returned, he knew bad things were coming, and just now, when Marshal Leonis had mentioned Lunafreya's name, fear eclipsed his rationality as he warped past people who probably hadn't the slightest clue of what had happened and finally turned a few corners until he could finally see the door of the audience chamber.
"Luna….Gods….please be safe, Luna…."
"Just slow down, Noct…you're gonna make yourself sick." Cari butted into his mind, trying to get him to calm down before he did something foolish; however, he couldn't bring himself to do so as he started rushing even quicker towards the doors.
"I can't….Luna might be in danger! I can't…."
Noctis had burst through the doors of the audience chamber before he even realized it, taking in heavy breaths as he shoved the doors aside with a great effort and let the slam behind him as he stood there, feeling tired and out of breath, but quickly regaining it as he looked towards his father who sat at his chair, looking far older than he should have at this point in Noctis's life. Swallowing thickly, the sixteen-year-old Lucian Prince stepped forward, looking to his father who turned his gaze towards him before taking in a steady breath.
"Noctis, it's good to see you today," he stated.
"What's going on?" the King sighed.
"You are here because of Princess Lunafreya, are you not?" King Regis inquired.
"I am, but I need to know….is Luna…is she okay?" the man looked down.
"That I am not certain of; however, judging from the request of the Nifilheim Empire, I would say she's quite well," he said as he turned his gaze to his son who only stared.
"What are you talking about? What has the Empire done?!" King Regis stood and walked forward before holding up a black ring, engraved with what appeared to be crescent moons and stars, woven together in tiny details. Noctis eyed the ring in confusion before the King of Lucis sighed.
"In agreement to our ceasefire and peace treaty with the Nifilheim Empire…." Noctis felt his heart skip a beat.
"Ceasefire? Dad, what did you do?! What are you talking about?" Noctis tried to find reason in the words, but felt too lost to place it all together.
"I have agreed to hand over our territories save for Insomnia's land in exchange for a ceasefire..." Noctis shook his head.
"What?! No! Those are our people out there beyond these walls! We can't just hand their lives over to the Nifilheim Empire! There's no telling what they'll do!" Noctis stated.
"There will be no more war, no more death, nor bloodshed at the costs of either sides that much I can be certain of." Noctis stared onward in disbelief.
"You can't just abandon them! The Empire will do Gods know what to them!" King Regis looked to his son.
"Would you rather I continue this war? Sacrifice more of the Kingsglaive, the Crownsguard? Our people are dying at the hands of the Magitech Soldiers Nifilheim has created, and I will not place them on the line any longer just for the sake of ruling over more territory," he stated.
"Sacrifice? What are you doing right now?! You've just thrown them all aside for the sake of one damn city! So what if Insomnia falls?! That could mean the safety of our people!" King Regis slammed his cane down.
"Noctis! I will hear no more of this! Listen to me, do I make myself clear?!" he snapped, the boy flinched, and then took in a shaky breath.
"Fine, your King…" the man looked to his son as he grasped his hand and placed the ring onto the boy's left hand, causing him to look onward in confusion once more.
"That is a proposition ring, the ring was sent to you by Princess Lunafreya of Tenebrae…" Noctis looked to the ring, being thankful for a gift from Luna, but also still feeling a terrible sense of dread.
"Can you please explain this?" he asked. King Regis looked to him, a firm and resolute expression upon his face.
"As of the end of this summer, you…Prince Noctis of Lucis, and Princess Lunafreya of Tenebrae….are to be married in Altissia," King Regis stated. Noctis felt his heart nearly stop.
"What does this have to do with the peace treaty?" the boy's voice sounded cold, but confused as the King looked to him still.
"You and Princess Lunafreya will marry, and it will unify the three great Kingdoms of Eos as one…Lucis will become a minor territory ruled by a bloodline kept intact by the Nifilheim Empire's grace just as Tenebrae is. This is your requirement as the future King of Lucis, and now it will be Princess Lunafreya's burden as well, as our beloved bride and soon to be Princess of Lucis, am I clear….Noctis?" he inquired as the boy nodded, gaze hollow as he turned around and left, his hand with the ring on it fisted tightly as it shook and King Regis watched as the boy walked away until the door slammed shut and the King looked down.
"Forgive me….Aulea….Lillian…all of you….I am sorry…but this secret is not mine to keep…not any longer…"
And then, the Great King of Lucis wept: for his heart couldn't bear such a grievous burden any longer, and no words could conjure his remorse for the acts that would soon follow, no matter how greatly he wished for it.
{…..}
Caught in all, the stars are hiding….
{…..}
Author's Note: I do believe that everything is slowly falling apart at the seams and some part of Noctis knows this is bad news. King Regis is truly torn up about this, and I figured he kind of always was and that was why they didn't hold the wedding in Insomnia: he was trying to get Noctis and Luna away from the Empire and somewhere that they could be protected. Unfortunately, we know things don't go quite as planned.
Tell me what you thought of the chapter, I'll be looking for your reviews soon!
Sincerely,
ShadowDragon94.