Lucis's Reborn

Chapter 5: An idiot

After a moment or so when the car zoomed away from the Regalia building, Renae began squealing so loudly in the car. The poor Marshall jumped from this not knowing what was going on. He glanced to see the Princess laughing whilst holding the bouquet of flowers against her chest. Her cheeks were bright pink, and her eyes sparkled like stars. He knew that look all too well; it was the same expression the Queen made when she spent time with the King in the past.

"Am I correct to assume the date went well?" Cor asked with the corners of his lips perking up a little.

"Maybe." Renae sang.

"And you were worrying over nothing at all. It worked in your favour. You've gotten through the easiest part."

"The easiest part?" She tilted her head to the side and turned to her father-figure. The middle-aged man's smile dropped as his glare turned cold.

"The peace treaty signing. The Empire and Lucis have been at war for far too long. Tensions will be high and…I can't help but shake off this bad feeling."

The Princess of Lucis looked down as gripped onto her flowers. She too couldn't help but feel as if something bad will happen. Her Kingdom and the Empire had been fighting for so long and all of a sudden the Empire wants to sign a peace treaty in Insomnia, the Capital of Lucis, a place where the King, the Crystal, and the Ring of Lucii were. The Empire, they'd want to bring all their forces into the City, but she knew that her father wouldn't allow it. Besides, the Kingsglaive will be on guard to defend the City as well as it's people if something bad happened.

"If something does happen, I've been instructed to get you out of the City." Her eyes widened as she turned back to Cor as anger filled her eyes.

"I won't just run away if the City crumbles under the Empire."

"The King's orders, little one."

"I'm not going to run away like a coward. I want to stay behind to help my dad and my people to escape first." He exhaled through his nose whilst shaking his head as stubborn as her father once was so long ago. "It's the least I can do for Lucis."

"Spoken like a Queen."

Queen of Lucis, that's something she wanted to be since she was a little girl. She would often read stories about the Kings of Lucii and their rule. Her favourite ruler had to be Queen Crepera, who ruled Lucis regardless of the opinions of those who thought a woman couldn't rule. She successfully led the Kingdom through a crisis of great torment, earning the love and acceptance of those who doubted her capabilities. It inspired her to become a better monarch, training in secret with Cor Leonis and spending even more time with her father to observe how he made decisions for the Kingdom as well reading more into the stories of the Kings of Yore. But Renae knew that she would never be able to become Queen. Noctis was next in line to the throne, he was to be the King of Light to save the world from the Starscourge. It made her heart ache tremendously from not being able to make her dreams a reality. If only she Queen Crepera's bravery to speak her mind, but she couldn't. She couldn't compete with the future saviour of Lucis. The closest thing she could be was Queen Consort to Tenebrae, but that wasn't enough, she didn't want to be known as the King's wife, but the ruler of Lucis.

"I'm sorry, little Princess." Cor's voice snapped her out of voice as she turned to him whilst shaking her head.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, Cor!"

"But you're crying." She placed her hand on her cheek and felt a tear, then proceeded to wipe it. The young woman instantly felt bad for making him feel like he upset her.

"You didn't upset me, I promise." Renae beamed brightly at him.

He shook his head; she would rather reassure others than to admit when her feelings were hurt. That was the type of person she was, a selfless caring girl who put others' feelings ahead of her own. "Will Altissian gelato make you feel better?"

"You know I'll never say no to Altissian gelato." The girl giggled. "But could you also pop by at the supermarket?"

"And get what?"

"Ebony Gold, I feel like making Tiramisu."

The Citadel; 10pm

Renae had finished braiding her hair into pigtails after a relaxing bath. She had gotten changed into a silk black cami top, matching shorts, and a long black cardigan with grey fluffy slippers. She had already placed the Sylleblossoms into a beautiful vase beside her bed.

The Young Princess picked up a large bowl and a smaller one from her dresser, which one of the maids had left. The larger bowl contained flower seeds, raisins, and oatmeal whilst the smaller one had uncooked chicken, crayfish, fruits, and pine nuts.

She walked out onto her bedroom's balcony, turning on the lights with her toe. This was her little world where she would often escape her royal duties, a sanctuary where all her fears and worries would disappear. The lights which surrounded the balcony were fairy lights and she could also light up her fire pit whenever she wanted. There were pots of plants and flowers which she personally grew, as well as vines on the walls. She would often relax on the sofa chairs or the patio swing, where she would read her books or enjoy tea.

Renae placed the smaller bowl of food on the soft and heard loud multiple chirping. The young woman giggled as she walked towards the humungous golden cage which housed fifteen birds she had kept since they were chicks.

"Alright, alright, I have your dinner. Give me a minute." The young woman unclasped the cage's door, placing the bowl on a bird stand. The birds flew so quickly to the bowl and began eating away and she giggled. She left the door open and leaned against her balcony.

Renae stared out at the city of Insomnia; the metropolis lights looked like stars in a dark sky. She did this every night, watching the city life from a distance, wanting so badly to know what it's like to live as a normal citizen. She would have turned insane if she spent most of her time trapped in Citadel without any contact from the outside, like what Maria would have wanted. Luckily for her, her father allowed her to go to school and University. Libertus from the Kingsglaive would often sneak her takeaway from the best spots in the city. Gladio and Iris would help her sneak out and Prompto would help disguise her so that the citizens wouldn't spot her. Her loved ones all made her feel less trapped within the Citadel for the past few years and she was grateful. It was the reason she would leave her bird cage open during the day, so that her birds could fly free and come back whenever they wanted. Yet within the walls surrounding the City she, like many others, still felt caged, she wondered what life was like, before the wall existed. How exports and imports would benefit the economy and how everyone would travel to and from Insomnia. How multicultural the city would be with different people, cultures, foods from various parts of Eos. If only daemons didn't exist and the war between the Empire and Lucis never happened. Regardless of the fact that she felt trapped in this city, her heart ached terribly realising she would have to leave sooner rather than later. A tear slowly fell her cheek as she realised that it was finally time to leave the nest. This city, the people, the buildings, the busy streets, everything, she would miss it with all her heart. This was her city and her home; it was a part of her.

Her trail of thoughts came to a stop when the young woman heard a caw from next to her. She turned to see her beloved crow, Ciaran and she felt instantly cheered up.

Ciaran had been her companion for the past 10 years since he was young. She found him injured in the park and decided to take him home; so that he could recover until releasing him, but he took a liking to her, indebted to her for her adoration and care. She raised Ciaran, with so much love and patience and he grew into a large and smart bird.

"Just in time for dinner" She beamed brightly, she walked to her sofa, picking up the bowl of food then sat down on the balcony.

"Caw!" Ciaran hopped over to her and began eating merrily. When he was finished, the young woman took out a handkerchief from her pocket, wiping his beak and he hopped onto her arm.

The young woman smiled at him sweetly, with so much adoration in her gaze as he shook his feathers. "I've had you for a decade, I've bathed you, fed you and watched you grow. I always thought you'd be the one who'd leave the nest someday. But it seems as though I will be soon." Ciaran tilted his head to the side. "Do you want to come with me to Tenebrae? You'd love it there, it's a beautiful place with so much greenery and mountains. You'll be able to spread your wings and fly freely." The crow flapped her wings out and she giggled whilst nodding. "Yes you will!" She sighed deeply. "Ciaran, I'd never leave you behind, you've been with me for so long and leaving you here would break my heart." A tear slowly fell down her cheek and the bird leaned her head towards her face, wiping her tear, then placing his beak softly on her cheek like it was a kiss. Renae felt her heart swell at this. "Ciaran, I love you so much." She stated and the bird cawed quietly, as if repeating her words to her. The bird began grooming her hair behind her ear, something he would do since she was 10 years old. The young woman began to giggle; it would always tickle, but she knew he would do it out of affection. "Hey, I did brush my hair after my shower." The bird cawed again. "Sassy!"

"Is Ciaran preening you again?" She heard her father's voice and turned to see him at the entrance of the balcony. A royal maid placed a tray on the table and the Princess walked towards her.

"Thank you, Evelyn." The young woman curtseyed, smiled then left them both.

Ciaran hopped over to Regis's shoulder, and he smiled at the bird. Renae helped her father sit down, then sat opposite him. The tray had two cups of tea as well as a bowl of icy water for the Princess's feathered companion, who hopped down and began drinking.

"Thank you, dad." She murmured, then they both picked up the tea. She brought the cup to her mouth, inhaled the steam and a sigh escaped her lips, lavender tea. The young woman took sip and instantly relaxed, feeling some weight being lifted from her shoulders.

"I thought this would help with any anxiety or nerves before tomorrow." Regis sipped some tea. "Although sleep is the best thing for that." Ciaran turned to his human companion and cawed and she pouted.

"Oh, you're on his side?" She asked then turned to her father. "I don't think anyone would be able to sleep before the night of their engagement." He chuckled at this.

"To be honest, I didn't. I did a, as what the young call, 'all-nighter'." Renae leaned forward in curiosity.

"Tell me about your engagement to Mama."

"It was a grand celebration, a bit like tomorrow is to be. But I was so stressed out and anxious. I'd pace around the Citadel about ten times on the day and I went to the bathroom just as many times as those strolls around the building." They both chuckled at this and sighed. "But all those nerves, the anxiety, those questions disappeared the moment I laid eyes on your mother at the engagement." He laid his elbow on the side of the chair, resting his cheek on the palm of his hand. She saw the look in those eyes, there was always a sparkle whenever he reminisced his mother and it was so cute. "I felt my heart calm down, that soft smile of hers, those dimples, and that sweet giggle. It was enough to make me fall in love with her all over again. I never thought I'd see anything or anyone so beautiful in my life, until the day you were born."

The sides of her mouth perked, and she drank more tea. Renae looked down inside the cup of her lilac warm beverage and blood rushed to her cheeks as she thought about seeing Ravus after all these years.

"I too, saw the most beautiful person I've seen today." She murmured and his eyebrows rose, even Ciaran turned to her, cawing quietly whilst leaning his head to the side. The Princess looked up at her father. "Dad, I…I, I like him."

"I thought you already liked him, dear?" She shook her head.

"No, dad! Not like that. I mean romantically!" Renae whined. "Can't believe you made me specify that." He couldn't help but chuckle at this and sighed with relief.

"I'm glad that you like him, the last thing I'd want is for you to feel as though you need to get married."

"It'll help the kingdom, but I guess me liking him is a perk, right?"

The King looked at his daughter, her eyes sparkling with optimism and felt his heart sink into the pits of his stomach. He could tell that she knew that something bad could happen, but she still believed that marrying the Prince of Tenebrae would really help the two Kingdoms become one. Many would call it a dream, but this was something she needed to believe would happen. He agreed, his daughter liking her betrothed was an advantage, but at the end of the day, she was a young woman who was going to put her old life behind her, to marry someone from another land. Believing that this would benefit Tenebrae and Lucis, would not make her regret it.

"I'm glad. I have full confidence he will treat you right." He smiled. "Regardless of who he commands or is affiliated with, he is his mother's son."

"Whenever he smiled at me, it reminded me of her Majesty. His gaze was so gentle and calm just like hers." The King glanced at her left hand, noticing the ring and she saw him looking. "He…gave me his mother's ring. I told him not to, I'm scared I might lose it or something. But he insisted!"

"Your mother reacted the same way, when I gave her my own mother's ring." She couldn't help but giggle. "Initially, I wanted to give her ring to Lady Lunafreya, but the alliance was broken. Do you have any idea why that could be?"

The young woman turned away from him, avoiding his suspicious gaze whilst sipping more tea. "Didn't, didn't she say she thought of his as a friend?" The pitch of her voice was higher.

"Do you have anything to do with this, Renae Lucis Caelum?" She knew he was serious when he addressed her by her full name. The young woman looked back at him, his face was completely blank with no sign of anger or annoyance; it was reassuring. She knew she had to be honest with him.

"The feelings between them are neutral; they only care about each other as friends, nothing more than that." She stated. "There's also something else. I…I don't think you'd believe me if I tell you."

"What's that?"

"You're not gonna believe me." Renae warned him.

"Prove me wrong, little Princess."

"There's a girl. He's never met her before, and he's only ever seen her in his dreams. But he's been dreaming of her for the past 15 years. He even knows what she looks like." He continued staring at his daughter with a blank expression, but he was actually surprised.

"A girl he has dreamed of for 15 years." He thought aloud. "Do you think it may be a vision from Bahamut?"

"I don't think so. Why would he show Noct visions of a girl he's never met before?"

"Maybe she's going to aid him with his fight against the Starscourge?"

Regis made a great point, and she instantly believed that this was the case. But there was a part of her that strongly believed that it wasn't Bahamut sending those dreams. Since he would have most likely sent a Messenger to appear in his dreams, like Carbuncle for example. But there was no Messenger. If anything, the Princess had no idea what his first dream of the girl was like, maybe she should ask him when she sees him next.

"Do you think he'll ever meet her?" His question snapped her out of daze, and she looked up at him.

"I sure hope so. That way he talks about her is like he's in love with her already."

"Let's both pray that they do." He stated. "I hope I can someday meet this mystery lady too."

"Don't worry Papa, you will." She grinned. "A girl who can love and handle Noct must be someone with a gentle yet strong heart, don't you think?" He chuckled at this.

"Well, whoever she is, I trust that she will love him, protect him and fight by his side. I approve of my son's dream girl, already." The King chuckled and she felt her heart flutter from hearing it. He stood up and walked towards his daughter who stood too. "You should get some sleep; you have a big day tomorrow." Renae smiled at him. The young Princess walked him out of her room and towards the elevator. He placed a kiss on her forehead then entered the elevator. "Goodnight, little Princess."

"Goodnight dad, sweet dreams." She stated and the doors closed. The dark-haired teen walked back to her room, closing the door behind her and entered her balcony. She picked up her beloved Ciaran and opened the door of another cage she owned which was beside the bigger one. "And goodnight to you, my sweet bird." The raven clawed back, rubbing his beak against her cheek and she giggled. She placed him inside and closed the cage. Renae closed her balcony door and sat on at her desk sighing deeply; what a day.

Suddenly, her phone began ringing and she smiled knowing exactly who it was. The green-eyed girl picked up, her body vibrating with excitement.

"Ren!" Noctis exclaimed over the phone. "You really did it!"

"Yeah I did!" She giggled.

"I can't believe it, and Ravus wasn't angry?" There was so much relief and happiness from his voice.

"Nope, he told me that Princess Luna felt the same. He was relieved to be honest."

"To be honest it feels like she rejected me." He mumbled. "But thank you, Ren! You're the best."

"It's okay Noct, no need to thank me. You would have done the same for me."

"I still can if you'd like. How was the meeting with him?"

"A DATE, NOCT!" Prompto's shout could be heard in the background.

"No way am I calling it a date."

"It was a date, Noct." Her cheeks turned bright red from thinking about it. "And…it went so well. Better than what I feared. He was such a gentleman and was so kind."

"What? Really?" She could tell he found that hard to believe. "He didn't ask any suspicious questions?"

"No. We just talked about normal things. And he reassured me I could continue my studies wherever I wanted for however long I wanted, I could even postpone my wedding until I am. He even offered to take me all over Lucis too!"

"I hope he lives up to that promise." Noct stated suspiciously. "I don't really know him, so I don't know if I should approve of him."

"Oh, I need your approval too?" She asked sarcastically.

"Of course, I am your big brother." He replied proudly and she laughed at this. Her laugh, even if it was through the phone, made his heart swell with peace and happiness; it always did. "Do you, approve of him? That's the important part."

"I do approve. Noct…he proposed to me." When she said those words, there was a deep silence over the phone call. The silence felt thick and heavy, slightly overbearing. "He…didn't have to ask. But he still did." She began twirling her fiancé's mother's ring on her wedding finger. "I want to do this, I've not had much control in my life so far, apart from the times I've rebelled in secret. I've almost always been pushed to do things I hadn't been completely okay with. But today, I had a choice; you, dad, Cor and Ravus gave me a choice. But after that one hour I spent with him, my heart said yes to him."

There followed another silence after she had practically poured her heart out to her brother. Her smile dropped and a tear slowly fell down her cheek as she exhaled shakily. She heard her brother exhale deeply too.

"Can't argue with a girl who's in love." Her eyes opened as her whole face turned vibrant red.

"Wait, wait, what?!" She asked sitting up. "What, what did you mean, in love?!"

"You're in love."

"The hell I'm not!"

"Yes you are."

"No, I'm not!"

"Yeah!"

"No!"

"Ren, you really are an idiot." Her brother sighed with defeat; this was going to be a long yet awkward phone call.