The opulent ballroom within the grand confines of Insomnia's royal palace was a sight to behold. Crystal chandeliers hung from the gilded ceiling, casting a soft, ethereal glow that bathed the room in a shimmering radiance. The walls were adorned with tapestries of exquisite craftsmanship, depicting scenes of heroic battles and the city's illustrious history.
As King Regis's grand soirée unfolded, the opulence of the surroundings became increasingly apparent. Elaborate floral arrangements graced every corner, their vibrant blooms filling the air with a heady fragrance. The marble floors, polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflected the splendor above, creating the illusion of a grand celestial stage.
Noctis sighed softly, her fingers delicately wrapped around a wineglass. She donned an elegant off-shoulder gown that glistened like a starry night sky, its twinkling fabric creating a celestial illusion. Her hands were adorned with sparkling gloves, adding to her enchanting allure. She hated events like this. A lot of the men seemed to stare at her in a sleazy way, and it made her skin crawl.
Beside her, Prompto appeared, concern in his voice. "How are you feeling, Noct?" he questioned.
"Horrible," was the one-word answer she gave. Prompto hummed in agreement. He himself wasn't having fun. He was wearing a stiff tuxedo that felt way too stuffy for him. He was about to tell Noctis that he was going to the punch bowl, but when he turned, he saw one of the male guests eyeing Noctis inappropriately. Just as he was about to say something, one of the masked Kingsglaive guards approached the man. Prompto took that as his chance to steer Noctis toward the punch bowl.
When they arrived, one of the men who saw Prompto knew him for his photography. 'Excuse me, young man, are you the one who took that picture of the desert at night?' He questioned. When Prompto confirmed, the man smiled and dragged Prompto over to have a talk with him, leaving Noctis by herself. Then another man walked up to her.
The man who approached Noctis exuded an aura of sleaziness that was hard to miss. He had slicked-back, greasy hair that glistened unnaturally under the ballroom's chandeliers. His outfit, while undoubtedly expensive, was flashy and gaudy, much like the stereotypical used car salesman trying to impress potential buyers with excessive wealth. His ill-fitting suit jacket had wide, padded shoulders that gave him an imposing and rather comical appearance.
The man's gold teeth glinted conspicuously as he spoke, adding to his overall ostentatious appearance. His eyes were shifty and calculating, darting around the room as if he were constantly on the lookout for opportunities. His heavy cologne hung in the air, an overpowering mix of musk and cheap aftershave that did little to mask the smell of alcohol on his breath.
His mannerisms were equally off-putting. He leaned in a little too close, invading Noctis's personal space with an unwelcome familiarity. His grin was unsettling, as if he were perpetually trying to charm or manipulate those around him. All in all, the man embodied the stereotype of a disreputable used car salesman, and Noctis couldn't help but feel a growing sense of discomfort in his presence.
The man's lecherous grin seemed to stretch impossibly wider. His watery, bloodshot eyes fixated on Noctis, their gaze predatory and unsettling. He leaned in closer, invading her personal space with the pungent scent of alcohol that wafted from his breath. It was a sickly-sweet odor mixed with the overpowering fragrance of expensive cologne, creating a noxious blend that made her stomach churn.
His words, dripping with thinly veiled lust and entitlement, slithered from his lips like a serpent's hiss. "My, I never thought I would see Princess Noctis in the flesh."
Noctis could feel the heat of his proximity, the warmth of his alcohol-laden breath brushing against her cheek like a fetid breeze. His voice oozed with oily charm, but to her, it sounded more like the sibilant hiss of a snake, sending shivers of revulsion down her spine.
"You look so... delectable, my dear."
The word 'delectable' sent a shiver of revulsion coursing through her, as if he were describing her as a succulent morsel meant to be devoured. She fought the urge to visibly recoil, her stomach twisting in knots as a wave of nausea threatened to engulf her.
Just as the man's fingers extended towards her, a firm hand seized his wrist, preventing his unwelcome touch. Noctis's wide eyes darted to her unexpected savior, and there stood Gladiolus, his expression a blend of irritation and protectiveness.
"You were about to touch the crown princess, sir," Gladiolus stated, his voice gruff but commanding. "I think you've had a bit too much to drink. Come with me."
The man, clearly inebriated and disoriented, attempted to resist, but he was no match for Gladiolus's imposing strength. With a swift motion, Gladiolus lifted him up by the back of his shirt, rendering any resistance futile.
"I'll take care of this scumbag," Gladiolus declared firmly, his grip unwavering. He directed his attention back to Noctis. "Noct, go find Ignis. He should be chatting with my sister and her girlfriend somewhere."
With her gaze fixed on Gladiolus as he firmly escorted the inebriated guest toward the opulent ballroom's exit, Noctis turned her attention to her next objective: finding Iris and Ignis amidst the throng of guests. As she weaved her way through the elegant and boisterous crowd, Noctis couldn't help but catch glimpses of various attendees engaged in activities far less suitable for a royal affair than the dancing and socializing they should have been enjoying. Her nose wrinkled in distaste as she made a mental note to inform her father's staff about the need for a thorough cleaning of a particular pillar in the distant corner.
Finally, her search bore fruit. There, standing by the grand chandelier-adorned pillars, she spotted Ignis, his demeanor the very picture of charm and sophistication. He was engrossed in conversation with a sophisticated noblewoman from Tenebrae, Seraphina Vartius. Noctis knew Seraphina reasonably well from previous encounters at diplomatic events. Her presence here indicated the potential for discussions of some importance.
Drawing a breath of relief, Noctis continued to scan the area and soon located Iris, her closest friend and confidante, sharing a laugh with none other than Lunafreya. The sight of Iris's mirthful expression reassured Noctis. She watched the pair, glad that Lunafreya and Iris were at least enjoying themselves. They didn't have to worry about being hit on, it was well known the two were dating. Meanwhile while it might be an open secret that Noctis was dating a Kingsglaive, nobody had been able to confirm it.
As Ignis excused himself from his conversation with Seraphina, Noctis couldn't help but notice his that his suit was pure white, not a speck of dust or dirt on it. His glasses had been changed to gold rim ones.. He approached her with a knowing look, clearly attuned to the subtle shifts in her emotions.
"When can I escape this tedious affair, Ignis?" Noctis question, her voice tinged with a palpable desperation, revealing her weariness of the opulent ball and its demanding social expectations. Ignis, ever the gentleman, understood the unspoken plea in her eyes and the fatigue in her voice, ready to offer a solution to her predicament.
"I'm afraid, Princess Noctis, you still have another fifty minutes to endure," Ignis informed her, his voice carrying a calm and composed tone. He was well aware of Noctis's disdain for such events. She sighed, her expressive eyes shifting towards Seraphina.
"And how has your relationship been faring, the two of you?" Noctis inquired, her tone laced with genuine interest as she shifted the conversation towards a topic that held her attention far more than the opulent ball itself.
Ignis, in the midst of taking a sip of sparkling white wine, almost choked on it at her unexpected inquiry. He swiftly composed himself, clearing his throat as he considered how to respond to her probing question.
"I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about," he attempted to dismiss the topic, but Noctis's smirk and unrelenting gaze left no room for evasion. His cheeks flushed slightly under her scrutiny, a rare sight that only seemed to amuse her further.
"Right, well, get back to her then. Wouldn't want to keep your future girlfriend waiting, right?" Noctis teased, her playful jab followed by an exaggerated nod. Ignis, feigning indignation, shot her a fleeting glare before excusing himself to return to Seraphina's side.
Noctis sighed, momentarily allowing her thoughts to drift to Nyx. If it weren't for the ongoing war, he would be accompanying her at this very moment. She couldn't help but picture him in a tuxedo, a vivid image that caused her cheeks to flush with warmth.
"My, is that dear Noctis I see?" A cheerful yet somewhat theatrical voice interjected, interrupting her reverie. Noctis turned her attention to the source of the voice and found herself locking eyes with none other than Ardyn Izunia, an eccentric traveling merchant who dealt with a clientele as varied as they were enigmatic. Ardyn had always been a wild card in the social strata, and his presence at the ball was as much an enigma as the man himself.
Noctis couldn't help but smirk, recognizing Ardyn's penchant for unpredictability. "Well, well, if it isn't Ardyn Izunia," she remarked, her tone laced with amusement. "What brings you to this extravagant affair?"
Ardyn's grin widened as he approached her, his every movement oozing theatricality. "Ah, my dear Noctis, I couldn't resist the allure of a gathering of such illustrious individuals," he replied with a playful wink. "And, of course, the opportunity to make the acquaintance of a certain young lady who has been the talk of the town."
Noctis raised an eyebrow, amused by his acting. "And who might this young lady be?"
Ardyn chuckled mysteriously. "Why, the future queen of Lucis, of course," he replied jokingly before offering a graceful bow. "Allow me the pleasure of a dance, Princess Noctis?" Ardyn's presence at the ball was far from ordinary; it was a signal that he had important information to share. Noctis, intrigued and somewhat wary, extended her hand as he approached.
"Of course, Sir Izumia," she replied, her hand in his. With practiced grace, they waltzed together in the center of the opulent ballroom. As they swayed to the music, Ardyn seized the opportunity to convey his message.
"I've gleaned some crucial intelligence from my sources in Niflheim," he began in a low, confidential tone. "They're preparing for a massive assault on our front lines, and there's something else, something mysterious, brewing in the shadows. I can't directly communicate with King Regis due to my... situation," he alluded vaguely, "but you can."
Their dance came to an end, and just as Ardyn leaned in as if to kiss her hand, a vigilant Kingsglaive intervened, abruptly separating them. Ardyn maintained his enigmatic smile.
"And that, my dear Noctis, is my cue to take my leave," he remarked with a flourish. "I've got places to be and wares to peddle." With a graceful bow, he concluded, "Don't forget to inform your father about the new electric heater I'll have available in four days." With that, he swiftly made his exit.
Noctis blinked, her attention returning to the Kingsglaive who had intervened. She couldn't help but quip, "You'd think these sharks would know better than to get too close." A familiar, teasing tone filled her voice, and a smile graced her lips as she relaxed, the tension from their encounter dissipated.
"I thought you were fighting on the front lines, Ulric?" Noctis inquired, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as they locked onto Nyx's obscured features beneath the Kingsglaive mask.
"King Regis said he needed somebody to guard his daughter," Nyx replied with a casual shrug, the mask doing little to hide the amusement dancing in his eyes. Noctis couldn't help but smirk at his response.
"Then, would you, honorable Kingsglaive, take this dance?" Noctis teased playfully, extending her hand toward him. Even with the mask, she could sense the mischievous grin tugging at the corners of Nyx's lips.
"Why, I would love to, my princess," Nyx quipped, his voice laced with a hint of flirtation, before he leaned down and pressed his lips to the back of her hand. The music swirled around them once more, and together, they danced. They twirled and swayed, lost in the elegant rhythm of the moment, their connection unbroken by the mask that concealed Nyx's identity.
As the dance approached its end, a touch of anticipation hung in the air. Noctis moved Nyx's mask aside, revealing his warm, affectionate gaze, and she leaned in, sealing the moment with a kiss. Nyx couldn't help but sport a goofy grin in response.
"If I come to your apartment later tonight, do I get more of that?" Nyx playfully inquired, his words dripping with charm. Noctis chuckled softly.
"We'll see," she replied with a teasing glint in her eye. "Right now, I have to go talk to my father about something." Nyx nodded in understanding.
"See you tonight, Princess," he said before taking his leave. Noctis turned, her thoughts shifting to the looming challenges ahead. In just four days, they would need to prepare for the impending invasion, a daunting prospect that hung heavy in the air.