Full Summary:
Lucis, Niflheim, and Accordo are the three ruling nations of Eos. The reader is the Princess of Altissia and heir to the Accordo throne. The world's kingdoms are not at rest and to form bonds and better relationships amongst nations, Noctis is to be wed to Lunafreya of Tennebrae. But who is Accordo's Princess to wed? King Regis offers his son's royal advisor and her family accepts. While the world may be on board with this plan, she is not. Ignis grows fond of her and does all he can to appease and honor her as his wife. But is it enough for her? Will she ever come to terms with the marriage and love him as her husband?
This story begins before the events of the movie and game and follows the events of both, although there are slight variations and changes I have made. Not enough for me to call it AU though.
While on vacation recently, I began writing a bunch of stories I have always had planned out but never started. This is one that I have had in the back of my mind for years. I don't know why, but I adore the idea of Ignis being offered this beautiful princess' hand in marriage and doting on her and loving her and she just turns her nose up to him. (poor Iggy, I know!) I just always see him as the type going above and beyond for people and they give him very little in return. The whole story won't be an angst fest (although my readers know I looovvveeee angst) Iggy will have good moments too.
As I mentioned, this will follow the events of the game, but with slight variations and changes of course.
King Regis sat at his throne, tapping his fingers on the elaborate arm rests. His son was known for being late, a habit Regis would soon have to break him of. With his new responsibilities just on the horizon, there would need to be a lot of changes in the young man's life.
Regis has always raised his son to be a free spirit. He wanted him to have a childhood and enjoy growing up. He knew the responsibilities that would weigh on his shoulders in adulthood and wanted him to be as carefree as he could be for as long as possible. He may be regretting some of that now. How would his son handle adult life when he never knew responsibility? He raised him with a retainer and shield to help share that burden and keep him in line…but that plan of his may be backfiring.
The kingdoms were the least at rest they've been in centuries. Tensions were high all over the globe. If Insomnia were to keep its reign at the peak of the national hierarchy, tough decisions were going to have to be made. A blending of multiple families was going to have to happen. He was calling his son to his chambers to discuss one of those changes that had been finalized just this morning.
"Should I attempt to phone him again?" Clarus asked from his position to the left of Regis' throne.
"No…he'll be here," Regis sighed.
Regis chose to break the news to his son in the privacy of his throne room. He didn't want the boy to make a spectacle in front of the elders of the kingdom. He knew his son would not be happy with the choice made. He only hoped the other particular individual involved in these plans would make things more bearable on his son, beings though they have known each other since they were children.
Suddenly the double doors to the room opened, and the broody teenager entered, followed by a tall slim man right behind him. Regis straightened up in his seat. He knew he had to keep a level of authority to his voice so his son knew there was no arguing with the matter at hand. However, he knew an argument was about to break out regardless. He only hoped Ignis' presence would help the situation from escalating.
"Son! Thank you for coming!" Regis greeted.
"Yea, right before lunch. I'm starving. What's up? You couldn't just tell me over the phone?" Noctis responded.
"Your majesty," Ignis bowed. "Apologies for our tardiness."
"No need Ignis. I'm certain it wasn't your fault," Regis responded, giving his son a pointed look.
"Yeah yeah," Noctis sighed.
"Son…I called you here because a very important decision about not only your future, but the future of Insomnia itself, was decided this morning."
"Awesome, just what I wanted. More people making decisions for me."
"Noctis…you know that as future king of Insomnia, your decisions will never be your own. Perhaps it is my fault for raising you to never have to take others into consideration when making choices. But you are of age now and things will be changing. Rapidly. The world is not at rest. There is more going on than people are aware of, and you need to be aware of these conflicts. You will be serving by my side in the coming year to prepare yourself to take my place."
"I don't wanna think about you dying-"
"It is unavoidable!" Regis raised his voice, interrupting his son. "We all perish and never know the day our time will end. If I were to drop dead this instant, you would be clueless as to how to run this country! I will no longer hide you in the shadows of our people. Your face will be shown beside mine and you will take your rightful place beside me."
Noctis stood silent a moment, digesting what his father said to him. Secretly, he knew this day would come but always tried to avoid it. He didn't want to think of his father dying. Losing his mother was tough enough. He also didn't want to think about running the country. He never asked for that kind of responsibility. Just his fate that he would be born into it. Why him? He wasn't fit for crap like that.
"Fine. Thanks for the memo. Anything else?" Noct asked.
"Yes, actually. I haven't even told you the decision that was made this morning, not only amongst the elders of Insomnia, but also across the kingdoms. You are to be wed-"
"What? When?"
"This summer-"
"That's like, a month away! You really think you can pull of a royal wedding in that short amount of time?"
"With the people I have at our disposal, yes. Do not question what the King of Insomnia is capable of. However, the wedding will be mid-summer. So you technically have two months' time to prepare."
"Oh, well that's fine then!" Noctis grumbled sarcastically. "And what the hell? You just get to randomly decide that I'm getting married?"
"It is for the greater good of the kingdom and the world, Noctis! You have a duty-"
"Yea yea, my royal duty. As if I ever asked for something like that. Don't trust me to go out and find a girl in my own time? Will any decision ever be my own to make?"
"Unfortunately, in your position, the vast majority of your decisions must be made with your people in mind. I have let you live a life all your own up until now. You should be thankful."
"Gee, thanks, dad! So who is she? I suppose I have no choice in that either?!"
"No…you do not. It is not my wish to control you or your life. I understand love is something that runs deep and is to be cherished. Which is why I took careful consideration in making this choice and believe your bride to be is someone you could hopefully find a soul mate in."
"Who is it dad?" Noct asked impatiently.
"Lunafreya Nox Fleuret of Tenebrae."
"Wha-…Luna?" Noctis gasped. He wasn't expecting that answer. He had known Luna since they were young children and always liked her. She was definitely beautiful. And really nice. And kind. And loving. And sweet. Okay okay, maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Noctis looked over his shoulder at Ignis who had remained silent this whole time. Ignis gave him a small smile, knowing how much Noct admired Luna.
"Son?" Regis addressed Noctis, waiting for the possible argument to continue.
"Okay," Noct responded.
"Okay?" Regis repeated.
"Yeah…sure. Okay. Could be worse I guess. Anything else?"
"No…that is all for now. Thank you Noctis. I will relay your new schedule to Ignis over the next week."
"Yeah…whatever," Noct said, turning and walking back out the double doors.
"Thank you for your time, your Majesty," Ignis bowed before following his friend.
"Well…that went better than expected," Clarus commented when they were both gone.
"So far," Regis responded. "I only hope he continues to be okay with everything. My greatest hope is that he takes his duties as future king seriously. And that he is a suitable husband for Lunafreya. As an oracle, she hasn't lived a simple life. I don't wish to put further burden on her by subjecting her to a lazy slob of a husband."
"I'm sure Ignis will whip him into shape. I know Gladio will if I tell him. He has no problem giving that son of yours shit," Clarus chuckled.
"No, that he doesn't. Ignis however lets him get away with entirely too much. He doesn't think I know, but he doesn't often correct Noct, he just does it for him."
"So tell him not to. Give Ignis other work to do and make Noct take care of himself for a week and see what it's like."
"Baptism by fire, eh?" he snickered.
"You know me. I'm not the gentle, ease into it type."
"That you aren't." Regis sat a moment longer in silence before sighing. "There is still the other matter to discuss. This wedding will help matters…but it's only a small part of the puzzle. Marrying into the Tenebrae royal family won't be enough. They don't hold enough weight for this to be any sort of major development."
"It's a direct link to Niflheim. That's our biggest issue right now. And she's the sister of Ravus, who is making his own name in the Niflheim royal ranks. It's our best bet, seeing that there's no prince or princess heir to Niflheim at the moment."
"Yes, but we've always had the link to them. As soon as the Fleurets take power, which we are all certain they will, we had an in. We've been mutual for years. We didn't need the marriage with Luna, but it helps. What we need, is a connection with Accrodo. They are the least at ease right now."
"So why even marry Noct to Luna? Why not ask for the Princess of Altissia's hand in marriage?"
"Noct never would have gone for it. He would have fought it tooth and nail. And it would have hurt him to see Luna married to someone else. He may not admit his own feelings…but I can see them. They've been there for years."
"So how do you suggest we proceed?" Clarus asked.
"They will be offended we chose Luna for Noct instead of their own princess. We must not offend them. I suggest we still offer them a royal marriage."
"How so?"
"Well, we have a few people we could offer her. Higher ups in our military ranks, Noct's right hand men…" he faded off, looking to Clarus to gauge his reaction.
"So basically Cor, Titus, or Gladio."
"I would never force you to marry your son off-"
"He will do what is best for his kingdom and his king. He was raised that way and will continue to live that way," Clarus declared with a voice of finality.
"I know how much your own wife means to you, Clarus. And your family. It is not an easy choice to simply marry for the good of the people. Even I know that. I married my own childhood friend. That is why I chose Luna for Noctis. I don't want to make a bad choice for Gladio simply because he is not my son. I care for him as much as you, Clarus."
"I know, and I appreciate that," Clarus smiled at his king and friend. "But Gladio is a ladies man and will jump at any chance with any woman. We both know that," he laughed out loud.
"Yes…that is true," Regis laughed with him. "Truthfully, I don't think Cor or Titus is a good fit. Both are too old to marry a young woman not even in her twenties yet. And they are both too dedicated to their professions. Dangerous professions at that."
"Yes, I have to say I agree. Honestly, I can't picture Cor with anyone. Has he ever had a girlfriend?"
"I don't recall one, no," Regis joked.
"It's no secret Titus sleeps around, but can you picture Cor coming home to a wife nagging him about the late hour and his dirty shoes on the carpet?" Clarus laughed with Regis again.
The two chuckled together at the absurd idea of Cor married. They both knew him since he was a young boy and he was always too serious and stoic and…honestly too grumpy to be soft and kind with anyone.
"There is however…another choice," Regis began.
"Who?"
"Ignis."
"Would that…work? I mean, he's not technically royalty."
"No…he's not. But he is close enough to Noct to be considered. His family has worked in the Citadel. And he, himself, is from Altissia. Well, his family is. He was born in Insomnia, however, and is therefore a citizen of Lucis. It could work."
"Would he be sent off to Altissia though?"
"No. The Princess' brother will take the throne."
"He's younger than she is, though. Would that not rob her?"
"It may…but to have a king rule is their true wish. They feel the queens of the past were weak and brought them down. Never grew them to what they wish to be. This will give them the chance to move him up to the throne. Then there will be a king in all three kingdoms."
"So the princess…"
"Will move here. Essentially her title will be null and void. She will be a royal advisor on the board, but still serve under her brother as well as me. And we all know Lucis has more pull than Accordo. They will never overpower us, be it in strength or mere spoken word at a table. It could work Clarus…it's what we need."
"Do you need his parent's approval?"
"No. He is old enough to choose for himself. However, he is under my order and I will choose for him," Regis declared with an aura of authority. He then signed and his shoulders slumped a bit. "I just hate making life choices for someone like Ignis. He's like a son to me. I know he would follow my every word even if I told him to walk straight into the lake and drown himself, no hesitation, but…I still wish for his happiness."
"Will he ever have the time or energy to find it for himself though, working for your son the way he will be?"
"You're right, Clarus. He won't. He's remained alone, forever dedicating himself to Noctis and never to himself. So…this is a good decision for him right? We're doing him…a favor? Gosh, I hate wording it like that." Regis grimaced.
"Yes, I understand. But, I agree. It would be good for Ignis to get him some," Clarus and Regis shared a look before breaking out in laughter.
"You're not right in the head Clarus," Regis shook his head as his laughter died down.
"I'd say we find Cor some ass first. He's the one running out of time," he continued laughing. "But robbing the cradle is a bit much. I think he's a lost cause at this point. Let's not let Ignis get that far."
The two continued to joke, making light of the heavy decisions that weighed upon them.