"Urghhh this is so boring!" Noctis complained, flopping down onto his couch.

"You've barely even done anything! You still have boxes all over the room! Me and Iggy have been doing all the work," Gladio scolded his younger friend.

"I'm no good at putting stuff away. I don't know the best place for it. Specs does. And you have the biggest muscles, so you do the heavy lifting," Noctis retorted.

"Yeah, and you are a royal spoiled brat, so you sit on the couch whining and complaining until all the work is done. Am I right?" Gladio asked.

"Prompto isn't doing anything either!"

"Hey!" the small blonde spoke up. "I brought some of the smaller boxes up! And I've been putting your TV and video game set-up together. I'm doing something!"

"If you're too weak to haul boxes around, why don't you go help Iggy put some of your shit away? At least put your own damn underwear in the drawer."

"I just finished unpacking Noct's clothing. I was going to move on to the kitchen if you don't mind," Ignis spoke up, coming out of the small bedroom at the end of a short hallway.

Noctis didn't want his old room back at the Citadel. He complained that he wanted one of the suites. Those were reserved for some of the staff members, usually. There weren't many to go around. Regis tried arguing that his meals should be eaten in the grand hall with him when he wed and he had no time for things like video games or watching TV so he didn't need a living space. Ignis, however, agreed to let him have his small suite in exchange for the apartment he was moving out of.

This was all before he got the news he would be getting married as well. And to a princess, no less. She, surely, would prefer to stay at the Citadel and not some common apartment. Or maybe she would like living a somewhat normal life away from royal happenings going on. He really had no idea what she was like at all. He attempted an internet search on her but only found a few pictures of her in her youth. The most recent picture was from her sixteenth birthday. She looked very lovely. She spent the vast majority of her time in the castle in Altissia and was only photographed with large, lace hats coving her face from the lens' view. She couldn't look too much different at nineteen, surely. He spent a lot of time looking at the picture of her when she turned sixteen. The more he looked at it, the more excited he got. And the more beautiful she seemed to look to him. He had yet to break the news to anyone though. Not even his own parents. He only felt it was right that he tell his prince and best friend first.

He had been quiet most of the night. He was in the bedroom alone putting things in their place and folding clothes. He was trying to find the best way to tell Noctis. If it were any other time, it wouldn't be so bad. But he feared Noct would think he was taking away some of this thunder or something. Or maybe he would be upset about Y/N being a princess. He may wonder how Ignis was offered the hand of a princess when he wasn't even of royal blood. He was also given the choice. Noctis was not. Every time he thought he prepared himself to start the conversation, he would chicken out and not say anything. Prompto even asked if he was alright at one point because he seemed "less bossy" than usual and wasn't saying anything. Maybe now was his moment. Gladio and Prompto would be going home soon, even with all the boxes that were left full. It wasn't their job to unpack them and it was getting late.

"Um…Noct…" Ignis started, stopping to clear his throat that seemed to clog since he let his mind run.

"Yeah, yeah Iggy. I know. I'm just tired from today. I can unpack this crap whenever I want," Noctis said, waving a hand at his friend.

"I, uh…I wish to discuss something with you."

"You can put the kitchen stuff where you want. I don't care. You're the one who's gonna be using all that stuff anyways." Noct still wasn't looking at him. He was on his phone playing some game.

"No, that's not what I wish to discuss."

"Can it wait? I don't want to hear any royal business crap right now. Those meetings have been zapping me of every ounce of my energy."

"That's…well, while it is royal business…it's a little more complex than that. I-"

"Then save it for tomorrow, dude! I told you I'm over it right now."

Ignis' face fell a little. He was playing with his fingers again, a sign he was nervous which wasn't very often at all. Ignis was always composed and poise during any situation. Prompto glanced up from his own phone at Ignis and glanced at him a moment longer than intended. He looked over at Gladio, who caught his glance and frowned at him. Prompto nodded his head toward Iggy and Gladio looked over at their friend. He, too, noticed the sudden change in his energy.

"I really think we should discuss this now-"

"Urghhhh Blah Blah."

"NOCT." Gladio's voice sounded firmly. Noct jumped a little at the stern voice that called his name. He looked over at Gladio about to ask him what the hell that was for. Gladio tilted his head and widened his eyes a bit. "I think what Iggy has to say is important."

Noct looked over to see Ignis gripping the counter hard with white knuckles. He was trying not to pick at his fingers and give away his nerves. If Ignis was nervous, it had to be serious.

"What's up Specs?" Noct asked his friend in a soft voice.

"I, um…I wanted to tell you something. It is something I was just informed of myself a few days ago. I needed to digest the news, myself, before telling others about it. I hope you won't be upset with me for that. I'm telling all of you, actually. But I especially don't want you to be upset, Noctis," Ignis said, making eye contact with his friend.

"What's wrong, Iggy?" Prompto asked in a quiet voice.

"Yeah, are you sick or something?" Noct asked, worried. "You're making it sound like you have cancer or something."

"Is it bad, Igs?" Gladio asked, getting concerned as well.

"No, no! I'm not sick. And it's not…bad. I just don't wish for you to be upset or angry with me. Or think I'm trying to outdo you or anything like that. That is not my intentions at all! And quite honestly, if you are so upset by the news, I will speak with the king about retracting everything."

"Just spit it out already! You're making me worry. What's so important? Are you moving away? Is he getting rid of you now that I'm gonna be king soon or something? If that's the case, I'm going down there right now and tell-"

"No no! I am not leaving your side, Noctis! I promise you. And while, this news may make it seem so, please do not think that. I will still be at your side as your advisor and friend."

"I'm only getting more confused, Iggy. Can you just tell us? I think we're all anxious right now," Gladio spoke up.

"Of course. Yes…um….I am…I was asked if I wanted…well…Okay, sorry I'll start again." Ignis couldn't believe why he was having such a hard time finding the words to say. He figured if he had courted a woman, dated her a while, and the boys knew of her, it would be a much grander and happier experience telling them he was to be married. Telling them out of the blue when he never so much as went on a single date with a woman that he was now going to be marrying one was a bit challenging. He took a deep breath and decided to just spit it out. "I am getting married."

His friends just all sat and stood looking at him. Their faces didn't change emotion at all. Not even to shock. They were just…staring at him. He looked between them all a few times before picking at his left middle finger. Were they…going to say something?

"What?" Gladio finally asked in a neutral voice, finally blinking.

"I am to be wed. About a month after Noctis. It won't be quite as elaborate, of course. And it is in no way intended to outdo him or one up him. I'm not even sure the exact details right now. I'm sure she will be picking out a lot of that-'

"Who is she?" Noctis asked, very clearly puzzled.

"Altissian Princess Y/N of Accordo."

"You've been secretly scoring with the princess of Accordo?" Prompto spat out.

"No, Prompto! I haven't been…no. I haven't yet met her-"

"WHAT?" Gladio asked, a more confused look on his face this time.

"She will be arriving here the end of the week, actually. Luna's boat will dock at Altissia before heading to Lucis. The two of them will be arriving together." Ignis informed them.

"Why the hell are you marrying her when you've never met her?" Noct exclaimed.

"Iggy, if you wanted a girlfriend, I could have helped ya find one! You don't need to mail order a bride." Gladio informed his friend.

"I am not...!" Ignis started, getting a bit heated, but quickly calming himself. "I did not mail order a bride, Gladiolus!"

"Then what the hell is going on?" Noct asked.

"Your father asked to speak to me a few days ago. It was a few days after he had spoken with you about marrying Lunafreya. He asked if I was willing to accept Y/N's hand in marriage. It is a great move to help mend and form relationships and pull our nations together. I agreed-"

"You agreed? You just…accepted that?" Noct asked, clearly flabbergasted. "My father is pawning you off to some princess for the better of the stupid kingdoms and you are okay with that? I mean, I was mad he's making me marry someone I didn't get to choose, but at least I know Luna! You have never even met this chick! You know nothing about her!"

"I know she has lovely red hair. And an orange cat growing up she named Dandelion. And her favorite color is purple. And-"

"Okay so you looked her up on the internet! That doesn't count!" Noct argued.

"Are you doing this cause you've never had a girlfriend?" Gladio asked.

"No, I'm no-"

"You don't have to just marry someone cause you want a girlfriend, Ignis!" Noct cut in. "We could totally find you someone else! Someone you're compatible with."

"Do you not think I am deserving of her?" Ignis asked, a little hurt and a bit mad his friends seemed so against the idea.

"No, I don't!" Noct yelled out.

Ignis looked like he was punched in the gut. His eyes looked like he was going to cry and his face scrunched a bit before he looked away.

"I see…" he mumbled.

"He's more fit to marry a princess than you are!" Gladio scolded Noct. He wasn't for Ignis just marrying himself off as a sacrifice either, but that was a bit harsh.

"What?" Noct asked, confused. "Wait, I didn't mean he didn't deserve someone good. I meant she didn't deserve him! Ignis, that came out wrong. I'm sorry. I just…I don't think you need to sacrifice your future and your…heart or whatever for something like this."

Ignis looked back at his friend. He felt a little better than Noctis had misspoken, but still wished they could at least be a little happy for him. He had come to terms with everything over the last few days and was even feeling a bit happy about it himself. Maybe it would just take them some time as well.

"Did the king just like…force it on you?" Prompto asked.

"Yea, did he give you any sort of choice or just like…say hey, marry this chick?" Noct asked.

"He gave me the choice. He said there were a couple others they had considered-"

"Like who?" Noct interrupted.

"Well…he mentioned three others. Two he didn't name, he just said they were too old and a few other qualities about them that made them not good candidates."

"Too old? Who the hell could that be?" Noct asked.

"Maybe himself?" Prompto shrugged.

"Nah, royal marriages are a one-time thing. If your spouse dies or divorces you, that's it. You're on your own. It keeps people from marrying for titles and money and killing off their husband or wives and crap and keeps the bloodline pure and less messy if they can only marry once," Noct informed them.

"Who was the other guy?" Gladio asked.

"Well…it was um…you," Ignis' voice trailed off at the end.

Gladio's eyebrows shot up. He was a bit surprised. He wasn't sure if he was upset he was missing out on some royal princess ass, or glad he dodged a bullet of marriage so early on.

"Wait, they were gonna make Gladio marry her if you didn't?" Prompto asked.

"I hope you aren't upset, Gladiolus. If you truly wish to marry her, I can step back and allow you to-"

"Nah…I'm good. I ain't ready for that crap yet," Gladio assured his friend. Even if he did like her, he wasn't going to take this from Ignis. He was fighting awfully hard about it to be against the idea. He seemed almost for it. "But let me ask you…what are your thoughts on all this? Honestly."

"Honestly?" Ignis asked. "I…well, I was shocked originally. But the more I thought about it and looked at her and imagined it…I'm a little…excited?"

"Excited?" Noct asked, not believing it.

"Hey! Let Iggy be happy! I'm happy for ya, if you are!" Prompto exclaimed, smiling at his friend.

"Thank you, Prompto. Your well wishes are much appreciated," Ignis thanked him.

"Yeah," Gladio piped in. "I mean, it's a little weird. But if you're okay with it…I am." Gladio had nothing against Ignis getting married. Whether it was for love or not. Ignis was highly dedicated and it really only makes sense that he would accept an offer like this. Everything he did was for the better of Lucis and for his King and prince. "If you need any pointers or advise, just let me know."

"I will keep that in mind, Gladio," Ignis informed him. Although, he was certain he would leave Gladio as a last resort. He wasn't sure they had the same ideas about women.

"Yea, I mean…if it's what you want I won't be mad or whatever," Noct shrugged. "I just don't want you doing shit you don't want to. I want you to be like…happy or whatever. You may hate her when she gets here!"

"I'm certain I will not, but I appreciate your concern. So…do I have your blessing?" Ignis asked hesitantly. While he liked having everyone's approval, Noct's approval was the more important to him.

"Of course! You don't need my approval to marry someone. Just promise me you'll let me know if she's mean or whatever and we'll kick her ass, okay?"

"I do not wish for you to physically harm her for any reason, but I know what you are trying to say and I appreciate it. Thank you Noctis." Ignis smiled at his friend.

"You do realize that even if you aren't done packing, that doesn't mean your trip is postponed, right? It just means you won't have your stuff with you when you leave." A female voice sounded from behind Y/N.

She was laying on her bed, torn between the items she would bring and the things she would leave behind.

"I prepared for my whole life to live in this castle. And now I'm being asked to condense my life to a few suitcases and just leave everything behind! How do you expect me to so easily choose?" she angrily asked her mother.

"I already told you that your room will stay yours. It is yours to use when you visit, which you will be. Don't act like you will never see this place again."

"But when will that be? Why can't he move here? You said he was from Altissia, didn't you?"

"No, I said his family ancestors are. He has never been here himself. I'm sure he will be eager to visit where his family comes from and see where you are from as well."

"He probably doesn't give a shit! My stuff is gonna rot and get dusty in here!"

"You are so damn dramatic, Y/N!" her mother exclaimed, sitting in one of the oversized elaborate chairs at the end of her daughter's bed. "You won't even need anything, I'm sure. Take your favorite clothes in one bag, some mementos and things of importance in another, and some random items and more outfits in the other. You will buy all new things when you get there, I'm sure of it. Lucis is known for its black attire. I don't think you own anything black so I'm quite sure one of the first things you will do when you get there is go shopping."

"Why do they like black so much? You would think that would be a Niflheim thing. They are the dark and sinister ones."

"You're right, and I'm not sure."

"What about my shoes? I can't fit them in my clothing bag!"

"So have a bag of just shoes," her mother shrugged.

"You know, it's almost feels like you really just don't care I'm leaving forever. It's like you can't wait to be rid of me or something."

"Oh for crying out loud, Y/N! Of course your father and I will miss you-"

"My brother won't!" she interrupted.

"No, probably not," her mother chuckled, joking with her. "But don't think this is easy on us. Just because we choose not to outwardly be upset over it doesn't mean we aren't hurting inside. We will miss you terribly. We love you."

"Pfft," Y/N rolled her eyes.

"Fine, don't listen to me," her mother stood and walked to the door. "But keep in mind, your bags need to be packed by tomorrow. We aren't shipping anything to you."

"That would make this all easier! You watch, Lunafreya is gonna show up with half the boat full of boxes! I'm bringing more than three suitcases! You can't tell me I can't!"

"Do as you wish! But if there's not room for them, I don't want to hear you crying about it tomorrow!" her mother called down the hall as she walked away.

Y/N sat on her bed a moment longer. Tears were threatening to spill from her eyes. Her mother could try and say all she wanted about how sad she was gonna be that she was leaving, but she knew deep down how excited with this arrangement she was. The people had been pushing for a King to rule for years. This was such an easy out for her. And she was the one who had to uproot her entire life over it! It only made sense that he would come here. It made no sense for her to move to Insomnia.

Everything she heard about the place was awful. It was loud and bright. People in the streets all hours of the night. It was nothing but concrete and pavement and skyscrapers. Not like the beautiful stone architecture of Altissia. Where would they even live? He wasn't royal, so would they have a room in the Citadel? She was royal, so they must…right?

She had looked Ignis up a couple times over the past few days. He was tall and lanky and looked every bit the nerd she was sure he was. Everyone went on about how smart and educated he was, but he just looked like a dork to her. He probably had allergies and asthma or something ridiculous. He wasn't…ugly per se. But couldn't she be marrying a hunk like Gladiolus or something? That man was a looker! She would swoon at the very sight of him. He at least had a more solid name in the royal family. He came from a line of King's Shields so you knew he was strong, without even seeing his ripped muscles.

Urgh! This was so stupid and unfair! She got up and wrapped a few photo frames of her and her best friend and tucked them into a suitcase, along with her blanket she always slept with from when she was a child. How was she going to sleep with that while sharing a bed with a grown man? She also grabbed a small wooden, locked box from the top of her closet and put it in the suitcase. It contained various important trinkets from her life. A few books were also added.

Y/N smacked her forehead suddenly. Toiletries! She would need an entire bag just for those! And what if some of what she used she couldn't even find in Insomnia? This wasn't going to work. She was going to be miserable, she was sure of it!

Grabbing her phone off the nightstand, she sifted through her contacts a moment before dialing the number she was looking for. It only took two rings before the other line was picked up.

"Hi, it's Y/N. Can I please have some boxes brought to my room? Thank you."

Y/N ended the call and set her phone back down. Before she could get back to packing, a knock sounded from her door. That was fast, she thought. When she opened the door, it wasn't the help from downstairs, however.

"Surprise!" a girl squealed in her face.

"LeAnn? What are doing here?" Y/N asked in shock as her friend hugged her.

"You seriously think I'm gonna let you leave me forever and NOT come have a sleep over the night before?" her friend giggled.

"You're the best!" Y/N pouted out her bottom lip, both super thankful and super sad at her friend's words.

"Aaaaand, I brought gifts!" LeAnn exclaimed, holing up a gift bag.

"Oooh! Let me see!" Y/N squealed. She grabbed the bag and pulled out the article of clothing inside. "UM WHAT?!"

"Oh come on! You're going to be a married woman! You need something a little spicy!" LeAnn told her friend.

"It's definitely…spicy," Y/N said, holding the garment up to herself. It was a super sexy sheer piece of lingerie. It resembled a bathing suit, but made of lace. There were little cut outs so her breasts would be out and the crotch was open. "Not sure it will be his type, though."

"Why? All men love sexy shit like this."

"Have you seen what he looks like? I don't think the guy has ever seen a vagina before in his life. Or boobs."

"Oooh, an innocent virgin, eh? That's cute!"

"LeAnn…I'm a virgin too!"

"Wait, seriously?" her friend looked at her scrunching her face.

"Yes! I'm a princess! I have to be. If my husband found out I wasn't, I could be in deep trouble. It's Royal Law."

"But you and Micah…." LeAnn questioned, distinctly remembering her friend talking about fooling around with him.

"I gave the guy a hand job! Okay…I gave the guy a few hand jobs. But that's it!"

"Oh! I didn't realize my friend was so pure!" LeAnn teased.

"Shut up!" Y/N laughed, swatting at her friend.

"So show me a picture of this future husband of yours. That's still so weird to say, by the way."

"Tell me about it! It's gonna be even weirder to have the wedding actually happen. And live with the guy," Y/N said, grabbing her phone to look up a picture of Ignis.

"Speaking of which, where will you live? Are you allowed to live in sin with him before you marry, or do you have to stay somewhere else?"

"Honestly, I have no idea what the living arrangements will be. If my mother has any say in the matter, I will be locked in the Citadel dungeon until my wedding day and then locked away in our royal chambers only to surface for holiday dinners," Y/N rolled her eyes.

"I can honestly see that!" LeAnn laughed.

"Here…that's him," Y/N handed her phone over.

"Oh…okay…" LeAnn commented.

"What does that mean?" Y/N laughed.

"He's…well, he definitely looks smart!"

"He's a nerd! I get it!"

"And I def see the virgin vibes you were getting."

"See what I mean?"

"But…that could be kinda fun!"

"What are you talking about?" Y/N asked.

"You're his first! Like, his first everything! You have a chance to ruin him for any other woman!"

"LeAnn…we are getting married! What other women are you talking about?"

"Well, he won't even seek other women out for an affair cause you will be so much excitement for him, he won't be able to ever find anything as exciting as you! Your pussy is the only pussy he's gonna taste! The only pussy he knows! Why would he need any other?"

"Oh, I don't know, LeAnn…maybe because he will get bored with only one fucking pussy! Maybe he will regret not tasting any others, as you put it. That's gonna make him seek it out somewhere else even more!"

"Look at this guy, Y/N! This is not the cheating type! This is the guy who is so damn dedicated to his woman, he breaks his back for her no matter how miserable it makes him."

"Yeah…he does look like those pathetic geeks who try too hard…"

"You're gonna crush him, aren't you?" LeAnn asked.

"No…"

"You so are and you know it!"

"I don't even want to marry him, so yeah, I probably will hurt him a bit. He's probably so damn excited he gets a woman he's jizzing his pants thinking about it," Y/N rolled her eyes.

"Oh give him a chance! It's free dick. Take advantage of it!"

"I don't need free dick! I'm a fucking princess, future queen of Accordo! Well, was future queen. I didn't need free handouts!"

Y/N walked over to her window looking out over Altissia. She had everything! And it was all being ripped out from under her. Everything she grew to love and live for…gone. This was so ridiculous. She could joke with her friend about it to keep from crying in their last moments together…but she was deeply upset and angry. She didn't want this. None of it.