Ignis stood at the stove stirring a pot of beef stew. Noctis had decided he wanted to stay in tonight instead of dining in the Dining Hall. He's slowly been joining his father less and less. Ignis had a feeling his dedication to his duties and father wouldn't last that long. He wasn't really one for going out of his room unless it was for play. Ignis was trying to keep a hand stirring while the other was scrolling through websites on his phone. Luna was joining them for dinner and plans for the wedding had been brought up. Ignis had been spending the majority of his free time the past week looking up flower shops, dress shops, thinking up menu ideas…. After speaking with Y/N, he realized nothing had been planned yet. And with no help from her friends and family at home, he wasn't sure if things would get done in time if just left up to her.

With no one from her home seeming interested and too far away to do too much, he knew the sadness of the situation would make Y/N less likely to even want to plan any parts of the wedding. He was making it his mission to help her in any way he could. He wanted her day to be just as magical as every other bride's. He wasn't ignorant to what she was feeling. He knew how opposed to the wedding she was. But he thought that maybe if he could make the whole process easier and just as great for her as it would have been if circumstances were different…maybe she wouldn't hate it so bad.

"Luna, I've been meaning to ask you," Ignis said out loud when he heard the couple stop speaking behind him for a moment. "Would you say you got along well with Y/N?"

"We never knew each other before the boat ride together to Lucis. I wouldn't say we didn't get along. I just haven't had much of a moment to speak with her other than a few times on the trip here. She seemed very defensive and easily angered every time I approached her, but I know she didn't mean it intentionally."

"I've literally seen her twice and both times she was a bi-…" Noctis coughed to cover the insult he was about to call her. "not really…nice."

Ignis glared at his friend knowing what he was about to say. He truly hated when people just assumed she was this terrible person based on a few lashings out during very emotional moments. Even though it had been a few days since he had spoken with or seen her, the last time they were together was actually very nice. He knew she could be a very lovely person when she wasn't feeling in a pit of despair.

"I simply ask because when I last spoke with her, she hadn't gotten much done in the line of preparing for the wedding. It seems her mother and friends aren't very involved in her life right now. She doesn't even have a dress yet." Ignis paused a moment, hating to put any more pressure on Luna. "I know you are very busy with your own wedding plans but I wondered if you were at all free and willing to help Y/N go dress shopping?"

"I would be very pleased to!" Luna exclaimed. "What girl doesn't like shopping?"

"Excellent! Thank you!" Ignis let out a breath of relief. He only hoped Y/N would be okay with it. "If there is a day or time that is best for you let me know and I will get the two of you in touch."

"She seriously hasn't done anything yet?" Noctis asked.

"As I mentioned earlier, she hasn't had any help. I also discovered she wasn't aware she had any say in the wedding planning. She thought she was simply a participant. I'm helping her where I can."

"Helping her or doing it for her?" Gladio piped in from his spot on the couch where he had been reading.

"I haven't picked a single thing out for her. Simply sending her lists of various shops to get ahold of or options she may like. However, may I remind you that it is my wedding as well and I am open to doing anything for her that she needs."

"You make too many excuses for her," Gladio replied.

"I think he's being sweet," Luna said.

That made Ignis feel a bit better. He was always afraid he would be stepping on her toes by making the decisions he was or even picking out shops he thought best to obtain décor from. Hearing another woman praise his actions made him feel better about them.

Suddenly his phone chimed on the counter. When he looked at the text, a small pain hit his chest.

Y/N: You weren't at dinner tonight

Ignis picked up his phone and read over the text a few times. Y/N rarely, if ever at all, joined everyone to eat in the Dining Hall. She always just ate in her own room. Tonight it seems she decided to join everyone. He now regretted his decision to come to Noct's place and cook for him as asked. He wouldn't turn Noct down, but he couldn't help feeling guilty.

Ignis: I'm terribly sorry! Noct asked me to cook for him in his quarters this evening. Had I known you were attending dinner, I would have arranged my evening accordingly.

Ignis hoped she wasn't too angry with him. He told her he looked forward to eating with her each day, knowing it was the best times to see her. He was usually busy all day and evening and didn't have much spare time to go out. His schedule started freeing up when Noct moved back to the Citadel and took some responsibilities for himself, but that was slowly fading back into Noct's normal lazy routine he had before.

Y/N: So I'm supposed to tell you every time I choose to do something? You told me you hope to see me "each day". I finally decide to go down to the dining hall and have an awkward dinner with the king and his shield and Cor!

Ignis winced a bit. It was intimidating enough for someone who knew the King to eat with him. He couldn't imagine someone who didn't having to sit in his presence alone that long. There wasn't a single familiar face in that room, unless she brought Bernard with her. Not to mention, the last time she had been in the presence of those three men, things hadn't gone so well.

Ignis: I am terribly sorry again! Perhaps I should have told you I wouldn't be there this evening in case you decided to come. I will inform you from here forward when I plan to be absent.

Y/N: I'm literally never going down there again. I wanted to die! Do you know how embarrassing it was?

Ignis felt bad for angering her again. He was making such progress with her lately and really hoped this didn't derail things.

Ignis: I would be more than honored to make it up to you tomorrow by taking you out for dinner. We can go to the restaurant you liked or find another. Perhaps a new taste, such as Tenebrae.

Ignis stood a moment looking at his phone. Y/N didn't seem to be answering him back. Was she so mad at him she wasn't going to speak to him now?

Ignis: I have also compiled a few lists of places to go wedding shopping at. Maybe we can hit one or two of them up while we are out.

Still silence.

Ignis: I spoke with Luna as well. She said she is more than willing to go dress shopping with you, if you would like!

Ignis stood staring at his phone, a feeling of unease still circling in his stomach.

"-ecs. Specs. IGNIS!" he heard his name being shouted.

Startled, he looked up from his phone to see Noctis giving him an odd look and looking over at the stove. Glancing to where his friend was looking, he noticed the pot almost boiling over and a burning smell lingering in the air. He quickly turned the burner down and started stirring the stew around, wincing when he felt a thickness stuck to the bottom. He was always so carful never to let his soups stick. He honestly hated when people were too careless or lazy to stir their pots and allowed it to stick to the bottom and burn. It also made for a pain to clean up and scrub from the pot.

"What the hell had you so sucked in? You never burn food!" Noctis commented.

"Apologies. Y/N was texting me and was upset," Ignis replied.

"When is she ever not?" Gladio rolled his eyes.

"It was a flub on my part. She expected me at dinner tonight and I wasn't there."

"If you told her you would be at dinner, why didn't you tell me when I asked you to cook?" Noct asked. "Or just text her you wouldn't be there?"

"I didn't specifically make plans with her tonight. She went expecting-"

"She just assumed you would be somewhere and you weren't?" Gladio asked. "No reason to be pissed at someone."

"No it's just…I had mentioned to her before about seeing her at dinner and-"

"And she assumed you would be waiting around on her?"

"No it's…You don't understand but I don't expect you to," Ignis sighed. "It truly was a mistake on my part."

"Whatever you say man. I still say that girl is a pain in the ass."

"Thank you for your commentary, Gladio, although it isn't appreciated," Ignis replied, getting out the bowls to serve everyone.

He had tasted the soup before dishing it out. Thankfully, it didn't seem to taste as burnt as it smelled. He hoped no one else was able to taste it differently. The four of them gathered at the table to eat together.

"I again apologize if it doesn't taste as well. It seemed fine to me when I tested it. Forgive me for not being as attentive," Ignis told everyone as they began to eat.

"It's really not a big deal, Ignis," Luna said sweetly. "We all make mistakes. I'm sure it will still taste fine."

"You're normally better at multitasking," Noct commented. "Was she that pissed at you about dinner?"

"She hasn't texted me back yet," Ignis replied. "As someone who keeps to herself a lot and doesn't have anyone here she knows, I feel it was a very big deal to her."

"I still think being mad about dinner is stupid," Gladio said. "I told you, girls pull that shit all the time. Why they got to be so mad when the guy cancels?"

"I didn't cancel on her, Gladio. I simply didn't show up. I feel there is a difference."

"But there was never a solid plan about meeting for dinner, was there?" Gladio asked matter of factly.

Ignis chose to ignore his friend instead of arguing with him. Gladio didn't seem to understand the issue at hand and he wasn't going to keep arguing it with him. So he just kept eating his soup without a word.

"I can't wait to see if she's this feisty and argumentative with the council tomorrow, That should be interesting to see someone put those old geezers in their place," Noct said as he ate another spoonful of soup. "Ah, Specs! I said no onions! I always say no onions! You know I always find them! Yuck!"

Ignis shot his gaze over to his friend, staring at him wide eyed. He honestly didn't even hear the complaint about the onions. He was focused on the first part of what Noct had said.

"She's joining the council tomorrow?" Ignis asked.

"Yeah. She was sworn in earlier today and her first meeting is tomorrow. Hope she likes boring old men talking about crap no one understands or cares about."

Ignis set his spoon down beside his bowl and held his head in his hands. No wonder she was so upset. She had gone through another major milestone in her new life today and he had no idea how she felt about it. She also probably wanted to talk about what to expect tomorrow. And Ignis wasn't there. She needed his support and he wasn't there for her. He no longer even felt hungry.

"Uh, you alright Iggy?" Gladio asked from his left.

Ignis took out his phone and started texting Y/N again.

"I'm really no good at this, am I?" he quietly asked himself. Gladio happened to hear him though.

"The hell are you talking about? She sending shitty messages again?"

"No Gladio!" Ignis scolded. "I know why she was so upset now. I should have…I needed to be there for her tonight."

"She's a grown adult, Iggy. She needs to learn to handle things on her own," Gladio told him, slurping at his soup.

"Based on all your assumptions and opinions of the matter, I don't expect you to understand our relationship-"

"No one does! It doesn't even seem like it exists!" Noct chimed in.

"You have your own relationship to focus on. I don't expect you to know anything about mine!" Ignis told Noct.

"I have the most experience with girls at this table, and I don't understand a single part of it. I keep telling you Ig, you bit off more than you can chew with this one," Gladio stated.

"Yes, as you have told me multiple times before. And as I just said, you simply don't understand what the two of us have or how it works," Ignis grumbled, getting angry.

"Honestly Specs, how many times have you even hung out with her? Or talked to her?" Noct asked.

"I am giving her space! I have explained that before."

"Girls don't want space," Gladio said. "They want attention. Like, all of it! All the time."

"She's very withdrawn right now and understandably so. She needs to get used to everything and everyone-"

"That includes you!" Gladio interrupted. "In fact, most importantly you! And weren't you just going on this week about how much you feel you messed up by giving her space and leaving her alone? If she's the one pushing you away, you should really rethink-"

"I'm not rethinking anything! I agreed to this and I'm seeing it through-"

"You don't have to still marry her, ya know," Noct said. "Tell my dad it's not working. He's not gonna force you into something doomed to fail."

"So then she's passed on to Gladio, who obviously has a strong dislike for her? Absolutely not! And this isn't doomed to fail! I will make sure of that! Relationships take time! They can't be forced or rushed into! The wedding is happening regardless, but as for how quickly or slowly our bond develops is up to us!" Ignis yelled.

"I think Ignis is right," a small feminine voice spoke from the table. Everyone's eyes suddenly moved to Luna. They had forgotten for a moment she was there and were ashamed of their shouting. "Only he truly knows what the two of them have and only he can figure out how it works. It is not our place to judge that or criticize it."

"Thank you, Luna," Ignis replied softly, looking down at the table.

"I'm sorry for doubting you, Specs," Noct told his friend. "I just wished you had found a girl you loved and enjoyed. This seems so stressful on you."

"I do like and enjoy her, though. Very much so. And I wish nothing more than to love her. And I truly feel I will."

"Do you like her, though…or the idea of her?" Gladio asked seriously.

Ignis sat there a moment contemplating what he said. He had been asked something similar to this before and assured his friends he really did like her. After being with her a bit and seeing how she was, he felt he understood her in a very different way than everyone else. He knew her anger was pain. Her harsh words were fear. Her withdrawing was deep sadness. He took none of it personally anymore. He just simply had to hold out a bit. She could come around. He just knew it. He just had to wait. And he would.

"I like her. I very much so like her," Ignis replied softly.

"It's your life, man," Gladio shrugged, going back to his dinner.

Noct didn't want to upset his friend anymore, so he went back to eating as well. The rest of the night, everyone avoiding conversation about Y/N. They hoped for a day though when her name wouldn't be such a touchy subject.

"Thank you so much, Y/N thanked the staff member that escorted her to the meeting room. She hated that she still needed escorted around the Citadel because she was always lost. This place was so damn big. It wouldn't be so bad if she could at least remember what floor certain rooms were on.

She stood outside the door, a little afraid to go in. She had never had to do something like this. She never attended any meetings or discussions on foreign and political affairs before. She had some education on it growing up to prepare her to take the throne, but all she knew was strictly about Accordo and Altissia. She was afraid of making a fool of herself. She could really use her mother's advice right now. She had yet to be able to get ahold of her but still thought she at least needed to try before going inside.

She pulled her phone out and dialed her mother's personal phone. It rang and rang and rang. Eventually, it went to voicemail. She knew if she left a message, it wasn't guaranteed her mother would call her back, especially before the meeting started. But she decided to leave one anyways.

"Hey mom! I'm, um, about to meet with the council for the first time. On the council I mean. I just…was really hoping to talk to you before all this. I'm not sure exactly what I'm doing and thought maybe you could guide me a bit. Either way, when you get this can you please call me back? Thanks. Bye."

She hung up the phone and decided to call her mother's personal quarters. Maybe she was in and would answer that phone. After multiple rings, she just hung up. There was no answering machine in the palace. She decided as a last resort to call the Palace Headquarters. Surely someone there could get ahold of her mother.

"Altissia Palace, keep in mind all calls are recorded, this is Mellany speaking how may I assist you?"

"Hey Mellany," she greeted. She remembered the dark haired girl that usually worked the front desk. "It's Y/N. Can you please connect me to my mom? I can't seem to get ahold of her."

"Oh, um, she isn't available right now. I'm sorry Princ-…Y/N."

Y/N cocked her head at the weird correction. Were they instructed not to call her Princess anymore? Had word gotten out that she had moved and wasn't a royal citizen anymore?

"Can you tell her to call me as soon as she can please? It's important," she asked.

"I will pass the message on for you," Mellany responded.

"Thanks." Y/N hung up, upset that she could never seem to get ahold of her mother and she still had yet to reach out to her.

"You ready for this crap?" a young man's voice sounded from behind her, startling her a bit.

Y/N turned to see Noct standing there.

"I don't even know what to expect. I've never done anything like this before…" she informed the Prince.

Noct took a good look at her. He hadn't really ever talked to her before now. Just when they first met the day she arrived. He had to admit, she was very pretty. He could see why Ignis was attracted to her. Her attitude always turned him off though. She seemed so different right now, however. Almost scared and unsure of herself. She was once again dressed in a long gown. Did she think she had to dress this way, or was it honestly how she liked to dress? He always wondered.

"Expect a bunch of old grumpy men barking about politics. One wants to do one thing. Someone else wants to do another. They think they know what's best for everyone and think they make all the rules," Noct shrugged.

"Will your father be coming?" she asked.

"Nah. He's not technically allowed. I mean, he's the King and allowed anywhere, but it's frowned upon. These guys are supposed to be a way of keeping the king in check or whatever. Making sure he's not being too power hungry and leading us in the wrong direction. I think these guys often forget my dad has final say in everything. They're the ones who wrote all that shit you had to sign. So if you wanna be mad at anyone for it, don't be mad at my dad. He felt kinda bad about last week."

Y/N just looked at him a moment. So these guys were the ones who were at fault for everything happening? Were they the reason she was here instead of King Regis? Noct said his dad had final say in everything, so it was still his decision though, right? He had to have read over the contract and known how harsh it was. He had to have put the final stamp on her coming here. As far as she was concerned, he was still at fault. However, she suddenly felt a lot worse about entering a room full of people who decided her fate and weren't too kind about it.

"Are there no women on the council?" she couldn't help but asked. She did come from a country ruled by women for centuries.

"Uhhh two I think? Ruth and…ummmm, Glenda. Pretty sure that's their names."

"That's it?"

"Yup. Told ya, bunch of old men!" Noct shrugged. "We should get in there though. These people hate when anyone is late. Believe me, I would know." Noct started walking in the room but stopped and turned around. "Oh, and uh…don't be mad at Specs, okay? He felt bad last night he missed dinner with you. You should answer his texts. He told me to wish you luck today."

With that, Noct finished walking into the room. Y/N stood a few more moments outside as men walked passed her and through the door. Ignis! That was it! He would know what she needed to do in there. She should call him. She had been ignoring the texts he sent her all evening. Before she could get her phone out though, someone interrupted her.

"You must be Y/N," a middle aged man approached her.

"Um, yes…" she answered sounding unsure of herself.

"Come, I'll show you to your seat," he ushered her though the door. "Everyone has assign seats in here. It makes attendance and record taking easier. You will be sitting here, on the third floor." He guided her up a few stairs to the third level platform.

The room was the same as the one her contract signing was in. It had the half circle of seats on multiple levels with a table set before them all on the floor. Seated at the table was a secretary to take notes, Noctis, Cor, and Drautos. She thanked the man who brought her to her seat and sat down. A glass of water sat in front of her and a name plate that read: Princess Y/N Rep Accordo & Altissia/Global. She remembered being told she would be there to represent her home country as well as global affairs. They wanted an "outsider" to give input to better help them make negotiations or deals. She wasn't sure what help she would be though. Before the meeting started she really wanted to call Ignis. She got her phone back out and hit the little phone icon by his name. It only took one ring for him to answer.

"Y/N? Are you alright?" he answered, sounding concerned. She never called him, so the sudden call was alarming to him.

"Yes, um…I'm fine I guess," she answered back a bit shaky from nerves.

"Did you find the Council Room alright? I can send for someone to escort you if you need it."

"No, I found it. Thank you. I um…I wanted to talk to you before the meeting. I have no idea what I'm doing! I wanted to talk to you last night, but you weren't there!" she could hear the tears that were starting to prick in her eyes in her voice. She hated sounding as desperate as she did now.

"I know," Ignis sighed on the other end of the phone, hating that she was this nervous because of him. It wasn't his fault directly, but he couldn't help taking the blame. "I'm sorry. It didn't dawn on me why you were so upset last night until later. What do you need to know? I can help you real quick right now."

"What do I even do? What do I say?" she frantically asked.

"Best words of advice are don't speak unless spoken to. The council feels they are above everyone and hate being spoken over. Try not to get upset about things they say. They have no couth. I would instead suggest keeping quiet and coming to me about issues you may have. I can maybe better explain things. If asked a question or spoken to, just reply the best you can. Keep your manners intact. Like I said, you can always bring issue back to me to discuss."

"Good morning!" an older male voice spoke beside her. She glanced over at the man as he took his seat. "No phones allowed during the meeting. You have to put it away."

"Okay um…I was told to get off the phone," she told Ignis through the receiver.

"You're already seated?" Ignis asked, sounding surprised. "Yes, you need to hang up at once! No phones are allowed out during the meeting. They think you're recording it or having someone else listen in. You can get in a lot of trouble. Call me as soon as you are finished, is that alright?" Ignis asked.

"Yeah…I guess," she replied quietly.

"Good luck, Y/N. I'm sure it will all go well."

Y/N didn't get a chance to respond before the phone line went dead. She felt a bit insulted he hung up first, and before she said goodbye. He seemed to really stress she shouldn't be on her phone, though. She tucked the phone away in her small clutch and looked around the room. Noct looked like he was about to fall asleep. His head was propped up on his hand. Did he honestly have no manners at all? All the seats were full. Directly across from her on the other side of the half circle was Luna. Her plaque read similar to hers. She was also meant to be a global representative. Luna caught her glance and smiled and waved at her. Y/N raised her hand slightly and gave a small wave back. A man in a long black robe pounded a gavel scaring her enough to make her jump a bit in her seat.

"Order of the Council. Meeting beginning at nine o'clock AM. Let the record show full attendance is in session. Let the record show this is the first meeting with two new members sworn in yesterday. Let us welcome Oracle Luna of Tenebrae, future Queen of Lucis, Tenebrae and global representative. Let us also welcome former Princess Y/N of Accordo and Altissia respectively, current citizen of Lucis and Insomnia respectfully, Accordo and global representative. "

What a mouthful, Y/N thought. Was she required to introduce herself as such to anyone? She wasn't sure she could even remember all that. They really loved throwing that "former princess" in there too, didn't they?

The meeting began with a bunch of old business and meeting minutes being discussed. She was having trouble really keeping her attention on what was being said. None of it mattered or made much sense to her. She discovered Cor and Drautos were there to give military reports. Things were a lot worse than she imagined. For all she knew, the territories kept to themselves. Niflheim was slowly but surely wanting to conquer the other two countries but she had a feeling a lot of what she had been told was sugar coated. Niflheim was sworn enemies of Lucis. She simply thought they didn't get along well. Surely Regis wasn't naïve enough to think a simple marriage to Luna was going to help that, did he? And where the hell did Accordo come into play in all this? Simply a way to keep us on their side? They thought if the princess of our land married into their country, we would protect them? Fight with them? This all seemed so absurd. Hearing the reports of casualties and not only soldiers but giant beasts being fought at some wall was frightening. Wasn't The Wall an impenetrable magical barrier? Why were they fighting and dying at it then? She was trying to wrap her mind around things when she heard herself being addressed.

"Talks with Altissia are still as difficult as ever. We're lucky to have gotten the contract signed and sent over in a timely manner. However, all calls and communication attempts seem to be falling through. Princess Y/N, do you have any insight into why Altissia refuses communications with Insomnia at the present time?"

"Ummm…" she started, hating that she sounded so unsure. "I don't know. I don't think it's intentional."

"Queen Rebecca has yet to return our calls or even e-mails. Wasting resources on physical letters seems absurd when a simple call can be made. Your country has the technology, even you yourself have been in contact with those from your former home. Is there some grudge we are unaware of?"

"I honestly couldn't say, Sir," she responded, trying to keep her manners in check as Ignis instructed. "She has yet to even return my own calls."

She almost wondered if that was the wrong thing to say. Everyone seemed to turn their full attention to her after she said that. A few of them glanced between themselves and a mild murmuring could be heard. The Head Council Man seemed shocked and bit upset by her words.

"Interesting…" he said, taking a few notes. "Regis must be made aware of Accordo's refusal to communicate. Perhaps our predictions of this union were wrong. We must plan accordingly. Moving on…"

Y/N head wasn't sure what to do with that statement. Refusal? Plan accordingly? They didn't think her country was plotting against them, did they? She hoped they weren't upset to the point of negative action against her mother. She really needed to get ahold of her now and let her know what was said. But her calls were monitored! How was she going to do that? She was brought back to the meeting again when the talk of marriage was heard.

"Prince Noctis and Oracle Luna are to be wed the end of next week."

Was it really that soon already? Had she been here that long? She still had next to nothing planned for her wedding, which was now in just over a month! She really should get with Ignis about it. She had purposely been putting it off for so long. Hoping and praying something would happen to just cancel it all.

"Royal law states the two are to produce an heir within two years of marriage. Unless The King is to depart the world before the two years are up, then the production of an heir becomes immediate. You are aware and accept this, correct Luna?"

"Yes, of course," she answered softly into the mic with a smile.

Production of an heir? What a way to word it.

"At the time of conception, Prince Noctis' Shield is also to produce an heir within a year. Those agreements have also been addressed and agreed upon. Now, with the combining of nations, a new concept not before conducted in such a manner, new law has been written regarding both back up heirs as well as foreign heirs."

Y/N squinted her eyes a bit. What on Eos were they talking about? Coming from royalty, she knew all about producing heirs to the throne. She never heard it blatantly discussed before though. She also assumed no longer being royal, it was no longer her concern.

"Lucis has been ruled by one bloodline since its beginning centuries back. That is why production of heirs is so important. However, with only one current heir and the world in such turmoil as things get worse and worse each day, if the bloodline were to cease, Six forbid, a replacement heir must be chosen. Each King silently chooses one, this is no exception. Only the council is aware of who is chosen. King Regis has chosen years ago the replacement heir should he and his son both parish. That man chosen and already on record is Ignis Sciencia. After talks and negotiations between The King and Prince, Noctis has chosen his replacement heir should he and his descendant parish. That individual chosen is the future descendant of Ignis Sciencia. Thus it is written, Ignis Sciencia and Princess Y/N are to produce an heir within a year of Prince Noctis and Oracle Luna conceiving after the couple are joined in marriage next month. If the wedding doesn't proceed, wording of the law will change to reflect Mr. Sciencia's new bride."

Whoa, what? She was nowrequired to have kids? To be honest, she never even thought about that part of the arranged marriage. She never even assumed she would grow to love her husband, let alone…have sex and create a kid with him. Ignis was turning out to be a decent guy, she supposed, but she was nowhere near any talk of kids with him. She almost assumed she would live alone in her room of their place for the rest of her life.

"Concerning the new law around foreign heirs, it is written that if Former Princess Y/N's parents and sibling parish before a new heir is produced, her child is heir to the Accordo throne. This is after much consideration and investigation is concluded regarding the deaths of said individuals. However, hear that it is written according to Lucian Law, if the heir of the Lucis throne falls on the descendant of one Ignis Sciencia and Princess Y/N, that heir is first to serve Lucis above any and all other countries and territories respectfully as King chosen heir. Refusal will result in direct retaliation of Lucis and therefore declaration of war against Lucis."

What the hell? This all sounded so extreme and insane! Her blood was slowly beginning to boil. None of this was explained to her. Well, that she could remember. Was this in her contract? Surely she would remember it? Noct was right. These people were cruel and intense. She was basically being forced to hand her kid over, even if she returned to Altissia. Were they even able to go back home with her if she returned? She needed to know.

"Excuse me!" she piped up, not even caring at this moment if it was rude. All eyes flew to her. "I have a question!"

"Yes?" the Council Head asked her with a sour face.

"Say I were to hypothetically return to Altissia at the demise of both my parents and brother. Would my child be able to come with me and Ignis?"

"Mr. Sciencia would not be able to accompany you and neither would your child. Ignis is a sworn citizen of Insomnia and Royal Crown member. He is sworn to this land regardless. Your marriage would be dissolved. As for your child, he would be raised a Lucian until Prince Noctis' child produces an heir, thus canceling your child as being in line for the throne when they choose their own replacement heir."

"So…I go back alone?"

"That is correct. Any other questions?"

Y/N shook her head back and forth, afraid to speak. She wouldn't lash out. She wouldn't lash out. She kept trying to keep her anger and sadness at bay. Shouting had gotten her next to nowhere so far. She normally wouldn't let that hold her back, but she was trying to make at least a small attempt to fit into her new life. Screaming during her first council meeting wouldn't help that. She couldn't hold back the tears though. She tried to quietly wipe them away as the meeting continued. She couldn't tell you what was said the rest of the meeting, though. She didn't even care to anymore. When the gavel slamming once again scared her, she saw everyone getting up and realized the meeting was over.

She sat still a moment getting herself together best she could, and thinking that if she let the room empty a bit, the chances of people wanting to talk to her would be slim. She made eye contact with Noctis as he was finishing up a text on his phone. He gave her a small, flat smile before turning and leaving the room himself. It wasn't a few seconds after that her phone vibrated. She dug it out to see a text from Ignis.

Ignis: What happened? Are you alright? Please call me when you get a chance.

Did Noctis text Ignis telling him she was upset? How else would he have known? She wanted to first call LeAnn, but she still had yet to tell her everything upsetting that happened last week. She didn't feel like getting into it all right now with her yet. She decided to first leave the Council Room before calling Ignis. She didn't have the energy to text all she wanted to say.

As she started down the hall and got a little ways from everyone filing out, she pulled her phone back out and dialed Ignis' number.

"What happened?" he answered in a rushed voice laced with concern.

"I need to talk to you! Like, NOW!" she angrily said into the phone as the tears started once again falling down her cheeks.

"Of course. What made you so upset? Did they say something to you?" he asked, assuming she wished to speak on the phone with him.

"Can you please meet me somewhere?" she cried in a softer voice, feeling a bit guilty for yelling at him.

Ignis was quiet a moment before responding. He was a bit shocked she wanted to see him in person. She usually kept locked away by herself, especially when upset. He was quite glad she was asking to see him, even if she would end up yelling at him.

"Absolutely! I can come to your room, if you wish and would be more comfortable?" he asked. She could hear him gathering up his desk work in the background and preparing to leave immediately.

"That's fine I guess. I just….urghhhh!" she half screamed into the phone. She didn't even know what else to say right now.

"I'll be there soon. We'll discuss this and figure it out, okay?" Ignis assured her.

Y/N didn't know if she could say anything more. Her throat was so tight with emotion she just hung up and stomped back to her room. She hoped she remembered the way back. She was so sick of constantly being rattled and upset like this. Every time she took a small step forward, something sent her reeling backwards. She wasn't sure how many more blows she could take.

A/N:

Bleh! Political talk continues! Fear not, with the exception of a few meetings mentioned and attended briefly in the future and the events of Kingsglaive movie happening, this is the last of all the technical jargon brought up. The rest focuses on the weddings, friends getting to know our princess, her and Gladio having some interesting interactions, and of course her and Ignis' relationship blooming. Well… it does some interesting things before it officially "blooms" lol. I don't think you guys will hate it all though hehe Through the angst and hatred comes some…fun. I'm just as anxious to post some of those chapters as you are to read them.

Quick note, I will be on vacation Wednesday for a week. If the next chapter isn't posted next Sunday night, it will be posted as soon as I get home. I should have WiFi but have no idea how spotty it will be or how busy I will be. Thanks again for reading!