Y/N sat at a table in a dining hall resembling the Great Hall they usually dined in with the King. The thick wooden table in front of her was covered in multiple plates all containing various hors d'oeuvres. She recognized many of the seafood items. Some containing shrimp and fish and other various seafood. Coming from a place surrounded by the sea, she grew up eating many of these foods. Some were very strange to her, although she was assured they were Accordo cuisine. Perhaps it was another case of simply food resembling what they thought people of her home country ate, like that dreadful fast food restaurant she was shown by Ignis.

Speaking of the always prompt and timely man, Y/N fidgeted uncomfortably waiting for him to arrive. She had been sitting here for fifteen minutes already as plates were brought out one by one. She pulled her cell phone from the thick, ribbon belt wrapped tightly around her waist to check if he maybe text or called her about his absence. There was nothing. Frustrated, she tucked her phone away and gave her attention to the staff in the room.

She had to pick the hors d'oeuvres for their wedding that was happening in just a few short weeks. She was really hoping for Ignis to join her so she wouldn't feel so awkward and alone. She also kind of wanted his opinion and to see which flavors and foods he favored. She admittedly knew very little about her fiancé still. The upset part of her mind pushed her forward to continue on without him and even to purposely disregard what he would like.

She ended up going with all seafood options. She chose buttery, flakey lobster cakes that melted in her mouth. Shrimp tartlets, rich in flavor. Smoked oyster spread on crackers and bacon stuffed clams. She normally wasn't a huge fan of bacon, but the flavor combination was something she never tasted before and she had to admit she enjoyed it.

"Thank you all for your time," she smiled, as she stood from her seat and exited the room. The smile on her face left before she even made it to the door. The workers were kind, but she was in no mood to be friendly right now. Where the hell was Ignis?

She pulled her phone back out as she made her way down the hall. She would text him and hope for some kind of reply explaining himself.

Y/N: Where were you?

Y/N continued to storm down the hallway to her room. She doubted she would want dinner any time soon after eating all that she just had. The amount of options they gave her were almost intimidating and over the top. At least she was pretty much assured she would still be getting the grand wedding she always dreamed of. Well, hardly what she dreamed up, but grand none the less.

She decided to call LeAnn when she got back to her room. She hadn't talked to her in a few days and wanted an update on what was going on back home and if her friend found anything out for her. She was still suspicious of her mother's motives and what she was hiding. Something was brewing behind the scenes, she was sure of it.

"Ya know, I keep thinking you call at the most random times and then I have to remember the time zone difference. I don't think I'll ever get used to that," her friend answered, as usual without a typical hello.

"Did you find anything else out?" Y/N asked her.

"Straight to the point I see. Hello, yes I'm doing fine thanks for asking! I slept wonderfully, how about you?" her friend sarcastically joked.

"I'm in a bit of a mood, forgive me," Y/N sighed.

"When are you not?" LeAnn laughed. "So, your brother wasn't much help. He's always been a bit of a douche but it's magnified now that he's assured the throne. It has gone STRAIGHT to his head. He claims he wasn't in on any of it and was just as surprised when you were shipped off."

"He barely even said goodbye to me! He didn't care one bit!"

"I didn't say he cared, I just said he didn't know about it. Or, found out around the time you did. He mentioned your mother has been super distant and moodier than usual, but your mom has always kind of been a ticking time bomb you had to walk on egg shells around. So I'm not sure if that really means much."

"That tells me nothing, actually. Even if she wasn't always like that. I don't want to know her mood, I want facts and details about what's going on. Feelings mean nothing. Trust me, I know, because no one seems to give a shit about my extreme moods or feelings right now. They just write me off as a bitch and move on."

"Any progress with the boy band?" her friend asked, referring to Ignis' small group of friends.

"Haven't seen any of them, actually. Not since the party the other night."

"Still not training with Gladdy Daddy anymore?"

Y/N rolled her eyes at the nickname, although she still had to admit he was attractive…even if a complete dick!

"No, but I was told I would have to get back to training soon. And if not with him, then with Cor who is the head of the Crownsguard. He doesn't seem too intimidating to me but I have this feeling he would flatten me in a second as well and send me home crying."

"Sounds sexy."

"He's old! Although I did find out through reading some of the old reports from the council that I was almost sold off to be married to him! So…dodged that bullet I guess."

Y/N could hear her friend tapping on her phone as she spoke. Probably texting another one of their friends. Y/N felt a pang of sadness in her chest at the thought. None of her other friends had bothered to contact her at all to see how she was doing. She knew she could text them too, but it was the fact no one cared to get ahold of her. Maybe they had asked LeAnn about her. She was afraid to ask her friend if they had, scared the answer may let her down further.

"Okay I just looked him up," LeAnn started back up. Apparently she wasn't texting anyone. "He is not bad looking at all! Got that…older man, dad look, ya know? But without the dad bod."

"Well, he's single and has been his whole life from what I hear, so have at him and good luck!"

"How bout you and four eyes? You talked with him yet since the whole blow job incident?"

"It wasn't a blow job! It was a weak ass, drunkin hand job. And no. I haven't seen him. He was supposed to join me today to taste hors d'oeuvres for our wedding, but was nowhere to be found. I can't even get ahold of him."

"Sounds like both a delicious and disappointing day. Was the food good at least?"

"It was amazing. Well, what I chose was. Some things were flat out gross. They were trying to tell me that leukorn liver was an Accordo dish! I have never in my life eaten any part of that animal!"

"Those shits are too majestic to eat. How have you been surviving over there with food like that?"

"Losing weight by the second, I assure you," Y/N rolled her eyes.

"Well, all this talk of food is now making me hungry for lunch. I'll call you if I hear anything more."

"Or sooner even if you don't! I'm dying over here without you."

"Always so dramatic!" her friend laughed. "I'll call you later. That better?"

"Yes," Y/N fake pouted. "Bye bitch." She hung up the phone and flopped backwards on her bed. Now what was she going to do to pass time?

Eventually she settled on straightening her room up a bit. She called down to the laundry service to dry clean her dresses and a maid to scrub her bathroom. She had another council meeting the following day and picked out one of her more grand gowns to wear to it. Eventually she ordered room service before taking a bath and settling into bed. As she rolled over to her other side to find a more comfortable position, she heard her phone ding. Probably a text from LeAnn once again forgetting the time difference. She rolled over to read it and was a bit surprised to see who it was from.

Ignis: I was busy assisting Noctis today in his office. Was there something you needed?

Y/N huffed and tossed her phone back onto the bedside table without responding. Asking her hours later, in the dead of night if she needed anything? And he was just busy? That's it? He couldn't take a moment to come down with her?

After another draining council meeting, Y/N found herself again in a dining hall with a full spread of appetizers in front of her. And just like the day before, Ignis was nowhere to be found. Y/N really didn't feel like putting up with this alone again. Those old assholes on the council drain every ounce of her energy. Her nerves are on edge the entire meeting. She couldn't help but notice that Noctis was absent. Wasn't he required to be here? Or at least Ignis in his place? Then again Ignis was always insistent that he not know some of what was discussed in that room.

Once again fed up with his absence, she sent him a text.

Y/N: Again?

The appetizers were just as good as the food she ate the day prior. She once again went with all maritime food. Ignis better be a fan of the sea, because she was not relenting until he showed up.

Later that night as she was getting into bed, she once again received a reply from him.

Ignis: I'm afraid I do not understand. Is everything alright?

And once again, she didn't respond back.

Y/N decided to take her chances and go to the great Dining Hall for breakfast, hoping maybe Ignis would be there and she could get some answers from him. It only took two steps into the room to realize his absence, but unfortunately she couldn't turn and leave quick enough.

"Miss Y/N!" Regis exclaimed. "How wonderful to see you! Come join us! You are just in time."

Y/N flinched a bit and sighed before walking over to the table and sitting where she first day the day she arrived. She really didn't plan to eat with everyone this morning. She only came to talk with Ignis. Noctis was seated at his end of the table, along with Lunafreya and Gladio.

"Good morning, Y/N! How have you been?" Luna's gentle voice greeted her.

"I've been alright, thank you for asking," Y/N responded, sitting down in her chair and awaiting the server to bring her a plate.

"I hope you like French toast! It's one of my favorites. I like mine with chocolate syrup and strawberries," Regis told her.

Y/N actually did enjoy French toast. She ate it often back home. They usually stuffed it with cream cheese and caramel, but she wasn't going to be picky today.

"I do, actually, yes."

"Wonderful! Feel free to choose from any of the fruits in front of you to add to your plate," Regis exclaimed, gesturing to the many bowls of fruit laid out across the middle of the table.

Y/N picked up her fork as a plate was set in front of her. She felt a bit uneasy eating in front of everyone as usual, but even a bit more uncomfortable with Cor sitting beside her. She wasn't quite sure the role he played sometimes. She had been in this room both when he was standing at attention in the corner of the room on guard and when he was seated eating like he was a friend. It left her very confused and unsure of how to act around him.

"He doesn't bite," a voice chuckled quietly from somewhere at the table.

She wasn't quite sure who had said it, but she was thinking it was the King's shield. It was enough to snap her attention back to the plate in front of her as she slowly cut the sweet bread slices into delicate small pieces.

"I think you're right, Reggie. That would have been a comical pairing, indeed!" Clarus smirked, taking a drink from his coffee. King Regis laughed out loud before taking another bite. Everyone else at the table looked at each other a few times, confused about what was obviously an inside joke.

"The heck are you talking about?" Noctis groaned, rolling his eyes.

No one answered the Prince, knowing it was a rhetorical question and he really didn't care.

"So, to what do we owe the pleasure of being graced with your presence this morning?" Gladio asked, taking a large bite of sausage.

Y/N stared at him a moment. She was tempted to ask him where Ignis was, but didn't want them to ask questions. It wasn't exactly uncommon for a woman to want to be with her fiancé, but they would either take it all the wrong way or knew she was never with him much and be suspicious. Saying she didn't know where he was or that he never joined her when he was supposed to looked bad on them. She made the mistake of glancing beside her where Cor sat before answering him though. And that was all Gladio needed to know the answer to his question.

"People typically eat first thing in the morning. And this is where breakfast is served, is it not?" she retorted.

"Yes, but it's never where you eat," he retorted back.

"Eating in one's room gets…lonely from time to time and I thought I would join you all this morning."

"And we are glad you did so!" Regis beamed.

"Yes, I haven't spoken with you in a while!" Luna spoke as well. "I've been quite busy myself with wedding plans, but we should have tea one afternoon!"

"I'm busy, myself, but I'll let you know!" Y/N smiled at Luna, hoping it looked convincing enough.

She wasn't in the mood for tea with Luna. While the other woman was nice enough and not a bad person by any means, she just wasn't Y/N's vibe. She missed LeAnn. What she wouldn't give to have one of their nights together in each other's presence again. Phone calls were nice but didn't compare to actually being together.

"Did you come hoping to see anyone in particular?" Gladio asked, apparently not done questioning and teasing her.

"And what makes you think that?" she asked back.

"Just curious I guess," he smirked before taking a swig of coffee. "It's a shame Ignis missed this rare moment."

"Indeed," she said through gritted teeth.

"You're starting to sound just like him!" the King laughed.

Y/N sent a quick look his way wondering what that even meant. She took a bite of her French toast and decided to excuse herself.

"I must apologize for making this so short, but there are matters that need my attention," she wiped her mouth, standing from her chair. All the men except King Regis and Prince Noctis stood as well as she excused herself. A sign of respect she wasn't quite used to or expected in her current position. "Thank you for a lovely breakfast."

Y/N quickly walked from the room and down the hallway. Where the hell was Ignis? The man suffocates her at times with his notes and flowers and dinners and of course the one time she wished to speak with him and he wouldn't even answer his phone. Granted, she had yet to actually call him…

She decided to do just that. It was incredibly odd that Noctis would be without him. She swore Ignis was with the prince more than his own shield was. She selected his contact information in her phone and put it up to her ear. The ringing seemed to drown on and on, fueling her anger with each ring. Finally she heard his voice, but was quickly disappointed when she realized it was his voicemail.

"URGH!" she yelled out, turning quickly and throwing her arms out in frustration.

"WHOA!" a voice yelped, startling her from somewhere below her.

She glanced down to see Noctis' blonde friend hunkered down with his hands up defensively. She took a few steps back and he rose back to a standing position and smiled at her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, a small look of concern on his face. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have gotten so close, I thought you heard me call your name."

"No, I didn't…" she responded, not sure of what else to really say. Why was he standing so close to her? She remembered him being the most harmless of Ignis' group of friends. Probably the nicest as well. He always seemed to have some sort of compliment for her.

"I'm sorry! You look really nice today, by the way," he said, turning a bit red in the cheeks.

And there it was. She wasn't sure if it was endearing or annoying. Considering he was one of the only people that was nice to her around her, she didn't quite find it annoying yet.

"Thank you," she quietly told him.

"So, uh…you okay?"

"Yes. I was just…aggravated. I have a lot of planning and things going on and…couldn't get ahold of someone is all." She decided against telling him she was looking for Ignis. Although, he was a friend of her fiancé and possibly knew where to find him. "Say, um…you don't happen to know where Ignis is, do you?"

"Nah, sorry. I never know where that guy is. He's always somewhere though!" Prompto told her, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet.

"Yes, apparently…" she mumbled to herself.

"Do you…need me to track him down for you?" he asked.

"No, but thank you. That's kind of you to offer." She couldn't bring herself to be rude to him. Something about his innocence and kindness almost prevented it without her even knowing. She rubbed her hands down her face and sighed loudly.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Prompto! I am fine. I just…am getting a headache is all," she lied.

"Would caffeine help? It's pretty early in the morning. That usually helps me when I start to get headaches. I used to drink a lot of soda and basically made my brain crave it or something the doctor told me. So every so often when I get headaches, I drink a tea or coffee," he explained.

"I don't feel like leaving the Citadel right now, but thank you. And I just came from the dining hall. I don't wish to return there."

"We could go to the café on the first floor of the Citadel…" he offered.

Y/N turned and gave him a look he couldn't quite place. It looked like a mix between surprise and anger.

"There's a fucking café INSIDE the Citadel?" she asked him.

"Uh…yes?" he said, a bit unsure still if she were mad or just perturbed.

"Do they…sell teas there?"

"I'm pretty sure they do! They have a huge menu, I don't even think I've paid attention to half of it. Iggy goes there all the time and gets those canned Ebony drinks. He probably stops there eight times a day."

Well, that certainly peaked her interest.

"Would you mind…taking me there?"

"Oh, of course!" Prompto excitedly exclaimed. "It's like my first escort mission! Wait! Am I allowed to do this? Does someone else have to be with you?"

"No, that's only if I leave the Citadel walls. I'm free to walk the halls as I please."

"Oh, okay then! This way!"

Prompto led her to the elevators and they made their decent to the first floor. Prompto kept the small talk going, even though Y/N was barely responding. Bless his damn heart, he tried.

"Sooo…how are you liking it here so far?" he asked as they exited the double doors or the elaborate elevator.

"Do you want an honest answer or what I think you want to hear?" she asked.

"Well, honesty is best I think…"

"I hate everything about this place."

"Oh…I'm, sorry…"he said, not quite sure how to respond to that.

"If you were ripped from your home and raised somewhere where it seemed like no one even liked you, how would you feel?"

Prompto took a moment to answer. Little did she know his personal story. That he, himself, wasn't from here. That he had been born and raised behind enemy walls. Raised to hate Lucis and everyone in it. To ruthlessly kill his very best friend.

"Yeah…I get it," he responded softly.

"I highly doubt you do, actually."

Prompto didn't respond to that. He wanted her to go on believing whatever it was she did about him. Because nothing could be as bad as the actual truth.

As they neared the end of the hall they were walking down, Y/N noticed a heavy aroma of coffee and bakery goods. They came to an open area with large staircases on each side. The wall facing the café counters was made entirely of tinted windows. No one could see in, but it gave a beautiful view of the gardens behind the Citadel. Tables and chairs littered the open area with various officials in suits and robes eating and drinking while immersed in their phones and laptops.

None of the people seated or in line were Ignis, though.

Y/N felt disappointed but still got in line to order something. The three bites she had for breakfast weren't much to hold her over and unfortunately her next food tasting for the wedding wasn't until later that evening. Her mood peaked when she got closer to the counter and noticed her beloved peach tea on the menu.

Y/N opted to bring her drink and muffin to her room, thanking Prompto for showing her to the café and buying her items for her. She felt sitting down with him to enjoy their purchases together was a bit odd and would be awkward. While he wasn't unpleasant to be around per se, she didn't know him enough to want to be.

To waste time before her next food tasting, Y/N wrote a bit in her journal and later decided to check out the gardens she saw behind the windows at the café. She never noticed them before. It was possibly because she had a room so high up that it was hard to even make out the ground below. She also tried not to look outside so much. As much as she felt trapped inside the Citadel walls, it hurt even more at times to look outside and see such a foreign city. She wasn't at the point of wanting to embrace her "new home" yet.

Before long she finally made her way upstairs to the smaller dining hall she had been frequenting that week. She was actually a bit excited to try the larger entrees. She only hoped they had actual Altissian food.

The longer she sat there and the more the table in front of her filled with food, the more she realized that once again, Ignis would not be joining her. She was certain that she hadn't heard him wrong. He had mentioned they would both be there. He told her about his love for cooking once again and that he wanted to get to know her tastes better. To get to know her better. And to also join her so she didn't feel so alone or awkward…which was exactly how she felt every day this week.

She once again bypassed all the food she was unfamiliar with and anything having to do with Lucian cuisine. A pumpkin ravioli with white wine parmesan cheese sauce caught her eye. She adored pumpkin stuffed ravioli. A simple bite of the dish in front of her instantly brought her back home to one of her favorite restaurants her and LeAnn would frequent on Sunday afternoons together.

"Excuse me…would you be able to add a crusted bread sprinkled over this?" she asked, missing one of her favorite parts of the dish.

"Of course, my lady," a woman in a white apron assured her.

"I think an asparagus would complement this nicely. Be sure to also drizzle it in a bit of sauce as well."

"As you wish!" the lady smiled at her.

"And…" she paused a moment in thought. "a bit of spinach cooked in as well."

"Certainly."

"It needs another side though, yes?" she spoke more to herself than to the women and men in the room.

"Perhaps a protein such as chicken-"

"No. No chicken," she interrupted a young man's suggestion. "Everyone adds chicken to pasta dishes and I just don't get it."

"Would you prefer a more exquisite meat? We have a list of delicacies you can easily add to any-"

"No. Portabellas with mozzarella and basil. How does that sound."

"As you desire, Miss," the head chef bowed and moved to grab her plate from the table. "Is there any other dished you wish to try?"

He almost looked disappointed that she didn't try anything else he had made. There must have been at least ten different plates in front of her. Some didn't even look remotely appetizing. Some looked like she wouldn't mind the taste…possibly. A fish and a lobster dish caught her eye, but she figured she had enough seafood with all the other things she had chosen so far.

"No thank you. But I do wish to finish my plate if you don't mind," she told him.

"Oh, o-of course!" he stammered a bit.

The other staff removed the remaining plates in front of her as a few kitchen workers stood around a bit awkwardly as she ate. No one expected her to finish anything, but simply to taste and judge based on plate and serving appearance.

She hated the attention. She could feel her heart racing a bit at everyone staring at her and just standing around. She noticed the head chef watching each plate being removed with an almost look of sadness. She felt the smallest pinch of guilt in her gut at disappointing him. Perhaps that's what caused the next words to come out of her mouth quietly.

"Pumpkin ravioli was my favorite food growing up."

He seemed to have heard her, however, if the small smile he gave her was anything to go by.

Y/N: I hope you like pasta

That was all she had sent him this time. And just like the last few nights, he seemed completely oblivious when he responded back well into the night.

Ignis: I do enjoy many pasta dishes, actually. Which is your favorite?

Y/N: Can you at least come pick me up, please?

Y/N pulled out her phone and glanced down at the message she sent almost thirty minutes prior. It showed that the text had gone through, so she was knew it wasn't an error on her end. She was starting to worry about what to do. Bernard was standing beside her on the sidewalk in front of a large floral store.

She had just spent the last hour and a half picking out flowers, bouquets, and table arrangements. Ignis had instructed her to meet him there precisely at ten in the morning. She had been following the schedule he had given her the week prior exactly as it stated. But he still had yet to make any sort of appearance at any of them.

She was more nervous now than any of the previous times without him, however. She wasn't allowed outside of the Citadel walls without an escort. She figured Ignis would be with her but when she arrived at the front gates, he was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't been able to get ahold of him all morning to see what the plan may have been. Normally he picked her up at her room. When she told the guards at the door that she was to pick out flowers in town with Ignis, they sent a glaive along with her. She immediately called Bernard to join her so she wasn't alone with the strange man.

"Is there some place else you need to be?" the glaive asked her, probably wondering why they were just standing around on the sidewalk.

"I'm waiting on a ride, thank you," she snapped him a bit.

"I can call us a car," he responded.

"Someone was supposed to send me one."

"Should I check on-"

"No! I am fine, thank you!" she snapped again.

As she turned back to look down the street, she noticed a car slowing and pulling over toward the sidewalk. Her heart sped up a little wondering if he had gotten her text and came for her. That feeling quickly left when she noticed it was Cor driving the car. He rolled down the window and addressed the glaive they were with.

"You're dismissed. Contact Drautos with further instruction."

"Thank you, sir!" he responded, before walking the other direction and pulling out his phone.

Y/N stood there a moment looking at Cor wondering if he was really who had come for her. And why him exactly? Was she in some kind of trouble? She couldn't have been. She had one of those soldier people with her. She didn't leave alone.

"Get in," he told her, wondering a bit why she was still standing there.

Bernard opened the backseat door and bowed to her. She walked over and carefully slid herself into the backseat, tucking her long skirts in with her legs so he could shut the door. He made his way around the back of the car and joined her in the backseat on the other side.

"Were you…sent to get me?" Y/N asked a bit hesitantly.

"I was asked to come pick you up. I'm returning you to the Citadel unless you have somewhere else to be?" he asked, looking back at her in the rearview mirror.

"No…back to the Citadel is fine."

She couldn't help the burn in her eyes and tightness in her throat. Her lip trembled slightly as a tear rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and sniffed, unintentionally bringing Bernard's attention to her. She noticed out of the corner of her eye his look of concern. He opened his mouth to no doubt ask if she was alright, but Y/N held her hand up to silence him and subtly shook her head back and forth. She didn't want to bring Cor's attention to her right now or even discuss the emotions rolling through her. She may not have exactly liked Ignis the way she should, but she didn't hate that man either. He seemed a small rope to grasp onto since she had been here and always came running when she demanded him to. All she wanted was to not feel so alone anymore. She didn't want to pick out wedding details with him because they were sharing something special, but she wanted to not feel so alone in this whole ordeal. Why was it the moment she seemed to truly want him at her side…he wasn't?

Y/N: I hate you

….sent.

Y/N woke up early to a surprise knocking on her door. She wasn't expecting the hair and makeup team that was sent to her room to assist her in getting ready for the wedding that day. She figured that would all be left up to her, but was assured they had it all taken care of. She did have to admit, it felt a bit nice to be doted on again. She missed the women who assisted her in getting ready many days back home in the palace.

There was a mix of nerves and slight excitement for the day's activities. She was interested to see how a royal wedding in Lucis looked. It would also give her a bit of a taste of what she was to expect at her own in a month. Not quite on the scale of what Noct and Luna's wedding would be, of course. But Ignis assured her, she was still getting a large elaborate wedding in the Citadel.

She also knew she would finally see Ignis today and be able to demand some answers from him. She wasn't looking to ruin his day…but probably pretty close to it. At least there would be a reception and alcohol for them to easily loosen their minds.

The thoughts back to a week ago at the wedding rehearsal and just how much her mind loosened caused her cheeks to redden. Maybe she wouldn't indulge this time as much as she had then. She never in a million years imagined she would do something like that at the end of the night. She wasn't even sexually promiscuous when she would sneak alcohol back home and get drunk in secret with her friends.

A feeling of dread hit her stomach when she wondered if he would be expecting something similar again tonight. He didn't seem the type, but you could never be sure with some people. Or worse yet, what if he wanted to return the favor to her? She was nowhere near wanting anything sexual from the man, or wanting to give anything either. Perhaps that was the reason he was so dodgey lately. From what she gathered a bit from everyone, she was Ignis' first girlfriend…or whatever they were. He was never with another girl, be it dating or otherwise, before. So he was either just as hesitant as her, but for other reasons. Or he got a taste and wanted more. While the latter was a compliment technically, she still was hoping he would keep his distance when it came to that. So far, he wasn't very touchy or physically affectionate. She was at least grateful for that.

When her hair was expertly curled and partially pulled up and her makeup was flawless, she finally dressed in her dark blue gown she had picked out for today. It was the closest to the Lucian blue she could find in her closet and was pretty damn close. She refused to wear black no matter how much everyone urged her to. They told her there were many elegant black gowns in the city to buy but she just assured them it was a funeral color and she wished to not wear it.

When a knock sounded from her door, she assumed Ignis was here to pick her up and escort her to the royal event. However, as with every day this week she had expected him, he was not the one to walk through the threshold. Bernard, instead, stood in a tux smiling at her.

"You look beautiful Princess. Quite a sight indeed. Be careful the guests don't mistake you for the bride today," he complimented her.

"You're too kind, Berny!" she forced a smile. "Too bad every other part of my appearance screams 'definitely not the bride of the future king'," she joked. She was not only referring to her dark dress, but also her features. Her hair color, accent, eye color, and mannerisms were dead giveaways that she was not from here. Not that Luna looked any more the part, however.

"Are you beginning to feel a bit of anticipation for your own wedding with all the hype today?" he asked her.

Y/N just glanced at him then down at her feet where her shoes were being presented and waiting for her feet to be placed into them. After a few moments of silence, Bernard spoke again.

"I see. Quite understandable. Well, shall we go?" he asked, holding out his elbow for her to take.

"Is…is Ignis not escorting me?" she asked, a bit surprised.

"I was instructed to bring you to the Ceremony Hall. I imagine that means he is not…"

"He's probably with His Highness at the moment, Miss Y/N," one of the servant girls spoke.

"Of course…" she answered silently. Why wouldn't he be?

Y/N gently grabbed the extended arm and walked down the hallway to the elevator. Bernard wasn't exactly sure where the hall they were to be at was, but once he got to the floor they needed, it wasn't hard to figure it out. Elaborate signs and flowers led the way to the Ceremony Hall where a multitude of guests were seated. Rows of long cushioned pews lined both sides of the large room. The ceiling was steeped and what seemed to be three stories tall. Large glass chandeliers hung from large wooden beams. The smell of sylleblossms hung heavy in the air. They were tied to the ends of each pew and in large vases spread throughout the room. Well, at least they hadn't picked the same flower scheme, Y/N thought.

Bernard walked her to the front of the room where she was then instructed to sit in the second row. She fluffed her dress out around her and used the program she was given upon entering the room to fan herself a bit in the crowded and stuffy room. Bernard turned to leave, causing a bit of alarm in her.

"Are you not sitting with me?" she asked in slight panic.

"I apologize, Princess. I am not as high standing as you and must sit in the back."

"The back?"

"I'm not even a citizen. I am merely invited as an escort for you. I will be fine, don't fret."

"But…" Y/N didn't want to be left alone yet again. Not when one of the few people she trusted in this world right now was standing right beside her.

"I will see you once again at the reception, My Lady," Bernard bowed and walked to the back of the room.

He seemed almost in a hurry to get back to his seat. Y/N was certain it wasn't because the ceremony was starting soon. It wasn't until she looked back at the front of the room and noticed Cor and Drautos both eyeing him, along with a few glaives positioned in a line in front of the elaborate lifted stage. They knew who he was and that he was completely harmless. Were they really making such a large deal of it all?

After a few long moments of sitting by herself, a large figure seated themselves in front of her. She soon realized it was the King himself. He wasn't exactly, large per se, but the uniform and cape he wore made him seem so. A presence seated beside her and she looked to see it was the King's shield, Clarus. He was another man she had no idea how to read. He was as menacing as a king's shield should be, but also seemed to joke keep a light hearted tone about him from time to time. People here were so confusing.

"Good day Miss Y/N," he greeted her.

"Hello," she responded a bit more quietly than intended.

Regis turned around a bit in his seat so he could see her face.

"Greetings, Y/N! Lovely to see you again. Tell me, how are your own wedding plans coming?" the King asked her.

"Quite well, thank you," she answered back.

"Amazing news! I have no doubt it will be nothing short of elegant and beautiful considering Ignis is your husband to be. The man has exquisite taste!"

Y/N resisted the urge to roll her eyes. So far, her "husband to be" had nothing to do with any of the decisions made. Speak of the devil himself…. A door in the back opened and out stepped Ignis, Gladio, Prompto, and finally Noctis. The four men lined up expertly in their positions, awaiting the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle.

A very young looking girl was the first to walk passed. She seemed maybe fourteen or fifteen and had very short brown hair. Next was a girl with black hair down to almost her waist. She looked no older than Noctis, but not as young as the first girl. The last two girls had blonde hair and looked similar to Lunafreya. Probably friends of hers from back in Tennebrae. The thought struck Y/N like lightening…was she expected to have bridesmaids? Who would even hold the positions? Were her friends from back home allowed to come? This was information she needed to know! And very soon. The sound of everyone standing brought her back to the present moment. She stood as well while Luna made her way down the aisle.

She was every bit beautiful and majestic. Y/N didn't assume she would be anything but. The woman was almost perfect it seemed. Her hair was up in a high ponytail with a long veil tied around it, cascading down both her back and in front of her. A bouquet of sylleblossoms was held in her delicate hands. Everyone around her was beaming at her beauty. Was this what it would be like for her? Or would no one know who she even was to care enough? She doubted half these people would be at her own wedding.

The ceremony was long. With all the various rituals performed, she assumed it was because of it being a royal wedding. Surely the rest of the people in this land didn't have elaborate and drawn out weddings like this. She thought on how much of it she would be required to do at her own wedding. Some of the oaths sworn and rituals surrounding the crowns presented to each of them wouldn't have any part in her nuptials to Ignis. She wondered if the pledging to past Kings would be included. If the bowing to the various portraits and paintings would need to be done. The Remembering of Oracles past. The presenting of royal jewels. The pinning of Lucian Crests. The March of the Glaives. The reading of old scripture from a language, text, and realm she had never even heard of.

If she was being honest, she didn't pay attention to half of what was going on after halfway through. She knew it would be a long ceremony, but this was bordering ridiculous. Sudden cheering pulled her attention from the landscape beyond the window she was staring out of. She looked to the stage to see the Prince and Oracle locked in a passionate kiss. She brought her hands together to clap along with everyone else and stand along with them as the couple finally pulled away.

"I now present to you all, to the Royal City of Insomnia, to the Land of Lucis, and to the world…His and Her Highness, Prince Noctis and Princess Lunafreya Lucis Caelum!"

Cheering continued on as the couple descended the stairs, followed by the wedding party and Cor and Drautos. Y/N sat back down, fanning herself again with the paper program in her hands, as people we escorted out of the room. As the King stood to leave, everyone bowed. Clarus rose to follow but the King simply spoke his name and looked at Y/N. An understanding seemed to pass as Clarus held out his arm to her.

"Allow me to escort you, Miss Y/N."

"Oh!" she said a bit surprised. "Of course, thank you."

She could see people in the room glancing at her in curiosity. Wondering who the woman was who sat nearest the King and was dressed far more elaborately than other guests. She heard the person walking behind them and turned to see Luna's brother Ravus. She quickly turned back around. She was unaware he had journeyed here for the wedding. Many people back home swooned over him. Herself included sometimes. He was definitely more attractive in person than in the photos she had seen of him. Too bad she was officially off the market and not offered to him instead. She remembered even bringing him up to her mother when arguing over being sent to Lucis to marry Ignis.

At least she was finally leaving this room and could get a drink and something to eat.

Y/N sat at a table with Bernard and a few other people she didn't even recognize. The King and his shield sat high up on a lifted stage, even above Noctis and Luna themselves. The second level down was of course the bride and groom with their own elaborately decorated table for all to see. The third level below them was the wedding party. A table set to the side of the bride and groom so as not to be in front of them at all. Cor and Drautos weren't even seated and neither were any of the glaives in uniform. They were all at attention posted at various points around the room and rotating frequently.

Y/N could scream. She at least knew where Ignis was this time…too bad she was nowhere near him and had yet to even speak to him. It was beyond frustrating to see the man and not even make eye contact yet. Was he not even looking for her? To even catch a glimpse of her?

After a meal of fish and rare steak and nearly no vegetables, Y/N was ready for that stiff drink. Her meal wasn't anything she hoped for or even liked. Neither were any of the appetizers. She wasn't even going to hold out hope for the dessert. Unfortunately she had to sit through a long slow dance between the bride and groom before she could leave her table. Standing from her seat after the clapping had ended, Bernard stood with her.

"Would you like me to retrieve-"

"I got it!" she barked, not even turning to look at him. He knew when not to push a matter with her and this was one of those moments.

She walked up to the bar and ordered a dirty martini. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, causing her to not even notice the man who had just approached her.

"You look breathtaking as usual, Y/N," a smooth, accented voice startled her from her thoughts.

She jumped a bit and looked at the man standing to her right.

"Oh?...How funny of you to notice!" she rolled her eyes, turning back to the bar.

Ignis stood a bit stunned for a moment, not quite sure of how to respond.

"Of course I did. How could anyone not notice you today? You are as radiant as ever."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," she sighed, still refusing to look at him.

"I apologize, but did I anger you in some way Princess?" he asked, sounded completely innocent and unaware of why she was so mad.

"Oh, no!" she exclaimed, finally turning to him. "Not at all. You didn't anger me one bit when you never showed up for any of our food tastings. Or the time you left me on my own in the city to pick out flowers. Or even the awkward rides with people I don't even know. Not to mention all the times I was completely alone this week with multitudes of people I have never in my life met. Nope. Not angry AT ALL!"

She turned back to the bar to grab her drink and started walking away.

Ignis felt a wave of panic hit him as she started leaving. He quickly caught up to her to try and rectify the situation.

"I sincerely apologize, Y/N! It was not my intention to leave you on your own-"

"Then you would have showed up! Or hell, even answered your damn phone before one o'clock in the morning!" she scolded, as she continued to walk across the room.

"I was incredibly busy this week preparing for Noct's wedding and-"

"And I was incredibly busy this week preparing for OURS!" she stopped, turning to face him now.

That left him speechless for a moment. He was so wrapped up in making sure every little detail was perfected for his best friend's wedding that he completely neglected his own. He was wrong in assuming she would want to pick everything out on her own and be okay without him. She never showed much interest in doing many things with him so he only assumed the same would apply to wedding planning. He had no idea he was wrong.

"I made a terrible mistake, Princess. I assumed…well, I apparently assumed wrong. I should have rescheduled so I could be with you."

"I had to leave the Citadel! I did that on my own!"

Ignis was a bit shocked.

"No one went with you?" he asked in disbelief.

"No, someone did! Someone has to, remember? They sent some random soldier guy with me. Luckily Bernard came too, or I wouldn't have even went. You know how I get when I have to leave! This city is huge and honestly quite scary! And all I asked of you, ALL I ASKED, was for you to pick me up. Just simply come and at least pick me up…and you didn't even do that!"

"Didn't Cor-"

"Yes…Yes, COR came and got me. I asked for you. I just…" she paused a moment and looked at her feet. "I guess I just realized I can't rely on you as I had hoped I could. Of all the people here, you are the only know who knows a damn thing about me and you should have known I hate being around people I don't know. I just simply wanted a familiar face. Silly of me to assume that familiar face be my fucking fiancé!"

"Princess Y/N, I am truly terribly sorry!" Ignis began to almost plead with her. He was feeling awful right now. He was hoping to come over and greet Y/N and ask her to dance with him as she had the week prior. "Is there a way I can make it up to you now?"

The thought of personal favors brought up a point Y/N had thought about earlier.

"Was in because of what happened last week? In my room? Is that why you refused to be around me?" she asked.

Ignis felt his face heat up ever so slightly at the memory.

"No, of course not!" he assured her.

"Which reminds me!" she stated before opening the small wristlet hanging off of her left arm. She pulled out a purple handkerchief and thrust it into his chest. "You can have this back now. Don't worry. I had it laundered." She started walking off again, heading for the doorway.

Ignis knew his face was beat red at this point. He remembered what she used the handkerchief for after pulling it from his breast pocket. He had momentarily forgotten about it until this moment. He quickly pocketed the item and briskly walked to catch up with her.

"Princess, I-"

"I'm going to bed," she said turning to him and handing her now empty glass to his chest the same way she did the handkerchief just now. "Give the couple my congrats, yeah?" She turned back around and continued to walk away. Ignis decided it best not to follow and possibly anger her more.

He had been looking forward to this night all week. They had such an enjoyable time together at the engagement dinner. She was so carefree and having fun. Her smile made his insides flutter every time he thought back on it. What happened when he brought her back to her room was enjoyable as well, he wouldn't deny that. And he thought back on it more than a few times. But it didn't compare to the hours prior he had spent laughing and smiling with her. Introducing her to his family and acquaintances as his future wife. It was something he only dared to let himself dream about once or twice prior. He refused to dream about something he may never get. But now that he was allowed to have that- to have a relationship and a woman to call his own- he wanted to embrace every moment of it.

But once again…he had gotten it wrong.

…

Y/N continued down the hallway. She should have went back and informed Bernard she was leaving. Or even said goodbye to Noctis and Luna herself. But she was too heated to properly approach any of them. She would message Bernard when she got back to her room.

The halls were completely empty and quiet. Almost dark, even. It was odd. With all the security she had seen today, she assumed the halls would be just as full with glaives. Suddenly a man appeared out of a door right in front of her. She almost ran into him.

"OH! I'm terribly sorry. Please excuse me," she said, moving to make her way around him.

"I don't believe I know your name…" the man stated, as he turned with her and grabbed her wrist.

Y/N frowned up at him. Why did he grab her like that?

"Not a lot of people do know it. I'm not surprised. Now please, let me go."

"You look so familiar though…" he squinted at her.

"I'm sorry, do you work here or…are you a guest of the royal wedding?" she asked him.

"You could call me a guest…" he smirked.

Y/N was growing more confused and concerned at the same time. Something about this man wasn't sitting right with her. She looked him over and grew even more leery. He had purple hair and a fedora hat on. His outfit was nothing she had seen before on anyone around here. Or even back home. It was…odd. He had a collar that looked like it was made of coffee filters and stripped tight pants. He looked more like the Citadel jester than anyone important.

"Please let me go-"

"I think I want to get to know you better actually…" he purred, putting his face really close to hers.

"Get away from me!" she yelled, turning her head away. Her wrist was beginning to burn from trying to tug out of his grip. It only seemed to tighten, bruising the skin below his fingers.

"Aww, unfortunately for you, everyone is busy partying down the hall. No one is here to help you. Or even hear you."

"What do you want?" she asked him, feeling tears beginning to well up in her eyes as fear gripped her chest.

"I do see it now…the resemblance. You're more like your mother than you care to admit."

That comment made her want to smack the smirk clean off his face. She was nothing like her mother. But fear gripped her chest again when he stepped closer to her; their bodies flush against each other now. She couldn't stop the tear that rolled down her cheek.

"Just let me go, please!" she pleaded. It was this moment she fully regretted yelling so harshly at Ignis, causing him to not want to follow her.

"I would have chosen Ravus for you, but I guess it wasn't much my call." Y/N's eyes bulged at his comment. He knew more about her than he led her to believe. "Plus the boy is simply that…a boy. He's not half the man he thinks he is."

"I don't know what you are talking about but I just want to go back to my room. Please! Let me go!"

"I want you to look at my face," he replied, gripping her neck with his other hand and forcing her to look up at him. "And I want you to remember me, Princess Y/N of Accordo."

Y/N's heart stopped. He was the first person outside of the King, Noct, and his friends to openly know who she was. How did he know? Was it the articles? It had to have been…right?

"You said you didn't know who I was…" she whispered out.

"I lied," he growled in her face. "You'll find I do that a lot."

"What do you want?" she wept.

"Nothing…yet." He smiled and let go of her, standing back. He glanced over her shoulder causing her to turn and look at who may be coming. There was no one and nothing there so she quickly turned back only to notice he was gone.

She frantically looked around, wondering where he could have went. Thinking he may finally be gone, she felt her adrenaline ease and the full force of her panic hit her veins.

She scrambled for the elevator and hurried into it, pushing the button over and over urging it to go faster. When she finally got to her floor, she rushed out into the hallway, her chest rising and falling rapidly with her still growing fear. There were a few people in the hallway, as there usually were. Workers were constantly around and unlike the halls she was just in, these ones were still brightly lit and carrying on as usual.

She tried her best to compose herself at their odd stares and walked briskly to her door. She felt at any moment he would return and grab her again. She glanced over her shoulder multiple times before making it to her door where she unlocked it in a hurry and threw it shut behind her.

She leaned her back against the door and sunk to the floor, hyperventilating and letting the tears freely flow down her face.

A/N:

I meant to have this posted last weekend but got tied up in stuff and didn't quite get it finished. I also prefer to post on weekends because anytime I have posted on a week day I get zero feedback and half as many hits. Sorry it took the whole weekend to edit.

Another interesting development introduced. I was going to make the wedding a lot more elaborate and longer but i figured I would save the long details for her own wedding instead. the next month will go a bit quickly leading up to her and Ignis' wedding. But once that happens...that's when a lot more conflict unfortunately unfolds. I'm excited to get there though. You all know how much i love angst lol Hope you all are well and had a great holiday!