"I know you're still mad," Ventus said to Jasmine as the pair sat across from each other in the empty dining hall. He eyed his partner as she picked at her food, barely touching the lunch on her plate. He sighed, leaning back in his chair while staring at the intricate stained glass ceiling above. "Did he at least apologize?"

Jasmine set down her fork and gripped her glass of water, a sigh escaping her lips.

"He did this morning," she revealed. "Right before I came down for breakfast he came to my room and apologized."

"And?" Ventus asked curiously.

She rolled her vivid gold eyes. "I accepted obviously." She paused briefly before she continued. "I don't want any trouble with this case, Ven. Besides…it's not like I did anything wrong."

Ven sat back up and leaned in closer to Jasmine, his bright blue eyes shining with understanding and reassurance. "We know; you were just standing up for yourself. Nothing wrong with that. Besides," he said, before stifling a yawn, "I would've been more surprised if you didn't say anything last night if I'm being honest."

Jasmine took a sip of water, deciding to switch gears on this conversation. After all, she'd been mad enough about the interaction longer than she wanted to admit. It wasn't like this was something she'd never encountered. There weren't that many women in SOLDIER anyway, especially ones as young as her. This wasn't the first time she'd experienced this kind of judgment, and it wouldn't be the last.

"Anyway, we have an event to attend tonight," she stated matter-of-factly, folding her arms over her chest.

"That's right. The price is supposed to attend a fundraiser. There, he'll be meeting with a few women who are up for the princess role."

"And our job," Jasmine jumped in, "is to try to find out who might want him dead."

Ven grimaced at the dark shift in his partner's tone but she was right. "Exactly. Have you gone through the guestlist?"

"Of course."

"Anyone in particular you have your eye on?"

Jasmine pushed her glasses further up her nose and cocked her head to the side. "A handful. Doesn't make it easier that I haven't had a chance to interview anyone yet."

"So, everyone is guilty for now?"

"Yup," Jasmine replied darkly. "We'll see what happens tonight and start working our way backward. By the way…" she trailed off, her voice softening. "I heard you last night."

Ven seemed confused. "Heard me? What do you mean?"

His partner sighed, taking a quick look around the hall to ensure that they were truly alone. "When I walked back to my room, I heard you talking in your sleep again."

Ventus' face flushed pink, embarrassed. He didn't even think about denying it, but he wanted to move on just as quickly as the topic had come up. "I had another nightmare," he admitted. "But it's fine."

"Ven." Jasmine stared deeply yet softly into Ventus' eyes. "It's around that time. I just want to make sure you're okay," she stressed.

Visions of Ventus' nightmare played through his mind, but he quickly suppressed them while trying to reassure Jasmine that he was fine. He looked down at Jasmine's wrists and in a flash, caught a glimpse of what appeared to be scars (one covered by a silver wristwatch). "What about you?"

Knowing immediately what Ven was referring to, Jasmine placed her hands in her lap and out of view, her expression unwavering with her focus still on Ven. "Don't worry, Ven," she whispered. "I'm fine. It's you I worry about."

Ventus sat straight up and cleared his throat before going back to his normal demeanor. "I'm good, Jaz. I promise."

Jasmine eyed Ventus, not too sure he was being truthful. But she knew it would be best to drop the subject and not pressure him. Besides, they had a job to do.

"Well," she rose to her feet and grabbed her plate, "better start getting ready now."

"Huh? Why?" Ventus stared at her in confusion. "We have a full FIVE hours before we leave."

"You have to send a report to SOLDIER, right? I also have a meeting with the king in an hour."

Ven slumped forward and groaned. "I still don't need to start getting ready yet," he mumbled.

"Oh? You act like you're not going to take a nap before we go. Might as well get started now."

"You're worse than Aqua, you know that?"

"I'm not," she argued. "But someone has to get you going."

"I still don't get why you decided to pick a fight with Miss Valentine, Iggy," Prompto said while Ignis drove the group to the art museum in the heart of the capital city where the fundraiser was being held. The four Lucian men were dressed for the occasion, each wearing a well-tailored suit instead of their traditional palace attire.

Ignis sighed, keeping his eyes focused on the road. "I've already apologized for my behavior."

Prompto, who was sitting next to Ignis while Gladiolus and the price sat in the backseat of the Regalia threw his hands behind his head. "Still, it's not like YOU of all people to be rude."

"You seem to be quite concerned." Ignis stole a quizzical glance at the blond. "Why are you so fixated on this?"

"You know why," Gladiolus chimed in. "It's because Prompto here has a crush on Miss Valentine."

"Hey!" Prompto protested, his cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. "I think you ought to be a bit friendlier with someone who's only here to help."

Gladiolus chuckled. "You didn't deny it," he called out.

Prompto sighed heavily. "It's weird though…"

"What's weird?"

Prompto paused and stared at the roof of the car. "She reminds me of someone though. I just can't put my finger on it though. It's driving me crazy."

"And who would that be?" Gladiolus asked curiously.

The blond shrugged. "I dunno. I'm sure it'll come to me. But in any case, SOLDIER wouldn't send us duds. Remember The Organization 13? I heard that they took out most of them."

Prince Noctis yawned and folded his hands over his chest as he shut his eyes. "I'm trying to rest here. Can we keep it down?"

Ignis rolled his eyes. "Prince Noctis – you have to start going to bed at a reasonable hour," he chided. "You need to make sure that you get proper rest so that you're attentive for these events. You're representing the king tonight and meeting a few prospective queen's candidates. You want to make a good impression."

Prompto scoffed. "Are you kidding me? Noct is a hero since we reclaimed the kingdom. He practically has girls lining up outside the palace to meet him."

"Regardless, he still needs to be attentive," Ignis replied. "And he needs to be friendly – something he still struggles with."

"I can still hear you," the prince grumbled.

"Good," Ignis spotted the museum and pulled in slowly. "Now, Ventus and Miss Valentine are already inside and have done a security sweep of the building. They'll be on guard throughout the night and will keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. I hope that this will be an uneventful evening."

"I hope it's not too boring," Prompto sighed. "These events are always so stuffy."

"How are you still not used to these events? You've been a guard member for a while now," Ignis asked.

Prompto sighed. "I wasn't brought up in the castle, remember? Even so, these events are so boring."

"Well…I'd much rather the evening be uneventful. We still don't know who has been targeting the prince."

A heavy silence hung over the four men. As Ignis and the team pulled up and were promptly greeted by the valet, he stole a glance at the prince who had an unreadable expression on his face. Still, he could sense Noctis' apprehension a mile away.

"It'll be fine, Prince Noctis. You'll see."