Chronicles Two: The Regency

Drenched in sweat due to the heat and humidity, the King returned to his throne room, seeing those he sent out to investigate waiting for him. They all looked miserable, with Prompto pale, sitting in a chair and his face covered with bug bites. The female Glaives and his wife's hair were matted and frizzy, the humidity destroying any hairstyles the women had. The men were either passed out on the floor, leaning against a wall, or sitting on the stairs.

"We were nearly killed out there…" one of them said.

Noctis noticed that he was missing one person, his Shield, Gladiolus Amicitia. His sister, Iris, was there, looking utterly miserable as the 25-year-old Shield Maiden had returned from her investigation. Texting him, he asked where he was, and his reply didn't shock him in the least. Another Glaive complained, saying, "It's like we're being punished for what happened with the Crystal…"

A third said, "I wanna quit and move to somewhere like Tenebrae…At least it's cool there…"

Wanting to be the king he was supposed to be, despite feeling like he was going to pass out at any second, Noctis asked, "So, you wanna quit over some heat?"

"Your Majesty, we have to!" a scientist told him.

"Indeed, Noct. Air conditioners only have so much power…That and the rising electric bills…" his friend, Ignis, told him.

"We've been getting 90-plus degree days since April!" Iris added.

"Summer's just different this year. Like, it's not letting up," a fifth Glaive said.

Slightly in denial due to his heat exhaustion…and the only one still wearing all black, Noctis told them, "Hey! We've been fighting summer heat for over 2,000 years! We can do this! It's in our DNA! We're Lucians! It's in our blood!"

"Uh, about that. I don't think Prompto's got any blood left. A cloud of mosquitos ate him up when we arrived at Wiz's Chocobo Post," Iris said, raising her hand.

He looked to his mosquito-bitten best friend and the blonde muttered something deliriously. Asking for a translation, he received, "Noct, I don't think I can do this anymore buddy…I think I'm dead…"

April 25th, the Citadel…

Waking up from another odd dream, Noctis groaned, seeing the sunlight pouring through the windows. It was a Thursday and the triplets should've been at school. And it was also the day his physicians would come in for another examination. So, that meant he would have to try to get out of bed. Which meant a lot of pain. Great…

"Noct? Are you awake?" Ignis called from behind the door.

"Yeah…" Noctis said, not looking forward to the day.

Ignis opened the door, bringing in another dish for breakfast. This time, it was oddly enough, sushi. Noctis was confused as he was certain that Ignis would try to give a heartier dish. When he asked, Ignis replied, "Well, seeing that you're only drinking soups and refuse to eat anything else, I thought to see if fish would ease your stomach."

"Okay, but sushi?" Noctis asked, still finding it rather incredulous.

"Never hurt to try. If we can get you to eat something, that would border on the miraculous," Ignis said.

Noctis took a few bites and found that he didn't instantly fall ill. He continued and noticed his mind started to feel hazy. Noctis couldn't shake it and heard Ignis call his name. A few moments later, Noctis snapped out of it and Ignis said, "Hmm…Are you alright? You suddenly went silent."

"Oh…Um…" the man said, unsure of what happened.

He looked at his plate and saw the whole dish had been consumed. Was he seriously so hungry that he blanked out while eating? That would be a first.

Ignis took the plate and said as he noticed the weight difference, "Hmm, nothing's left. Good. At least you're eating again."

"Did you put something in the food?" Noctis asked.

Ignis cocked an eyebrow, unsure of what he meant. Noctis then asked, "Did you put some new ingredient or something?"

"Just the usual of tuna, rice, and wasabi paste. Why?" Ignis asked.

Noctis said nothing, as he wasn't certain of what happened. Ignis then told him, "We'll try to see if you can handle lunch. Until then, Dr. Gainsborough will be here soon for your medical evaluation."

"So, the 'I's' have it?"

Prompto Argentum, aged 48, looked around the Parliament Chamber, seeing the MPs vote on whether or not King Noctis Lucis Caelum CXIV needed a regent. He couldn't believe that those politicians would betray his buddy like that. Noct was fine. He…He just needed more help getting around now. It wasn't like he planned on nearly getting killed while investigating the rise in monster activity at Ravatough.

The one who started the voting process was Lady Etro Calais of Cape Shawe. According to his sources, she was a rising star in the region, getting the confidence of reestablished towns in the southwestern region. She apparently promised that she would help bring reforms to prevent anything like the Great War and Long Night from ever happening again. And she saw Noctis as a relic of the past that needed to be cleared out of the way. Or so his boss, Vyv, told him.

She seemed pleased that her petition got through the lower and upper chambers of Parliament, despite people like Prime Minister Lukahn and Speaker Edelgard Solis being against it. With barely any resistance, Lady Etro was able to get the votes through 54-23.

Prompto took a few pictures of the very public proceedings, as he needed them for the next issue, and grumbled. Noctis practically gave his all to Lucis. No, to all of Eos and its rebuild, and instead of wanting to help him and thanking him, people wanted him gone. If Noct goes, so too does their dream of uniting the world as one people, one Eos.

"So, King Noctis is to have a regent as he is incapable of ruling on his own since the accident and Queen Lunafreya's demise. But Crown Princess Regina and her siblings are far too young to rule in his stead," one of the MPs said.

Minister Lukahn stood up and said, "I do not see how age would be a factor. The triplets are capable and willing to learn the role of their father. And besides, this regency vote is a sham as His Majesty is still mentally capable of ruling."

"Yes. Physically, he needs assistance, but I do not see how this is a factor in his capability of ruling. His father, Regis Lucis Caelum…" Speaker Edelgard said, trying to defend Noctis.

"His Majesty is a relic of a bygone era. He no longer has a crystal to defend and he has fulfilled his role in the Prophecy of the Six," another MP said, sounding treasonous.

Those against started yelling while those for the regency shouted back. The chamber seemed ready to descend into chaos until Lady Etro raised her hand and the fighting stopped. As if she had more authority than the prime minister.

"Please, let us be civil. His Majesty and the royal family give us purpose. But we must ensure that we have a capable monarch in their station. And that's why this vote has come forward and passed," Lady Etro said.

"But you'll need the Courts to side with you as well. And you must speak with His Majesty to confirm the regent. I doubt he'll be pleased with that," Minister Lukahn told her and Etro's face fell.

Seemingly disappointed, but catching on, the silver-haired woman in black and grey said, "Then we shall do that. And since you're the prime minister, you will have to speak with him. Not me."

"I know this and that's why I'm against this vote," Minister Lukahn said.

"So…um…" Noctis said, sitting at his desk.

He managed to gather enough strength to ready and dress himself for the doctor's visit, but he wasn't ready for what she had to say. Dressed in his usual black suit that was a part of the Kingly Raiment, but forgoing the cape, Noctis listened to Dr. Gainsborough, the brunette giving terrible news. She started with the positive, with his vitals remaining stable. But then she hit him with the bad.

His chances of fully recovering were very low and those in the know, Minister Lukahn, Ignis, and others thought it would be best not to tell him. They believed that it would be better for him not knowing and that it would help him focus on recovering. But, according to Dr. Elmyra Gainsborough, there was no chance of recovery to vital organs, such as his heart, spine, and brain. Whatever happened in those ruins gravely damaged them and it was only a matter of time until everything gave out.

"H-How long…?" Noctis asked, terrified and wishing he could consult his father like in the dreams.

"Pardon?" Dr. Gainsborough asked.

"H-How long…?" Noctis asked again, his mind going to the triplets and the dream where Regina was all alone.

Dr. Gainsborough cleared her throat and said, "At best, my estimate would be at least a year or two. At the worst, a few months. Based on your vital records, I'm leaning towards the latter."

Noctis, trembling, said nothing and the doctor was dismissed. He only had a few months to live? There truly wasn't a way to cure his condition? Luna…she…Did he really send her on a wild goose chase…?

The door opened and Gladiolus came in. He heard everything and asked, "So, what now?"

"What do you mean, 'what now'?" Noct snapped, growing angry.

All the work he had done, what was it all for? Was this punishment for defeating Bahamut, the rest of the Six disappearing, and the crystal's shattering? He wasn't going to be able to make due on his promise to Prompto. Nor would he be able to see the triplets graduate. And they would be alone, just like in the dreams.

"If you only got a little bit of time left, I'd say spend it doing something worthwhile," Gladio told him.

"Like what?" Noctis asked, wondering if his Shield remembered that he could barely walk.

"Spending time with the triplets or something. Use that brain of yours, Noct," Gladio said, seemingly not perturbed that his liege/best friend was dying and there was nothing anyone could do.

Noctis looked away, unable to fully process what was going on. Just as he attempted to, another knock at the door and it was Prompto. He was gasping for air and said, "Noct, Gladio, you guys gotta see this!"

He quickly helped Noct to his wheelchair, something he was so sure he wouldn't have to use again, and wheeled him to the floor's family room. There, he saw much of the household staff and the triplets. Ignis was also in attendance and he said, listening to the broadcast, "I didn't think they would go through with it."

Noct looked at the television, seeing Minister Lukahn looking disappointed. He was in front of a podium in front of an audience full of journalists and some citizenry. He then read from some papers and said, "Due to the condition of our king, the Lucian Parliament has passed legislation to determine both a regent and his successor. The high courts have also agreed, coming to a consensus that His Majesty's condition sees him unfit to continue ruling and that his successor will be the Crown Princess, Regina Lucis Caelum."

"I didn't…" Noctis started.

No one had spoken to him about appointing Regina as his successor. Nor did they come to him about officially assigning him a regent. Did they hate him so much that they wanted to get rid of him or something?

Regina's face was sullen, the white makeup on her face making her look paler than before. She didn't like what was going on at all as she had confided in Noctis that she felt unable to rule. She wanted to be a dancer or a chef or something that wasn't royalty. And he respected that but knew that someone had to rule if he was to go. And now that he was dying…

"Who's that chick?" Cato asked, looking at Lady Calais, who was standing next to the prime minister on the left.

She seemed pleased and Noctis wondered why. Maybe he should ask Minister Lukahn about arranging a meeting to find out what happened. There's no way that vote should've gone through. He was sure of it as most wanted to rebuild Lucis, which they did, and unify the world to prevent another Great War.

"Why is she smiling? That's kinda creepy," Cato said, not holding back his thoughts.

Stella stared at the screen and asked aloud, "So, what does that mean?"

She quickly signed what she said and Cato replied, signing, "Meaning that someone's gonna take over Dad's job until he gets better. And Regina's next in line to be queen."

Regina stormed off, the television's screen flickering. She was rightfully enraged and Noctis was determined to find out what happened. He did not approve a regent. And he was sure the courts didn't either. And he didn't think Parliament would overstep and choose his successor for him.

"This doesn't feel right…" Cato said.

Stella said nothing and Prompto said, "I was there, dude. Some of the stuff they said, man…if we were in old times, someone would yell 'treason' and 'Madame Guillotine' would show up."

"What is the deal with this 'Madame Gulliotine'? No one's getting their heads chopped off," Noctis asked.

One of the staffers said, "Well, that was the punishment for treason in Ulwaat a long time ago."

"We're not cutting anyone's head off. We're better than that, people. I'll meet with Minister Lukahn and Lady Etro and hear what happened," Noctis said, hoping his younger staff members wouldn't entertain bringing Lucis back into the Dark Ages.

"Alrighty. Today, boys will game like men. And ladies! And ladies who dress like men! It's game time!" Gladiolus said, shuffling the deck of Unum cards.

Iris and Aranea stared, with Lunafreya asking, "What? Over a game of Unum? And who's dressed like a man?"

"Don't ask. Please don't. Keep your sanity, please," Noctis told her.

"Seriously, you sound like Giygas from Dead Fantasy V…" Prompto muttered, remembering the stupid line.

Gladio was about to deal when Aranea asked, "Wait! Which rules are we going by? Insomnia's? Tenebrae's? Gralea's?"

"International?" Ignis suggested.

"No, that's kinda boring. The point system isn't all that good," Iris told him.

"Ooh, what about…the 'Solheim's'? We've never played by those rules before," Prompto said, looking up rules on his phone.

Solheim's was rarely played as the deck seemed to gain sentience when the rules were spoken aloud. The rest was the rules based on International's, where the first person to rid themselves of cards was the winner, among using the other regions. Five cards were dealt to the players and the rules were to match the cards based on color, numbers, and directions. Due to the cards with directions, many players got involved in arguments, fights, and complete fallouts with family, friends, coworkers, etc. Thus, Noct's trepidation in playing as he didn't speak to his father for weeks after losing with International rules.

"Okay, Solheim it is," Lunafreya said.

Noctis' eyes widened and he yelled, "Are you crazy?!"

"What? We won't agree on rules from our regions as we're not proficient. At least with those rules, since the game came from ancient Solheim, we can follow better," Lunafreya explained.

"You sure?" Aranea asked.

"Never hurt to try," the Queen told her.

Noct glared as he received his five cards, muttering, "I can't believe you've done this…"

April 27th, Noctis' office…

Jolting awake, as he had dosed off again as Minister Lukahn, Lady Edelgard, and Ignis spoke with him on matters of the state, Noctis groaned as he had another vivid dream. It was of a game night his other self was a part of after the other Prompto thought to hold it at the Citadel. To his other self's chagrin, it was a game of Unum and Noctis remembered the last time he played. It was a disaster as Regina nearly burned down the palace after losing horrendously against Cato. And that was when the triplets were eight years old and before the incident…

"Your Majesty, are you well? We could postpone the meeting with Lady Calais," Minister Lukahn said.

"I'm fine…What did you say again?" Noctis asked.

The ash blonde, Edelgard Solis, looked worried and Ignis said, "He was speaking of the rise of monster activity off the coast of Vannath."

"And the rise of temperatures around Angelgard Isle," Lady Edelgard added.

"And the vote that happened a few days ago," Minister Lukahn said.

He explained that many of the MPs seemed to mindlessly agree with Lady Etro on whether Noctis to have a regent. To which most responded yes. It was odd as many agreed to join Noctis in preventing another Great War by uniting the world. He didn't know how when he was younger, but he was determined to make the promise he made come true.

"Lady Calais had told those she gotten the vote from that she would prevent something like the Great War from happening again. But she can't do such a thing by herself. She's not sovereign," Lady Edelgard told him.

Before Noctis could say anything, there was a knock at the door and the Glaives outside allowed the one knocking to enter. Minister Lukahn sighed and said, "You're here early."

A silver-haired woman dressed in white and black entered. She looked rather pale and her purplish-grey eyes darted around the room as if scanning the area. Her hair was tied back in a bun and she was dressed in business-like attire, as if going to war in a boardroom. She gave a small smile, seeing Noctis and the others.

Lady Edelgard stood up and said, "Well, look who it is."

"Hello there, Edelgard. I didn't expect to see you here," Lady Etro said, shaking her hand.

Lady Edelgard didn't look too pleased she was there and said, "Likewise."

After the greetings, Noctis offered the woman a seat, to which she said, "No. I'm fine. I'm sure I'm here over the vote on your needing a regent."

"Yes, about that…" Minister Lukahn said.

The woman looked intrigued and Noctis said, "I called you here to meet with you about the regency."

"Yes, there are many in Parliament that doubt your current abilities in leading our fair nation. Yes, you and the late queen have done your duty and restored Lucis back to greatness. But since the attack on your life in Ravatogh, and the queen's demise, you haven't been the same. So, we thought to vote on getting you…" Lady Etro said.

"No, you brought up the vote to position yourself as the new prime minister," Lady Edelgard said, interrupting.

Lady Etro glowered and Noctis felt his head grow hazy. It was like the time Ignis had given him sushi for breakfast. He shook his head, trying to clear it, and hoped Lady Calais didn't notice. He didn't need her using his fading consciousness as another reason to give him a regent.

Luckily for him, he heard Ignis say, "His Majesty will continue this meeting later this afternoon. We need everyone here to be levelheaded for the decision on the regent."

Noctis' vision cleared and he heard Lady Etro say, "Well, we already decided that the regent should be you, Ignis Scientia."

Ignis was taken aback and Minister Lukahn said, "I was certain you'd choose someone that knows nothing of the Citadel."

"He's already the Hand of the King. So, those that voted thought he would be the best choice for this task," Lady Etro said.

"And what about the Crown Princess? She isn't too happy that you all declared that she would succeed His Majesty in his eventual demise," Lady Edelgard said.

Noctis didn't like they were talking about him as if he was already dead. Sure, there was no cure for what was happening to him. But he wasn't planning on dying. Not at all.

Another headache and Noctis said, "Ca-Can we continue this tomorrow?"

Minister Lukahn and Lady Edelgard took that as their cue to leave. They bowed and Lady Etro said, "Well, then. Good day, Your Majesty…"

She bowed and left, shutting the door behind herself. Noctis shook his head, as the headache grew worse until she was gone. Ignis, sensing it, asked, "Are the headaches growing worse?"

"Ye-Yeah…They still come without warning. Especially whenever I think of…" Noctis said.

His mind wandered back to Lunafreya and another headache gripped him. Ignis then helped his friend back to his room for rest.

"You truly don't get it…Why do you refuse to help? You'd rather follow what Carbuncle told you?"

"I'm not helping you, 'Mister Voice'."

"Why not? You do want to leave this place, don't you?"

"What do you mean? I'm in the past right?"

"Are you sure about that?"

"Oh no…"

"You'd rather live there than with your family? You're pathetic. I'll bring everyone and everything back, just as She said I would. We'll all be together and I'll never lose anyone ever again."

Waking up from a vague dream, Noctis found himself in bed, still dressed in his attire from earlier in the day. Ignis helped him to bed and the man fell asleep before he could change. And he left behind a plate of grilled trevally.

Before he knew it, Noctis' vision went blurry again upon seeing the plate and it cleared up seconds later to reveal the food was gone. Did he just…?

"Whoa…"

Cato had entered, the blonde youth's blue eyes wide. He then asked, "You're actually hungry? Cool!"

"Um…" Noctis tried to say.

Cato grinned and rushed out of the room. He thought Noctis was feeling up to eating more and the boy rushed back in with Ignis behind him. With a sigh, he asked, "Why did you drag me here?"

"Dad ate all his food! He ate!" Cato yelled.

Ignis winced, once again Cato being too loud. He then seemed surprised and said, "So fish is the only thing you can keep down, Noct?"

"I guess. Um…" Noctis said, still unsure of what happened.

He looked around and saw what looked like bits of fish on his chest and lap as if he wolfed down the large fillet. Noct was worried, as he was not known to do such a thing. Even with his favorite foods. He became worried and Cato said, "At least we know you're getting better."

"Uh, yeah…" Noctis said, still unsure.

Okay, so more of Noct's condition has been revealed. And his kingdom's turning on him. But why?

Review?

-miano53