Hello, friends. Wow, it's been a long time since I wrote anything on here. How time flies, am I right? It's been a rough year... and I've been lonely and bored... so here I am, with a new fanfiction underway. I already have a few chapters written and a broad idea for the story overall, so I think I'll have fun with it.

This fanfic is based on Final Fantasy XV, which I've gotten really invested in lately. I just read the book, Dawn of the Future, last week and was blown away. In any case, I figured I would play around in the world a little bit by telling a different version of the tale with my OC, Lydia. This is a story about fate, love, and forgiveness, which I'm sure we'll see as we go forward.

And yes, I will shamelessly admit that this is totally going to be an Ardyn romance. Because why not challenge myself by pairing up my OC with one of the biggest walking disasters in fandom? XD Be forewarned, though, this is a slow burn... and it might even be a few chapters before we see much of Ardyn, since Noctis is expected to play a pretty big role in the story as well. As another warning, I WILL be tampering with certain events and certain aspects of the lore in the game. So if you're the kind of person who is bothered by those types of changes in fanfics, this might not be for you.

In any case, hope you enjoy this prologue. It's pretty short, but I plan to have the first main chapter up soon, and it's quite a bit longer.

Disclaimer: I don't own FFXV.

Prologue: A Woman of Her Word

Lydia Glacies supposed she should have been honored that the King himself would request to see her in his own study. All their other meetings had either been in the big, pompous-looking throne room or outside somewhere. She wasn't sure what to make of this new need for privacy.

To be completely honest, Lydia was growing rather tired of working under Regis's service. Over the last year, she had followed his every command—heeded his every request—and so far, she'd seen little in terms of results. Patience was typically one of her best virtues, but it was wearing thin fast.

When she entered the private chamber at the word of Regis's guard, she found the King sitting at a desk chair, facing toward the door and looking more haggard than usual. The war with Niflheim and his efforts to protect the city over the years had certainly aged him. What was he—50? 60 years old? In that moment, he could have easily been 80.

"Thank you for coming, Lydia," the King said, slowly pulling himself out of the chair with help from his walking stick. "I—I'm sure you've heard by now about the ceasefire—between Lucis and Niflheim."

Lydia nodded, folding her arms across her chest. "It's been in all the papers and on all the radio stations for days. Couldn't have avoided the news even if I wanted to."

The King smiled. "Yes, well—I'm sure it comes as a sign of hope for many. The signing is tomorrow. And I thought it might be a good opportunity to thank you for some of the good work you've done for me on the sidelines as of late. You've been true to your word... and I think it's time that I be true to mine."

Lydia's eyes widened slightly as Regis lifted his hand and opened his palm, revealing a small coin. "The Astral Coin," he said softly as he approached her with it. "This is the legendary artifact you were after?"

She raised an eyebrow, noting the coin's intricate design and otherwise—ordinary appearance. "That depends," she said. "Does it do what the legends say it does?"

Regis took the coin between his fingertips and held it out to her so she could take it. "Why don't you give it a try for yourself?"

Lydia turned her palm over and let Regis drop the coin into it. Closing her fingers over the trinket, she thought hard about the person she wanted to find—pictured her clearly in her mind and held onto the memory as closely as she could. For the first few seconds, she didn't even dare to hope.

Then, the voice came to her, in no more than a whisper but somehow clear as a bell. It beckoned her away from the King's chamber like no compulsion she'd ever felt before—and she turned her head toward the window, more than ready to go wherever the coin would take her. She could hardly remember the last time such a strong sense of longing came over her mind and body. Surely, she would get used to the feeling with time—but that moment, it was almost exhilarating.

"Quite extraordinary, isn't it?" Regis asked. His voice broke the momentary spell over Lydia, and she looked back into his eyes. She was surprised to find herself oddly disoriented by the experience. "I'm sure that whomever you're searching for, the Astral Coin will take you to them in no time. Just take care not to lose it."

Lydia smiled in spite of herself and stuffed the coin into her pocket. Then, glancing back up at him, she asked, "So that's it, then? Why now, all of the sudden? Don't tell me you're expecting to die tomorrow."

She meant it halfway as a joke, but she wasn't stupid. There was more to the coming day's signing that the King wasn't letting on. And the fact that he was releasing her from their bargain now, of all times, told her the outlook wasn't a positive one.

Regis turned away and started walking back over to his desk. A sigh passed his lips. "I don't know what may happen tomorrow," he admitted despite keeping his face concealed from her. "I'd rather have all my loose ends tied up, however. No regrets."

She was about to speak, but he cut her off early. "I do have one more favor to ask of you, though."

Oh boy... another one?

"My son..." he said. "Right now, he's on his way to Altissia to wed the Lady Lunafreya. He doesn't know it yet, but he has a long journey ahead. That's why I ask you to go after him—protect him as you would a friend. He'll need it."

Giving no thought that she was standing before a King, Lydia backed up and leaned against a wall nearby. "I haven't introduced myself to the Prince—but from what I've heard, he seems quite capable to me."

Regis nodded. "Indeed, he is. As are his companions. But you see, Noctis has scarcely known life outside the city's walls. He knows nothing of the world standing before him. And you..." He turned toward her and smiled gently. "You have seen much. You have more memories and knowledge of Eos—and of humanity—than even I could fully comprehend. I believe your presence and protection could be of great value to him. At least until he's ready to stand on his own."

She shrugged. "Ever heard of 'sink or swim'?"

A laugh escaped him and he leaned heavily on his walking stick, looking simultaneously amused and exhausted. "You are not the only one to think that I've coddled him too much," he said. "And perhaps you're right." He started toward her again, willing her to hear his words. "I ask you this, not as a King, but as one person to another. The coin is yours, either way. But know that the fate of the world may depend on this."

Ah, yes. As the True King, Prince Noctis would one day be tasked with ridding the world of darkness. A massive weight to carry—especially considering that fate wasn't even for him to choose. She didn't even know the kid, and she almost felt sorry for him.

She regarded the King with a straight face and said, "I think you overestimate my interest in protecting Eos." His brow furrowed and his expression changed to one that vaguely resembled pity. And she hated to be pitied.

Then, with a sigh, he asked, "Is there anything I could do to change your mind?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I doubt there's anything else you have that I could possibly want." Then, after a pause, "All right. Since you did save my life, and you've been nice enough to let me stay here in the city all this time... I'll do it."

"You'll stand by my son?" he asked, his eyes lighting up slightly.

Then Lydia nodded and said, "Consider it done, Your Majesty. I'll look out for your son—at least until Altissia. Agreed?" She held out her arm, just as she did the first time they met. It had taken Regis by surprise at the time, considering he likely wasn't used to those of less than royal status extending their hands to him. But Lydia, who thought little of kings and queens as those she should revere and respect, simply treated him as she would any other person. And he never seemed to mind it.

As he took her hand, she asked, "Are you sure you don't want me here tomorrow? Just in case things go south?"

He shook his head. "There's nothing more you can do for me or for Insomnia here."

"You know, you could have just introduced me to your son and sent me off with him the other day. Would have saved me the trouble of looking for him."

"It's safer this way," he said. "And luckily, you now have a tool that will take you right to him if needed."

With a huff, she murmured, "Right," and dropped her hand.

Gods, why was she doing this again? She had no interest in getting further involved in the war between Lucis and Niflheim, nor Prince Noctis's grand coming-of-age narrative. All she wanted was to find her mother and then—well, she'd figure all that out when she came to it.

But despite all her internal complaints, she still found herself accepting one last quest from the King. And she was nothing if not a woman of her word.

"Well, it's been a pleasure, Your Majesty," she said.

His expression was soft as he spoke to her—softer than she felt she wanted or deserved. "The pleasure has been mine, Lydia. I do hope you find everything you're looking for. And forgive me for being forward, but—I also hope that one day you find a reason to fight for this world as I have. You deserve that much."

She didn't know it then, but that was one moment Lydia would never forget in a thousand years.