Regis looks up to see the boys walking in the dining room, Gladio grinning while Ignis ignores him and Noct frown. Seems the prince is in the process of being teased.
"Good afternoon boys." Regis says happily. Gladio grins as he sits down.
"It's been great." Gladio says. Ignis shakes his head slightly as he to sits down at the table.
"How's Prompto?" He asks setting a paper down to look at them. Noct slowly sits down.
"Wouldn't know." Noct says shrugging. Regis raise his eyebrow.
"Why not? I thought you were searching for a good present yesterday." Regis wonders. Gladio let's out a booming laugh.
"Princess chickened out." Gladio laughs. Noct looks down embarrassed. He didn't have to call the prince out like that. Noct can feel his fathers eyes on him.
"Why? I'm sure she would have liked anything." he wonders, sure Noctis couldn't go wrong with a gift. He was also excited about his son showing some initiative.
"I didn't want to upset her by getting her the wrong flowers." Noct says face a little pink.
"If you have a question you should have asked. Deer Prompto loves flowers, sunflowers and lilies especially." Adelphus says as he walks by the boys all seated. Regis and the others all stare at the man stunned into silence.
"How could you possibly know that?" Clarus asks.
"I've known deer Prompto for a long time now." he says setting down a folder for the king. "She has a kind heart and bright smile." Adelphus says as he signs to them, meaning he's talked to her without help. "Everyone loves her in the crownsguard and kingsglaive room. She trained really hard." he says taking a couple papers from the kings pile.
"Why have you never mentioned her before?" Regis asks.
"When I first met her it was the same time I brought Ignis to meet Noctis. I was teaching Ignis how to advise. Helping you with the young prince. There was never a time to casually mention her. Though it's no coincidence that you live in the same apartment as Cor and Prompto, or the same middle and high school. I helped set that up after talking with Cor about good options. And listening to Prompto criticism." he says.
"Did Cor ask for help?" Regis asks knowing he did.
"Of course. Cor didn't let her out of his sight until her first day in daycare. He didn't want to leave. I also helped find schools for the deaf and blind so they can learn sign language, I accompanied them many times. I've gotten many Valentine's gift from Prompto over the years." Adelphus says as if it were so obvious. "Like I've stated she loves flowers, her favorites being sunflowers but I'd go with lilies."
"Why?" Noct wonders.
"Someone already got her sunflowers. Also hurry, from what Cor has told me Prompto is recovering nicely."
"Is Cor here?" Noct stands up.
"He just left." Adelphus shakes his head. Noctis frowns.
"Might want to hurry with those flowers huh?" Gladio smirks at the prince, teasing him all morning and all day yesterday when he flaked. He lost his nerves.
"You can do that after lunch." Regis says seeing his son about to walk away from his seat. Noct sits back down. He's got a plan now, he knows what she likes.
When their food arrives Noct about scarfs it down. Trying to hurry up. Adelphus telling him there's no real rush. To take his time eating. Noct calms down, not wanting to choke. Ignis stare as Noct shove some veggies into his mouth. To much in a rush to care or pay attention. Seeing Noct almost finish with his plate causes Ignis and Gladio to pick up the pace for themselves. Not wanting to get left behind.
Once Noct is done he says thanks and scrambles out his chair and runs out the room. Gladio shoving as much food as he can in his mouth, getting up and sprinting after the prince. Ignis gives a resigned sigh, knowing he won't have time to finish his lunch. He wipes his mouth, sets his cloth aside and stands up, calmly he walks to the door with large strides.
Regis sits eating as silence fills the room. A small smile forming on his face. He never would have thought Noct would be so serious about a get well gift for a new friend. Though the young blonde is the prince's first friend, of course he would overthink it.
"Noctis left before I can tell him the apartment number." Adelphus says cleaning their plates.
Regis laughs. "Then I guess they'll be back." he smiles. Clarus giggling behind him.
When Regis finish he goes to his study to continue working. Mean while Noct spent two hours picking flowers, finding the most perfect lilies to pick from the garden. He couldn't just give her the flowers, she needs a get well card but he doesn't have any so Ignis helps the prince hand make one, taking another hour or so to practice what he wants to say and make sure his hand writing is presentable. Once he decides on what to say he carefully writes it out as Ignis wraps the flowers in black and gold wrapping. With the card done, the prince smiles at it, proud with his work. He puts it together carefully. Ignis and Gladio watch the prince from the side. Never seen him be so serious about anything.
Then a problem comes up. How do they get it to her? They know where she lives but not the exact apartment number. So what now?
The solution? Look for Adelphus. Once found Noct hands it over for the older advisor to deliver it. Reluctantly as he wanted to deliver it personally but Adelphus explained Cor doesn't like people going to his home. His work life and personal life are separate and he likes to keep it that way.
What does he do after? Goes to his study and do work under Ignis scrutiny, having wasted almost three hours for Prompto. He needs to make all that time up.
At dinner Adelphus comes around and inform the prince that Prompto loved the flowers. The prince smiles. He's glad to know his efforts weren't for nothing.
Those three hours were worth it.
