Chapter Text
Tick, tock, tick, tock.
Silver clinked against porcelain and a sigh mingled in the silence. Your eyes danced across the food laid in front of you, cooked and prepared to perfection and yet, you held no appetite for any of it. No doubt, the staff had prepared you your favorite foods—they weren't naive. They gossiped about you, snickered at you, and worse pitied your sad existence.
Tick, tock.
Your father had always told you were a pretty thing, a young pretty thing and one day you'd be wed to a man that truly loved you. He would lavish you with gifts and kisses and tell you that there wasn't anyone in the world that could take your place. You used to gush as a small girl, twirl in your dresses and ask him again and again about how much he loved your mother. They were perfect when you were small—your mother and father. To you, there was nothing more beautiful than the love they harbored for one another. He'd tell you anecdotes of their younger days and you would laugh, giddy with excitement. Falling in love sounded divine. All your life you'd been filled with hopelessly romantic notions that one day you'd meet a handsome suitor and he'd cherish you until you died.
Your cousin, Aranea Highwind, held less glittering ideas in her eyes. She'd been the one to cause trouble for your mother and father. The fair-haired girl had been taken in by your parents and yet, all she wanted to do was pick fights with boys. You often cheered her on and she would smirk at your support. You were a good girl, she thought. Aranea had run away from your home and joined the military, to the displeasure of your parents, of course but, she told you that she'd always be there for you.
And she had been.
It was no surprise that when you had been introduced into court, you were a breath of fresh air—the epitome of sweetness and innocence. A cherub faced girl with the sweetest laugh, the brightest smile and the most tender of hearts. Your cousin, ever the brash one, had broken a few fingers when they traced along your unmarried flesh for too long. You would scold her but, you were never mad for too long—she was your sister figure, one way or another, and she there was naught you could say about her protective attitude towards you. Her interests remained out on the battlefield and you couldn't blame her, she had told you many exciting tales of her time in the military.
You were so cute, she would tell you. The way your eyes lit up at the sound of an adventurous tale. It seemed your childlike actions would never end. Your smiles would never cease. She cursed any man that tried to break your heart.
When you had first seen the Lucis heir, you were immediately enamored. It wasn't like you were the first noble lady to look upon his face and decide that you were in love. Aranea snorted when you'd come to her and whispered in her ear about the sharply dressed man. She tugged at her own dress and swirled her glass of dark red wine, before saying, "He's already engaged, kitten."
You pursed your lips at the sound of her nickname she'd bestowed on you when you were barely eight. She'd thought you looked like a little clumsy kitten when you tried to be angry. It amused her when you pouted. "To whom?"
Her eyes slid over to a woman, clad in a gown of silver and white. Her blonde hair shined in the lights, practically a halo on her crown as she mingled with many lords and ladies. Her features were elegantly sculpted and the way she held herself was as if she commanded the air around her. You stood straighter and suddenly felt subpar and self-conscious about your own appearance. Aranea snickered into her glass.
You looked back at the Prince of Lucis and found that his gaze was trained onto the stunning woman—you could hardly blame him. Aranea scoffed and donned a falsely pretentious accent, "Lady Lunafreya nox Fleuret, Oracle and Princess of Tenebrae."
Your eyes bulged and you choked a bit, "That's the Princess?!" Your cousin rolled her eyes at your shock.
"Louder, I don't think all the citizens in Altissia heard you," she said through her teeth as some eyes landed on you two. She'd rather not have her superiors breathing down her neck at such an event.
You collected yourself and then you lowered your voice into a shaky whisper, "But, that would mean...that's Prince Noctis, right?"
"You seemed unimpressed," she was more amused at your flushed expression. You had said such adorable things about the man prior to finding out his name, too.
Your hands went to your reddened cheeks and you shook your head back and forth, completely appalled about what you had said about the Prince. You were no princess! You certainly weren't predestined by the divine to marry someone like the heir to Lucis! You excused yourself to go and get fresh air, completely shameful. That cousin of yours simply informed you that she'd be refilling her glass should you have a sudden need for her.
The gardens of this estate were lavishly taken care of, you tried to take your mind off of your previous embarrassment. It wasn't a little known fact that Prince Noctis was to be wed to the Niflheim oracle—they'd been said to be childhood friends, too. You were told, before entering the court, that their wedding would unite Tenebrae and Lucis and usher in a peaceful era. It would be the wedding of the millennium, and you had even hoped for an invitation! It was absolutely out of the question to have said that the Prince of Lucis had an awfully cute butt to your cousin! She laughed because she knew! And she certainly shouldn't have mocked the beloved princess like that, she was sworn to protect the throne of Lucis not mock it openly. Then again, Aranea had always been a rebel.
You fanned yourself again, releasing a shaky breath. At least the Accordo nobleman whom was hosting this party had left his gardens to guest use. You were grateful.
"Are you alright?"
You feared the fates were out for blood when you had seen just exactly who'd made their way outside. You gulped and nervously stuttered in their presence, "U-uh, I—Lady Fleuret! I'm so sorry for my outburst early! I had n-no idea you were attending—I'm embarrassed." Your head was low and you bowed, curtsied and fidgeted in rapid succession. A small smile graced her lips and it was no wonder the people of Niflheim were so enamored by her. You'd never been so close to royalty before and your heart was beating a mile a minute. Her hand on yours did nothing to quell the anxiety within you either.
"You can relax, Lady [Last Name]," and suddenly you were feeling a bit better. You smiled.
"Y-you know my name?"
"Certainly, I have had to learn the noble houses of Lucis, you know."
"I-I wouldn't think of my own name as of much importance. M-My family—"
She spoke, firm but, somehow gently, "Your family has always been key to the success of Lucis and your family's adept skills in airship design are of vital importance. I hardly believe you could say your family was of no importance."
The words flattered you and you swelled with pride. It had been true. Your family was tasked and had been tasked with the design and manufacturing of many of the warships, and other battle vehicles in Lucis. It was what your family owed their fortune and prestige. You had never been one to say that you were elite—you actually pictures yourself as a lower family to the rest. It wasn't like your family had special powers or divine connections, you were simply a house made on the industrial success of your great-great-great-grandfather. "Thank you, Lady Fleuret."
She released your hands and you felt a bit better, still nervous but, a thousand times better. "I'm quite tired of listening to old men drone on about boring topics, aren't you?"
"To be truthful, I came out here to hide my embarrassment," you laughed a little. She went to the banister overlooking the gardens and you joined her.
"I hear you're quite new to court, hm?"
It was surprising that she held even an inkling of interest for you but, she was more than just a princess you now knew. She was to be Queen of Lucis. She was the Oracle to prevent the darkness from swallowing up the stars. She was amazing to be near. You felt so insignificant and yet, she did not talk down to you.
"I am. My birthday was a few months ago. I did not recognize you or the Prince as a result. I am still so sorry. My father never really allowed me to watch—"
"It's alright, Lady [Last Name], I am not mad. It's quite nice to not be recognized."
You couldn't help but feel your anxiety melt away as she continued to converse with you. "I still feel a bit embarrassed that I had not know you were attending."
"There is no need to feel embarrassed. I've forgotten my fair share of attendees when I had attended my first parties," her words brought a bit of comfort. "I enjoy my share of gossip, despite what they may be said about my person, you know?" Her eyes sparkled in the starlight with a playful lightness you sometimes say in your cousin. You felt like you could say just about anything to the Lady Luna and you weren't sure why. She gave you a smile, too, and said, "Indulge me, Lady [Last Name], I've not had a conversation about men that didn't involve war in some time."
You weren't able to say anything about Prince Noctis, you knew that much! She'd probably hate you—not that she seemed the type to harbor petty grudges but, you wouldn't hate her if she did. That man was gorgeous. "Well, I...I did enjoy Lord Scientia insight on the crystal's origins. He was very...er, informative." You had sat in conversation with Ignis Scientia for an hour as he practically lectured you on the history, mythology and overall importance of your native country's most prized possession. You weren't dumb, you learned all of this in lessons. He was just so indepth you thought you might had fallen asleep had he not continued to ask for your feedback.
This apparently made her smile into her hand, "That sounds like him. He's a very intelligent man. Any woman should be proud of that."
You don't know why you had to ask but, before you could stop the words from falling past your lips, they'd already spilled, "What about the Prince?"
Her blue, almost purple eyes widened at the question. You could see the red blush creep up her neck but, she was much more composed than you were and she responded curtly, "Prince Noctis and I have known each other for many years. I'm afraid, we aren't the same children we once were."
"Is...is that bad?"
Her eyes met yours and a smile crossed her painted lips, "No." She seemed pensive and smiled wider, "No, it's not. He's much less nervous. Prince Noctis is a man I am proud to be able to marry...especially since it will bring our nations much needed peace." She had added the last part and so that you figured it was a politically charged union. Though, you could tell by the way her eyes lit up, that she loved him. It made your hopelessly romantic heart flutter.
"And what are you two ladies gossiping about?" You both turned at the sound. Unlike Lady Luna, you had nearly frozen up entirely while her face lit up like a festive holiday display. Your cheeks burned red when he slid his dark eyes over your form. He lingered a moment on you but, ultimately his gaze returned to the woman beside you. It made your heart sink a bit but, your brain told you not to worry—you never stood a chance.
"Luna, I've been meaning to talk to you alone all night," his voice hinted at something more than he let on. It flew past your young and innocent head and you were about to excuse yourself when—
"Noctis, this is Lady [Last Name]," she introduced you. You curtsied but, your voice was lost.
He bowed in respect but, was otherwise disinterested in your person. Regardless of his body language, his tone was cool and charming, "Your father and I have talked before. He is an interesting man. It's a pleasure to meet his daughter."
He took your hand and placed a chaste kiss upon your knuckles. His eyes slid back to Luna and you couldn't help but help the clenching and unclenching of your fist beneath was your other hand. A prince had kissed your hand and you were conversing with the power couple of the millennium, you were dreaming.
"Luna..." He sidled up close to his fiancé and you could see his hand slide down her back, and you couldn't help but envy the woman. You stood an unwanted company but, you could not move your feet.
"We were just talking about you," she moved away, out of his touch and their eyes met. An unspoken conversation lingered between them—one you were oblivious to what it could possibly be about. As young and naive as you were, you had yet to come to understand the flirtations of men and women. It was all untouched and unknown to you. Aranea often teased you about it, too.
"What of? Nothing too harsh?" The subtext in his words was lost on you and you smiled brightly.
"Quite the opposite, Prince Noctis," you said. He looked over to you and cast you a grin, the likes of which should have your knees buckling and your heart exploding.
"Oh, really? Am I allowed to know?"
"Absolutely not!" Luna interjected with a teasing lilt to her tone. Again their eyes met and you could at least sense the chemistry. It was not lost on you that they were in love. To you, it was like a fairytale—the strong heroine and the dashing prince falling in love despite the political origins of their engagement. It was too much to bear. "It would go straight to your head."
Knowing he would not get much out of Luna, he turned to you, a falsely innocent smile on his lips again. He went for you hand and you gladly let him hold it. He placed his other one on top, surrounding the appendage in his warmth, your heart raced and red dusted your cheeks again.
His cobalt eyes bore into your own eyes and you felt like the only thing tethering you to this planet was his hands. He spoke with such a sweetness, it would have made any girl faint but, you were steady in the presence of his fiancé. "How about you, Lady [Last Name]? Will you tell me?"
"I-I," You looked to Lady Fleuret for help and she playfully tapped his arm with the back of her hand.
"Leave her alone, Noct. She's embarrassed," she defended you and gave you a smile. You heard the Prince apologize and laugh, something unexpected of him, you thought. He seemed so brooding from afar and now, he was a completely different person. It only made you even more jealous of the blonde haired woman. "I'm sorry, Lady [Last Name], he's teasing you."
"I'm probably as red as an Imperial cloak..." You have a nervous little laugh. The Prince gave Luna another dangerous look and Luna sighed. She gave you a warm and apologetic smile before saying, "I'm sorry, would you mind my leaving? I fear the prince needs to speak with me in private."
"Oh-oh! No, of course, it was a pleasure just talking. I hope we can speak again!" You curtsied too many times and gave the best grin wishing them every blessing of the gods. The engaged couple left and your innocent, love-loving heart fluttered. They were perfect together. You hoped you would get a wedding invitation soon. You sighed as they disappeared back into the party, leaving you on the moonlit balcony to dream of your own prince.
Tick, tock, tick, tock.
"Would you like us to prepare a fresh bowl of soup for you, Your Grace?"
You gave the weakest of smiles to the poor servant at your side. Her eyes looked upon you with pity and you hated that no one even tried to hide it. No on tried to play dumb—you wished they would. You wished you had never known and lived in blissful ignorance.
A gold band, heavy on your finger, stared mockingly back at you. It was so plain. You were so plain to him. He'd probably given her his ring—the ring meant for his true love. You could cry at the thought but, you not been able to shed a tear for a whole month.
When you were ten, pretending that you were married to your knight in shining armor, you pictured your life to be full of laughter and joy. Your marriage had been miserable since it had been proposed. The wedding had been forced and you swore you hadn't cried as hard as the night of your wedding.
You wanted to run away but, you couldn't. You wanted your cousin but, she was off fighting a war that never should have happened. You wanted to find solace in a man you loved but, he was finding his in the arms of another. He was the one defiling your marriage. He was the one who'd not even touched you on your wedding night, unable to stomach the thought of anyone but her. You were the wife, not the mistress. So, why'd you feel like the other woman?