The Path To Becoming Queen

Chapter 6

Norah was still in her pajamas at 1 pm the next day. Staring at the tv screen as she mindlessly flipped through the channels, her routine had been absolutely thrown off and it sucked, she should be working. She looked over at the clock, Noctis had left for the arcade and wouldn't be back until late. She made her way to her room and put on her hoodie and jeans. She left the apartment walking to a nearby convenience store. Luckily when in such comfortable and casual attire she never got recognized as the political figure she was in Insomnia.

She grabbed something easy, sushi. She liked sushi even if it took a minute to get used to the textures. She liked the taste just the way the texture had felt in her mouth was a nightmare. She grabbed a soda; in the past few months she had started to enjoy the fizzy beverage. She hummed softly. She found a small pack of cookies...why not. She bought the items and walked back to the apartment and ate in silence, finally deciding on a show.

She leaned back enjoying her food and tv, by the time she finished it had been less than an hour. It felt much longer than that but, it was expected on days like this. She sighed softly, closing her eyes. Exhaustion hit her like a truck even though she had slept way past when she normally woke up. She didn't notice that she had dozed off, not until she heard the door open and close causing her to jolt up. Quickly grabbing her trash and walking into the kitchen. She looked to see who it was, no one. Weird.

"What in the...whatever." She shook her head, "Just my imagination getting the better of me I guess." She turned and yelped, meeting face to face with Ardyn. "FUCK." She yelled out clutching her shirt, "Why did you pop up like that?! Why are you in my apartment." She leaned against the counter, "Better give a good reason old man." She grumbled.

"Why to see you of course."
"Well duh. I thought you'd give a better excuse so if there's nothing better than that then...get out." She pointed towards the door, "Before Noctis comes back." Her cheeks were red, can't believe she let Ardyn scare her.

It was her fault for leaving the door unlocked, at least she assumes that's what happened. When she saw he wasn't budging she rolled her eyes and went and sat back down on the couch. She closed her eyes before opening them to stare at the tv.

"Oh, come on, you cannot say you aren't happy to see me. You merely not attacking me proves that." He smirked and got closer to her.

In response she kicked his leg causing him to wince and back off. Being difficult as always, she just leaned back and tried to enjoy her show acting as if he wasn't there to bother her. As if he hadn't just most likely forced Lucis into a treaty that no one wanted. Her blood boiled at the thought of the treaty, he was horrible. The empire was horrible and everyone there was horrible. Except for a few people...she hadn't seen them in so long.

Loqi, Ravus, Aranea. Aside from Ciel who was already there those three she was fine with, those three she trusted. Aranea was like an older sister, a way older sister. Although perhaps the older didn't enjoy it when she was annoyed by the younger child. But that was five years since she had last seen the commodore.

She shook her head and glared at Ardyn, if she stared hard enough, he would leave or blow up. Either way he would certainly come back. He was immortal and even if she made him leave, he'd manage to find her and annoy her once more. Unfortunately, she knew unlike the others, he could do so much worse than just annoy people. He was a horrible monster, a man capable of causing so much unimaginable pain and terror. The pain and terror he caused to his own child. The experience she had hoped to have escaped long ago; unfortunately, it seems that it would be starting again.