The Path To Becoming Queen

Chapter 7

One last day together, it was a huge cleaning party, her, Noct, Gladio, Iggy, and Prompto. Cleaning up the apartment, Norah would be staying at the Citadel for a nondescript amount of time that not even she knew how long. But her items had been moved there for her to live there until she had found a place to live which had been proven to be difficult. She wasn't in a rush however, she enjoyed being closer to her work and she would be taken care of for sure. But not like that was ever a worry for her, her real worry was the looming treaty signing. The date had yet to be decided.

She held a brave face as she packed up what needed to be packed and tidied the apartment. She looked down at her phone, Ardyn having messaged her off and on that day. She sighed softly as she looked at his recent message.

Ardyn: Why don't we meet up soon? I would love to catch up with you.

Norah: not interested, father. I have a lot of things to do thanks to your empire.

Ardyn: you wound me.

Norah: Cry me a river

She rolled her eyes and set down her phone as she helped the guys clean up the house. Noct and Prompto had found some manga and were looking at that while the other two were actually cleaning up. Norah grabbed a rag and cleaned off the shelves, humming to herself as she helped them clean. Looking outside it was dark as they had decided to start to do most of the cleaning after they all had arrived. Gladio and Norah had the opportunity to go to a family dinner and of course they had taken that opportunity. Now it was one last time the 5 of them could hang together before they left.

It would feel weird to not have them around. To not be able to talk to them in person anytime she wanted. Not anytime soon anyway. Who knows, maybe this would be the last time she sees them. She didn't know what would happen at this treaty signing, she could be in Niflheim's grasp at any time possibly. She would be trapped. Forever. Ardyn wouldn't let her go so easily. Not this time.

As far as she knew no one but her and Ravus knew how she escaped Niflheim. No one knew he allowed her to take off with one of their ships. No one knew how she had escaped her locked chambers, despite the plethora of security cameras they all happened to go out at the same time. Ravus also had an alibi that he had been resting after a particularly rough mission. That was also seen as the truth. But Ravus probably wouldn't be able to help her now. He couldn't convince him to risk his life again.

She'd also possibly be under strict watch of an MT. She shook her head at the thought. She couldn't think of that, she had to remain positive. She had to believe that somehow this would be a normal treaty signing. That nothing wrong or bad would happen. That she had to have faith that Regis could handle whatever was to come from this possibly most absolute a nightmare. She let out a soft sigh and walked over to the windows.

Ignis, having noticed first, stood up and walked over to her resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned to him surprised, relieved when she saw it was just Ignis.

"Hey Iggy." she muttered.

"Norah, are you alright?"

"Mhmm just thinking about how much I'll miss you guys." She smiled slightly turning to face him, "That's it. How are you feeling? Nervous? Excited? Worried at all?"

"Perhaps all three and then some other feelings. Are you sure you'll be alright? I'm sure you can fit in the car alright."

"Ignis, I have my duties here. Besides it seems more like a boys trip anyway." She giggled softly, "Maybe when you all come back and Noct is on his honeymoon you or the others can show me around Lucis?"