What the Heart Wants [Noctis Lucis Caelum Short Story]

II

A friend
is one that knows you as you are,
understands where you have been,
accepts what you have become,
and still, gently allows you to grow.

"You place a great burden on those who bear with you." Regis spoke to his heir as they walked down the stairs out of the palace that led to the citadel. His steps hobbled as he supported himself with his walking stick.

"Aha," Noctis scoffed a his fathers words. "You're one to talk."

Regis sighed lightly at his son's response, however he let it pass without a lecture. Today was the day that Noctis was to embark on his journey to Altissia where he was to meet his betrothed. Having to hear a lecture from his father was probably the last thing the young Prince would want to hear before he left. " "I ask not that you guide my wayward son," the king briefly glanced at Noctis who had a grim expression on his face. "merely that you remain at his side." Regis turned his attention to his son's three friends who stood at the foot of the stairs.

"Indeed your Grace." Ignis responded, and bowed down to the King.

"We'll see the Prince to Altissia if it's the last thing we see." Gladiolus added.

"Yeah!" Prompto nodded in agreement.

Regis smiled lightly at their responses. Despite their young age, he knew he could count of them to protect Noctis. They always had been doing throughout the Prince adolescents. However Noctis thought otherwise and inwardly groaned while rolling his eyes at his father's request. He was a young adult now, already in his twenties, there was no reason for his father to be worried. He was capable of being able to take care of himself.

Wayward, Noctis huffed. Since when was I wayward?

"Know that once you leave, there is no turning back." Regis turned back to speak to Noctis.

Noctis averted his gaze back to Regis, tightening his lips at the sound of his fathers words. They were painful, but true. "I know, but my mind's made up."  

Regis nodded. However like any parent, he didn't fail to notice the fall in his son's mood ever since he and you parted. He wished he didn't have to put his own son in this position, but as future king, it was a fate that he couldn't escape. Even he himself was had an arranged marriage with Noctis' mother, and he was a lot younger than the young Prince was. However overtime he learnt to love her, not only as a queen, but also as a loving wife and mother to his child. And he hoped that deep in his heart, Noctis would learn to do the same for Lunafreya.

"It was a hard decision, but I'm proud of you son." Regis said and placed a hand on Noctis' shoulder.

Noctis' eyes widened at the sound of those very words. It felt like a dream, and he had to make sure he wasn't hearing things. Though Regis had not directly said so, it was the closest thing Noctis had heard from his father telling his son that he loved him. The last time he had heard such words were from his childhood, and those days were so distant, like they were from another era. The young Prince lifted his gaze from the ground to the king to see him looking down on him with a comforting smile. Looking up, there was a glimpse of the father he once knew. The father that would play with his son and tell him stories before going to bed. The father that would watch the sunset with him whenever he came back from his royal duties.The father that would let down his royal demeanor and pull faces to cheer up his son whenever he was glum.

"Have a safe trip Noct."

"I'll see you soon," Noctis lips pulled into a small but noticeable smile at the sound of his dad using his nickname. "Dad."