Cordia (Final Fantasy XV fanfiction)

Chapter II

"What exactly do you want me to do?"

Noct paused, using the mirror in front of him to look back at Cordia. She was standing not too far back, hands clasped together at her skirts as she watched him nervously.

He sighed, "I just want you to be at the gardens. South gate."

"And?"

"Have a key, preferably."

"I gathered that much, Noct."

He paused in fiddling with his tie, turning to look at her with a serious expression. "You will be there, won't you?"

Cordia fidgeted on the spot for a while, her stomach churning. If she was found out to be helping him leave his own birthday party to do whatever he was planning, the King wouldn't punish her- no, that would be too easy. He wouldn't trust her. She'd probably lose her position as Noctis' maid, and every benefit she'd gained over the years working as hard as she had would be taken from her in seconds.

But, she looked up at him and met his bright blue eyes, and that one look was enough to melt away her hesitance.

Sighing, she approached, straightening his collar and beginning to begin the intricate pattern of winding to fasten his tie. He watched her, brows drawn together as he was no doubt calculating whatever decision she'd make, and wondering how he'd accomplish his original plan without her.

"Even if I said no," she began, tugging at his tie, "You'd still find a way, Noct. I hate the idea of risking my job, but I'll do it if it makes yours easier."

She blinked when his hands came up to take hers as she pulled away.

"Thank you, Cordia," he said with a grateful smile, "Truly, thank you."

She couldn't help but smile at the sight of his. "What are you planning, anyway?"

"It was my idea, but I managed to convince Gladiolus to come along." he grinned, the mischievous sort he showed rarely. "Prompto invited himself. We're going out to explore a bit, drink, party, whatever the hell normal twenty year-olds do on their birthday."

She smiled along, "Well, make sure to enjoy yourself before your father realises you've become the ultimate rebel and berates you for years."

He nodded in agreement. "That's for the best."

She took a few steps back, examining him. He acted like the perfect model and remained still, and after a few tweaks and tugs of his suit jacket or a little adjusting of his tie, he was almost ready.

"What are you doing about this?" she asked, tugging on a strand of his hair, which was, as usual, standing on end and refusing to remain close to his head.

"Leaving it as it is," he answered simply, shrugging and turning to her. "It never behaves."

"I'm sure I managed to calm it for a night not too long ago. Would you like me to try now?"

"It's fine, really-"

"You can't go down there looking like that-"

"Cordia, really, it's fine-"

"Let me just-"

"-my God, woman, stop, it doesn't matter-"

"-it does, let me-"

"Are we interrupting something?"

As the door abruptly crashed into the wall, Cordia leapt back from Noctis as quickly as she possibly could, releasing his hair and clasping her hands innocently behind her back. The Prince, however, held an expression that verged on hurt, a hand hovering above his head where he gently patted at his hair. If he looked wounded, good. He should have just let her do it.