Cordia (Final Fantasy XV fanfiction)

Chapter IX

"Miss Cordia?"

Cordia jumped a little. She was sure this corridor had been deserted not a few seconds ago.

She spun on her heel to address the man who'd called her. She could barely see him in the dark of the hallway, dressed all in black with only the silver embellishments of his uniform shining in the moonlight creeping through the windows. He took another step forwards out of the dark to calm her nerves, she assumed, and she gave him another look over.

He was Kingsglaive- there was no doubt in her mind. From the way he approached without a sound, the way he was able to catch her off guard, coupled with his uniform, gave her all the information she needed.

Or, at least, she hoped he was Kingsglaive. He had better be, otherwise a Niflheim soldier was about to lose his life- no matter how robotic it may be.

"You are Miss Cordia?" he confirmed, bowing his head a little to look down at her. She hadn't noticed how tall he was previously.

"That is me. Who, may I ask, is asking?"

Her response seemed to amuse him, somehow. He cracked a small smile. "His Majesty, Miss. He wishes to speak with you."

"King Regis?" she asked, her gut twisting, "What on earth could he need?"

She knew exactly what this was about; her little disguise earlier that evening, no doubt. He had in no way given her permission, nor was it an order. If she followed Luna's advice, she'd be telling the King to blame the oracle and not her, and that would in no way look any good on her part.

"I don't ask that sort of thing of His Grace, Miss."

Cordia should have expected such a response. She coughed, and looked up, "Where can I find him?"

"After you," he bowed a little at the waist and directed her ahead of him. She looked over him in slight suspicion for a short moment, before doing as he asked and beginning down the corridor.

He barely made a noise when he walked. The only indication she had to his constant presence was his outline in the corner of her eye.

She didn't bother to make conversation, and neither did he. She simply continued after him as he led her down the hallways and up stairs.

They soon reached Regis' study, and she shouldn't have been surprised to know the King was still up working, even though it was early morning, now. He worked late every night, but with Niflheim present as well as it being the New Year, Regis had a lot on his plate.

The Kingsglaive knocked on the door before he entered, and called, "Your Majesty," when he directed her in.

"An, thank you, Nyx," she heard Regis say from his desk. She approached the desk since Nyx did nothing but usher her towards it. When they finally reached it, the Kingsglaive turned to leave, but Regis called him back and asked him to remain.

It was silent for a short moment and Cordia used it as a chance to begin to explain. "Your Majesty, allow me to-"

"I must first wish you a happy birthday, Cordia," Regis jumped in, causing her thought pattern to fall short. He knew about that? How on earth did he know about that?

"T-Thank you, Your Grace," she stumbled over her words as she struggled to collect her thoughts. She so desperately wanted to ask her questions, but kept her lips sealed for the time being. Her previous idea to speak first had been a bad one.

"I must also congratulate you on your spectacular idea this evening," he continued as he settled into his chair, "I must admit, I hadn't thought of it, and I am most pleased you did. My son has a tendency to run off during the fireworks display and I was confident in his safety when I saw he had taken you with him."