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“Noctis, King Regis has returned,” a young Ignis informed the prince as he opened the door to his bathroom.
Noctis dropped the towel he had been trying to hang on a hook that was just slightly out of his comfortable reach. “Father is home? I thought he was to be away for another three weeks!”
He picked up the towel and set it on the bathroom counter. He turned back to Ignis, who was already reaching for the towel to put it in its proper place. “Is there any chance I’ll be able to see him tonight?”
Ignis shook his head ruefully. “I’m sorry, Noctis, King Regis has a great number of tasks to attend to this evening. I did put in a request for an audience, so I expect you’ll meet with him tomorrow.”
Noctis sighed, having expected that answer but also having hoped that his father would be able to make time for him. Realistically, though, his father never even received Ignis’s request. It likely went to one of the many advisors, who wouldn’t prioritize a child’s request, even if that child was the only heir.
Noctis completed his bedtime routine and climbed into bed. Ignis was just turning off the lights when there was a knock at the door. Before Ignis could react, the door opened and in stepped King Regis, flanked by two anxious-looking advisors.
“Your Highness,” one of the advisors whispered urgently, “You’re sorely needed in the Great Hall. A delegation from…”
”The delegation shouldn’t even know I’m back yet,” King Regis replied coolly, stepping into his son’s chambers. He turned and bid the advisors a good evening, assuring them he would alert them as soon as he was available. Noctis and Ignis watched in awe as the king closed the door, shutting out the advisors. Neither could believe Noctis was getting his audience after all.
Ignis was the first to recover, and hurried over to King Regis. “Your Highness, forgive me for not having Noctis’s chambers prepared for your arrival.” Ignis glanced behind him to Noctis, in bed, and he began to apologize for that as well, only to be stopped with a kindly clap on the shoulder from King Regis.
“Ignis, dutiful child, you couldn’t have anticipated my arrival, in the city or here. You have not done anything requiring an apology.” He smiled at the high-strung boy. “You’ve been caring for Noctis for 3 years, if memory serves. In that time, I have never known you to be negligent or reckless, nor do I find that this has put you on such a path. Be at peace.”
Ignis relaxed, only to stiffen once again as Noctis leapt from his bed, tripping over the bedding and crashing into Ignis. “Father! Father, I had hoped you would come! Welcome back! How were your travels?”
King Regis caught the energetic Noctis and righted him, smiling. “Noctis, my dear boy, it’s good to see you. My business abroad was more successful than we could have hoped. As such, I had time to make a detour to pick up a gift for you.”
Noctis stared in wonder. His father had often brought him trinkets from his travels, but they were never described as gifts, not even when they were timed to arrive for his birthday. His mind raced, trying to guess what it might be.
Reaching into his overcoat, the king produced a book, smiling fondly at it before handing it to Noctis and smiling just as fondly at him. Noctis accepted the book and eagerly examined the leather cover. Bright blue caught his attention first, creating a sprawling sky and sea that was only interrupted by a troubled ship. His gaze roved the ship, suddenly noticing a skull and crossbones on the flag. Eyes shot up to the title.
“The Misadventures of the Dread Knave Aranea,” he read aloud.
King Regis’s eyes twinkled. “Aranea may be a pirate, but there’s much that can be learned from her decisions and tactics. The way she approaches palavers is particularly informative.”
Noctis’s eyes widened. “So you know these stories, Father?” He couldn’t fathom his grandparents allowing him to be read such tales as a child.
“Indeed! Though I’ve mostly heard them told around campfires and hearths, not in formal writing. I’m looking forward to getting an official version of the stories.”
Ignis couldn’t hold back his curiosity. “So Aranea was a real person?”
Rubbing his chin contemplatively, King Regis said, “The tales are often fantastical enough that it seems unlikely The Dread Knave Aranea was real, but my scholars have indicated there was an Aranea who was indeed a renown pirate who operated by her own rules.”
”What rules?” Noctis eagerly asked, delighted that his father was so invested.
“She was a pirate for the common people, distributing her ill-gotten plunder around the realms to those whose life and circumstances had been unkind.” The king clapped his hands together abruptly. “But to say more will ruin the story. Let us begin with chapter one.” He reached for the book, which Noctis handed back in wonder. His father… was going to read the story to them?
Noctis and, by insistence of King Regis, Ignis settled in to the bed, and King Regis began to read.
it became a weekly ritual for many months, with new volumes of Aranea’s tales appearing just as the small party would reach the end. These moments were some of Noctis’s most treasured, and he swore Ignis to secrecy for fear someone from the court or Kingsglaive would try to put a stop to it.
Many years later, King Regis finished reading the final volume he was able to acquire. Loath to give up the tradition, the king transitioned to reading kingdom briefings and correspondence. While informative for his future as king, Noctis quietly grieved the loss of the whimsical Dread Knave Aranea.
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*Sometime in the future*
Aranea Highwind jumped back once again, this time lowering her spear. Noctis chest heaving, signaled to his companions to hold their attacks.
Aranea sighed. “They don’t pay me enough for this. You boys be good, so I don’t have to see you again.” She turned and crouched to jump.
Noctis called out, “Are you named for The Dread Knave Aranea?” He and his friends looked equally shocked by his question.
”Who?” Prompto asked, as Gladiolus sighed and Ignis stated he hadn’t thought of her in quite sometime.
Aranea paused, turning slowly. “I’m surprised a prince like you knows that name. Did you hear it in a bar on your boys’ trip and assume there’s a connection? She sneered.
“No,” Noctis blinked in surprise, “My father used to read tales of the impervious pirate, and I’ve thought a few times now that you seem just as impervious as her.” He shrugged, muttering, “You also seem to play by your own undisclosed rules.”
A delighted laugh made the quad look up suddenly. Aranea looked positively pleased. “My mother would be overjoyed that you think so. She named me Aranea in hopes I could be all that the Knave herself had been.” She smirked, not unkindly. “You’re full of surprises, Prince. They definitely aren’t paying me enough.”
With that, she leapt away, leaving Noctis and Ignis to reminisce about the days of old while Gladiolus and Prompto listened. Noctis mused that it was just one more aid his father had prepared in advance. The three companions agreed that King Regis had been wiser than perhaps even he had known.