Hard To Love (Noctis X Prompto)

2: A Prince's Day

"Noctis, you can't just walk out on me like that!" A deep booming voice bellows through the phone speaker. "You're meant to be training here in preparation for when you are crowned King!"

Another day, another life lesson that the Prince of Lucis never asked for. The young Prince runs a frustrated hand through his dark as night hair before slipping his hand into the pocket of his jeans. It's been about 5 minutes since this phonecall begun, and 5 minutes has flown past with Prince Noctis being bored out of his mind.

"You know your schedule so why would you bail? If I have to get Iggy involved you know how disappointed he'll be! What about your father?! Start thinking about others instead of yourself!"

Noctis groans in annoyance. His personal trainer just had to bring out the disappointed card. The one card that actually bothers Noctis.

"I do think of others, Gladio," Noctis attempts to defend himself but is cut off as the angry man over the phone becomes more dramatic and angrier at the words. Thus begins Gladio's speech on how Noctis is an irresponsible, self centered Prince who's a spoilt little brat.

Noctis hangs up. He doesn't have to deal with Gladio's attitude and he won't. For years Noctis has been thinking of others and hiding away his own wishes in order to please those around him. He's stuck to his stupid schedule for years, and it's time for Noctis to give himself some freedom for once. Honestly, he's sick of all these expectations on him to be this perfect public figure. Noctis knows he isn't that. Perfect. Being royalty had its perks, but the downsides are far too great for Noctis to even count. He's so very restricted in everything he does. He must have a guard, must have strict lessons, training for who knows what, and his father is always nagging at him to maintain his image as the Prince of the Crown City. Noctis couldn't care less about his image.

All he wants to do is take a five minute break from his royal duties and roam about the City freely without the harassment of his personal trainer and Royal advisor. It doesn't matter if they kick his ass when he returns. He'd much rather have that than to be locked away again and burdened with all the responsibilities of being a Prince.

Sighing, Noctis slips his phone into his pocket and let's his eyes wander the busy city. He pulls his jacket around his shoulders and rubs his arms to gain heat from the cold winter air. Every time he walks in the city he stares in wonder at the tall buildings and opening street vendors. Never has Noctis had a hot dog from a street vendor, but he has always wanted the pleasure.

He kicks his foot against the concrete and walks past the hot dog vendor knowing that currently his funds are suspended. His negligence to his duties caused that mishap. Does Noctis regret it? No. But he should. He would be more agreeable if he wasn't overshadowed all the time by his father. He's 21 and yet his father still controls a majority of his life.

The more Noctis walks the more he realises how much he wants to be free from the burdens of royalty, even if it's just for a day. To be able to do what he wants for a change rather than let people decide where he goes, what he eats, what he wears and how his hair should be done. Only the comfort of his bedroom gives him any sort of solitude, where he can truly be who he wants to be.

Admittedly, Noctis hasn't really figured out what he wants to be... there's only so much you can do cramped in a room for hours on end. Eventually he gets bored and just wants to roam the streets. Today was the last straw of being held captive. He basically had no choice but to sneak out and embrace what the Crown City has to offer.

So far, he likes it.

Noctis' journey leads him down a random street, a street that's quieter than the main road that has hundreds of vehicles travelling to and fro. In this particular street he notices a couple of clothing stores and admires the display of mannequins wearing the newest trend. Noctis even notices some clothes he might be interested in for himself. Nothing compared to what he currently owns in his own wardrobe, mostly picked out by either his advisor or his father.