After what felt like a few seconds, I awoke to the sound of Noct's voice calling me, and my eyes felt heavy as they opened. When I glanced out the window, the lack of light told me it was nighttime. Had I been asleep for that long? 

"Just a little longer…." I yawned, closing my weighty eyelids as I slouched in the chair. 

This restful state didn't last, however. Noct called my name again, but this time it sounded desperate. I didn't know the wanderer to be desperate about anything — something had to be wrong. Again, I opened my eyes to see him sitting up in the bed and staring at me in the dim light of the moon. I couldn't see much of him, but what I could see was enough to tell that something was bothering him. 

"What is it? What's wrong?" I asked him, this time much more awake than before. 

"I have to leave." He told me in a grave voice, and from his tone, I could tell he had just woken up. Even through his exhaustion, his words hit me hard.

He has to leave?

"What? Don't be silly! You need to rest, Noct! You nearly collapsed in front of my parents. If that doesn't say you need to rest, I don't know what does!" I argued, hoping he'd see reason and stay longer.

"I can't. I had so many nightmares... And one of them was about your family. I'm certain it will come to pass if I stay with you." His lavender eyes showed an emotion I'd never thought I'd see in him — could it be fear? 

"Don't be ridiculous. Dreams are just that — dreams. You need not concern yourself with our safety. My father has that covered, trust me." I assured him, leaning closer to the bed with sudden interest, "What were your nightmares about, anyway?" 

The wanderer hesitated at my question and averted his gaze. I could tell he was debating whether to tell me. 

"Please? It could help you feel better to talk about things that scare you." I gave him an amiable smile and reached out to pat his arm. He recoiled from my touch. 

I should have seen that coming.

"I'm not scared!" he rebuked, "I'm only worried that harm will come to you and your family!" 

His outburst caused me to shrink into my chair. "O-Okay, I'm sorry…."

"Listen, Vanessa, my dream — it was so vivid. All of them were terrible, but the one that felt real was about this castle and your family." he sighed, shaking his head.

"Please just tell me what happened, Noct. I want to know." I frowned, my voice serious.

Another sigh left the wanderer before he started, "I'm only telling you because it involves you." 

"It was… In the dream, a strange thick fog filled the entire castle. It was toxic and violent and all-consuming. The deep purple mist sought out every person in the castle to poison them as if that was its goal, its purpose. It caught you all, and you choked and writhed in agony as you screamed at me to help you, but I couldn't because the fog was coming from me. It sapped your lives away right in front of me." Noct wouldn't look at me as he spoke, and I could tell the nightmare disturbed him more than he would admit. 

For a moment, I let his horrific story sink in, but soon I stood up and sat on the edge of his bed, my face filled with worry. It wasn't for my family or me, though — it was a worry for him. 

"Noct, I know your dream was scary and felt real, but it wasn't. I'm willing to bet you collapsed and had this weird dream out of pure exhaustion. Things have been crazy for both of us, so you have to take it easy." I reasoned, but he didn't seem convinced, so I continued, "Plus, even if your dream somehow came to pass, I wouldn't regret meeting you or letting you stay here with us. This is the happiest I've been since my older brother's death, and that was years ago. No matter what happens, this has all been worth it to me." 

As I explained my thoughts to him, I could feel my cheeks burning, knowing it may have been strange to say to a stranger. We didn't know each other all that well, but I meant every word. 

The world has been so dull without someone by my side, whether they're a brother, a friend, or a lover. I'm sick of living here with my parents, a slave to this life. I need more than what this castle has to offer me.

I thought Noct would reject my feelings about this situation and say I was wrong, but he didn't. Instead, he sat in his bed, staring at me for a while with lavender eyes. Then, he shook his head and looked down. 

"Fine, but if you die in some poisonous fog, just know I told you so," he mumbled. He may have meant for his words to lighten the mood, but the prospect was far too grim. Now, it was my turn to stare at him for a second before I remembered something my mother had told me. It was a fitting time to change the subject.

"Hey, since you're staying with us for a bit, you're invited to the celebration tomorrow!" I told him with excitement, realizing I wanted Noct to be there in the worst way. I knew it would prove amusing to watch him in a social setting. 

"Celebration? What celebration?" he asked, making a face. 

"The celebration my parents are having for my safe homecoming! Since you're the one who saved me, you'll be the guest of honor, Noct!" my excitement was bubbling over by now, but I didn't care. He had to come. There would be a feast, conversations, and even dancing. 

Is it possible that I could convince Noct to dance with me?

Noct considered it for a fraction of a second but then said in a stern tone of voice, "No. Absolutely not."

The smile on my face fell.

"Noct! Please?" I whined, tugging on his shirt sleeve to annoy him a bit. By now, I had him figured out at least a little. If I pushed the subject hard and annoyed him enough, he might give in and go out of frustration. 

"No, Vanessa. No. I'm not going." he frowned, but I wouldn't give up. I'd be as stubborn as I had to be to get him to agree.

"Please? Pretty please? Come on! It will be fun, and it'll make me feel much better about being home. You know how much I dislike being here, don't you?" I begged, this time giving him the puppy-dog eyes my older brother couldn't resist, and he was even more stubborn than I am. 

Noct sighed, turning away as soon as I gave him the pleading look.

Is it working?!

"Listen, I don't even have anything to wear or—"

"You could borrow old clothes my brother used to wear to events like these! He was also fond of black, so they'll suit you! You appear to be around the same size he was." I cut in, not letting him have any excuses. He wasn't getting out of this.

"Damn…" he cursed under his breath, and I knew I was wearing down his resolve.

"You know… My dad will surely give you something for helping me. Our family is quite influential and owns many banks throughout Esoterra. I'm sure he could connect you with someone to help you discover who you are." I was pulling out all the stops now.

This point made him stop and think for a while, and after a few moments of consideration, he hesitated, "How long would I have to attend the damn thing? I wouldn't go for long." 

Success! I've done it!

"You could stay for as long as you wanted, and you could return to your room if you didn't care for it." I smiled at him, "I promise you'll get something good out of it!"

"The only good thing I could do at a party is leave," he grumbled, and I smacked him on the arm.

"Hush! It'll be great! You just wait and see!!" I tried to sound as convincing as possible, but Noct was wearing an expression like he had just sold his soul to Amenti. "Don't worry, I'll be there with you!"

"Yeah, that's reassuring…" he muttered again, this time blocking my smack to his shoulder with his lightning-fast reflexes. 

"You're so mean! It'll be fine. You'll like it and end up thanking me for making you go!" I huffed. Before he could answer, there was a knock on the door.

When the door opened, my mother stood in the entryway with candelabra, eyes wide, as she saw how close I was to our guest. "Vanessa! Good gods, child, I thought you had gone to bed! It's too late to be visiting our guest's room. You'll only be a bother to him since he's feeling ill." she scolded me, and my face flushed red.

To my surprise, Noct defended me, "It's fine, Lady Van Doren. She was only checking on me."

"Is that so?" my mother confirmed, still not sounding pleased, "Either way, it's time for bed, Vanessa. I don't want you falling asleep at the party tomorrow — that would be shameful for us all."

Typical. Only ever thinking about how things will affect her.

At her words, I sighed and stood up, "Yes, mother. I'm coming." Remembering my excitement about the party, I told her, "Noct is coming to the gathering tomorrow! He told me just a minute ago." 

My mother cocked her head before saying, "Oh? I didn't take you for the type who would enjoy coming to a celebratory gathering. Lacunites never seem to enjoy parties. I look forward to seeing you there tomorrow, Master Noct, but for now, the two of us must retire for the evening." She gave him a formal bow and a fake smile, "Goodnight. I hope you sleep well. Come quickly now, Vanessa."

I nodded, giving Noct a hasty bow of my own before saying, "Goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow at the party!" 

To that, Noct only gave a slight nod, and we left his room to walk back to our chambers. Well, that's what I thought, anyway. Instead of parting to go to our separate rooms on opposite ends of the hallway, my mother grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me aside to speak. 

Oh, here we go...