WHEN you walk into the dining room you were welcomed by a beautiful spread. The placemats were back down, and the plates and silverware were back in place again. But this time the napkins were folded up into a swan. The flowers had been replaced with fresh ones, and there were candles burning from two brass candlesticks that sat next to the flowers.

The salad was out as well as the butter dish. But this time the bread looked like fresh rolls right out of the oven. Plus the dressing looked like it was a homemade Red Wine vinaigrette. The featured dish was one of your favorites, lasagna. But this one looked a lot fancier than what your mom would make you. This one was garnished with fresh veggies.

"I don't think that I have ever seen lasagna like this before." You said as you looked at the plate that was sitting on the place at your usual seat.

"What's it called?" You asked as he pulled out your seat for you.

Ignis smiled as he helped you push in your chair. "This dish is known as lasagna al forno. I hope that you like it."

You looked at the dish and noticed that zucchini, squash, and asparagus had been lightly fried before it was place on top.

You looked back up and watched as Ignis walked around and started serving up the salad. "Aren't you going to sit and eat to?" You asked as you watched him set down a salad for your dad.

"Give him a minute dear." Your mom said as she started serving the drinks.

"He's just helping to serve the food." You mom said with a smile.

That was when you noticed that your parents were also both busy serving out the food. You smiled to yourself.

Well of course they are all serving food. For a minute there you had forgotten that your parents were even in the room.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" You asked as you watched them all finishing their tasks.

"You just relax tonight honey." Your dad said as he placed a roll on your plate.

You smiled back at him and just watched as your parents and Ignis served the food. It reminded you of when you were little, and how you would watch as your parents and your brother would serve the food. You dropped your gaze as you remembered those days. Your eyes started to fill up with tears as you thought about it. It had been about two years now since he died, but the wounds were still fresh to you.

"Something wrong (y/n)?" Ignis asked as he set down your salad bowl.

You wiped your eyes with your hands then looked up.

"No I'm fine. My eyes are just a bit watery tonight." You said as you tried to brush it off.

Your parents both looked at each other and quietly smiled as they dropped their gaze. They knew the truth and were feeling the same. They had started to see Ignis as an extension of their late son. It had helped with some of the grieving for them. But when it came down to it, there wasn't anyone who could replace their son.

Ignis could feel the shift in the room. He looked at each person and saw the same look on everyone's face. He knew that look all to well. He had had the same look when his mother had passed. Then again when he heard his father had been killed. He thought about it for a brief minute, then realized that everyone must be thinking of your late brother as they sat down.

"Well, shall we eat?" Ignis asked to try and break everyone out of their thoughts.

Everyone just blinked then grabbed their forks as if someone had just snapped their fingers.

"Yes. Let's. Before it gets cold." Your mother responded as she exhausted and took a bite.

"Thank you for doing this for us Ignis. But you know you didn't have to?' Your dad said after a few moments of silence that was only broken by the clinking of metal on glass.

"I know." Ignis said as he sat down across from you. "But I wanted to show you my gratitude for you letting me into your home like this. As you can imagine, I don't usually do this. But it is nice to take a break from the citadel once in awhile."

"Well, we greatly appreciate it. And you are welcome here anytime." Your mother responded with a smile.

Ignis smiled back at her. "Thank you."

"Speaking of which. Next time, perhaps your folks could come over. We would love to meet them." Your mother said with a smile.

Ignis froze in place. She never told them. Ignis thought as he dropped his gaze. He could feel everyone's eyes on him. Then he looked up at you and saw that you were looking at him with a scared look. He could see your shock and fear that you had upset him by not telling them.

"Perhaps that's not a good idea." You quickly responded. "Their kind of out of town."

"Out of town?" Your dad asked giving you a inquisitive look.

"It's okay (y/n)." Ignis quietly said as he looked you straight in the eye.

"The truth is, my parents aren't here anymore." Ignis said as he turned his gaze back down to his food. "My mother died from skin scourge when I was five and my father was taken from me three years ago when Niflheim attacked my home town."

Both of your parents just sat there and stared at Ignis. Here was this very intelligent young man with a potential bright future, but with a very broken and devastating past. It just further reminded them that no one is exempt from heartache. But it did explain why he reacted the way that he did a few minutes ago. It showed them that they all had a connection with him. And that they had an understanding of each other that others might have a harder time understanding. And that connection was grief.

"I'm so sorry Ignis." Your mother said very quietly

"Thank you." He said as he slightly shifted in his chair as if uncomfortable.

"Well then who do you stay with?" Your dad asked as he gave Ignis his full attention. "Surely you're not just staying at the Citadel by yourself?"

"No. I'm living with my uncle. He has a condo near the citadel. This works well for him since he works there in the intelligence department." Ignis said as his eyes glanced over his food as if looking at it for answers. "That's how I end up spending most of my time at the citadel. I'm usually training while I'm waiting for him to finish up his work."

"What kind of training are you doing?" Your mother asked as she continued eating.

Ignis looked up at you and smiled. "Well, I'm in training to become Noctis' royal retainer and the royal advisor to the king." He said as he looked up at your mom and smiled.

"Really? What does that all entail?" Your mom asked.

Ignis grinned then proceeded to tell them how he had been training since he was seven, to be Noctis' retainer. He had been suggested for the royal advisor position when he was ten, once they saw how he reacted to different situations. He even mentioned how he would be starting his training for the royal Guardsman starting next year. He talked about how he had already started going through some of that training now. But it would intensify once he was in high school, which for him was next year.

"Well it sounds like they are keeping you quite busy." Your dad said as he put his fork down on his plate and wiped his mouth. "I suppose this means that you don't have much time to spend doing different school activities then."

"No, it doesn't give me much time I'm afraid. But there are still a few that I participate in." Ignis answered as he finished his meal as well. "Choir would be one. And I'm hoping to join the varsity dive team next year."

You gave him a surprised look at the diving team response. I didn't even know that he could swim. He never wanted to play in the pond at the park. You thought as you stared straight at him.

"Really?" Your dad said as he gave you a side sinister glance. "This wouldn't be the reason that you want to join the varsity swim team would it (y/n)?" Your dad asked as he stared at you.

"No." You responded as you continued to stare at Ignis.

"Since when do you like to swim?" You asked Ignis.

"I've always liked to swim. I just don't swim in dirty ponds." He commented to you as he took a sip from his drink.

Your mother laughed at this comment. "I don't blame you on that. I prefer a nice clean swimming pool myself."

"Well speaking of training." You started out nervously as you looked at Ignis. He smiled and nodded to you. You looked down really quick and swallowed. "I was wondering if..................."

"If what honey?" Your mom asked as she took a drink from her glass after a long pause.

"I was wondering if you would mind if I started training with Ignis on how to become a retainer to Noctis?" You asked really quick as you closed your eyes and clenched your hands as you waited for the volcano to erupt.

Your mom almost choked on her drink.

"You what?" She asked once she stopped coughing.

"I want to start training with Ignis on how to become a royal retainer to Noctis." You said as you looked her straight in the eye.

"But why would you want to do that?" Your dad asked as he watched you intently.

"I want to be able to help out Noctis. I want to serve as one of his retainers." You said as you looked right back at him with determination. "Plus I'm tired of having to be the one who needs saving. I want to be the one who helps out and saves others."

Your dad paused for a minute his mouth open as he took in what you had just said. She's being serious about this. I mean I had a feeling when we caught them in the backyard sparring. But I never expected her to ask to be a retainer. I was thinking that is would just be to learn some more techniques, but not to serve as his retainer. Your dad thought as he looked at your (E/C) eyes that seemed to be on fire.

"There is no way that my daughter is going to go serve as a retainer." Your dad just spouted out.

"And why not?" You almost yelled back at him.

"Your not ready for something like that." He said without looking at you.

"And how do you know that I'm not ready?" You shouted back as you stood up.

"Paul, will you let her explain before you start shouting at her." Your mom told him as she could see the temper in both of you starting to increase. Your dad looked at your mom, then he closed him mouth and sat back in his chair as he waited.

"Fine. Well then, explain. Why do you all of a sudden what to be a retainer? Help me to understand why you would put your life on the line for him like that." Your father said as he crossed his arms and legs in his chair.

Your mom gave him a stern look. "Please help us to understand why." Your mom stated as she turned back around to you.

"Everywhere that I have gone, I've never really felt like I fit in. This is why I usually end up being the one who is off to the side or picked last for everything." You said as you looked down. "Well ever since I meet Noctis and Ignis, I finally found that somewhere that I feel comfortable. I finally found what makes me happy. And that's spending time with them." Then you looked up at your dad and tears started to form under your eyes. "I'm tired of being alone dad. I'm tired of always being left out or pick on, and laughed at. I just want to feel welcomed and wanted by someone. Is that too much too ask?"

"I know that this is a lot to take in. But it's something that I really want to do." You said as you looked at your dad. "I love you dad. But you and I both know that you can't protect me forever."

You dad looked down at the table for a minute. You thought that you saw a tear roll down his face as he clenched his teeth. You then looked at your mom who was watching your dad, then turned to you. You could see the tears starting in her eyes.

"I know that this may not be something that you had hoped for me. But it's something that I really want to do. I'm tired of being the victim, I want to be the victor instead. I want to make a difference. And the path that I choose has me serving Noctis as a retainer like Ignis." You said with conviction as you looked right at your mom. "I want to serve him, so that I can better serve and protect you."

Your mom dropped her gaze and looked at her hands. But you could see the tears streaming down her face. Both of your parents sat there for a minute as they tried to contain themselves again. You looked over at Ignis. He smiled loving at you, then in respect as he closed eyes as he nodded his head towards you.

"How soon would the training begin?" Your dad asked before he lifted his head up.

"I'm not sure yet." You said as you looked at him. "Ignis still needs to talk to his uncle about the lessons aspect and with Mr. Cor about the fighting part."

"So you haven't started anything yet then?" Your dad asked as he sighed.

"No." You said as you shrank a bit in your chair as if afraid that he would yell now. "We wanted to talk to you about it first before we got it in motion."

"At least you gave us that courtesy." Your mother said now that she was back under control again. "But this does explain why you were sparring in the backyard tonight."

"That was my idea Ms. (L/N). I wanted to see if she would even be able to handle some of the basics that I have already learned through the years." Ignis finally said. "I didn't want her to do it if she wouldn't be able to handle some of the basic moves that we all start off with."

"You call that handling it?" Your mom asked as she started to turn on Ignis. "She practically fell to pieces."

"Yes, she did." Ignis returned as he looked her straight in the eyes. "But that was not due to the workout. That was due to a past experience that I didn't know about until today. We can help her to get past that, now that we know about it. Her baseline for fighting is strong and can easily be enhanced. She shows more potential than when I first started training to be Noctis' retainer."

"What happens after this then? What are your next steps to get her started with her training?" Your dad asked.

"Well, I'll talk to my uncle about her receiving the training from him as well as from Cor. She may have to demonstrate before he will let her join the ranks though. Being a retainer is more than just acting like a babysitter. The retainer's job is to keep his highness save and to take care of all of his needs. These includes preparing his meals, driving him around, attending meetings in his place, and knowing a little bit about everything that would ever affect him. The Crown Guardsman's job is to physically protect and guide him. Both of these are required in order for one to properly serve the royal family as a retainer."

"Are you sure about this?" Your mom asked you with a worried look on her face.

"I couldn't be more certain of anything in my life." You said as you looked at her.

"But there's no guarantee that you will be able to do it." Your dad interjected.

"I know that. But that's not going to stop me. I'll keep fighting until I can't anymore." You said as you looked at them with the same fire as earlier.

Your mom smiled back at you with pride and with tears as they started to form. "I can see that no matter what I say, that I'm not going to be able to stop you. And right now I don't think that I really want to."

"If this is really what you want." Your dad said as he smiled back at you. Then he nodded to your mom who nodded back smiling. "Then we are both behind you all the way."

Tears started to form in your eyes as you smiled back at both of them. Then you ran over to your mom and gave her a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you mom." You said to your mom as you gently squeezed her.

Your mom just squeezed you back. She couldn't say anything as tears were streaming down her cheeks. Then you released her and ran over to your dad.

"Thanks dad." You said as you gave him a huge hug.

"We are proud of you no matter what you do. You do know that right?" He quietly asked as he hugged back.

"I know. But this is something that I really want to do." You returned.

Your dad gave you a strong hug before releasing you. "Okay ." He simply said.

You stood up for a minute and looked at both of your parents with love and tears in your eyes.

"So, who's ready for dessert?" Ignis asked as he tried to change the subject.

"Let me help you get it." You said as you walked towards the kitchen. Ignis smiled at you and followed you into the kitchen.

You walked in and your heart started racing. Oh my six, I can't believe that just happened. You thought as you put your hands on your face.

Then you turned around and faced Ignis as he walked into the kitchen. He had a proud grin on his face as he walked in. You walked up to him and wrapped your arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before moving your head to the side and bringing him closer for a hug. He paused with shock due to the kiss. But then he wrapped his arms around your waist and brought you closer to him for a full embrace.

"I'm proud of you." Ignis said as he pulled you closer. 

"But are you sure?" He asked as he leaned back so that he could look at you.

"Will you stop asking that. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't?" You said as you looked at him with a smile.

"Alright. That's the last time I'll ask then." Ignis said as he gave you a quick kiss on the check then release you. "Now let's serve dessert before they change their minds."

You smiled at him then released him and turned to see what he had made. He opened up the oven and pulled out a bundt cake pan. He took the pan and place a cookie sheet over the top then turned it upside down and set it back down on the counter. Then he carefully lifted off the cake pan and revealed an elegant orange cake as he slide the pan off. Once it was clear he put the pan in the sink.

"Wow Ignis. When did you have time to bake this?" You asked as you looked and smelled the wonderful smell of oranges mixed with fresh baked cake mix.

"While I was waiting for the lasagna to finish." He said as he started slicing it and placing two slices on each plate. "Can you grab the vanilla ice cream and a fresh orange out of the frig?"

"Yeah. I can do that part." You said as you pulled out the ice cream and one fresh orange.

You sliced the orange with a knife in fourths then placed one on each plate. Then you put one scoop of ice cream on each plate as well. Then Ignis placed a piece of mint on each scoop of ice cream. Then we smiled to each other and each grabbed two plates and walked out to serve them.

"Bon Appetit." Ignis said as he placed down his dishes in front of your mom and dad.

You smiled when you saw your parents reactions. Then you placed your plates down for you and Ignis.

"Wow. This looks too good to eat." Your dad commented with a smile.

"I must get your recipes Ignis. Everything has been exquisite." Your mom said as she admired the plate.

"Come now it's nothing special." Ignis said as he went and sat back down.

"Well I think that it is." Your mom said as she smiled at him.

"Well thank you." Ignis said as he smiled back at her.

Everyone then took a bite and savored the delicate dessert. Everyone complimented Ignis on the cake and thank him again for cooking. Once everyone was finished, you started gathering up the dirty dishes and taking them to the kitchen. Ignis did the same as your parents took care of putting away the leftovers. Once all of the dishes were in the kitchen you started to get ready to wash the dishes.

"Don't worry about that honey. I got it tonight. Not to rush you out, but don't you think you might want to start to head home, Ignis?" Your mom said. "It's getting late and your uncle must be getting worried."

Then for the first time Ignis looked at his watch and got worried. "Oh dear. I suppose your right. Let me call my ride." Then with that he walked out onto the porch to call Tredd.

Tredd Furia - Kingsglaive

Rrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiinnnnnnggggg...............

Rrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiinnnnnnggggg...............

"Ignis! What the hell took so long? Your uncle is flipping out." Tredd said over the phone.

"What do you mean? You did remind him that I was going to be eating dinner here, right?" Ignis asked Tredd.

"Yeah about that." Tredd started to say.

"Don't tell me you forgot." Ignis responded as he dropped his head and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I wouldn't say that I forgot, per say." Tredd started.

"Damn it Tredd!" Ignis shouted at him. "You know how he is with me being out late. What the hell?"

"Yeah. Sorry." Tredd sarcastically said. "Well anyway. I'll be there in a minute."

"Fine. I'll see you in a few." Ignis said as he hung up.

Great. Now due to Tredd's incompetence, it's going to be twice as difficult to find a way to talk to him about the training now. Ignis though as he put his hand to his chin as he started to think about how he was going to do this now.

Well I can't do anything about it right now. Let me see how upset he really is before I bring up the training. Ignis though as he dropped his hand and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath then slowly exhaled. After a few more times he went back inside.

"Well my ride should be here any minute now. I'm going to wait out by the curb." Ignis said as he walked back into the kitchen to find both of your parents standing in the kitchen talking.

"Ok. Well have a good night Ignis. Let us know if there is anything that we need to do for her training." Your dad stated as he shook Ignis's hand. Ignis nodded back at him.

"Have a good night honey. I hope that we get to see you soon." Your mom said from the sink as she continued to wash the dishes.

"I'm going out to wait with him." You stated as you started towards the door.

"Alright honey. Goodnight Ignis." Your dad said as he watched you both walk towards the door.

You and Ignis both put on your shoes, then grabbed your coats. Ignis helped you put on your coat then put his on in one quick swoop. You slightly grinned at him as he grabbed his backpack and swung it over his shoulder.  Then you reached out and grabbed his hand as you both headed out the door.  You had your head down as you both walked down to the end of the driveway. When you got there, you stopped then turned towards him.  You then released his hand and leaned in as you wrapped both of your arms around his waist.

"Burr.   It's a bit cold.   Don't you think?"  You asked as you snuggled up against him with a smile on your face.

"Um. Perhaps." He said as he was caught off guard.

He usually didn't like to display affection in public. But it was a bit cold so he'd let it slide, just this one time. So to help keep you warm, he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you close to him. Within a few minutes, the black car with silver trim came pulling up to the house. Ignis loosen his grip so that he could look at you.

"Ok love." He said as he moved your hair behind your ears. "Let me talk to my uncle and see what I can do on my side now. It might take a few days, but hopefully no longer then that. Okay?"

"Just let me know. Perhaps when I see you in choir tomorrow, I can find out from you then." You said as you looked at him with affection in your eyes.

"Perhaps you will." He said as his eyes seemed to soften as he looked at you. Then he leaned down and gave you a tender kiss before releasing you. "Until tomorrow."

"Until tomorrow." You returned as you released him and practically gilded back up towards the house.

Ignis smiled at you as you walked back towards the house. Then he opened up the back car door so that he could get in. But he paused as you waved from the front door before you went in. He waved back and stood there for a minute.

"Will you get in already. Your letting out the heat." Ignis heard a stern voice say from inside the car. His heart stopped. That was a voice he had hoped that he wouldn't hear until he arrived back at the condo.

"Yes sir." Ignis responded quietly. Then he slowly slid into the back seat.

"You know, Tredd was telling me about how you have been getting distracted by a certain young lady." Ignis' uncle said while Ignis was putting on his seat belt. 

Upon hearing this, Ignis looked towards the front of the car.  He then gave Tredd a hard stare as Tredd shifted uncomfortable in his seat.  Then Tredd put the car in gear and started heading back to the citadel.

"I had told him that that wasn't impossible. You would never get distracted by some girl."  Ignis's uncle started to say.

"I'm not distracted."  Ignis tried to interject.

"But then here I see with my own eyes, that not only is my nephew distracted, but is practically making out in public!"  He shouted as he turned towards Ignis.

Ignis closed his eyes as he sat back in his seat as if in defeat. I should have known better than to trust Tredd with anything this important. Well I won't make that mistake again. Ignis thought as he sat there waiting for his uncle to calm down.

"Just what the hell do you think your doing?" He retorted towards Ignis.

"I'm helping out a friend with her homework. And I would hardly define a warm embrace and a simple kiss as making out." Ignis said in a calm voice.

"And Besides, would you leave a young lady to freeze if they were cold? Or would you warm her up in your arms as well?" Ignis asked his uncle as he glanced back over at him.

His uncle studied him for a moment as he searched his face. "I suppose I can see your point." He said in a calmer voice. "Alright. I'll let you off this time. Besides, you did tell me that you would be working with her for a few days as it was. It's only natural that there was a chance that you could start to develop feelings for her."

"But you do realize that she couldn't possible stay with you." His uncle stated as he looked at Ignis as the car proceeded to the condo. "Your duty is to Noctis. And nothing is to come before that."

"I know my duty is to Noctis. But what if her duty was to him as well?" Ignis asked as he looked at his uncle and tried to read his expression.

"What do you mean?" He asked Ignis.

"What if she wanted to serve Noctis the same way that I am?" Ignis asked

"Huh. So she's going that direction then." He returned.

"Yes. She has expressed to me that she wants to be trained the same way that I have been. She wants to serve Noctis as a retainer. If you will accept her that is. She has already shown me that she has some fighter training and that she is a quick study with the books." Ignis said as he watched his uncle's reaction.

"Well, we shall see about that." He said as he turned forward again. "Make arrangements for her to come to the Citadel so that I can see for myself. If she proves worthy, then I may consider training her just as I am you. But don't think for a minute that I'll go easy on either of you. In fact the work might be doubled since there will be two of you." He said quietly then looked back at Ignis. "Do you think that you can handle it?"

"In which regards?" Ignis asked as he looked at his uncle.

"Will you, be able to handle working with her?" He asked Ignis was a serious look.

"Yes." Ignis said back as he looked straight at his uncle with conviction.

Ignis' uncle responded with a simple smile. Then he pulled out his phone to make a few calls.

Ignis just turned towards the window and watched the streets go by while his uncle started talking to one of the agents from his office.

******Author Note******

Well now the fun can really begin. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter since it has a lot of set-up for the next few.

Be sure to come back see how well Ignis handles his new training partner.

Thanks for reading. :)

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