Not quite. And we're unlikely to arrive within the day—

Camping again!?

Isn't there somewhere we can stay?

We can return to Lestallum and spend the night.

Seriously?

Alright! I knew Iggy'd understand.

You're too soft.

Better not to run ourselves ragged.

This is heaven!

Lucky for us they had a room open.

Hey.

What?

Let's check out the food stalls! I'm craving kebabs!

Alright.

You two coming?

Nah, I think I'll stay here.

I'll stop by to get ingredients later.

You two go on ahead.

Okay. Let's go!

And don't stay out too late.

Where to first?

Kebabs?

Hey! Where'd you get that?

Sorry for the wait.

Who're you?

The shop's over there. Bye now!

See ya!

Nutmeg and cinnamon, please.

And two pouches of black pepper.

Here ya go.

You can eat 'em just like that. They make great jams, too.

Then I'll take these.

Whatcha makin'?

...Oh, that again.

Yes, but with bananas this time.

You sure like baking, huh. How come?

Hm, well...

Looks good!

I hope you don't mind me using the kitchen.

Don't mind at all! You're always baking something.

I didn't know you had such a sweet tooth, Ignis.

It's not me, per se...

Good evening.

Tomorrow's the math test!

I'm so bad at math!

No—I'm bad at everything!

Bet you're doin' just fine, though.

I don't get extra credit for being the prince.

Well, later.

Your Highness, please ban exams!

Don't mind me.

I mind the vegetables...

Don't. Your diet is far from ideal.

You need to consider the nutritional value of your food and learn to cook for yourself—

Yeah, yeah.

Remember to wash your hands before dinner.

The comics are on the shelf.

Lady Lunafreya's notebook is in the drawer.

I suggest you write back soon.

I know.

And may I ask where that button's from?

My uniform, I guess. Didn't notice.

No matter. I'll fix it once I get home.

Leave your uniform out.

I'm stuffed.

No room for dessert?

I tried using a different type of honey.

How is it?

It's...not quite the same.

It was sweeter, and flakier.

I see... Perhaps a pie crust will do the trick.

This is good, though.

Aren't you gonna have one?

Of course. Coffee?

Yeah, thanks.

I'll take my leave so you can set to studying.

I know I've told you before, but be sure to close all the doors when you go out.

Locking the front door alone won't suffice.

Uh-huh.

Also, remember to separate your garbage and don't just leave it in your room.

If you think someone will come by to pick it up, you're mistaken.

Uh-huh.

Noct.

Yeah, yeah.

If you can't prove yourself capable of living alone,

you'll be moved back to the palace. And...

This is a political report.

Please have a look at it. I'll be by later to explain in detail.

Can it wait till after exams?

I understand your studies are important.

But you are first and foremost the successor to the throne.

Do bear that in mind.

No way! Noct, studying!?

Hey, whatcha eatin'?

Breakfast. Want some? No?

No!

Well, maybe just a bite.

Whoa! What is this?

Dunno.

Huh?

When I was a kid, I spent some time in Tenebrae. And I had this amazing dessert there.

The only problem is I don't remember what it was made with.

I told Ignis about it, and now he's trying to make it for me.

Huh.

No success yet, though.

What, this isn't good enough?

And since when does Ignis bake?

This increased imperial activity is troubling.

It's only a matter of time before Lucis is targeted.

We must ready the Wall.

The Imperial Army is still strengthening its forces,

so it's likely the recent attack on Galahd was merely a test of their new weapons.

Reports say our magical power was inhibited during the battle.

Do they intend to break through the Wall?

We can do nothing but speculate at this point,

but give orders to be prepared for anything.

Dismissed.

Ignis.

Your Majesty.

How is Noctis?

He has begun his final exams.

I encouraged him to study,

but his level of preparation is...questionable.

As for his life away from the palace…

I've expressed my concerns about his dietary balance.

Unfortunately, those concerns seem to be falling on deaf ears.

Thank you.

But of course.

Has the Wall taken such a toll on Your Majesty?

It would appear so.

Only the king can create the Wall and protect his people.

If something foul should befall me,

the heir of Lucis must take the throne.

But I will end this war before that.

I leave Noct in your care.

Understood.

It's over! It's finally over!

Least the first day is.

One day is more than enough.

Oh, it's the king.

Huh? Did he always use a cane?

You're late.

I thought your exams ended before noon.

I was at the arcade.

Did you study for tomorrow's tests?

Why're you here?

I brought your uniform—and this.

Have you read the report?

No.

I suspected as much. It doesn't look like you've touched it.

The war with the empire may have ended 30 years ago,

but we cannot let our defenses down just yet.

The news is being regulated, but we receive reports of local skirmishes from time to time.

I know.

Thanks to the king and the Wall, though, Lucis has been able to enjoy peace for the past 150 years.

As a king must sacrifice his own strength to create the barrier,

His Majesty has avoided the public eye to concentrate solely on the Wall.

However, it seems as though he's lost the ability to summon weapons.

Are you listening?

Do we have to talk about this now?

If not now, then when? You're the successor to the throne and someday—

My dad's going to die?

I didn't—

That's what you're saying!

When my dad dies, I have to be the king!

Shouting won't change the truth—

Well I don't wanna hear your "truth"!

I see you won't listen to reason.

But you ought to at least think it over.

Dammit!

What's wrong? Did ya bomb the test?

Shouldn't you be in school?

We were just heading home!

Gladio.

Iris isn't home yet.

You've been skipping practice lately.

Hope you haven't gotten too rusty.

Focus, Noct!

I can't.

Hey, you can't give up already.

The king's counting on you.

I know!

I know

I know. I can't become the king like this…

But...I don't wanna think about my dad dying.

Noct's been slacking off lately.

Was he with you?

Earlier, yeah.

If he tries to skip out on training again, bring him by.

Certainly.

But...I never know what goes on in that head of his.

I sometimes wonder if he even understands his position.

Give him a little more credit than that.

Is something burning?

Did you cook?

Tried to.

Hungry?

Regrettably, I didn't bring anything today.

Not bad, once in a while.

So... Which trash does a frying pan go in?

It's not trash yet. I'll bring the proper cleanser next time.

Thanks.

I spoke out of turn last time.

Last time...you almost had it.

Oh, you mean the sweets?

I could definitely go for some more.

Very well.

We're baaack!

Oh, something smells good!

What'd you cook up this time?

See for yourself.

It's been too long! Well, don't mind if I do!

What flavor is this? It's so good!

So?

Not quite.