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The doors to the throne room are pushed open by the crownsguard and Ardyn walks through, the heels of his shoes making a clacking sound against the marble floor.
He’s ready to put on his best act for his Majesty.
Ardyn smirks. He is aware that they already have the upper hand in this war, but it simply isn’t enough to only flaunt the peace treaty in the king’s face. Absolutely not.
He’s going to completely. ruin. his day.
After all, Somnus’ descendant and his kingdom deserves only the best he can offer, and who is he to not deliver? His face splits up with his signature smile, the one that just oozes insincerity beneath its thin surface of politeness.
“Hello there!” Ardyn declares with an air of exaggerated cheer, “Hello! Good day to you!” He looks to the left and gives a barely noticeable nod to the council at the king’s side, still smiling. “And you.”
His attention returns to the front. To the King. He continues to swagger forward.
“Well met my dear Lucians!” Ardyn opens his arms and gestures in what is supposed to be a friendly manner, but he knows he isn’t fooling anyone.
Good thing that he isn’t supposed to.
“Has Niflheim grown so bold, that they’d send their own chancellor as envoy?” The king says. It’s phrased like a question, but it sounds more like a statement. The king frowns. “And under no guard at that.”
Ardyn’s smile, if possible, widens. How he delights in being the cause of the king’s irritation.
“It is an honor he is fooling no one to be recognized by the great, king Regis! Yet, permit me to stand on ceremony and introduce myself nonetheless.” He comes to a stop a couple of steps away from the stairs to the throne and looks directly up at the king.
“Ardyn Izuna, chancellor of Niflheim.”
He takes of his hat and puts it against his chest for an exaggerated bow that goes on for just a little too long, enhancing the mocking feeling he wants to give off.
“At your humble service.”
He straightens up and puts his hat back on. He can’t let his precious hat be off for too long after all. He can feel the glares from the council, and he finds them entertaining. They really can’t do anything in this situation and Ardyn loves the control he has.
“I come to you on this,” He pauses a second for dramatic effect, “Most auspicious of days to offer terms of peace.” He doesn’t stop the smug expression creeping up on him from showing on his face.
“Peace?” The king spits out. Or what would be considered that if he didn’t have to restrain himself because of him needing to keep up appearances. He knows just as well as Ardyn does, that this meeting is all just for show. Why would Niflheim want peace when they are winning the war? They want the crystal from Lucis, and a peace treaty would get in the way of that.
Ardyn slowly resumes his walk towards the stairs connected to the throne. Though he doesn’t make it obvious where his planned destination is, walking around the room while gesturing.
“As you no doubt surmised that, recent maneuver of ours was no strategic retreat.” He arrives at his planned destination, just in front of the stairs to the throne, and puts his foot on the first step. He can feel the line he just crossed, and the tension that rose with the act. He’s going to enjoy this for as long as he’s able.
“Call it,” he pauses before snapping fingers with a self-satisfied smile, “A gesture of imperial goodwill.” He continues his walk up the stairs, continuing to express how much he’s actually mocking them, not caring of the glares he gets from the other participants in the room.
“Like you, we wish no more than to bring an end to this, senseless war.” He finishes.
“Is that so?” The king questions, the incredulity in his voice almost palpable.
“It is indeed!” Ardyn exclaims. He puts up one finger I the air, still walking up the stairs, “And we require but a singular compliance.”
“Save your,” he waves his hand dismissively, “Grand city, Insomnia, Lucis must forfeit all their territories, to Niflheim rule.” He finally comes to a stop on the stairs. He has already made his opinion of them clear, there’s no need to do anything more for the moment when they digest his statement.
And the reactions he gets!
The people of the council look like they want to scream in outrage, if they could, and the king’s jaw is so tense that Ardyn wouldn’t be surprised if he were to accidentally destroy his own teeth.
“Ah Insomnia, the jewel in the crown that is the Lucian kingdom.” Ardyn opens his arms and makes a show of looking around the room and takes the opportunity while doing so to look at all of its interior. The doors to the room overly decorated with engravings and symbols, the gray, almost white pillars that stretch all the way to the ceiling far far up, the tall proud windows that reach just as far as said pillars, and of course, the throne, with all of its golden markings, engravings and extravagant metal symbols, that are far too unnecessary of you ask him. Somnus really has a legacy here.
How he can’t wait for it all to burn. down.