Chapter Text
There's being taken by surprise - and then there's Ardyn.
The guy is the weirdest mixture of predictable and chaotic at the same time - you never know when he's going to show up, but when he does, it's… obvious somehow. Like, of course he's in the middle of a swamp in Vesperpool with the Imperial army. Of course he's waiting in Hammerhead wearing a trucker's hat. Of course he's randomly in Galdin Quay throwing coins at people.
Of course he's in Caelum Via, gate-crashing one of the biggest social gatherings of the year.
Noctis knows he shouldn't indulge the man, especially here, especially now with so many eyes on him. It's too damn risky on so many levels - and with his dad no doubt on the way, it's only going to get worse. He's got no idea how Regis would react to Ardyn in general, but here, in this place? And now, with this?
Ardyn is still theatrically bowed, holding his hand out to him. It's some kind of sacrilege, probably, to take his hand - the Accursed hand of Adagium. It's gotta come with some kind of deal with the devil.
But… Noctis is the one who wanted the deal in the first place - and the sight of Ardyn's hand, bare and clean and open for him to take…
Ardyn has put in effort. He still looks a little out of place, in his dark red suit and ascot, a bit old fashioned even without his usual ensemble. His shoes are the ones he usually wears, the leather stained and metal reinforced and completely unbefitting of the suit. He's unshaven and a little scruffy, with his hair sloppily done in a low ponytail. He's tied it with a flimsy red ribbon - there's a bow on it.
With his head bare and his hair done up, the Accursed looks almost like Ardyn the Healer did, a long time ago. It makes something within Noctis ache, like a fresh bruise.
This is a bad idea. Regis could arrive any minute.
Noctis takes the offered hand and lets himself be drawn from the balcony railing and into Ardyn's grasp, much to the man's obvious pleasure.
"Do you even know how to dance?" Noctis had to ask. "Pretty sure the waltz was after your time."
"I must admit, these more modern dances are a little peculiar to me. Things weren't quite up close and personal back then," Ardyn purrs and gently pulls him in, hand claiming a spot on Noctis' waist. "But there's a rhythm and a melody, and I think we can figure it out. Question is, my dear - will you allow yourself to be led?"
Well, getting strung along by Ardyn is pretty much a tradition by now. "If you know how to do it properly, sure," Noctis says and puts his hand on Ardyn's shoulder. "Go on, then - impress me."
Ardyn laughs out loud at that. "Oh, Rex. I intend to."
It starts slow, with Ardyn testing the waters and Noctis wondering at the fact that this might be the most Ardyn has ever touched him. Actually, it might be the most Ardyn has ever touched anyone that Noctis has seen. All the time he'd known the man in the future - which, admittedly, didn't encompass that great a sum of time, all told - Ardyn had sort of casually avoided ever coming into physical contact with people. The few times he did touch anyone, it was with obvious and immediate ill intent.
This… this is something else. And it feels special.
It's still not a lot of touching, though. It's very formal, there's enough space in between their bodies for a whole other person, and Ardyn's hold on Noctis' hand and waist isn't exactly firm, either. But it feels like a lot. His hands are so hot that Noctis can feel it even on his waist through his suit - his hand is big, his palm wide, and feverishly hot.
Noctis schools his expression, and with an fervent look on his face, Ardyn leads him to dance that definitely isn't waltz. Noctis isn't sure what it is - something old and weirdly ceremonious that feels like it should be danced in slow choreography with a crowd or something like that. Ardyn clearly gives it his own twist, though, adapting to tempo of the music and matching pace with Noctis, and where it feels like there should be a partner change, Ardyn leads him into underarm turn instead.
The Accursed is a good dancer. He's got no experience with these more modern dances, that much is obvious - but he's a good dance partner.
It's really damn weird.
"You know," Ardyn murmurs after they've settled into a comfortable flow, his voice low and intimate. "I've been reading the darndest things about you, my dear."
"Oh no," Rex answers with a sigh. "Let me guess, the Lighthouse?"
"That too, but I was thinking more of the Highlight article. Have you read them, then?" Ardyn laughs and leads him into a turning pattern of steps that puts his back to the city. "Aww, and here I thought I might get the pleasure of being the first to tell you."
"I haven't read it, but I know the kind of garbage they write," Noctis answers and flexes his hand in Ardyn's hold. "No one takes them seriously."
"Ah, but it was such an interesting story," Ardyn says slyly and leans in, his hand squeezing Noctis' in return. "One I'm afraid you corroborated with that adorable interaction you had with the Prince."
Ardyn has been around long enough to see that? "What?" Noctis asks warily. In his time the Lighthouse did pieces like ten reasons why Prince Noctis is actually a manwhore before going on about how he was sleeping with every member of his Retinue. "Do I even want to know?"
"A mother should want to know what they're writing about his son," Ardyn tuts with disapproval. "Though I suppose you are something of a deadbeat, all things considered."
"... What?"
Ardyn then goes on, with great pleasure, to regale Noctis with a theory of Rex Lucerna's origins - which has Noctis as his own mother. "And now you've returned home to your family with a new face and new name," the guy finishes with flourish, and spins Noctis around and snaps him back to his chest in a move that would better suit tango than waltz. "Quite the tale of self-discovery, don't you think, dear?"
Noctis snorts out a breathless laugh, both at the story and the move - and the look on Ardyn's face, he's so pleased with himself, the smug bastard. "That's awful."
"And it's not even the worst of it," Ardyn sighs fondly, and his hand runs a hot trail from Noctis back, over the scar, and to its original place at his waist. "I have missed you, Rex. Our time together was so brief."
"It's that what they call it these days?" Noctis asks, laughing to cover the unexpected jolt in his chest and how utterly dry his mouth suddenly feels. "I suppose this is the part where I ask how you've been, what you've been up to, and all that."
"It is how these things tend to go, as I understand it," Ardyn agrees with a chuckle and leads him into another underarm spin. "Small talk is a time-honoured tradition - they even did it in my time, if you can believe it."
Noctis hums and slides his hand back to its place on Ardyn's shoulder. "Would you answer those kinds of questions, though? Truthfully, I mean?" he wonders, trying to get a measure of Ardyn's mood. There used to be a time when Noctis took things at face value when Ardyn was acting all harmless and happy-go-lucky - but then Altissia happened. "Not sure we're the small talk kind of people."
"Well, now, Rex - however are we to ever know that, if you will not ask?"
With an amused huff of a breath, Noctis says, "Hi, Ardyn, long time no see. How have you been? What have you been up to?"
"Well, I've been doing quite a lot of interesting reading," Ardyn says and smiles, his expression all secretive, his eyes dark. "And some travelling and, ah, right, some digging."
"Digging?" Noctis asks, interested. It sounds significant. "As in actual digging, or, you know… looking into things?" as in the things they'd talked about before.
"The latter. In a manner of speaking," Ardyn agrees and leads him to another pattern of turns. "And what about you, my dear Rex? As I understand, you've been very busy these last couple of weeks, here in fair Insomnia. Pray tell, what have you been up to?"
"Meetings, so many meetings," Noctis sighs. "Just a ridiculous amount of meetings and work in general. And you know what, now that I think about it, I kind of miss our time in Leide too."
Ardyn laughs. "Ah, the demands of the Citadel and those that labour in her shadow," he says, a little darkly, and it's pretty clear he doesn't mean the Citadel at all. "It'll wear you to the bone at this rate, I'm sure. It always does."
Noctis clears his throat and readjusts his grip on Ardyn's hand. "Let's… not go there right now," he says awkwardly, looking down - trying not to think about the sight of Ardyn standing in the Crystal's light, and how it clearly tore at him. How it tore at Noctis - how it tore him away. It's ten years away and more in the future, and with any luck it will never happen, but…
"I fear what demands such a mistress might make of you, Rex," Ardyn murmurs, watching him closely, eyes flicking up and down along his face. "It has already taken so much."
"Ardyn - don't spoil the mood," Noctis says with a sigh. "Let's just have one moment without that shadow looming over us, okay?"
Ardyn sniffs and brings him just a smidge closer. "I suppose the horrors of existence will keep," he murmurs and then lets out a theatrical sigh. "Well then. Would you like to hear what the Lighthouse has to say about you?"
Noctis supposes that's a safer topic, if not by much. "I'm… not sure I do, actually."
Clearly taking great enjoyment out of the whole thing, Ardyn leans in to reassure him with, "Oh, but you should! It's even more consanguineous than the Highlight article. And quite well written too - the journey it takes, from your early youth entrapped in Steyliff Grove to your apparent manipulation of King Regis to regain your place at his side - it has all the possible twists you could imagine."
"I'm sorry, what?" Noctis asks with incredulity. "Steyliff Grove?"
Ardyn, quite happily, begins to explain - and that's how Regis finds them, with Noctis sputtering in mortified laughter in Ardyn's arms while Accursed leers at him gleefully.
Noctis tries and probably fails not to look like a teenager caught in the middle of something ill-advised. "Your Majesty," he says awkwardly, far too late trying to put a little distance between himself and Ardyn - whose grip is suddenly much firmer and refuses to let go of his hand. "Good evening." And then he isn't sure what to say next - dancing with Ardyn hadn't left him with much time to think.
"Good evening, Rex," Regis says in that horrible pleasant way he does when he's really pissed off. "And you must be Ardyn."
The King is being flanked by not just Cor and Clarus, but Drautos, Monica, and Dustin, who they must've called in from the archives. There's also a number of other Crownsguard, who are automatically securing the doorway in a way that's a bit threatening. Even Monica and Dustin are on edge. Like they're preparing for something. Like they think there's going to be a fight.
It's not enough firepower to take down Ardyn - but it might be enough to recapture him. And if Noctis joins them…
Ardyn clearly realises that too, and his fingers clench around Noctis' hand tightly. "Your Majesty," he says, smiling, and bows his head. "What a pleasure."
Regis' eyes narrow and he looks at Noctis long enough for him to feel the dreaded heat of an embarrassed blush crawl up his neck. Shit. He - really has no explanation for this, and definitely not one that would actually satisfy. And Ardyn is still holding his hand.
"Your guest is late, Rex," Regis says, pointed, and Noctis has no idea what it's supposed to mean, just that it means something and he has no answer to give. "And missed the reception, I think."
No, Ardyn was probably there, it turns out. "I'm sorry," Noctis offers awkwardly. "It was unexpected."
"Unfortunately, I was being detained," Ardyn says and then adds with a hint of an edge, "It won't happen again, Your Majesty."
Regis goes tense at that, which then makes everyone else tense up as well, Cor's eyes narrowing, while Drautos lowers his chin and Clarus looks like he wants to grab a sword from his Armiger. Everyone automatically reacts to Regis' moods, even if they don't understand why their King is on edge - it will only take a gesture from him for blades to go flying.
Noctis presses his lips together and releases a slow breath, fingers flexing in Ardyn's hold. If his dad attacked Ardyn right now, Noctis… isn't sure what he'd do. He won't be party to Ardyn's capture or abuse, never, but he isn't blind to the fact that Ardyn is hideously dangerous and there are several hundred non-combatants very close by.
Either way wouldn't be pretty.
They stand on that knife's edge for what feels like several tense minutes, but it's probably just a few seconds. Regis hums and then glances at the doors - and the party's still going on behind them. "I'm sure there won't be further issues," he says casually.
Oh thank the fucking Six.
"One can only hope," Ardyn murmurs sarcastically.
"I'm sure there won't be," Noctis says firmly and squeezes his hand hard to shut him up. "I'm certain, Your Majesty can rest easy."
Between them Ardyn, with a barely audible but clearly annoyed click of his tongue, actually winds their fingers together, probably just to be a contrary bastard.
Regis, clearly seeing this, sighs. "Very well," he says, sounding very tired suddenly, and makes a subtle motion with his hand - bringing the tension down drastically as the guards around them relax. "Now, what were you laughing about? Let us in on the joke."
"Er," Noctis answers eloquently.
"I was simply retelling some articles I had read," Ardyn says, because he's awful. "The one in the latest copy of the Lighthouse was especially amusing. I was just reciting to Rex what I remembered about it - I don't think he's read it."
The Crownsguard all look horrified at that concept, and Regis runs a hand over his eyes, shakes his head and clearly gives up there and then. "Enjoy your evening, gentlemen," he says briskly. "Cor, keep an eye on them. Rex, I will see you later." It's not a suggestion.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Cor sighs.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Noctis echoes faintly, and quickly bows his head. "I hope you have a pleasant rest of the evening."
"It had better be pleasant after this," Regis mutters and then limps away, a very unhappy Clarus quick at his side. The rest of the King's guard take a little longer to follow - poor Drautos looking like he's considering staying behind to chaperone with Cor, casting them a rather concerned look - but eventually he too follows the King's entourage outside.
"You know," Ardyn hums with interest, peering after the impromptu royal procession. "I do believe the King has read the article."
"Oh, shut up," Noctis sighs, running a hand over his face, his other still held by Ardyn. "I'm going to pay for this, I just know it. Great."
Ardyn pauses at that and then lets out a mocking little aww. "Oh, my poor Rex. The shot in the dark isn't worth it after all, then?"
"I didn't say that," Rex says and looks up at him. Ardyn's smile is sardonic. "It was bound to happen sooner or later - this is just not how I wanted to do this." Not that he has any ideas how he actually wanted it to go. Honestly, he has been trying not to think about the possibility of Ardyn and Regis meeting. Probably not that smart of him, all things considered.
"I suppose I should apologise for speeding the meeting along, then," Ardyn muses, a little meanly.
"Will you?" Noctis asks, giving him a wary look. "Will you actually apologise?"
"Mm. No, I don't think I will."
"Didn't think so. How about letting go of my hand now?"
Ardyn considers it, looking down at their entwined hands. Looking almost curious, he rubs the back of Noctis' hand with his thumb. He doesn't let go, smiling as he lifts their hands up to examine the ring Noctis now wears. There is something knowing in his expression and, checking to make sure Noctis is watching, Ardyn presses his lips to his knuckles. "I wonder…"
Noctis very carefully doesn't react, not to the teasing voice or feel of the lips on his skin. "What?"
"Will Lord Rex Lucerna by tomorrow have a secret lover by the paparazzi's reckoning? Will I be known as your inamorato?" Ardyn is clearly amused by the concept. "Make no mistake, Rex - we've quite the audience. And I can only imagine the headlines, after that scene with your King."
Noctis follows his eyes to the windows and, sure enough, there are people with cameras outside. "Oh, for the love of - was this on purpose - did you-?" he stops with a groan. "Damnit, Ardyn."
Ardyn chuckles. "Does that mean my hopes for another dance with you are utterly shod, then?" he asks oh so innocently and finally releases his hand - just in time for Noctis to contemplate using it to strangle him. "What a shame. You looked as though you enjoyed yourself. I thought we had fun!"
"Well, that was before it went all awkward and kind of apocalyptic on us," Noctis mutters and flexes his hand, still feeling the heat of Ardyn's touch on it.
"Oh, but then, if it had not gone so awkward and, ah, apocalyptic…?" Ardyn asks and clasps his hands together, swooning mockingly. "Gasp! Does this mean I might yet have a chance? Say it is so!"
Noctis hesitates, considering him. He can't tell how serious Ardyn actually is - he's using that mocking voice he usually does when winding people up… but it kind of feels like he is more serious than not. And the way he's looking at Noctis… Noctis might not have a lot of experience - and all of it is from ten years ago and in the future - but thinks he knows what that look means. Ardyn is not even trying to hide it.
Near the doors Cor sighs, loud enough that it can't be anything but intentional. "Why do we have to deal with this again?" he asks Monica and Dustin, reminding Noctis of their presence. "Why is it always us?"
"It's our honour and privilege to serve the Crown and her agents," Dustin says wryly, cleaning his glasses. Beside him, Monica snaps a picture with her phone.
"Hey," Noctis complains.
"I'll send it to you, sir," she promises with a smile and waves a hand. "Hi, Ardyn, how are you doing?"
"I'm quite well, thank you for asking, Monica," Ardyn answers with a theatrical little bow. "And you, my fair lady, how are things?"
"I'm great, just enjoying the show - how did you get in here, anyway?" Monica asks, checking her phone screen.
"A magician never reveals his tricks, I'm afraid," Ardyn demurs and tilts his head in interest. "May I have a copy of the photo as well? A print version, if at all possible? I would like to have it framed."
Monica chuckles. "I'll see what I can do."
Noctis considers throwing himself off a balcony, just for a moment. Then he shakes his head and looks at Ardyn, who meets his eye with a tilted head and smiles. "Well then, Rex?" the man asks softly.
Noctis can't say that he missed Ardyn - but he does want to talk to him.
"Cor, are there any private - hopefully unmonitored - rooms we could talk in?" Rex asks, and Ardyn's smile immediately flashes into a grin.
"No," Cor says immediately and then sighs. "Yes. Give me a moment - I'll confer with the hotel staff."
Cor shows them eventually to a private lounge, two floors below the conference hall where the gala is taking place. Monica sets up a little speaker playing the music from the party while Dustin does a quick sweep of the room, probably just for the sake of Noctis' peace of mind.
"There are no cameras or recording devices here," Dustin reports, putting his scanner away while Ardyn curiously examines the room and Noctis wonders what his life has come to.
"Thank you, Dustin - thank you, Monica," Noctis says, giving the little speaker a look. She winks back.
"Anything else you two need?" Cor asks, gruffly.
Ardyn lifts his head. "I wouldn't say no to something more to drink - something a little stronger than what they're serving above," he says and at Noctis arched brows adds, "There is this dreadful cloying taste in the back of my throat - I would very much like to wash it down with something."
Alcohol works on the Scourge? Huh.
"There's a mini bar here - but I think you'll have to pay it out of pocket," Monica warns them, looking at Noctis for guidance.
"I'll pay for it," Noctis says and takes a seat on one of the fancy armchairs by the window, watching Ardyn. "Get whatever you want."
"You treat me so well, Rex," Ardyn croons sweetly and sort of meanders to examine said minibar.
Noctis watches him for a moment as he compares bottles before glancing up at Cor, Monica and Dustin and then nodding towards the door. There's only one entrance into the room - not counting the window - so they don't need to hang around to keep an eye on them.
"We'll be just outside, sir," Dustin says with a nod.
"Don't do anything you'll have a hard time explaining to hotel staff," Monica says, amused, and follows Cor and Dustin out.
Ardyn hums and comes away from the minibar with a bottle of red wine and two glasses. "You seem to have done well for yourself, Rex," he comments, taking a seat across from Noctis with a sigh. "To gain such privileges, and such dedicated, capable Retinue. But I suppose it's only expected for the son of Lucis Caelum."
Noctis hums. "It is what it is," he says, not really feeling like it is a particularly safe topic with Ardyn, the entitlement that comes with the family name. "Does drinking alcohol really work? I mean, does it… help?"
Ardyn laughs as he wrenches the bottle open with a negligent show of strength. "Of course not," he says and pours. "I can kill this plague of mine on my tongue and wash it down my throat - but I can't very well sterilise what lays embedded in my very flesh, now can I?"
Noctis leans his cheek on his knuckles, watching Ardyn pour for him as well, wondering. Does that mean he is still, in some way, fighting the Starscourge?
"Oh, don't look at me like that, Rex," Ardyn says and holds the second glass out to him. "It is what it is, as you said."
"It shouldn't be," Noctis says, taking the glass. "It shouldn't be like this."
Ardyn smiles, crooked, and clinks their glasses together mockingly. "To good health," he says and takes a slow, savouring sip.
Noctis hesitates over his own glass. "If there was a cure -"
"Darling, if there was a cure, I would've already taken it," Ardyn sighs and gives him a tired look. "Don't spoil the mood, now."
Right. Rex looks away and tastes the wine carefully. It's strong. Rolling the taste in his mouth, he leans back and considers how to broach the subjects he really wants to talk about - without triggering Ardyn in the process. They're not exactly safe topics of conversation, either.
"Does alcohol actually affect you? The normal way, I mean. Can you get drunk?" Noctis asks after a moment.
"With a great deal of effort, which is rarely worth it, I'm afraid," Ardyn muses and relaxes back against the couch, turning his eyes to him. He smiles thoughtfully. "I'm guessing your tolerance isn't anywhere near so high, going by that," he nods at Noctis' glass, barely touched.
"I - don't really care for wine," Noctis admits. Or anything, really - he doesn't have that much experience with alcohol beyond what few drinks he's had with his father here and some experimental benders he'd had way back in the future with Prompto, before they left Insomnia behind. Neither Ignis nor Gladio abided drinking during the journey, and there was never really time for it, either. So Noctis really doesn't know what his tolerance is like.
It's not something he's looking to put to the test with Ardyn, either.
"You come across so virtuous," Ardyn comments coos at him. "It's incredible, really."
"Virtuous? Even after all the articles?" Noctis asks with a snort. "Really?"
Ardyn tilts his head, watching him, low-lidded over his wine glass. "Truly, virtuous is the Shadow Prince of Lucis," he says. "He who works on anti-daemon defence, is sweet with his nephew, loyal to his royal brother, tirelessly working for the benefit of his kingdom. And all that, without knowing who you really are. No wonder you have all the ladies swooning after you."
Noctis arches a brow at that. "You sound almost jealous," he says, amused. "Who am I really, then? The failed King of Light? Very virtuous, that - the man who lost the world."
Considering that with a hum, Ardyn takes another sip. "No. No, you, my dear, are the man I saw in the deserts of Leide at the coming of night," he says, low. "The one with blood on his face and a blade at my throat."
Not sure how to take his tone of voice, Noctis shakes his head. "And you prefer that version?" he asks and Ardyn hums, almost appreciative. Noctis gives him a firm look. "We're not fighting here, Ardyn."
Ardyn sighs. "No, of course not," he says and looks away. "That would quite ruin the party above, I imagine. We can't have that."
"Sorry to disappoint," Noctis says and shakes his head. "Is that why you're here, to fight me?"
"Is it really so hard to believe that I sincerely wanted to see you again?" Ardyn asks with a pout. "You left quite the impression, you know. I was utterly taken by you - could think of little else for days on end."
Noctis opens his mouth to give a sarcastic reply, but something about the look Ardyn sends him gives him pause. He's serious. He's serious?
The speaker Monica had left is playing out the Song of the Stars now, the high voice of a female vocalist crooning out the melody. The light in the lounge is much lower than in the conference hall, but there's more of it than there was on the balcony, and it paints Ardyn in warm hues. Lounging back with one leg over the other and wineglass in hand, the guy looks… good. Fit for a magazine cover, with that jawline.
Ardyn smiles at him, knowing, and then turns his attention to his wine. "How goes your little light project, Rex?" he asks, taking another drink.
"It's, ah. It's going. If we're lucky, they'll go into production before autumn," Noctis answers and somehow manages not to shift and clear his throat and fidget like an idiot. "It'll start small, probably, but we expect the business will grow fast, once demand ramps up - once word spreads."
"Ah, corporate jargon, I see you've gone native," Ardyn chuckles.
Slumping his shoulders a little, Noctis sighs. "I hate it so much," he admits. "But I will get those lights to every car outside Insomnia's Wall, even if I have to become a corporate drone to get it done."
Ardyn hums. "So passionate about vehicle safety. What an admirable quality in a man. Oh, no, don't pout, Rex, I'm being serious!" he says, smiling wider. "It's inspiring. Perhaps I will even buy a pair."
Snorting at that, Noctis shakes his head. "I know it's a small effort, in comparison to everything, to the Prophecy and all that," he says, waving a hand to encompass all that. "But it's something I can actually get done. So I am going to."
There's a moment of silence, during which Ardyn just gazes at him with a strange look on his face. Then he takes another drink and sits up straighter. "Very admirable," he says finally. "You are a credit to your bloodline."
"The fact that you're here and not actively trying to kill me makes me think you might not mind if we succeed," Noctis points out and looks at him. Now that they've brushed on the subject and the man doesn't seem too affected by it… "Ardyn, can I ask you something about the Scourge?"
"By all means," Ardyn hums. "Ask away."
Noctis draws a breath. "You were a healer, fighting the Starscourge. Do you know where it came from? I've been trying to look into it, but none of the sources agree," he grimaces, thinking back to several frustrated study sessions in the archives. "Some say it came from the sky, others say it was a divine punishment, some say it's always been here… What did people think about it back when… you know?"
Ardyn chuckles. "Back in my day?" he asks amused. "Well, that depended entirely on who you asked! According to your ancestor, my beloved brother, it was a mark of sin, one that only plagued those guilty of witchcraft and other dark deeds. It made it easier to burn them at the stake, you see, when the Scourge was their own fault."
Grimacing, Noctis nods. "Yeah, I read about that."
"Riveting reading, no doubt," Ardyn muses, peering at the little bit of wine at the bottom of his glass. "Our teachers were of the opinion that it was cast upon Solheim by the Infernian as a punishment for their arrogance and hubris. There were other schools of thought, but that, I believe, was the most widely accepted one."
"And what do you think?" Noctis asks, watching him, seeing the tension mount about his shoulders, how the muscles in his jaw flex.
Ardyn is quiet for a long moment, glaring at his glass. Then he drains it and goes to pour more. "In that future you know, did I ever tell you I wasn't the only healer infected by what I sought to cure?" he says finally instead of answering. "It was well known that any healers working on the Scourge would die by it as well. It infected people with magic the fastest, you see."
Noctis almost asks him, dumbly, there were other healers back then?
"If it was divine punishment," Ardyn says grimly and looks at him, "Then it was one inordinately targeted towards those trying to help. And oh, were we ever rewarded for it. Branded daemons and monsters and witches, one and all…"
Noctis swallows and looks down.
Lucians used to burn witches at the stake for their impure magic, among other things. Galahdians were pretty common targets for the witch hunts, judging by what Titus Drautos has told Noctis, but there were others - entire groups of people the past Kings of Lucis pretty much eradicated. It was supposedly for the safety of the kingdom, because witches posed a danger, because they were a corrupting influence. Witches aren't readily accepted even now, going by what Kimya Auburnbrie had to go through.
Noctis had always figured it was because the past Kings of Lucis just didn't want any rivals for their magical throne. Hard to be the Chosen Family of Special People if your special abilities are actually pretty commonplace, after all. Better call all other magicians witches and burn them for a good measure.
Did the Scourge really have something to do with it too? Some sort of horrible preventive measure, because it affected them the most? There's probably no way of knowing now, since all the people with magic these days are tied to the Lucian kings. All except those tied to the Blood of the Oracle instead.
Noctis thinks about Ravus - from a magical family, but lacking the divine blessings of the Oracle. Ardyn had killed him and turned him into a daemon - but the way Ravus had turned… yeah. Not a fun line of thought to follow, with another version of Ardyn sitting right in front of him.
"So," Noctis clears his throat. "It is not just a magical plague, it's a magical plague that targets magic. That's fun," he sighs. "Good to know. I don't know what to do with this information, but, yeah. Much appreciated, Ardyn."
"You're very welcome, my dear - and you did ask," Ardyn purrs, lifting his glass in mockery of a toast, still watching him. "I'm sure you can think of some use for it."
Noctis snorts and reaches for his glass as well. Ardyn is definitely keeping something back, but this is already more than Noctis dared to hope, and so he dares a little more. "Can I ask you something else, that's maybe a bit personal?"
"You can certainly ask," Ardyn says, his attention sharpening. "What is it?"
"You said your parents were descended from Solheim," Noctis says leadingly and takes a sip. The wine is… still not great. "Do you know more about it - and about Solheim in general?"
"Hmm," Ardyn hums, noncommittal. "What exactly do you want to know?"
"Do you think the people of Solheim had magic? Magic like ours - like the King's Magic?"
Ardyn sits up straighter and then leans in, smiling almost excitedly. It's honestly a bit alarming. "And pray tell, what exactly is the King's Magic in this context?"
"I don't mean exactly the King's Magic - but magic like it. Like the Armiger?" Noctis says warily and carefully puts the wine glass back down.
"Like the Armiger," Ardyn repeats wryly. "Ah, yes. Our shared magical inheritance. Is that the King's Magic then?"
"I mean… isn't it? At least a part of it?"
"My mother would be astonished," Ardyn hums, shaking his head in wonder. "Seeing as she was no King. We didn't yet even have a Kingdom."
So he was right. "It's older than people know, isn't it? Much older," he says and Ardyn shrugs, unrepentant. "What about the Royal Arms? That's something else, isn't it?"
"Indeed. Very different. We give ourselves to be haunted by the glaives of our relatives - possessed, even. The only thing that makes the whole thing favourable is that we can use them to our benefit." Ardyn chuckles at the face Noctis makes and reminds him, "Even banished and ostracised as I am, I can still use the Armiger - and the Royal Arms. What does that tell you?"
Noctis always thought it was because Ardyn was supposed to be the first king, but - he's right. If the Royal Arms are the right of the King, another boon of the Bladekeeper, how is Ardyn able to use them, considering that Somnus all but erased him from the family? All the weapons were forged after Ardyn was cast out - and Ardyn has definitely never worn the ring of Lucii either… and neither had Noctis, for that matter, when he started collecting the Royal Arms.
"... What about our ability to share our magic?" Noctis asks faintly. "And imbue it into other things?"
"I do hate to break it to you, darling, but that's just magic," Ardyn says, sounding almost sincerely apologetic. "The only thing that makes it the King's Magic is that a King has it."
Noctis stares at him. Is this what his dad felt like, learning about the Radiant arms?
Ardyn sighs fondly at him, like he finds his shock cute. "Oh, Rex. You have no idea, no idea at all, how much knowledge has been lost these last two thousand years. It's appalling, really."
"So, it… really didn't come from the Six," Noctis murmurs. "None of it. We had it before the Crystal, didn't we?"
"Well, the Bladekeeper gave your line something," Ardyn scoffs and reaches out to touch Noctis' hand, the one with the ring - with the scar. "The stewardship over the Crystal, and the Ring of the Lucii to forever chain you to that very task - and just enough protection to keep at it for generations."
"I - that's a very cynical way to look at it," Noctis says awkwardly.
"Is it? Have you ever wondered why your entire bloodline since Somnus has been a single narrow branch?" Ardyn asks almost kindly and lifts Noctis' hand. "Oh, sure, there's the occasional pair of royal siblings - but never any royal cousins. Why is that?"
Looking down at their hands, at the way Ardyn is not quite toying with the signet ring, Noctis sighs. "Because once they're off the direct line of inheritance, they lose the Crystal's protection."
Ardyn kisses his hand. "And the Scourge takes them all."