Prologue

"Ah" Ardyn started in a lilting tone, "So nice of you to join us". The scene that Gladio, Ignis and Prompto walked in on was unsettling to say the least, Ardyn gripping the prince's neck tightly, back flush to the wall. "I was beginning to think you'd all forgotten about dear old Noct" Ardyn continued almost lyrically.

Struggling for breath, Noctis had given up struggling as he knew it wouldn't benefit him. His fight with the chancellor having lasted almost thirty minutes before the others arrived. To say the prince was exhausted would be an understatement. Barely a scratch on Ardyn's body compared to that of the prince, who was starting to wonder how long it would take to bleed out with his current injuries.

"Give him back!" Prompto yelled, tears welling in his eyes at the sight of his best friend caked in his own blood. "Hm~ Now, I'm not sure you'd want him back. After all, you may not know Noct as well as I" With everyone looking at Noctis in question at Ardyn's cryptic statement, the king squirmed slightly to alleviate the pressure on his neck. In response, Ardyn released Noctis' neck in favour of pulling him much closer.

"Our darling prince here doesn't seem like the type to make his friends worry, but is it not better to tell the truth, right Noct?" the last part seemed to have been whispered in his ear; unable to face his mistakes, Noctis turns his head away from his brothers. "Now, now, don't be shy~ I'm sure they'll be much more forgiving than you are to yourself." Saying this, Ardyn grabs Noctis' chin forcing him to look directly at his closest friends, before staring at the directly himself. "You see, our beloved prince Noctis is not as innocent as he may seem. In fact, I'd dare say that he's just as twisted as I~"

"What ever are you talking about? His highness is never out of sight!" Ignis defends his charge, but for little use. "Enough with the games already!" Gladio screeched, infuriated not only because the prince was taken under his supervision but also at how Ardyn was still touching his friend with the familiarity of a lover. The thought of what that creep may have done to Noctis had him seething.

"Noct here, seems to have grown rather fond of the sweet nectar of daemons. The more he slays and feasts upon, the more... 'alive' I believe was the word he used to describe his feelings. After all, I had to let him indulge if we were to be evenly matched" Ignis stared in disbelief at Noctis, who had once again turned away in shame. "Are you insinuating that Noct... ?" the thought sounding too ridiculous to even say out loud.

"insinuate, I do not~ but bring truth I may, our fair prince is tainted by temptation. The proof is right here, would an honest man try to hide like this child?" Ardyn once again gripped the young prince by the chin and forced his face forwards, unshed tears remain in his eyes as he had already resigned himself to this fate. Noctis knew his friends would find out the heavy burden the ring causes him, but seeing the utter disappointment on their faces was truly heart-breaking.