I was this close to titling this chapter 'Give Peace a Chance', but I stopped myself. You're welcome. Getting into near-game events now!

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The Empire had denied responsibility for the attack, of course, but Ignis was inclined to believe them. It just wasn't Niflheim's style to send a single attacker in such a desperate gamble. The man had been identified from his shattered remains: a refugee, as Ignis had surmised, known for speaking out against the king. The case had been closed, and months had passed.

His bandage was gone, the scar from the wound barely visible. He'd gotten off easy compared to other victims, since there had been so many people between him and the explosion. The thought made him grimace. There had been a public ceremony for the dead: nine members of the press and one guard. The king had given a speech, and sent personal condolences to the families. He's also personally thanked Ignis for his quick action, which he'd accepted as graciously as possible.

But he wished he'd acted sooner.

Reports that the empire had made a full retreat after winning a battle against the Kingsglaive did nothing to help his mood. Something was going to happen. Something big.

He found Gladiolus where he knew he would: out on one of the citadel balconies, taking some air. The tension in the other man was visible. "Gladio, you wanted to talk?"

Gladiolus turned to face him. "Yeah. My old man told me we had a visitor this morning while Drautos was reporting... an envoy from the empire."

Ignis' eyes widened. "And?"

The Shield threw his hands out, helpless confusion. "And apparently the Nifs want to make nice. Dad said they're offering a peace treaty... cede all lands except Insomnia itself to the empire, and marry Noct to Lady Lunafreya. The king and the advisors are conferring as we speak."

"... What?" was all Ignis could summon to say. He moved to lean on the railing, clasping his gloves hands. "What could this mean?"

"I dunno, Iggy." Gladiolus leaned next to him, shaking his head. "But I got a feeling it's gonna get complicated."

And complicated it did get. Barely had the king accepted than Ignis, Gladiolus, Noctis, and Prompto had been summoned before him. They'd been given a mission, and as Ignis walked away from the citadel's main doors to prepare, he was trying to figure out if this whole thing was too good to be true.

As he descended the stairs, he felt his phone, brand new and paid for by the Crownsguard (along with his new glasses), vibrate against his hip. Right, there were other matters to consider before this trip. He was only slightly surprised to find a message from Aria when he looked at the screen.

'So is there seriously peace happening or have I finally lost it?'

He smiled as he moved to type a reply.

'Your mind is sound as ever. The king has truly chosen to accept peace with the empire.'

He made it to his car and was just getting in the driver's seat when his phone went off again.

'Glad we cleared that up. So... what the hell?'

For a moment he considered going to her, talking about what was going on and what he had to do. They'd been seeing each other more often since the attack, even though she'd left for a few weeks in the interim to do her job. It was tempting... but preparations had to be made.

'May I see you tomorrow? I'll explain what I can.'

He sat in his car, waiting for a minute until his phone chimed with her reply.

'Sounds good. Come by the shop around noon.'

'Of course.'

And he couldn't help smiling again, though this time with a twinge of sadness. Now it would be his turn to be gone for a while. Shaking his head, he started the car and headed for home.