With enough incentive, people can learn to do almost anything. Noctis had the incentive. He wanted his father to be safe. He wanted revenge. And so he did as Ardyn bade.

The young man had already traveled to another country by private jet to live in Somnus's mansion. He was then given everything he could think of about about Insomnia Lux and it's CEO. Ardyn had access to Somnus's phone, emails, passwords, bank accounts, everything . Noctis wasn't sure how Ardyn was able to give him this and didn't ask. He felt guilty going through such personal information.

Noctis was also given whatever videos, news and any little snippet of information there were about Somnus. Access to the entire database of Insomnia Lux's records and clients was at his fingertips. There was so much to go through and learn. And despite the sense of wrongness that built up the longer he stayed at the mansion, Noctis did so.

In the time given to him, Noctis learned to walk like Somnus, talk like him, act like him, be him. Noctis's father taught him everything he could about the family business so Noctis was very familiar with the workings of a large company. He was able to understand most of what he read. Enough to get by, the impersonator hoped.

Ardyn had been rather pleased with the knowledge already Noctis had. He had Noctis practice acting like Somnus in front of him. It was awkward but the older man helped by correcting everything from his posture, tone, language and even facial expressions. Other than that, Noctis did not see much of his… Employer? He wasn't sure what to call him, really. And half the time Noctis did see Ardyn, he was busy speaking to someone on the phone and he was left alone.

The locked wing beckoned every time the young man thought about it. He wondered what Ardyn did there. Despite his curiosity, he never attempted to break into it.

In the time Noctis studied, Insomnia Lux suffered a strange bout of misfortune. Many of their top employees left or suffered fatal accidents. Noctis was perturbed but it seemed to be just a coincidence. He hoped at least. There was nothing connecting any of them to one another but it all seemed so convenient.

Somnus received many panicked texts and messages from clients and employees. Noctis responded to them as best he could with the knowledge he had. He stated that he would return as soon as possible but some unforeseen circumstances may make it impossible to return quickly. As Somnus had always been reliable and a bit of a workaholic, the lie was bought.

'Somnus' returned from his vacation when Ardyn felt Noctis was ready. He had dressed him in one of his brother's suits and styled his hair to be just like Somnus. Makeup had been also been applied to make his face look older.

The impersonator had been nervous about his first day but he hid it well. Insomnia Lux was in a bit of a state with all of the recent misfortune and it made it easier for Noctis to blend in. He apologized for his delayed return to his clients and employees and vowed to fix things as best he could.

It was easy to integrate into Somnus's life. Too easy. Those who might have found Noctis out were already gone from Insomnia Lux. The CEO rarely made public appearances and had very few close friends. The majority of his employees too, did not see much of him unless it was work related. Noctis felt pity. He wondered if Somnus was lonely.

The CEO's closest friend, a man named Gilgamesh, had also disappeared. He had returned to his country of origin on business and dropped all contact after that. He had been sending updates and texts throughout Somnus's 'vacation' but his final message had been a worried text.

Somnus. I have made it home. Barring any delays, I should return within a few days. However, please give me a call whenever you are able. I know you enjoy your solitude during this time but there is much that I must speak with you about.

Those messages, especially the last, had left Noctis guilty. Gilgamesh seemed to be a good friend to Somnus. He was also his personal bodyguard. Noctis had gone through almost every message the two sent to one another.

Gil, as he was sometimes called by his friend, had helped the CEO when he needed it. Noctis got an impression Somnus had a very rough time five years ago. It was Gilgamesh who had taken him in. It was because of him Somnus was able to become the successful man he was today.

Somnus was close to Gil, more than anyone else in his life. And now he was likely dead and his friend did not even know. The guilt Noctis felt at what he was doing built up.

Strangely, there was hardly any mention of Ardyn in Somnus's messages. There were only a few brief mentions between Gil and Somnus that verified Ardyn was truly was Somnus's brother. All Noctis could say for certain was that the Izunia brothers had some type of falling out about five years ago, Somnus had then changed his last name and Ardyn had spent those years in prison.

Drug dealing, murder, blackmail, assault, burglary, the list went on of the offences the elder brother had been convicted of. Ardyn had only served five years as someone else had eventually confessed to most of the crimes Ardyn had been sentenced for. The other man had admitted he used Ardyn as his scapegoat and then ratted out many of his 'colleagues' in exchange for a substantially reduced sentence. However, he'd been found dead just days later. With that confession however, Ardyn's sentence had been reduced and he'd been released.

Noctis didn't know what to make of it all. He just did as he was told and did not ask questions.

Despite everything that had happened to Insomnia Lux, Noctis was able to keep things under control. He helped put the company back on track. A few weeks in, Noctis announced to his employees that his brother would be coming to work for him. Some of his employees had been rather startled at the news. No one had known he had a brother. There had been a fair bit of shock and gossip, especially after they found out about Ardyn's past. No had expected such a thing.

But Insomnia Lux's employees adapted to the newcomer and he made a place for himself amongst them.

Months passed, with both Noctis and Ardyn now working together. Insomnia Lux rebounded and excelled. Ardyn began to take on more duties of the company. The employees began to see even less of Somnus and so much more of his brother.

During this time, Regis woke up.

Noctis had been told that his father had asked for him upon waking. The young man wished he could go to his father's side but he had been forbidden. Ardyn would allow no contact until Noctis finished his time as 'Somnus'. He told Noctis not to worry, that he would take care of things. And he had.

Somehow Ardyn had been able to find out every dirty detail about the Empire and their practices. Evidence of their many misdeeds was given to the older Caelum anonymously, published in newspapers and spread online. Their reputation was ruined.

Regis had been both heartbroken and furious when he learned what had happened during his illness. Clarus was dead, Noctis was missing and Drautos had tried to murder him. The older Caelum went after his former friend and the Aldercapts. He believed they had something to do with Noctis's disappearance and may know of his whereabouts.

Titus had been arrested and so had the CEO of The Empire. The trials were ongoing but the Aldercapts would not win. The entire world knew of their sins, thanks to Ardyn. Noctis found himself grateful despite his misgivings about the man.

Even though Regis had taken back his company, he grieved as there had been no news of his son. He pleaded on live TV for Noctis to come home, wherever he was.

Noctis heart ached with the need to return.

"Tomorrow you will come with me to the dinner. Just sit around and look pretty. Somnus was always distant in these sort of things."

"You got it." Noctis responded softly, his mind still thinking about his father. He fumbled with his tie, failing at tying it right. He was startled when Ardyn stepped towards him and began to fix it.

"There. You look quite fetching in this outfit." Ardyn chuckled. "Most women will be dying to make your acquaintance. Be polite if they do attempt conversation, dear brother ."

"Right." Noctis felt a shiver run through him at the man's proximity. He always felt uncomfortable whenever Ardyn was near him.

In a month's time, 'Somnus' would announce that he was retiring from his position. He had already taken several short stress leaves, gone to several psychologists, made himself look rumpled and tired at times to give the impression to everyone that he was not doing well. The company would then be handed over to Ardyn. And after that everything else Somnus owned would be too. The younger brother's will had already been changed to leave Ardyn as the sole inheritor.

The younger brother would disappear. The charade was already planned out. The note he would leave behind was already typed. Everyone would assume Somnus took his own life somewhere where he could not be found. It was then that the world would know the truth. Somnus was dead. Though they would believe it to be for an entirely different reason than what was truth. Noctis still believed Ardyn had a hand in his brother's true disappearance.

Finally done, Noctis could then leave his life as Somnus behind. He could return to being himself. And he could see his father again…

If Ardyn let him. The sinister thought that the man would just kill him after his usefulness ended had been on his mind more often lately. It would be so much easier for Ardyn to do away with him after he had gotten what he wanted.

Noctis hoped his fears would not come true.

Late at night, Noctis received an email. He had forgotten to put his phone on sleep and the notification woke him from his slumber. The sleepy man grabbed the device and blearily looked at the screen.

Yawning, the young man decided to check the email since he was already awake. He input his password and tapped it. The sender was unfamiliar and Noctis began to think it was just spam. Even so, he opened it up and began to read.

Somnus. I pray this reaches you. I do not have much time.

I must first apologize for my absence. I have been arrested for a crime I have not committed. I believe there is some plot afoot and I have become an unfortunate victim.

I ask that you stay vigilant as I cannot see myself as the intended target. Just someone that could have gotten in the way of whoever they are truly after. And I believe that person is you.

I can only hope you are well and that it is not too late. If you are reading this, know that I did not abandon you. I will get all of this sorted out.

I swear I will return to you, my friend. Do not worry about me.

Please take care of yourself.

- Gil.

Noctis reread it several times before he felt tears prick at the corner of his eyes. Somnus was dead and likely had been for a while. Gil, more than anyone, deserved to know the truth. He wished he could tell him. Tell him too, that his murderer was now taking everything Somnus made for himself. He wished he could tell everyone that knew Somnus the truth.

Noctis lay back down on his bed but he couldn't fall back asleep. His thoughts swirled in his head. He didn't want to do this anymore. He didn't want to pretend to be a dead man. He didn't want to be afraid that he would be killed off just as Somnus had been.

The young man just wanted to go home.