The remainder of the imperial procession passed by without note. No others endeavored to break Regis' calm, for which he was grateful—or as grateful as he could be toward any imperial—and the entire trial was wrapped up within a few hours, save for the last member of the imperial company:

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Lunafreya of Tenebrae."

It was odd to hear that title applied to someone other than Reina. Indeed, even knowing whom he would find, Regis turned toward the door half expecting to see Reina had returned. But of course it wasn't her.

Twelve years had turned Lunafreya from a child into a graceful young woman.

And every bit of regret and pain he had carried along from Tenebrae all those years ago came back to him. He should have done better. He should have been able to take her away from that place. He should have been able to save Sylva. Perhaps if he had, the situation today would have been different. Perhaps that young man they now called Commander wouldn't have given his loyalty to Niflheim. Perhaps Luna would have been spared twelve years under lock and key with imperial jailers.

But no.

He could regret what had happened all he liked but he could never regret what he had done. He had prioritized the safety of his children above all else. It was selfish and unkingly. Even if he used Noctis' destiny to justify the choice, that had not been the thought in his mind while Tenebrae burned. Every day he had shared with Noctis and Reina since then, every smile, every laugh, every birthday, had been worth any price.

"Prince Noctis isn't here… is he?" Luna's eyes swept the chamber when she asked, as if she was expecting to see him.

It was more difficult to lie when he saw the resignation and disappointment on her features. But he did so anyway, because that was what Reina had asked of him.

"I fear not."

Tears welled in her eyes, but did not fall. She would forgive him, later. And if she did not… well. It was still better than the alternative. His word belonged to his daughter.

Regis changed the subject. "I had hoped—"

A hundred lines of power stretched and snapped, lashing back at him like cut rubber bands. He flinched, bowing his head and grasping the arms of his throne. It was less a physical sensation than an internal one—not unlike the shock of an unpleasant revelation, but a hundred all at once. And when that faded, he felt… numb.

He felt for the strands of magic that bound him to each person he shared his power with. Clarus was here, beside him. Cor's line stretched across the Citadel—in the same direction as the lines to his Glaives.

Too few lines.

The tattered remains hung loose, frayed. Severed. But how—?

"Your Majesty?" Luna's voice.

"Regis?" Clarus' hand fell on his shoulder.

Regis lifted a hand to calm the rising concerns in the room. "I am fine."

No one, save him, should have been able to cut the bonds he had formed with his Kingsglaive, but the number of people on Eos who could have even tried totalled to two.

'I need you to trust me without question.'

I am trying, my dear.

If she had cut those ties, it meant they had needed to be cut. Whatever the reason, he had no doubt that it had been a good one. And why not warn him? Perhaps because she hadn't been given the opportunity to do so.

So. He had a daughter combating the imperial threat, who had just—without notice—deprived more than half of his Glaive of their magic. What did that say about his Glaive? What did that mean for her safety?

"Clarus, please determine the status of my daughter's safety. Cor will know."

"Of course." Clarus bowed and stepped away to make the necessary call.

"My apologies, Luna. I fear I must end our reunion prematurely. Rest assured that I will see you this evening—until then, I hope you will make yourself comfortable here in the Citadel."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Concern lingered on her face, but she bowed and left the way she had come.

Once Luna was gone, Clarus returned with the result of his investigation.

"Cor informs me that Her Highness is in perfect health and that she would like to meet with you somewhere more private as soon as convenient."

Regis rose from his throne. "My office. Immediately."

AN: Hey everyone! If you've been listening to the Fractured audio drama, the 3rd and final episode will premiere this Saturday on YouTube. I'll post the link on my profile, or you can find it via our YouTube channel. If you haven't been listening to the Fractured audio drama: get out (jk, ily. But seriously, go listen).