Chapter Nine
Thunder and lightening
Elise let out a cry as she forced the bile out of her throat and into the toilet bowl that she was currently hugging- hugging was the gentle term, clutching for dear life would be the more accurate phrase for what she was currently doing to the porcelain bowl. Her chest heaved as another wave of nausea hit and she was forced to lurch into the bowl again. It had been a week and her symptoms had not lessened or changed, she still struggled to smell foods and her appetite was, if nothing else, getting worse.
She spat and shakily rose from the floor as the urge to vomit left her. She wobbled as she walked to the sink and filled herself a cup of water. She had a drink before looking at herself in the mirror. Her green eyes were bloodshot and there were dark rings under her eyes. Her skin was pale and pallid, she looked terrible.
She shakily reached for her make-up bag and went about applying it in a way to hide her sickly face. She would perk up and feel better by the afternoon but it was always the same in the mornings, and whenever she ate something too fast, or to early in the day. She felt like she had lost weight as well, but she had not had access to scales so she had been unable to check- she felt that she was right though.
A crack of thunder from outside caused her to jump and nearly draw a line of eye-liner across her face.
Since they had dropped the Prince and his entourage off in the woods, it had been raining. That was a week ago and the storm hadn't seemed to ended, or shown any signs of slowing down. She finished applying her make up and put her things back in their bag. She made a mental note to purchase more the next time she was able and left the bathroom to go into the rest of their suite. They were staying in Lestallum for the moment, though Ardyn had told her that they would be leaving soon.
She put her things away and went about making breakfast, she could hear the Chancellor stirring in their bedroom so it was only a matter of time before he emerged. She pulled out some eggs and started to make omelettes. Her stomach rumbled while she cooked and she frowned, she wondered if she would be able to eat this morning, other days she hadn't been hungry, perhaps she was getting better?
"Good morning Ellie~" Ardyn practically sang as he strode into the room, he was dressed in his blue silk pyjamas and slippers- the only ones that he had packed, surprisingly.
"Good morning Sir." she replied with a smile. "Would you like an omelette?"
He nodded and sat at the table and reached for one of the complementary magazines. "Oh my, someone's been doing well for themselves at the chocobo races." he commented as he read a page. "Oooo~ a sale on hats..." he continued to casually flip through the pages.
She dished the food out onto two plates and brought them to the table. She then quickly made Ardyn some coffee and just a glass of water for herself. She moved back to the table and passed him his coffee. "We can go look at the hats?" she offered before sipping her water.
He flipped another page while he ate. He glanced up at her briefly before shrugging. "Alas, I feel that we won't have the time." he sighed. "We have too much to do, and such little time." another dramatic sigh and another flip of the page.
Ellie watched him while she nibbled on her omelette. Small bites assured that she would not have another sick moment. She watched as he placed the magazine on the table and turned his full attention to his food. She reached for the magazine and began to read it herself. She flipped idly through until she noticed a section on weapons. She touched the page and used her finger to scan over the page, her eyes, and finger resting on a mag rod. She looked it over, she had seen them before and had always found them fascinating. Perhaps one day she'd give it a try?
"Thinking about giving up your gun Ellie?" she looked up to see Ardyn watching her with a raised brow.
She shook her head. "I don't know how useful I'd be with a melee weapon." flashes of her attacking the daemon with the pipe flashed before her eyes. "I'd probably be a burden on you again."
He chuckled. "Your worry for my welfare is flattering." he sipped his coffee. "Oh, I should tell you, dear girl, that I shall be away for three days." at her eyes widening he raised a hand to silence her. "I've arranged for someone to look after you for the time and they'll escort you to meet me in three days time."
"Who will be 'looking after' me?" she said evenly. She was a little offended that he was getting someone to look after her, did he not trust her by herself? She also wondered where he was going and why she was not to accompany him.
He smiled serenely at her. Something in his smile told her that he knew exactly what was bothering her. "Don't worry, Dear Ellie, your caregiver is someone you know, quite well if I may add." he turned his attention back to his breakfast and seemed to have no interest in discussing the matter any further.
Her lips tightened but she chose not to say any more, for now at least. Ardyn was good at making it obvious when to drop topics, now was one of those moments, but she would bring it up at the next opportunity. She glanced back down at the magazine and flipped through the pages. A few moments passed as she looked at random articles and advertisements. Then a bright coloured page caught her attention, it was so colourful that there was no way that she could have passed the page. She scanned the page to try to discern what it was trying to sell it seemed to be an advertisement for flowers and chocolates.
'So if I were to buy these I'd be buying some flowers and chocolates for my...' she read the large gold font. "My Fluffy wuffy poopsie..." she read the last part aloud.
"Yes Schnookims?" Ardyn replied.
She jumped and looked up at him. He was grinning at her, it took her a moment to realise what was happening, but once she had, she let out a breath of air in laughter. "Very funny Sir." she rested her forearms on the table and leaned forwards. "But if you ever call me Schnookims again, I may be forced to resign."
He finished his breakfast and grinned at her. "Of course Schnookims."
Her lips tightened for a few moments before she heard his laughter, which caused her to join.
X
A few hours later she was walking through the streets of Lestallum with Ardyn. She found herself in a heated discussion as to whether or not a feather was still acceptable to wear pinned to ones hat. How she ended up in such a discussion? She was unsure, but she was against the trend and he was in favour of it.
"Sir, feathers are gaudy as well as impractical- how would you go about doing your day to day life with feathers flapping across your face." She purchased a bag of assorted nuts and opened it. She held the bag out to him an returned his smile as he took some.
"I didn't say it needed to be a hat covered in plumage, Dear girl, but a single or perhaps a few feathers can add a certain touch to the garment. I do believe it's called accessorising dear." Even though his voice was casual, there was a smugness to it.
She ate some nuts and walked with him to another shop, one that was selling various fruits. She inspected the fruits and thought of some desserts that she could make from them. "Sir, what are you wearing that calls for a feather?" she turned to him incredulously. "Are you going to wear a bicorne and gallivant around as a pirate?"
"That's a tricorn, Dear Ellie." he grinned and paid the shopkeeper some gil for an apple. "And I think I'd make a fetching pirate." a bite of his apple. "Don't you?"
She had absolutely no trouble picturing him in a pirate costume, standing at the helm of a ship, sailing about and scaring people for laughs. It was such a clear image in her mind, she was almost surprised that it was her imagination, rather than a memory. "I guess you're right sir."
He patted her head with a chuckle. "I'm glad that you have conceded to your defeat." he looked her up and down and grinned. "Perhaps we could get you a little tricorn as well, you could be my... cabin boy."
She felt her eyes roll at his lewd suggestion. "Sure, why not Sir."
He chuckled and patted her back. "Come my Dear, I shall be leaving soon and our guest should be arriving soon enough,"
"You never did tell me who was to be my 'caretaker'?" If she were honest with herself, she was still quite annoyed with the fact that he felt that she needed someone to look after her. However she had already voiced her opinion and he had refused to budge so she remained silent on the matter.
"You'll meet them soon enough."
Back at the hotel suite while she was preparing some coffee and lunch there was a knock at their suite door. She put her knife down on the bench. "I'll get it Sir." she called out to Ardyn who was reading over some paperwork on the sofa. She walked to the door and pulled it open, her eyes widened.
"Loqi?" confusion laced her voice. What was he doing here?
He nodded at her. "Yes, that's me." when she did not move he made an impatient gesture with his hands. "Well, can I come in? Or is my job as your caretaker to simply stand at this door for the next three days?"
She blinked and stepped aside, allowing him to walk in. "You're here for me?" she was confused, shouldn't he be fighting in the war? What was he doing babysitting her? She closed the door behind her and followed after him as he walked into the living room.
"Chancellor Izunia." Loqi saluted to Ardyn. His voice was stiff, as though greeting him was the last thing that he wanted to do- it probably was.
"Ah Tummelt!" Ardyn pulled himself from the chair and walked over to Loqi. "How are you, well? That's good." he clapped his hands together. "Now, you'll look after my Ellie, won't you? Of course you will." he nodded and walked up to Ellie. He put his hands on her shoulders and leaned down so that their noses almost touched. "Take care- try not to get yourself killed," his voice dropped lower. "I left a present on the bed for you." he pulled back and turned to Loqi. "You know where to meet me in three days."
Loqi nodded. "Sir." again his voice was stiff.
Ardyn grinned. "Well then, with that taken care of," he walked to the front door and open. "I shall see you in three days, bye-bye." he glanced at Ellie. "Take care Schnookims!" he walked out of the suite, his laughter was heard through down the hallway as he walked.
She clenched her fists his 'nickname' and glanced up at her cousin who was staring at her with a raised brow. "Don't say a word." she hissed.
An eyebrow quirked. "Schnookims?"
She stormed past him and plonked herself on the sofa. "I said, 'Don't say a word'!" she scowled at him. She saw his eyes flash with humour. "When did he ask you to 'watch me'," she asked, trying to change the subject. "why did he ask you to 'watch me'?"
"Well Schnookims," he began, moving to sit on the armchair across from Ellie. He grinned at the expression on her face. "I was contacted seven days ago, by the Chancellor himself," he crossed his legs and leaned back in the chair. "he asked me to watch you, Schnookims, because he was leaving and you had been unwell lately. He wanted to make sure that someone was there for his Schnookims and to make sure that his Schnookims was safe."
Her lips tightened at his continuous use of the name that she hated but she found herself smiling at the familiarity of the verbal sparring with him- she had missed this, his teasing, missed him. "The Chancellor was worried... for me?" she felt something in her chest warm at the thought.
Loqi nodded and kicked his foot nonchalantly. "He never used the word 'worried' but he did mention that you caught a bug and haven't been able to shake it." he shrugged. "My magitek armour was... damaged recently, so I was available- I suspect that was why he asked me, only reason why I accepted as well."
"The care that you have for me is astounding Loqi." she said flatly, and when he stuck his tongue out at her she returned the gesture. She pulled herself up from the couch and walked over to the kitchen. "It'll be dinner soon, what do you want?"
"Should you be cooking? What with your Illness and all?"
"The Chancellor has yet to get sick- though when I asked if he still wanted me to cook, he said that he never gets sick- which I suppose is correct." she rested her hands on her hips. "Do you want to get take out instead?" She understood his opinion, had even suggested the same thing to Ardyn, it hurt her feelings, but she understood.
He sent her an incredulous look. "I most certainly would prefer to get take out- I don't want whatever you have."
So that night they had pizza, It was a relatively silent affair, they had not spoken much to each other- possibly because of how long it had been since they last saw each other, or it could have been because of how tired Ellie was. Either way, once they had had their pizza, Ellie had said her goodnight to Loqi- who would be sleeping on the couch that night- and had gone to bed.
"What is that?" Ellie murmured as she closed the bedroom door behind her. On the bed was a metal rod, it looked like a baseball bat. She slowly walked to the bed and lifted it, upon closer inspection she noticed that it was one of those Mag-rods that she had seen in the magazine. What was it doing there? Her eyes widened as she remembered what Ardyn had said before he left, about leaving something for her. Was this it? Had he bought it for her? If so when? She turned the rod around in her hands and examined it. He must have purchased it when they had had been in the shops earlier.
A warm smile took her face as she looked down at the metal object. She gave it a few test swings and smiled at how lightweight and easy to move it was. She then found the way to activate and deactivate it's electronic pulse. By the end of her explorations, she was quite pleased with her gift. She placed it by the bedside table and changed into her pyjama's. It was only eight, but she was tired- she could hear Loqi watching television in the other room but that did not bother her, if she could sleep in the car, some television sounds would not bother her.
She climbed into the bed and switched the lamp beside her off. She then reached blindly for the pillow that the Chancellor had been using for the last few days. She clutched it to her chest and inhaled. It still smelled of him. She closed her eyes and smiled. It was only a few days after all.
The scent of the pillow helped her those two nights.
X
Loqi woke to the sounds of his cousin being sick. He jolted from his position on the couch and nearly tumbled as the blanket wrapped around his legs. He looked around, expecting to see Ellie, but all he could see was a plate with half eaten toast on the counter. He frowned, Chancellor Izunia had said that she was unwell, but he hadn't thought it was all that true, she certainly had not seemed unwell the night before.
He pulled himself from the couch and walked into the kitchen area. He looked at the jam toast that she had been eating. It looked perfectly safe, he lifted the toast and sniffed it- it certainly smelled like regular toast. She must have caught something, she had never had allergies before so he could only hazard guesses at what the problem was.
He turned his attention to the coffee machine and went about making his breakfast coffee. While he did this, he heard the sounds of the toilet flushing. Apparently Ellie had finished. He listened to the sound of the shower running and had some of his drink. "At least she's cleaning herself." he said to himself before making himself some toast.
Some time later, while he was eating his toast at the table, he heard the door to the bedroom open with a click. He looked up and nodded to his cousin as she waved at him. He watched her as she walked across the room to the kitchen. She started preparing herself some toast. He watched as she moved around, she was slower than she usually was, as though she was in a daze. He frowned and sipped his drink.
"Did you sleep well Loqi?" he looked up as she called out to him.
A nod. "Well enough, the sofa is better than the bedrolls on the airship." he gestured to her. "What about you, Dear Cousin? How do you sleep without the Chancellor?" he hadn't expected her to respond to his question, so when she did he was shocked.
"I do miss him, but when we're at home we don't share so I'm used to it." she buttered her toast and walked over to sit beside him. When she noticed his expression she raised a brow. "What?"
He shook his head. "I did not expect for you to answer me so honestly- the Elise that I grew up with would have thrown something at me."
She sighed and ran her hand through her still wet hair. "Well it's early, I might still throw something at you." she let out a chuckle. "Honestly though, you already know, what's the point in lying to you?"
He watched as she nibbled on her toast. She was so very different to the girl who had lived with him all of those years ago. She seemed more mature than she had been before, perhaps staying with the Chancellor had matured her? It was a strange sight to behold. He scanned her face too, she looked more matured than she had been before- she also looked tired, but given what she had just been doing, that made sense.
"Would you like to do anything today?" he asked her, not that he cared, if she wanted to hang around the hotel until he took her to the Chancellor, she could, it would be damn boring though.
She glanced up at him briefly for some time as though she were in thought over something. "Well, I..." she looked down at her plate then back up at him. "Would you do me a favour?"
He raised a brow. "Oh? And just what can I do to help you?" he rested his forearms on the table and leaned forward.
She shot him a look before she taking another nibble at her food. "Can you..." she shook her head and kept her eyes on her plate. "Can you please teach me how to fight?"
His brow rose higher. Well that was unexpected. In all of the time that he had known her, she had never shown any real interest in combat. Nothing past the basic gun training that his father, her Uncle, had forced upon her. "Have you anything specific that you wish to learn?" they only had limited time after all.
"I um, hang on." she pulled herself from the chair and rushed back to the bedroom, she came back almost instantly after, carrying a Mag-rod. "I want to learn how to use this." she held it out to him.
He stared at the instrument and reached for it. It was a good model, he noted as he took it into his hands. "Did the Chancellor buy this for you?" he asked as he clutched it correctly. He gave it an experimental swing, it was light. "You'll be able to do some damage with this." he glanced at her, his brow creasing as he raised his brow. "You want to learn how to fight? You, Miss 'I want to be an assistant'?"
She glared. "Why is that so hard to believe?" she held her hand out. "Fine, give it back, I'll work it out for myself." she reached for it and he held it away from her. "Give it back!" she grumbled and jumped for it, only to have him step away from her each time. "Give it back! Loqi!"
He laughed and held it out to her. "Fine, I'll help you." he looked her up and down. "Go get changed into something suitable for combat, we can go when you're ready."
She looked down at herself, then gestured with her hands. "What is wrong with this?"
He let out and sucked in a breath of laughter. "You're wearing a skirt, a white dress blouse and a jacket- I wouldn't be fighting in that." he looked her up and down, seriously, it was just impractical.
She sighed. "Fine, but I'll just change into pants, for the most part I'll be fighting in clothes like this, it would make sense to get used to it."
She had a point, Loqi agreed, but it was still a silly idea to go into combat wearing a skirt. "Fine, do as you please. It doesn't bother me." It did. The clothes one wore could be the difference between living and dying on the battlefield. He watched as she ran off into the bedroom again.
While she was gone he placed the rod on the table and examined it. The Chancellor had purchased it for her, that much was obvious. But why? Had he done it so that she could protect herself? That was possible, they were in the middle of a war, but he never really picked the Chancellor as someone who would care for the well being of his subordinates- especially since he had seen first hand how he treated the M.T's.
"There, I put some pants on." Ellie said as she walked back into the room.
"Well then." Loqi rose from the chair and clasped his hands together. "Well then, Schnookims, let's get to training!"
X
Ellie panted as she swung the rod at her cousin. When he dodged easily she made a sound of annoyance and went for him again. He again dodged her and seemed to be laughing at her while he did so. She jumped back as he moved to strike her with the training sword. "You're good at dodging." she gasped as she moved back to take a moments breathe. The fact that it was still raining made the experience all the more harder.
"Thanks." He said simply before charging at her.
"Loqi!" she jumped back and scrambled to get away. "I need a moment!" she jumped again as he charged at her.
"In battle one does not get rest." Loqi said in a deep voice, an impersonation of his father. He raised the wooden sword to strike her.
"I need a minute." she complained as she raised the rod to block the attack. "We've been doing this for hours now." she pushed the sword away before bringing the rod down at his side.
Loqi barely dodged, the stick nearly hitting his side. "You've gotten better, we can go and get some dinner if you like?"
She wiped some sweat from her brow and nodded. "Has it been that long?" her stomach rumbled. "I need to eat." she walked up to him. "Can we get pizza, I have the oddest craving. Plus, I think that we've worked out enough to deserve it."
He smirked. "We can, but, I'm training you again tomorrow, can you deal with a work out after a night of pizza?"
She waved him off and headed for his black car. "I'll live, future me won't be happy, but I want that damn pizza."
He followed after her, his head thrown back with laughter.
X
Back at the hotel, and after a hot shower she finished the day snuggled under a blanket on the sofa. She pulled a slice of pizza from the box on the living room table, and held it to her mouth. "Oh my pizza goddess, bless this wonderful greasy bounty before me."
She heard Loqi laugh as he came to sit on the armchair across from her. He had a beer in one hand and he reached for some pizza with the other. "You know that there is no goddess of pizza, right?"
She held the pizza away from him as though it were a child that needed protecting. "Shh! Don't say that, the pizza doesn't need to hear that." she took a bit of her food. "Oh my gosh this is phenomenal!" she chewed her food and moaned, she loved the taste of it, grease and all.
"Don't throw it back up." Loqi commented. "I paid for that."
"Oh I wouldn't worry, I tend to feel better at night." she said dismissively. "I feel great right now actually, even after you beat me up." she gestured to her arm. "Have you seen the bruises that you've given me?"
"You'll get more tomorrow." He said with a smirk, while he made a mental note about her 'illness'.
She groan and sunk into the couch. "Just let me not think about it, okay?" she reached for the remote and turned on the television. "Hey, is that..." her eyes widened and she grinned. "Look Loqi!" she pointed to the screen. "Remember this from when we were kids?"
He looked at the screen where there was a man in armour fighting a big red dragon while protecting the sorceress behind him. It was a movie that they had watched together many times when they were younger. "I haven't thought of this movie in years."
She grinned. "Let's watch!"
He returned her smile and the pair watched the film together.
The next day Ellie most definitely ended up covered with bruises.
X
Ellie carried the suitcases into the living room. There was a limp to her step from the training the day before. She tried to ignore it, but that was a hard task given that her entire body ached. In all of her years of working for Ardyn and everything that he had made her do, never had she been in as much pain as she was now. The closest comparable pain would be when the daemon had attacked her, but that was a different kind of pain. She frowned at that memory.
"Stop laughing at me." she glared at Loqi.
"I can't help it. You're so easy to laugh at." he countered as he took the bags from her.
"Thanks..." she smiled weakly at him. "Is it still raining out there?" she asked and when he nodded in response she frowned. "This isn't normal. I wonder what the cause of this is."
Loqi shrugged. "Who knows? Could just be the world trying to piss off everyone who's trying to fight a war- nothing worse than fighting in the rain."
Ellie sighed and nodded. "You're probably right. Anyway should we get going?" she walked to the front door.
"You want to get back to your Chancellor, Schnookims?" he teased.
Ellie stuck her tongue out. "Let's just go."
Ten minutes later the pair were in Loqi's black car, driving towards the base where they were to meet Ardyn. Ellie watched as a light drizzle of rain tapped against the window. It seemed to be getting lighter the longer that the drove and then after another ten minutes of driving, it stopped all together. "Such strange weather..." she commented.
"Makes you miss home, doesn't it?" Loqi commented. "At least back home, the weather is reliable."
"At least it stopped. It's been raining so much lately." she mumbled. As she watched a herd of animals running through the field. "How much longer until we're there?" she looked up at the dark sky, why Ardyn had asked Loqi to take her to the base so late was beyond her- he knew how she felt about the night time and daemons.
"Why did The Chancellor ask you to take me so late?" she asked as she saw what appeared to be a daemon – an imp?- chasing a chocobo. She frowned, poor Chocobo.
Loqi shrugged. "I don't know, all I know is that he paid me to look after you and escort you. I'm not going to ask questions." he suddenly slowed the car down and leaned forward against the steering wheel to look out of the window. "What..."
Ellie looked at him then looked at where he was looking. It was the base, it seemed to be on fire and lighting up as though explosives were going off. Her heart stopped. "Is that where you are taking me?" she asked quietly. When he didn't answer her and the car stopped, she asked again, louder this time. "Is that where you are taking me Loqi!?"
"Not anymore." he shook his head and put the car in reverse. "I'm getting you back to Lestallum."
Her heart pounded in her ears. The Chancellor was there. Ardyn was there. What id something had happened to him- was happening to him? She shook her head. No. she couldn't allow that. Couldn't bare that. "You need to stop the car Loqi."
He shook his head while he did a U-turn. "No, you need to get back to town- safe."
She reached for her Mag rod. "Now."
"No."
Her breathing became heavy and she started to shake. She had to get out of the car. She gripped the door handle. She had to get out. She had to get to Ardyn. She unplugged herself and flung the door open. She ignored Loqi's indignant cry and leaped from the car. She grunted as she landed on the road and rolled.
"Elise!" she heard her cousin cry.
She let out a hiss and pulled herself up to stand. "I'm going!" she called out and charged towards the base. She clutched the rod tightly as she ran. She was going to get there, she had to.
"Elise! Get back here!" she looked back to see Loqi chasing after her on foot. She had the time advantage, but because she had a limp, he had a good chance of catching up to her. She clutched the rod tighter and surged forwards. She wasn't going to stop. She wasn't.
Then the earth shook.
She froze.
The sky filled with lightening and storm clouds.
Then it came.
A god.
She gasped as she watched the elder god, illuminated by lightening, raise his rod high then throw it to the ground. The earth shook and light up from the power. She trembled and held herself to stop herself from falling due to the might of the power.
Then it stopped and the world went back to normal.
A hand grabbed her shoulder. "You are going back to the car and we are taking you back to town. Now." his voice left no room for argument.
But Ellie argued. "I am going." she pulled herself from him and waved her Mag-Rod at him to create some distance, and then she started towards the base. The need to get there stronger than before. She had to know that he was okay. Her heart continued to thrum in her ears.
"Elise!" Loqi chased after her. But she did not stop, even when the reached the base that looked as though a war had happened there, which it had. She heard the sound of a car and gasped as the Regalia, filled with the Prince and his group, drove past them. She locked eyes with them and held their gazes as they drove past and out of the base.
"Them." she heard Loqi say. "So that's what happened."
"Where is the Chancellor?" she said quietly, looking around at the carnage. "Where is Ardyn!" she ran into the base, calling his name as she searched for him. She prayed that nothing had happened to him while she searched. She begged whatever deity would listen to her. "S-Sir!" she coughed as she ran. "Sir!" she ran blindly, her eyes wild and red as she searched for him. She tripped over and M.T's body and collapsed to the ground. She clutched her knees and let out a sob. "A-Ardyn!?"
"Ellie?" her heart stopped.
She looked up blearily. There he was. Standing not ten feet away from her. She pulled herself up and charged at him. She briefly saw what appeared to be Ravus while she ran, but she ignored him, he wasn't important. Not to her. The one who was important was...
"Sir!" she all but crushed herself to him. Her arms wound around him tightly, as though he were a life line. She buried her face into his chest and inhaled. It was him. It was him. "You're safe!" she sobbed.
A hand touched the back of her head. "I'm alright Dear Ellie."
"I saw the god use his power and... and..." she was shaking.
"I'm alright. Death is not in the cards for me, not yet."
"Sir." Loqi said as he walked up to the three. "I tried to stop her. She hit me with her Mag-Rod," he gestured to his face where there was now a red mark that was starting to bruise on his cheek. He glanced at Ellie briefly before continuing. "She is very loyal to you."
Ellie felt Ardyn chuckle. "She got you good." he patted her head. "Ellie Dear, have you seen your cousin's face?"
She pulled back and looked up at his face. "No Sir," she turned her head back and looked at her cousin. "Oh Loqi... I'm sorry."
He crossed his arms. "I'll not try to keep you safe next time, I hope that you know that."
She nodded and pulled back from Ardyn. She then proceeded to look him over for injuries. While she did that Ravus started to walk away. "As charming as this all is, I have pressing matters to attend to. Chancellor Izunia, good day."
"Goodbye, do keep yourself safe!" Ardyn chuckled, then turned his attention to Ellie. "Truthfully, I am safe Ellie."
She let out a shaky breath and stepped back. "I'm glad, I was so worried Sir."
He ruffled her hair before cupping her face. "You need not worry, I shall be fine." he clasped his hands together and smiled. "Shall we head to a rest stop and get some sleep? The car is over there," he gestured in a direction to the side. "We'll get your things and go?"
She nodded. "I'd like that Sir."
He smiled at Ellie then turned his attention back to Loqi. "Thank you for looking after our Ellie, I hope that she wasn't too much trouble."
A laugh. "Just a rod to the face, nothing to bad."
She blushed and covered her face. "I'm sorry."
Ardyn Let out a laugh and patted her back. "Come Ellie, but please do refrain from bludgeoning us with your weapon." he walked ahead with Loqi and laughed at her.
"I'm sorry! I was just worried about you!" she followed after them.
And she always would worry, no matter what.