"What…?"

Stella stepped away from Gladio, shaking her head slowly.

"What?"

Gladio reached out to her, eyes showing hurt. The princess balled her hands into fists, shaking visibly.

"What the fuck, Gladio?!"

Earlier that morning…

Stella woke up, feeling a little dizzy. She propped herself up in the bed, looking around with clouded eyes. She blinked the sleep away and recognised that she was in a trailer.

Where was she?

What happened?

Stella groaned and closed her eyes, trying to recall any memories leading up to this morning.

She remembered turning into a toad and turning back midway down to the river outside Insomnia.

She remembered being soaked to the bone and freezing as she dragged herself down the road.

She remembered Ignis, then Ignis turned into Ardyn…

Stella covered her mouth.

Was her memory tricking her, or did Ardyn actually kiss her?

Stella's lips tingled, and her cheeks went red.

Yes, he did. He stole her first kiss.

Stella clenched her hand into a fist.

Oh, she was going to punch him the next time she saw him. Or better yet…

Stella summoned her axe and winced as her arm dropped. She dismissed her weapon grumpily.

Yeah, maybe not. She felt awful.

"Ah, my little star!"

Stella glared at Ardyn as he came into the trailer. She moved to get up, then noticed she didn't have a stitch on her back. Ardyn laughed as she shrunk back in the bed, clutching the blanket to her body.

"Relax, little Stells," he said. "As a gentleman, I'd never take advantage of you."

Stella narrowed her eyes.

"Forgive me if I don't immediately believe you," she muttered as patted her body down discreetly.

Ardyn placed a cup down on the bedside table.

"Drink this," he said as he sat on the bed, smirking as she inched away from him. "Stells, I had to take your wet clothes off. Your condition would have worsened if I hadn't."

Stella eyed the cup and took it. She sipped it and stuck her tongue out at the bitter taste. Ardyn chuckled.

"Old medicines may not be nice to drink, but they are effective."

Stella took another sip of the warm drink and cringed again. It tasted awful, worse than broccoli.

She paused as she felt Ardyn's lips on her forehead.

"Bear in mind, my dear," he said softly, "I would not appreciate the stench of other men on your lips or body."

Stella tensed, nearly losing the grip on the cup. She went red and Ardyn smirked.

"Oh, that's right," he hummed. "You're truly a white maiden. So pure and so…tempting…"

Stella hitched the blanket up her body higher and pressed herself to the wall by the bed. She took another sip to distract her mind. Ardyn chuckled darkly.

"Oh, my dear," he sighed. "I'm surprised that you've been looked over by your beloved Ignis." His eyes glinted mischievously. "Or that Gladio hasn't confessed his feelings…"

Stella choked on the bitter medicine and glared at Ardyn.

"Gladio sees me as a little sister!" she barked.

"Oh? That may be true for the King's Hand…" Ardyn circled his fingers on the bed. "But for the Shield? You must be blind to not notice how her looks at you, my star. A child could guess what circles his mind when he's around you."

Stella lobbed the cup at Ardyn and he dodged it. The cup hit the wall opposite them, splattering the rest of the green medicine everywhere.

"Don't taint our friendship!" she yelled. "Stop lying to try and poison something that you can never hope to attain!"

Ardyn's smile faltered and he grabbed her chin, pulling her forward. Stella gripped the blanket tighter. Ardyn took her other hand and kissed the back of it.

"Truly, you are blind," he murmured, "to not have noticed his desires. But who can blame him? Every sensible man should be smitten by your beauty."

Stella pulled away, adjusting the blanket around her.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," she said. "Not every man sees me in a romantic light."

Ardyn drew closer and Stella pressed her back against the wall behind her. Her heart thumped against her chest as he pressed his hands on either side of her hips. He locked eyes with her, breath tickling the top of her chest.

"Then…" he whispered, "what would happen if I called you beautiful?"

Stella's eyes widened as he leaned closer still, lips hovering over hers. She squeezed her lips and eyes closed, hands shaking as she expected another kiss.

She waited for a few tense moments and jumped when someone frantically knocked on the door.

"Stells!" Gladio's voice barked. "Stells, are you in there?!"

Stella's eyes flew open and she sighed loudly when she saw Ardyn had disappeared. She barely flinched when the door was thrown open and Gladio stormed in, eyes wide and wild.

When his gaze landed on her, she felt her stomach twist as she recalled Ardyn's words.

"Stells!"

Stella gasped as Gladio threw himself across the trailer and brought her into a crushing hug.

"Where is he?!" she heard Prompto shout behind the shield. "Where is that bastard?!"

Stella tried to push Gladio away, but her hands were too shaky to do anything.

"Gl-Gl-Gladio…" she murmured and wheezed as he squeezed her tighter.

"I've got you, Stells," he muttered. "I've got you…"

"Gladio," Stella gasped.

"I'm not going to let you go again…"

Stella managed to lock eyes with Prompto and waved him down, pointing to Gladio.

"Um, Gladio?" the blonde said as he approached them. "I think she needs to breathe?"

Stella gasped for air as Gladio finally let her go. The shield sat on the bed, noticing her state of attire.

"What has he…?"

"Nothing!" Stella said as she inched away from Gladio. "Nothing, I kinda fell into the river and sleeping in wet clothes isn't a good idea…"

She closed her eyes as he pressed his large hand against her forehead.

"You're burning up!"

"I had medicine…"

Stella's eyes wandered to the green stain on the wall.

"Gladio, I'm fine," she sighed. "I'll get changed now, OK?"

"Do you need help?"

"I'll be fine!" Stella's voice picked up an octave as she brought the blanket up higher. "Please?"

Gladio nodded once, gripping her hand.

"We're going to get you away from here, Stells," he said, and Stella tried to get her hand free.

"But…"

Gladio left no room for argument as he got up and followed Prompto out of the trailer. Stella swallowed as she was left alone and glanced at her clothes hung up in the wardrobe.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she could hear Ardyn's lascivious laugh.

Stella stepped out of the trailer and caught sight of Gladio and Prompto talking by the truck they used to go around Lucis. Ignis was sitting nearby and she felt her heart skip a beat.

Part of her believed that for a moment, it was Ardyn posing as him once again.

"Ignis?"

Ignis lifted his head in her direction and smiled.

"How are you, Stella?"

Stella sighed in relief as she collapsed into the seat next to him.

"Oh, Ignis, it is you, right?" she whispered. "What's my favourite snack?"

Ignis chuckled with a smile.

"You love my salmon riceballs."

Stella sighed again and gripped his hand.

She didn't care if Ardyn could easily have looked that up in one of her diaries. She felt reassured that the man next to her was indeed the real Ignis.

A tear went down her cheek as she looked up at him.

"I'm sorry," she murmured and Ignis shook his head.

"You're back now," he said. "I'm afraid I must apologise for lowering my guard."

"What about the fact that I walked into the most basic trap ever?"

Ignis chuckled and reached out to stroke her hair. "I'm sure if the roles were reversed, we would have come to your aid."

Stella smiled and shook her head.

"No, because you're Ignis," she said. "You would have had a fully fleshed out plan that would have roughly an eighty-six percent chance of success?"

"Only eighty-six percent, Stella? My, I must be getting rusty."

Stella laughed and nuzzled his hand. "You always exceed expectations."

She swallowed as she saw the corners of Ignis's lips curl up into a slight smirk.

Her heart skipped a beat as she recalled Ardyn's bruising kiss on her lips. The way he had gripped her terrified her.

Stella shook her head, covering her mouth.

She'd wanted her first proper kiss to be with Ignis. She had kissed other actors during her stage career but it was always chaste and in her mind, never really counted.

Stella shifted her chair closer to Ignis and reached out to wipe some dirt off the side of his face.

"How badly did he hurt you?" she asked.

"It was nothing," Ignis reassured her. "I think he was only trying to get a reaction out of you."

Stella wiped away a couple of tears away from her eyes. She could still hear his screams of agony.

"Did he hurt you?" Ignis asked and Stella swallowed.

"There was an incident," she muttered and rubbed her neck. "But he healed it. Apparently, he has a trigger-happy temper like Gladio…"

Ignis reached out for her and his fingers brushed against her cheek.

"Stella, it's OK," he said soothingly. "We won't let you go back to him again."

That was enough for Stella to lean closer and press her lips against his. She wanted to get rid of Ardyn's memory.

Pulling away, she sighed and watched Ignis's reaction. She nibbled her lip as Ignis sat still, lips parted and blind eyes staring in her direction.

A cold feeling crawled up her spine as the thought of Ignis not reciprocating her feelings hit her.

"Ignis?" she said a little shakily. "I'm sorry, I just…"

She was plucked out of the awkward situation when Gladio grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away. What she didn't expect was being pushed against the window of the convenience store and Gladio slamming a hand by her face.

She looked up at him with wide, blue eyes, her legs trembling as she saw emotion swirling in his amber eyes.

"Gladio…?"

She swallowed as she saw Gladio's lips press together. Her eyes widened when she recalled Ardyn's words.

"Gladio, I…"

She yelped as Gladio picked her up and pressed her against the glass. Her lips were parted which the shield took advantage off.

Stella struggled as he kissed her roughly. His eyes were closed as he lost himself in his passion. Stella grabbed his shoulders, legs flailing as she tried to push him away.

She could see Prompto frozen to the spot, stunned by the aggressive act. Behind him was Ignis, touching his lips and unaware on what was going on a few feet away from him.

Stella lifted her hand and summoned a dagger. She hit Gladio over the head with the handle and that was what got him to stop the kiss.

She landed shakily as he stepped away, rubbing the spot where the handle had struck him. She covered her mouth, her lips still tingling from the assault.

"Stells…" Gladio breathed.

"What…?"

Stella stepped away from Gladio, shaking her head slowly.

"What?"

Gladio reached out to her, eyes showing hurt. The princess balled her hands into fists, shaking visibly.

"What the fuck, Gladio?!"

Her voice echoed across Hammerhead. Hunters turned their head to observe the scene curiously.

"What kind of fucked up romance novel do you think we're in?!" she barked and gestured around her. "Have you read too many fantasies to believe that such a stunt would work?"

She rubbed her lips furiously.

"Stells, I just wanted you to know," Gladio said.

"Well I've got the fucking message now!"

Stella shook her head, covering her eyes and groaning.

The most annoying thing was that Ardyn had been right. And he was going to gloat about it the moment…

"Ah, my star…"

Stella froze as time stopped around her. Her hands trembled as she heard footsteps approaching her.

Gladio was stuck in place, hand out towards her, his eyes reflecting the hurt and love he held for her. Stella couldn't look away.

"You said he saw you as a little sister, no?"

Stella swallowed as Ardyn stepped next to her and tilted his head at Gladio.

"Well, I don't blame you for thinking such an innocent thought," he said as he eyed the shield. "He's had many chances to confess his feelings. But when does he decide when the right moment is?"

He smirked and looked down at her.

"Why, when he thinks he's losing you. And how does he declare his feelings?"

He pointed to the spot where Gladio had pinned her against.

"Aggressively, like some animal. It appears he doesn't know how to treat a princess like you, Stells." He tilted his head towards Prompto and Ignis. "None of them do."

He circled behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Now, my dear," he whispered into her ear. "It is time for us to leave."

Stella turned to him sharply. "Already?"

Ardyn shrugged.

"I'm afraid that if we stay any longer, I may forget my manners. It truly is tragic how chivalry is dead in this day and age."

"Clearly." Stella's sarcastic tone came out more hostile than she had intended.

Ardyn laughed as he brought his arms around her shoulders and embraced her.

"Now, now…say goodbye."

"Stells!"

Stella turned to Gladio, time resumed for him and the rest of the world. Darkness swirled around her and her stomach lurched.

"Gladio!" she cried and reached out for his outstretched hand.

Their fingertips brushed, and Stella felt like she was thrown back. Everything went dark for the princess as Ardyn's laugh echoed in her head.

Stella woke up with a gasp. She was on her bed and her head was spinning. She patted herself down and sighed when she realised that it was only her hoodie and boots that were gone.

"It does take some getting used to."

Stella glared at Ardyn, who stood at her wardrobe, slipping her hoodie onto a clothes hanger. He hung it up and slid the door shut.

"Now, are you hungry?"

"Get out," Stella snarled.

Ardyn looked at her with a hardened look.

"Now, Stells," he said as he wagged his finger at her, "that isn't very nice."

"To hell with it!" Stella leapt to her feet and strode over to him. "What was that just now?! You let me see my friends for like five minutes and just whisk me away?!"

"You promised me the next ten years of your time, Stella. Or have you forgotten?"

Stella crossed her arms and looked to the side. Ardyn sighed and shook his head.

"Now, there's no need to behave like a child. I merely saved you from those…men."

Stella glared at him as he brushed some stray hairs out of her face.

"Clouding your judgement with such fleeting feelings," he muttered. "You know you deserve better than them, my dear. A king."

Stella slapped his wrist away. "If I deserve a king, then why am I presented with a jester?"

Ardyn widened his eyes a fraction and laughed. "And what makes you think I'd be interested to capture your heart, dearest?"

Stella gave him a quizzical look. "You…called me beautiful?"

Ardyn shrugged with his arms as he stepped away. "I believe I asked, what would happen if I called you beautiful. You flatter yourself too much."

Stella curled her left hand into fist, the urge to punch the daemon before her in the face rising. He tilted his head to the side with an aloof smirk.

"Although, if the opportunity to lay with you came along…"

"Hold your tongue before I cut it out," Stella snarled.

Ardyn laughed again. "So hostile to your uncle, Stells. I feel rather victimised here. I've done nothing wrong." He lowered his arms, smirk fading slightly. "I'm merely keeping an eye out for you. You understand, surely?"

Stella swallowed as she relaxed her fist. Ardyn approached her and placed a hand on her forehead.

"Your fever is going down," he hummed, "but I will have to prepare some more medicine for you. It was hard work finding those ingredients, Stells. So inconsiderate to throw it out."

"I don't need medicine," Stella growled as she pushed his hand away.

"Now, you're just saying that because of the taste, my dear. You'll feel better when you've had the proper dose."

Stella opened her mouth to argue and was stopped as he brought his arms around her. She froze on the spot as he caressed her hair.

"Oh," the accursed sighed, "it has been such a rough few hours for you, hasn't it, my star? You were on the verge of confessing your feelings to your beloved, only to be snatched away by a jealous admirer. Although…"

He pulled away and lifted her chin up, cupping her cheek. His thumb brushed along her lower lip.

"I must admit to feeling some envy," he whispered. "Ignis had a willing, innocent kiss, whilst Gladio had a deep, passionate one. Our first kiss was rather boring."

Stella's heart leapt as he leaned in.

"Shall we try again?"

Stella backhanded Ardyn with all her might. The sound echoed in the room as he stepped back.

"Get out!" she shouted. "Leave me alone! Go brood, or ramble, or do whatever it is a dead man walking does in his final, pathetic moments!"

She summoned her axe and aimed it for Ardyn. When he didn't move, she threw it.

The weapon sailed through the room and before it could hit Ardyn on the nose, he disappeared into black mist. The axe embedded itself into the door behind him and Stella stepped back, fists up and ready to fight if necessary.

"As you wish, my poor star. Sulk like the child you are."

Stella swallowed as she heard the lock in her door turn with a loud click.

"I'll return when you're in a better state of mind. Then we can talk like civilised adults."

Stella took a deep breath as her axe disappeared. She dragged herself to her bed and faceplanted into the pillows.

She burst into tears, gripping the black sheets.

"I'm sorry, guys…" she sobbed.