Chapter 12: Ten Years

A long year had passed in the new home that Ardyn had given Amy and the Nox Fleuret siblings. As the days became darker, Amy's belly had become bigger and bigger until her little daughter Jessabelle was born. It was a hard birth since she was unable to receive medication but in the end the pain was more than worth it. Ardyn really showed Amy that his cold heart was warm when he was with her. Nothing was stopping his plan and his fate still lay with Noctis but he was there through her labor pains while Ravus insisted on staying far away by keeping guard in the off chance that a daemon was to get by the strong defenses the Chancellor had put in place. She was named after Ardyn's wife who died so many years ago.

Now, the adorable three-month-old girl was sitting with her mother and "aunt" Luna cooing and blowing bubbles. Ardyn was away in Insomnia sitting on his throne that had been stolen from him so many years ago. Ravus didn't seem to like the infant's continuous crying during the night and was extremely cranky during the day. Despite everything though, Ravus turned out to be a very protective "uncle" to Jess and seemed to slowly warm up to Amy to the point of being like an older brother to her. It made Amy smile how much he and Gladio saw her as a younger sibling along with their biological ones.

"Hey Ravus, wanna change her diaper?" Amy smirked up at the former prince of Tenebrae.

"I'd…rather go make sure no daemons are about…" he said getting up, grabbing his sword, and walking out swiftly.

Luna giggled. "Aw, uncle Ravus doesn't like stinky diapers."

"Nope. It must be 'beneath' him." Amy laughed. "Alright, let's go little miss Jessa Lucis Caelum."

Amy smiled every time she said the name. Ardyn wanted to be her daughter's father even if the only thing he could give her was a name. He wanted her to be the princess who would take over once Eos was once more at peace. He knew that she had no royal blood and she would never inherit the powers of Lucis but that's what he wanted. He wanted a new leader who would bring the world left behind together. What he didn't know was that Amy had her own plans that she would never dare tell him.

Ravus had not left a few minutes before Pryna began to growl at the door.

"What's wrong girl?" Luna asked petting her. The beautiful dog of Luna's had always been protective of the little girl since she was in her mother's womb. When the door burst open Amy instinctively grabbed Kyoko. "Bring her upstairs!" She told Luna who took her up immediately without a word with Pryna in tow.

Amy stood staring at the door trying to figure out how a daemon could get past Ravus. When she knew that Luna and her daughter were safe, she unsheathed her blade and went to attack the beast. The clang of blades was almost deafening as the cold chuckle escaped their lips. This was not just any daemon. He wore a hood that covered his face and he was strong. He removed his hood and Joel's cold, green eyes were bleeding with dark goo dripping down his eyes and mouth.

"Hello, my queen. How is my heir? Is it a boy or a girl?"

"That's…impossible. I killed you." She said staring in shock but not backing down. She would never allow him to touch her baby girl.

"Not if I injected myself with starscourge once I knew I was dead. I did it right before you slit my throat. Maybe you should have double checked to make sure I was dead."

"You're a hypocrite. You damn Ardyn yet you inject that serum into yourself? I will never let you near my daughter."

"Ah so a princess it is." He seethed stepping in so that she had to struggle to keep him away. "I'll be taking her and going on my way. Then I'll burn this place to the ground so you three will die and I can control the remnants."

"I won't let you." She growled. "You are not her father. I refuse to allow you to raise her."

His face became darkened and pushed her so that she was thrown into the wall. She then came over and placed his strong hand around her throat.

"If you're allowing the accursed to raise my daughter than you're more twisted than I thought."

"At least he's got a plan on raising her the way she needs to be raised. He knows he won't make it in the final battle with Noctis. He knows…" She paused looking sadly up at where Luna was. "He knows Noctis' fate as well…" she added softly. "She adopted her and gave her his name so that she will take over once the light has been restored."

"Like Hell I will allow her to be raised by that man." He glared squeezing harder. Amy gasped trying to breathe. "You know, you truly did make me think that you were on my side. Where did your deception come from?"

Amy smirked through her pain as she saw the figure standing behind her enemy in the doorway. She grasped his arm and made sure that she had a way to get out of the way. "I learned from the best…after all." She smirked as she pushed him out of the way so that she was at the side of him as a warping sound came from behind him and a blade pierced his heart. Ardyn glared darkly at the man as he twisted the blade to cause more pain.

"You are not worthy to father such an innocent child. It's better that you remain dead to her." His soft yet cold voice said to the bleeding daemon. "You believe that I am the worst daemon alive yes? You are sorely mistaken. I believe… you have stolen that title."

Joel's lifeless body fell to the ground with a thump as ashes of his existence began to fall up into the atmosphere. Amy's heart was racing as she ran to embrace her lover as she was shaking. "I never thought… he would do such a vile thing…" She whispered trying to hold back her tears.

"He had access to the various labs in Nifleheim I would expect he used that as a last resort. What surprises me is how he was able to control himself once he turned. Is Jessabelle safe?" he asked calmly holding her protectively as if the body would come back to life any minute.

"Yes, Luna took her upstairs."

"Good," Ardyn nodded. "Her brother has been knocked out which must have been how he got past the High Commander."

"How dare he…" Ravus' annoyed voice came from the threshold. "How dare he undermine me…" he grumbled.

Amy smiled sarcastically. "For once, I agree with you Ravy. Because you're such a strong Commander."

"Ravy? What kind of name is that?" the prince spat.

"My nickname for you. Lunafreya has Luna, you have Ravy." She chuckled. "I'm sure that once Jess learns how to talk she'll call you uncle Ravy. Ardyn is fine as he is. His name is sexy anyway." She added with a wink. "Don't you agree?"

The white-haired prince wanted to protest but after Ardyn began to chuckled lightheartedly he thought better of it. Amy knew very well that the reason he was promoted so quickly was because he had slept with the Chancellor. Even now, Amy did not mind sharing Ardyn with him because she knew that Ardyn would not be able to risk getting her pregnant again.

The two men cleaned up the mess while Amy went upstairs to make sure her baby girl was ok.

As the rest of the years went by, rarely anything happened to the small family living in a secret part of the woods within the walls of Insomnia. Obviously, Ardyn could not visit constantly because he wanted to enjoy his time as the temporary King before he knew he had to die. From time to time, Luna and/or Ravus gave Amy breaks from taking care of little Jess by letting her take a stroll around the protective woods or training in the back yard. She had to make sure she kept in shape. When she took walks she usually went with Luna while Ravus watched Jess. When she chose to train, she usually trained with Ravus while Luna took her turn.

One day, when she was finished a walk with Luna they walked in and did not see Ravus or the now five-year-old girl. They searched the house but Amy hushed Luna when she saw where they were. They were set up in Jess' bedroom with her small table, stuffed animals, and tea set which must have been filled with either ice tea or juice. Pryna sat patiently next to the young girl with a green scarf around her neck. Luna gasped with a smile as Amy took out her phone. One thing she picked up from Prompto was the right time to take a picture. She snapped a few of this priceless moment. She knew she had to show him once they met and made up once it was all over.

"Well uncle Ravy, you look beautiful in that outfit. The bonnet really brings out your eyes." Amy said aloud after putting her phone away. Ravus Nox Fluret was sitting awkwardly with the bossy toddler with a dress that was too small for him… it was either Luna's or the original Jessabelle's. Jess tended to take clothing from the former lady of the house's trunk that was in Amy and Ardyn's bedroom. He wore a bright, pink-laced bonnet on his white head and poorly drawn make up all over his face.

"Mommy!" Jess said jumping up and hugging her mother. "Doesn't uncle Ravy look pretty?"

Amy couldn't stop laughing. "Yes Jessa. He's gorgeous."

"Do you and auntie Luna want to join our tea party?" she asked innocently.

"Of course." She said petting her hair. Luna couldn't help but giggle as they sat down joining the toddler and Ravus. The brooding man attempted to get up but Amy pulled him back down. "Oh no you don't. You're gonna stay Ravy." She smirked.

He huffed but plopped back down in his seat. "You better not have taken pictures…"

"Oh, don't worry I did."

He glared but said nothing more. The truth was he actually got used to being the little girl's "uncle." He had joined in on these tea parties a few times but this was the first time he was caught. He was sure Amy would use those pictures for blackmail…

"Is daddy still not home?" Jess asked.

"Yes. He's still…out hunting." She lied. She knew she had to make up something so that she wouldn't know the truth yet. She was still too young to know of who her adoptive father was and that she was not his biological child. She deserved to be innocent for as long as she could let her. Ardyn felt the same.

As the years went on, Ardyn's visits became less and less frequent. Amy figured that he wouldn't be able to say goodbye or go through with this if he visited so much. He would become too attached. Amy and Jess were training with wooden swords when the dreaded time had come. Ardyn came to watch them and smiled as he leaned against the wall. He wasn't sure if the child should learn but he figured that she should learn if she were to be the only Lucis left after their death. He still had no idea that Amy had a plan.

"Daddy!" Jessa exclaimed after she successfully knocked Amy's wooden sword out of her hand. She ran over and hugged her adoptive parent tightly. He spoiled her to bits. Gave her so many presents on her birthday and provided everything that was in his power to give in this dark world.

"Hello Jessabelle." He said hugging her tightly with a sad smile. Amy frowned when she noticed. There was only one reason he would have that smile… "I've brought you your favorite."

"The Hammerhead Hot Sandwich?!" She exclaimed. Ardyn usually went out to the various places that were still open in this dark world in a different form to pick up foods so that Jessa could enjoy different foods. He risked a lot when he did this which is why he usually only did this for special occasions…which gave Amy what felt like a punch to the stomach.

"Yes, it is." He smiled petting her hair fondly. "Why don't you go inside and wait for your mother and I to join you for dinner? I'm sure that you have been training hard today."

"Yes, I have daddy!" she said hugging him once more before running inside.

Ardyn watched the young girl run inside and scratched the back of his head absentmindedly. He didn't seem to want to look into Amy's eyes. He knew she knew what was coming. His love walked slowly towards him and pulled him in for a gentle hug. He pulled her closer to face him and held her. He didn't want to say goodbye. He truly grew to love her but he knew he had to make up for all of his sins as well as the those that were thrust upon him.

"This isn't fair. You don't deserve this. You were the savior." She said to him softly.

"A savior who became a daemon and killed many people just for revenge." He reminded her softly. "Jessa should not have to live behind that shadow."

"Either way she is your daughter. Blood or not." Amy told him looking up. She was not in tears. She had trained herself for this day. There was no need to tell her that he had arisen from the crystal. The way he acted was enough for her to know.

"Yes, and I pray that she never hates me after my demise." He said pulling her in.

"Tonight… can you make love to me one last time?" she whispered into her ear.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He cooed as he kissed her lips gently. Amy squeeked silently when his hand traveled to her lower back and squeezed gently.

"A…After she's asleep." She flushed.

"I know." He nodded with his devilish grin. Damn, he's still so damn charismatic and knows just how to make me melt…

He chuckled as he held his arm out to allow her to enter the home first. Whenever Ardyn was over, Pryna was always protective but never attacked. She knew something about him had changed but she wanted to keep her guard up. She was such a smart dog. They had their meal and talked about everything that had gone on in Ardyn's absence. Jessa adored Ardyn. She was definitely a "daddy's girl." Once it became late, Ardyn was the one to put her to bed with some nursery rhymes and fairy tales from his youth. They were very old but they seemed to truly soothe the hyperactive child after a long day. Once she was asleep, Ravus and Luna went to their respective bedrooms to allow Amy and Ardyn to have the rest of the night to themselves.

When they made love this night, it was even more passionate than any time before. He still feared impregnating her so she allowed him to finish inside of her other end in order to relieve his fears. When they were finished, they lay in bed neither of them wanting to fall asleep in fear of their awakening.

"I…have a plan…" Amy whispered.

"A plan? What do you mean?" he asked curiously.

"I do, though I want to remain to keep it a secret." She explained. "I fear it won't work. I still need to make up with two people. I have a way to fix it, but you have to trust me."

"I do." He said softly kissing her forehead. "I trust you to save Eos just as Noctis will."

The lovers fell asleep in each other's arms. Amy hoped beyond hope that her plan would work. The necklace was kept safe in her bedside table. The necklace that brought her hope. She just hoped that she was right in thinking Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto survived…