Chapter 2:
Lush green forests stretched farther than the eye could see. A brilliant sky shown overhead as the chatter of passersby filled his ears. Ignis adjusted his glasses, repositioning them on his nose. Tenebrae was a welcome change of pace from the oppressive urbanism of Insomnia, the greenery smiling down at him as would a doting mother. Then again, Insomnia wasn't bound by the empire's shackles - thank the Six for small favors.
Ignis shouldered his bag - the only carry-on he'd allowed himself for the trip. As the prince's retainer, it was his duty to see to his wedding preparations as quickly and efficiently as possible. There was no need to be bogged down by extraneous luxuries or literal baggage - no. If all went as planned, he would be on his way back to the Crown City before nightfall. One change of clothes should the worst come to pass, but nothing for any longer than a single night's stay.
"What's wrong, Specs?" He felt a slap on his shoulder. "Not excited to hammer out the details of His Highness's wedding?" Gladiolus ran forward, not even stopping to look him in the eye. He threw his large frame over the balcony, taking in the sights over the railing.
"It's not a matter of excitement, Gladio," Ignis chided him, already exasperated with his fellow retainer. "Throw yourself any farther over that railing and you'll fall onto the unwitting citizenry below."
"And what's wrong with that?" Gladio turned to smirk at him. "Lots of good looking ladies here to catch me."
"For the good of Lucis, Gladiolus, try not to cause a diplomatic incident before we even reach the palace," He was only half serious, a small smile pulling at his lips, when Ignis felt his pocket vibrate. He was tempted almost not to take the call - small moments like these were few and far between.
"Fine," Gladio heaved a sigh, putting on a bit of a show for his buddy. "Only for you, Iggy."
Ignis didn't answer - his caller ID had his attention instead. "Yes?"
"Did you make it there safely?" His uncle's voice - even, steady, poised, as it always was. As Ignis's always was. Only his nephew could hear the small amount of concern that crept through. Forced to stay in Insomnia to help with preparations for the peace treaty signing with the empire, Ignis knew it was killing him not to be able to be with his nephew in enemy territory.
"Is there any doubt?" Ignis managed a small smile - he needed to maintain his professionalism. "We've just arrived in Tenebrae. The caravan is already underway, arranging accommodations."
"Good." Was all his uncle said. "I expect a full report from you soon. Mind yourself around the empire."
"Always." And just like that, he was gone. Ignis felt something ominous about the call - though he couldn't place what. Gladio didn't wait for an explanation.
"At least you heard from your old man," He laughed, putting his hands behind his head, taking in the sights. His old man… his uncle was the closest thing Ignis had to an "old man". He hadn't ever had a chance to know his own. "Mine hasn't even shot me a text."
"Acting as the King's Shield is a full time job," Ignis pointed out. "You should know that better than anyone."
"Yeah, yeah," Gladio pushed Ignis's shoulder. "Come on! Let's go arrange the party of the century for Noct!"
The royal palace was in view from the station, but it was a significant trip through winding mountain roads and thick, vast foliage to get there. Although they'd arrived in Tenebrae in the afternoon, the sun was setting by the time they reached the castle. Expansive arches and gleaming white buttresses decorated the side of the vivid green mountain, and Ignis marveled at the architecture - not modern, like Insomnia. Old, ancient, gothic, and fantastical. He felt like he was viewing history itself.
The caravan of Lucian Crownsguard were there to greet them at the entrance, as was a considerable force of royal guards of Tenebrae.
"Mr. Scientia and Mr. Amicitia," One of the Crownsguard greeted them, taking their things. "How was the trip?"
"Lovely, as was expected," Ignis smiled warmly as another guard - one representing Tenebrae - saluted him and his associate. "Associate," however, really wasn't the best word for Gladio. The two of them had been raised together, both brought up in the palace of Insomnia into their respective roles as right and left hands of the king - the Shield and the Steward - had both lived among Lucian royalty, groomed for greatness in the names of their kings all their lives. Gladio was practically his brother.
"Right this way, gentlemen," A servant was leading them into the grand opening hall. It all seemed surreal. The boy they had watched grow up, whom they'd tirelessly groomed for glory, the one who still failed to clean up after himself, who hated studying, the notoriously picky eater, the boy who always went to bed late and could never get up in the mornings - he was really getting married. To the Oracle, no less. It was beyond all reasonable comprehension, and yet here they were, at the entrance to the Nox Fleuret palace. It had all happened so fast - one day, Noct was in university like any other 20 year old. The next, he was taking leave to plan his own wedding to Lady Lunafreya, as arranged by the empire.
And that was what made Ignis suspicious.
He was all pleasantries and smiles on his way inside, but took careful note of the airships branded with the empire's seal grounded several cliffsides down, and the guards by the grand staircase who didn't seem to fit in their armor quite right. Gladio met his gaze and nodded - he noticed it too. Not that their hosts seemed to really try to make a secret of any of it.
"Ah, Ignis Scientia and Gladiolus Amicitia," Ignis heard a familiar voice from somewhere behind him. Raspy, hoarse, chocolatey, velvety, sing-song; all were words used to describe that voice. They all did her justice, that he could agree with.
"Hello, Inertia," Ignis greeted her before he even saw her. They had met only on one other occasion, at a charity ball reserved for Lucian youth displaced by the war. He and Gladio had been sent in Prince Noctis's stead, and she in Lunafreya's. He offered a hand, and Lady Lunafreya's only retainer accepted the gesture. The only woman whose beauty rivaled that of the Oracle, it was part of her claim to notoriety. Her impossibly long hair fell in cascades down her back, framing the simple white dress she donned on behalf of her charge. She was the only other woman permitted to wear white by the empire - it was a color reserved for the Oracle, and, by extension, the Nox Fleuret family. But here she was, less Luna's lady-in-waiting than she was her second in command, donning the same color, as was always the case. Whether or not that was her choice, or Lunafreya's, or the empire's, he didn't know. He tried not to let his eyes wander - he was here on business. Straightening himself, he touched his lips to the back of her hand. "You're looking as beautiful as ever."
"And they say chivalry is dead," Gladio chided him, elbowing his side. Inertia ignored both jests, and instead took Gladio's hand.
"Nice to see you both again," She had turned on her heel and was leading them away from prying eyes and ears before either of them had a chance to respond. But Ignis was somewhat grateful for the distraction; he needed a break from all of the formalities. Yes, even he, Ignis Stupeo Scientia, needed a break from politics and seriousness.
"Please, have a seat," Inertia shut the door behind them, gesturing to a few armchairs placed lovingly in front of an ornate, mahogany desk. The parlor in which they sat was warm, and full of light, and looked down over Tenebrae below. Ignis couldn't help but notice how neatly everything was placed, the organization of the bookshelf, the golden globe shimmering in the corner - if this was Inertia's study, then Lunafreya must have valued her as more than a retainer to gift her such a welcoming space. He was careful when he sat in one of the marvelously crafted armchairs - they certainly seemed worth a lot.
"Oh, don't be shy, Ignis," Inertia sat behind her desk. "They're meant for sitting."
"Right," He managed awkwardly. Gladio merely chuckled, falling into the chair beside him.
"So, how have you been, Inertia?" Gladio opened up the conversation, eliciting from her the raise of an eyebrow.
"We're not here to talk about me, Gladiolus," she opened a folder before her, grabbing the nearest pen.
"I could be," He leaned forward with a grin. Ignis could feel his stomach drop - now was not the time for flirting with Lady Lunafreya's retainer!
"I do apologize, Lady Inertia, for my associate's lascivious behavior," Ignis pinched the bridge of his nose - he couldn't even look at Gladio. Their first political meeting entrusted solely to them and Gladio was flirting with the opposing ambassador.
"Oh relax, Ignis," She shot him a smile that made him swallow. The woman was disarmingly beautiful. "It might do you some good to let your hair down once in awhile." She crossed a leg as Gladio laughed, Ignis beginning to sweat - how could she be so informal? Did she really mean to suggest he was too conservative? Or was she toying with him? He hadn't signed on for advances by Inertia Izunia of Tenebrae. But she was onto the matter at hand in seconds.
"Well gentleman, I'm open for discussion, but I'm afraid the empire has made their terms for the arrangement quite explicit."
"And what terms are those?" Ignis inquired, hand to his chin. Back to the task at hand - diplomacy. This was where he excelled.
Inertia paused, fumbling with the hem of her dress. She refused to look either of them in the eye. "First, they request that the ceremony be held in Altissia, the very same site of Queen Sylva's wedding - Lady Lunafreya's mother - thirty years ago."
"Of course," Ignis agreed. "The Kingdom of Lucis has the utmost respect for the late queen of Tenebrae."
"And what other terms do they request?" Gladiolus interrupted him, always straight to the point.
"They request it take place the same day as the signing ceremony."
"Preposterous," Ignis laughed to himself, the idea itself was comical. How did the empire expect anyone to accept their presence in Insomnia while the crown prince was off getting married in the floating metropolis that was Altissia? Both the Oracle AND the crown prince would be absent from the treaty signing? They were two symbolic leaders of their respective kingdoms, and its absurdity was laughable - it was an obvious set up. "And Lucis is supposed to accept these terms without grievance? This is clearly a trap, Inertia."
"I've gotta agree with Iggy," Gladiolus leaned back in his seat, damn near breaking the thing. Ignis winced as it groaned under his weight. "This whole arrangement was fishy in the first place. But this? How dumb do they think we are?" He hadn't said it with much finesse, but Gladio was right, of course.
"I understand your concerns, gentlemen, but I-"
"Forgive me, Lady Inertia, for speaking out of turn," Ignis begged pardon, and waited for her approval to continue. She gave it with the nod of her head. "But can you really expect the Kingdom of Lucis to accept these conditions? Is there no way the empire will reconsider?"
Inertia bit her lip, giving away her position on the matter. She hated this just as much as they did, and it gave her no pleasure to give them the news. Ignis had only just noticed how sad her eyes were; she was a young woman, most likely younger than him, and her eyes were so much older than she.
"Look…" She played with her fingers, visibly uneasy. She looked so small now, so vulnerable, so far away from the commanding presence she'd been just minutes prior. "I'm aware this isn't ideal. For anyone. We're all intelligent; we can all see this is a ruse. Pardon my language, but I know damn well the empire can't be trusted," Her voice broke, and she choked back some emotion that Ignis couldn't place. Just what was her history with the empire? What was her history at all? No one had even heard of her until she'd become Lady Lunafreya's retainer those many years ago, and no one knew why or how she'd attained the position. What was her connection to any of this?
"But if we concede to show them fear, the empire will have the advantage," She spoke with fresh resolve, drumming the side of her desk. "If we agree to their terms and commit ourselves to this mirage of peace, then they will never anticipate our defiance," She held her finger up before Gladio could speak. He eyed Ignis, apprehensive. "That being said, I will do my best to rearrange the date of the wedding. Anything more than that, I cannot give to you. But as you're well aware, we should all be cautious going forward."
Ignis looked to Gladio for reassurance - she, and the rest of Tenebrae, were asking them to take a lot on faith. But she was offering to force the date of the wedding to another day; didn't that say something about her integrity? She knew as well as they did that the empire's intentions were impure, and would do her damnedest to prevent it, too. It was Gladiolus who spoke first as Ignis gathered his thoughts.
"She has a point, Iggy," He gripped his chair with battered fists, frustrated. "We lack the numbers to beat them in an all out assault. Look at how they decimated the glaives."
"I'm well aware of that," Ignis grit his teeth in a poor attempt at maintaining his composure. He looked back to the freckled beauty sitting behind the imposing desk. "What would you have us do?"
"I will do my best to shift the date around. Otherwise, agree to the terms, and go along with the empire's plans," Inertia pushed her folder forward to show the two the plans she'd already been working on. "For now."
Ignis looked to Gladiolus for reassurance - what other choice did they have? Reluctantly, he nodded, and Gladio followed suit. Inertia smiled - genuinely smiled - at them both.
"Splendid," She looked at Ignis. "And once we've fleshed out these smaller details, we can talk more of sabotaging the empire."
"So we have an accord, then?" Inertia closed her book and held it close to her bosom, blinking up at the two men under luscious lashes. Gladio broke first.
"Yeah, yeah," He pulled a glove off and ran his fingers through his hair. "Sylleblossoms at every entrance."
"White is reserved only for the bride," Ignis added lazily. "Sautéed anuk for the entrees."
"Their first dance will be uninterrupted by anyone," Gladio counted on his fingers the items they'd listed.
"And you," Ignis looked to Inertia, "will be notably absent."
Inertia nodded, hair falling around her shoulders.
"We've already arranged with the empire to have an ambassador of Tenebrae present at the treaty signing, and in the meantime to remain as an envoy to the kingdom of Lucis," Inertia grimaced. "And that ambassador just so happens to be me."
"And that won't look suspicious at all?" Gladio pressed. "Lady Lunafreya's closest friend and attendant not present at her own wedding?"
"Considering Lady Lunafreya made the request herself, no," Inertia's eyes sparkled, challenging either one of them to argue. "I understand your reservations about the arrangement, but I guarantee you my only intention is to preserve the peace of Noctis, Luna, and both our kingdoms to the best of my ability." She offered a sad smile. "You have my word."
As suspect as this beautiful woman was, there was something pure about her heart. Her eyes shone true and light. Ignis conceded the point.
"Much appreciated, Lady Inertia," Ignis readjusted his glasses.
"We'll see to it the wedding goes smoothly," Gladio assured her. She smiled.
"Thank you both," She looked radiant in the light of the moon. Wait, moonlight?
"It seems the hour is late," Ignis rose abruptly. "We've a long journey ahead of us; we best be off."
"Nonsense," Inertia rose too. "It's late, as you've said. We've arranged lodgings for you this evening. Stay awhile. Rest. The train will be there in the morning."
"No, truly we couldn't impose-" Ignis began. Suddenly, Gladio had him by the shoulders.
"Specs, didn't anyone ever teach you it's rude to say no to a beautiful woman?" He smirked at her, which made her chuckle. "The honor is ours, Lady Inertia."
She bowed, gesturing out of the room to where two attendants stood waiting. Ignis was exasperated - truly? They were staying?
"Thank you for your hospitality, milady," Ignis bowed once more, and took his leave. Quickly he noticed Gladio was not by his side.
"So, now that negotiations are over, what do you have planned for the evening, milady?" The confidence in Gladio's voice was practically dripping machismo. Ignis choked, rushing back inside to hurry Gladiolus away.
"My apologies," He sputtered before ushering him away. Before he turned, he could've sworn he saw a smirk on Inertia's lips.
"Iggy, you gotta relax," Gladio reassured him after their attendants left them alone. These were the guest lodgings? They were afforded a wing of the estate with two bedrooms, a dining area, a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, a living area, and an annex. Ignis was pouring over one of his diplomatic texts at the dining table, without even the faintest thought of heading to bed. Gladiolus had risen from his slumber to find him wide awake as ever; it was already 2am.
"Go back to sleep, Gladio," Ignis instructed absentmindedly, ignoring his suggestion. "We've a long journey tomorrow."
"Ignis, I don't think staying up this late is gonna teach your brain anything it doesn't already know," Gladio yawned, stretched, sitting opposite him at the table. "You need to sleep."
"I'll sleep when I'm dead," Ignis scoffed, closing the book. Gladio was right, of course. He'd read this particular text 3 times during his time at university; twice more since.
"I think the meeting went pretty well, actually," Gladio offered. "I doubt there's a section in there about overthrowing a technologically advanced civilization that seeks world domination, eh?"
"You could have done without the flirting," Ignis ignored his sarcasm, instead chastising him for the relentless come ons.
"Oh, come on," Gladio laughed. "We know her, Ignis. We've met before. I have her number in my phone after that charity ball, and I'm pretty sure we've played Kings Knight with her together."
"Were that not a compatriot, that would have been a diplomatic atrocity," Ignis tried to scold him, but the effect of his Ebony was wearing off; he either needed sleep or more coffee.
"We both know that's not what's got you upset," Gladio said quietly. Ignis grit his teeth. He was right, of course. For all his egotistic audacity, Gladio also really had a way with people. He was more empathetic than anyone else he knew; which was saying something.
"This doesn't feel right, Gladiolus," Ignis pinched the bridge of his nose. A nervous habit he needed to cease. "Nothing about this feels right."
"You got that right," Gladio winced. "But we don't have much leeway here."
"So what? We just roll over and capitulate?" Ignis managed through a clenched jaw.
"Iggy, let Inertia see what she can do about moving the date around. Until then, we don't have a whole lot else we can do." Gladio reassured him. "If we do anything, it could start a fight with the empire, which we don't have the people for… You're a lot like me, Ignis. The hardest thing for us is not doing anything at all. But sometimes, that's the only thing we can do."
"I'll have to tell your father about your astronomical insight," Ignis chuckled. "He won't believe you were, for once, the diplomatic superior."
"Don't even bother, Gladio pulled Ignis to his feet, laughing. "He won't believe you anyway." With that, Gladio trudged off to his room, and Ignis begrudgingly did the same. He wondered how long he would lay awake, counting the stars in the night sky from his window, before sleep would overtake his troubled mind.
Ignis stood with Noctis, Gladiolus, and Prompto in Noct's apartment, absentmindedly washing dishes while the other three played darts. They were waiting on him before starting Kings Knight, as was their usual routine on Sunday evenings. But he couldn't get his mind off of Inertia Izunia.
He should have mentioned to Noctis that he and Gladio had known about her coming to serve as an ambassador of Tenebrae; but Gladio had eyed him as she'd entered the Hall, and an unspoken truce was forged between them. Neither of them would mention it. There was no sense in raising the young prince's suspicion, not in the months before his wedding. Not when his kingdom needed him as strong as ever. That was why Gladio and Ignis existed; to shoulder his burdens so that he may serve his people best.
When Noctis had inquired as to her identity further at dinner, he nor Gladio had hid the truth. They'd met her at the charity ball a few months ago, and once more upon negotiations in Tenebrae a few weeks prior. She'd been the ambassador with which they established negotiations. Anything more, neither of them felt necessary to mention.
So why did he have a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach? Why was every fibre of his being telling him something was terribly wrong?
He figured now was as good a time as any to take advantage of the fact that he had Inertia's number in his phone. He wiped his hands on the nearest dish towel, and punched in the fewest words necessary to relay his message.
Would you be available to meet with me sometime tomorrow?
He could hear the boys groaning about him taking forever in the next room, and he waited barely any time to receive her answer.
Whenever you're finished training, come find me in the lower offices of the Citadel.
Satisfied, he pocketed his phone, joining his friends in the living area, not even a hint of concern painting his features. For once, Gladio's brashness in asking for the number of every relatively attractive girl they came across had served him well.