A/N: Hey guys. Just noticed these are getting longer as I go... my bad! Also, this chapter mights seem slightly Ignis/OC, which admittedly it kind of is, but what I find more fascinating is exploring the relationship between these two people who both serve their masters at the sacrifice of their own selves, and it felt pretty authentic that they would be able to commiserate together, and empathize with one another so well. Their friendship is one that excites me most, and I do intend on Aranea/Ignis being my final pairing. But fair warning; sometimes my characters take on a mind of their own! I'll warn you if that happens. And this fic will most likely end up rated M for future chapters, but those are a long ways off. Enjoy!

Chapter 6:

"Ah, welcome, Lady Inertia," King Regis rose to his feet, followed by the others at the impossibly long table. The Hall was immense in size, the ceilings rising above her like trees to the sky, and the architecture was more modern than anything she was used to back at Fenestala Manor. Inertia offered him a bow, impressed by the grandiose Hall in which their meeting was to adjourn, but saddened at the state of the King - he looked older than the last time she'd seen him, and he seemed in poorer health. Lunafreya had warned her this was the toll the Crystal took on his body, as he ordained to use its power to protect his people from Niflheim's grasp. She couldn't blame him; she would do anything to escape the empire's clutches.

"Thank you for being prompt, not many in this day and age live by the same sense of obligation," He shot one of the four younger adults in the room a knowing look, and Inertia could only assume that was Prince Noctis. He sported a mess of dark hair over blue eyes, and he looked tired. The resemblance between father and son was striking.

"No, the honor is mine, your Highness," She curtsied, or tried to. She'd never been able to master the gesture, much to Luna's chagrin. "I appreciate you making time for me on such short notice."

"Gentlemen, it seems our business here has concluded," The king nodded towards his son and the three in his retinue. Only then did she notice two of them were Ignis Scientia and Gladiolus Amicitia. "Do try to be on time tomorrow morning, boys." She caught the wink he directed at them, and she smiled to herself. She'd always liked King Regis; there was a kindness in his eyes and purity of his soul she had come to sense in him, whenever they'd met at functions. Lunafreya admired him deeply, which was enough to instill in her a sense of trust. Only Ravus blamed him for their mother's death, something he'd never been able to get over.

They hurried past her, and she nodded at Ignis and Gladiolus, who she'd seen only a few weeks prior. They just barely acknowledged her, hurrying themselves along to keep pace with the young prince. There was also a fourth boy with them, a freckly blonde thing who bounced behind the rest of them, pausing a few feet away from her. She smiled at him, and noticed Noctis had to grab him by the arm to keep him moving. Unlike the other three, this one seemed foreign to the ways of politics and diplomacy, and it was a breath of fresh air, someone so innocent in the throes of such a seedy, intricate institution.

The doors shut behind them, and Inertia released her breath, which she didn't realize she'd been holding. She walked forward to greet King Regis, taking his arm and kissing his cheek.

"It's good to see you, your Highness," She offered politely. He smiled down at her.

"That it is, milady," He showed her to the table, where she could see Cor pulling out a seat beside him. Cor Leonis was another individual she liked a lot. More than other people usually did, in fact. Although he came off as cold and conservative to others, she appreciated his honesty, and his integrity of character. He was a skilled warrior, and excelled in training others to protect his king. "You'll have to forgive my son and his retinue for their behavior."

"There is nothing to forgive, ser," She thanked Cor quietly for the seat, sitting beside him. "I appreciate their candor. They're to begin intensive training, then?"

"On the morrow, milady," Cor assured her. "We want only the best at Noctis's side on his journey to Altissia."

"Of course," She agreed.

"I can assure you, Gladiolus is already a skilled warrior in his own right," Clarus Amicitia, Gladiolus's father and King Regis's Shield, swore from the seat beside Regis.

"Ignis trails not far behind," an attendant across the table assured the lot of them. If memory served her correctly, that was Urentus Scientia, Ignis's uncle. "His propensity for magic is extraordinary."

"And who was the fourth in the prince's retinue?" Inertia inquired seriously. Regis sighed.

"His friend, Prompto Argentum," He seemed defeated. "He's a nice lad, but he's never received any martial training."

"Don't worry, your Highness," Cor tried to reassure him. "I'll make a warrior out of him, you have my word."

"It sounds as though young Noctis has nothing to worry about," Inertia tried to reassure the king. "He's surrounded by a good group."

"And what of Lady Lunafreya?" Regis inquired. "Will her journey to Altissia be unremarkable? I worry that you will not be in her stead."

"I appreciate that, your Highness," She thanked him sincerely. "Unfortunately, the empire insists on complicating treaty proceedings, so Lady Lunafreya thought it best to send an ambassador here in her stead."

"And what complications are those?" Urentus inquired from across the table. The rest of the attendants were scribbling at their notes, and she took a breath before proceeding.

"As you well know, Tenebrae is a part of the Niflheim regime, but due to the Oracle's position, has retained much of its autonomy," She drummed the table, trying not to fidget in her discomfort. "Unfortunately, after the wedding of my lady and the young prince, the empire seems to endeavor to infringe upon those rights."

"Preposterous," Regis tapped his cane to the floor, visibly upset. "Just because the Oracle will be relocating to Insomnia with my son doesn't mean her homeland should be fall to imperialism."

"Regis, please relax," Clarus pled at his side, putting a hand on the arm that now trembled as it gripped the cane. "You have to remain calm, for the good of your constitution."

"I'm well aware this is frustrating," Inertia looked to the men seated around the table. "Lady Lunafreya remained behind in Tenebrae to negotiate with the empire on behalf of her kingdom. In the meanwhile, she was hoping you could entrust the terms between Tenebrae and Lucis to me."

"And what terms would those be?" Another attendant looked up from his notes.

"I've several directives from the empire," She held her bag to her chest, abhorring the notes within. "But depending on how creative we can be, we may be able to exercise flexibility in just how much influence Tenebrae, as a part of the empire, holds over Lucis."

"All in good time, my dear," King Regis stood then. "But I believe you must be tired from your long journey. I will have Cor show you to your office, and your accompanying lodgings, and we can continue these negotiations on the morrow."

"Understood, your Majesty," She stood, as did the rest of the counsel at the table. "Please get a good's night rest."

"You do the same, Inertia," He smiled at her before allowing Clarus to see him out, and before she knew it, she was following Cor, suddenly very tired herself. After the long journey from Tenebrae, she'd come immediately to the Citadel to meet with the king and his counsel, and hadn't stopped to take a much needed rest. Perhaps here, in a new place among strangers, she might actually be able to sleep for once.

Would you be available to meet with me tomorrow?

Inertia looked at her phone warily. It was Ignis Scientia, and while she much liked the steward-in-training of Prince Noctis, she was a little hesitant. She feared the questions he would ask, and how much she'd be forced to answer. It was one thing to commune with him, but there were things the young prince need not know, and she didn't know just how much Ignis would want to tell him.

Whenever you're finished training, come find me in the lower offices of the Citadel.

Satisfied, Inertia tossed her phone aside on the bed, burrowing herself further beneath the sheets. It was little after sunset, but she was exhausted. The journey here had been mostly uneventful, but it was still long. The city was as beautiful as she remembered, although there seemed to be more unrest than she could recall. On her way to the Citadel, she observed a riot in the streets of a shopping district, wherein a few disgruntled citizens were being apprehended by men in uniform. This was most likely a direct result of the treaty, she thought to herself. So many refugees had fled here from the empire, had given up their homes to the encroachment of the imperialism of Niflheim, only to find out their only remaining haven was now in talks to allow the rest of Lucis to be annexed, too. Only Insomnia would retain autonomy, and even so, it would be in the name of peace with Niflheim. No more resistance, no more fighting.

It hardly sat well with her. Why would it sit well with the residents of the Crown city?

I appreciate this, Inertia.

She eyed the message on her phone, and didn't even bother opening it. He might not appreciate it so much after meeting with her tomorrow. There was little she could say that he didn't already know; she and Lunafreya were, truly, in the dark about most things. But the two of them weren't stupid, and they full well expected the empire to betray the kingdom of Lucis's trust. The only question was: when?

Griseo chittered then, and she eyed the fox expectantly. He tossed and turned beside her in the bed, and she knew he was receiving a message he would relay then relay to her.

I hope the journey wasn't too taxing.

She smiled. Lunafreya.

"Let her know I'm fine, Griseo," She hesitated. "And tell her to be careful. We can't trust the empire."

Her first memory wasn't spectacular, and it wasn't horrifying. It wasn't traumatizing, and it wasn't extensive. It was seemingly innocuous, even.

She was in a dark room, and she remembered test tubes towering above her, the glass glinting in the glow of the lone fluorescent light in the room. She remembered the floor, in particular, considering she was crawling across it on chubby, clumsy hands and knees. She remembered it was unremarkable, a dull, dark gray like the walls, but it was cold, really cold, and that was what she remembered most. Her small fingers were turning red from the cold of it, but she didn't care. Not then.

The air was chilly, too, and even the faces of the men who entered the room were cold as well. Calm. Calculating.

"What's she doing out here?" One of them inquired. He had a wrinkled face, a face colored by time.

"Inertia, did you manage to get out of your crib?" The second asked, stepping forward, and kneeling in front of her. He had a shock of violet hair, and amber eyes. They looked kind to her then, even if she grew to know they were anything but.

She peered up at the two of them curiously. She was too young to talk then; she couldn't even walk. But she grabbed a lock of the second man's hair, and laughed when she twirled it around her finger.

"Perhaps she requires more secure holdings," The first man mused. The second picked her up in his arms, swinging her around like a game. She squealed, amused.
"I think not," He told the first, tickling her stomach. "I'd like to see what else she's capable of."

The memory ended there, and Inertia awoke in a cold sweat. Throwing the blankets back from her body, she let her feet fall to the floor, and Griseo stirred beside her. She looked at the fox, sleeping so soundly he hadn't even awoken. That was fine by her; she needed some air.

She crept across the carpet of the small bedroom, seeing herself out through the sliding glass door. Through a small kitchen and living area she continued on her way, until she finally she reached the front of her apartment, the office that which Regis had afforded her. Hugging her arms against the chill of the night, she sat behind her desk, and in front of the computer provided to her. Chewing her lip, she debated whether or not now was a good time to dredge up old memories. But the dream hadn't stopped, and she was finally alone, without the worry creasing Luna's brow nearby, or Gentiana's ever-knowing gaze.

Halfheartedly, she entered Ardyn Izunia's name into the search bar. There was plenty to see in the results; lots of new articles about his exploits on behalf of the empire. As Chancellor of Niflheim, he'd made quite a name for himself, and with the treaty talks now in effect, he was even more prolific than usual. Pictures donned articles written in the last few days, and she opened one, caring little about the contents of the article, and more about the portrait of the man whose name she shared.

He was smiling down at an audience in a place she didn't recognize, making the most grand of hand gestures, which was so like him. But nothing about his face had changed. Not even a new wrinkle had set to his skin, or a single age spot adorned his features. His eyes were still that fiery amber, his hair the same tone of violet. She touched her braid absentmindedly; the color of her hair had always bothered her, being identical to his. But it was so hard to dye. She'd tried for a long time before finally giving up.

How had he not aged? Verstael Besithia certainly had, as had the emperor, Iedolas Aldercapt. Caligo Ulldor was looking much worse for wear, and Loqi Tummelt had grown into a handsome young man and a fine soldier, things she might appreciate were he not such an ass. Ravus looked different too, even if she had fond memories of the boy he was before he'd let the empire corrupt his mind. But Ardyn hadn't aged a day. Twenty-two years she'd been alive, and he looked the same now as he did then.

What was his secret? And what did that mean for her?

"I really do appreciate this, Lady Inertia," Ignis sat himself down in front of her desk, as cordial and straight-backed as ever. She sighed after such a long day; the last place she wanted to be was this office. She'd been cooped up in it since morning (and even earlier, after the dream she'd had) and hadn't a thing to eat all day.

"Ignis, may I be frank?" She asked then, walking towards the door that connected her temporary apartment to the small ambassador's office in which they were stationed.

"Certainly," He agreed, adjusting his glasses.

"I've been holed up in this office most of the day, except for when meeting with the counsel in the Hall, and I haven't had a thing to eat," She smiled at him warmly. "Can we relocate to my apartment? I've a small kitchen, I can fix something for the both of us."

"That sounds… quite lovely, actually," He laughed, rising from his seat. "Thank you, Lady Inertia."

"And please stop calling me Lady," She begged, ushering him forward. "I'm meeting with you as a friend, not as a matter of diplomacy."

"I… very well," He cleared his throat, excusing himself as he entered her apartment. They didn't get very far before he noticed Griseo, curled up in the corner chewing on one of the bones she'd remembered to bring with her.

"Well, who's this fine fellow?" Ignis inquired, stooping to reach out a hand to Griseo's long snout. The fox, more canine-like than fox-like, truth be told, sniffed it excitedly, and offered him a lick before going back to his bone.

"That's Griseo," She made her way to the kitchen, unsure of what to whip up for dinner. "Griseo, Ignis Scientia. Ignis, Griseo."

"Quite an unusual pet," He remarked, settling himself on the divan in the lounge. She was searching the cabinets for ingredients, and the Citadel hadn't shorted her cooking supplies. In fact, there were spices in here she'd never even heard of. She doubted she'd ever use them.

"He's a Messenger," She was honest this time; no point in hiding it. If Lady Lunafreya knew now, why hide it from anyone else? "Similar to Umbra and Pryna."

"Ah," Ignis made the connection, and crossed a leg

"Would you like something to drink?" She asked politely, still checking the inventory in her new kitchen. She figured Regis would have supplied her with the essentials, but the extravagance that which they'd granted her was extraordinary. As Luna's lady-in-waiting, she didn't ever actually cook that much. But the chefs would allow her to observe them in the kitchen when she had free time.

"Have you any coffee?" He inquired. "It's been a very long day. I could use the pick-me-up."

"Of course," She was thankful for the simple request; with the Keurig in the corner, that was about as simple as this kitchen was going to get.

"Do you like cream or sugar?" She opened the fridge, and of course she had both.

"No, black is fine," He responded. She wondered when he would begin his barrage of questioning, a little uneasy at the prospect. After brewing his cup, she handed him the mug, which warmed her cold fingers, and she was reluctant to give it up.

"Thank you kindly," He smiled at her, and she bowed a little, acknowledging his gratitude. "Might I ask, is everything going ok in the kitchen?"

"What? Oh," She managed a small laugh, embarrassed at her own inadequacy. "Admittedly, they've provided me with more provisions than I'm used to… or even familiar with…" She trailed off. "I was trying to figure out something simple to make, but it all seems a bit beyond me."

"Forgive the imposition, but might I have a look?" He asked, standing from the divan. She only just realized how tall he was; he towered over her, though that wasn't hard to do. Even Lady Lunafreya stood several inches above her. "I've a bit of a knack for cooking."

"Um," She fumbled. As much as she appreciated the informal setting, she was never prepared for people to inconvenience themselves for her. She'd spent her entire position under Lady Lunafreya taking care of others; she didn't cede that control easily. Though, eyeing Ignis, she felt then he was in a similar position. He had been raised as a Steward to the young prince, highly educated in both scholastics and domesticity, as well as diplomacy. She conceded. "If you don't mind, that sounds great."

it didn't take him long to gather ingredients from the cabinets and the refrigerator. She could practically see his mind making mental gymnastics as he worked, the gears turning in all the right places. She asked him about each one as he went, and he instructed her on the origin of each. It wasn't until he pulled the Garula from the freezer that she hesitated.

"Um.. I apologize, Ignis," She rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm something of a vegetarian."

"No need to apologize," He replaced the Garula steak, seemingly unfazed. "This will simply be more of a veggie medley stew." She appreciated it when he didn't ask why.

As he brought the pot to a boil, Inertia tried desperately to fill the silence. She wasn't good at socializing with others in an informal environment, as much as she pretended to be so. Growing up under Lunafreya's care, she wasn't exposed to many children her own age; she didn't really have an idea of what to talk about.

"How old are you, Ignis?" She blurted. Not quite the icebreaker she'd intended, but it would have to do.

"22," He added something to the pot, and added a peppering of spices. "And yourself?"

"22," She chuckled. "Guess that's something we've got in common."

"Indeed," He smiled, never removing his eyes from his work. There was a certain artistry about the way he worked, and she had to appreciate his dedication. He'd been training in a position of servitude far longer than she. She could learn a lot from him.

"If you don't mind my asking," She began, a little uncertain. "I noticed you share a similar accent with me and Lady Lunafreya. Are you from Tenebrae originally?"

"Not at all," He mused, stirring his concoction. "I was raised by my uncle, who shares a similar dialect. The Scientia family has been in service of Lucis for generations."

"I see," She pulled a few bowls from the cabinet, and a few sets of silverware from the drawer. She liked Ignis, but she didn't feel comfortable prying about his parents.

Soon he had finished his preparations, and the two sat down at the small island in her kitchen, quiet as they began to eat.

"This is lovely," She enjoyed the hearty blend of stew flavoring her taste buds, and the saltiness of the vegetables complimented it perfectly. "How long have you been cooking?"

"Awhile," He took a sip of his coffee; she didn't really think coffee and stew went well together, but what did she know? Maybe coffee was the only thing that got him through long nights in service to the realm. "Noctis… is a bit of an abomination in the kitchen."

That made her laugh.

"How long have you been in service to the young prince?" She wondered, grabbing a bite of broccoli in her fingers to drop at her side for Griseo to nibble upon happily.

"Officially, since I was 12 years old," He took a sip of his drink. "He was 10, then. But I've been in preparation most of my life."

"I could probably learn a lot from you," She tried not to slurp as she neared the bottom of her bowl. But it truly was delicious."

"I'd be happy to teach you anything you wish to know," He nodded seriously. "But I must admit… that's not why I'm here."

Ah. The truth finally revealed itself.

"I know," She stood, taking her bowl to the sink. Seeing his was empty too, she held out a hand in offering, and he hesitated.

"I truly don't mind cleaning my mess," He began.

"Nonsense, you made the meal, allow me to bear the burden of sanitation," She teased. With a laugh he obliged, handing her his bowl. She only noticed how pretty his eyes were up close like this, the most beautiful color of green. The glasses hid them from view, which was a shame.

"Truly…" He began, a little unsettled. "I have doubts about this treaty. Nothing concrete, mind you, but… call it intuition."

"Honestly, Ignis?" She admitted, rinsing the bowls. "So do I."

"So why then is Lady Lunafreya going along with this?" He gripped his mug a little tighter than necessary, and it didn't escape her notice.

"Because we're not really in a position to do anything else," She admitted, wringing her hands on a dish towel. Checking a cabinet, she found some Tupperware that would do well to store the leftovers. "Niflheim's forces grow by the day, and Tenebrae has no real army of its own, save for mercenaries hired by the Chancellor who attend to Fenestala Manor."

"Then why not tell the King?" He implored, making his way to the kitchen beside her. He offered a hand, and she allowed him to spoon the stew into the open container. "Why not inform Lucis of all that's going on, so we might unite against them? Surely you and the Oracle must know this is a trap."

"We do," She admitted, sitting back down at the island. She patted Griseo on the head, who had happily returned to gnawing at his bone. "But we've no idea when they plan to enact this betrayal… for now, Lady Lunafreya believes in marrying the Prince, and in establishing an alliance with the Kingdom of Lucis, we do stand a chance at uniting against the empire."

"Forgive my cynicism, Inertia," He put the pot in the sink to soak with warm water and dish soap, and she watched the bubbles tip over the edge, lazily floating into the air. "But have you both considered what happens if the empire betrays us before the wedding and treaty signing take place?"

Had they thought of that? Of course they had. Had they discussed it at length long nights before closing their eyes and waiting for dawn? Of course they had. Had it haunted Inertia as much as it haunted Ignis now? Was she worried for her lady's safety as much as he was for his prince's? Did she lay awake at night and fret over the fact she was away from her lady's side, and what would happen if she failed her?

It was an uncomfortable thing to admit to him.

"Yes," She managed weakly. "We have."

"Forgive me," He turned away from his work in the kitchen to offer Inertia a small, sad smile. "I don't mean to imply you're working against us."

"I know, Ignis," She twiddled her thumbs, uneasy. "But we've weighed our options. The risk is greater if we act now than if we act later. And Lady Lunafreya believes in trying to protect as many lives as possible, even if it require she sacrifice her own. She feels this is the only way to achieve that goal."

"And that bothers you, does it?" He leaned on the island toward her, offering her his full attention. She nodded.

"You're in a similar position," She observed quietly. "The Prince relies on you, leans on you, depends on you to make the right decisions… but when push comes to shove, you're powerless to save him from himself, should he make a final call that put him in danger. And ultimately, he does make the final call."

"Yes," Ignis grappled with the idea, visibly uncomfortable. "I can't fathom the position you're in."

"I pray you never will," She smiled sadly at him, and he reached a hand out to cover her own. The leather of his glove was smooth, and somehow soothing, and she marveled at just how much bigger his hand was than her own. She was easily intimidated by good looking men - they could never be trusted. Her own experience had taught her that. But there was something sincere in the way he consoled her, and she sensed no ulterior motive underlying his actions. He was here, as a compatriot, consoling her, as only another who gave their life in the service of others could.

"I suppose I should be off," He cleared his throat uncomfortably, rising from the counter. "I do appreciate you meeting with me, Inertia."

"Of course," She stood too, grabbing the Tupperware from the counter. "Please take this with you."

"I couldn't," He held a hand in rejection of the idea. "You need your strength, a hearty meal does wonders for the diplomatic mind."

"Ignis, please," She rolled her eyes at him. "You made this wonderful food, and you and your friends are working hard out in the heat every day in preparation for the journey to Altissia." She shoved it into his chest. "I insist."

"Very well," He obliged finally. "Gladio did teach me not to say no to a beautiful woman."

She laughed as he saw himself out, remembering the way Gladiolus had chastised him back in Fenestala Manor all those weeks ago. It felt like a lifetime ago now, and she couldn't help but yearn for a simpler time than these. If that was Ignis's attempt at flirtation, she didn't mind it so much. But a life lived in the servitude of others required one to give all of themselves, with no thought to outside pleasures, and they were both destined to see their duties through.