[ Ardyn's theatrics shine through in his tone, lofty and affected as ever, but there's an undercurrent of amusement so often present that seems anything but forced. Almost like a quiet excitement, the voice of a man holding a winning hand and waiting for his big reveal. Noctis, in this situation, hasn't been dealt anything decent enough to allow him to do more than call what he hopes is a bluff or walk away now, betting on a new round another time.

Who the hell knows what Ardyn might do in the meantime then, now that they've discussed things this openly?

His mouth is already open to respond when fingers tangle in his short sleeve, feeling the brush of nails on skin that has him again turning his head. She's unsettled beyond what he'd expect, feeling that same sense of unease that had come with his earlier interactions with Prompto, questions hanging in the air and answers dangled further beyond them.

He'd known something Noctis doesn't, and he's realizing very quickly that he doesn't know all of what Aranea's been privy to either. ]

Hey --

It's alright. I've seen what the empire's done to the people close to me and to Lucis. I get who was behind a lot of it too. That doesn't mean I'm gonna' just let it carry over here; that's not what settling the score looks like for me. So if that's what you're asking for?

Fine, I agree. You leave us alone -- all of us, Aranea included -- and we'll leave you alone.