[Ardyn x Reader] After Insomnia's Fall

Chapter II: The Crow's Nest

Wattpad is giving me trouble TT
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Soft and continuous rubs on your leg awake you and you slowly open your eyes, just in time to see a pair of amber orbs observing you with infinite patience.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Or maybe I should say "good evening", since you have been sleeping the whole afternoon. It is a pity we didn't get to see the sunset together... Moreover, I expected to have had the chance to get to know each other better during the journey, but I suppose we can postpone it until dinner." Says Ardyn, moving away his hand from your leg and turning off the car's engine. "We are currently in Old Lestallum; we'll spend the night here."

"I'm sorry for having fallen asleep, today was a tough day and... I really needed a good nap." You answer him after having yawned. You turn around and take a look at Nebula, who seems calmed and relaxed, already used to Ardyn's presence. "Nebula must be tired of being here, so I think it'll be good to let him out of the car"

"You are going to let him free?" Ardyn asks.

"He'll come back, so there's no problem." You explain to him. "Also, I need him to do me a favor."

"If that is so, then go ahead. I will be in the Crow's Nest. Do not make me wait for long though, I don't like being alone." He answers making a pout. Is he really pouting? So unexpected.

You nod, step out of the car and head to let Nebula step out of it too, who thanks you by rubbing his head against your knees.

"I'll be back soon" you tell Ardyn and go away from the parking lot, looking for a more private place. A couple of minutes pass by, and when you believe you are alone with Nebula you bend down to look at your friend.*

"Nebu, I need you to go with Victor; I don't like him being alone with them. This was the first hunt that took so much time for us to fulfill so please, go with him." You explain to Nebu, who understands more than what people generally believe. "Take the pendant, too." You tell him while fumbling in your pockets for a little "bag" you made for Nebu when you lived in Insomnia. It was like a belt made from fabric with a spacious envelope in the middle of it so that he could carry and deliver letters and small items. Starting to get pissed because you can't find it, you look at your pockets just to realize that you were still wearing Ardyn's gabardine and not your clothes.

Shit. Ardyn has all my belongings: my wallet, my clothes, my weapons, the pendant, Nebu's backpack...

And my reward from the hunting, too.

"That son of a bitch! It wasn't because of the upholstery, but for my money." You sigh and try to keep cool, not really having much success. "Okay, it doesn't mind. Nebula, go with Victor and I'll be there with you soon. Take care of him for me, will you?" Not even waiting for him to leave, you give him your back and you head to the settlement to look for Ardyn.

You see him where he told you he would be; at the Crow's Nest. He is sitting down at a table, reading the menu without much enthusiasm. Even though you know you are only wearing his gabardine, you enter the restaurant with confidence and you realize there is no one else apart from you, Ardyn and the waiter. You head for Ardyn trying to keep the anger inside you, which threatens to search for freedom at any moment. You reach him and take a sit just in front of him.

"I know what you are playing, Ardyn. Now give me back my money." You tell him bluntly, but still keeping cool.

He smiles at you.

"No."

Suddenly, you feel how your anger grows wildly and you realize you can't hold it back anymore.

"No, what? I'm not asking for it, Ardyn. I don't care if you are the chancellor of the Empire or the king of Lucis!" You shout at him grabbing the menu he was holding and throwing it away so that he would look at your face. "I don't wanna play your stupid games in which you are always the only winner. Also, it was I who slew the beast! You've got no right to take what is mine. I also do not want to lose my time with someone like you, who would surely break promises the same way you break treati-!"

"Silence, (y/n)."

All of a sudden, the temperature of the room lowers alarmingly quick, turning cold. Ardyn no longer smiles, but looks at you dead-serious and gives off an intimidating aura. Even threatening. Lethal. Anger quickly abates, making way for fear and respect. You can't manage to break eye contact, as he seems to be looking right at your soul. However, you have felt that the room has lost its color and seems darker, acquiring sepia tones.

"You are in no position of giving me orders, honey. You also have no right to raise your voice to me. If you dare to do it again, I'll have to punish you, although you don't seem to want a punishment, am I wrong?" Without giving you the chance to answer, he continues. "It was you who killed the beast, but you weren't the one who placed it there. Among all the beasts you could have slain, you had to pick the one which guarded a tomb. A tomb in which you had all the intentions to get in, by the way. But you couldn't enter, and you will never do. Because I won't let you. Only they can get in now, and I hope they do it soon."

A thousand questions were coming to your mind while processing his words that, like water in a river, flow without stopping.

But Ardyn keeps you from speaking.

"You don't want to play my little games? I'm afraid it is too late; you entered them long ago. But I'm not playing with you, (y/n). No, I'm not doing that, even if it might seem like I'm doing it. I never do movements without a reason. You take part in my games, that is right, but I'm not playing with you. I never did." His voice sounded sorrowful, as if he had expected more trust from you. "You say you don't mind if I am the chancellor or the king, but is that true?" He stands up and pulls you by the wrist, making you stand up too. "We know each other for a long time, yet you can't remember me. Are you telling me about promises when the only one who breaks them here is you? What an irony."

You release yourself from his grip and take a step back.

"I don't know what you are talking about, but I know who you are. The chancellor of the damn Empire, the same one which ended my life in the capital. The same one which follows your commands! You took everything from me." At this point you didn't even know what you were saying, and you weren't realizing the consequences it could bring, but you wouldn't have cared even if you did. "Everything is your fault. My parent's death, my older brother's disappearance, and even the fact that Victor and I are now orphans!" Saying all of this, you step forward to punch him but Ardyn takes your arm away before you could hit him and grabs you by the jaw with strength but not hurting, although he manages to increase your panic and anxiety. The other hand hits the back of your neck and you feel how you vision slowly blurs. No, no, no...

"Time for your punishment."

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* (IT WOULD BE SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE)

Damn, it's 3AM o.O