Far Too Long

Ch 3. Catching up

Even though Ardyn was extremely skeptical that Aera was there with him, he didn't want to deny that fact nor did he want to offend her presence. Deep down, Ardyn did feel that Aera was truly with him, he just had to believe in this truth.

Parting from the scene from where Noctis and the others were, Ardyn had been made back to Niflheim. Aera smiled as she remained sitting on the bench in the ship and looked out the window. Watching the clouds pass by without a second thought "and you've been doing this for how many years?" The imperial chancellor frowned as he sat across from her, watching her closely, not wanting to let anything harm her in anyway "30 or so years. Since my return, really." The Oracle nodded her head as she frowned a bit "Ardyn...you don't look or sound pleased. Tell me, my love, what's bothering you? You don't believe that I'm here?" The chancellor forced a fake charming smile as he huffed out "you always knew how to read me without telling you anything. That was always part of you. Never failing to surprise me."

Before Aera would answer him. A voice went off through the speakers Chancellor Izunia, we're back in Niflheim , the maroon haired male nodded as he stood from his seat "very well," then looked at Aera "dare I ask for your hand, Aera?" The blond blinked and smiled up to Ardyn, grabbing hold of his black gloved hand, she stood and stood close to Ardyn as the ship hovered over Niflheim "this is where I've been residing for more than 30 odd years." The Oracle's eyes widened as she seen buildings and other agricultural areas, mostly covered in snow from what she made out, and looked ever so pleased "it's more livelier than our time, Ardyn" taking hold of his hand, interlocking their fingers together.

Arriving to Zegnautus Keep—The chancellor thanked the troopers as they safely escorted them to the open area and saluted them both "So they're your followers, so to say? Are you their king?" Ardyn couldn't help but chuckle as he shook his head "I'm no king to these troopers. To put it simple; I'm the imperial chancellor of this nation. I work directly for his radiance. The emperor of this country." Stepping forth, he motioned the blond to follow him. Aera ran behind him as she remained curious "then...what of Lucis? Surely you aid them?" That caused Ardyn to pause in his tracks and gritted his teeth. He held himself back from lashing out to her, he knew better, he knew this was his beloved fiancée, he can't get angry with her "due to him, there is no way I'm heading back to that cursed kingdom. From the truth of what truly happened and is going on, I'll see that I'd destroy everything he built." The Oracle frowned but felt a deep sadness and pure hatred for Lucis and Somnus growing deep within Ardyn. Approaching him from behind, Aera slowly wrapped her slim arms around the chancellor's waists and hugged him "Ardyn. I know the Gods were never too fond of you. It pains me to see that you suffered for so long," Ardyn interrupted her "2,000 years you mean?" Aera continued "I'll stay with you. Now and always. I'll always watch you, every step of the way."
Surprising coming from Aera, Ardyn rose a brow and turned around. Looking down to the Oracle, he caressed her cheek, moving some hair from her face "will you give me your word that you'll stay by my side?" Aera giggled softly and nodded "always."

Entering the facility, troopers greeted the imperial chancellor and first Oracle as they made their way into the high authorized areas. Aera's eyes widened in awe and surprise "such living space you acquire!" Ardyn chuckled as he heard his beloved's voice. Though he couldn't say much. The emperor himself gave him everything in return as Ardyn contributed with the infamous scientists research of the daemons. The red headed older male sat down in front a high tech fireplace, accompanied by darkened tables and rolling chairs. Monitors decorated the walls and the control panels as well. The chancellor had access to the controls, but decided not to push any buttons as he didn't seem to care what they did or what channels they control.

Aera sat in front of him, taking off the jacket Noctis gave her and snuggled close to the chancellor "I thank the Gods for your safety and this nation, Niflheim took good care of you," resting her head upon his shoulder, Ardyn kept his eyes focused on the fire in the fireplace "you shouldn't give your words to those damned Gods." Area frowned as she looked up at Ardyn. With his features glowing a fiery orange, his amber gaze reflecting the fire "there's nothing to thank them for." She knew this wasn't her old lover. This was someone else. Her old lover seems to be lost and forgotten,

"Ardyn Lucis Caelum." She finally spoke, snapping him out of his thoughts. The chancellor huffed out a mocking chuckle as he held her hand "is long out of existence. There's no records of his existence. He's not even real." Aera couldn't believe what she heard "don't say that. You are real. You're not how you used to be. But," she hugged him again. This time, more gentle "I can feel your eternal sadness, Ardyn. Two millennia...it's far too long. I'm here for you now. To ease you from your pain." Ardyn gave a slight chuckle as he placed a hand upon her slim forearm "It's getting relatively late. Allow me to escort you to my chambers for the night." Making light of their conversation, Ardyn stood from his seat, taking Aera along and went out of the room they were both in.

Arriving to Ardyn's room, it was cold due to the current climate from outside. Normally during the day, Ardyn suggested to keep the heater to his room off as he had no use for it as he's never around—But for the evening, he preferred it on. On a low setting.
Aera shivered as she rubbed her non-injured arm "how do you sleep in here? Surely you get really cold, right?" She shouldn't help but ask, Ardyn gave a smile and stepped towards a cabinet where he kept extra blankets "this chill simply reminds me of those countless winters of my imprisonment back in that hell on Eos," his features changed from a worried gaze to a surprised one when Aera said "The Gods informed me of your departure of that land and you were taken in by the hands of Niflheim. The Gods told me everything," Ardyn interrupted her of her claim of the Gods informing her of his escape "Did those cursed Gods inform you of the suffering I had to endure while being kept in captivity here? Did they ever inform those cursed mortals about my time chained away there? No? I thought so" Aera couldn't believe what she was currently hearing. She feared that her Ardyn was long gone from this world. Maybe Noctis and the others were right about this, but deep down, she knew they were wrong. This is her beloved fiance. Aera grew a bit teary eyed, rushed towards Ardyn and cupped his cheeks "they told me everything, Ardyn. Why don't you believe that? You used to be fancied with the devine beings and it is now as if you don't care and hate them. Ardyn, this isn't like you. It is as-" she was interrupted as she looked deep into Ardyn's amber gaze

"I want to talk to you." She whispered softly. Ardyn rose a brow as he looked down to her "isn't that what you're doing?" Aera shook her head, pointing directly to Ardyn's chest, placing her finger where his heart would be "I want to speak to you. Not your daemons. Just you." Placing her palm firmly on his chest, Aera saw a soft light glow on his chest as she touched him.