[ The problem with holding a press conference, Noctis reflects as he finishes his piece (announcing that yes, he is in the beginning stages of a relationship with his adviser, and yes, he assures that all matters in regards to diplomatic ties with Nifleheim have been arranged, in large part thanks to the Queen), is that one can never be entirely prepared for the questions that come volleying at him. His public relations team have vetted through most of the questions and prepared answers for them, and for the most part he answers succinctly, with a clear intention to draw the line.
His personal life is not fodder for the public, no matter how they may seem to think. But then the questions turn unexpected, as Noctis has been informed they are wont to do, with gems like Did you really sleep with all four of them? Was Scientia your first? Did you have an affair while married to the Queen?, and Noctis fields them as best as he can, keeping firmly to the necessary talking points. He's here to protect Ignis and Octavia, and he takes on what he can. It's a difficult session; people are too damn interested in their love lives, and the journalists insinuate a deeper connection, that they had been childhood sweethearts.
Noctis, of course, goes off script and decides to be honest. He's sick of the charades and parading. ] Yes. Ever since we were children. [ Which is a bombshell in itself because that was not the narrative that was agreed upon, at least where Lucis is concerned. Noctis has been in love with Ignis ever since they were young, and Ignis had been the first, the only. While all care had been taken to honor Octavia, Noctis acknowledges frankly, openly, that he has fallen short.
He looks into the cameras to deliver this, genuine but firm. He knows his team will probably kill him for this, having painstakingly crafted a narrative for him to follow -- but in all good conscience he knows he cannot. He knows, too, that he owes Octavia. The journalists come alive then, bursting with a barrage of questions that he personally answers. Yes, he says. Yes, he had an affair with him. And yes, they were together long before the Nifleheim marriage, and he was the reason why it didn't work out.
For this he is genuinely contrite, and he issues a public and heartfelt apology, making no excuses as he acknowledges the blame as best he can. The fault for the divorce lies on him; not his first love, who had taken a long period of leave to fulfill his duty, and certainly not the Queen, who had fulfilled all her duties to Lucians and the Empire alike.
In the meantime, Ignis' phone blows up with countless exasperated texts from the Lucian press secretary. ]
no subject
His personal life is not fodder for the public, no matter how they may seem to think. But then the questions turn unexpected, as Noctis has been informed they are wont to do, with gems like Did you really sleep with all four of them? Was Scientia your first? Did you have an affair while married to the Queen?, and Noctis fields them as best as he can, keeping firmly to the necessary talking points. He's here to protect Ignis and Octavia, and he takes on what he can. It's a difficult session; people are too damn interested in their love lives, and the journalists insinuate a deeper connection, that they had been childhood sweethearts.
Noctis, of course, goes off script and decides to be honest. He's sick of the charades and parading. ] Yes. Ever since we were children. [ Which is a bombshell in itself because that was not the narrative that was agreed upon, at least where Lucis is concerned. Noctis has been in love with Ignis ever since they were young, and Ignis had been the first, the only. While all care had been taken to honor Octavia, Noctis acknowledges frankly, openly, that he has fallen short.
He looks into the cameras to deliver this, genuine but firm. He knows his team will probably kill him for this, having painstakingly crafted a narrative for him to follow -- but in all good conscience he knows he cannot. He knows, too, that he owes Octavia. The journalists come alive then, bursting with a barrage of questions that he personally answers. Yes, he says. Yes, he had an affair with him. And yes, they were together long before the Nifleheim marriage, and he was the reason why it didn't work out.
For this he is genuinely contrite, and he issues a public and heartfelt apology, making no excuses as he acknowledges the blame as best he can. The fault for the divorce lies on him; not his first love, who had taken a long period of leave to fulfill his duty, and certainly not the Queen, who had fulfilled all her duties to Lucians and the Empire alike.
In the meantime, Ignis' phone blows up with countless exasperated texts from the Lucian press secretary. ]