[Ardyn all but flinched at the question, turning deathly quiet and refusing to look up at Izunia again. Trapped in the simulation as a spectator for all eternity--he could imagine it too well, and the concept sent that cold horrified chill through him again.]
...
[He didn't dare say a word right away; either his voice would break or Ardyn would. This was too much to handle all at once, and he felt like a spring so tightly coiled as to snap under even the slightest bit more pressure. Ardyn tried to compose himself in the silence that followed, left hand gripping his right forearm as if to make sure it was still attached--or making sure something else wasn't.]
Swear to me that you didn't know. That-...that you didn't know the thing you tried to kill was still me, somewhere. I can't even begin to accept the concept that you cared until I hear that from you.
no subject
...
[He didn't dare say a word right away; either his voice would break or Ardyn would. This was too much to handle all at once, and he felt like a spring so tightly coiled as to snap under even the slightest bit more pressure. Ardyn tried to compose himself in the silence that followed, left hand gripping his right forearm as if to make sure it was still attached--or making sure something else wasn't.]
Swear to me that you didn't know. That-...that you didn't know the thing you tried to kill was still me, somewhere. I can't even begin to accept the concept that you cared until I hear that from you.