A/n: Since I left y'all in a crying mess, along with myself, here's a happy chapter! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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~3rd Person POV~

The masquerade was only an hour away. Noctis had sent Ignis back to his room once he saw the man had lost track of time as he put the last touches on his dishes before sending them out to the ballroom. Entering his room, there was an unfamiliar tuxedo lying on his bed with a small note on top of it. Reading the note, he recognized Noctis' handwriting and wording from anywhere.

Just wear it

Ignis chuckled at the simplistic note before moving to the tuxedo. Instead of a basic black one, the suit had silver accents across the back and around the cuffs. There was even a few silver markings near the jacket's hem, creating a beautiful pattern.

Doing as the note commanded, Ignis put on the outfit and found it fit him perfectly. After adjusting the suit, he turned to his nightstand and grabbed his mask. As his fingers grazed over the mask's design, his eyes locked onto the pictures of Zodia. With help from Gladio, he was able to find two perfect frames that suited the photos. He smiled gingerly, his eyes never leaving her beautiful form. "Do remain at my side tonight, my love. For I may need to be extricated from your stubborn brother's side."

Checking the time, Ignis took note he had another forty-five minutes to spare. Not wishing to wallow away the time in his room, he left and headed to the ballroom with his mask already concealing his identity. The ballroom was more vast than he remembered as he entered the grand doors.

Without needing to see past their masks, he could already tell where Prompto and Gladio were. Noctis and Luna were standing on the balcony as the Queen was trying to make the King eat a few vegetables from his dishes. The sight brought a smirk to his lips as Noctis caved in and ate the vegetables.

"Nice tux, Iggy," Gladio compliments as the royal advisor joins his friends.

"A provision of Noct's," Ignis admits.

"What?! How come he didn't lend me a tux?! No fair!" Prompto feigns a childish pout.

"You didn't bust your ass like he did with preparations. Most of the time, you snuck away," Gladio remarks.

"Unlike you, I'm not used to these type of events. I've only known Noct since high school. Not like I was invited to any events at the Citadel even though we are best friends," Prompto defends. A question struck the man as he adjusted his mask. "Didn't Zodia attend the balls and banquets along with Noct?"

Ignis shook his head. "King Regis forbade her from attending all social events within the Citadel."

"Geez, that's kinda harsh," Prompto murmurs.

"Wasn't like he wanted to. If the public figured out that Lucis also had a princess, the news would spread like a wildfire. I seriously doubt the empire would've just sat back after hearing about Zodia. It would've painted a huge target on her back," Gladio said. "Not to mention, she was severely ill. She couldn't go a day without coughing up blood."

"Oh, right. I forgot about the illness. How bad was it before I met Noct?"

"She was laying at death's door. The doctor gave her a few months to live, for which she surpassed. No medical professional could comprehend how she was still sentient," Ignis responds.

"The zodiac blood is what kept her alive the entire time. Since she was finally able to use her powers, the illness vanished. It's also the reason why Lucis still has a King. I just wish Zodia had been able to live her life the way she wanted to live it. Damn the Astrals to hell. Even if she willingly sacrificed herself, there still should've been a way to bring her back." Gladio gritted his teeth with clenched fists.

"You would think after three years we would've already gotten over her passing. Guess we all are still a mess after that day," Prompto despairs, his frown falling further.

Ignis nods in agreement. "Though we still mourn her, she will never truly be absent from our hearts."

Gladio chuckles. "Ain't that the truth."

Checking the time, the trio realized it was eight o'clock. They informed Noctis and Luna of the arriving guests and went to greet them. As the ballroom began to fill with new and old faces, Prompto had stormed off to dance with a few guests. Before Gladio went to do the same, he glanced at Ignis. "Remember what I said last week."

"As clear as day," Ignis remarks.

"I better at least see you dance with one girl tonight. If you don't, I'm gonna find someone for you." With those final words, Gladio left.

Ignis walked around the ballroom and greeted new and old faces. Though Gladio had told him to find a dancing partner, he had yet to find the right one.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed a woman had slipped through the doors. Taking in her appearance, Ignis felt the air being siphoned from his lungs. The woman wore a beautifully designed dress with a matching mask.

An invisible force tugged him towards the charming woman. He didn't know what attracted him to her, but he didn't fight the urge. Maneuvering through the crowd, he made his way over to her with a few apologies slipping from his lips as he shuffled through the throng of people and accidentally bumped into a few of them.

The woman sensed someone's eyes on her and turned to see who they belonged to. When she spotted Ignis only a few steps away from her, she smiled brightly. "A benevolent gaze such as yours does not come as often as I desire."

"Apologies for my wandering eyes. A foreign force propelled my body forth when my gaze fell upon you."

"Who do I owe the pleasure of meeting?" She asked sweetly.

"You may call me Ignis. I hope I do not offend you with my next statement. Your appearance evokes me of my late fiancée."

The woman fell silent for a few seconds before finding her voice again. "Was she a lovely woman?"

"Indeed, she was. She slipped from my world three years ago."

"I'm terribly sorry to hear that. I'm sure she's closer than you think," she beams.

Ignis shook the thoughts of Zodia away. "How rude of me to prattle on about private affairs."

"Nonsense, Ignis. I am a woman fond of all stories, even those of tragedies."

As the music picked up, Ignis offered a hand to the beautiful woman. "If I may."

"I'd love to dance." She takes his hand and he guides her to the center of the room. He took notice of Noctis and Luna as they danced together in unison with huge smiles etched across their faces. Waiting for the perfect moment to join in, Ignis wraps an arm around his partner's waist and gently took ahold of her porcelain hand. Complying, the woman puts her other hand on his upper arm and they both join in the dance.

Their bodies were in complete sync as the beat continued to crescendo. Ignis' emerald eyes bore into her sapphire ones, feeling a sense of familiarity in them. Her long midnight locks gracefully whirled along with their smooth movements, creating a glistening curtain of sable. A warmth Ignis hadn't felt in three years emitted from the fascinating woman in front of him, reminding him of Zodia's presence. He unconsciously gripped her tighter, feeling as if the moment he would let go, she would disappear just like the love of his life.

As the music changed to a slow waltz, Ignis pulled her body closer to his. "May I have the honor of knowing the name of the lovely maiden in my presence?"

"A name I would gladly love to share, yet I wish to remain anonymous 'til the time is right," she said.

Ignis couldn't help but smile at her response. "I shall heed the lady's desires."

"Thank you for your patience, Ignis. You are too kind." 

After the slow dance came to an end, Ignis guided his partner off the dance floor. Noticing her flushed cheeks, he took her out to the balcony for some fresh air. He disappeared for a few minutes to grab glasses of champagne to enjoy together. With the glasses in hand, the tactician returns to the balcony and hands over a glass. She thanks him before taking a small sip. "I must say, you and everyone else have done a fine job of restoring half the city in just three years."

"A feat not too many have accomplished. With His Majesty's guidance, we have prospered."

"That's good to hear. How are things outside the city?"

"Prospering, as well. Repair efforts are at full force in every corner of Eos," he answers, sipping at his drink.

The woman placed her glass down and began fiddling with something on her finger. Glancing at her hand, Ignis saw she was twirling a ring around her finger. The habit reminded him of Zodia as she did the same thing when she was nervous. Before she received the engagement ring, she would either twirl her hair or tap her wrist. "You are engaged, yes?"

"Indeed, I am. I haven't seen him in three years and he doesn't recognize me one bit."

"I pray I am not keeping you from him," Ignis said.

"No, not at all. Far from it, actually. I came here tonight in hopes of reuniting with him, but it seems I am more hidden than I had planned."

"Would you have me search for you fiancé?" He offered.

"I'm not going to send you on a wild goose chase when the goose is you, Mister Scientia."

Ignis was confused, his eyes glued to her form. He looked through her fingers and caught the design of the ring. Feeling his heart stop, he recognized it as the ring he had given Zodia in Altissia. The woman smiled as his emerald eyes widened and his body completely stiffened. "If you need more proof, I will gladly remove my mask."

Gradually, the woman lifted the intricate accessory from her face, revealing her identity. The glass in Ignis' hand slipped from his fingers, shattering on the ground by his feet. The champagne pooled at his feet, the advisor not caring at how sticky his shoes would be later.

She placed her mask next to her champagne glass and rested a hand against Ignis' cheek. "I was hoping to keep the façade up for a little while longer, but I couldn't contain my joy the moment your eyes landed on me."

Ignis reached a hand up and covered her smaller hand with his larger one. He leaned into her touch and whispered her name for only him to hear. "Zodia..."