A/n: We'll be getting into Episode Ignis next chapter, which will include my own twists and turns. Let me just say that Ignis won't be losing his sight! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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~Zodia's POV~

I felt the whole world become still around me. I didn't realize a crowd had gathered until I was able to come back to reality. "Is... is this the important thing you wished to ask?"

Ignis nods. I could see his usual calm demeanor was wiped away with nervousness. The tears I had been holding back sprung forward as I finally gave the kneeling man an answer. "Yes."

A smiled graced my features as I saw the tension leave Ignis' body. He gently slid the ring on my finger before enveloping me in a hug. The people that had gathered cheered and clapped at the beautiful moment.

After the crowd dissipates, three familiar faces are grinning at us. I knew from their faces that they also witnessed Ignis' proposal. Without warning, Gladio came over and wrapped both of us in a bear hug. "Congrats, you two."

"Thank you, Gladio," I smile up at the shield. Then, Noctis and Prompto stormed over, throwing their arms around us and joining the group hug. Once released from the hug, Noctis gave Ignis a stern look. "If you-"

"Noct, don't you dare do the 'overprotective brother' speech. You know Iggy would never hurt me," I silence my brother. Noctis deflated like a balloon as if he'd been waiting his entire life to give such a speech to someone. I placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled on a strand of his raven hair. "Don't look so down. I'll need you to walk me down the aisle in Father's place. Promise?"

"Promise," he smiles widely. I drop my hand and suddenly, Prompto jumps in front of me and hugs me one more time. I rest my hands on his back and giggle. We pull apart and we all head to dinner together in a restaurant not far from the Leville. With our bellies full, we head back to the hotel and decide to head to Maagho tomorrow to get some help from an old friend of Cid's.

Entering our shared room, Ignis closed the door behind us and suddenly, my world went spinning. As my vision steadied, I realized I was now laying on the bed as I felt the soft sheets under me. That's when I saw Ignis looming over my smaller frame. Before I could get a word out, Ignis leaned down and sealed my lips with his. Seeing his lustful emerald gaze was the first and it sent a chill down my spine. I kissed back before he could pull away, wrapping my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss.

What felt like hours was only mere minutes. We pulled away, our lungs begging for air as we panted. After another long silence, Ignis spoke up. "Forgive me. I... do not know what came over me."

I move my hands to his cheeks so our eyes were locked. "Don't apologize, Iggy. I've never seen you like this."

"My dear, you have no comprehension of what you do to me," he smiled, laying a gentle kiss on my forehead. "We should rest." I nod in agreement and we get under the sheets together.

-Next Morning-

Breakfast was spent in a small café just a gondola ride away from the Leville. Around noon, we boarded another gondola and headed to Maagho. We had a few issues with finding the bar, but we were able to find it in the end with help from a few locals.

As we stepped off the gondola, the man we assumed who was Weskham greeted us. "Gentlemen, welcome! I see you also brought along a beautiful maiden. What brings you five to Maagho?" Noctis stood at the bar and discussed matters with the bar tender.

As I was examining the small but gleaming bar, the sound of footsteps broke through my thoughts. "My dear Camelia, it's been a while," Weskham greets the older lady.

"I heard about your distinguished guests and one in particular caught my attention." Camelia's gaze fell upon me.

"Ah, you've an ear for gossip," Weskham chuckles lightly.

"Gentlemen, I won't waste your time. My name is Camelia Claustra."

Ignis took a small step in front of me to obscure her view. "First secretary of the Accordo Protectorate."

Camelia grins slightly. "You should know we have Lady Lunafreya in our care. And the empire demands we surrender her... and your princess."

Noctis' eyes widen in shock. "What?" I tense as the air around us pervaded with hostility from the First secretary.

"Yet I am loath to acquiesce unless we stand to profit. Hence I've come to discuss terms... with the King of Lucis. If you've a mind to talk, come to my estate. For now, you must hand over the princess as well for her own sake."

"Like hell I'm leaving my sister in your care!" Noctis snarls.

"It was not a question, Your Highness. I do not wish to use force against you, for you are guests in Altissia. The Oracle herself has even wished to speak to Princess Zodia."

I stepped from behind Ignis and stood before Camelia. "I will go with you."

"Zodia, no!" Prompto protests.

"Good. I am glad to see the Princess of Lucis is aware of her position," Camelia said, sending a small glare to Noctis.

When I was about to take a step forward, Ignis grabbed me by my wrist. Without skipping a beat, I smiled and kissed the worried man on the lips gingerly. "I'll see you soon, Iggy." As his grip on me slackened, I freed my wrist and fell in step with Camelia.

"Zodia..." Noctis' voice deepens melancholically. Before I vanished from their sight, I gave them a heartening smile.

Walking through the streets of Altissia, Camelia led me to her estate. The First secretary leaves me in a room, which only has a large bed, a dresser, and a few chairs. I gave her a confused glance before she could disappear. "This will be your room for now until negotiations are made. Until then, you are not to leave this room. There is a bathroom just beyond the door to your right and your meals will be brought to you." Then, she vanishes and locks the door behind her.

To my curiosity, I jiggle the knob and learn it was locked on the outside. "What a lovely day. After I get engaged, I'm imprisoned in the First secretary's estate." Sarcasm and venom dropped from every word. I sit on the foot of the bed, my fingers fiddling with the ring on my ring finger as I sighed gloomily.

Hours passed before I heard the door unlocking. To my surprise, the person who was visiting me was my soon-to-be sister-in-law. I flew to my feet and smiled at her. "Luna, I'm glad to see you're safe."

"You, as well, Zodia. I must give you something." Lunafreya gracefully saunters over with something clutched in her hand. She took my own hand and I felt the object as she pushed it into my palm. "You must watch over the ring, Zodia. I cannot bear such a task any longer."

"Luna, I can't-"

"You must! With your blood and bonds that tie yourself to the zodiacs, you will use the ring's power to protect those you cherish. Sagittarius also awaits your presence."

"Where is Sagittarius?" I ask.

"Camelia ordered her guards to break into the ruins and steal the slumbering zodiac. He is asleep under our feet. I will take you to him."

I knew Luna was aware of my imprisonment and didn't care about the consequences of her helping me because I could tell from her crystalline blue eyes that she was planning on taking me to the zodiac whether Camelia agreed or disagreed. She took my hand and we quietly left the room. Guards were scattered all across the building. Hopefully, none of them spotted us as we entered the basement of the estate.

Lunafreya led me to the farthest corner of the basement and pushed a few boxes out of the way. The familiar red orb radiated brightly from the confinement of a silver bird cage. With help from Luna, I was able to pry the door to the metallic prison open and touch the pulsating orb. With a flash, the cage breaks and an awoken Sagittarius stood before.

Pieces from the ceiling fell for Sagittarius couldn't fit in the basement and he tried his best to fit in the room without making any noises. "Thank you for liberating me from that small prison, Daughter. I must make this quick for I sense a faction of men closing in."

My eyes widen and I quickly turn to Luna. "You can't be seen with me. Head back to your room, please."

"Zodia, I cannot-"

"Young Oracle, return to your quarters. There is someone else here to assist her," Sagittarius states sternly. Luna knew she couldn't go against a zodiac and left. I could hear the running footsteps closing in. Sagittarius places a gentle hand on my head before vanishing and leaving me with his charm.

Just as I was about to run out of the basement, someone grabbed me from behind and pinned my arms behind my back. The Ring of the Lucii and Sagittarius' charm dig into my palm as I ball both hands into fists. The man holding me pulls at my hair, resulting in a cry of pain to escape my lips. "Send for First Secretary Camelia! She must know of this!"

The other four men with him didn't get far before I heard them grunt in pain. Then, their bodies could be heard as they collapsed to the floor. The man who had been pinning my arms was grabbed and yanked away from me. I turn to see who my savior is and I'm flabbergasted at the sight. His name fell from my lips before I knew it.

"Ignis."

As I watched the last guard fall, Ignis dispels his daggers and sighs in relief. I watch as the tension leaves his shoulders and examines the men he had knocked out. On instinct, I ran to him and wrapped my arms around his torso. The impact wasn't enough to cause him to lose his balance, but it was enough for him to lurch backwards slightly.

"I am generally a patient man. Unfortunately, my patience wavers drastically when you are absent from my side." He wraps his arms around me and nuzzles his nose into my hair.

I pulled away and raised an eyebrow at him. "How did you get here? The estate is heavily guarded."

"Noct helped with transporting. To find you, I simply followed the guards who took chase."

"Sagittarius must've meant you when he said I would have assistance."

Ignis cupped my cheeks, raising my head slightly so our eyes were locked. "Return to your quarters. I will be there shortly once I conceal these men."

"What if they wake up?" I ask.

"Trust me, darling. They won't for a few days." He left a lingering kiss on my lips before I headed back to my room. With the Ring of the Lucii and charm in my hand, I hide the ring under the pillow and place the charm next to the others.

"Hey, Sis," I suddenly heard from behind me. I jumped in surprise and faced my brother with a glare. He chuckles and pats me on the head. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya. Where's Specs?"

"Dealing with a few men he knocked out. He should be back any-" Right then, the door opened and Ignis quietly closed it behind him. "Moment."

Ignis informed me of how he and Noctis warped to the balcony as I left with Luna. The strategist took it upon himself to follow me, but he ended up tailing the guards who had spotted me and not Luna. I was glad they didn't see her. Who knows what trouble that would've caused.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. I quickly shoved Noctis and Ignis into the bathroom before they opened the door. A guard entered and sat my dinner on the small nightstand next to the bed and left without saying a word. The sound of the door locking was my 'all clear' signal. I opened the bathroom door and let the men out. "You both need to leave. If they find you here, Camelia will know and negotiations will fly out the window!"

"We're all worried about you-Specs more than anyone else. We just... we just wanted to make sure you were safe. Glad we did sneak in because who knows what Camelia would do if she learned you awoken Sagittarius."

"Did Iggy tell you all that while the guard was delivering dinner?" I ask.

"Yeah! It's important information!"

"Listen, I love you both dearly, but you must leave. I wish I could go with you, but... I can't. I won't be able to leave this room until the Rite. For now, you both need to return to Prompto and Gladio."

Seeing their reluctancy, I pushed them towards the balcony. When they were both outside, I stormed back into the room and locked the balcony door before they could follow me. Noctis began banging on the glass, begging me to unlock the door. I turned my sapphire gaze to Ignis, begging my fiancé to take Noctis away. As he understood, the tactician pulled my brother away from the glass. After a few minutes of Ignis talking to Noctis, I saw his shoulders slump. Before my brother could warp with Ignis, I sent them a small comforting smile. They returned my smile with their own before vanishing.