[Perhaps recklessly, Ignis lets his daggers vanish, gesturing to his scarred face with one now freed hand. He needs to bring this conversation to an end because he feels like he's starting to lose ground, though that might just be the panic talking.]

You say that like it should be some kind of great revelation. Surely, you know they start training servants to the Crown to put aside all thoughts of self-preservation very quickly. Not that a six year old has that much thought of self-preservation to begin with no matter how intelligent he may be.

[How many times over the years has he heard people question the fairness of him being appointed to his role so young? How many times has he seen the pitying looks when he's told them he didn't mind being shouldered with duty then? Ignis knows they all think he doesn't know better, that he doesn't know how much he's missed out on.

Well, in his opinion, they also have no idea how much he's gained.]

Amusing, though, that you of all people are scolding me about not having enough self-preservation. You the healer who gave all he was to save his people. You who ignored all the warnings until it was too late.

[Why, one might almost think Ardyn was worried about someone else sharing a similarly tragic fate, but that's just foolishness, now isn't it?]