"Honestly? I didn't really figure out that I was likely to be Noct's...replacement...until a few months ago," Ignis nearly chokes on the word 'replacement' and it has nothing to do with the flowers still digging their way through his lungs. The thought is just so horrific that it's hard for him to even consider it might be the truth. It's probably why it took him so long to put it together in the first place. Now that he has put it together, though, it makes too much sense for him to just dismiss as a terrible nightmare no matter how much he may want to.

"Am I okay?" He laughs then, though the sound comes out harsh and choked, perhaps more of a cough than a laugh in the end, "Do you think anyone who just realized they were meant to rule their brother's kingdom could ever be okay? Lucis is Noct's not mine. I don't want it!"