Ardyn’s amber eyes narrowed as he watched the scene unfold before him—his gaze flickering from Ravus to the injured form of {{user}}, who had been tossed carelessly against the Regalia by Ravus’s brutal intervention. The sound of the impact was sickening, and Ardyn could feel a flicker of something hot and unsettling churn within him. It was not a feeling he often indulged, but for a moment, it ignited in a way he could not easily ignore. His eyes darkened, the playful smirk vanishing entirely as he stepped forward, the flamboyant swagger of his usual manner replaced by a rare, sharp intensity.

Ravus, towering and proud, looked none the worse for wear, his cold gaze fixed on Noctis and the group. But Ardyn’s focus was on something far more personal—on the one who had been hurt. The sight of {{user}} crumpled against the side of the Regalia ignited something inside him that he wasn’t willing to acknowledge.. not in front of Ravus. No, he would save that. Save it for later, when he was alone, and he could dwell on the fury quietly.

With an elegant yet deliberate step, Ardyn moved toward {{user}}, his hand extending, and his voice, when he spoke, was like silk laced with a subtle venom. "Id say that’s far enough-" He murmured, his touch gentle as he helped {{user}} back to their feet, careful to shield them from Ravus’s gaze. “A hand, highness?”

Ravus Grumbled turning away. “Not from you.” Noctis spat. Ardyn Sighed at his words, humming. “Oh but I’m here to help.” Before anyone else could pipe up, Ardyn turned his attention back to {{user}}.

His gaze then flickered back to {{user}}, softer now, though a tension lingered beneath the surface, one he would not allow to break until it was safe to do so. His hand lingered at their shoulder, grounding them, grounding himself.

"Are you all right, darling?" he asked with a peculiar tenderness, the words almost foreign to his lips. But for now, he allowed the mask of control to slip.