This time there's genuine shock on Ardyn's features. It's the first time he's ever heard his brother admit any fault to the gods' plans. Before, he'd talked of the necessity of it, offered his own apologies - selfish, in Ardyn's eyes, pleas for absolution as though Ardyn owed it to him. The closest he's ever heard Somnus come to admitting Ardyn did not deserve this fate was saying that his brother needs to be freed, or granted peace. But he'd never acknowledged the slight against him as such.

Befuddled and still angry, Ardyn does not have an answer to that, only managing to grip his sword tighter, breath hissing between his teeth as his eyes search Somnus's face for confirmation that this is some kind of trick, a lie, a threat, gloating - anything.