What else was I supposed to do? [There was a note of sharp desperation to that, both of them clearly well past the end of their rope at this point.]

Either I kept living as that, pushing all of you further and further away and either waiting to die or killing myself, or I risk insanity for the slim chance that the result would be someone that could actually do something here.

I took a stupid risk that may yet backfire. I know that, and you don't need to tell me how careless I was. But I'm trusting in my Kingsglaive to keep me from going over the edge into complete and utter madness until I can help us get out of here.

You said you believed Ardyn Lucis Caelum still had a chance. Now that he's standing in front of you, are you going to believe in me now?

Because I'm telling you outright: if I have your support as the Shield, you'll have mine as the king.