Wallowing in grief is unhealthy, I'll grant you that. However, shoving it down and acting as if it doesn't exist is just as detrimental. I would rather he acknowledge it and learn to work his way through it than to have it come back and bite us all on the collective ass when we need him to have a clear head.

[He's not going to play with an unequipped rival. It would be pointless. What Ignis doesn't know about the Astrals rivals what he knows of being an actual human being. Something Ardyn is seriously lacking.]

I believe he still has to contend with his father, king, country and a trusted subordinate all dying senselessly.

[Ignis's eyes narrow at the mention of Lady Lunafreya. Noctis had said they needed to discuss things privately. This was, perhaps, one of those things. No wonder his friend had been so reluctant. What was Izunia playing at by telling him this now?]