Rydia's age & post-TAY future

[Axel Firestorm]

So Rydia is 37 physically in TAY, but I'm not sure SE gave much thought to the implications of what that could mean. Most women that age have had kids already, and by this point she's already missed her most likely window for having any of her own. I know it still can happen as women get older, but it's also less common.

And Edge is 43. If they were ever to get together post-TAY, they might find it hard to have any kids of their own. Which, given Edge's position as king of Eblan, could be problematic since he and Rydia would be expected to produce an heir. I'm not sure Cuore would qualify since she's both adopted and not natively of Eblan.

As I said above, it doesn't seem like this ever even occurred to SE when setting TAY so long after the original game. Are they content to make Rydia a barren spinster? Seems a sad fate for such a beloved, iconic, and magically badass character.

[Phreya™]

It's mostly just an excuse for a sequel. The game is set so long after in order for Ceodore to be old enough as protagonist. Rydia's and Edge's relationship is nothing more than mere tease for fans to keep speculating on as it is still going nowhere after 17 years.

Besides, you can't really argue that Cuore wouldn't qualify as the heiress to Eblan's throne due to those circumstances given Cecil's heritage and him being adopted by the previous King of Baron. Even Yang is royal now after the King of Fabul abdicated. I don't think royal bloodline is a big deal in FFIV world since two of the protagonists become Kings by merit.

[Axel Firestorm]

Actually, from what I understand, the ending left things hopeful for Rydia and Edge to finally get together, which the novelization seems to confirm with her tender thoughts about his kindness and and what he did for her. I've never understood the reason for deliberately leaving romantic interest like that unfinished when SE knows fans want closure for it.

[Phreya™]

Originally posted by Axel Firestorm:

Actually, from what I understand, the ending left things hopeful for Rydia and Edge to finally get together, which the novelization seems to confirm with her tender thoughts about his kindness and and what he did for her. I've never understood the reason for deliberately leaving romantic interest like that unfinished when SE knows fans want closure for it.

Which's just more tease, IMO. Fond thoughts and kind gestures don't mean much if they still don't take their relationship to the next level. The closest to an attempt to take their relationship further is probably Broken Heart band ability... where Edge got rejected *sigh*

[Axel Firestorm]

Actually, I don't think Broken Heart counts because it's not obtained through the story but as extra content. Only things that happen through cutscenes and the narrative would be what actually matters. Also, sometimes people hide their real feelings, and even what appears to be a rejection outwardly can really be just a self-defense mechanism to avoid admitting the feelings that are really there.

And also, what happens in the ending would supersede Broken Heart anyway given that how she feels about him at the end is what's important. SE set her, Edge, and Cuore up as another of the makeshift families they seem so obsessed with. Laguna/Raine/Ellone from FF8 & Cloud/Tifa/Marlene/Denzel from AC in the original FF7 timeline are other examples. Given this context and setup and Rydia's warmer feelings toward Edge at this point, it's very likely that they do finally get together sometime after TAY. Probably not long after.

The novelization makes this even more likely given that it shows that Edge is the only one of Rydia's friends who she specifically names in her thoughts as a reason for her to stay in the human world rather than go back to the Feymarch. Generally, when someone's first in someone's thoughts, it means she's come to care for him very much.

Of course, once they do get together, they'd probably have to get right to work if they wanted any kids of their own since Rydia's almost past the normal window for being able to have any. Though I doubt either of them would really consider that "work" ;)

[Phreya™]

Broken Heart is obtained by default in The Crystals. It's not extra, optional, or missable. I'd argue that it can't be entirely dismissed. But otherwise, I agree with your speculation regarding Rydia's rejection. Speaking of cutscenes and narrative, let's throw another fact that Edge is not shy to straight up flirt and get handsy with Izayoi.

As for the makeshift families, the similarity ends there. Raine nursed Laguna for half a year. They lived side by side, ended up married, and had Squall. Cloud and Tifa are not a valid example because they're already quite established as a couple before AC. In the OG FF7, they were making out beneath the airship after everyone left. Regarding makeshift family, Barret, Marlene, and Tifa also had this exact set up before Cloud came into the picture. Yet it didn't turn out into anything romantic.

Anyway, with all those confirmed romantic feelings, the real questions is: for how much longer Edge x Rydia romance supposed to keep budding? When will it finally bloom canonically? Because it's been 84 years 17+ years and neither Edge nor Rydia has taken even the slightest move to turn those feelings into reality. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't even recall them ever had a moment to themselves just like when Cecil and Rosa embraced each other in Tower of Zot. I envy your optimism because to me this couple is hopeless, haha.