Take Me As I Am

“If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.”

Cardan and Jude - The Cruel Prince

On the other hand, at that point in their relationship, I think that Jude accepted the marriage proposal bc 1) she secretly loved Cardan and thought that this new station in life and relationship status would make it safe to love him openly and was hopeful that he might love her back 2) she really wanted to be queen and have absolute power 3) she did not want to be so scared anymore. In that order. Jude spent the exile angry and cursing and planning Cardan’s demise but she never took off her wedding ring. Girly was feeling absolutely hurt and heartbroken and betrayed and foolish and I’m pretty damn sure she was suffering a lot more about supposedly being dumped by her new hubby than for being the queen in exile.

did someone say serve? 😍

“I’m out of practice,” Taryn says.

“I’m not.”

She swings. I block her blow, our swords slamming together. The metal rings out, echoing through the room like a bell.

Taryn and Jude - The Cruel Prince

Jude and Cardan - The Cruel Prince

That’s a waste of pap— that’s a waste of grief, begging, love and I quote, “indiscreet promises”

the “I expect you to come back now that everything is settled” letter

lol the “I want you to come back but I don’t want to say it so just come be angry at me closer” letter

The second half part though- 😭. the “just come home I don’t care what you do to me but just COME BAAAACK” letter

Cardan be like: tf does this queen think she is not responding to my letters, AKA the “YOU HAVE NEVER DONE MORE OF A SIN THAN THIS JUDE DUARTE” letter

Also cardan: yeah I’m doing something wrong, how about I address this to The High Queen of Elfhame, ha this will definitely work AKA the most heartfelt, poetic and longest letter

he said, "most of all i hate you because i think of you."

he literally could have stopped there. but no. then he said, "often."

yknow what fine. it slipped out maybe. he could have stopped there.

nope! he keeps going: "it's disgusting" ok! i think she's got the point!! you don't need to--

BUT NO!!! THERE'S MORE!!! "and i can't stop."