Thereās a line in episode 4x04, after the torture, and Jaskier is talking about what happened to him and Geralt is putting it all together and he says āThat is what Dijkstra wanted; he used ME to break his new king of hope.ā
And I thought a lot about that line, because it bothered me, the use of the singular. Dijkstra used both of them because the torture wouldnāt have mattered if Jaskier hadnāt been with Radovid when it happened. Yet, Geralt chose to keep the focus on himself. Why?
I think it was to spare Jaskierās feelings. Jaskier calls the experience torture, even tho he isnāt physically injured and Geralt is. Jaskier is also very resolute that he made the right choice staying with Geralt. If Jaskier were to realize that he had been manipulated to make that choice, he might feel shame or doubt or regret. So sparing Jaskier of that realization helps Geralt back up his friendās feelings. Itās a kindness.
I think Geralt cares about Jaskier. I think he knows Redania is dangerous for his friend. I also think he wouldnāt admit it to even himself, but heās grateful that Jaskier is with him.













