been reading that cc account and oh wow i didnāt think of this https://curiouscat.qa/mikaeIsons/post/1218800332
Adding the screenshots so itās easy to readā¦
This scene kills me for all of these reasons. Manon takes the leap and admits she cares about him and is scared to lose him. Dorian wants to stay, wants to say yes, but canāt. š
This is THE example showing just how much they respect each other imo. Manon thinks sheās being smart politically, offering the alliance to keep him there, get the Crochans on her side, and position both their kingdoms for a future after the war. It is smart! But with the added layer of vulnerability in admitting her feelings, she lets that one word slip in - sacrifice. I think Dorian wouldāve left regardless (he was committed to finding the wyrd key and closing the gate), but hearing her say that sealed the deal. He wonāt say yes because he knows thatās not really what she wants. Or at the very least, she isnāt ready for it.
I imagine heās thinking back to the scene in EoS when she tells him he can only have what she gives. Nothing more. He remembers this at the end of KoA when he doesnāt say what heās thinking - what is it that you want? You, all of you. But she knows what he wants to say there. Theyāve spent the entire book learning about and reading each otherās expressions and thoughts. So when Yrene blurts out what all Manorian shippers are thinking (bless you Yrene!), Manon smiles at Dorian and gives him hope with her reply. Hope for herself too, that she may need time, but she wants to do what Asterin told her to do. Live. Find happiness.
And after the marriage proposal, when Manon wakes up the next morning to find him gone, sheās hurt and disappointed but she isnāt angry with him. She understands why he left even if she didnāt want him to go. And then her thoughts of going after him are interrupted by the call for aid in Terrasen. I donāt think she really would have gone. Like Dorian wanting to stay with her, she wanted to go after him. But she knew that wasnāt her journey to take.
As much as my trash heart HATED seeing them separate here, I loved how it showed their maturity and respect for each other. Dorian knew his path, knew he had to go alone or risk failing the way Gavin had by choosing one woman (witch) over the fate of the world**. Manon knew her path, knew she had to win the Crochans over herself to gain their full support because without them, the war would be lost.
I just wish he wouldāve left a note behind! š„²
**God, just imagine what wouldāve happened if she had followed Dorian and Erawan captured her! Then Dorian tearing the place apart to save her. THE ANGST!!! That whole Morath section was stressful as is. I probably wouldnāt have survived Manon being there š
ETA- Just wanted to add that Dorian in Morath was amazing! It really showcased his bravery and intelligence and compassion, putting him in the spotlight for once. So as much as Manon being there wouldāve been great for angst, Iām glad he went alone.
germansingergirl
vaporwave
romaincrisis
pixelskylines
izzy806
theartofmadeline
