“I will tell you something of significance regarding your High King.”
In that part, it’s very interesting that Jude didn't think about a secret to defeating Cardan or gain new information that she could use to create a strategy against him. Jude didn’t get into Jude mode at all.
No, she got into I’m-a-teenager-in-love-for-first-time-and-without-access-to-social-medias mode.
Does he have a new seneschal? (Does he replaced me?)
Does he have a new lover? (Is he seeing someone?)
Is he going to Council meetings himself? (Is he taking care of himself?)
Does he talk about me? (Does he think about me?)
Do he and Locke mock me together? Does Taryn laugh? (Is everyone happy without me?)
To me, Jude Duarte isn't defeated. TQON chap one and two make it look like that, but I’m not believing it. She was made for a fool for sure, and Faerie laughed of her, but I don’t think this is what is holding her.
Jude is heartbroken. And if she wasn’t she would be scheming already. Sadness is what is holding her. Because sadness can be paralyzing.