I've simply decided in my headcanon that the events of this book will lead him to make the mayor (Constance? Respected war hero?) Grand Mage so he can step down or step back 💀💀
Bc by the end of the book, he's pretty much lost the respect of all the people who matter to him - even if it's only temporary, the broken trust will take a hot second to repair. I like to think he has some long conversations with Tanith especially (bc omg the way she refused to acknowledge him or be teamed up with him by the end of the book spoke VOLUMES) because they've had to go through so much to get to where they are, and she's worth more to him than this job surely 💀💀
(also he literally only took the job in the first place last time so he'd have the resources available to help Tanith, so without that need anymore idek why he took up the mantle this time anyway????)
The sad reality is that like. As Grand Mage, Ghastly does indeed have to make a plethora of shitty decisions in order to maintain something akin to peace, and keep everything strictly secret on a need to know. If he could tell Tanith, Skulduggery, Valkyrie everything he would - but he can't. Ghastly hates this. He does not enjoy this. He would very obviously choose otherwise if he could. (In this case, if he did anything than what he did, the world would be decimated - he's even said he'd do it again) He feels exhausted, fed up, and like it's a lose-lose situation no matter what he does.
i can't get rid of this stupid poll
Voting ended onAug 9
At the same time, and no less validly, Tanith needs to be able to trust Ghastly to do her job as Commander. She'd quite like to trust him in order for their relationship to work, too. If Ghastly keeps important things like this from her, literally lies to her face again and again, how can she trust him? How can she feel respected as both Commander and as his partner? She understands what their roles ask of them, but that doesn't make it any less shit. She feels hurt, betrayed. Both of them are unsure how their relationship can survive their circumstances, even if they both still care for eachother. (They've been together I think at least 6 years at this stage? At least based on the time jump between In the End and AMFOM)
So in my headcanon they book off some well overdue annual leave, they go to a safe house in the middle of nowhere to avoid being sought out - perhaps on the Irish coast, and they have ✨heavy conversations✨
Unlike the start of the book, this time, they're not sat up in bed planning their future. They're stood, arms crossed in the kitchenette, quiet voices and tired eyes from late nights of talking. Ghastly gives her the time and space to open up. He makes her tea as she talks. She doesn't meet his eyes - either because she can't or doesn't want to, he isn't sure. Ghastly finally opens up about the secrets on his conscience, now that he finally can. It feels good. The days are icy at first, but the longer they're away from work, the more they work through their issues. Small smiles at first, after she'd wake up to see him making them breakfast. When was the last time he did this? More to the point, when was the last time they had true, intentional time together? What's the point in being given a second chance at life if it's wasted?
(it's at this point they work through their issues with less talking involved. Again, long overdue)
They return from their annual leave refreshed and better than they were. Ghastly puts in his notice, and some recommendations for his replacement. There's obviously an uproar, and for a while, the transition of power keeps things worse before they get better. Attempts are made on his life - again - but at least he knows at this stage it's more of a formality than anything else. AKA, say a word or spill a secret from your time in office and we'll silence you forever.
He informs Skulduggery and Valkyrie of his decision. They're not exactly best friends forever again, but he wins a few points by offering Skulduggery some new hats. And matching suits. Now he has the time, at least when he's not being roped into their misadventures. The trust is being built again.
TL;DR: He's absolutely not a politician, he has no motive to stay as one when he's already begun to lose the people around him AND have his values be chipped away. This was the straw that broke the camels back, so the next logical step is for him to step down or step back imo
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