I just remembered that Balekin was the one who told Madoc where Jude and Taryn's mom was after she ran away from Elfhame. So Balekin's the reason Madoc took Jude, Vivi and Taryn back to Elfhame with him which indirectly caused Jude to kill Balekin all those years later. He would've still been alive if he weren't such a snitch lmao what a loser.

If Cardan and Nicasia were still together and he had the chance to be with Jude, do you think he would cheat or even leave Nicasia for Jude? Maybe it would depend on when this would happen. Like if he's High King, he wouldn't have as much shame or fear of making his own decisions compared to him living with Balekin in TCP.

I'm asking because Cardan has always fantasized and admired Jude from a distance, even if he didn't realize he was doing so. And the love he has for Nicasia seemed superficial. He got over his romantic feelings for her pretty quickly when she cheated.

(Hiii, sooo sorry for the very late reply)

When reading the TFOTA series, I always think about the "what ifs?". What if Nicasia had never cheated on Cardan? What if she had committed to him and strongly loved him, wanting him and only him? It's interesting to ponder on the potential alternate storylines that could have developed.

I strongly believe that Cardan is a faithful person and would never cheat on anyone, not even Nicasia. He is someone who craves love, attention, and affection due to being love-deprived. In The Queen Of Nothing, he himself admits that love was never a game to him, unlike Locke. Whenever he was in a romantic relationship, he was genuinely caring towards his partner (Nicasia), which was why he committed to her. Nicasia was the only person he had ever loved (before Jude obvi), so it made sense for him to want to stay by her side and marry her. Although, it is mentioned in the books that Cardan had a crush on Jude while he was still with Nicasia. However, the only reason Nicasia and Cardan's romantic relationship ended was because Nicasia fell in love with Locke, and chose him over Cardan. But what if she had not cheated? What would have happened then?

It's a difficult question to answer because even I can't be sure what would have happened. Most likely, the conflict between Jude, Taryn, Locke, Nicasia, Cardan, and Valerian wouldn't have occurred. Nicasia started the drama because Locke left her for Taryn, and she wanted revenge. If Nicasia and Cardan had gone ahead with their plans, Cardan would have stayed away from Jude, and they would have remained enemies. Even if Cardan and Nicasia had stayed together, it's clear that Cardan would have been unhappy living in the Undersea. The outcome would also depend on the timeline. If Cardan was the High King and still with Nicasia, she would have become the High Queen, which would have been terrible for Jude. The story would have ended differently for sure. It's hard to say, but I don't think that Cardan and Nicasia's relationship would have lasted, and they would have been miserable together. Cardan loved Nicasia, but he was so obsessively drawn to Jude that he might have ended his relationship with Nicasia because of it.

It's a tricky question, and I can't imagine how it could potentially play out. This scenario would make a great fan fiction story, so I hope someone writes one day. LIKE IMAGINE THAT AGNST.

Quick sketch of Balekin!

I always imagined his aura being blue, Cardan's plum and Jude's dark red. I'm currently re-reading The Wicked King so I got inspired

Everything will go on. But I'm not sure I can.

The Cruel Prince, TFOTA, Holly Black

Reading the cruel prince is like, oh the cruel prince is cardan, obviously...... and then oh no, it might be dain!!! Oh fuck it's balekin. Nvm it's cardan alright

I already post something saying I like valerian, but why I am also falling for Balekin…

Sometimes I keep amazing myself, like why will I fall in love with someone that literally chopped off all his family members because he wants a weird looking crown, made by a old man. (In my opinion I don’t think that the crown is pretty, like you are royalty and can’t take something better.( no offense))

Anyway… I just fall in love with him, like I said before I had realized I have very questionable taste in man. Do I think he’s a bad person? Duh, but still.

And yes I have think over my life decisions and I think talking to a therapist will probably be healthier, then traumatize random innocent strangers online.

He just sounds so caring in this part.

So if you have to read my text about Balekin is just so smashable, my deepest condolences✋😔.

Btw, this picture is from the wicked king chapter 23.

Honestly, I need to confess.

I feel really weird disliking R/hysand and still enjoying Balekin Greenbriar.

I mean, the book is all about to love Cardan, and I really do, but I sincerely love Balekin’s character even with him being pretty dumb, pathetic and cruel. Wtf?

THIS COMES TO DAIN TOO, BY THE WAY i was pissed off he’s been out of the plot so soon

Is there anyone else?..

Book Recs

I have never felt as violent of a book hangover as the one I am experiencing now. If I don't get another book/series that grabbed me by my throat and dragged me violently through the story without me being upset about it in the next 5 hours, I just might die from boredom and neglect.

Is it concerning that all my fav folk of the air characters so far have been Balekin, Lord Roiben, Locke, Taryn and the Ghost? Probably

cardan at the family reunion

“Although I have sometimes been harsh with you, it was because I sought to make you better. Do you think that you can be indolent and self-indulgent and yet succeed here, as a ruler? Without me, you would be nothing. Without me, you will be nothing.”

Cardan: Jude where have you been

Jude:

Locke waking up in some afterlife to Valerien, Dain, Balekin and so many others killed by the Duartes/Madoc's family chanting " One of us. One of us "

The Cruel Prince Characters

Artist: @courtmakes_art

Balekin:

'"Mortal girl," Balekin says one afternoon when we're alone in the watery chambers of the palace. He does not like using my name, perhaps because he doesn't like having to recall it, finding me as disposable as all the human girls who come through Hollow Hall.'

Cardan: