Every time I think of the lost potential with the King of Hybern and Nesta and Elain, I weep a little inside. No, don't walk away, please hear me out!

First of all, I think it makes very little sense that the King lets Nesta and Elaine go in the first place. He just got them made with the cauldron's powers, you don't think he'd be curious what they can do? You don't think he'd want to keep them around as an additional bargaining chip so Tamlin and everyone else doesn't get stupid ideas?

Plus it would be such a more direct way to explain the sisters trauma. Like yeah, they were stuck in the abstract horrors of the cauldron, but that was rather undetailed and hard to feel empathic to for me personally ('wow u became immortal and extremely beautiful, what a tragedy'). Meanwhile having to be around the worst guy of the book, now that's something really terrifying. Like, just imagine the sisters having to deal with the King! Elaine is more soft and diplomatic and manages to get on his good side. Nesta is stubborn and angry and suffers much, much more.

But how much sense it would make then for Elaine to stab the King of Hybern in the back! He thought he had her under his control, but no! Betrayal! And Nesta beheads him, letting out all her rage. It would be so fitting and also explain how Elaine could get so close to the King without him caring.

Not to mentioned the King of Hybern would get much needed fleshing out! We could learn his background, his motives etc. It would've been awesome! Of course it would need some re-writing of the middle of the book, maybe some sister pov chapters, so I guess it would have clashed a little, but large potions could still be the same. Maybe the rescue mission could be a bigger focus instead.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, a book!?!? A teeny tiny book?!?!? 🥺