"I had a breakdown when I saw the mail (a good breakdown don't worry) and I had to reread the chapters multiple times to get my thoughts in order because my initial message was closer to the sound a dog would make."
I am trying to imagine that message and in my mind, it is delightful <3
"We went from the Extremely Dubious Content tag (part 1) to just Dubious Content ? Awwwww."
Aahahaha I thought about that for so long! I was like, technically, can she ever consent given the circumstances? I'd say no. But would she still feel that way, too? Would he not accept the occasional "not today" at this point? So yeah, I was conflicted, and I absolutely feel about it how you feel about it.
"First of all I'm so sorry that they had to go back to Geidi Prime. It makes sense but it sucks for her you know ? Like my girl needs her sun."
She absolutely does. I imagine that world as a place that sucks the life force right out of anyone, born there or not.
"But it's not enough. The fact that tons of people are admiring him is just scenery to him baffles me. How much does he want ? I think it says a lot about his character and his philosophies."
You know, I think that's a really really good analysis. I never thought of it that way, I just thought "no way a Harkonnen would ever consider sharing glory, making others part of it, seeing them as human", and I absolutely love your take. You're right, it says so much about him but also about the conundrum of someone who's on such a pedestal, willing or not. The people who are not up there with him will never be enough. So as he's elevating himself, he's cheapening that veneration of others he craved in the first place.
"I know I've mentioned this before but I really admire Arafa. I love how despite losing her home, she's not beating herself up but she's finding another goal : bring down Shadam. Revenge essentially.
I think a part of her is just trying to find new ways to distract herself from the pain and sadness. [...]
But that's how she's always been so I can't be too surprised. Duty over desire. Responsibility over comfort. And I love her for that."
Yeah I agree. I think she's very much still on the run, somehow. It makes sense (to me) at least, too, she's doing what she can to still turn the situation into something a little bit better, but she's also very very afraid of not pursuing the next best thing because then she would have to stop and face reality.
"Also you mentioned a jewel. Does Arafa have a ring ? Is it to celebrate her being Feyd's wife or does it give her a new title ?"
I thought of it as the opposite. It's a decorative piece of jewellery, not a symbol of her power. She went from signet ring to diamond ring and in her eyes, that's painful.
"AYO I'M SO HAPPY ARAFA GETS TO HAVE GIRLFRIENDS. I'm exaggerating but I always enjoy it when female character are surrounded by other female characters and sure they're her servants but based on Arafa's personality I know she won't treat them horribly."
Me too :') You're right, they're servants/slaves, so what friendship can there be, but at least it's company other than Feyd.
"I don't understand how he manages to live with the fact that his little brother is his boss. I would have crashed into the moon personally. I noticed how he tried to remind Feyd that because they're brothers, he should favor him and not Arafa. It's funny because Arafa is doing the same thing.
It's like they're both fighting for Feyd's favors, because they need his protection. From him."
Ugh I love how spot on you are. Yeah they both know they can't be on equal footing re: Feyd, so one will lose, and the one who loses is at much greater risk of a violent death at some point in the future.
"Feyd and his obsession with getting her pregnant is gonna get him hit with a baseball bat in the head. IT'S NOT HAPPENING SO BACK OFF.
I know it's part of the whole "let's own Arafa, heart, body and soul" kink he has going on but how about he focuses on politics first."
Oh man stop making me laugh. (No don't.) He should definitely be focussing on the politics. But what can he do? He hates politics.
"Shs is so fucked when he'll catch her 😭"
I mean ... (nod to chapter 2) in a way.
"Also don't think I didn't noticed the Character Death and Angst tag. I chose denial. I won't talk about it or else I'll go nuts in the theories."
There IS a number of characters that might die. It's just not that many options.
Soooo happy to read from you! I hope you're doing very well <3
Comment on On his imperial throne
DeVear on Chapter 1 Sun 19 Oct 2025 10:46AM UTC
Comment Actions