this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2024
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PrePub - Ascendance of a Bookworm
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synonyms
- Ascendance of a Bookworm
- Honzuki no Gekokujou
- 『本好きの下剋上』
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"let me embroider your cape"
It would seem super basic for all the Alexandria nobles, but for her retainers and Ferdinand it would mean that she wants to overcome her weaknesses and help him.
Also Ferdinand had a history with his cape. Firstly veronica took his cape for him (I think). Then he won the dunkelferger cape that really wasn't his own. Then he got one from Sylvester that lacked protections. And then he didn't get one in Archnsbach.
But now He will get one that truly can call his own with protections guaranteeing his wellbeing.
But why would she need to keep his namestone? Is it to protect her from Ferdinand himself? Other marriage prospects? Mestionora?
I think he wants her to have his namestone for a couple of reasons.
First, I think it's sentimental, it makes him feel needed and closer to her. And probably having it returned when his father was dying is not the best memory.
Second, I think it's intentional to give her power over him. It neutralizes the imbalance that began their relationship, when he had life and death power over her, not to mention the mentor-student power. He is always seen (and probably knows himself to be) manipulative and dangerous and he wants very much not to hurt her, to give her absolute power to stop him should she choose.
Schutzaria's shield of wind prevents anyone from entering who means harm to those inside. He's giving her that, to ensure that he cannot harm her, at least not until she comes of age. He doesn't fully trust himself.
For a relationship with an underage fiancee, it does seem very appropriate.
True... despite knowing her probably better than anyone else in the world, there are still times, when he can't understand her actions, thoughts and emotions. Like that he can't truly trust himself not to hurt her on accident again, like he did in the past.
Also very much an act of intimacy for him, to give any control to another person.
The second mindlink also. Rozemyne is not quite catching on to what it means that he is revealing himself in this way, though I mean, it's been kind of a crazy couple of days, it's not like she's really had time to get her bearings.
I was terrified she might reject him when he laid out her three choices and revealed that he actively wanted to marry her ;-) , glad she found language that worked and got past the "but wait, I suck, you don't want that, let me save you from it."
I love the "I want to embroider your cape" language. It seems to encapsulate so much of their relationship, I want to protect you and keep you from harm, as family. I was breathless reading to the end hoping the section would reveal it and not make us wait for another part, and I was not disappointed. Thoughtful and mature from Rozemyne, and yet full of personal meaning that seems likely to resonate for Ferdinand. What a great callback to the earlier novels. Once again I'm so appreciative of the magic of Kazuki-sensei.
Also to anyone knowing Ferdinand it screams "I want to be the person you can entrust your safety to", the man is way too paranoid to let anyone touch his cape so her wanting to embroider it is a pretty strong statement to those who know him well enough.
Also that Ferdinand of all people knows how much she hates embroidery! 😅 That will be an act of true love.
Probably the gods. Ferdinand's big trump card with them was "if Myne goes down, she's taking the whole country with her" because every zent candidate is namesworn to her. If that stops being the case, they could let her die if they are willing to put up with zent Ferdinand.
I really don't think he'd let her keep his name as a shield against the gods. If anything, I'd say your reasoning is backwards: If Ferdinand had his name returned, the Gods would have all the more reason to keep Rozemyne alive, since her dying and taking Eglantine with her would mean that Ferdinand would be the only Zent candidate, which is definitely something they would not want to happen, while there aren't any new ones. And in the long run, once there are new Zent candidates, Rozemyne having Ferdinand's name might even become a liability, since the gods can now have a second attack route at him, through Rozemyne.
I think him letting her keep his name is his well hidden sentimental and vulnerable side having a little peek through the layers of masks he puts up all the time.