Joie J

Maybe not Bastien, but Esperanza and Earnest? Esperanza has an intimidating aura; a conference that she may have drawn from her presumed-dead family line? And the way Earnest is always inside the castle, always on the edge - is that only because of his social position? Maybe it's his responsibility for the truth that keeps him alarmed all the time? What if Lukas got involved with Esperanza? What if Esperanza is the source of Lukas' new found knowledge? In order to search for the truth, he may have gotten too close to her. What if their relationship ran deeper than what Lukas had with Bastien? Remember Ali said that he grew up with Bastien, Esperanza, and they were once very close. What if Lukas' involvement, or maybe even affection for Esperanza is why they fell apart?

Now I want to know more about Lukas. His words are haunting. You belong to a place that you can't recognize anymore? Was Lukas heart broken? Did he feel an unavoidable change in Bastien? But Ali said Bastien's love for Lukas wasn't reciprocated. Which lie is closer to the truth? And then I worry for Lawrence. His purpose and position in Veridien demands both skepticism and cynicism. Neither of them will help in his love for Bastien to bloom. Lawrence's strategic mind will allow him to make a few tactical errors around Bastien. But love will demand trust; something his mind will call a strategic blunder.

+1 😃

Hmm, I don't think Anton is the real villain and I'm not saying this because of his slippers. He is a total snob, but even under his hubris, he cares for Bastien. Also, who else googled "The Geometry of Power: Architectural symbolism in the European institutions" after reading this chapter?