#S HE S BACK THE BROKEN GIRL SHE S O K AY SHES BACK AND I HOPE SHE IS DOING WELL SHE DESERVES GOOD

[ofcastora]

SHAKESPEARE’S CORDELIA + DIVERONA’S CATHERINE

happy birthday, kiersten! @catherinedaly

INSP.

FULL PASSAGES UNDER THE CUT

1.

SHAKESPEARE:

LEAR: Thou hast her, France; let her be thine; for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see That face of hers again. Therefore be gone Without our grace, our love, our benison. Come, noble Burgundy.

[ Flourish. Exeunt Lear, Burgundy, Cornwall, Albany, Gloucester, and Attendants. ]

KING OF FRANCE:  Bid farewell to your sisters.

CORDELIA: The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are; And, like a sister, am most loath to call Your faults they are nam'd. Use well our father. To your professed bosoms I commit him; But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place! So farewell to you both.

GONERIL: Prescribe not us our duties.

REGAN: Let your study Be to content your lord, who hath receiv'd you At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, And well are worth the want that you have wanted.

CORDELIA: Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides. Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. Well may you prosper!

KING OF FRANCE: Come, my fair Cordelia.

[ Exeunt France and Cordelia. ]

DIVERONA:

[ In conversation with Grace Daly / Goneril ]

If she’d known, she’d have brought her gun.

But, hindsight is 20/20 and there’s no time to mull over how differently this fight would go if she brandished a pocket pistol rather than a blade; either way, she’s hellbent on showing her estranged sister that she’s no longer the little dove of a girl that Grace abandoned so long ago. Catherine smirks in spite of the eldest’s jab, deciding its better to keep her talking for as long as she can before they clash and spill the blood of their family. “Oh, Grace,” she sneers in return, a sickly sweet smile gracing her visage, “I’ve withstood your taunts and assaults for twenty-one years now. Don’t further insult your poorly-executed cruelty by doing me any favors.”

“Besides, soldatessa, haven’t you heard? I’ve received a promotion while you’ve remained stagnant. Tell me, sorella, how does it feel to be Hamlet’s bitch?” she cruelly goads, spurred on by the chaos that surrounds them both. “How many coffee runs have you been on in the last week, hmm?”

2.

SHAKESPEARE:

CORDELIA: [ aside ] Then poor Cordelia! And yet not so; since I am sure my love's More richer than my tongue. 

LEAR: To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, No less in space, validity, and pleasure Than that conferr'd on Goneril.- Now, our joy, Although the last, not least; to whose young love85 The vines of France and milk of Burgundy Strive to be interest; what can you say to draw A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.

CORDELIA: Nothing, my lord.

LEAR: Nothing?

CORDELIA: Nothing.

LEAR: Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again.

CORDELIA: Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty According to my bond; no more nor less.

DIVERONA:

[ In conversation with Everett Craven / Edgar ]

You love her.

There’s something jarring about hearing her stream of consciousness reduced to three simple words: You love her. There’s something powerful about putting a name to her feelings, something she’s refrained from giving into—for her own sake and Brielle’s. But, here, with Everett quietly and simply filling in the blanks, she knows and finally concedes.

She’s always known.

Even though she’s not yet said it to Brielle, she knows.

It makes her wonder, then, if Brielle knows, too. It makes her wonder if the brunette’s heart sings at the sight of Catherine like Catherine’s heart does at the sight of Brielle—if she loves her like Cat does. Everett can see it, clear as day. It’s etched in the pensiveness in his green gaze, in the way he schools himself into the perfect embodiment of patience and acceptance despite the treasonous words that pour from her lips. You love her.

“I do,” Catherine murmurs after a slight pause, “and I can’t help it.”

But, it doesn’t need to be helped—at least, according to Everett who, perpetually devoted to his favorite godsister, is quick to remind her that her feelings aren’t wrong, but they are dangerous. “I know,” Catia says, voice barely louder than a whisper. The hefty weight of what if nearly buckles Catherine’s shoulders every time she gets a chance to see Brielle; an unabated sense of impending doom settles like lead in her bones and makes her question if it’s worth it—worth risking Brielle’s life, worth risking her own, worth risking her beloved Everett.

(She’s always answered yes, even if she’s the only one who ever hears her response. She doesn’t have the gall to voice such selfishness, such fervent longing.)

3.

SHAKESPEARE:

LEAR: To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, No less in space, validity, and pleasure Than that conferr'd on Goneril.- Now, our joy, Although the last, not least; to whose young love85 The vines of France and milk of Burgundy Strive to be interest; what can you say to draw A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.

CORDELIA: Nothing, my lord.

LEAR: Nothing?

CORDELIA: Nothing.

LEAR: Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again.

CORDELIA: Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty According to my bond; no more nor less.

LEAR: How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, Lest it may mar your fortunes.

CORDELIA: Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me; I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry Half my love with him, half my care and duty. Sure I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all.

LEAR: But goes thy heart with this?

CORDELIA: Ay, good my lord.

LEAR: So young, and so untender?

CORDELIA: So young, my lord, and true.

DIVERONA:

[ In conversation with Everett Craven / Edgar ]

TW: DEATH, SUICIDE MENTION

At eight, she was too young to bottle her own emotions for the sake of others. At eight, she cried alongside Everett because life wasn’t fair; because she, too, was sad; because she ached for him, knowing that he’d never have a mother to tuck him in again like Simona did for her. At eight, even with her tender and too-loving heart, her world was Catia-centric. And despite the politeness in her words and her honey-sweet disposition, she liked it. Craved it, even, because at least she, the golden daughter, deserved it.

But now, at twenty-one, she’s wiser and less selfish–and less deserving, too.  At twenty-once, she will bottle her emotions for Everett’s sake. At twenty-one, she will not cry alongside him because life isn’t fair but there’s nothing one can do except keep going; because she, too, is broken–but the pieces of the Craven man are crumbling so much that even Catia’s dainty fingertips might not be able to pick them up; because she aches for him, for Maeve, for herself–but she doesn’t cry. She can’t.

Instead, she engulfs her godbrother in a massive hug and squeezes tightly. She holds him while he cries, remains steadfast and strong. There are no words, but she speaks anyways: “Why? What–” Her voice trembles and cracks. “Was it really her doing, or a framing like Lillian and Cassian’s murders?” She’s not sure which option is worse.

[yourlocallosernamedgreenookie]

*MUFFLED SCREAMING*

[luvreyn]

My Manhwa List (2020) Part 7

It’s been a crazy 24 hours (more or less) for me. How are you all? Hope you’re doing better. Anyways, onto the list!

Forever Mine

Description:

He will follow every command I give him. He will follow me to the ends of the earth. He is Forever Mine.

THOUGHTS & WHY READ THIS:

- plot = 5/5 kinda simple yet so marvelous idk if it because the art helped to but this is so great

- honestly didn’t expect the revelation at the beginning

- art = 5/5 because i love it! look at how pretty they are!

- same author/illustration as sweet spooky darling 

- fact: i read this in one sitting that’s how good and captivating it was

- the characters are so cute

- no heavy drama 

- a personal favorite 

- i only have good words about this

- friends to lovers trope aye sir

- although i wish certain characters were given spotlight to tell their story, i understand that it wasnt the focus of the author 

- it’s so good that i didn’t even notice that i was at the last chapter type of good!

- they have the best friends

- the 3rd parties arent villainous at all so plus points

- verdict, highly recommended! i enjoyed it so much & i hope you do too!

Broken Melody

Description:

Minhee used to be a world-famous piano prodigy until one mistake sent her life spiraling. Her confidence shaken, her family broken and her life in ruins, all she can do is hope for a chance to make things better. That's when she meets Eun Hyun, the neighborhood piano teacher whose life has been filled with tragedies of his own. The world breaks everyone, it's up to us to pick up the pieces and glue ourselves back together. 

THOUGHTS & WHY READ THIS:

- plot = 5/5 very perfectly complicated & there’s a lot of elements present that gave the story flavors 

- art = 4.5/5 

- tbh i drop this some time in 2019 cause some parts were dark & depressing & heavy for me (and i wasnt in the best mindset that time) so just to warn you guys in case :) 

- mentor x student (the thing is, they were connected through one passion and she was no sexualized in any way, it was an emotional connection)

- d r a m a 

- lots of drama!!

- the character’s motivations!!! they all have this strong urge and motivation to achieve their goal 

- the end justifies the means <- probably their motto

- p i a n o (main reason i got drawn in)

- verdict, recommended if you crave for drama! 

By the Way, Dragon Mistress!

Description:

Though he had lost his family at a young age, through the help of Duchess Orleans and the Emperor, Karl grew up excellently. But at the banquet Karl attends to tell the Duchess of the Emperor's meaningful words, a questionable explosion takes place. Duchess, what is your true identity?!

THOUGHTS & WHY READ THIS:

- plot = 3/5 

- art = 3.5/5 

- only few chaps so give it a try!

- older girl x younger guy

- will probably gave it a higher rating if it didn’t felt rush or was executed properly

- the mistress is a strong independent woman amen

- verdict, an okay read!

Daisy: How to Become the Duke's Fiancée

Description:

Sweet, timid Daisy meets a tragic end after being betrayed by the man she loves. When she is given a second chance at life, she vows not to repeat the same mistakes of the past! The only problem is that she must pay off her father’s gambling debt to Kilian, an aristocrat with a terrifying reputation. One option will take her 60 years, and the other, just three... but it involves a contract marriage to Kilian, who must be three years married in order to inherit the title of duke. While Daisy has sworn off men, the conditions of the offer are too good to pass up. She will be paid a generous amount of money at the end of the contract and also be guaranteed a swift divorce. Is she making a mistake by putting her trust in another man? Or will this deal give her the wings she needs to fly?

THOUGHTS & WHY READ THIS:

- plot = 3/5 for now cause it only has 1 chap release

- art = 3.5/5

- going back in time trope

- i n t e r e s t i n g

- i wanna know what the hell happened!!!

- their dad is a jerk ugh

- her older sister doesnt even know her priorities

- verdict: has a potential so give it a try!

I Bid You Adieu

Description:

Ayne le Poregrin has three "trophies" in her collection of men: a reluctant fiancé held hostage by his debts, a fickle assassin paid to be her lover, and a soulless pet dog won at a slave auction. But to suddenly wake up one day as this femme fatale is the worst possible surprise. As the villainess of the novel "The Fairy Garden," the new "Ayne" is fated to die a painful death at the hands of her very own trophies! To sidestep her grim future, she knows she'll need to break up with all three. As soon as she tries to say goodbye, however, each man becomes attached and won't leave her alone! Can Ayne turn their affections towards the story's heroine and save her own life in the process? Based on the hit novel.

THOUGHTS & WHY READ THIS:

- plot = 3.5/5 

- art = 3.5/5

- truck-kun strikes again

- i s e k a i

- the assasin

- i relate to her in a fangirl level jk

- i n t e r e s t i n g

- verdict: this seems to be okay despite the overly used isekai element now or it’s probably because of the assasin & her attitude of collecting beautiful man but i do hope this rise to the ocassion aka develops properly