#but i still understand what he needs bettee than elriels apparently

[shadowqueenjude]

I’m mostly staying out of the ship war discourse but I wanted to discuss this because I can offer a different perspective from informed experience.

Here is the thing: Whether Azriel likes it or not, he will always be Illyrian. That is something he will have to learn to accept if he ever wants to move on. This guy clearly has issues moving on and a huge part of that is because he hasn’t made peace with his past.

Believe me, as an Indian, there is stuff I LOATHE about our culture. Every culture has some bad shit; there is no “perfect idyllic unproblematic culture.” Why do you think people are so fascinated by the idea of a utopia?

Clearly Illyrians are looked down upon in many places. “Illyrian brute” was a term heard often. I have personally been a victim to racial discrimination as well: I’ve been called a terrorist, told my family doesn’t love me because they wanted a boy (i have an older brother btw), and had a song written about my body hair which circulated around the entire school. So yeah, there are days where I wish I wasn’t Indian because it would be easier if it wasn’t.

But there are also things I fucking love about my culture. The fashion, the food, the tradition, the languages, the respect we are taught from an early age, the value of family and education. And there is nothing else I would rather be. I am Indian and I’m fucking proud of it.

Illyrians are not completely terrible, and to say that is disrespectful to our Illyrian princess Emerie. Even if Azriel hates every single Illyrian man, he cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of the women of his own people, especially considering he is in a position of power to stop it.

Azriel’s character arc has to involve confronting his past trauma with his family, learning to stop latching onto unavailable women, and accepting and embracing his heritage. Because until he accepts he is Illyrian, until he helps his people, he will never know peace and he will always hate himself for being Illyrian.