Comment by ItsNotOverYet on Blossoms of the White Night - Chapter 22

@ItsNotOverYet He didn't go for him, he went because he had no choice in the matter, it was a political obligation. So technically, no, it doesn't mean anything.

@Nordremo technically, yes, you are right of course. 
But at the same time, while fulfilling his duty to the homeland, he could treat his appointed “husband” very differently.
The relationship that developed between them then was based on more than just duty (though duties cannot be denied for sure). Beyond devotion to his duty and his homeland, there was a devotion specifically to Shuraka and a desire to protect Shuraka , not just the "husband" and the alliance between the countries.. Otherwise there wouldn't have been 10 years of prayers.
In short, what I'm trying to say is that he showed up there "in he**" against his will both times. But the first time, he volunteered to defend Shuraka. I think that's how it will be now, too.

@ItsNotOverYet I get your point, but "showing up" cannot be considered having meaning in itself because as was stated, it was regardless of his will. That's my point. I do not deny the part where indeed their relationship under such circumstances could have developed way differently (like them not bonding and staying strangers or worse, having resentment born from it).

@Nordremo Okay, okay! I understand.
Perhaps I'm not explaining it well (even in my first comment). For me, everything is simply more metaphorical in this chapter (perhaps the author intended it differently, I can't say). So no one literally had to descend into he**, and the country itself or the palace itself or arranged marriage aren't he**, of course. But the actions of the people are. So, for me, Tei confronting these people and their actions to protect Shuraka seems like seeing Shuraka "in he**" and voluntarily standing by his side.
But again, that's just my point of view. I promise, I'll stop now😅

@ItsNotOverYet

It's fine, it's fine, I understand x) I sometimes worry too if I am expressing myself correctly because English isn't my first language to be honest...

I completely agree with your explanation, this chapter was all about symbolism and the parallels with Mellia's tale, which is heartbreaking because Shuraka was busy surviving and as a result has had no time to experience a deeper understanding of what love can be like. It's obvious he was a child that had to grow too fast, and that's why he still clings to things of comfort from his childhood (Tei, Tei telling him fairy tales from his homeland), because his adult life has none. The very fact he was relieved he "didn't have to stay a child" to be loved shows he probably hates his adult self because he was never shown actual love as one so far; he only remembers being cherished as a child, and he was clearly afraid Tei wouldn't like his adult self.

For now, he doesn't have the means to understand that love doesn't need to be romantic to be strong, and that's why he gave Tei that heartbreaking response: you don't love me as a romantic partner, so you wouldn't be able to find me. There's a mountain of other things to say about that statement and what it says about how was the last decade for him, but we'll have to see how horrifying exactly in the future chapters...

And it's fine, I like having a discussion x)

@Nordremo he would ...always

@Nordremo

So true!!!! 😭English isn't my native language too. And I often think, "I seem to have written the right words, but maybe in my language it sounds right, but in English it doesn't convey the same idea at all."
Oh, thank you! I like having a discussions and reading comments, maybe too much 😂

The whole chapter was so beautiful, yet so heavy and heartbreaking. 
For now, he doesn't have the means to understand that love doesn't need to be romantic to be strong, and that's why he gave Tei that heartbreaking response: you don't love me as a romantic partner, so you wouldn't be able to find me. - This is a wonderful thought. I so wish Tei could find the words to explain it to him; even if Shuraka doesn't believe it, at least he'll hear it.

@ItsNotOverYet Same issue here lol And being able to leave comments to have discussions is the point, I don't think it can be "too much" x)

That's the issue I have so far with Tei: as I commented on a previous chapter already, Tei doesn't ask questions, and it's doing nothing to solve the communication issues, so the misunderstandings keep piling up. He's very passive for now, probably thinking he's powerless anyway, but it's not by answering his own questions that he's going to get actual answers and clarifications about the overall situation, be it his or Shuraka's. I find it very frustrating lol