{
  "comments": [
    {
      "body": "...Huh.\n\nI've been wondering why Arameth is so fixated on Rigard. Last chapter, Lenard said Arameth knew Rigard would be coming, instructed them to capture him specifically, [i]and[/i] knew Rigard's secret desires. We now have a mechanism for how Arameth could know the latter, but if he needs direct contact to do it as the author comment here implies, that still raises the question of when he could have done so when Rigard acts as if this is the first time they've met.\n\nCrackpot theory time: Arameth and Rigard used to be lovers, presumably before Arameth had his own kingdom. Rigard's dad disapproved of this, banished Arameth (possibly giving him that scar in the process), and tortured Rigard into forgetting his relationship. This would explain why Arameth acts so weirdly fond toward Rigard (expressing concern over his treatment, sounding genuinely hurt when Rigard says he plans to kill him), why Arameth seems to know Rigard so well, and why he's putting so much effort into convincing Rigard of his point of view. It would also be hilariously ironic if Miriam [i]did[/i] have actual mind control magic, the thing Rigard accuses Arameth of using.\n\nThe hole in this theory is that it seems very stupid for Miriam to think sending Rigard to attack Arameth would be a good idea if this is true... but it's not impossible he's arrogant enough to think his conditioning would hold.",
      "created_at": "2025-07-30T08:41:42.235-04:00",
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      "post_id": 5742633,
      "score": 6,
      "updated_at": "2025-07-30T08:41:42.235-04:00",
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}